Oral Cancer and Alcohol

As part of our preventive services, we at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs provide our patients with information on the causes of oral cancer and screen them for early warning signs. Recently the American Society of Clinical Oncology released a study on the connection between oral cancer and alcohol which we wanted our patients to be aware of.

Past studies have established that alcohol and tobacco together raise the risk of oral cancer, but this study examined alcohol as a causative agent in its own right. It found that 5% of new cancer diagnoses, including oral cancer, can be attributed to alcohol. The researchers said they were unsure of why alcohol would lead to oral cancer, but it could be that alcohol causes damage to soft tissues in the mouth. Each time the tissues repair, there is an opportunity for DNA to be miscopied.

The research found that the risk factor did not vary depending on what kind of alcohol was consumed, and although it was greater for heavy drinkers, it was still significant for light and moderate drinkers. It also found that, although the risks for every kind of cancer did not decrease with the cessation of alcohol use, the risk of cancers of the mouth and throat did decline.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Diabetes and Implants

At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, people with diabetes are able to get the specialized dental care their particular needs require. People with diabetes are more vulnerable to oral infections than other people, which for a long time caused dentists to question their candidacy for implant placement. However, a new study from the American Dental Association found that people with diabetes may be able to receive this kind of treatment.

People with diabetes take longer to recover from wounds. In the past, this caused dentists to be concerned about the surgical incisions which need to be made for implants to be placed. However, the process of integration between the implant post and the jaw bone takes several months, during which the gums should heal if they are cared for properly. People with uncontrolled blood sugar are also prone to gum inflammation and inflammation tends to be associated with implant failure in a process called peri-implantitis. But the study published by the American Dental Association found that people with uncontrolled blood sugar do not actually experience implant failure at a higher rate than the general population. This does not mean that the additional risks presented by diabetes should be ignored, but if the health of the gums is maintained, implants may be a safe option.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Benefits of Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is an excellent way to repair teeth that have been chipped, cracked, or broken, and restore them back to their natural function. Dental bonding is a procedure in which one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental will place a tooth-colored resin material to an impaired tooth, and harden the material with a special light. This procedure only takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete and is a cost-efficient way to enhance one’s smile.

Dental bonding is additionally used to improve the appearance of discolored teeth, to close gaps between teeth, and as a cosmetic alternative to amalgam (silver) fillings. Dental bonding has cosmetic properties but is also used to restore and protect teeth from further damage. There is little to no preparation needed for a dental bonding appointment and anesthesia is often unnecessary. If you have teeth that could use a little enhancement, explore your options, today.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental bonding, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Filling a Cavity

If you neglect your teeth long enough, you will suffer the consequences and one of those consequences may be a cavity. Cavities are a form of tooth decay that leaves holes in the teeth caused by sugars and harmful acids that can wear down enamel. If you have a cavity, one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental will need to fill it. Fillings come in a variety of materials that can be discussed during your dental appointment.

The type of filling that is best for you will be determined by your dentist, but the most popular are tooth-colored fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are designed to match the shape and color of the tooth and blends in with the rest of the teeth. To fill a cavity, our doctor will first remove the decayed portion of the tooth and clean the infected area. The cavity will then be filled with the material that you and the doctor have decided on. It’s more painful to live with a cavity than it is to receive a filling. Fillings can protect the teeth from further damage.

If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth decay or dental fillings, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.