You may not realize it, but dentists are your allies in preventing and detecting harmful oral cancer. Oral cancer does not get the publicity other types of cancers do, but it is no less insidious, as it affects the lives of thousands of people in the US every year. Your dentist is specially trained to look for signs of oral cancer and can be essential in detecting it early, while it is most treatable.
As we get older, our oral health needs evolve. Our bodies become less effective at fighting off infection, it may take longer to recover from illness, and the risk of chronic disease begins to increase. Those are just a few of the reasons why we urge our patients to pay close attention to their teeth and gums as they age. Keep reading for our guide to caring for your oral health as an older adult.
At Smiles By Holsinger & Higgins, one of our goals is to help our patients improve their oral health. Not only can problematic teeth affect your oral health, but they can also lead to complications with your overall health. We highly encourage our patients to visit our office for routine hygiene examinations and cleaning appointments because we are thorough in checking for any signs of decay, gum disease, or other problems. It can be difficult to spot problems with the naked eye, but using X-rays and our dental knowledge, we are easily able to find problems with your teeth and gums. Once we diagnose a problem, we recommend that patients schedule their treatment appointments as soon as possible.
We are constantly looking for ways to improve the treatments we offer to patients. We believe in treating the patient as a whole and don’t just focus on a patient’s oral health. After dealing with the pandemic, more people than ever before are concerned about what’s going on in their mouths and bodies. They want to learn about any threats to their health and well-being. Recently, we have added a simple way to test for a number of conditions that can affect your quality of life. Continue reading to learn more about this simple test and what it can determine.
Do you get nervous before you visit the dentist or need dental treatment? If so, you are not alone! There is a large number of people who experience some form of nervousness or anxiety before visiting our office. We never want your nervous feelings to keep you from getting the dental care you need and deserve. We want you to feel safe and comfortable while in our care. Here are some tips to help you relax before and during your next appointment:
Unfortunately, dental emergencies can happen at any time, so it is good to be informed about what you should do if you are in this situation. The most important thing to remember when it comes to any form of emergency is to remain calm and think clearly. If you get excited and emotional, you will forget important steps. Following an emergency, you should evaluate and assess the needs of the injured, whether that’s you or someone else.
Dentistry is constantly evolving and changing, and because of that, we are always looking for new and improved procedures and equipment that we can use and that will raise the level of care we can provide our patients. This is one of the reasons we are passionate about attending continuing education events and adding new technology to the practice when it is available. We recently added a new piece of technology known as the Fotona Lightwalker Dental Laser. Continue reading to learn more about how this dental laser will make procedures faster, more precise, and less invasive.
At Smiles By Holsinger & Higgins, we not only care about our patients’ oral health but their overall health as well. You may be surprised to learn that your overall health can impact your oral health and the way we need to treat your mouth during your appointments. This is one of the reasons we ask about any changes to your medical history during each visit. Different medical conditions and medications can change the way we have to treat your mouth and may change what we are looking for during your examination. In addition, certain medications can have a negative impact on your teeth and gums.
Do you enjoy watching TV shows on a streaming service? As of late, there seems to be an endless amount of streaming services that you can join as a subscriber. With everyone home during the start of the pandemic two years ago, binge watching shows became a pastime to do with your family while there were no other entertainment options. The same mentality has continued each time the new season of a popular series is released. You might be wondering how this has anything to do with your oral health. Unfortunately, for some, binge watching TV can have negative effects on your oral health.
Do you notice your gums appear to be bleeding after you brush and floss your teeth? It is more common than you probably realize. Most people likely experience this from time to time. Most of the time, it is nothing to be concerned about. It can happen if something becomes stuck between your teeth and makes the area sore, for example if a kernel becomes lodged after eating popcorn. The problem arises when the gums continue to bleed daily, indicating there is an underlying issue that needs to be corrected. Some possible causes of bleeding gums can include:
Screening Patients
When our patients update their medical histories, we have been actively screening them to learn about any history of travel or signs of infection like cough, fever or shortness of breath.
Taking Temperatures
Before performing any dental procedures, we have been taking everyone’s temperature. This is our new routine protocol during assessment of all patients.
Washing Hands
All patients and team members are required to perform proper hand hygiene by washing their hands thoroughly.
Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
At our office, we have a strict policy to only practice dentistry when the right protective equipment is in place. We always wear surgical masks and eye protection. Masks are changed between patients. Rest assured, we are fully stocked in dental supplies.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
Throughout the day, we are rigorously cleaning all public areas in our office, including the reception area, bathroom, and operatories. This intensive cleaning includes everything from door handles to chairs.
Proper Social Distancing
You can rest assured that we are practicing proper social distancing in our office. We are actively working to make sure that patients are 6 feet or more away from others. We are encouraging patients to come in at their exact appointment time so that no one is waiting in our office.
