When you go to your dentist and he/she dose an oral cancer screening exam, your dentist will look over the inside of your mouth to check for red or white patches or mouth sores. Using gloved hands, your dentist will also feels the tissues in your mouth to check for lumps or other abnormalities.

If your dentist spot any lumps or other abnormalities they may use special tests in addition to the oral exam to screen for oral cancer. It is not clear if these tests offer any additional benefit over the oral exam. Special oral cancer screening tests may involve:

* Rinsing your mouth with a special blue dye before an exam. Abnormal cells in your mouth may take up the dye and appear blue.

* Shining a light in your mouth during an exam. The light makes healthy tissue appear dark and makes abnormal tissue appear white.

It is important to know that oral cancer screening can not detect all mouth cancers. It can be difficult to detect areas of abnormal cells just by looking at your mouth, so it is possible that a small cancer or precancerous lesion could still go undetected.

The goal of oral cancer screening is to detect mouth cancer or precancerous lesions that may lead to mouth cancer at an early stage. When cancer or lesions are found at the early stage they are easier to remove and have a larger chance of being cured.

Although no studies have proven that oral cancer screening saves lives,  Some groups agree about the benefits of an oral exam for oral cancer screening where as other do not.

Yet people with a high risk of oral cancer may be more likely to benefit from oral cancer screening. Risk factors that can increase your risk of oral cancer include:

* Tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff, among others

* Heavy alcohol use

* Previous oral cancer diagnosis

* History of significant sun exposure, which increases the risk of lip cancer

Ask your dentist whether oral cancer screening is appropriate for you.

Most dentists perform an examination of your mouth during a routine dental visit to screen for oral cancer. Oral cancer screening is an examination performed by a dentist  to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth.

The main goal of oral cancer screening at your dental check up, is to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for a cure. To do this some dentists may use additional tests to aid in identifying areas of abnormal cells in your mouth.

Although medical organizations have disagree on whether healthy people without risk factors for mouth cancer really need oral cancer screening. No single oral exam or oral cancer screening test is proved to reduce the risk of dying of oral cancer. However, you and your dentist may decide that an oral exam or a special test is right for you based on your own risk factors.

According to Dr. Marco Magalhaes, an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry and lead researcher in a study published in the journal Cancer Immunology Research. Call: An abnormal immune response or “feedback loop” could very well be the underlying cause of metastases in oral cancers. Dr Magalhaes has unearthed a significant connection between the inflammatory response of a very specific form of immune cells, neutrophils, and the spread of this deadly disease.

The International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) have published two reports including a critical review titled “Diet and Dental Caries – the Pivotal Role of Free Sugars Reemphasized.” In this study, authors Aubrey Sheiham, University College London, England; and W. Philip James, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, England, demonstrate the sensitivity of cariogenesis (the development of caries) to even very low sugars intakes. In this critical review, the authors reviewed the literature on the role of sucrose in the cariogenic process and conclude there is extensive scientific evidence that free sugars are the primary necessary factor in the development of dental caries.

Drug use can have a negative impact on dental health as well as overall health. Patterns of oral health pathology attributed to methamphetamine users, for example, include rampant tooth decay, accelerated tooth wear, unexplained advanced gum disease, missing multiple teeth, and overall detrimental dental effects that are rapid and severe. These patients also often seek cosmetic dental treatment, such as veneers and whitening, which give dentists another opportunity to discuss suspected substance misuse, provide referrals for treatment, and encourage cessation of drug misuse.

Released by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health  August 13, 2015: A visit to the dentist has the potential to be more than a checkup of our teeth as patients are increasingly screened for medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes. A new study by researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health focuses on dental screenings for drug misuse, finding 77 percent of dentists ask patients about illicit drug use, and 54 percent of dentists believe that such screenings should be their responsibility. Results of the study are online in the journal Addiction.

There really is not much involve in taking care of your teeth and gums. Yet when you do not have proper dental care habits your oral health is put at risk.  Listed below are the simple steps you can take to making sure to maintain good teeth and gums.

1)  Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
2)  Floss your teeth at least once a day.
3)  Make sure to visit your dentist regularly for your checkup’s and cleaning.
4)  Eat a well-balanced diet.
5)  If you smoke, Quit. Smoking increases your risk for gum disease as well as increase your risk of having many other health issues.

Question: I have one son and two girls. Even though both my husband and I have jobs, our jobs only offer the health insurance and no dental.  Due to this we have not had dental insurance for some time.  There for we been paying for our dental care out of pocket. I would now at this point like to get a family dental insurance plan that is not going to cost us more then $50.00 a month or so.

