Many people are not aware that cancer may develop in the mouth and/or the oropharynx. Fortunately, your dentists at Convivial Dental are always on the lookout for suspicious symptoms every time they examine you. 

The numbers are staggering. There will be more than 50,000 newly diagnosed cases this year in the United States. Oral cancer is estimated to kill one person every hour, 24 hours a day. 

While some oral conditions such as cold sores are extremely painful, oral cancer may appear as a non-painful ulcer that does not heal. 

Often, white plaque lesions called leukoplakia are first to appear. They are not painful and cause no other symptoms. They may sit dormant for years, only to develop to malignancy suddenly. That is why we call them “pre-malignancies”. 

At Convivial Dental we believe that our patient’s total oral health doesn’t stop with just filling cavities. That’s why we pay attention to changes of the hard tissues and the soft tissues that lead to early detection of abnormalities. When such discoveries require further investigation, we work with a network of oral medicine specialists to refer you quickly to centers of excellence.

Survival is improving, but oral cancer causes significant morbidity and affects the patient’s quality of life. That’s why early detection is vital. 

Scientific studies show that Stage I oral cancer has the best chances of complete healing. 

Some important facts:

The most serious risk factors are excessive alcohol drinking and smoking. Those who consume high levels of alcohol AND tobacco or marihuana have the highest risk. 

Chewing tobacco is an established cause of oral cancer. Early signs include white striations and submucous fibrosis.

High risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infections of the mouth are also associated with oral cancer. 

HPV related cancers appear in younger people as compared to tobacco-alcohol related cancers that usually appear later in life.

Vaccination against HPV prior to sexual initiation is key to preventing such intra-oral infections later in life. 

Cancers due to smoking and alcohol drinking tend to be more biologically aggressive than those caused by HPV.

Self inspection of visible parts of the oral cavity is important. Once per month take a good look inside your mouth for ulcers or white or red plaques (that do not rub off). 

Changes over short periods of time are important. Most traumatic or inflammatory ulcers will heal within 15 days. Ulcers that do not heal after 2-3 weeks must be examined. Similarly, premalignant lesions that used to be dormant and stable but suddenly show changes (in color, consistency or size) must be examined.

Please note that a broad range of conditions may cause such findings, so if you notice a tissue change please do not panic. Oral cancer is rare and chances are the tissue changes you may have noticed are due to a different reason. 

If you wish to read more about this type of cancer please ask us for copies of the many articles we have authored on the subject.

More than just teeth, Convivial Dental manages your complete oral health. Call us today or click below to schedule an appointment and to talk to us about how we can safeguard your family’s health with advanced cancer screening.

Click below or call 617-735-0800 today to schedule a consultation. We can’t wait to meet you!

Childhood tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, affecting nearly one in three children between the ages of two and five. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry reports that tooth decay can appear in children as young as six months old. As a parent, it is possible to spare your child from early childhood tooth decay, and potentially prevent a lifetime of oral health problems in one fell swoop.

Birth to age two

Good oral health begins before your child’s teeth ever erupt from the gums. During the first few months of life, you should be wiping your child’s gums with a damp cloth after eating. As soon as teeth appear, Drs. Cartsos and Zavras and our team at Convivial Dental recommend you start brushing them with a toddler toothbrush and water, and call our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office to schedule your child’s first visit. Never allow your child to go to bed with a bottle, and try to limit beverages other than water only to meal times. Children who walk around or go to sleep with bottles or sippy cups full of juice or milk are exposed to more sugars and are more likely to develop tooth decay.

Ages two to six

All of your child’s primary teeth should erupt by age three. Brush your toddler’s teeth at least twice daily with a toddler toothpaste and toothbrush. As your child gets older and learns not to swallow toothpaste, you may begin to use oral care products specially designed for preschoolers and elementary-age children. Be sure to maintain regular dental appointments and cleanings as recommended by your child’s dentist, and encourage your son or daughter to begin drinking from a regular cup. This is also the time to teach your child the importance of healthy eating habits, which includes limiting sweets and sugary desserts to mealtime.

By first grade, your child will begin to lose primary teeth. This is the time to start talking with Drs. Cartsos and Zavras about dental sealants, which can prevent tooth decay from forming on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Sealants are painless, easy to apply, and undetectable to other people.

Tips

Fluoride is an important ingredient for healthy teeth. Check to make sure the water your child drinks is enriched with fluoride. Also, brush your child’s teeth with fluoridated toothpaste, and talk to our office about whether fluoride treatments could be right for your family. For more information about preventing your child’s tooth decay, or to schedule an appointment with Drs. Cartsos and Zavras, please give us a call at our convenient Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office!

Children’s oral health differs from that of adults in a variety of ways. Drs. Cartsos and Zavras and our team want you to understand how you can provide the best care for your son or daughter’s teeth. It’s essential to understand what your child will need from you when it comes to his or her oral health in those first few years.

