oral cancer screening

YES! Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States.

At McCarl Dental Group we care about your oral health and also your overall health! We recently had a question regarding a YouTube video that one of our patients requested that we post on our website. Unfortunately, this patient was diagnosed with oral cancer. Fortunately his treatment was very successful. The cancer was located at the base of the tongue beyond visible range and was not visible upon oral examination. It was diagnosed by an ear nose and throat doctor. The question asked  what percentage of people who dip everyday will get mouth cancer? We researched and were not able to find those specific statistics. Here is the information we found.

Wishing you a healthy and blessed New Year!

Harmful health effects of smokeless tobacco include:

• Mouth, tongue and throat cancer
• Cancer in the esophagus
• Stomach cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke
• Addiction to nicotine
• Leukoplakia (white sores in the mouth that can become cancer)
• Receding gums (gums slowly shrink from around the teeth)
• Bone loss around the roots of the teeth
• Abrasion (scratching and wearing down) of teeth
• Tooth loss
• Stained teeth
• Bad breath

Smokeless tobacco products are a major source of cancer-causing nitrosamines and a known cause of human cancer. They increase the risk of developing cancer of the mouth and throat, esophagus and pancreas. (Source: Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts and Figures 2010)

Smokeless tobacco products are considered less lethal but are NOT a safe alternative to smoking. Use of tobacco in any form harms health and can also lead to nicotine addiction.

Results from a large American Cancer Society study showed that people who switched from cigarettes to snuff or chewing tobacco had higher death rates from heart disease, stroke, cancer of the mouth and lung, and all causes of death combined than former smokers who stopped using ALL tobacco products.

The American Cancer Society, the World Health Organization, the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. National Toxicology Program have all issued strong reports warning on the adverse health effects of smokeless tobacco.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2011)

Lung cancer is the most preventable form of cancer death in our society. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2011)

Lung cancer estimates for 2011 (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2011):

New cases of lung cancer: 221,130

Males: 115,060

Females: 106,070

Deaths from lung cancer: 156,940

Males: 85,600

Females: 71,340

Greenbelt and Millersville Maryland Dental Hygienists at McCarl Dental Group

At McCarl Dental Group we recommend that all patients see one of our registered dental hygienists for routine prophylactic cleaning appointments at least every 6 months. For patients with gum disease we may recommend visits every 3-4 months. Our hygienists work with each one of our patients to ensure that they maintain optimum gum health, which means keeping their teeth healthier for years to come. With extensive training in the removal of tartar and plaque from the tooth surfaces and below the gums, dental hygienists play an active role in fighting periodontal disease.

Many people believe that if they do not have problems with their teeth, they do not need to have their teeth cleaned by a hygienist and examined by a dentist. This can mean a couple of years quickly turns into 5, 10, or even 15 before some people have another dental exam. Unfortunately, for most of these people, waiting longer between visits means unhealthy gums and sometimes very rampant tooth decay.

When plaque is missed from irregular flossing, it hardens and becomes tartar under the gumline. This contributes significantly to the destruction of gum and bone attachment levels around your teeth. Eventually this uncontrolled gum disease, correctly known as periodontal disease, can lead to tooth loss.  Through routine cleaning appointments and screenings, patients can help prevent conditions including periodontal disease and advanced tooth decay.

The hygienists at McCarl Dental Group work with each individual patient to help them create an oral hygiene regimen that will work best for their own needs. Fifty percent of tooth and gum health comes from what you’re doing at home. Because every person’s mouth is different, so are his or her home care needs. What works for one person may not work for the next.

Hygienists don’t just clean teeth or check for suspicious areas of decay. They also screen for oral cancer and precancerous lesions of the mouth, head and neck.  Many medical conditions and diseases of the human body first manifest themselves as symptoms that are seen in the mouth. Because people are more likely to see their hygienists for routine cleanings as opposed to annual physical exams with their doctor, many conditions are first found in the dental office. Many Dental Hygienists also offer nutritional counseling because of the vital connection between overall health and oral health.

McCarl Dental Group hygienists help promote and safeguard your overall health and wellness. If you’re behind on your dental hygienist visits, it’s better to be late than never. Contact us today to schedule your biannual cleaning appointment. You can reach our Millersville, Maryland dental office at (410) 987- 8800 or our Greenbelt, Maryland dental office at (310) 474-4144. You may also request an appointment online at www.McCarlDental.com.

This is an important update about the association between the Human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer and the link to other cancers, particularly oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, entitled “Human Papillomavirus and Survival of Patients with Oropharyngeal Cancer,” two specific strains of the HPV virus (HPV-16 and HPV-18) are linked to the majority of HPV – positive oropharyngeal cancer tumors. There is a growing body of evidence that HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma has a better prognosis and survival rate than HPV-negative oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma. In a randomized trial of patients with oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma, the overall survival was substantially better among patients with HPV-positive cancer than among patients diagnosed with HPV – negative oropharyngeal cancer tumors. Specifically, the NEJM article states that using a sample of 720 patients, the 63.8% of patients with HPV-positive tumors had a 3 year survival rate of 82% versus patients with HPV – negative tumors whose 3 year survival rate was 57%. To read more, please visit the NEJM website and click the link for the July 2010 issue.

