Understanding Oral Cancer and Treatment Options

Oral cancer accounts for about 2% of all cancers, and it can be caused by either smoking or excessive alcohol use. Fortunately, oral cancer is one of the more treatable forms of cancer if detected early, but it’s still highly important to be aware of the symptoms and treatments available should you or someone you know develop this illness. If you want to learn everything you need to know about oral cancer, read on!

What Is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells lining your mouth, throat, or tongue. The most common type of oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which forms in the thin layer of tissue that covers the inside of your mouth and upper throat. The second most common type of oral cancer is called adenocarcinoma. This form develops from glands in your mouth and may spread to other parts of your body.

Risk Factors

There are many risk factors associated with oral cancer. Some of the most common risk factors include tobacco use, HPV infection, and alcohol consumption. However, it is important to note that not everyone who smokes or drinks has an increased risk for oral cancer, and not everyone infected with HPV will develop oral cancer.

Signs of oral cancer

Oral cancer can be hard to detect, and some symptoms may go unnoticed. But there are certain symptoms that could indicate you have the disease. Here are some of the most common signs:

·         A sore that doesn't heal in time

·         A lump or thickening in the cheek or neck area

·         Difficulty chewing or swallowing

·         Unintentional weight loss

·         Unusual bleeding from the mouth or nose, including blood when you brush your teeth.

If you experience any of these warning signs, make an appointment with a Blacktown dentist as soon as possible.

Types of Oral Cancer

There are two main types of oral cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinomas form in the epithelial tissue in the mouth, while adenocarcinomas form in the glandular tissue. There are also less common types of oral cancer that can develop, such as sarcoma, melanoma and lymphoma.

Treatment Options

The most common treatment options for oral cancer are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Treatment will depend on the type of cancer, where it's located in the mouth or throat, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. There are also a number of other treatments available depending on the individual's situation.

How to Prevent Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is the 11th most common cancer in the United States. It is caused by a combination of factors, including human papillomavirus (HPV), smoking and alcohol use, as well as genetics. To lower your risk of developing oral cancer, avoid tobacco products and excessive alcohol use, protect your skin from UV radiation with sunscreen or protective clothing, and limit sun exposure between 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun is strongest.

When to Visit the Blacktown Dentist?

It is important for you and your dentist to know the warning signs of oral cancer. If you notice any changes in the way your mouth looks or feels, it is best that you visit a dentist immediately. If you have been diagnosed with oral cancer, it is imperative that you see a dentist on a regular basis for follow up care. With Microscopic Dentistry Blacktown, our dentist offer a customised treatment plan that helps to combat with the dental problems you’re experiencing. Schedule an appointment with orthodontist Blacktown to find out the best treatment option.

Oral cancer can be treated and reversed if caught early. So, if you suspect that you might have oral cancer, please speak to your dentist.

What Is Crossbite And How Can You Treat It?

Crossbite, also known as malocclusion, refers to an abnormal condition in which the teeth do not properly align with each other in the jaw. This often leads to pain and misalignment of the jaws themselves that, over time, can lead to more serious health problems, including tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately, it's possible to treat crossbite with several methods that reduce the discomfort and dental damage caused by this condition. Here's what you need to know about crossbite and how to treat it before it becomes more serious and problematic.

What Is Crossbite?

Crossbite is a condition where the top teeth are pushed inward, and the lower teeth are pushed outward. An improper bite creates a misalignment between the upper jaw, lower jaw, and teeth. The symptoms depend on the severity of the crossbite. Mild cases may only cause pain or discomfort when eating, while severe cases can affect breathing, speech, dental health, facial growth patterns, or sleep quality.

What Are The Symptoms Of Crossbite?

Sometimes called tooth-jutting, an overlapping of the upper teeth characterises crossbite. The condition may be present at birth or develop due to habits such as thumb-sucking, pacifier use, or tongue thrusting. Symptoms include an overgrown lower jaw, difficulty chewing certain foods such as apples, drooling, ear infections, and an increased risk for speech problems.

What are the Common causes of crossbites?

To understand crossbites, it's important to know that a misalignment of the jaw causes them. Often, this is due to improper or late tooth eruption, prolonged thumb sucking, or sleeping with your mouth open. If you're experiencing a crossbite on one side of your mouth but not the other, then it's likely that there is an issue with how your teeth are growing. This is known as an asymmetrical crossbite. Asymmetrical crossbites usually need to be treated much sooner than bilateral ones because they will only worsen over time. If you suspect a crossbite, please visit the orthodontist in Blacktown.

How Cross Bite Is Treated?

Crossbites can be corrected by surgery, but this is only an option if the child is young enough. If your child's crossbite is severe enough to warrant surgery, they will first have a consultation with a surgeon to see if they are a candidate. The type of procedure performed will depend on the severity of the crossbite. For example, if your child has just a small overlap between their upper and lower teeth, braces might be all that's needed to correct it.

Which Treatment Is The Best Option For Treating Crossbite?

Crossbites can be treated with various treatments, including braces, surgery, or both. While there are different options for crosscut treatment, each option has its pros and cons. Braces are the most cost-effective option when it comes to treatment. However, they require consistency to work effectively. Additionally, braces usually must be worn for at least a year to be effective. However, your Blacktown dentist is the right person to determine which treatment is the best option.

When to See Your Blacktown Dentist?

