How Cancer Affects Oral Health

March 14, 2023February 10, 2020 by Dr. Dulay

There are some medical treatments that have side effects on other parts of the body, such as the mouth. As dentists, we want to tell you how cancer affects oral health and how you can treat the problems that you may face.

Medical conditions that affect the health of your mouth

Many of the medications and methods used to treat various diseases affect your oral health. Some of these treatments are:

Diabetes medications
Drugs to treat heart problems
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Treatments for endocrine disorders
Medications for kidney conditions
Treatments against immune system disorders

How cancer affects oral health

A large number of cancer treatments can seriously affect the health of your gums, teeth and your mouth in general. These conditions can cause a lot of discomfort when chewing, talking or swallowing if they are not treated properly.

Side effects of cancer on oral health

Some of the side effects of cancer that can affect your mouth are the following:

Saliva thicker than usual
Dry mouth
Mouth sores
Increases the likelihood of tooth decay
Changes in the sense of taste
Infections in the gums and other areas of the mouth
Bone diseases that affect the teeth and jaw
Inflammation, redness and even pain in the tongue and lining of the mouth

Usually these effects appear when you are in an advanced stage of cancer treatment. Some are temporary and disappear after the treatment is completed. While others can be much more durable and even permanent.

Causes

Although not all cancer treatments affect the health of your mouth, a large percentage of them do. Studies have shown that the process of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and some surgeries alter the balance of bacteria in the mouth. This can damage and even begin to break down oral tissue, salivary glands and bone. What causes tooth decay, mouth ulcers, sores and infections.

The processes that carry the most side effects are:

Radiation therapy in the head and neck
Chemotherapy
Bone marrow and stem cell transplant
Pharmacological therapy

How to prevent the effects of treatments

If before starting any cancer treatment you have good oral health, the risks of suffering any condition in your mouth decreases. We recommend you go to the dentist a few weeks before starting your treatment. During your visit to the specialist, be sure to ask him to carry out the following work depending on your case:

Treat and repair all fractured teeth, with cavities or suffering from any infection.
If you have dental implants or dentures, check if it fits well and does not cause any discomfort.
If you have fixed orthodontics it is best to have them removed. Rubbing these with the mouth can cause discomfort and irritation.

You should also consider:

Provide all possible information about your dental treatments to the oncologist and cancer treatments to a specialist in general dentistry. In this way they can work together to contribute to your oral health.
If you underwent dental surgery you must wait two weeks or until the wounds of your mouth heal completely to start an oncological treatment.
If you did not visit your dentist before starting your cancer treatments, go as soon as possible.
Maintain good communication with your dentist throughout dental treatment in patients with chemotherapy.

Four Signs That Indicate Tooth Cavity

March 14, 2023January 18, 2020 by Dr. Dulay

The health of one’s teeth is key to their overall health. Preventing cavities and tooth decay is one of the essential ways to keep the teeth healthy as well as the condition and to avoid other complications. According to the statistic of the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), 30% of American adults have untreated tooth cavities. Untreated cavities can damage the teeth and probably create more serious dental issues.

When food and bacteria build up in the teeth, it can develop plaque. The plaque bacteria produce acids that can wear away the enamel on the surface of the teeth. With a regular flossing and brushing routine, you can get rid of the tooth cavity and sticky plaque. If the plaque enabled to build up, it would continue to eat away at the teeth and create a cavity or other dental problems. Here are a couple of the most common signs that a person may have a tooth cavity.

Signs of a Tooth Cavity

There are many possible signs that may indicate the beginning of the cavity. There are also numerous red alerts that are signs of an existing cavity is getting larger.

Cold and Hot Sensitivity

A sensitivity that lingers after ingesting cold or hot food and beverages can be a sign that a person has a cavity. When the enamel of the tooth begins to erode, it can affect the dentin, which is the tough tissue layer under the enamel. When there is not enough enamel to secure the dentin, beverages, or foods that are sticky, cold, hot, and acidic can stimulate the cells as well as nerve inside the tooth. It creates sensitivity.

Toothache

Ongoing pain in one or more of the teeth can also a sign of a cavity. In short, the ache is one of the most common symptoms of a tooth cavity. Sometimes this pain can come on suddenly, and it can occur as an outcome of something you ingest. It includes discomfort and pain in or around the mouth or feels ache and pressure while biting down on food.

