Celebrate National Smile Month
June is here, and so is National Smile Month! Take time this month to discover fun and creative tips for maintaining a healthier smile and a healthier you! Give yourself a gift. Toothbrushes should be replaced every three to four months – or sooner if the bristles appear frayed. Pick up a new one for you – or buy a batch for the whole family. Say cheese in two ways. Summer is a great time to stock up on nutrient-rich foods from your nearby farmer’s market and talk to your kids about the importance of healthy snacking such as fruits, vegetables, and low-fat cheeses. Additionally, you can capture your family’s healthy, happy smiles with a family portrait. Every time you flip through the album, your family’s pearly whites can remind you to celebrate oral health all year long! Help bring a smile to someone else. Encourage your loved ones to […]
Dental Fillings: What to Expect
If you’re experiencing tooth decay, also known as a cavity, you’re not alone. The CDC estimates that over 90% of American adults experience tooth decay with 80% of people having a cavity by time they’re 34 years old.1 To prevent further damage to your teeth, your dentist may recommend a filling to restore the function and appearance of the tooth, which may cause some anxiety. Fortunately, fillings are nothing to be afraid of. Help ease your mind by knowing the different types of fillings and what’s going to happen before and after you go in for the procedure. Types of Fillings Dental fillings are a bit like they sound. Dentists use a drill to remove decay from the teeth and “fill” the cavity with a durable material. A filling is a material used to fill a cavity after tooth decay is removed. However, not all fillings are the same. They […]
How can gum disease be linked to heart disease?
February is American Heart Month and because heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, we hear a lot about it. But did you know that evidence shows there is a relationship between gum disease and heart disease? Gum disease, also referred to as periodontal disease, is an infection and inflammation of the gum tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place. In its early stage, it’s called gingivitis and can cause inflamed, red gums that bleed. Without proper daily oral care, gingivitis may worsen and become periodontitis. Periodontitis is a form of gum disease that causes the gum tissue to pull away from the tooth allowing for further tooth decay, loss of bone, and eventually tooth loss. Oral bacteria may be the link to heart disease The main cause of gum disease is harmful oral bacteria found in tooth plaque and tartar. […]
A visit to the dentist could save your life
In 2019, it’s estimated that 53,000 people will get oral cancer and 10,860 people will die of these cancers in the United States.1 April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month – a time to focus on how to prevent cancer that can develop in the mouth and back of the throat. TruAssure encourages regular dental visits to help detect symptoms early. Any part of your mouth can be affected by oral cancer. The largest risk factors include: Tobacco – both smoking and smokeless tobacco products can cause cancers anywhere in the mouth or throat2 Alcohol – drinking and smoking together raises the risk of oral cancer even more than drinking or smoking alone3 Sun exposure – excessive and unprotected exposure to the sun is linked with cancer in the lip area4 Human papillomavirus (HPV) – it’s estimated that HPV causes 70 percent of oropharyngeal cancers, or cancers affecting the back of […]
Oral Cancer: Symptoms, Risk Factors and Reducing Your Risk
What is oral cancer? Oral cancer refers to cancer that starts in the mouth and generally, includes oropharyngeal cancer, which is cancer that starts in the throat just behind the mouth. The overall lifetime risk of developing oral cancer is approximately 1 in 60 for men and 141 for women.1 The prognosis for these cancers is good if caught early. If cancer has spread before diagnosis, the survival rate significantly decreases. Dentists play an important role in this early detection as they are the first line of defense in noticing and spotting changes in your mouth that could potentially indicate disease. Although a majority of people who develop oral cancer are over 60 years of age, people under the age of 40 have also been diagnosed in recent years making it clear that regular mouth exams are key no matter age.2 Symptoms The signs and symptoms of oral cancer may […]
