August 2nd, 2010
Looking after the health of your teeth is fundamental to avoiding dental problems occurring in the future. When it comes to the health of your teeth it really is prevention that plays the biggest part in keeping them healthy. As well as brushing and flossing as part of a complete and thorough home dental hygiene routine, it is also very important that you keep up regular six-month dental appointments with your dentist.
West London dentists recommend six-moths as the maximum time you should go without having a check up. In some cases it will need to be shorter but your dentist will keep you fully informed. Six-months is the maximum time because this will give you the best chance of avoiding any dental problems that can arise. Even if you start to succumb to dental decay or gum disease, as long as you visit a dentist within six-months it will usually be enough time to catch the problem before it gets too serious. Treating decay and disease at their earliest stages will give you the best chance of beating the condition and avoiding the need for more serious, costly and painful dental treatment. It will also help to keep your teeth in the best condition possible.
There is also a more serious reason why check ups are important. With one in three adults in the UK suffering from cancer at some point it is crucial we do all we can to be aware of the disease. Oral cancer is a very nasty form of cancer that occurs on the soft tissue of the mouth. A dentist will carry out a thorough check for cancer as part of a routine check up which could just save your life.
May 24th, 2009
Today, over 80% of people that die from cancer would still be alive if they had gotten adequate screening. Therefore, your Central London dentist can play a key role in helping detect oral cancers. In most cases, checking for oral cancer can be done during routine yearly dental exams. These tests are painless and inexpensive.
When you visit your dentist each year, he/she should look and feel for signs of tumours in the soft tissue and gums inside your mouth. You may also be required to have X-rays done every few years in order to make sure that bone tumours are not developing. If you already have other types of cancer, you may need to have X-rays more often.
Strangely enough, many people that have cancer actually suspect it years before they go for screening. Unfortunately, fear, and misunderstanding about cancer therapies prevents people from getting treatment at a time when it will do the most good. Typically, when a cancer is caught in the earliest stages, it may not even be necessary to have extensive chemotherapy and radiation. In particular, when it come to oral cancer, a simple removal of small tumours may ensure a full lifetime without any further resurgences.
There is no question that early screening for cancer, as well as taking preventive measures can save your life. If you smoke, or drink alcohol, you should make having an oral cancer exam your top priority. This will also be an ideal time to ask your dentist about preventaive measures. In many cases, your dentist may be able to give you some advice about vitamins or supplements that can help reduce your risk of developing cancer. He/She can also give you plenty of advice about dental products to stay away from, as well as how to take care of your mouth and teeth in the best way possible.