Why You Should Consider An Oral Cancer Screening in Chandler AZ

If you think you may be at risk for oral cancer, getting an oral cancer screening is extremely important. It is imperative that oral screenings for cancer are done as early as possible in order to identify cancer in the early stages, as there is a greater chance for a cure in the early stages.

Who is at risk for developing oral cancer?
Individuals with a high risk of oral cancer will benefit the most from visiting their dentist for an oral screening in Chandler. Factors that may increase the risk of developing oral cancer include the following:

• Chronic alcohol use
• Tobacco Use (e.g., cigars, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and snuff)
• History of increased sun exposure that may increase the risk of lip cancer
• A previous diagnosis of oral cancer

If you engage in any of these behaviors, you should consult with your dentist regarding methods that may help you reduce your risk of oral cancer.

Limitations of oral cancer screenings
There are a few limitations regarding oral cancer screening, including:

• Oral cancer screenings can not detect all types of mouth cancers. It is very difficult to observe abnormal cells by looking at the mouth, which may lead to a small precancerous or cancerous lesion going undetected.
• Oral cancer screenings have limited evidence. There is no current evidence that proves that oral cancer screenings reduce the number of lives lost to oral cancer. Oral screenings simply may help detect cancers in the early stages of development, which allows for treatment to begin as soon as possible.

What happens during an oral cancer screening?
When being screened for oral cancer, the dentist examines the inside of the mouth to screen for mouth sores, red patches, or white patches. The dentist will feel the inside of the mouth to screen for abnormalities or lumps.

If you are concerned about your risk for oral cancers, contact our dentist in Chandler AZ for more information on how to set up a consultation.

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source https://jphilipp.com/oral-cancer-screening-in-chandler/

Suffering from TMJ in Chandler AZ: Here is What You Need to Know

There are many disorders and diseases that can contribute to the deterioration of a person’s dental health.

Most disorders and diseases are associated with tooth and jaw pain and one said disorder and diseases is TMJ.

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. Some people may be more at risk for developing temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or TMJ, than others.

Those who are at risk for developing TMJ are women ages 18 to 45, individuals who suffer from arthritis and those with overpronation of the front or bottom teeth (which causes misalignment of the teeth and jaw bone).

Other than the various risk factors, there are several other reasons why TMJ may appear, which include people who have or are wearing braces, gum chewing, poor spinal alignment, stress, and teeth grinding.

Signs and symptoms of TMJ may include headache, ear pain, muscle stiffness in the jaw, popping of the jaw and pain in the temporal area of the head.

There are many ways to alleviate the pains of TMJ. One simple tip for those living with TMJ is to eat softer foods since it cuts down the stresses of chewing and the mechanical movement of the jaw.

Other tips include usage of cold packs along the jaw to soothe swelling and inflammation, diffusing relaxing essential oils to provide a calming effect which may help soften tension in the jaw muscles and seeing your dentist.

A dentist will be able to prescribe medications, such as muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories, and nerve pain medications, that are stronger than OTC medications, to help in severe TMJ cases.

Also, in extreme cases of TMJ, a dentist can help solve any alignments of the jaw with dental surgeries.

If you think that you may have Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction or TMJ, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your dentist in Chandler AZ.

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source https://jphilipp.com/tmj-chandler-arizona/

3 Ways Dental Health Impacts Overall Health

Having strong teeth and a nice smile are important. However, dental health is about more than just having a great smile. Good dental health protects a person’s overall physical health in many important ways.

1. Reducing Infections

The body has many different methods of protecting itself from germs. One of those ways is through mouth tissue that does not readily absorb substances. Small amounts of germs that enter the mouth are sent to the stomach where the digestive system’s acids destroy the germs. A person with an unhealthy mouth may have sores and other injuries in the gums. These injuries provide a place for germs to enter the body. These germs can cause mouth infections that can spread to the rest of the body. Bacteria can also grow in an unhealthy mouth and cause infection.

2. Weakened Immune System

In addition to making the mouth more susceptible to germs and bacteria, poor dental hygiene can weaken the entire immune system. When the body is busy fighting infections in the mouth, it is less able to cope with infections in other areas of the body. This can mean that a person with poor dental health is more likely to develop infections from minor injuries such as cuts and scrapes.

3. Eating a Balanced Diet

A balanced diet is important for maintaining health and a healthy body weight. To get a proper mix of nutrients, people need to be able to eat a wide range of food. Biting into an apple, chewing nuts and enjoying a lean steak are all healthy activities that are difficult to do without strong teeth. People with dental problems often have to eat soft foods. In most cases, soft foods are low in fiber, devoid of protein and loaded with sugar and calories. A soft food diet often results in weight gain and other related problems.

