Toothbrushes Archives - Aesthetic Family Dentistry

The no-nonsense guide to the treatment of oral cancer

Dr. Derek Fine — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 16:00:43 +0000

Cancer is one of those words that strikes fear into our hearts, but it really shouldn’t. Medicine is far enough advanced that it can effectively treat many types of cancer if caught early enough, including oral cancer.

There are four main treatment types for mouth cancer. They are:

Surgery
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Cetuximab

Let’s take a look at each.

Surgery

Surgery is a very effective treatment for oral cancer if we can catch it early enough. We can use photodynamic therapy (PDT) to remove the tumor with a laser in conjunction with a special drug that isolates the cells. We can also perform surgery to remove affected areas including on the tongue, neck, throat, jaw bone and lymph nodes, but only if absolutely necessary.

As holistic dentists, Aesthetic Family Dentistry will always opt for the least intrusive option possible and only after discussing all of your options with you and the treating Oral surgeon.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is a very effective treatment for mouth cancer that uses very targeted doses of radiation to kill cancer cells. It isn’t always suitable for all cases of oral cancer and is often used after surgery to prevent a recurrence or to ensure the affected area has been completely treated.

Radiation therapy involves a daily dose of therapy over the course of several weeks. You will be continuously monitored throughout this time to ensure the treatment is fully effective.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can be used on its own or in conjunction with radiotherapy if cancer is widespread. Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to disrupt cancer cell reproduction. It is a very effective treatment for oral cancer if caught early enough but it isn’t without its side effects.

A detailed and honest discussion of the pros and cons of chemotherapy will be important should it be necessary to use it as a treatment.

Cetuximab

Cetuximab is a new treatment for mouth cancer that uses a biologic drug to help address the condition. Often used in tandem with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, Cetuximab disrupts a protein on the surface of the cancer cell, called epidermal growth factor receptors. These proteins are essential for cancer cell growth, so any disruption helps stop the spread of the condition. This treatment is still undergoing trials right now but may become a viable option in the future.

If you would like to discuss oral cancer or think you may have developed the condition, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today for a consultation. We’re here to help.

– See more at: https://aestheticfamilydentistry.com/blog/the-no-nonsense-guide-to-the-treatment-of-oral-cancer/#sthash.zHKg983C.dpuf

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Understanding and avoiding missing teeth

Dr. Derek Fine — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:41:18 +0000

Tooth loss can be caused by a multitude of situations, most can be avoided, a few cannot. Understanding how you end up with missing teeth and how to avoid losing them is key to maintaining your lovely smile and keeping those teeth for a lifetime. Yes, that’s right. Look after them well and there is no reason why your adult teeth cannot last your entire life!

The main causes of tooth loss

The majority of cases of missing teeth we see are entirely avoidable. With a few exceptions, a better oral health regimen and a better diet could have prevented many people from losing teeth. The main causes of tooth loss are not brushing properly twice a day, not flossing regularly and not visiting the dentist when you should.

Regular brushing removes bacteria from your mouth which contribute to gum disease. Brushing also helps remove plaque, which is another major cause of gum disease. Untreated, gum disease causes tooth loss. It really is as simple as that. Flossing helps by removing food particles and plaque from gaps in teeth, completing a good oral health regimen.

Visiting your dentist regularly helps us keep an eye on what’s going on in your mouth. We can identify any potential issues early and help with education, advice and treatment. Catching gum disease early can help you avoid losing teeth.

Diet is also a major cause of tooth loss. Eating lots of candy and sugary foods or drinking lots of alcohol, soda or energy drinks will also significantly increase your chance of having missing teeth. Sugar contributes to tooth decay, which can either lead to teeth falling out or us having to remove them.

Avoiding tooth loss

As mentioned above, a good oral health care routine goes a long way to preventing tooth loss. Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste, floss and visit the dentist regularly and you will help prevent tooth loss significantly. These three elements will help avoid the vast majority of dental issues. That is why they are so important.

Diet is a major contributing factor in tooth loss so is another area that needs attention. A healthy varied diet that doesn’t contain excess sugar will also go a long way to preventing tooth loss. Nobody is saying avoid candy or a soda, but have them in moderation. Then eat a slice of cheese or brush your teeth a short while afterwards.

Missing teeth are easily avoidable for the vast majority of cases. If you are missing teeth or are concerned about your oral health, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today. We’re here to help!

– See more at: https://aestheticfamilydentistry.com/blog/understanding-and-avoiding-missing-teeth/#sthash.24IIAFC1.dpuf

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How to Choose a Toothbrush

Dr. Derek Fine — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 23:19:03 +0000

Choosing something as fundamental as a toothbrush should be easy. Go to a drug store, find a color you like and buy it. Right? Wrong unfortunately. Not all toothbrushes are created equal and some are more suitable for one type of mouth than others.If you’re in the market for a new toothbrush, this is the post for you!

The right toothbrush can completely revolutionize your oral health. It can reach those parts that are difficult to reach, clean your gums, remove more food particles and look after your entire mouth. That’s how important the right toothbrush is.

What to look for in a toothbrush

The first rule of buying a toothbrush is, the softer the bristles the better. However, you have to buy a bristle strength suitable for your mouth. While it may seem logical that harder bristles will clean better, they can also damage gums, making matters worse.

The softer the bristles the better. Speaking of bristles, while there are a number of natural toothbrushes, it pays to be careful with these. It is important to note that not all toothbrushes are approved by the American Dental Association so shop carefully.

As holistic dentists, we are in favor of natural toothbrushes in principle but there isn’t enough data to form strong enough opinions of their advantages over standard nylon toothbrushes yet.

Let’s talk heads. In toothbrushes, bigger is not better. A large headed toothbrush may look more effective, but may have trouble reaching parts of your mouth and between teeth. In the nicest possible way, you have to go for a toothbrush that is as big as your mouth.

Get a grip. The handle of your toothbrush should have a non-slip surface, be slightly flexible but not overly so and be comfortable to hold. You’re going to be using it at least twice a day every day, so you need to be comfortable with it.

A note on electric toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes are far more effective than manual ones at keeping your mouth clean if used properly. If you’re shopping for an electric toothbrush, the same rules above can apply to it. The advantage you have is that the heads are interchangeable so you can try different bristle strengths and head sizes until you find the right one for you.

Whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, the brush needs to be replaced regularly. Not only do the bristles lose their strength with use, toothbrushes are also havens for bacteria. So keep it clean and change regularly for best effect.

– See more at: https://aestheticfamilydentistry.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-toothbrush/#sthash.HY6xiNWU.dpuf

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