In-home dental care begins when your baby starts to show signs of developing the first tooth. We recommend that you bring your child to our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office between the ages of one and two. Drs. Cartsos and Zavras will take a look at your child’s tooth development and gums during this first scheduled appointment.

The initial appointment with your little one is designed to get him or her accustomed to our office. We recommend allowing your child to be in the exam room alone with us during the first visit in order to become comfortable with our staff at an early age.

We will go over several general matters during your child’s first visit:

• Look for signs of decay or other tooth or gum problems
• Make sure your youngster doesn’t have gum disease or cavities
• Examine your child’s bite, and check for misalignment that could lead to problems in the future
• Clean the teeth, and apply fluoride if your son or daughter is old enough
• Talk to you about proper oral health care for your
• Give you some tips for brushing and flossing your child’s teeth
• Answer any questions you may have about caring for your little one’s teeth

Once your child is old enough for his or her first visit to the dentist, you should begin to schedule regular cleanings every six months. If any problems arise before a scheduled appointment, call our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts location and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Remember, creating healthy oral health habits with your child early on is crucial. We’re here to guide you through this process and make sure your child is healthy and happy.  

It’s a new year, and it couldn’t come fast enough for many of us! Let’s do our part to make this a better year in every way—and you can start by making this the year you quit smoking once and for all.

You know that smoking is very damaging to your body. Smokers are more likely to suffer from lung disease, heart attacks, and strokes. You’re at greater risk for cancer, high blood pressure, blood clots, and blood vessel disorders. With far-reaching consequences like this, it’s no surprise that your oral health suffers when you smoke as well.

How does smoking affect your teeth and mouth?

• Appearance

While this is possibly the least harmful side effect of smoking, it’s a very visible one. Tar and nicotine start staining teeth right away. After months and years of smoking, your teeth can take on an unappealing dark yellow, orange, or brown color. Tobacco staining might require professional whitening treatments because it penetrates the enamel over time.

• Plaque and Tartar

Bacterial plaque and tartar cause cavities and gum disease, and smokers suffer from plaque and tartar buildup more than non-smokers. Tartar, hardened plaque which can only be removed by a dental professional, is especially hard on delicate gum tissue.

• Bad Breath

The chemicals in cigarettes linger on the surfaces of your mouth causing an unpleasant odor, but that’s not the only source of smoker’s breath. Smoking also dries out the mouth, and, without the normal flow of saliva to wash away food particles and bacteria, bad breath results. Another common cause of bad breath? Gum disease—which is also found more frequently among smokers.

• Gum Disease

Smoking has been linked to greater numbers of harmful oral bacteria in the mouth and a greater risk of gingivitis (early gum disease). Periodontitis, or severe gum disease, is much more common among smokers, and can lead to bone and tooth loss. Unsurprisingly, tooth loss is also more common among smokers.  

• Implant Failure

Tooth implants look and function like our original teeth, and are one of the best solutions for tooth loss. While implant failure isn’t common, it does occur significantly more often among smokers. Studies suggest that there are multiple factors at work, which may include a smoker’s bone quality and density, gum tissue affected by constricted blood vessels, and compromised healing.

• Healing Ability

Smoking has been linked to weakened immune systems, so it’s harder to fight off an infection and to heal after injury. Because smoking affects the immune system’s response to inflammation and infection, smokers suffering from gum disease don’t respond as well to treatment. Smokers experience a higher rate of root infections, and smoking also slows the healing process after oral surgeries or trauma.

• Dry Socket

Smoking following a tooth extraction can cause a painful condition called “dry socket.” After extraction, a clot forms to protect the tooth socket. Just as this clot can be dislodged by sucking through a straw or spitting, it can also be dislodged by the force of inhaling and exhaling while smoking.

• Oral Cancer

Research has shown again and again that smoking is the single most serious risk factor for oral cancer. Studies have also shown that you reduce your risk of oral cancer significantly when you quit smoking.

• Consequences for Orthodontic Treatment

Finally, if this is the year that you’re investing the time and effort needed to create an attractive, healthy smile with orthodontic treatment, don’t sabotage yourself by smoking!

Cosmetically, smoking doesn’t just discolor your tooth enamel—tar and nicotine discolor your aligners and braces as well. If one of the reasons you chose clear aligners or ceramic brackets is for their invisible appearance, the last thing you want is yellow aligners and brackets.

More important, smoking, it’s been suggested, can interfere with your orthodontic progress. When blood vessels are constricted, your gums, periodontal ligaments, and bones can’t function at their healthy best, moving your teeth where they need to be steadily and efficiently. This means that your treatment could take longer. And if your smoking has caused gum disease, you might have to put any orthodontic treatment on hold completely until it’s under control.

Quitting smoking is a major accomplishment that will improve your life on every level. It’s always a good idea to talk to Drs. Cartsos and Zavras for strategies to help you achieve your wellness goals for the new year. Make this the year you stop smoking, and the year your health improves in countless ways because you did.