The dentists and dental hygienists  at the Greenbelt and Millersville Maryland dental offices of McCarl Dental Group attend continuing education courses regularly so that we can provide the highest quality dental care. We screen our dental patients for oral cancer as part of each routine dental visit and patient education is a high priority for us. If you ever have a dental concern, please contact our Greenbelt dental office at 301-474-4144 or our Millersville dental office at 410-987-8800.

Sally McCarl Moore and Chris Phillips, dental hygienists at McCarl Dental Group attended a continuing education course to learn more about oral cancer and the latest advances in oral cancer screening. Here is a summary from Sally McCarl Moore about the changing trends and current statistics regarding oral cancer.

Every hour of every day, someone in the United States dies from oral cancer. The five year mortality rate has remained unchanged over the past 30 years at approximately 50 percent. Traditionally, the majority of oral cancers occurred in men over 40 who were heavy smokers and drinkers. This is no longer the case. There is an alarming increase in oropharyngeal (base of the tongue and pharynx) cancer cases seen in the 18-40 age group. This is due to certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV #16 and #18). Twenty two percent of current oral cancers are related to HPV and the number is growing. Whereas the male to female ratio used to be 5:1 fifty years ago, it has now changed to 2:1. The mode of transmission for HPV is oral sexual activity. What may have once been thought of as a safe sex act is no longer the case.

There are two HPV vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, available to protect against the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pediatricians and general practitioners recommend the HPV vaccine for all females ages 11 or 12 years old and males 9 through 26 years old. Previously it was only administered to females to prevent cervical cancer caused by HPV. They now realize that they will never stop the widely spread virus without inoculating the males as well. Gardasil is used for both females and males. Cervarix is used only in females. Both vaccines are administered as three shot series. As with any medical procedure, consult your physician to see if it is right for you  and your family.

Other than HPV, one of the major contributors to oral cancer has always been tobacco products. With the strict laws against smoking in public, you would think this was less of a problem. Not so. There is a new product called SNUS. This is a small pouch of tobacco placed in the vestibule of the mouth similar to snuff, but typically people swallow snus rather than spit it out. Several of the tobacco companies have their own brand with varying flavors. Some snus cans warn that “it can cause periodontal disease and tooth loss” while other flavors state “it can cause cancer.” This is horrifying to the dental field. Tobacco products placed directly on the mucus membrane have a higher level of tissue damage and potential oral cancer. There is no simple treatment for oral cancer. Patients have radical surgeries consisting of removing parts of their tongues, jaw and face. This is nothing to be taken lightly.

What are the signs and symptoms of oral cancer? The first sign of oral cancer is often a red or white patch or an ulceration that does not disappear in a week or two. Be aware of any changes in your mouth. Visit your dentist immediately if you have any type of sore, ulceration, lesion, lump or thickening of the tissue in your mouth, tongue, cheek or throat. Early detection of oral cancer improves success of treatment.

How do we detect oral cancer? The only definitive diagnosis is through a tissue biopsy, but your dentist and dental hygienist should be performing routine oral cancer screenings. Oral Cancer Screenings are included with every routine dental hygiene visit and dental exam at McCarl Dental Group. This is done by a visual examination of your tonsil area, the base of your tongue, the tissue around your tongue and lips and the roof of your mouth. We also check for lumps or bumps around your neck and ask if you’re having any trouble swallowing. If any ulcers are found, we will try to determine if they are due to trauma or something more severe. Normal, routine mouth sores will go away in 7 – 10 days, cancer will not. If you and your dentist think a sore or lesion is due to trauma, you should return in two weeks for a re-evaluation of the area. If the sore has not disappeared or if we have any concerns at all, we will refer you to an oral surgeon for a small tissue biopsy. As in all health matters, better safe than sorry.

There are several products on the market that a general dentist can use to try to determine if the area is cancerous or not. Again, these products can be helpful, but only a tissue biopsy is definitive. ViziLite Plus, Microlux DL, Orascoptic DK, and VELscope VX use florescence technology to identify areas of cell trauma. Oral CDX uses a small scraping from the site and is sent out for a lab to analyze. If the lab report indicates damaged cells, the patient will be sent for a biopsy. For additional information please visit oralcancerfoundation.com.

