Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
APRIL 2023
*NEW ADDRESS! TYLER
LONGVIEW
3665 US Highway 259 N Longview, TX 75605
1520 Rice Road Suite 100 Tyler, TX 75703
903-758-5551
903-597-2201
www.texassedationdental.com
HAVE YOU HAD YOUR ORAL CANCER SCREENING? Annual Exams Increase Chances of Survival
WHAT CAUSES ORAL CANCER? Within your mouth and around the lining of your lips, there are countless squamous cells. These cells are extremely small, but when examined under a microscope, they resemble fish scales. If the DNA of normal squamous cells changes and then grows, spreading to other areas of your mouth, oral cancer can develop rapidly. That’s why it’s so important to be examined regularly.
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, in 2023, roughly 54,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer. The month of April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, a time when we like to remind our patients that early detection of oral cancer greatly increases chances of survival. If you’ve never been screened for oral cancer in the past, this month is the time! We recommend that each of our patients get an oral cancer screening at least once a year. If caught early enough, oral cancers are usually easy to treat! WHAT IS ORAL CANCER? Oral cancer is a type of cancer that can develop pretty much anywhere throughout your mouth (oral cavity) — your lips, gums, roof of the mouth, inner cheek linings, below your tongue, or on your tongue. It occurs most commonly in men, Caucasian individuals, and those over the age of 60, but anyone can fall victim to this serious complication. Some of the risk factors of oral cancer include but aren’t limited to heavy alcohol use, tobacco use, spending time in the sun without protecting your lips, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Oral cancer falls under the classification of head and neck cancer and is the most common type. If left untreated or undetected, oral cancer can spread to other areas of your head or neck.
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A sore throat or constant feeling that something is lodged in your throat A growth or lump inside your mouth Numbness or tingling of your tongue
• • • • •
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty moving your tongue or jaw A white or red patch or patches inside of your mouth
WE RECOMMEND THAT EACH OF OUR PATIENTS GET AN ORAL CANCER SCREENING AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.
• •
Voice changes
Lump in the neck
If any complications within your mouth or lips are persistent or worrisome to you, make an appointment to come in so we can take a look! It’s best to rule out the possibility of oral cancer or to catch the condition quickly so we can stop it in its tracks. Have you made your annual oral cancer appointment yet? Give us a call today! This month is a reminder to safeguard your oral health!
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF ORAL CANCER? At home and in between visits, you should be on the lookout for anything that doesn’t appear normal to you. Some signs and symptoms of oral cancer include:
• • • • •
Loose teeth
A mouth or lip sore that isn’t healing
Mouth pain
Ear pain
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Persistent bad breath
LONGVIEW - 903-758-5551 | TYLER - 903-597-2201
STOP SNORING WITH … MOUTH TAPE? THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TIKTOK TREND
In 2019, the founders of a company called SomniFix strolled onto the screen of the reality TV show “Shark Tank” — and a TikTok trend was born. SomniFix makes a product called “Mouth Strips,” which the company describes as a skin-safe adhesive that holds your mouth shut while you sleep. According to the company’s website, the product is supposed to reduce snoring, help people with sleep apnea use their continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines correctly, boost sleep quality, and encourage breathing through the nose instead of just the mouth. Mark Burhenne, D.D.S., wrote about this on Ask the Dentist. “If you’re breathing through your mouth while you sleep at night, it’s a big deal,” he explained. “Not only does it reduce the quality of your sleep, but it disrupts the balance of your oral microbiome and makes you more
prone to tooth decay.” Burhenne has legitimate concerns in regard to mouth breathing, but does that mean mouth taping is the answer? The Cleveland Clinic sheds some light on this topic by saying that nose breathing while you sleep is vital for preventing dry mouth and sore throat, lowering blood pressure, keeping airborne allergens out of your body, and avoiding bad breath. Unfortunately, the Cleveland Clinic also explains that only a few small studies of 10–36 patients each have explored the effectiveness of mouth taping, and those studies had mixed results. The clinic quoted a sleep medicine specialist, Dr. Cinthya Pena Orbea. “Most of the evidence is anecdotal,” she said. “There is not strong enough evidence to support that mouth tape is beneficial. Mouth taping is not part of our current practice to treat any sleep disorder. Nonetheless, in patients with sleep apnea, we may
recommend mouth taping or to wear a chin strap to decrease an air leak while you’re using a CPAP machine at night.” If you’re struggling with mouth breathing, sleep apnea, or snoring while you slumber, don’t jump straight to a mouth tape like SomniFix or Hostage Tape (yes, that’s really the name) as a quick fix. Instead of trusting TikTok, visit your dentist or doctor to share your concerns. They can help you identify the actual cause of your issue and address it instead of taping over it.
Does Candy Really Cause Tooth Decay?
THE REAL CULPRITS OF CAVITIES REVEALED
Growing up, many of us were taught that sweets, candy, and sugar are the main culprits of cavities. Don’t eat those sticky taffies and be sure to avoid the M&M’s at all costs! While candy can certainly wreak havoc
on our teeth, it isn’t the only culprit. Each time food enters our mouths and we chew it, the bacteria present inside our mouths and saliva break down the tiny food particles. This process produces acids and also leaves behind a sticky film, also known as plaque. Because the plaque is so sticky, it holds all of these byproducts right up against your teeth, and eventually, they start to eat away at your tooth enamel, your teeth’s protective outer layer.
factors, however, is failing to brush and floss properly and regularly.
