Oral Cancer's Startling Stats

Hope everyone had a wonderful start to May! What a wonderful, whirlwind the last few weeks have been. We had the wonderful chance to celebrate Anna on Administrative Assistant's Day. She is such an important member of our team and we couldn't do what we do without her. Big shout out to Anna!

So for the next few blogs, I was hoping to focus on Oral Cancer. It is something that is becoming more and more prevalent. CDC now recommends that patients over the age of 17 have an annual oral cancer screening. At Kai Family Dentistry, we conduct oral cancer screenings at least twice a year. We have even incorporated a special oral detection device that helps us detect questionable tissue early in its development. Early detection is key. Take a look at the startling statistics on oral cancer in the infographic above or click here for the larger version. 

Happy Friday 13th,

Dr. Lynda Tran

KaiDentistry.com

Why Do Teeth Turn Yellow?

Happy April everyone! Hope you all are enjoying the beautiful weather we've ben having. 

Just this week, I have had more than a handful of patients ask me the question above. I found an online article on Live Science that does a wonderful job exploring this topic. One of the sentences that I want to highlight is this really great advice: "According to the Mayo Clinic, the best protection against thinning enamel is proper saliva production and fluoride. Brush twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, drink water treated in fluoride and see a doctor if you are experiencing dry mouth to help prevent thinning."

The article can be found here. 

Happy Kinda-Tax Day,

Dr. Lynda Tran

P.S. If you're curious as to why Tax Day is on a different day this year, check out this article here. 

$60 Braces - What Could Go Wrong?

Apologize for the hiatus! Can't believe the end of March is here. Hope everyone has been doing well. I just wanted to share this article from The Washington Post regarding the design student who made his own clear aligners for $60! While I applaud the creative use of his design knowledge to address an esthetic concern, the orthodontists interviewed make a few very important points about the pros and cons of clear aligners fabricated by someone with little to no orthodontic training.

The article can be found here. 

Happy Cesar Chavez Day,

Dr. Lynda Tran

KaiDentistry.com

Brushing Do's and Don'ts

As we near the end of the first month of the year, I wanted to share that many of our patients have made it their 2016 resolution to brush more frequently. How wonderful is that?! To support everyone in achieving this awesome resolution, here is a video that helps identify some frequent mistakes when brushing and the "ideal" way to brush. As always, we are here to help if there are any questions!

Happy Friday,

Dr. Lynda Tran

KaiDentistry.com

Marijuana's Impact on the Mouth

We, here at Kai Family Dentistry, hope your year is off to a great start!

Over the holiday break, a friend of mine was concerned about the oral implications of her mom using medical marijuana. Around the same time, the Academy of General Dentistry produced a great summary of the impacts that marijuana can have on your mouth. I thought this information would be great to share so here is a reproduction of the concerns below:

Marijuana's Impact on the Mouth

Marijuana use can cause or contribute to the following in the oral cavity:

• Alveolar bone loss
• Gingivitis and periodontal disease
• Gingival hyperplasia
• Gingival leukoplakia
• Increased appetite for cariogenic (cavity-producing) foods and drinks
• Leukoedema
• Oral cancer
• Oral candidiasis
• Poor oral hygiene practices and poor diet
• Possible peripheral dilation and tachycardia associated with acute marijuana toxicity when an anesthetic is given
• Uvulitis
• Tooth decay and tooth loss
• Tooth staining
• Xerostomia (dry mouth)

If you have a question about any of these impacts on your oral health, please contact us or reach out to your dental care provider. 

Here's to a wonderful year,

Dr. Lynda Tran

Caution About Alzheimer's Study Coverage

Below is a reproduction of Inside Dentistry article regarding the recent study published by Nature magazine that had studied the possibility of transmission of certain proteins that may contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD). As you will find below, there is no data that shows that dentistry poses a risk for AD. In fact, "dentistry may play an important role in reducing the risk" of AD.

Please always be mindful when reading studies and articles pertaining to your health. It is important to bring any of your questions up to your health provider to get more details of the strenghts and/or weaknesses of a study. Thank you!

Until next time,

Dr. Lynda Tran

KaiDentistry.com

AGD Cautions Readers About Articles Concerning Alzheimer’s Study 
CHICAGO (Sept. 16, 2015)—The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) cautions readers about news articles on recent scientific findings concerning proteins that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. 

In its Sept. 10, 2015, issue, Nature published a study that indicates the inconclusive possibility of human -to-human transmission of certain proteins that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Some news articles have suggested that these proteins may be transmitted through the use of surgical instruments during certain dental procedures. However, this is not what the study, published in Nature, states. 

“Our current data has no bearing on dental surgery and certainly does not argue that dentistry poses a risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” study author and University College London Neurology Professor John Collinge stated in a press release from the American Association of Endodontists. 

“The study does not claim that dental treatment causes Alzheimer’s disease,” says AGD President W. Mark Donald, DMD, MAGD. “On the contrary, previous research has shown that dentistry may play an important role in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, not causing it.” 

Indeed, studies have suggested a link between poor oral health and risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Re- search published over the past decade in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, CNS & Neurological Disorders– Drug Targets, and the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease identify possible links between periodontal dis- ease and Alzheimer’s, and opportunities to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s through oral health care. 

“The deeper we delve into the research, the more we find relationships between oral health and systemic diseases, and the more we realize that the mouth is truly the gateway to overall health,” says Dr. Donald. “Visiting your dentist twice a year can result in more than healthy teeth and gums. For some patients, going to the dentist can be lifesaving.” 

The Hangover That Lead to Ibuprofen Discovery

More than 50 years ago, Dr. Stewart Adams took 600mg of Ibuprofen after his hangover and it has now become one of the leading painkillers used today. Read this really neat story here.

I cannot express how important Ibuprofen has been to the field of dentistry. It is my number one recommended go-to medication for toothaches (unless patient has sensitivities or other contraindications to Ibuprofen, of course). It's definitely one of the many things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday!

Feeling thankful,

Dr. Lynda Tran

KaiDentistry.com