Do you know the signs to look for regarding oral cancer? Want to learn more about the disease and what to look for? Luckily due to advances in the dental industry your dentist can perform a quick biopsy in there office, quick and painless.

According to an article at washingtonpost.com, “dental health news on oral cancer”

“Oral cancer kills one American almost every hour — about 8,000 a year — and it’s not just the smokers, chewers and heavy drinkers who are at risk. Of the 30,000 victims in the United States each year (20,000 are men); roughly 25 percent don’t fit into any of those categories.

As with many other cancers, the best defense is a good offense. Early detection can help improve the chances for successful treatment. That’s why a nationwide campaign now being conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) is encouraging Americans to learn more about the disease and visit their dentist for a screening.

Signs to look for

A sore that bleeds easily or doesn’t heal; a color change of the oral tissue; a lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area; or pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips. If you notice any of these signs, contact your dentist immediately.

When necessary, dentists can now perform a quick, painless “brush biopsy” screening test, using a special brush to remove tissue specimens from the mouth. Computer analysis can then determine the presence of pre-cancerous or cancerous cells. The screening also helps determine whether more comprehensive tests, such as a surgical biopsy, or other follow-ups are needed.

On the research front, scientists are now looking at a newly identified gene that appears to play a key role in the development of oral cancer. Other oral cancer diagnostic tools, such as the use of special types of mouth rinses, are also being studied.

Good News for Kids

With regard to everyday dental concerns, a vaccine that inoculates against tooth decay is being developed. Tooth decay is the single most common childhood disease, five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. But the discovery of a potentially important antigen, or antibody, stimulant for use in a vaccine against tooth decay may help change those statistics forever.

Sprayed in the nose, rather than being injected or swallowed like other vaccines, it works by stimulating immunity to the enzyme responsible for the accumulation of the decay-causing microorganisms on teeth. Researchers at Boston’s Forsyth Institute, who discovered the antigen, have received approval to begin clinical trials.”

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Need more information on oral cancer or are you concerned about your oral health? Dr. McElhinney in Reno can help assist you with all your dental needs. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney’s laser dentistry practice.

Ever had a toothache past your dentist office hours? Need something to hold you over until your dentist can examine the tooth causing you all the pain? Home remedies could be one way to help you alleviate you’re pain quickly and budget friendly.

According to an article at 1dental.com, “a list of natural toothache remedies”

“You may wonder if home remedies really work to stop the pain. It’s important to see a dentist, and some emergency dental plans can start immediately. However, these inexpensive, effective and easily accessible toothache home remedies may help alleviate your pain and get you moving again.

Natural and Home Remedies for Toothaches

Cloves or Clove Oil

Cloves or clove oil is another great natural home remedy for a toothache. Cloves were used as a natural method of alleviating toothaches even before modern medicine was invented. Clove oil’s antiseptic properties help bring down infection which decreases the pain. This spice or its oil should be applied directly into the cavity or other source of pain in order to help bring down the infection. Make sure you only use a drop or two of clove oil, because too much can be harmful.

Garlic Remedy

Garlic is one of the most effective home remedies for tooth pain. There is a chemical found exclusively in garlic called allicin with antibiotic properties that slow down bacterial affects. When the bacteria decrease, so does the pain. By applying a clove of crushed garlic directly on the affected tooth, the allicin is released and should immediately help alleviate the pain.

Wheatgrass Juice

Wheatgrass juice is another natural way to stop pain as well as help reverse tooth decay. Being a natural antibiotic, wheatgrass juice naturally draws out toxins that may be in the gums. This toothache home remedy helps stop the infection from spreading which in turn reduces tooth pain. Use wheatgrass juice as a mouthwash to draw out toxins, or you can chew on wheatgrass for similar results.

Raw Onion

Raw onion has antiseptic properties, so chewing raw onion for 3 minutes can help. If it is too painful to chew, you can simply place a piece of raw onion directly on your tooth.

Guava Leaves Solution

Guava tree leaves have been used for this purpose in many tropical cultures. There are 2 common uses. You can chew 1-2 leaves until the liquid comes out on the tooth, or you can put 4-5 guava leaves in a pot with some water. Bring nearly to a boil, then let cool to a warm temperature. Add some salt to the solution, swish or gargle in the mouth and spit. Repeat this process, being sure to allow the liquid to swish into the aching tooth.”

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Remember a toothache should always be examined by a dentist. If you have a toothache or any dental issues of concern click here to contact Dr. McElhinney located in Reno, to set-up an appointment.

Who would have thought that preschoolers are at risk for cavities? Their so young! You would think that they would have the best oral care but unfortunately cavities have increased among our little ones.

According to an article at health.yahoo.net, “cavities in preschoolers are on the rise”

“Dentists are now seeing so many preschoolers with cavities and even severe tooth decay (6 to 10 cavities or more) that there’s been “a huge increase” in little kids who need general anesthesia for dental procedures, including tooth extractions, crowns and even root canals, The New York Times reports.

Yet with the right care, rotten teeth—and having to send two-year-olds to the hospital for costly and painful dental surgery—are largely preventable. What’s behind this scary trend?

Soaring Rates of Tooth Decay in 2 to 5 Year Olds

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sounded an alarm five years ago by reporting the first rise in 40 years of kids with cavities in their baby teeth. The largest spike was found among 2 to 5 year olds. In that study, the CDC reported that 28 percent of kids in that age group—of all income levels—had cavities, compared to 24 percent in a study conducted between 1988 and 1994.

