Most people are surprised to learn that each year one person dies every hour from oral cancer, making this type of cancer deadlier than cervical, brain, ovarian or skin cancer. In fact, recent statistics, published by the American Cancer Society, estimate that while the incidence and death rates for cancers overall have decreased, new cases of oral cancer and deaths associated with oral cancer and deaths associated with oral cancer are increasing. We know that early detection tools such as Pap smears, PSA tests and mammograms have greatly reduced death rates for cervical, prostate and breast cancers. Since oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when caught early, it is extremely important to see your dentist regularly to keep your mouth under surveillance. When premalignant lesions or early stage oral cancers are found, treatment is simpler, less invasive and more than 82% successful. In continuing efforts to try and provide the most advanced technology and highest quality care available to patients, dentists are continually including new and improved types of oral cancer screening exams as an integral part of their regular examinations.

First, you should contact the dental office to make them aware of any special needs, and to arrange a visit and a tour of the office to help make the autistic patient more comfortable with the staff and their surroundings. Use photos, books and toys to help familiarize the patient. By preparing and explaining what is going to happen, you will help instill confidence. Make sure that the patient is accompanied by someone they know well, and encourage them to bring any items, toys or favorite videos that will help comfort them during their visit.

Second, remind the dental team to east into any procedure, and try to avoid sensory overload and sudden movements. Their first visit should be a short, quiet and positive appointment. Good behavior should be praised and poor behavior ignored. Everything should be explained and demonstrated before it is done, such as showing the instruments that will be used. Your dental provider should speak calmly and positively, and have the patience to tell the patient where and why they need to touch them with a piece of equipment. Since autistic patients tend to take everything more literally, it is important that they be addressed in specific, short sentences.

New experiences can become a problem for those individuals with autism. Loud noises, such as a dental drill, may irritate the autistic patient. Bright lights may be disturbing and affect behavior; sunglasses may need to be supplied. Certain smells, tastes or textures may become upsetting. The autistic patient may not be comfortable being touched by the dental professional, or tolerate the movement of the chair. It is important that their appointments be short and prompt so they are not kept waiting. Additionally, the autistic patient may have difficulty communicating the location of their discomfort to the dentist, and may respond to any discomfort in an unusual way.

A dental laser is a unique device that uses light energy to carry out various procedures that target the area to be treated, and leave the surrounding tissues unaffected. This allows us to perform very precise procedures, while sealing off blood vessels and nerve endings so that our patients experience less bleeding, swelling and postoperative discomfort. Often times this can be done with little or no anesthetic.

Avoid anything that can stain a white T-shirt, such as red wine, coffee, tea, cola, teriyaki sauce, tomato sauce, etc. Stay bland in color, and also try to have everything closer to room temperature to avoid sensitivity. Within 24 hours from when you completed your last whitening session, the pores of your teeth close, and that fluoride-rich layer will start to build up again protecting the enamel. Once this happens you may have whatever you wish. Remember that stain is cumulative, and the more bland the diet, the longer lasting are the effects before you may require another whitening session.

It is very important to not only create the perfect smile, but also to make certain that the perfect smile is built upon a strong, and healthy foundation. The key to achieving this healthy smile is maintaining proper oral hygiene with regular dental check-ups, and taking nutritional supplements which are specifically geared towards optimum oral health. With all the advances in dental office care and home care, 90 percent of the population is still developing periodontal disease. Nutrient deficiency can become a major contributing factor in periodontal disease by inhibiting the mouth’s ability to resist infection, and by eventually contributing to tooth loss. In other words–your diet does affect your dental health. The future of dentistry lies in the prevention of disease through the consumption of a well-balanced diet and the necessary nutritional supplements. Remember…disease will occur less frequently in a well-nourished body.

Tell your child that the dentist is there to help take care of his/her teeth. Read your child a fun children’s book about going to the dentist. Describe to your child the surroundings of a dental office and role play the job of a dentist. It may be helpful to give your child advanced notice of the dental appointment, so that he or she can mentally prepare and hopefully look forward to the visit. Remember, NEVER use the dentist as a threat for not taking care of their teeth, this will just instill a fear in them that will last well into the future. Speak positively about dental visits, and make it something to look forward to. It is important to establish a positive relationship between your child and the dentist by starting early and continuing to see the dentist for regular check-ups. And don’t forget to share this valuable knowledge with anyone else who may be helping to care for your child.

Parents should take their children to the dentist for their first check-up by the age of 2, unless your doctor recommends an earlier exam. Subsequently, they should go for regular check-ups every 6 months, so your child’s dentist can monitor their oral hygiene, diet and growth patterns. It is best if your child’s first experience occurs at a time before invasive dental work becomes necessary. A ride on the dental chair,  magic tricks with “Mr. Thirsty” and visiting the toy chest should make your child’s visit pleasurable and non-threatening. The first visit should also include the counting of teeth while your child looks at what is happening in a hand help mirror. Remember, early dental check-ups make it easier to build a good rapport between your child and the dentist in order to establish a foundation of trust, and make future visits more comfortable.

If your baby does not want to open for you, place your finger near the mouth, and then it will open slowly as your baby will think that you are trying to offer food. Even if your baby tries to bite down on your finger, be patient, keep trying, and the mouth will soon open up again. Reach inside along the cheek until you get between the upper and lower gums, and your baby will then open more to allow you to wipe the gums in the very back. If you find that one or more ulcers appear in your baby’s mouth, just clean around the ulcer until they are healed (usually within one week). Get your child accustomed to cleaning the mouth regularly and going to bed with a clean mouth.

Babies are very easily agitated by the teething process. Parents should try to distract their children with activities, and allow them to chew on a clean, chilled, liquid-filled teething ring to relieve the discomfort and irritation. Drooling during this time is normal and expected. Just wipe your child’s mouth often to keep it clean and dry. Swollen gums are normal at this time, however if the gum turns blue or red, then bring your child to the dentist to evaluate. Additionally, teething should not cause fever. Since your baby is picking up anything and everything that has germs on it, and putting it in his or her mouth, it is possible that the baby has picked up an infection, which can result in a fever; in which case you  should take your baby to the pediatrician.