 | When I do a complete oral examination, my goal is to look for healthy, normal tissues. If something appears abnormal, it should be identified. Most health problems start out small. Over time, they grow. If the problem can be identified in the initial stages, many times it can be resolved quickly and easily. If ignored, many problems grow to the point that they can be destructive, painful, difficult to resolve, expensive or fatal. Oral cancer is relatively rare, yet it is responsible for one death every hour in the U.S.A. It usually starts as a small lesion, which is easily curable. As a tumor grows, it gets locally destructive and may spread to other places in the body. If the lesion can be identified in the early stages, chances of a cure are great. This is the reason that I look carefully at all oral tissues when I do a comprehensive examination. Of course, I examine the teeth, but the dental office is the only place where the mouth is examined regularly. |
In the past few years, there are new devices made to help examine the oral tissues. Companies sell and publicize special lights that are designed to help identify lesions. Whenever I talk to oral pathologists, they tell me that they do not buy these devices and there is no better tool than the human eye with light and magnification.
The idea of repairing small problems before they get bigger applies to tooth decay as well. “Cavities” start out small. As the decay continues, more and more of the tooth is destroyed. Decay eventually invades the pulp and causes an infection or an abscess. To resolve the infection, the tooth may require a root canal treatment or it may need to be removed. The cost to repair a simple “cavity” is relatively modest. As the decay grows, so does the cost to repair it.
So, here’s the point. We want you to be healthy. We want you to have teeth that are comfortable, functional and good-looking. We try to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. When there is a problem, we try to treat it early, rather than let it worsen.
We need your help. Let us examine your mouth and clean your teeth regularly. Do your homework: brush, floss, use inter-dental cleaners and avoid sugar.
To set up your appointment for examination with Dr. Gibbons, Dr. Smith or Dr. McAdams, please call our office at McAdams Dental! (480) 991-4727.
The idea of repairing small problems before they get bigger applies to tooth decay as well. “Cavities” start out small. As the decay continues, more and more of the tooth is destroyed. Decay eventually invades the pulp and causes an infection or an abscess. To resolve the infection, the tooth may require a root canal treatment or it may need to be removed. The cost to repair a simple “cavity” is relatively modest. As the decay grows, so does the cost to repair it.
So, here’s the point. We want you to be healthy. We want you to have teeth that are comfortable, functional and good-looking. We try to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. When there is a problem, we try to treat it early, rather than let it worsen.
We need your help. Let us examine your mouth and clean your teeth regularly. Do your homework: brush, floss, use inter-dental cleaners and avoid sugar.
To set up your appointment for examination with Dr. Gibbons, Dr. Smith or Dr. McAdams, please call our office at McAdams Dental! (480) 991-4727.
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