It is important to see your dentist as soon as you notice any symptoms of a crossbite. The earlier you catch the problem, the better it will be for your oral health. Left untreated, this condition can lead to severe consequences like tooth loss, jaw pain, headaches and difficulty chewing food. Using Microscopic Dentistry Blacktown, our dentist can suggest the best treatment option to correct your bite problems.

Root Canal Procedure: Everything You Need To Know

Root canal procedures are highly effective treatments for infected and damaged dental roots. Still, many people are unaware that this procedure doesn't necessarily involve removing the affected tooth. This blog will cover everything you need to know about root canal procedures, from what happens during the procedure to how you can prepare beforehand to help your chances of successful treatment.

What Is A Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure that treats the diseased pulp of a tooth that cannot be saved with a filling. Many reasons can cause the tooth's pulp to become infected, including decay between the teeth, periodontal disease, or a cracked tooth. The Blacktown dentist will use anaesthetic and local anaesthesia for the root canal procedure. Once the procedure is complete, your dentist will cover the opening of your tooth with either gutta-percha or composite filling material.

What are the Symptoms of a Decayed Tooth?

The symptoms of a decayed tooth can vary from patient to patient, but one of the more common signs are severe tooth pain that becomes persistent. It may also be accompanied by an unpleasant taste in the mouth and bad breath. Other symptoms include gum inflammation, pus near the tooth or at the base of your gums, and swelling in your jawbone. If you think you have any of these symptoms or if they persist for two weeks, make an appointment with your orthodontist in Blacktown.

Why Would I Need a Root Canal?

A root canal can save teeth from severe decay. Root canal treatment is necessary when there is significant damage to the inside of a tooth. Severe pain, infections, and sensitive teeth are all signs that a root canal may be necessary. However, your Blacktown dentist is the right person to determine whether you need a root canal procedure or not.

What Happens During the Procedure?

With Microscopic Dentistry Blacktown, the dentist numbs the area, inserts a small mirror into the tooth, and locates the nerve. He or she removes all of the infected tissue around the nerve. The dentist will then clean out any remaining bacteria and seal up the cavity with a filling. Most root canal procedures require just one visit, although they may be more complicated in some cases and require an extra visit or two. Once the surgical site is healed, a crown is placed to protect the remaining structure of the infected tooth and other surrounding dental structure.

Can I Continue on My Normal Schedule with a Root Canal?

In most cases, your normal schedule can continue on the same day. Patients are usually advised to avoid strenuous activity and resume normal activities gradually. Restrictions vary depending on the size of the tooth, health of the surrounding gum tissue, and a dentist's judgment.

Is a Dental Crown Necessary?

After the endodontic treatment has been completed, it's common for a dental crown to be placed over the tooth in order to hold it in place. This is one way that it can help prevent any future damage from occurring and make sure your tooth stays in a good state of health for as long as possible.

Should you have further queries on root canal procedure, please speak to your dentist. Our dentist can help you find the right treatment plan based on the severity of the dental decay.

Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?

Is wisdom teeth removal necessary? This is one of the most common questions many patients ask when the dentist suggests wisdom teeth extraction. In most of cases, wisdom teeth removal is necessary as they can wreak havoc on your dental health.

Wisdom teeth removal Blacktown is a preventive measure suggested by the dental professional to save the other healthy teeth. However, you can have your wisdom teeth if they erupt in the right position, do not cause any trouble to nearby teeth, able to clean properly, and are healthy. That said, this is not the case with all the patients. Many times, they don’t erupt in the right position and have to be removed. In most of cases, they don’t erupt in the right position and have to be removed.

So, what can happen if you don’t remove your teeth:-

Damage to other teeth

Often, wisdom teeth don’t get enough space on the jawline to develop in the right position. So, wisdom teeth can push the other teeth when they attempt to erupt, causing teeth shifting and crowding. As a result, they may damage the second molar and increase the risk of infection in that area. The pressure created in the area can push the adjacent teeth from their position, requiring orthodontic treatment to straighten other teeth.

Decay

An impacted wisdom tooth can erupt partially, making cleaning difficult as they are in the hard-to-reach areas with a toothbrush. When not cleaned properly, leftover particles can be trapped around the gum of the partially erupted teeth and leads to bacterial infection. This increases the risk of tooth decay on the impacted wisdom teeth and nearby teeth as well.

Gum disease

A partially erupted tooth also increases the risk of developing a painful, inflammatory condition called pericoronitis in that area. If left untreated, you’ll lose the healthy teeth as well.

Cyst

An impacted wisdom tooth develops a sac within the jawbone. The sac is filled with fluid and forms a cyst that can damage the teeth, jawbone, and nerves. This condition requires the removal of bone and tissue.

As you see, wisdom teeth can cause a lot of problems, especially if they become impacted. An impaction occurs when a wisdom tooth gets trapped under the gum as it doesn’t have enough space in the mouth to develop completely. To avoid these complications, dentists recommend Wisdom teeth removal Blacktown. However, your dentist Blacktown is the right person to determine whether or not you have to extract your wisdom teeth.

If you are putting off wisdom teeth treatment due to dental anxiety and fear, there’s nothing to worry. Today’s dental treatments are painless, non-invasive, and quick recovery due to advanced dental technologies and techniques like sedation dentistry, computer-aided procedure, and Microscopic Dentistry Blacktown. For further queries about wisdom teeth, please get in touch with our team.