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.
Menopause is a time when hormones fluctuate wildly and cause a variety of physical symptoms. As women enter menopause, they may experience sudden changes that affect not only their bodies but their oral health as well, including one symptom that they may not immediately connect to menopause: dry mouth. Continue reading to learn more about the connection between menopause and dry mouth.
Do you find yourself experiencing tooth sensitivity regularly? It is not uncommon to feel slight discomfort from time to time if you bite into a cold ice cream. However, if you notice that you feel discomfort each time you eat something hot or cold or when you brush your teeth, you may be experiencing a problem with your oral health. Tooth sensitivity is one of the warnings your teeth give off to alert you that something isn’t right with your oral health. We want to share what can cause tooth sensitivity:
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.
When was the last time you visited our office for an oral hygiene examination and cleaning? If it has been longer than six months, you are due for a visit. With the end of the summer and schedules picking back up, now is the perfect time. It is best to schedule an appointment now before the hustle and bustle of the holidays begins. We would hate for you or a loved one to experience a dental emergency and need treatment during the holiday season. The longer you go between appointments, the greater the chance you have of experiencing dental problems. Read on to learn more about the importance of receiving routine dental care.
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.
We don’t know about you, but at Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins, we are thrilled that summer is upon us! Although it is still technically a few days away, we are loving the warm weather and longer days. While we hope you have tons of summer fun planned, we want to remind you to continue to care for your oral health. Unfortunately, not caring for your teeth now can lead to unwanted oral health issues in the fall and winter. Here are some helpful tips:
Do you check your teeth regularly between appointments? If not, then you should check for signs of a problem with your oral health, such as swollen gums or cracked teeth. We see our patients so infrequently during the year and the bulk of their oral hygiene falls into their hands. Thankfully, your teeth and mouth do a good job of alerting you to a problem. Do you know the warning signs that your mouth might be giving to alert you to a problem with your oral health? Read on to learn more.
At Smiles by Holsinger & Higgins, we continuously stress the importance of receiving routine dental care in our office; however, today we want to share the importance of caring for your teeth in your own home. We see many of our patients only two times a year for their routine cleanings, which leaves the majority of their dental care in their hands. We know that sometimes your oral hygiene routine can be a little lax, especially after a long day, but we want to stress the importance of caring for your teeth properly each and every day. It will save you a lot of money in the end when you do not need additional dental care. We are going to share some helpful oral health tips:
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.
