Gum Cancer Essay

The American Cancer Society notes that the average age of people suffering from oral cancers is over 62 years of age. The vast majority of these cancers do not cause pain or discomfort in their early stages so detection is done through regular dental care. When problems are not detected early, the gums receded from the teeth and form pockets that collect bacteria. The gums eventually become sensitive, bleed, impact the underlying bone causing tooth loss, and end up causing disease.

As dental hygienists we are members of the healthcare community. That means that we have an extremely important role when it comes to the health of our patients. When patients present themselves in our treatment room, it is our responsibility to make sure we do not leave anything unexamined. We are professionals in the practice of identifying, preventing, and treating oral diseases. We do this by completing thorough extraoral and intraoral exams and being conscious of what to look for. One particular exam that we do is an oral cancer exam. As dental hygienists we are at the forefront in identifying this disease. In an article written by Nancy Burkhart, a coauthor of General and Oral Pathology for the Dental Hygienist, she states, “It is known that oral cancer is more likely to be detected in an early stage in the dental office than those found at a physician’s office, which tend to be at a later stage.” (Burkhart, 2014) This may be because dental hygienists focus more on the oral tissues than physicians do; or the fact that patients go to a doctor when it is already at advanced stages. It is imperative that we as dental hygienists know the signs and symptoms of oral cancer, as well as the risk factors involved in developing the disease and how it can be prevented. While it is important as a dental hygienist to identify oral diseases, it is more important to educate our patients on how they can avoid any potential abnormalities from becoming severe problems,

Other problems can arise because of periodontal disease. The obvious is tooth loss. After awhile all gum recession and bone damage will cause the teeth to fall out. This leads to more dental problems and eventually dentures. Bad breath is often caused by periodontal disease. This is often unpleasant and embarrassing for the person experiencing it. Other problems that periodontal disease contributes to are heart disease and stroke. Thirty percent of heart attack victims and stroke victims have a type of periodontal disease. What happens is the same plaque that builds up on your teeth, gets into the blood stream and clogs the main arteries of the heart and brain. This leads to a heart attack and

“The impact of unmet oral health care needs is magnified by the well-established connection between oral health and overall health” (Fineberg, H. 2011, p. ix). Oral health status is linked with general health, as evidenced by the association between poor oral health and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to other health issues such as, oral facial pain and digestive problems. “The silent epidemic of oral diseases disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities,

As stated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “Each year, more than 30,000 new cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx are diagnosed and over 8,000 deaths due to oral cancer occur.” (CDC). Most adults are unaware that they have periodontal disease or gum disease, this occurs because they do not maintain routine checkups with their dentist. When we insert food and other bacteria into our mouths, it affects our teeth and gums. We need routine dental checkups and cleanings throughout our lives. Dental checkups usually involve x-rays, cleanings, and the examination of the mouth.

Periodontal disease can lead you to lose all of your teeth. The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body; it can be the entering passage between healthy and sick. The moment an infection grows in the mouth, the entire body automatically starts to try to fight it. “…due to significant findings supporting the association between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and osteoporosis” (Amar and Kim). It has been suggested that the bacteria of this infection may enter the bloodstream and attach themselves to the blood vessels which then increase clot formation. These clots then lower the blood flow to the heart indicating that a heart attack is a common consequence of gum

Oral cancer is a devastating disease. Over eight thousand American lives are taken by oral cancer and only a fourth of these patients do not excessively drink alcohol or smoke tobacco, which are the two main causes of oral cancer (The Oral Cancer Foundation). Survival rates for oral cancer could be much higher if the population would take precautionary measures to reduce their chances of being diagnosed with oral cancer. When the use of alcohol and tobacco are decreased, the chances of acquiring oral cancer are also decreased. By visiting the dentist at least once every year, new lesions could be found. Unfortunately, only seven percent of the population, who visits the dentist regularly, receives a thorough oral cancer exam(The Oral

Cavities may be among the more well-known dental problems that you may experience, but gum disease is another common issue that many patients have a remarkably poor understanding about. This can result in them making critical errors in treating gum disease, which can result in the loss of teeth and numerous other severe issues. By having a couple of common gum disease misconceptions refuted, it will be easier for you to protect your smile from the ravages of this dental condition.

Many people realize the importance of taking care of their teeth due to the immediate consequences of cavities, but it’s easy to underestimate the importance of having healthy gums. Signs of periodontal disease, often referred to as gum disease, may not be noticeable until the infection has occurred. These are three warning signs that your oral health problems are due to periodontal disease.

Mild gum disease is known as gingivitis; untreated gum disease can lead to periodontitis, putting you in danger of losing your teeth and other complications.

A 1991 study by Hoad‐Reddick[h] showed that simple questionnaires carried out by non-dental professionals (e.g. regular care-home staff) could highlight dental care needs. If regular dental check-ups were carried out in these institutions, or if staff looked into the oral health needs of the elderly people in these institutions, the need for preventative measures and treatment could be highlighted much sooner.

Gum disease is a prevalent problem that can cause substantial damage to your smile if it is left unchecked. While there are treatments that your dentist can administer to help stop the spread of this damaging disease, you may not be able to get to the dentist right away. Whether it is due to work obligations or a lack of funds, delaying treatment for this condition can result in major consequences for your dental health. If you find yourself in the position of being unable to avoid delaying treatment, the follow tips may help you to minimize the progression of this damage until you can have it treated.

Gum disease or periodontal disease is caused by a sticky film of bacteria that has formed in tiny pockets around your teeth. The sticky bacteria called plaque. Plaque causes the tissues that support your teeth get infected. Gum disease can cause the loss of teeth, tissue, and bone. Chronic periodontitis affects 47.2% of adults over 30 in the United States” (Gum Disease, MouthHealthy.Org). However, according to the book, A Wellness Way of Life by Robbins, Powers, and Burgess; “Gum disease can increase inflammation and can be prevented by practicing good oral health (i.e. flossing every day and brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day)” (A Wellness Way of Life,

Heart disease is the number one condition responsible for the deaths of both men and women in the United States. If you are trying to improve your health to decrease the likelihood of developing a heart disease, you should look closely at your gums. According to the dentists at Legacy Dental Arts in Eagle River, AK, there has been a long time link between gum disease and heart disease.

Gum Disease: Gum disease begins as gingivitis, but if it’s not treated, gingivitis may lead to a more serious condition called periodontitis.