Oral Cancer~Are You Familiar with the Signs?

How many of us are actually familiar with Oral Cancer?

While the Pink Ribbon Campaign has dramatically increased Breast Cancer awareness, there

seems to be little awareness for an equally devastating disease: Oral Cancer. It may surprise you

to learn that Oral Cancer is the eighth most common form of Cancer as well as the most costly

form to treat.

Though many of us know that the use of tobacco greatly increases our risk to develop the disease

-accounting for nearly 80% of Oral Cancer patients - most remain unaware that heavy alcohol

consumption is also a high risk contributor for developing Oral Cancer, as well as contracting

HPV.

In recent medical advancements, the Oral Cancer Foundation has issued more evidence that

Human Papillomavirus (commonly referred to as HPV) is, “The leading cause of oropharyngeal

cancers,” and according to their research, has proven, “HPV oral and oropharyngeal cancers are

harder to discover than tobacco related cancers because the symptoms are not always obvious

to the individual who is developing the disease, or to professionals that are looking for it,” (*1).

Because symptoms are nearly undetectable, dentists and doctors encourage annual screenings in

order to aid early detection, as well as keeping one step ahead of symptom development.

An interesting statistic according to the Oral Cancer Foundation:

- White, non-smoking males age 35 and 55 are most at risk; 4 to 1 over females, (*1).

But this does not mean other gender, race, or age groups are risk free. In fact, you may ponder

the importance of HPV’s link with Oral Cancer, and that is the relativity and accessibility of the

disease association; “Sexual contacts, both conventional and oral, are means of transferring the

HPV virus through direct skin to skin contact,” (*1) and therefore, it is highly suggested every

person schedule annual Oral Cancer screenings.

Understanding Oral Cancer risk factors and seeking education promotes success of early

detection and increases the likelihood a diagnosis is treated immediately.

Please remember that Dr. L. Stephen Vaughan encourages each and every patient to stay one

step ahead and seek annual Oral Cancer screenings. Please note: symptoms of which to be

cautious are: unhealed sores/ulcers, difficulty or pain when swallowing, lumps in mouth or felt

along neck, and numbness or pain in mouth or lips, etc …

(*1) http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv/#sthash.lDea3zfS.dpuf

Healthy Choices for a Lifetime!

 March is National Nutrition Month, which works out well since many of us are  trying to shed pounds before spring arrives. While eating well is important for  maintaining a healthy weight, it’s also vital for the health and appearance of  your teeth.

 Turn to foods that not only taste delicious but to those that are good for your  oral health too. That means avoiding any foods high in sugar-either natural or  artificial. Having too much of a sweet tooth can turn into dire oral health. Also,  be on the lookout for artificial preservatives & food coloring. These contribute  to a more acidic state in the body which increases bacteria and creates  inflammation.

 You should choose foods that are good for your diet and your oral health, such  as fruits and veggies. Do, however be careful with fruits like oranges as they are  high in acid and this acid can erode your tooth enamel. Dairy products are  awesome for supporting tooth enamel and help to balance the pH in the  mouth. Lastly, protein rich foods contain phosphorus, an important nutrient  for excellent oral health-so feel good about eating lots of lean proteins such as  chicken and fish.

 Remember, excellent nutrition is beneficial for your ORAL health as well as  your TOTAL health. Call Dr. Vaughan's office should you have any difficulty  when eating. If you are experiencing jaw pain when chewing, this could be a  sign of TMJ (TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint).TMJ can be painful  when eating, talking and even yawing. It is also more likely to present itself as  we age. Another pesky problem is wisdom teeth. They can be partially erupted  or impacted and this can cause significant pain-especially when  chewing! Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when  healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and require  removal. Dr. Vaughan and his caring staff can easily remove these problem  teeth and can even sedate you for the procedure should you desire.There is no  reason to spend another day not enjoying eating healthfully! With Dr.  Vaughan's help you can begin good habits during National Nutrition Month  and continue them for a lifetime! 

Nature's Toothbrushes

We've all heard "you are what you eat", but are you aware that the foods you

choose to put into your mouth affects more than just the number on the scale?