Call our dentist in Chandler AZ today if you are concerned or just need to catch up on your oral health!

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source https://jphilipp.com/dentist-in-chandler-az/

The 3 Best Cosmetic Dental Procedures for Kids in Chandler AZ

Going to the dentists for a dental procedure is a very scary thing for a child. Cosmetic dental procedures such as teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding and Inlays are easily completed with the help of an experienced dentist. Cosmetic dental services in Chandler AZ aren’t just for adults, children can also find major benefits from cosmetic dental restoration. Lingering problems such as broken and discolored teeth can get worst if they aren’t treated in the proper amount of time.

1. Teeth Whitening

One of the most popular dental procedures for kids is teeth whitening. The whitening process eliminates deep surface stains as well as intrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains develop on the interior side of the teeth. These stains are often the hardest to detect as they are on the underside of the teeth. For those children that are nervous about the dentist, they can rests assure that teeth whitening is a painless procedure. Teeth whitening is done by a dentist visit or by using a tooth whitening take home kit.

2. Inlays/Onlays

Inlays/Onlays are a different type of cosmetic procedure in which molds of the teeth are created. When used, this procedure corrects the problems of tooth decay and broken teeth. Inlays/Onlays are made in advance before the application process. The molds are then bonded into the fitting site of the broken teeth or cavities. This restoration procedure aids in supporting weak structured teeth by making them strong.

3. Cosmetic Bonding

The last cosmetic procedure used to strengthen kids’ teeth is Cosmetic bonding. Cosmetic bonding, like Inlay/Onlays, fixes problems such as chipped, decayed and broken teeth. The enamel composite is often applied to the cavity or tooth’s surface. Combined with high heat, the cosmetic bonding is dried until hardened. The composite then blends in with the original tooth to create a smooth surface. It is worth noting that some dentist will need a child to have most, if not all their adult teeth before completing this procedure.

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source https://jphilipp.com/chandler-cosmetic-dentist/

3 Things You’ve Always Wanted To Know About Wisdom Tooth Removal

The American Public Health Association estimates that roughly 10 million wisdom teeth are removed from people’s mouths each and every year. Collectively, the cost of dental bills associated with these basic, routine, cut-and-dry extractions exceeds $3 billion per annum.

Before wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are ultimately removed from people’s mouths, we have 32 teeth. After they’re taken out – in most cases, all four of the third molars are removed – people have just 28 teeth. It’s actually more convenient to not be born with wisdom teeth like some one-third of Americans. To be specific, roughly 35 percent of the modern United States population never had to worry about wisdom tooth removal in Chandler AZ in the first place.

It might be inconvenient for the 85-odd percent of us Americans who ultimately need to get their wisdom teeth extracted from the back of their jaws, though we can prevent tooth decay, having to spend extra time cleaning third molars, bad breath, and discomfort by having our most trusted dentists take them out before they become an issue.

Ever wondered how they’re extracted? Here’s some interesting information about the process.

The Surgical Process

After anesthesia is administered, the dentist cuts into the gum above the wisdom tooth and the second molar. Temporarily, the gum is pulled back to allow the dentist room to work on the tooth. A drill is used to cut the tooth out of the jawbone. Next, a plug is inserted in the cavity that the wisdom tooth was taken out of to prevent a dry socket from forming.

Wisdom Teeth Rarely Grow In Straight

Few people are lucky enough to have their wisdom teeth grow in how they’re supposed to. In most cases, these third molars became impacted, a condition in which wisdom teeth only partially erupt – they might not even break the gumline at all!

Impacted wisdom teeth often grow forward, pressing against the back of the second molars. Less frequently, they grow backward, though they are also liable to grow at a 90-degree angle to the teeth in front of these impacted third molars.

Unfortunately, third molars that are impacted are more difficult to remove than their normal-growing counterparts.

The Three Types Of Anesthesia

Dentists always use local anesthesia, or injections of numbing medicine directly into the jaw or behind the teeth getting cut out. Sometimes, patients are put under using sedation anesthesia. Patients do not feel pain after being sedated, though they might remember portions of the procedure. General anesthesia is the third type of anesthesia; it is administered either by inhalation or intravenous injection and is similar to its sedative counterpart. However, patients don’t remember any part of extractions carried out using general anesthesia.

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source https://jphilipp.com/wisdom-tooth-removal-chandler/