Answer: With your budget in mind for a family dental insurance plan, I would suggest reviewing our dental HMO insurance options as our HMO would fit into your budget and in most cases be less then $50.00 a month.

Evidence shows that Brazil is tackling its health inequalities. In a clear demonstration that the country is overcoming this challenge, it was removed from the World Health Organization’s hunger map in 2014, after 22 million were lifted out of extreme poverty, meaning that the segment of the population living in extreme poverty fell from 25.5% to 3.5% between 1990 and 2012. For Brazil to take these strides, it had to deploy actions across different sectors and take individuals as well as society as a whole into consideration. Bearing in mind this integral approach, oral healthcare was incorporated into the public healthcare system.

In a prior post it talked about sugar consumption and it’s effect on our dental health. One sure way to reduce the risk of tooth decay due to excess sugar consumption is by reducing the amount of sugar you and your family consume.

Instead of having soda or fruit juice have a glass of cold water.  Water will not harm your teeth and is also good for your body.   Make sure that you and your family members are seeing your dentist at least twice a year.  Maintaining your dental checks ups helps to spot and stop any small dental issues before they become large dental care needs.

Important changes need to be made at the highest level to urgently address the UK’s deteriorating dental health from sugar consumption, an oral health charity says.

The British Dental Health Foundation is fully supporting new proposals made by one of the most outspoken voices in the campaign against excess sugar, chef Jamie Oliver.

As part of his new documentary looking into sugar consumption, Jamie’s Sugar Rush, Mr Oliver took an in depth look into the devastating effects sugar consumption is having on our dental health, with particularly worrying signs seen on the effects it is having on the nation’s children.

Most all dental insurance plans will provide some coverages/benefits for the treatment of gum disease.  When reviewing insurance plans you will find gum disease treatment either listed under Periodontics category in an HMO dental insurance plan or under majors services under most PPO and Indemnity insurance plans.

Note: It is important to beware when buying a PPO and or an Indemnity dental insurance, that they will typically have waiting periods for majors dental care services.  Waiting periods can very depending on the plan but in general terms, they can run around a year to 18 months.

Gum disease is a common condition among adults that occurs when bacteria form biofilms or plaques on teeth, and consequently the gums become inflamed. Some severe cases, called periodontitis, call for antibiotics.

Many people have had some degree of gum inflammation, or gingivitis, caused by dental plaque. The gums get red and swollen, and they bleed easily. If left unchecked, the condition can progress to periodontitis. The plaque hardens into tartar, and the infection can spread below the gum line and destroy the tissue supporting the teeth.

In the lab, the researchers tested extracts from the wild lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Ait., against F. nucleatum. The polyphenol-rich extracts successfully inhibited the growth of F. nucleatum, as well as its ability to form biofilms. It also blocked a molecular pathway involved in inflammation, a key part of gum disease. The researchers say they’re developing an oral device that could slowly release the extract after deep cleaning to help treat periodontitis.

Dental care cost is only going up. Although many people know the importance of having regular dental visits the cost can delay or put off altogether going to the dentist. One way to make dental care more affordable is by having a dental insurance plan in place.

There are many different types of dental insurance plans from low cost plans to plans that let you choose your own dentist depending on your dental care needs. However most all dental insurance plan types focus on preventive dental care so you can maintain your regular dental visits and your dental heal in order to prevent larger dental care needs in the future.

A new research project from the University of Copenhagen has established an effective model for the fight against the escalating burden of tooth decay among children in Asia. The model is an important tool in breaking the social inequity in oral health of children.

A new research project from the University of Copenhagen has established an effective model for the fight against the escalating burden of tooth decay among children in Asia. The model is an important tool in breaking the social inequity in oral health of children.

An important part of your child dental care is having and maintaining regular dental visits. By having regular dental visits the dentist will be able to detect the earliest signs of any dental health care issues.   Studies have shown that routine and preventive dental care procedures, such as common dental treatment options emphasized by discount dental plans are crucial to maintaining proper dental health. These dental visits can lead to dental treatments that will prevent further damage or even reverse the problem.

The evidence available on the effects of xylitol – a natural sugar substitute used to sweeten products such as candy, chewing gum and toothpaste – is insufficient to prove it prevents tooth decay in children and adults.  This was the conclusion of a new Cochrane review by researchers at the University of Manchester in the UK.