If you need yet another reason to hold the fries and to pick up an apple instead, consider

that apples are not only high in vitamin C and antioxidants, they are also awesome for

your oral health. Biting and chewing an apple actually stimulates the production of

saliva in your mouth, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria in your

mouth.

Carrots and celery are also awesome foods that actually help clean your teeth and aid

in removing particles of food from your teeth. Keep in mind that while juicing is all the

rage today, juicing can be harmful to your teeth. Chewing on healthy fruits and veggies

will do more to maintain those pearly whites than daily trips to the juice bar.

Carbs, Please! Yes, REALLY! The large amounts of both Vitamin B and Iron found

in whole grains aid in prevention of irritation and swelling in the mouth. If you are

watching your weight, try having your whole grains earlier in the day so that you have

time for your body to burn the calories.

Go green! Wouldn’t you love to cut down on your daily coffee runs? Well, here’s yet

another reason! All of that coffee is staining your teeth! Try making the switch to green

tea instead. Not only is it not as staining to your teeth, green tea is rich in antioxidants

(substances that protect cells from free radicals) and therefore reduces your risk of

developing oral cancers.

Making a few simple dietary changes can truly make a positive impact on your oral

health. Make these few health adjustments and look forward to less time in the dental

chair! Now HOW easy is that?

Are You An Ideal Candidate For Dental Implants?

The ideal candidate for dental implants are patients with overall good general health and oral care. For the implant to be successful, adequate bone in your jaw is needed for the support of the implant. The best candidates are those with healthy gum tissues and little to no periodontal disease. The benefits of dental implants for patients is not just about leaving with a great smile, but being able to eat  foods you've missed out on and an overall better quality of life!

An implant procedure is a team effort between your dentist and oral surgeon. The two will work together to determine how the implant should be placed and what type of implant should be used depending on the patients specific condition. Listed below are examples of what implant procedure(s) may be needed. 

• Replacing A Single Tooth - One implant and a crown.
• Replacing Several Teeth - Implant supported bridges will be the best option for several teeth missing.
• Replacing All Teeth - Implanted supported full bridge or denture replacements are the best options for this specific condition. 
• Sinus Augmentation - The key to a successful implant is both the quantity and quality of the bone, and where the implant is placed. The upper back jaw has been known to be a difficult area for dental implants to be successful, because the quantity and quality of the bone is not as sufficient and the close proximity to the sinus cavities. Sinus augmentation can correct this issue, by raising the sinus floor and developing more bone through bone grafting for the placement of the implant. 
• Ridge Modification - Deformities in the upper or lower jaw can leave you with less bone, leading to difficulties with dental implants. To reverse this issue, the gum is lifted and the bone defect area is exposed. The defect is then filled with bone grafting material to help build up the ridge. These modifications have been shown to improve the appearance and increase your chances of successful dental implants. 

After getting your new implants, remember that good oral health care is continually required and like your own teeth they still need the same care. Make sure to follow up with your oral surgeon after the implant(s) are placed and continue visits to your dentist for routine cleanings. 

Taking Steps To Protect Patient Information Under HIPAA

Most of us like to have all of our information and appointments readily available. But how secure is your information? Many doctor's offices are starting to send appointment reminders and updates via cell phone text or emails.
If this is something that your office has been considering, the first thing to always remember is to not divulge any prevalent information regarding patient care or medical history. A simple text or email that includes, first name of the patient, date and time of appointment and the practice name is sufficient, and may be included in the virtual reminder without jeopardizing their personal information and care.

Below are a few common misconceptions that all medical offices should be aware of to ensure their patients are covered under HIPAA

• If you are not connected to the Internet, this does not mean that all your patients' data is protected. 
• Free emails such as Gmail and Yahoo are not secure forms of correspondence. All medical offices that plan to send out appointment reminders should confirm that the Doctor has paid for a secure email provider. 
• Using personal hotspots may advertise as being secure, but they actually do not provide the minimum WPA(Wi-Fi Protected Access) protection that is required to call themselves secure.

