Why do an oral cancer screening?

Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it’s caught early. The sad thing is – it’s often not. That’s why we perform an oral cancer exam in combination with each of your comprehensive and periodic dental examinations. An oral cancer exam is quick and painless. A few minutes can go a long way towards helping ensure a long and healthy life. At New Hampshire Center for Comprehensive Dentistry, we can help in identifying pre-cancerous and cancerous abnormalities of the mouth.

I don’t smoke, so why do I need an oral cancer screening?

One person dies from oral cancer every hour. Virtually everyone is at risk. In fact, twenty-five percent of cases of oral cancer occur in people who don’t smoke and have no other lifestyle risk factors. to help you to make smoking cessation easier.

Detecting Decay

Decay may or may not cause discomfort; even though it does not hurt, the tooth is deteriorating.Using higher magnification and powerful lighting, it is easier to detect decay at an early stage to prevent excessive tooth damage. When cavities are small, they are much easier and less expensive to treat. Early tooth decay does not tend to show many physical signs. Sometimes the tooth looks healthy, but your dentist will be able to see from an x-ray whether you have any decay under the enamel, any possible infections in the roots, or any bone loss around the tooth.

What is Halitosis?

Everyone occasionally experiences halitosis (bad breath). For example, morning breath is a common condition caused by the reduced saliva flow at night (saliva helps wash away food and bacteria in the mouth, keeping the breath fresh). In most cases, bad breath is temporary and not considered abnormal. However, persistent bad breath can signal dental or other health problems and should be addressed.[/tab] People are almost never able to detect when their breath is unpleasant because the nose becomes adapted to one’s own smell. Our dentists can help you assess whether you have a problem with bad breath. Dentists receive extensive training in dental school on identifying and treating the many different causes of halitosis.

What are the treatments for gum disease?

Periodontics is the specialty branch of dentistry that is concerned with the prevention and treatment of diseases of the gums and bones surrounding the teeth. These diseases include gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums (gingiva), and periodontitis, a serious bacterial infection that can destroy the fibers and bone that hold your teeth in place. Left untreated, these conditions can lead to tooth loss. Infections of the gums have even been associated with heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The following procedures are used to treat patients diagnosed with periodontal (gum) disease:

Scaling and Root Planing
Localized Antimicrobials (Antibiotic Therapy)
Osseous Surgery
Grafing procedures