Monday, January 7, 2019

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The main cause of periodontal disease is bacteria in plaque that is left untreated. The bacteria in our mouths bond with mucus and other particles to form plaque on teeth. The plaque that isn’t removed by brushing and flossing hardens and forms tartar.
To get rid of the bacteria, our immune systems release defense cells that cause areas around the teeth to become inflamed. As our gums swell, they pull away from the teeth creating little pockets that allow more bacteria to settle in.
Other factors that could lead to periodontal disease include:
  • Smoking/tobacco use
  • Hormonal changes (puberty, pregnancy, or menopause)
  • Certain illnesses
  • Genetics
  • Poor nutrition
  • Stress
  • Clenching or grinding teeth


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Periodontal means “around the tooth.” Periodontal disease, also called periodontitis, is the disease of the gum tissues that surround the teeth and the jawbone that anchors the teeth in place. It starts with bacteria in the mouth, and, if untreated, it can end with tooth loss.

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Periodontal disease is a common dental condition that affects one out of every two American adults aged 30 and over. It’s no small thing. In fact, it’s the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the developed world. But it goes beyond teeth, periodontal disease has also been linked to Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, stroke, heart disease and more!
If you find yourself wondering, “What are some periodontal disease symptoms?”, you might be surprised to learn you are experiencing a few of them yourself.

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Oral cancer screenings are a part of all of our new patient and routine exams. When you see a PERFECT TEETH dental professional, we evaluate your risk factors and look for signs of oral cancer.
Additionally, we’re currently testing a new early oral cancer screening product called OralID at five PERFECT TEETH practices in Arizona. This optically-based technology saved our Chief Dental Officer’s Dad’s life, and we’re excited to see how it benefits PERFECT TEETH patients.
Oral Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity for us to remind everyone that early detection is key to saving lives. It’s also an opportunity for you to understand the risk factors and to schedule your next dental appointment in hopes of avoiding this deadly disease.

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  • A lump in the mouth or throat or on the lip.
  • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or the lining of the mouth.
  • Bleeding, pain, or numbness in the mouth.
  • A sore throat that does not go away.
  • Difficulty or pain when chewing or swallowing.
  • Swelling of the jaw.
  • Hoarseness in the voice that lasts for a prolonged period of time.
  • Pain in the ear.


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You don’t have to be old and unhealthy to be at risk. Oral cancer is typically associated with tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and older age. Many people are surprised to find out that, due to the connection to the HPV virus, the fastest growing segment of oral cancer patients is young, healthy individuals.
Decrease your risk:
  • Quit all tobacco use. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco can cause cancers anywhere in the mouth or throat, as well as cancers in other parts of the body.
  • Reduce alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing oral cancer. Approximately 7 out of 10 patients with oral cancer are heavy drinkers.
  • Avoid HPV. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a sexually-transmitted disease that is linked to oral cancer. The number of oral cancers linked to HPV has risen dramatically over the past few decades. Prevent HPV with HPV vaccinations and typical STD preventative measures.
Early detection is key. Oral cancer’s high death rates are not because it is difficult to diagnose, but because it’s typically discovered late in its development. Visit your dentist on a regular basis (we recommend every six months) to be screened for oral cancer symptoms.

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  • Approximately 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal cancers every year in the US according to the American Cancer Society.
  • Oral Cancer kills one person, every hour of every day in the United States.
  • Many who do survive suffer long-term problems, such as severe facial disfigurement or difficulties with eating and speaking.


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April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. The national campaign was initiated by the Oral Cancer Foundation to increase awareness about a disease that affects many people’s lives. In April, dental associations from across the country are coming together to spread the word about this often overlooked disease.

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Give Easter treats that aren’t candy. Some good options for children include:
You can limit the candy your kids get at home, but you don’t always have control over the amount of candy your kids get out in the world. If this is the case, be sure that they’re brushing twice a day and flossing regularly. Give them water to drink, and as always, we recommend bringing them in for a cleaning and exam twice a year. Go here for more tips on healthy smiles for kids.

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It’s not the sugar from the candy itself that gives your kids cavities, but rather what happens in their mouth after they eat the sugar. Some types of bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugars to create acids that destroy tooth enamel. Those acids create a bacterial infection that makes holes in teeth. Without treatment, cavities can go deeper into layers of the tooth, causing pain and possible tooth loss.

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It is thought that the Easter Bunny first arrived in America with German immigrants in the 1700s. Following their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhas,” children put out nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs.
The custom spread across the U.S. and the Easter Bunny’s deliveries began to include chocolates and other gifts. As holidays became more commercialized, the amount of Easter candy exploded. So what do we do to make sure we prevent cavities and kids stay cavity free?

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When you have children, it seems that no matter how good your intentions, the candy box is always full. From Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s, to Easter and birthday parties—it’s a never-ending parade of candy all year long and preventing cavities is no easy job! As soon as the last traces of Halloween fun-size and Christmas joy are gone from your pantry, in hops the Easter Bunny with a fresh round of sweets.
The Easter Bunny is on his way again right now. The seasonal aisle of the grocery store is overflowing with colorful marshmallow concoctions, pastel-colored jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, and oozy sweet eggs.
When it comes to the biggest candy celebration of them all, Easter and Halloween are neck and neck. Americans spend an average of $28.11 per person on Easter candy. As a country, we spend $2.1 billion dollars on 120 million pounds of the stuff every year. These are astonishing numbers for a holiday that is only one of the holidays that we celebrate with candy each year.

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Spending a little bit of time and money on your oral health now will save you a lot of time and money in the future.
Dental care gets more expensive the longer it’s neglected. Brushing, flossing, and regular checkups aren’t expensive, but when you don’t brush, floss, and see your dentist as recommended, you can develop serious dental problems like periodontal disease and cavities. More serious dental problems lead to more expensive dental treatment like dental surgery and dentures. It’s an expensive and painful chain of events.
What if you took care to avoid dental problems with routine trips to the dentist? You won’t find a better return on investment than that.
When you’re considering what to do with your tax refund this year, consider investing a it in your oral health. PERFECT TEETH is here to get you started. We offer new patients a New Patient Special*- exam, x-rays and cleaning for only $34!

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Nothing is more important than your health. Spending money on your oral health now can lead to a longer and healthier life.
Poor oral health not only causes painful teeth and gums, but it’s also shown to have a connection to heart disease, stroke, and other inflammatory diseases. It can also be an indicator of other health problems. Research shows that more than 90% of all systemic diseases like diabetes and oral cancer have oral symptoms that can be diagnosed in its early stages by a dentist.
Look at it this way—a crown may cost $1,000, but you’ll have it for the next 20 years. If you break that down, that’s only 20 cents a day! That’s a small price to pay for good oral health (and pain-free chewing!).

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Despite the temptation to spend the money on something frivolous, most people actually spend their tax returns on personal finances. According to BankRate.com, “30 percent of Americans intend to pay down debt with their tax refund, 28 percent say they will save or invest it, and 26 percent have earmarked those funds for necessities such as food or utility bills.”
These statistics are reassuring. At PERFECT TEETH, we would like to think a percentage of tax return funds are being set aside for dental care, too.

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Every year, nearly eight out of 10 U.S. taxpayers get a refund.
The average refund is roughly $3,000, and while it can be tempting to use this money for a beach vacation or on a wild shopping spree, it’s important to remember that dental care is not only a wise financial investment but also an investment in your health.