Every year, about 53,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with oral cancer. Oral cancer is unfortunately associated with a high death rate, with 60% of people living less than five years after diagnosis, and approximately 9,000 people dying from its complications annually. Many others who are diagnosed with oral cancer undergo extensive surgeries that leave them with disfigurement and difficulties eating and speaking. Risk factors for oral cancer include smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco, and a new trend that has shown a high association with HPV (human papillomavirus). Early detection and timely treatment are key for the best long-term survivability of oral cancer. In fact, cases that are diagnosed with early detection are associated with an 80% survival rate.

Things that you should look for at home include:

• Any sore or ulcer that does not heal within 14 days
• A painless, firm, fixed lump on the outside of the neck that has been there for 14 days or longer
• Numbness in the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• A persistent feeling, like something is caught in your throat
• A white or red patch with an irregular border, on the gums, tonsils, or on/under the tongue

The common theme is to look for abnormalities that are persistent and do not go away on their own. If you ever have any concerns, always reach out to your team at Queen City Dental Arts. We are more than happy to help you assess anything that you might notice. We do perform oral cancer screenings at every hygiene visit and exam, and we always offer the use of the (VELscope® Enhanced Oral Cancer Assessment System) as a way of promoting early detection.

Click the following link for further information from the Oral Cancer Foundation – April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month 2023 Oral Cancer Foundation | Information and Resources about Oral Head and Neck Cancer.

As always, Dr. Stenvall and the QCDA team are here to help you to keep you and your mouth as healthy as possible!

The post Essential Insights And Prevention For Oral Cancer Awareness first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

Spring Clean Your Smile

1) Replace your toothbrush: That cool new toothbrush that you got in your stocking this Christmas… it’s time to toss it. It is recommended that you change your toothbrush every 3-4 months. The same applies if you have an electric toothbrush; make sure you are using a new brush head every 3-4 months as well. Bristles wear out over time, and they are not as effective after a few months. Also, if you or your children get sick, it is recommended to replace your toothbrush once you or your kids are feeling better. No need to keep those germs around any longer than necessary!

2) Clean your Nightguard/Denture/Retainer Cases: You probably are good at rinsing your retainer or nightguard or denture/partials daily after you take them out, but what about the case they sit in? Make it a habit periodically to scrub bacteria and debris out of the case. The wet environment is a great place for bacteria to hang out, which then ends up on your appliance and in your mouth. Yuck!

3) Get your dentures/partials and night guards cleaned: It’s great to use soap and water on your appliances on a regular basis, but there still is probably bacteria that stick behind and need a professional solution to remove. Bring your removable appliances to our office, and the Queen City Dental Arts team can use a strong solution and the ultrasonic cleaner here in our office that will get the rest of that stubborn grime off.

4) Make sure you have your dental cleaning scheduled: It’s easy to lose track of time so we always try to schedule our patients for their next cleaning when they are here for their regular cleaning. This way it is on the calendar in advance. But if it’s been a while since you’ve had a regular cleaning and exam, it is never too late to get back on the wagon. Call our office today, and we will get you in for your checkup to look for cavities or other problems that might be starting.

Call Today

Our professional team at Queen City Dental Arts knows that this is a busy time of year for everyone, but don’t forget these simple dental tips to keep your spring cleaning list on track! We welcome you to give us a call today at 704-542-6533 to schedule your dental cleaning in Charlotte, North Carolina with our dedicated dentist, Dr. Meghan Stenvall.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Spring Cleaning, Dental Edition first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

1) Brush: It seems obvious, but it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Dr. Stenvall recommends that we all brush our teeth for a full two minutes, twice a day, every day. It doesn’t matter if you have a manual toothbrush or a fancy electric toothbrush. As long as they are used properly, both can do a good job. Make sure to angle the bristles at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line and get the front and back of every tooth.

2) Floss: It may not be everyone’s love language, but it doesn’t mean it’s not important. We recommend flossing daily. It can be in the morning or at night, in the shower, in front of the TV, whatever is easier for your routine that makes it something that you will remember to do! C-shape flossing is the best (flossing down the sides of each tooth), but if you only have floss picks, they are better than not flossing at all. Believe it or not, if you aren’t flossing, you’re actually not cleaning one-third of the surface of your teeth. People who do not floss regularly are at higher risk of getting cavities between their teeth.

3) Fluoride: Dr. Stenvall recommends using a toothpaste that has fluoride in it. The outer part of the tooth, or enamel, uses fluoride to re-mineralize, so if you are consistently exposing your teeth to fluoride, weakened areas of the enamel can actually go away. Some mouthwashes have fluoride in them as well; look on the bottle for ones that say “fluoride rinse.” Not all “antiseptic rinses” are created equal.

4) Regular checkups: We recommend that everyone come in for routine checkups every six months (3-4 months if you have ever had periodontal treatment). Even if everything is feeling fine, there may be issues starting that need to be addressed. Dr. Stenvall always recommends being proactive rather than reactive. If there’s an issue that can be fixed early, it’s always better to have a small filling than to end up with pain once the cavity gets larger.

