Popular Misconceptions about Dental Decay

Myths often start with a grain of truth, and that’s the case for the dental misconceptions40ish-dude-shrug most people have absorbed over the years. No matter how educated a person perceives they are concerning dental health, it’s possible a few false impressions have taken root. Such as…

  • Cavities are a fact of life.
    It’s common knowledge that there are very real, clinically-evidenced explanations for dental health issues, so why is it that many times you cross your fingers and hope luck is on your side when it’s time to take the kids to the dentist? Recent advancements in research have focused a lot of attention on early intervention methods. So with proper education, fluoride, increased access to dental care, and ongoing research, children in this day and age may not need to worry about cavity development. No four-leaf clovers necessary. Continue reading Popular Misconceptions about Dental Decay

Arm Yourself with the Facts About: Oral Cancer

Hearing that the dentist screens for oral cancer at your checkups may surprise you. True, oral cancer may not be oral-cancertalked as much as other types of cancer, but make no mistake: if it’s not caught early, it’s often deadly. With a high treatment success rate in cases where the cancer was spotted and diagnosed early, it’s clear why your dentist makes screening a regular part of your dental visits. Continue reading Arm Yourself with the Facts About: Oral Cancer

Important News for Patients with Diabetes

The link between gum disease and diabetes has been debated for some time. Researchers agree that the link exists, but the relationship is unclear. Are patients with diabetes more shutterstock_2010341susceptible to gum disease, or is it the other way around? In recognition of National Diabetes Month, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has released some new guidelines on oral health for people with diabetes.

According to recent studies, a two-way relationship exists between oral health and diabetes. Gum disease, an infection of the soft tissues that support the teeth, increases blood sugar levels, which elevates the risk of diabetic complications. Patients who already have diabetes are more susceptible to infection, and therefore, more likely to contract the disease. The bottom line? Everyone, especially diabetics, needs to pay close attention to his or her oral health. Continue reading Important News for Patients with Diabetes