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Oral Cancer, what you need to know.

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Approximately 1 in 800 British Columbians have a precancerous area in their mouth and about 3,200 Canadians are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Oral cancer is a disease of soft tissue not teeth, so it can also affect anyone even older adults who do not have their natural teeth.

Oral cancer generally has a high mortality rate due to late detection. Late-stage treatment of the disease can also result in disfigurement and affect daily activities such as eating. Oral cancer screening is a highly effective tool for identifying pre-cancerous lesions, and early detection may improve prognosis.

When to seek a screening.

If you have any areas of concern in your oral tissues, such as discolouration, unusual textures, lesions, or sensitivity you should contact your dentist for an exam. It is also important to have regular dental cleanings as your soft and hard oral tissues are all examined by the dentist as part of their routine examination.

What happens if my dentist finds an area of concern?

If your dentist finds a lesion or other unusual spot in your mouth they may recommend a VELscope assessment. A VELscope instrument is a system that relies on the loss of fluorescence in visible and non -visible high risk oral lesions that can be identified by applying direct fluorescence. In simpler terms, a special blue light is used to light your oral tissues that makes it easy to spot changes in the tissues.

If a lesion or other area is concerning we will perform a biopsy on the tissue and send the sample to the BC Oral Biopsy Service at Vancouver General Hospital for testing.

Who is High Risk?

People with a high risk of oral cancer may be more likely to benefit from oral cancer screening, though studies haven’t clearly proved that. Factors that can increase the risk of oral cancer include:

  • Tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff, among others
  • Heavy alcohol use
  • Previous oral cancer diagnosis
  • History of significant sun exposure, which increases the risk of lip cancer

Dental Anxiety – How we can help

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The Fear Stops Here: Techniques for Coping with Dental Anxiety

Every day, your dentist welcomes patients into their practice that are dealing with dental anxiety. While there are many degrees, the fear and anxiety associated with dental visits can sometimes prevent patients from seeking the dental care they need, resulting in more significant problems in the future.

As your partner in oral health, your dentist wants you to know that they’ll always do their best to put you at ease during visits. Here are a few ways that you can work to overcome dental anxiety and feel more comfortable during your time with your dentist.

Communication is key

One of the most effective ways to overcome dental anxiety is to communicate your fears and concerns with your dental office. They’ll help you understand the treatments you’ll undergo, the level of discomfort you can expect, and how they’ll help make the experience more comfortable for you.

Try relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and visuali[z]ation can help reduce anxiety and make dental visits less stressful. Before your appointment, take a few minutes to practice deep breathing exercises or visuali[z]ation techniques to help calm your nerves. During your appointment, try to focus on your breathing or visuali[z]e a calming scene to help reduce your anxiety.

Choose a distraction

Distraction techniques such as listening to music, watching TV, or reading a book can help take your mind off of the treatment.

Bring a friend or family member

Having a friend or family member with you during your visit can help provide comfort and support. Your companion can help distract you and provide reassurance throughout the visit.

Consider sedation

For patients with severe dental anxiety, sedation can be an effective option to help them relax during their dental procedure. There are different levels of sedation, from mild sedation (such as laughing gas) to deep sedation (such as general anesthesia). Your dentist is happy to offer sedation options in the practice–call them to learn more.

If you are experiencing dental anxiety, your dentist will work with you to develop a plan that allows you to feel more comfortable and confident during your time with them!

Dental Cleaning – What to expect

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Have you every gotten your invoice after your dental cleaning and wonder what the heck it all means? What on earth is prophylaxis… or root planning? What am I paying for?!

Recall/Recare exam

This exam is performed by your dentist – they will check any areas of concern noted by your hygienist, check your oral tissues, look at past x-rays as compared to your current ones, and check any other functional or aesthetic problems you wish to discuss.

Scaling

When using an ultrasonic scaler, a vibrating metal tip on the tool chips tartar off of your teeth above your gum line. Then, a water spray on the scaler washes away the tartar and flushes plaque from the gum pockets. Or, your hygienist will use a manual (not powered) hand scaler and scraping device to remove small remaining pieces of tartar.

Root Planning

Root planing is like tooth scaling except it takes place on the roots of your teeth that sit below your gum line.During root planing, your hygienist will use a tool to gently push aside your gum tissue and expose the surface of the roots. Then uses the same tooth scaling tools to chip tartar from the roots, making them smooth.

