Mouth Cancer Screening

Your dentist will perform a mouth cancer screening every time that you attend for your routine dental appointment. If mouth cancer is caught early there is a much greater chance of a cure.

Factors that increase you risk of oral cancer include:

• Tobacco use of any kind
• Heavy alcohol use
• Previous oral cancer diagnosis
• History of significant sun exposure, increases the risk of lip cancer

During your mouth cancer screening the dentist will examine your mouth to look for any red or white patches or mouth sores. They will also feel for any abnormal lumps or other abnormalities.

If any areas of concern are identified you will be referred to the hospital where they will be able to perform a more thorough examination, including biopsies of any abnormal areas.

Smoking Cessation

Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and the oral cavity is no exception. Not only does smoking cause aesthetics changes such as stained teeth, but it also affects the health of the mouth and gums, as well as potentially life-threatening illnesses such as cancers of the throat, tongue, soft palate and tonsils.

By quitting smoking you can halve your risk of developing cancer of the mouth, throat and oesophagus within five years.

If you are thinking about quitting, the team at College Dental Surgerieswill be able to refer you to the local stop smoking service. Research has shown the most effective way to quit is a combination of smoking cessation aids and specialist support.

Fresh Breath

Do you suffer with bad breath? Did you know the team at College Dental Surgeries are able to help get your breath minty fresh? Book an appointment today to find out how.

Bad breath or halitosis, can be caused by a number of different factors, including lifestyle habits, such as smoking and diet, poor dental health habits or other health conditions.

When you attend for your appointment at College Dental Surgeriesthe dentist will be able to complete a full assessment of your teeth and gums to assess the cause of your bad breath. If they believe that there is an underlying medical cause for your bad breath they may advise that you book an appointment to see your GP. They will also scale and polish your teeth and advise you on the best possible oral hygiene routine to follow to help eliminate your bad breath. Allowing you to get on with living your life with confidence in your smile.

College Dental Surgeries Fresh Breath Tips

• Spend time on a good oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and use interdental brushes to clean in between teeth. Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash
• Attend for regular routine dental appointments
• Quit smoking
• Sip water to chew sugar free gum to help stimulate saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria
• Talk to your doctor about alternative medications, if it is your medication causing your bad breath

Bad breath. Morning breath. Halitosis. There are lots of different names for this very common problem which, if left untreated, can cause huge strain on your personal and professional relationships.

Many different factors can affect how your breath smells and that’s why it is always best to seek advice from the experts.

Tooth Wear

Do you suffer with sensitive, cracked teeth? It could be caused by tooth wear. Book an appointment today to see how the team at College Dental Surgeries can help.

You only get one set of adult teeth and so it is little wonder that they can start to experience some wear and tear over a lifetime. But what can you do to protect your teeth from everything life throws at you?

Tooth wear is used to describe the progressive loss of the surface of the tooth, due to actions other than decay or trauma. For example, this may include every day wear and tear, incorrect oral hygiene and dietary issues.

There are three main forms of tooth wear

• Erosion – The progressive loss of tooth surfaces by chemical or acid dissolution. This is common in those who regularly consume carbonated soft drink and fruit juices with high levels of acidity. It can also be a problem for those who suffer with acid reflux and certain eating disorders.
• Attrition – The progressive loss of tooth surfaces by chewing or grinding. This is common in those who clench and grind their teeth.
• Abrasion – The progressive loss of hard tooth surfaces caused by mechanical actions other than chewing or grinding. This is commonly associated with incorrect toothbrushing techniques and the long-term use of tongue jewellery

At College Dental Surgeries, we know that tooth wear is a common problem – but that doesn’t mean it can be cured with one simple solution.

There are a variety of different treatment available. Here at College Dental Surgeries we will ensure that you are provided with a tailor-made treatment plan to deal with the specific cause of tooth wear you are experiencing. This may mean providing you with: a night guard to wear, oral hygiene technique instruction, dietary advice. Alongside standard dental treatment such as crowns and fillings to help protect damaged teeth.