Check out our latest E-news for SmileCharlotte's newest contest!! 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2012 

Check out the latest E-News for more information on Stop Zombie Mouth ~ a sugar free Halloween!

Check out August E-News and view our new YouTube page. Dr Menaker and Dr Rodney spent a lot of time on our new video's, very informative and look's great!

Don't forget Aguset is your last chance to "smile outside the box" can't wait to see who's going to when the $500!

Great deals on awesome products!

Makes for great gifts 

~ Graduations~ Weddings~Birthdays~ Or just for you!! 

We hope everyone has a great and safe summer!

Also check out all the fun events going on in and around Charlotte this summer! 

http://www.smilecharlotte.com/

Blog 9 ~  How is oral cancer treated?

After a definitive diagnosis has been made and the doctor has determined the stage of the cancer, treatment may begin. Treatment of oral cancers is ideally a multidisciplinary approach involving the efforts of surgeons, radiation oncologists, chemotherapy oncologists, dental practitioners, nutritionists, and rehabilitation and restorative specialists.  The actual curative treatment modalities are usually surgery and radiation, with chemotherapy added to decrease the possibility of metastasis.  Whether a patient has surgery, radiation and surgery, or radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy, is dependent on the stage of development of the cancer; each case is individual.  Patients with cancers treated in their early stages, may have little in the way of post treatment disfigurement.  For those whose cancer is caught at a later stage, the results of surgical removal of the disease may require reconstruction of portions of their oral cavity or facial features.  There may be adjunctive therapy required to assist in speech, chewing of foods, the problems associated with the lack of salivary function, as well as the fabrication of dental or facial prostheses.

Resources:

http://oralcancerfoundation.org/

http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_cancer/article.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002030/

Blog 8 ~  How can I reduce my chances of getting oral cancer?

Eliminating risk factors for oral cancer can greatly reduce your chances or getting it.  First, do not smoke.  Tobacco use remains the primary risk factor for oral cancer.  Additional risk factors for oral cancers include high alcohol consumption, the use of smokeless (chewing/spit) tobacco, as well as prolonged exposure to the sun (for lip cancers).  Be sure to limit alcohol consumption.  In addition, using lip balm with SPF (sun protection factor), and/or avoiding over exposure to the sun can help prevent lip cancer.  Finally, limiting your number of sexual partners will help reduce your chances of getting oral cancer.  HPV16 (human papilloma virus strain #16) is a sexually-transmitted disease that is linked to oral cancer and if current trends continue, it may, in the next decade, become the dominant cause.

Resources:

http://oralcancerfoundation.org/

http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_cancer/article.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002030/

Blog 7 ~   What is the survival rate of oral cancer?

If oral cancer is detected early (in stages one or two), the survival rate is 80% to 90%.  But, when found at a later stage (stages three or four), the chances of survival drop to 20% to 30%.  Late discovery and diagnosis are major factors in the high death rate.  In the U.S., two-thirds of the diagnosed cases will be late stage 3 and 4 cancers this year.  Since in many cases oral cancer can be easily detected by a visual and tactile exam, this situation is correctable without the introduction of new science.  Make sure your dentist is performing a quick, pain-free oral cancer screening during your routine cleaning and check-up appointment.

Resources:

http://oralcancerfoundation.org/

http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_cancer/article.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002030/

Blog #6 ~     What are the signs or oral cancer?

The following is a list of signs or symptoms that can be associated with oral cancer:

·         A sore or lesion in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks.

·         A lump or thickening in the cheek

·         A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth

·         A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat

·         Difficulty chewing or swallowing

·         Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue

·         Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth

·         Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable

·         Chronic hoarseness

·         Swollen lymph nodes of the neck

·         Loosening teeth

·         Bleeding in the mouth

These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious problems, but they also indicate the possible presence of oral cancer.  Only a professional will be able to tell you definitively.   One of the more troubling aspects of oral cancer is that it can often be present without any of the above symptoms, or the symptoms are so minor they are unrecognizable.  This is why it is so important to receive an oral cancer screening from your dentist once or twice a year.