5) A healthy diet: Try to limit the number of snacks and time spent sipping throughout the day. We know that a caffeinated drink in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up is critical in surviving some days, but try not to sip them for hours. The more often we eat or drink, the more acidic the environment of our mouth is, and the more susceptible to decay are your teeth. Healthy snacks are those that don’t get stuck in our teeth, like fruit, vegetables, nuts, cheese and yogurt. Things that are sticky and sweet or things like chips and cookies that can get lodged between your teeth will be more likely to cause cavities. Of course, water is always the best option as far as drinks are concerned.

We often forget to love ourselves when it comes to showing love to the important people in our lives but remember that, through some simple steps, you are showing yourself love by taking care of your oral health. If you ever have any concerns, Dr. Meghan Stenvall and the Queen City Dental Arts team are always here to help!

The post What Is Your Mouth’s Love Language? first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

People with diabetes are also at risk of having decreased saliva (dry mouth or Xerostomia).  This can lead to increased risk of tooth decay, ulcers, sores and thrush (burning mouth or tongue).  Dry mouth can be caused by uncontrolled blood sugar or simply from the medications that diabetic patients take.  Make sure to let Dr. Stenvall know about any changes to your medications which will help her to know what medications she can and can’t prescribe you.

It is even more critical for diabetic patients to be diligent with their oral home care, because of these complications.  We recommend our diabetic patients purchase an electric toothbrush and use it twice a day so they can thoroughly and easily keep their teeth clean.  Also, maintaining regular hygiene visits at Queen City Dental Arts to help prevent oral problems and to catch any potential problems early before they create any pain or infection.

Keeping your blood sugar levels under control is the most important aspect in maintaining overall wellness when you have been diagnosed with diabetes.  Your HgA1C (Hemoglobin A1C) is the best way to determine the stability of your long-term blood sugar levels.  If your blood sugar is well-controlled, your A1C will most likely be below 7%.  Higher A1C may cause poor healing in patients.  Let our team at QCDA know if your diabetes is uncontrolled.  You will want to postpone any surgical procedures until your blood sugar is more stable unless you have an acute dental infection that needs to be addressed right away.  Be sure to follow any post-op instructions closely to prevent any complications after you go home.

Prevention is always the best policy! Do your best to keep your mouth clean at home by brushing twice a day and flossing daily.  Work with your doctor on maintaining controlled blood sugar and if you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit. Reach out to Dr. Stenvall and the Queen City Dental Arts team if you have any questions about diabetes and how it may affect you and your oral health!

The post Secrets to a Healthier Smile with Diabetes: Your Guide to Oral Care first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

You do want to take into consideration the size of the toothbrush head. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but typically, for adults, the regular adult toothbrush size is adequate. People who have smaller mouths may opt to buy a brush with a smaller head so they can reach the back teeth where there’s less room. It’s important to choose a brush with a long enough handle that can help you to reach all the sides of all of your teeth. One with a non-slip grip helps too so you can hang on to it when your brush gets wet.

Toothbrush bristles also come in a variety of options. Soft-bristled brushes are the only ones we recommend as medium or hard bristles can actually damage the enamel, tooth roots and the gums.

Many people think an electric toothbrush will get your teeth cleaner, but studies don’t show a statistically significant difference in the prevention of gum disease for people who use an electric vs a manual toothbrush. At the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference. A manual toothbrush can do just as good of a job if used properly and for the correct amount of time (2 minutes!). Electric toothbrushes are great for people with limited range of motion, such as arthritis, or for people who rush through brushing. Many electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer that tells you when your 2 minutes are up. Some people prefer the feeling of a toothbrush that vibrates while others prefer the feeling of a manual brush. The brush heads of electric brushes tend to be smaller as well, so that may take some getting used to if you do make the switch.

Your best rule of thumb when choosing a toothbrush is to choose one that is ADA approved. Once you see that seal of approval, it comes down to which brush are you going to use and use well! Dr. Stenvall and the team at Queen City Dental Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina, are always happy to answer any questions about products you might see. You can reach us at 704-542-6533, and we look forward to seeing you at your next visit!

The post So Many Toothbrushes So Little Time first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

At Queen City Dental Arts, you and your child’s safety is our first concern when giving you the best dental care possible! Our general and emergency dentist, Dr. Meghan Stenvall and team in Charlotte, North Carolina, are here to help! We invite you to give us a call today at 704-542-6533 to learn more or to schedule a dental visit.

The post Why Take Dental X-Rays on a Child? first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

Our Queen City Dental Arts team is here to help your child’s smile develop properly for a healthier smile down the road. Our dedicated dentist, Dr. Meghan Stenvall is more than happy to evaluate your child’s dental health in Charlotte, North Carolina, and provide the dental care they need to keep their primary teeth healthy and in place. Please us a call today at 704-542-6533 with any questions or concerns you have regarding your child’s growing smile!

The post Why “Fix” Baby Teeth? first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.