hygiene & Cleanings
Regular hygiene and cleaning appointments are essential to optimal oral health. Dr. Titensor's office employs two experienced hygienists to provide gentle cleanings and thorough exams. They will assess your mouth for periodontal disease, oral cancer, and other potential problems. Because they care about your homecare routine, our hygienists will also teach you techniques for effective and easy brushing, flossing, and tongue care. If you and your chosen dental professionals work as a team, your smile can stay healthy, fresh, and beautiful throughout your lifetime.
Gum Disease
We screen patients for signs of periodontal disease, also called gum disease, at every hygiene appointment. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the US, and it has been linked to heart disease, strokes, low birth weight babies, and complications in diabetics. When we detect gum disease in the earliest stage, known as gingivitis, conservative treatment can reverse the problem. Scaling, root planing, Arestin antibiotic therapy, and irrigation are first-phase periodontal disease therapies. For advanced cases, called periodontitis, gum tissue grafting and surgery may be necessary.
Resources to Learn More
AAP Statements and Press Releases
- What Does Your Mouth Say About Your Heart?
- New Study Finds Positive Association Between Periodontal Disease and Coronary Heart Disease
- Salivary Melatonin May Decrease Periodontal Disease Severity According to New Study Findings
- Periodontal Bacteria Linked to Heart Disease
- Further Evidence Reveals the Association Between Periodontal Disease and Coronary Artery Disease
- Deep Periodontal Pockets Increase Risk for Electrocardiographic Abnormalities
- Periodontal Disease, C-Reactive Protein and Overall Health
- Why Periodontal Disease May Pose a Risk to Your Health (Video News Release)
- New Study Confirms Periodontal Disease Linked to Heart Disease
- C-Reactive Protein - A Predictor of Heart Disease - Is Elevated in Patients with Periodontal Disease
- The Mouth Is the Mirror to Overall Health
Early Detection is Your Best Protection
Oral cancer claims 8,000 American lives annually. The painless, sneaky disease often goes undetected until it spreads to the neck and lymph nodes, at which time treatment becomes less effective. Our Flower Mound dental office routinely screens patients for oral cancer during check ups.
We check for those tell-tale white patches, persistent mouth sores, tissue color changes, spots of pain, tenderness, numbness, or any changes in your bite over time. We'll also ask about lifestyle habits, difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your tongue. If we find an area of concern, we can order an inexpensive and painless biopsy. Regular dental visits can help us detect, and thus treat, oral cancer in the early stages. However, knowing and avoiding risk factors will greatly improve your chance of avoiding this life-threatening disease.
Risk Factors of Oral Cancer
The five most common risk factors for oral cancer are tobacco use, frequent high quantity alcohol consumption, constant sunlight exposure, habitual cheek or lip biting, and poorly fitting dentures. In fact, 80 to 90 percent of oral cancers are found in people who use tobacco, drink excessively, or both.
When to See Your Doctor
Anything that causes constant irritation to mouth and lip tissues may eventually result in white patches of leukoplakia, red sores, or small indurated ulcers that can undergo excessive cell growth, leading to cancer. Mouth sores that do not dissipate in two weeks should be inspected by your dentist or physician. A mass in the neck or mouth, oral or facial numbness, pain when chewing or swallowing, lasting hoarseness, or wart-like areas are indicators that you need to see your dentist or doctor for an oral cancer screening.