The tongue is one of the most important muscles in the body. (That’s right – it is a muscular organ!) Well supplied with blood and boasting a plethora of nerves, the tongue is covered with a layer of dense connective tissue. Tiny bumps called papillae give the tongue its rough texture. And thousands of taste buds cover the surface of the papillae.
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Oral cancer is any cancer that develops in the lips, gums, tongue, inner lining of the cheeks, roof of the mouth and floor of the mouth (under the tongue). Also related, mouth cancer is one of several types of cancers which are grouped into a category called head and neck cancers. This year, doctors and dentists will diagnose an estimated 54,010 adults (38,800 men and 15,210 women) in the United States with oral cancer.
Oral health includes the teeth, gums, and the oral-facial system. These work together to allow us to smile, speak, and chew. Unfortunately, some common diseases negatively impact oral health. The Mayo Clinic reports the following conditions directly affect the mouth and teeth:
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The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) recently revealed research which links cases of arthritis to dental amalgam fillings. Dentists used to routinely use silver-colored fillings. However, even today, 50% of dentists still use mercury in the United States. Amalgam fillings are most often used now in areas servicing financially disadvantaged children and adults. The reason for this is because amalgam fillings cost less than their composite counterparts.
Continue reading “Amalgam Fillings Side Effects”
Without healthy gums, your teeth lack structural integrity. For that reason, allow us to take this opportunity to share how you should take care of this important and all-too-often neglected part of the mouth. Unfortunately, people often experience gum disease without pain. The reason this is problematic is because, unless you’re regularly visiting the dentist and conscientiously flossing and brushing your teeth, you may go for a long period of time before discovering the issue. And the longer gums go neglected, the more serious the underlying problem can become.
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Each June, the Dairy Council sponsors National Dairy Month. A month-long celebration of all things dairy, the campaign calls attention to the many contributions the dairy industry makes to the American health and economy. As a dental office, we would like to extend that sentiment to include everything that dairy products do to help build strong bones and healthy teeth!
To encourage lifetimes and generations of healthy smiles, the American Dental Association (ADA) and Colgate are collaborating in June to celebrate Oral Health Month. The campaign theme is: Share More Time, Share More Smiles. The celebration is aimed at educating Hispanic families about the importance of proper oral care. Dentists across America (including those us at Blue Ocean Dentistry) also encourage the public to share photos on social media to benefit the ADA Foundation’s Give Kids A Smile program.
The campaign’s theme, “Lead by Example,” speaks to parents, since they influence the health and wellness of their families. The campaign also communicates that an effective way to teach children good oral care habits is by modeling.
Each June, since 1994, Men’s Health Month focuses on improving the lifestyles of men. While several approaches improve overall health, diet and exercise remain the most important targets of change. In honor of the campaign, encourage the men in your life to get regular medical and dental checkups. They should also take steps to learn about the risks for their ages, ethnicities, and lifestyles.
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Believe it or not, the term “wisdom teeth” (aka third molars) has nothing to do with knowledge or intelligence. Instead, the term refers to the fact that they emerge much later than baby teeth. If they erupt at all, they usually do so around age 18. Eruption may be straight, crooked, or impacted. But even molars that come in straight often need to be extracted. Extraction solves problems such as lack of space as well as the inability of many to keep them cleaned and maintained, since they are difficult to reach.
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. We call attention to it here; since people tend to neglect self-care when they experience mental illness. Medical professionals use the month to reaffirm commitment to understanding mental illness and urge people to access treatment and reassure anyone who is struggling to know that they are not alone. Unfortunately, although much is known about physical health, mental health is often misunderstood. The 2021 May theme is Tools 2 Thrive. As the leading Glendora dental office, we strive to provide care for people, no matter where they are in their physical and emotional health.
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