Prophy/Prophylaxis

This is what most people call “polishing”. A slow speed dental drill with a rubber cup attachment is dipped in a slightly abrasive polishing paste and used to clean and polish the teeth. It moves in a rotational pattern and feels similar to brushing your teeth.

Fluoride – Varnish/Trays/Rinse

Fluoride varnish: is a liquid form of fluoride that it brushed onto your teeth at the end of your cleaning appointment. It comes in many flavours and is the most effective form of fluoride application. Though you no longer leave the dentist with that squeaky clean feeling, you’re doing your tooth enamel a world of good!

Fluoride Trays: Your hygienist places a thin ribbon of the fluoride gel into each upper and lower fluoride tray. The trays are seated on the upper and lower teeth and remain in place for 5 minutes. Only a small amount of fluoride should come out of the base of the trays when they are placed, otherwise, there may be too much fluoride in the trays. After 5 minutes, they trays are removed and you spit out the remaining fluoride. It is very important not to rinse your mouth, drink or eat for at least 30 minutes after your cleaning.

Fluoride Rinse: While we do not use fluoride rinse as it is proven to be clinically ineffective, it is used much like a mouth wash (such as Lysterine) and swished in the mouth for 30 seconds and spit out.

Bite Wings/Periapical X-Rays

A bite wing x-ray shows the upper and lower back teeth in a single view and is taken to see how the upper and lower teeth line up, to check for decay, and discover bone loss due to infection and serious gum disease. A periapical x-ray shows your entire tooth, from the crown to the root tip. They are particularly useful when diagnosing abscesses and necessary root canal treatment. X-rays are not taken at every cleaning, but we recommend doing them annually or if you are having a particular problem that needs diagnosis.

Panographic X-Ray

A panoramic x-ray is a two-dimensional (2-D) dental x-ray hat captures the entire mouth in a single image, including the teeth, upper and lower jaws, surrounding structures and tissues. It is taken in a special machine that goes around the head and captures images of your entire mouth, face from the nose down, sinuses, and nerves.

Velscope

A velscope is a wireless handheld device that uses natural tissue fluorescence to enhance our ability to detect abnormalities in the mouth that are often invisible to the naked eye. Unlike regular oral cancer screening, which involves visual examination for red, white, or black spots in the mouth, Velscope uses a superior blue light to excite molecules deep within the layer of our oral mucosal tissues, i.e. the mucous membrane lining the inside of the mouth. These excited molecules then emit their own light in shades of green, yellow, and red. The Veloscope’s proprietary filter makes fluorescence visualisation possible through blocking the reflected blue light and enhancing the contrast between the normal and abnormal tissue. Basically, Velscope allows dentists to detect dysplastic cells or cells that are just beginning to make their transformation into pre-cancerous cells through abnormal fluorescence patterns.

As always, if you have any questions about you bill, please contact our front desk and we’d be happy to explain all charges.

Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

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Nowadays, Cosmetic dentistry is growing at a rapid pace. All thanks to this improving industry which has made the dental procedures more and more affordable for people.

The most affordable cosmetic dentistry procedures THAT  we are going to help you with are:

1-Teeth Bleaching

Do you have discolored teeth? Do you want them to shine bright? If yes, it’s quite a cheap dental process and the best part is that it doesn’t come with any side effects.

2-Tooth Contouring & Reshaping

If you have a misshapen or chipped tooth for some reason, try the tooth contouring and reshaping treatment. It’s one of the painless dental processes that will help you feel good about your teeth and your smile.

3-Dental Crowns

Trying to fix your bad breath? Tired of chips, cracks, and cavities? Try dental crowns!

These crowns are basically dental molds that help by improving the visual quality of your teeth.

4-Composite Dental Bonding

Do you wish to get your tooth’s structure fixed? Or want a treatment that can help in improving your tooth’s strength?

The composite dental bonding is so far the best thing you can try. It’s a cheap process and it will fix almost all your major teeth issues.

Always there are options to fix your teeth and have your beautiful smile back.

If you like to check your options for cosmetic dentistry, don`t hesitate to call us at 604 936-1263 and make an appointment with Dr.Ross.

Happy Holidays from Dr.Ross and Staff

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Wishing you a sparkling holiday season 

May your smiles be Merry and White!

   

 

How Smoking affects your dental health?

