Thursday, January 25, 2018

Alcohol and Oral Cancer

We’re proud of the work we do at Greenville Family Dentistry protecting our patients from oral cancer. Regular screenings are vital for adults, but prevention is the best strategy. To that end, we’ve kept up with cancer research and want to inform our patients of a new study linking oral cancer to alcohol.


The study by the American Society of Clinical Oncology differed from earlier studies by examining alcohol in isolation. Studies have long found that alcohol in combination with smoking increases the risk of cancer, but the new study found that alcohol alone is responsible for about 5% of new cancer cases, including oral cancer. It is unclear why alcohol would cause oral cancer, although researchers speculate that it damages the mouth’s soft lining, which then has to regrow, creating a risk each time that DNA will be miscopied. What did seem clear is that the type of alcohol consumed was irrelevant and that light and moderate drinking also created a risk, although heavy drinking was the most dangerous. However, the research also found that when people quit drinking, their risk of contracting cancer in the aerodigestive tract decreased.


Dr. Christopher Emuedue operates Greenville Family Dentistry at 7215 I-30, Suite B, Greenville, Texas, 75402. To schedule an appointment, call 903-455-6701 or visit GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Diabetes and Dental Implants

Diabetic patients receive top-rate care at Greenville Family Dentistry. As a result of their difficulty fighting off infections and vulnerability to inflammation, people with diabetes have particular dental needs, which we are sensitive to. In the past, they may have wondered whether they were good candidates for implants, and on that front, we have good news.


People with diabetes do not recover from wounds as quickly. This was perceived as a problem when undergoing surgery, including the incisions that need to be made for implant placement. However, the process during which the implant and jawbone fuse together is also a long one, providing enough time for the incisions to heal. The bigger problem thought to confront diabetic implant patients was that gum inflammation is associated with implant failure. Diabetic patients are more vulnerable to gum disease and inflammation, so dentists worried that they may have higher rates of implant failure, as well. However, the American Dental Association recently conducted a study which showed that people with uncontrolled diabetes did not experience higher-than-average failure rates, after all. It is still necessary for gum disease to be kept in check through attentive oral hygiene practices, but the additional challenges diabetic people face do not necessarily rule out implants as a possibility.


Dr. Christopher Emuedue operates Greenville Family Dentistry at 7215 I-30, Suite B, Greenville, Texas, 75402. To schedule an appointment, call 903-455-6701 or visit GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Enamel Erosion

Tooth enamel is the hard, outer surface of the teeth that protect against tooth decay and protect the nerves located underneath. Tooth enamel is considered the hardest mineral substance in the body, but this doesn’t mean that it’s indestructible. Regardless of strength, enamel can be eroded by sugars and harmful acids that attack the teeth when we consume food and beverages. Once enamel is gone, it won’t return, and Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry will need to take measures to restore it.


A common clue that enamel has eroded is increased sensitivity to taste, textures, and temperatures, as well as cracks, chips, or discoloration. Enamel erodes because of the food and beverages we eat, particularly, sugary, starchy, and acidic foods. This is why we encourage patients to put away the soda and sip on H2O because water cleans the mouth with every sip and protects enamel in the process. If you suffer from tooth sensitivity, Dr. Emuedue can suggest a few techniques to reduce the pain.


If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care or dental health, please give us a call.  To learn more about regular dental cleanings and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Dental Phobia

It is one thing to lose sleep over a dental appointment the night before, but it’s another to put off dental work for years because of dental phobia. Dental phobia differs from dental anxiety because those who suffer from dental anxiety usually make it to the office. People develop a dental phobia for a variety of different reasons such as a traumatic dental experience in the past. Dr. Christopher Emuedue of Greenville Family Dentistry encourages patients with a fear of the dentist to schedule a consultation to talk through these fears and determine a resolution.


People who suffer from a dental phobia may suffer from poor oral health as a result. Poor oral health can result in tooth loss if certain conditions such as periodontal disease, are left untreated. There are different levels of fear that a person may experience, and Dr. Christopher Emuedue is here for his patients every step of the way. We also offer different types of sedation options to meet your needs and ease your fears.


If you have questions or concerns regarding sedation dentistry or dental phobia, please give us a call.  To learn more about regular dental cleanings and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.