Overall, 42 percent of kids ages 2 to 11 had cavities in their primary teeth, and there was also a significant jump in the number of cavities (or fillings) per child. What’s more, many of the kids had untreated decay, which can be extremely dangerous. Since then, the problem has only gotten worse, according to pediatric dentists around the US.

A Dangerous but Often Overlooked Health Threat

Featured in original Times article, Melody and Mathew Koester didn’t worry about their son Devon’s oral health until Melody noticed that that the then 18-month-old had discolored teeth. ““I had a lot on my mind, and brushing his teeth was an extra thing I didn’t think about at night.”

Dentists report that some parents don’t brush their toddlers’ teeth because their kids get fussy or cry. But tooth-brushing twice a day can spare preschoolers the much worse pain of the dentist’s drill. For Devon, his parents’ mistake resulted in a trip to the OR, as The New York Times reports:

“In the surgical wing of the Center for Pediatric Dentistry at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Devon Koester, 2 ½ years old, was resting last month in his mother’s arms as an anesthesiologist held a bubble-gum-scented mask over his face to put him under. The doctors then took X-rays, which showed that 11 of his 20 baby teeth had cavities. Then his pediatric dentist extracted two incisors, performed a root canal on a molar, and gave the rest fillings and crowns.”

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Want to find out if your child or toddler is at risk, click here to contact Dr. McElhinney located in Reno to set-up an appointment.

Now days we are so strapped on time with work, kids and commitments, we need all the help we can get. Just because we all have busy lives you don’t want to neglect your oral health care. Below are some great tips to help you out in a time crunch.

According to an article at oralb.com, “products to help maintain oral care on the go”

“These days, it seems like everybody is going non-stop. But just because you’re busy or traveling — whether for work or play; — that’s no excuse for neglecting your daily dental care routine. One of the easiest ways to maintain oral care on the go is to carry a small container of floss with you. If you’re hiking or camping and want to travel light, floss takes up less space than your electric flosser.

A variety of products make oral care easier when you are traveling or time-strapped. Soft flosses, such as Oral-B’s Satin Floss, can be used by anyone. They slide easily between the teeth to make flossing faster and easier. Also, interdental brush cleaners made of nylon bristles and narrow enough to fit between teeth, combine brushing and flossing for surfaces between the teeth.

If you are hiking, camping or traveling where space is at a premium, buy a small travel toothbrush that fold up. The brush will stay clean and it will take up less of your valuable space.

Another point: If you’re going to be traveling for an extended period of time, and especially if you will be traveling overseas or in the wilderness, be sure to schedule a checkup with your dentist before you go. The last thing you want is a dental health problem to erupt when you are far from reliable dental care. Problems can still occur, but you can reduce the risk by being as prepared as you can before you travel.”

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Dr. McElhinney’s dental practice located in Reno, Nevada is an exceptional dentist. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney to set-up an appointment.

Ever had an impacted tooth? Well for those that have had to deal with this condition, it’s no fun! Many young adults may have this issue when their wisdom teeth erupt. So parents this is a great article giving a complete breakdown of what to expect.

According to an article at colgate.com,” what exactly is an impacted tooth?”

“What Is It?

Teeth are impacted when they fail to emerge through the gums, or emerge only partially, at the expected time.

Your wisdom teeth, also called third molars, usually begin to erupt between the ages of 17 and 21. Because they are the last to emerge in the mouth, wisdom teeth are the most common teeth to become impacted. This may happen because a wisdom tooth is turned to the side, tilted or otherwise positioned incorrectly in the jaw. Wisdom teeth also become impacted when there is not enough room in the jaw or the mouth for them to emerge.

An impacted tooth can be painless, and you may not even realize it’s there. However, when an impacted wisdom tooth tries to erupt, the overlying gum may swell and cause pain, which may also be felt in nearby teeth or the ear on that side. A partially erupted tooth can collect food and other debris, which can lead to gum swelling and an infection called pericoronitis. If untreated, this infection can spread toward the throat or into the neck. Impacted teeth also can cause problems if they develop decay or if they push on the neighboring molar, which could lead to tooth movement or decay, as well as changes in the bite (the way the teeth come together). Impacted teeth also can cause cysts and other benign (harmless) jaw tumors. These can lead to bone destruction. However, this is rare.

Symptoms include:

• Swelling of the gum in the back of the mouth or on the side of the jaw
• Difficulty opening the jaw
• Bad breath
• An unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Pain or irritation when you open your mouth
• Pain when chewing or biting

Pain can occur for several days and then disappear for weeks or months before returning.

Diagnosis-Your dentist will examine the area and take X-rays if needed. X-rays can show where your wisdom teeth are and if they are impacted.

Expected Duration-Symptoms caused by a problematic tooth are relieved when the tooth is extracted.

Prevention-There is no way to prevent an impacted tooth, but careful dental hygiene — brushing, flossing or the use of water-jet devices — can reduce the risk of infection.

When To Call a Professional

Because an impacted tooth can damage neighboring teeth or distort the bite, call your dentist if you experience pain in your molar teeth and your wisdom teeth have not yet come in. If you visit your dentist regularly, he or she will keep track of your wisdom teeth and let you know if you need to have them extracted. Because routine X-rays for cavities often don’t show the wisdom teeth, your dentist may take extra X-rays to check these teeth.”

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If you have an impacted tooth or have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. McElhinney located in Reno. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney to set-up an appointment.