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Smoking is already proven to be really bad for your oral health. It appears that smoking interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells. This interference makes smokers more susceptible to infections. It causes severe periodontal (gum) disease, and once you have gum damage, smoking also makes it harder for your gums to heal. In general, smoking gives you bad breath, tooth discoloration and Increasing risk of bone and tooth loss.Further more, it has serious effects on developing oral cancers . Smoking can also lower success rate of dental implant procedures. Please If your have any signs and symptoms of gum disease like red,puffy,tender gum or bleeding while you are brushing do not hesitate to call us. We can book you a quick check up appointment with Dr.Shahriary.

Some tips for Thanksgiving

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Next weekend, as your family celebrates Thanksgiving Day, it’s important to keep your oral health in mind. When preparing your holiday meal, include foods that are nutritious and beneficial for your teeth and gums. Turkey, Cheese, Greens and vegetables are packed with protein and phosphorous, Calcium, vitamins and minerals which are all good for  health and strength of your teeth and gum.

Cranberry sauce which is a tasty Thanksgiving tradition, pumpkin pie and desserts are the sweetest  part of our celebration. But you should consider that starchy foods are full of sugary carbohydrates, which build up bacteria in the mouth and can lead to cavities. Just make sure to have a few drinks of water afterward to wash away food debris from your mouth.

If you do notice tooth stains after Thanksgiving, contact us and also ask about our teeth whitening services. There’s no need to completely deprive you this Thanksgiving. But do keep in mind these suggestions  for your dental health.

Happy Thanksgiving in advance!       

Step by Step Dental Implant Surgery

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How do you care about your Denture?

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Dentures are “false teeth”, can replace all the teeth in your mouth or only some of them. You should care for denture as you would for your teeth.

To care of your Denture

  • Always Stand over a Towel or Bowl of water in order not to break your denture.
  • Store dentures in lukewarm water or denture-cleaning liquid overnight, not in hot water! Also, do not let them dry out.
  • Clean your denture every day with a brush designed for cleaning dentures or a toothbrush with soft bristles and denture cleanser, not toothpaste which can scratch your denture. Please do not use household cleaners or bleach.
  • You should at least 6 hours a day, leave your denture out. Remember to take it out at night. This lowers the risk of choking if the dentures become loose.
  • Please don`t try to fix your Denture yourself.

 To care of your Gums:

Check your gums daily. Brush your gum, tongue and the roof of your mouth with a soft brush every day before putting your denture in.

Let red, swollen gums heal before putting in the dentures again. If the redness does not go away in a few days, call the dentist.

White patches on the inside of the cheeks could also mean the dentures aren’t fitting well.

If you feel any discomfort with your gum or denture, Schedule your appointment today.

Gift Shopping – Dentist Recommended

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This Christmas give the gift of good oral health! Dental hygiene products are not only a cost-effective present, they also show your loved ones you care about their health.

Stocking Gifts

Manual Toothbrushes are a great stocking stuffer as they are compact and inexpensive. Most people do not change their toothbrush at the recommended time (every 3-4 months) which makes them a great gift! Chances are all of your friends and family are ready for a fresh, new brush.

Toothpaste is another great (inexpensive) stocking stuffer. This is the perfect time to get your kids excited about their teeth by buying them their own toothpaste with their favourite character or in a cool flavour like bubblegum or fruit punch!

Flossers are perfect for the teen in your life who won’t commit to manual flossing every day. They promote the habit of flossing in an easy and convenient way.

Bigger Gifts

Electric Toothbrushes are perfect for the “speed brusher” in your house. They promote longer brushing time and do a more thorough job than manual brushing. They are also a great alternative for people with wrist mobility and dexterity issues due to age, osteoporosis, arthritis, etc…

Opalescence Go is our new take-home whitening system. It’s a hybrid between a custom tray and a bleach strip that has specially formulated bleach to curb sensitivity. They are stronger than the over-the-counter white strips you can buy and more cost-effective than custom made bleach trays. This is the perfect gift for a graduating teen, busy business person, or to treat yourself.

A Cleaning and Check Up is perfect for the young adult in your life who no longer has coverage under their parents. We see many young adults come less frequently (or not at all) for their regular cleanings when they lose their parent’s coverage. Cleanings can become an expense young adults don’t want to afford when they’re first starting out. But like “preventative maintenance” on your car, seeing a dentist regularly prevents bigger problems in the future!

Call or email today to book your cleaning and check up, or inquire about Opalescence Go!