Oral cancer is one of the few types of cancer that has not experienced a significantly reduced mortality rate in the last 30 years. The main reason for this is that 70% of cases are already in the late stages before it is detected and it is simply too late.

Traditionally mouth cancer has been associated with older males who use tobacco and alcohol, but an increasing number of people developing this deadly and disfiguring disease are younger males and females who do not use tobacco and alcohol. One reason for this trend is that mouth cancer is now known to be caused by exposure to the sexually-transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV). This means that anyone who is sexually active is at risk from mouth cancer.

You can reduce the risk of developing oral cancer by:

1. Not using tobacco. Not using tobacco is the single most important thing you can do to avoid oral cancer

2. Reduce excessive consumption of alcohol.  More than 15 alcoholic beverages a week may put you at greater risk of developing mouth cancer. If you must drink, do so in moderation.

3.  Reduce or stop the combined use of tobacco and alcohol. Using both tobacco and alcohol significantly increases the risk of developing oral cancer.

4. Excessive exposure to the sun. Unprotected exposure to the sun increases your risk of developing lip cancer. Use at least SPF30 sun block for your lips

5. Avoid the use of betel nut and bedis. Betel nut and bedis are causative agents for  oral cancer when chewed of smoked.

6. Eat a healthy well balanced diet. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables contains protective nutrients, reducing the risks of developing a variety of diseases including oral cancer.

The key to controlling mouth cancer is early detection.

Until recently, the primary method of detecting oral cancer has been by visual screening that relies on the naked eye of the clinician. Unfortunately, mouth cancer is often only apparent under these conditions at the later stages of the development of the disease. However, with new breakthroughs in technology, there is now a product called the VELscope Oral Cancer Screening System.    

Smile Design Dental Practice are the proud owners of the VELscope Oral Cancer Screening System

Through the use of light shining through the tissues Velscope assists in the detection of abnormal areas, including pre cancerous lesions that may not be apparent to the naked eye.

All patients attending Smile Design Dental Practice benefit from having the VELscope Oral Cancer Screening System incorporated into their Comprehensive Care appointments. 

The screening examination involves shining a safe blue light into the mouth. When viewed through special filters, abnormal tissue will appear as an irregular, dark area that stands out against the otherwise fluorescent green of the surrounding healthy tissue. In most cases the VELscope exam will indicate that there is nothing to worry about.

 If there is an area of potential concern, patient can be referred to the appropriate specialist for an accurate diagnosis at a considerably earlier moment in time.

Fortunately, the survival rate for oral cancer discovered in the early stages is extremely high.

That is why it is recommended that people should have an oral cancer screening once a year, or twice a year if you smoke or chew tobacco, and it is for this reason that we at Smile Design Dental Practice have invested in this technology. 

By promoting the early detection of oral cancer, it is hoped that the current mortality rate of this dreadful disease can be considerably improved.

Want to know more, then visit:

www.canceradvice,.co.uk

www.MouthCancerFoundation.org

www.rdoc.org.uk

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/oral-cancer

www.info.cancerresearch./org

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has just published a guideline entitled Prophylaxis against Infective Endocarditis.

The new guidance, arrived at following a comprehensive analysis and review of all published evidence, now states that antimicrobial prophylaxis is no longer considered necessary for any patients at risk of developing infective endocarditis when undergoing dental procedures.

This means that for patients that have heart murmurs, antibiotics are no longer necessary. However I fully understand if those patients who have taken antibiotics in the past want to continue. Dr Suri will be more than happy to discuss this with you when you attend the practice again.

The only cases that antibiotic prophylaxis is still necessary are within six months of a joint replacement.

LINKS BETWEEN GUM DISEASE, DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE

Gum Disease is a chronic bacterial disease that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. It is serious infection that if left untreated can cause major problems for your mouth including loss of teeth.

Prevention and treatment of gum disease is acquiring more importance amongst health care professionals due its links with diabetes and heart disease. Gum Disease can contribute to these illnesses through the addition of bacteria and inflammatory agents from the mouth into the bloodstream which carries them to the rest of the body.

HEART DISEASE AND GUM DISEASE

Presence of gum disease can increase a person’s risk of heart disease. Oral bacteria provoke inflammation which increases levels of white blood cells and a certain protein called C-reactive protein (CRP). This protein is found in the blood and linked to heart disease. In recent trials, treatment of gum disease reduced the patients’ levels of CRP. CRP levels can be tested for in the blood just like cholesterol can and this test can be requested from the doctor.