Resources:

http://oralcancerfoundation.org/

http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_cancer/article.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002030/

Click Here to Pay Now

We’ve cover a lot of information about Oral Cancer this past month, who’s at risk, contributing factors, and the link to HPV16.

The truth is there’s a lot we can prevent by adjusting our behaviors and tweaking our daily routine. A whole laundry list of interconnected dental mishaps can be prevented by simply brushing twice a day and flossing. Even if you don’t suffer from the following conditions, you can walk away knowing how big of an impact your dental routine has on your life!

Like Oral Cancer, there are significant yet simple steps you can take towards prevention of some of the most common oral problems facing our society.

Preventing:

Dental Mishap 1: Tooth Decay and Gum (Periodontal) Disease

Tooth Decay is a simple equation consisting of plaque build-up and consuming sugary/starchy foods resulting in an acid that attacks your teeth’s enamel. Unfortunately, a whole other set of harmful conditions may arise when bacteria from this process enters the blood system. In addition to regular brushing and flossing, prevention can be achieved through:

• Professional cleaning (what you receive at your dentist’s office)
• Daily anti-bacterial rinses
• Always checking with your dentist before you start a whitening regimen

Dental Mishap 2: Sensitivity

Gum and tooth sensitivity can stem from a variety of brushing habits, medications, and teeth whitening products. Sensitivity can also be a byproduct of periodontal disease as well.  Always refer to a dental professional when seeking the proper diagnoses. For at-home prevention and care:

• If using a teeth whitener, always follow the instructions. Space out treatments if you begin to experience any sensitivity.
• Limit cold drinks. Any pre-existing sensitivity may be amplified when combined with certain medications or whitening agents.
• Stay informed and ask a dentist

Dental Mishap 3: Dry Mouth and Halitosis

If you’re not sure you have it, someone around you has their speculations. Like tooth sensitivity, dry mouth may be cause by a slew of medications in addition to gum disease, cavities, and/or oral cancer.  Again, a tricky one to diagnose because there could be a variety of factors at play. Outside of visiting a physician you can:

• Conduct daily tongue cleaning of your entire reachable tongue
• Reduce the alcohol in your diet, this includes replacing your mouthwash with one that is alcohol-free and reducing your intake of alcoholic beverages.
• Chew sugar-free gum with xylitol
• Some sources recommend sugarless candy, but recommending candy for dry mouth seems a little counterproductive so that will be up to your discretion.

In Conclusion

Some sticky situations may arise from what we put in our mouths (and you thought the days of getting scolded for what you put in your mouth were over). The truth is, if you are brushing twice a day and flossing, you’re already preventing most of these dental mishaps. Inevitably, regular visits to the dentist are also a big step in the right directions.

Stay informed. Stay Healthy.

Blog 5 ~  How is the human papilloma virus strain #16 (HPV16)                                                      linked to oral cancer?

One of the most common virus groups in the world today affecting the skin and mucosal (mouth and genital) areas of the body is the human papilloma virus.  Over 120 different types/strains of HPV have been identified, and different types are known to infect different parts of the body.  The most visible forms of the virus produce warts (papilloma's) on the hands, arms, legs, and other areas of the skin.  Most HPV's of this type are very common, harmless, non cancerous, and easily treatable.  HPV transmission can be quite simple with just skin to skin contact transferring the virus.  There are other forms of HPV which are sexually transmitted, and some of these are a serious problem.  Two types of genital tract HPV in particular, HPV 16 and HPV 18, are known to cause the vast majority of cervical cancers, and new studies show that one of them, HPV16, is also linked to oral cancer.  In the oral environment HPV16 shows up primarily in areas in the back of the mouth, such as the base of the tongue, the oropharynx (the back of the throat), and the tonsils.  The fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population is young, healthy, non-smokers, due to the connection to the HPV16 virus.

Resources:

http://oralcancerfoundation.org/

http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_cancer/article.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002030/

4 ~ What are the risk factors for oral cancer?

