Every year, about 53,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with oral cancer. Oral cancer is unfortunately associated with a high death rate, with 60% of people living less than five years after diagnosis, and approximately 9,000 people dying from its complications annually. Many others who are diagnosed with oral cancer undergo extensive surgeries that leave them with disfigurement and difficulties eating and speaking. Risk factors for oral cancer include smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco, and a new trend that has shown a high association with HPV (human papillomavirus). Early detection and timely treatment are key for the best long-term survivability of oral cancer. In fact, cases that are diagnosed with early detection are associated with an 80% survival rate.

Things that you should look for at home include:

• Any sore or ulcer that does not heal within 14 days
• A painless, firm, fixed lump on the outside of the neck that has been there for 14 days or longer
• Numbness in the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• A persistent feeling, like something is caught in your throat
• A white or red patch with an irregular border, on the gums, tonsils, or on/under the tongue

The common theme is to look for abnormalities that are persistent and do not go away on their own. If you ever have any concerns, always reach out to your team at Queen City Dental Arts. We are more than happy to help you assess anything that you might notice. We do perform oral cancer screenings at every hygiene visit and exam, and we always offer the use of the (VELscope® Enhanced Oral Cancer Assessment System) as a way of promoting early detection.

Click the following link for further information from the Oral Cancer Foundation – April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month 2023 Oral Cancer Foundation | Information and Resources about Oral Head and Neck Cancer.

As always, Dr. Stenvall and the QCDA team are here to help you to keep you and your mouth as healthy as possible!

The post Essential Insights And Prevention For Oral Cancer Awareness first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

It is important that your child gets back to brushing their teeth twice a day for two minutes. Two minutes is a long time! To make it easier for kids, we recommend playing one of their favorite songs, that is about the same amount of time, to help them gauge the 2-minute time frame. Flossing is just as important for kids as it is for adults. Supervise your kids when they floss the first few times to make sure they aren’t damaging their gums. Don’t forget that toothbrushes should be swapped out for a new one every three months. Back to school is a good time to start fresh!

If you pack your child’s lunch, make sure you are including food and drinks that promote dental health. Since most kids can’t brush their teeth after lunch while they’re at school, try to avoid sugary and sticky foods, such as candy, cookies and fruit snacks. Those foods will sit on your kids’ teeth all afternoon. Avoid sodas and sugary juice – it’s always best to stick to water. Good snacks to pack would include raw vegetables, celery with peanut butter, string cheese, yogurt and non-sweetened applesauce.

Make sure that you and your family are scheduled for your regular dental cleanings. It’s always easier to have them on the calendar before the homework, projects, and extracurriculars kick in. We all know how busy this time of year can be, but know that all of us at Queen City Dental Arts are here to help get your child’s smile back-to-school ready!

The post Back to School Tips for Dental Health first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

You do want to take into consideration the size of the toothbrush head. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but typically, for adults, the regular adult toothbrush size is adequate. People who have smaller mouths may opt to buy a brush with a smaller head so they can reach the back teeth where there’s less room. It’s important to choose a brush with a long enough handle that can help you to reach all the sides of all of your teeth. One with a non-slip grip helps too so you can hang on to it when your brush gets wet.

Toothbrush bristles also come in a variety of options. Soft-bristled brushes are the only ones we recommend as medium or hard bristles can actually damage the enamel, tooth roots and the gums.

Many people think an electric toothbrush will get your teeth cleaner, but studies don’t show a statistically significant difference in the prevention of gum disease for people who use an electric vs a manual toothbrush. At the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference. A manual toothbrush can do just as good of a job if used properly and for the correct amount of time (2 minutes!). Electric toothbrushes are great for people with limited range of motion, such as arthritis, or for people who rush through brushing. Many electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer that tells you when your 2 minutes are up. Some people prefer the feeling of a toothbrush that vibrates while others prefer the feeling of a manual brush. The brush heads of electric brushes tend to be smaller as well, so that may take some getting used to if you do make the switch.

Your best rule of thumb when choosing a toothbrush is to choose one that is ADA approved. Once you see that seal of approval, it comes down to which brush are you going to use and use well! Dr. Stenvall and the team at Queen City Dental Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina, are always happy to answer any questions about products you might see. You can reach us at 704-542-6533, and we look forward to seeing you at your next visit!

The post So Many Toothbrushes So Little Time first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

You may have a congenitally missing tooth or know someone with a congenitally missing tooth. In fact, between 2% and 8% of the population has this dental condition. Any tooth can be congenitally missing, but more often than not, it happens to upper lateral incisors and lower second premolars. It appears that having a congenitally missing tooth is often passed down through genetics, but it is also more likely to happen with certain conditions, including cleft lip, cleft palate and Down Syndrome.

Having a congenitally missing tooth, especially in the front of your smile, can be reason to be self-conscious, but missing teeth can also potentially lead to other dental problems, like trouble eating, bone loss and shifting of other teeth. Fortunately, with today’s dental advancements, we have the ability to replace missing teeth. The first step is to visit us at Queen City Dental Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina. We’d be happy to discuss options with you to get on your way to a healthier, natural-looking smile. We invite you to schedule a consultation with our experienced dentist, Dr. Meghan Stenvall to learn more about treating missing teeth in your smile. Please call 704-542-6533 today!

The post Unlocking the Mystery of Hypodontia: Exploring the Missing Teeth Phenomenon first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.