Did You Know there are Stem Cells in Wisdom Teeth?

Did You Know there are Stem Cells in Wisdom Teeth?

The National Institutes of Health has isolated a very powerful class of stem cells in the dental pulp of teeth.   These stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into many types of tissue such as bone, cartilage, liver, and muscle.  This ability to differentiate is referred to by researchers as ‘plasticity’.  This makes the stem cells obtained from teeth particularly valuable to medical researchers as they develop new therapies to fight disease and repair injury.    

Stem cells are specialized cells that have the unique ability to regenerate and differentiate.  They are the body’s repair and maintenance cells.  They fight disease, repair injury and work to keep the body in good health.   Both the National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Health and Human Services forecast that the almost limitless and lifesaving potential of stem cells will revolutionize the medical field and how we fight disease and repair injury.  Today, hospitals are utilizing stem cells to treat leukemia and heart failure and are growing and transplanting organs derived from a patient’s own stem cells.  Medical researchers in the emerging fields of personalized and regenerative medicine are developing stem cell based therapies to fight a variety of health conditions including, but not limited to, Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Crohn’s Disease, Cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Spinal Cord Injuries and Alzheimer’s. 

We studied the research on dental stem cells and felt a sense of urgency to offer our patients an affordable and convenient way to bank their families’ stem cells.  Partnering with StemSave allows us to offer our patients the opportunity to secure their own powerful and valuable stem cells during routine dental procedures.    

To learn more about how you can secure your family’s future health by banking their stem cells call our office today or visit www.StemSave.com.   

L. Stephen Vaughan, D.D.S, M.D.

Terrific Tips and Recovery Foods Following Oral Surgery

Whether you’re having your wisdom teeth extracted or have decided to move forward with dental implants, thoughts of oral surgery can be filled with anxiety ridden thoughts. The most common concern is possible pain, followed by “what will I eat?” The following tips provided should provide some peace of mind, rapid recovery and optimum healing for the oral surgery patient.

Firstly, if you are having anesthesia, speak with your Doctor about whether or not it is wise to eat prior to surgery. He or she may advise you to not eat prior to surgery and this means that you may find yourself a bit famished a few hours following surgery. But, given what you’ve just been through, steak and potatoes is not the smartest option.  Below you will find a list of foods & terrific tips that will help you coast through the first few days following your surgery.

Some Terrific Tips Include:

• No straw with that-Do not drink through a straw. The suction could dislodge the blood clot and cause a dry socket.
• Take a break from a smoke break-Do not smoke  for the same reason, as smoking will impair blood flow (possibly creating a dry socket) and will compromise healing. Additionally, there is another risk in smoking after tooth extraction; after an extraction, the smoke contacts the body directly without any skin protection, which increases the risk of cancer, especially oral cancer.
• Cancel happy hour-Avoid alcoholic beverages as they could interact with the anesthesia and pain medication. Speaking of pain medication-take it before the pain sets in! It’s easier to prevent pain than to make it go away. And avoid aspirin as it thins the blood.
• Go on a gym diet-Do not exercise for 12-24 hours and take it easy. This is the time for rest, and do so with your head elevated with pillows the first night.
• Rest on rinsing-Although you may be tempted, no rinsing for 24 hours.

You may feel limited with sticking to “soft foods,” but there are a variety of foods that will keep you full and satisfied. In addition to this list, feel free to puree or blend foods that sound good to you. In the days following your surgery, your blender will be your best friend!
 Below is a list of foods that should keep your taste buds happy:

• yogurt
• ice cream
• pudding
• jello
• whipped potatoes
• soups (lukewarm)
• hummus
• eggs
• avocado

Keep in mind to avoid too much dairy, as dairy products are mucous producing and may impair the healing process. You should also avoid spicy foods as they, too can cause dry socket.

Lastly, take a multi vitamin as you may be lacking in nutrition based on your limited diet following surgery.

Dr. Vaughan is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. His vast knowledge enables him to perform  minimally invasive oral surgery so patients have less swelling, less pain, and shorter post-surgical downtime.