Dental Hygiene and Periodontal Therapy
BRUSH AND FLOSS YOUR TEETH FOR A LONGER HEALTHIER LIFE!
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/brush-and-floss-your-teeth/

DENTAL CARE BEFORE AND DURING CHEMOTHERAPY
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/dental-care-for-chemotherapy/

Teeth Whitening
ARE OVER-THE-COUNTER WHITENERS AS EFFECTIVE AS PROFESSIONAL WHITENING PRODUCTS?
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/over-the-counter-whiteners/

White Composite Fillings

COMPOSITE FILLINGS FOR TOOTH DECAY

http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/composite-filling-tooth-decay/

Minimally Invasive Implants, Mini Dental Implants and Traditional Dental Implants
ANNAPOLIS DENTAL IMPLANT PATIENT HAPPY WITH EASE AND SPEED OF PROCEDURE
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/annapolis-dental-implant/

The Newest Dental Implants are a Convenient and Affordable Solution for Missing Teeth
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/dental-implants-missing-teeth/

Invisalign Orthodontics
GREENBELT DENTIST FEATURES INVISIBLE BRACES WITH INVISALIGN ORTHODONTICS
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/greenbelt-dentist-invisalign/

Porcelain Dental Veneers
NO PREP VENEERS – BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS

http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/no-prep-veneers-photographs

No Prep Veneers by McCarl Dental Group
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/no-prep-veneers/

PORCELAIN VENEERS AND THIN VENEERS
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/porcelain-veneers-lumineers/

Porcelain Crowns and Bridges
COSMETIC DENTISTRY WITH PORCELAIN CROWNS AND VENEERS BY MCCARL DENTISTS FEATURED ON NATIONAL DENTAL WEBSITE!
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/cosmetic-dentistry/

HOW WE COMBINE TECHNIQUE, TECHNOLOGY AND ARTISTRY TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL PORCELAIN CROWNS AND VENEERS AT MCCARL DENTAL GROUP
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/porcelain-crowns-and-veneers/

Oral Cancer Screening
ORAL CANCER RATES INCREASING IN YOUNG WOMEN
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/oral-cancer-in-young-women/

Emergency Dental Care
DENTAL EMERGENCY TREATMENT FOR BROKEN TEETH
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/dental-emergency-treatment/

DENTAL EMERGENCIES – SAME DAY CARE AT MCCARL DENTAL GROUP
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/dental-emergencies/

EMERGENCY DENTAL TREATMENT FOR A BROKEN TOOTH
http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/emergency-dental-treatment/

All of our McCarl Dental Group blog articles are carefully researched by health care professionals and reviewed by a McCarl Dentist. We are passionate about providing the highest quality dental care and patient education. McCarl  dentists serve patients in Severna Park, Annapolis, Crofton, Gambrills, Crownsville, Millersville, College Park, Lanham, Seabrook, Bowie, New Carrollton, Laurel, and Greenbelt, Maryland. Our featured dental services   include traditional porcelain veneers and no prep veneers, porcelain crowns and bridges, Invisalign orthodontics, teeth whitening, minimally invasive and traditional dental implants, composite white fillings, dental hygiene and periodontal treatment. The Dentists at McCarl Dental Group are listed in America’s Top Dentists,  Best Dentists by Capital Gazette Communications and HometownAnnapolis.com and Top Dentists by What’s Up? Annapolis. Visit McCarlDental Blog at http://www.mccarldental.com/blog/.

Oral cancer is growing at double-digit rates – and the fastest growing group is young women because of the spread of human papillomavirus (HPV).  Men are also at risk of contracting oral cancer associated with HPV.  A study in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that men and women with six or more oral-sex partners during their lifetime experienced nine times the risk of developing cancer of the tonsils or at the base of the tongue. Those infected with HPV were 32 times more likely to develop oral cancer. The risk of developing oral and pharyngeal cancer associated with HPV is 3 times greater than risk from smoking and 2.5 times greater than the risk from alcohol consumption.

New technologies such as OralCDx Brush Biopsy and ViziLite improve early detection when combined with the American Dental Association recommended visual and tactile examination. The death rate for oral cancer is higher than cervical and testicular cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and melanoma. The gold standard for detecting oral cancer continues to be biopsy.

Be aware of any changes in your mouth. Look for color changes from pink to white or pink to red as well as any ulcerations that do not disappear in a week or two. Visit your dentist immediately if you have type of suspicious sore, ulceration, growth, lesion or lump in your mouth. At McCarl Dental Group we have also seen a patient with an oral cancer that on visual inspection looked like a periodontal  or gum infection. We perform careful oral cancer screening during each dental exam and when indicated perform brush biopsies. McCarl dentists work very closely with oral surgeons in Annapolis, Severna Park and Greenbelt Maryland to provide comprehensive care for our dental patients.

LOWER YOUR RISK FOR ORAL CANCER

• Limit alcohol consumption and do not smoke.
• Practice safe sex — use a condom every time.
• Don’t have oral sex with multiple partners as this increases your chance for oral cancer.
• Discuss the HPV vaccine with your physician. The HPV vaccine Gardasil protects against four of about 40 strains of HPV that are seen in the mouth and genital tracts.
• Ask your dentist the results of your oral cancer screening each time you go in for your regular check-up.

The following videos show new technology screening methods for oral cancer.
Oral Cancer Diagnosis Brush Test

Vizilite Oral Cancer Screening