Tobacco: Tobacco use accounts for most oral cancers.  Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes; using chewing tobacco; and dipping snuff are all linked to oral cancer.  The use of other tobacco products such as bidis, kreteks, and betel nut, may also increase the risk of oral cancer.  Heavy smokers who use tobacco for a long time are most at risk.  The risk is even higher for tobacco users who drink alcohol heavily.  In fact, three out of four oral cancers occur in people who use alcohol, tobacco, or both alcohol and tobacco.

Alcohol: People who drink alcohol are more likely to develop oral cancer than people who don't drink. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol that a person consumes.  The risk increases even more if the person both drinks alcohol and uses tobacco.

Sun: Cancer of the lip can be caused by exposure to the sun.  Using a lotion or lip balm that has a sunscreen can reduce the risk.  Wearing a hat with a brim can also block the sun's harmful rays. The risk of cancer of the lip increases if the person also smokes.

A personal history of head and neck cancer: People who have had head and neck cancer are at increased risk of developing another primary head and neck cancer.  Smoking increases this risk.

Exposure to HPV16 Virus (the human papilloma virus strain #16): Check out more about this in our next blog.

Resources:

http://oralcancerfoundation.org/

http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_cancer/article.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002030/

  Blog 3 ~ Who should get screened for oral cancer?

Every adult should get screened.  Oral cancer can often be caught early, even as a pre-cancer.  With early detection, survival rates are high and side effects from treatment are their lowest.  Like other screenings you engage in such as cervical (pap smear), skin, prostrate, colon, and breast examinations, oral cancer screenings are an effective means of finding cancer at its early, highly curable stages.  You may already be receiving an oral cancer screening from your dentist and you don’t even know it.  Does your dentist ever look around your mouth at your cheeks, lips, and throat?  Has he or she ever asked you to stick out your tongue, lifted it up, and looked at the sides of it and underneath it?  Has your dentist ever rubbed the lymph nodes and glands in your neck and under your chin?  Guess what?  You have had an oral cancer screening!  Although your dentist is certainly looking at your teeth, he or she is also most likely looking for signs of oral cancer.  At Smile Charlotte, Drs. Menaker and Rodney perform an oral cancer screening every 6 months as part of your cleaning and check-up appointment.  We care about our patient’s teeth, but we are also very concerned about their overall health.

Resources:

http://oralcancerfoundation.org/

http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_cancer/article.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002030/

 Blog 2~   How common is oral cancer?

Almost 37,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year in the U.S. – that’s more than 100 people per day, every day of the year.  If you include cancers of the throat, 12,000 more people are added to that number.  Worldwide oral cancer is a much greater problem where approximately 640,000 new cases are diagnosed yearly.  Each year, oral cancer kills more people in the U.S. than other more widely known forms of cancer including skin cancer, lymphatic cancer (lymphoma), thyroid, and cervical cancer.  While historically the majority of people diagnosed with oral cancer are over the age of 40 at the time of discovery, it is now occurring more frequently in those under 40.  From a gender perspective, oral cancer affects 2 men for every woman.

Resources:

http://oralcancerfoundation.org/

http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_cancer/article.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002030/

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Oral cancer is cancer of the mouth.  It most commonly involves the lips, the tongue, and/or the floor of the mouth.  It may also occur on the cheek lining, gums (gingiva), roof of the mouth (palate), and/or back of the mouth (oropharynx).  Most oral cancers are a type called squamous cell carcinomas.  These tend to spread quickly.  When oral cancer spreads (metastasizes), it usually travels through the lymphatic system.  Cancer cells that enter the lymphatic system are carried along by lymph, a clear, watery fluid.  The cancer cells often appear first in nearby lymph nodes in the neck.

Resources:

http://oralcancerfoundation.org/

http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_cancer/article.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002030/

       April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Follow our Bi-weekly Blogs

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Check out the E-News on our Facebook page or on the first page of our website. We will be doing bi-weekly blogs for the month of April discussing important facts and information on oral cancer.