To prevent cavities from forming, drink plenty of water and remember to swish with water after every meal and snack. Don’t forget to floss and brush thoroughly, being sure to tackle all of those hard-to-reach tooth surfaces. Lastly, never skip out on your dental checkup and cleaning appointments! Here at Texas Sedation Dental & Implant Center, we are here to help you maintain optimal dental health. We will perform frequent cleanings and checkups to reduce the buildup of plaque and to identify any potential problem areas before they wreak havoc on your pearly whites!
So, what causes cavities?
When your tooth enamel faces continuous exposure to plaque due to frequent snacking without brushing, poor dental hygiene, or a diet high in sugar and processed carbohydrates, it is more prone to decay and cavities. One of the largest contributing
For an appointment, give us a call at 903‑331‑0037. Your dental health is our priority!
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COD AND ASPARAGUS BAKE
Don’t Skip This Important Oral Health Step
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
This recipe is quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights when eating healthy seems impossible. The buttery cod is low-fat and a great way to include healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet.
• Oil for baking pan • 4 4-oz cod fillets • 1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved INGREDIENTS
Brush Your Tongue Once a Day
• 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest • 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
Our tongues serve as breeding grounds for the many different types of plaque and bacteria that populate our mouthes throughout the day. The American Dental Association recommends we brush our teeth twice a day for two minutes each session and that we floss once a day — but they don’t mention our tongues! Cleaning and maintaining the health of our tongues are often overlooked, and when we forget to clean our tongues, it can be problematic. Here’s why: After we rid our teeth of leftover food particles, plaque, and bacteria and we leave behind a dirty tongue, all of that grime can get transferred back to our teeth from our tongues. This really counteracts the whole toothbrushing process.
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan brushed with oil, place cod, asparagus, and tomatoes. 2. Brush cod with lemon juice, then sprinkle with lemon zest. Sprinkle cod and vegetables with Romano cheese. Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 12 minutes. 3. Remove pan from oven; preheat broiler. Broil cod mixture 3-4 inches from the heat source until vegetables are lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes. DIRECTIONS
So, what can be done? We can clean our tongues!
Once a day, it’s important to give your tongue a thorough cleaning, and this can be done one of two different ways: with a toothbrush or with a tongue scraper. A toothbrush is a more common method of cleaning your tongue — some toothbrushes even come with a little scraper built into the back of the toothbrush head. All you have to do is use a tiny bit of toothpaste to brush your tongue, starting from the back and working your way to the front. Once you have finished, be sure to rinse your mouth out with water to remove anything leftover! To use a tongue scraper, place the scraper on the back of your tongue, and using long, smooth strokes, pull it to the front of your tongue. You can tackle this from many different angles to reach all of the bacteria. Again, be sure to rinse with water! Brushing your tongue is an essential step in maintaining optimal oral health. If you have any questions, be sure to contact our office — we are here to help!
TAKE A BREAK
Buds Conservation Diamond Easter Lily Planting Refund Regrowth
Shower Sweets Taxes Volunteer
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Get Your Annual Oral Cancer Screening
2
Does Mouth Taping Work?
What Causes Cavities?
3
The Importance of Brushing Your Tongue
Cod and Asparagus Bake
4
Top 3 Extended Stay Destinations
ALL ABOARD THE EXTENDED VACATION TREND
Top 3 Vacation Destinations for a Longer Stay
The pandemic slowed us down. Over the past few years, we collectively took fewer vacations, boarded fewer cruise ships, and avoided airports. However, many studies and reports show that now, more than ever, Americans are taking longer vacations! Why might this be, and what are some of the greatest destinations for an extended stay? According to Amex Travel’s 2022 Global Travel Trend Report, 55% of vacationers are interested in taking longer trips because they can work remotely. The trend of swapping homes is also on the rise. HomeExchange’s website reports that home exchanges of two weeks or more increased by 13% in January- May last year. According to Travel Pulse, 26% of people opt to take a trip that exceeds 10 days. If you are interested in taking a more extended vacation, whether it’s because your job went remote, you lost out on travel time
gems in just a couple of weeks! Many national parks also accommodate RVs for comfort and convenience. DRIVE THE CALIFORNIA COAST. A trip up and down the California coast never disappoints. With so many great places to stop and breathtaking views to absorb, you’ll need at least two weeks to experience them properly. You’ll want to explore the Redwood National Forest, the Lost Coast, Pebble Beach, Monterey Bay, Half Moon Bay, Big Sur, Venice Beach, and many more! HOP ABOARD A CRUISE. A cruise is one of the best ways to see many destinations in one trip. You could visit several countries in just two weeks, stopping in different ports to explore! On a cruise, you could see the Caribbean one day and wake up somewhere completely different the next day with a new adventure ahead!
in 2020-2022, or you saved on gas money while working from home, here are some great destinations that support a longer stay. VISIT THE NATIONAL PARKS. There is no better way to connect with nature than to tour the national parks. Several epic national park road trips could allow you to pack in a dozen or more of these natural
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LONGVIEW - 903-758-5551 | TYLER - 903-597-2201
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