Monthly Blogs from Your Fort Lee NJ Dentist

Monthly, your Fort Lee dentists will be compiling blogs written on topics such as dental hygiene, maintenance, news and more for your consideration. It is our strong belief that the more familiar our patients become with these topics, the more likely they are to benefit from applying the tips and information to their own oral health regimens.

To suggest a topic, please Contact Us today.

Otherwise, please enjoy our monthly blogs below!

General Dentistry Topics

Don't Let Your Sweet Tooth Win!

Cosmetic Dentistry Topics

Advanced Dentistry Topics

When to See Your Dentist Asap

The Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings
Rebuild the Smile with Treatments for Missing Teeth

The Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings

Catching oral cancer early is key to treating this serious condition before it becomes life threatening. Oral cancer screenings can be performed alongside other general dentistry treatments to ensure a healthy smile for years to come. If you're in the Fort Lee area and would like to schedule an oral cancer screening, we welcome you to contact Anderson Dental. In the meantime, learn more about the importance of oral cancer screenings in this overview.

Why Undergo Oral Cancer Screenings?

Oral cancer screenings are a simple way to check the mouth, gums, and tongue for any abnormalities or irregularities that may be a sign of cancer. During an oral cancer screening, the oral tissues are checked for areas of discoloration, sores, lumps, or other indicators of oral cancer. If any areas of concern are detected, samples will be taken and sent to a lab for further testing. Oral cancer screenings are vital to detecting cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages, and may even save your life. Oral cancer screenings are important to overall health and should be done for the following reasons:

Detect cancer early: Oral cancer screenings can help detect cancer early and before it has the chance to spread.

Allows cancer to be treated early: Catching oral cancer in its earliest stages allows early treatment, when cancer is generally most easily treated.

Life saving: Oral cancer screenings can be life saving.

The Symptoms of Oral Cancer

The symptoms of oral cancer should not be ignored. If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, our team at Anderson Dental encourages you to schedule an oral cancer screening.

Non-healing sores within the mouth

Sores within the mouth that continue to bleed

Lumps or hard spots within the mouth

White or red spots within the mouth

Numbness or pain when biting down on the teeth

Risk Factors of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer does have certain risk factors that may make some patients more likely to suffer from this condition. If you relate to any of the below risk factors, you should have your dentist include oral cancer screenings with your regular check-up.

Smoker or tobacco chewer: Smoking and tobacco chewing are two of the biggest risks of oral cancer.

Over 40: People over the age of 40 are at greater risk of oral cancer.

Heavy consumption of alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption wreaks havoc on the body and increases the risk of oral cancer.

Male: Men generally have a higher rate of oral cancer than women.

Excessive sun exposure: Sun exposure can increase the risk of skin and oral cancer.

Schedule an Oral Cancer Screening

If undetected, oral cancer may spread and can become life threatening. Oral cancer screenings can help catch oral cancer before it becomes severe and while it is most easily treated. To schedule an oral cancer screening, we welcome you to contact Anderson Dental.

Rebuild the Smile with Treatments for Missing Teeth

Adult tooth loss is one of the most severe dental complications that a patient can experience. The effects of tooth loss are serious and may include compromised oral functions, a shifting of surrounding teeth, loss of facial and jawbone structure, and a less attractive smile. Missing teeth can also impact a person’s confidence, and may make them reluctant to talk or laugh in front of others. The good news is that tooth loss does not have to be a permanent problem. Restorative dentistry treatments can rebuild a damaged smile to restore its structure, function, and beauty. At Anderson Dental, our experienced dentists provide a number of treatments for missing teeth to our Fort Lee, NJ patients. Our dentists can help patients determine which of these treatments are right for them.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are fabrications that are used to replace a single tooth or a group of teeth that have left a gap between adjacent healthy teeth. Traditionally, these restorations include a center prosthetic piece (called the pontic) that is fabricated to resemble the missing tooth (or teeth), as well as two dental crowns that affix to the natural teeth on either side of the gap in order to hold the dental bridge in place. Dental bridges can replace missing teeth, improve oral functions, and enhance the beauty of the smile, and treatment generally takes just two dental appointments to complete treatment.

Dentures

Dentures are often used in more severe cases of tooth loss. A partial denture can replace a greater number of missing teeth, while a full denture can replace an entire arch of missing teeth. Traditional dentures form a seal with the gum line so that they sit comfortably and remain strong and secure enough to restore full oral functions for a patient. Dentures are personalized by size, shape, and aesthetics so that patients can enjoy a strong, comfortable, and attractive smile. Many patients prefer dentures because they are an affordable and non-invasive treatment for missing teeth.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are tiny titanium screws that are implanted into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. These implants are attached to abutments, which protrude above the gum line and anchor tooth restorations in place. Dental implants can be used with dental crowns (in the case of a single missing tooth) or any of the above mentioned missing teeth treatments. While dental implants require multiple treatment procedures and a lengthier recovery, many patients prefer them because they offer the greatest degree of strength, security, and convenience. Once dental implants are in place, they closely resemble the natural teeth, function just like the natural teeth, and can be cared for like the natural teeth.

All of these treatments for missing teeth benefit patients by improving the aesthetics, strength, and function of the smile. Which treatment is right for each patient will depend on a number of factors including how many teeth have been lost, where the teeth have been lost, the strength and health of the remaining teeth and gums, and the patient’s personal preferences. Our dentists can help patients consider all of these factors in order to choose the most appropriate treatment option.

Don’t let missing teeth compromise your smile. If your smile is affected by gaps, it is time to explore some restorative dentistry treatment options. Contact us at your earliest convenience to learn how the experienced dentists at Anderson Dental can help you rebuild your smile.