Boulder General Dentistry

By now you are probably aware of the things to help keep your teeth and gums healthy: brush and floss, visit the dentist twice a year, keep snacking to a minimum, and don't smoke. While this advice is ingrained in us at a young age, nearly 50% of people will have a cavity by the time they are 12-years-old. Telling our children to do these things so they don't get cavities is one thing. Cavities can be fixed. However, it has been noted that poor oral health can lead to periodontal disease, and this can lead to things that cannot be fixed as easily or even at all.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums that destroys tissue and bone that holds the teeth. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. While some people are simply genetically prone to periodontal disease, many who have it could have avoided the problems. And now, links have been established between this disease and increased risk of heart attack, stroke, problems for those with diabetes, and problems with pregnancy (pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, and preterm birth).

There are several hypotheses about why this happens. One of them is that oral bacteria enters the bloodstream, attaches to fatty plaques in the arteries, and causes clots. Another is that inflammation of the gums may cause a buildup of plaque itself.

Treating periodontal disease includes reducing gum inflammation and lowering the amount of bacteria in the mouth, but why let it get to this point? If you know how to avoid the disease in the first place, the health of your teeth and gums, as well as your overall health, can be improved.

For more information on periodontal disease, its treatment, and its risks, please contact Dr. Birnbach.

The prevalence of oral cancer in our society is alarming when you look at the numbers. Nearly 34,000 people get it each year, and around 8,000 die as a result of it. It is the second most serious dental problem behind periodontal disease.

Major causes of oral cancer are smoking and alcohol abuse, but there are many who get it who have never abused these things. There is some indication that one of the causes may also be human paopilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus that also causes cervical cancer.

While there are 11,000 cases of cervical cancer a year, nearly 60 million pap smears are given each year to detect this disease. Not so with oral cancer. However, many dentists, including Dr. Birnbach have begun to screen for oral cancer using the ViziLite system. This is a non-invasive and completely painless technique for detecting oral cancer in its earliest stages, even before you see lesions with your own eye.

Symptoms of oral cancer include bleeding from the mouth or throat, difficulty swallowing, lumps in or around the mouth, and red or white lesions. It occurs most frequently on the gums, lips, tongue, and floor of the mouth.

By taking care to practice good oral hygiene, get twice yearly checkups, and add oral cancer screening to your dental routine, you will not only avoid the chance of getting oral cancer, but may stop it in its earliest stages. Remember that how you take care of your teeth and gums affects more than your smile.

If you are interested in being screened for oral cancer in addition to your routine dental exam, please contact Dr. Birnbach.