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.

People with diabetes are also at risk of having decreased saliva (dry mouth or Xerostomia).  This can lead to increased risk of tooth decay, ulcers, sores and thrush (burning mouth or tongue).  Dry mouth can be caused by uncontrolled blood sugar or simply from the medications that diabetic patients take.  Make sure to let Dr. Stenvall know about any changes to your medications which will help her to know what medications she can and can’t prescribe you.

It is even more critical for diabetic patients to be diligent with their oral home care, because of these complications.  We recommend our diabetic patients purchase an electric toothbrush and use it twice a day so they can thoroughly and easily keep their teeth clean.  Also, maintaining regular hygiene visits at Queen City Dental Arts to help prevent oral problems and to catch any potential problems early before they create any pain or infection.

Keeping your blood sugar levels under control is the most important aspect in maintaining overall wellness when you have been diagnosed with diabetes.  Your HgA1C (Hemoglobin A1C) is the best way to determine the stability of your long-term blood sugar levels.  If your blood sugar is well-controlled, your A1C will most likely be below 7%.  Higher A1C may cause poor healing in patients.  Let our team at QCDA know if your diabetes is uncontrolled.  You will want to postpone any surgical procedures until your blood sugar is more stable unless you have an acute dental infection that needs to be addressed right away.  Be sure to follow any post-op instructions closely to prevent any complications after you go home.

Prevention is always the best policy! Do your best to keep your mouth clean at home by brushing twice a day and flossing daily.  Work with your doctor on maintaining controlled blood sugar and if you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit. Reach out to Dr. Stenvall and the Queen City Dental Arts team if you have any questions about diabetes and how it may affect you and your oral health!

The post Secrets to a Healthier Smile with Diabetes: Your Guide to Oral Care first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

There are lots of jobs that a tongue does that we don’t think about on a daily basis. It is comprised of anywhere between 2,000 and 10,000 taste buds, which help us to taste things that are sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami (or savory). The tongue then sends those signals to the brain, allowing us to recognize different tastes. Have you ever had a cold and couldn’t taste your food properly? That’s because taste and smell are closely connected so our taste buds don’t work as well when we can’t smell. Can you imagine not being able to taste all the time? It would probably be easier to eat healthier If kale tasted the same as Oreos, but different tastes and flavors give pleasure to eating different foods, which is what makes food so enjoyable.

Besides taste, the tongue is important for chewing, swallowing, speech and making saliva. Our tongue is a voluntary muscle, which means we can control the movement of it. Some people (only about 15% of us) have the ability to twist their tongues into a cloverleaf, and about 84% of us can curl our tongue. Don’t feel badly if you can’t do either- it’s completely genetic whether you can do these things or not!

So next time you eat, talk or taste, remember to thank your tongue for helping! If you would like to schedule a visit or speak with our Queen City Dental Arts team in Charlotte, North Carolina, call 704-542-6533 today. Our skilled dentist, Dr. Meghan Stenvall is happy to assist you with all of your dental health needs!

The post Tongue Talk: Fun Facts About Your 8-Muscle Organ first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.