Studies also suggest that adults with the highest levels of some oral bacteria have thicker carotid arteries which can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

DIABETES AND GUM DISEASE

It is thought that a third of all diabetics will suffer from gum disease at some stage of their disease.

Patients with diabetes suffer from a list of impaired bodily functions, one of which is thickened blood vessels which reduces the efficiency of the flow of nutrients and removal of waste products from body tissues. The impaired blood flow weakens the gums and bones which makes them more prone to infection. If diabetes is poorly managed it can lead to higher glucose levels in the mouth which encourages the growth of bacteria that cause gum disease and decay. Once gum disease has developed in a diabetic patient it is difficult to shift. The relationship between diabetes and gum disease has a synergistic relationship. Periodontal disease makes it harder for diabetics to control their blood sugar levels as it increases the blood sugar in the body. The more severe the gum disease the higher the blood sugar levels which in turn leads to increase risk of diabetic complications.

Diabetics who receive good dental care and look after their gums are less likely to develop periodontal disease.

Although patient treatment hours remain from 7.40am – 4.00pm, Monday to Thursday, there will be now be reception cover at the practice from 7.30am – 6.00pm Monday to Thursday and until 4pm on Friday.

We hope that this creates more convenience for our patients.

We are pleased to welcome Allison Eldridge to the practice. She is our new receptionist and administrator.

Our front desk team now consists of our Practice Manager, Karen Hearn and Allison. They will handle all financial and appointment queries.

Karen Ignatowski and Claire McCorkell deal with all clinical enquiries.

Karen Hearn, Practice Manager is currently studying for a Business Management Degree and has also furthered her education in relation to dental matters after spending some time in America last year and attending numerous dental courses in 2008.

Claire McCorkell, Dental Nurse, has furthered her education in Dental Nursing and has recently undergone training regarding the most current practices of cross infection control.

Karen Ignatowski and Claire McCorkell are now fully registered members of the General Dental Council.

Carole Brennan, Hygienist, has been elected as Secretary for the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy. She is the chairperson for the Thames Valley Regional Dental Hygiene Group.

Carole is now fully qualified to carry out whitening treatments without the presence of Dr Suri. Her teaching programmes this year include a two day course for hygienists at the Association of Dental Implantology.

We are very proud to announce that Dr Komal Suri is the BEST YOUNG DENTIST IN THE SOUTH EAST OF ENGLAND; she received the award on December the 12^th at the annual DENTISTRY award ceremony.

Accompanied by the rest of Smile Design Dental Practice staff the evening was a complete success and we look forward to achieving more as a practice in the following year.

Thank you to those of you that very kindly took your time to write testimonials regarding your experiences at the practice and treatment received.

Some of Dr Suri’s teaching programmes include lecturing on the restorative post graduate MSC at University of central Lancashire, lecturing at various venues on cosmetic and restorative dentistry to qualified dentists.

There are many techniques for brushing your teeth, but the main considerations for cleaning teeth effectively are discussed below:

1. Firstly it takes time to clean the teeth, whatever type of toothbrush or method you use, you should spend a minimum of two minutes cleaning the teeth twice a day.

2. Secondly, the toothbrush you use, is largely down to personal choice, powered toothbrushes are very effective, a manual toothbrush should have medium or softer filaments, and you should choose a brush with a relatively small head, this will allow you access to cleaning the very back teeth.  The important thing to remember, is that toothbrushes should be replaced regularly, every six to eight weeks is often recommended.

3. Thirdly, the technique to effective toothbrush cleaning.  Start by placing the toothbrush filaments against the tooth, where the tooth meets the gum. Have the filaments at a 40- 45 degree angle to the tooth. The toothbrush will be covering 2 or 3 teeth. Start to use a small circular action without dragging the toothbrush over more than 2 or 3 teeth at a time, after 5 seconds move the toothbrush to the next 2-3 teeth and repeat the process. This method of tooth brushing is often referred to as the mini scrub technique, and will help to keep the gums healthy as well as the teeth clean, When you have cleaned the outside and inside surfaces of the teeth, you can then proceed to move the brush along the top biting surfaces of the teeth.

4. You also need to bear in mind that tooth brushing alone does not guarantee thorough cleaning. Tooth brushing should be followed by flossing in between the teeth.

5. I would recommend that if you are unsure as to how effective your tooth brushing is, you should seek more specific advice from your Dentist or Hygienist.