How To Detect Oral Cancer Early? Follow These Tips
Oral cancer is not uncommon — about 50,000 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer every year. But there’s no need to panic! Learning how to identify early oral cancer signs can save your life and the lives of your loved ones. Risk factors for oral cancer Knowing how to recognize oral cancer and performing self-examinations at home is crucial, especially if you: Smoke and/or consume alcohol heavily Are over 50 years old Have the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Experience excessive sun exposure Have a family history of cancer Don't eat enough fruits and vegetables Keeping up with your dental checkups will also help diagnose oral cancer on time, as your dentist will be able to [...]
Myths about mouth taping and other dental-related misconceptions
At our dental office, we love answering questions from our patients. Some of the most common questions are linked to common misconceptions, like “mouth taping is dangerous”, and “you won’t get cavities if you avoid eating candy”. Yes, we know that there can be a blurry line between truth and fiction when it comes to dental health. Some facts are not black and white, either. That’s why we gathered some of the most common “myths” about dental care that we hear at our practice to give you some answers and help you take the best care of your teeth. We hope you find them useful! Myth #1: Mouth taping is dangerous [...]
Worried About Chipped or Cracked Teeth in Corvallis?
Do you notice any of the following issues with your smile: Teeth with rough or sharp edges Small chips missing from a tooth Vertical “lines” appearing on your teeth Morning headaches or jaw pain These may all be signs of tooth grinding, chipped teeth, or cracked teeth. But the question remains, “How much should you worry about chipped and cracked teeth? Chips and cracks aren’t just a cosmetic concern. They might also be the first sign that there’s a bigger problem yet to come. Even small chips and cracks can weaken an otherwise healthy smile. Down the road, this might result in a bigger chip or a complete tooth fracture. In the worst-case scenario, you might need [...]
Missing Teeth: What You Need to Know
Missing teeth might seem like a problem of the past — something we only had to deal with when gaining our permanent teeth as children, or after taking a basketball ball to the mouth during a pickup game in college. However, missing teeth in adults are more common than most think. In fact, some studies estimate nearly 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth! Living with missing teeth affects more than just how your smile looks — leaving gaps in your teeth can leave an impact on your oral and overall health, too. What are the common causes of missing teeth, and what can you do to restore your smile? What causes missing [...]
How Bad Is Grinding Your Teeth?
Have you ever caught yourself grinding or clenching your teeth during the day? Maybe after a particularly stressful meeting at work, or after you stubbed your toe on your door frame in the dark? Perhaps you’ve had a partner or spouse complain to you that your teeth grinding woke them up at night. Or maybe you keep waking up with a sore jaw or headaches in the morning with seemingly no reason. These are all signs of bruxism, commonly referred to as teeth grinding. But if you don’t even realize you're doing it, is grinding your teeth bad for you? Over time, bruxism can significantly impact the teeth. We’ll examine this, plus common causes, symptoms, and [...]
Is Mouth Taping Right For You?
“Many patients have said this one small thing has changed their life”, says Dr. Black. “It’s possibly a game-changer in the prevention of oral disease.” By now, most of us have heard about the health benefits of a good night’s sleep. Not only does it allow you to think more clearly, reduce stress, and improve your mood — it also benefits your immune system and lowers your risk of developing serious health problems like heart disease. It might surprise you to learn that breathing through your mouth can have an impact on your sleep. Not only can it cause you to snore, but studies have shown that people who regularly breathe through their mouths while asleep [...]
What You Need to Know About Bleeding Gums
At some point, many of us have experienced bleeding gums. Maybe you’re brushing your teeth and you see a little bit of blood when you spit out your toothpaste. Or, you notice your gums feeling a little raw after you floss. Bleeding gums might not seem like that big of a deal. But if your gums are bleeding consistently, don’t ignore it. In today’s blog post, we’ll review some of the common causes of bleeding gums, how you can treat them at home, and when it’s time to come visit us here at Timberhill Dental. Causes Gums bleed for a variety of different reasons, including: Gingivitis or gum disease, caused by plaque or tartar buildup around the [...]
COVID-19 News: Why Dentists Are Reporting Low Infection Statistics
Everyone’s world has changed so much this year. It feels like every day, we’re learning something new that makes us reevaluate what we thought we knew for sure. A few months back, a Canadian research group estimated that dentists were among the most likely professions to contract COVID-19. Even before this study was published, here at Timberhill Dental we were well aware of the potential risks facing our dentists, staff, and patients. We took every necessary step to create an environment that was as safe as possible by: Prescreening all patients and staff for temperature, recent travel, exposure, and sickness. No one has been allowed to enter the treatment areas until all conditions have been met. [...]
The Link Between Gum Disease and COVID-19
This year and the global pandemic have caused a lot of change to our usual routines. One big routine that might have changed due to the onset of COVID-19? Your regular visits to the dentist’s office. But as recent studies show a connection between gum disease and COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to maintain your regular dental appointments and exams. In this post, we’ll review the connection between gum disease and COVID-19, common symptoms of gum disease, and tips for prevention. Let’s get started. What is gum disease? Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is inflammation and infection of the gums. At a minimum, it damages the soft tissue of the [...]
What You Need to Know About Dental Phobia
Are you experiencing dental phobia? We can help! It’s common for people to feel a little uneasiness before coming into the dentist. But for millions of Americans, that uneasiness manifests as dental phobia. In fact, as many as 20% of people report they avoid going to the dentist because of it! Here are a few signs you may have dental phobia: You haven’t been to the dentist in a long time You get nervous as soon as you walk into the dentist office You have delayed getting dental treatment before, even when you’ve been in pain You feel very uneasy when you sit in the dental chair You’re worried about being criticized about your dental hygiene [...]