Staining on Tooth

Stains on the tooth may initially appear as white spots. The stains can become darker, or tooth decay becomes more advanced. Staining caused by a cavity can be black, white, or brown, and typically seems on the surface of the tooth.

A Pit or Hole in the Mouth

If the white spots are seen on the teeth, it’s a red alert and end up with a pit or hole in the tooth that you can see while looking in the mirror or feel while you run your tongue over the surface of the teeth. A couple of holes, especially amid the teeth or in gaps, can’t felt or seen. But then again, you might feel sensitivity or pain in the area of the cavity. In order to protect your teeth from such serious dental issues, you need to make an appointment to visit your dentist as soon as possible.

How Many Implants Are Necessary For A Full Mouth Prosthesis?

March 14, 2023December 20, 2019 by Dr. Dulay

To rehabilitate an edentulous jaw with implants, we must take into account the different functional and aesthetic aspects of the restoration that can affect the treatment. Before placing dental implants, a good diagnosis has to be made to decide the type of restoration to be performed and the number of implants to be placed during surgery. The main factors that must be taken into account when deciding the number of dental implants are maxillary morphology and bone resorption in relation to the opposing teeth, the amount of bone remaining,

the skeletal class of each patient, the presence of parafunctions or powerful muscles of the individual and the type of dentition in the jaw. Prosthetic treatments on implants to place fixed maxillary teeth (ceramic zirconium restorations or hybrid prostheses) will be performed with the support of 4 to 8 implants, while removable treatments (overdentures) will be performed, in most cases, with a number of 4 to 6 implants.On the other hand, the complete rehabilitation of the mouth is performed when all the teeth of an arch have been lost, for example, if there is not a single tooth in the upper arch, this way we will avoid having to place an implant for each tooth lost. In these cases, several implants are placed; 6 in the upper arch and between 5-4 in the lower arch in the case of fixed, and on the dental implants a structure with 12 crowns per arch will be placed to complete the entire denture.

There are other techniques such as the implant technique with immediate loading in which it is possible to place the dental implants and a temporary fixed prosthesis on the same day, this implies that the patient does not have to go without teeth and have his prosthesis on the same day of the placement of dental implants, which means a great advance and a better quality of life for the patient.

THE PHASES OF IMPATIENT PLACEMENT

Case study and taking measures: where the doctor studies each case and it is determined if the placement of dental implants is possible, using photos of the mouth, x-rays and CT) and a treatment plan is made. The molds are taken from the patient’s mouth so that the prosthetic can develop the custom prosthesis.
Intervention and placement of dental implants: this intervention is a simple and painless process under local anesthesia. If necessary, it can be performed under conscious sedation, so the patient remains in a state of deep relaxation.
Final prosthesis and follow-up: for about 3 months the bone and the implant will be osseointegrated, that is, they will be fused and then the final prosthesis can be placed.

If you are thinking about having a dental implant treatment in your entire mouth, you can request a consultation at Estudi Dental Barcelona , with our implantologist and periodontist, to perform a diagnosis and a treatment plan for your case, with this we will make a personalized budget and Without any commitment .

What Is Gingival? How To Treat Gingival Disease

December 30, 2023November 22, 2019 by Dr. Dulay

The plaque can cause gum disease. It is a film of bacteria that continuously accumulates around, throughout the tooth and between one tooth and another. If these bacteria are not removed by regular brushing and flossing can irritate the gums, causing redness, inflammation and bleeding; all of them early symptoms of the first phase of gingival disease known as gingivitis. If these signs of gingival disease are not treated, spaces between the teeth and gums can form. If these spaces become deeper, they can generate periodontitis: one of the most serious forms of gingival disease.

Once that stage of gingival disease is reached, it is possible that damage has already been generated which, if left untreated, can cause the loss of dental pieces. That is why it is important to stop the progression of the disease in its early stages (gingivitis) through an effective treatment for gingival disease and keep your gums healthy.

THREE-STEP TREATMENT TO TREAT GINGIVAL DISEASE

A healthy gums are vital for healthy teeth and the best way to ensure they remain healthy is through a good oral care routine. It is only necessary to follow three simple steps to keep the gums and teeth clean and prevent gingival disease.

STEP 1 – BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY WITH DAILY TOOTHPASTE WITH FLUORIDE PARODONTAX

Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes with a manual or electric brush with a small head and rounded and soft bristles. Use daily toothpaste with fluoride parodontax, which physically eliminates the accumulation of bacterial plaque in the line where the gums and teeth join, which helps maintain a good seal. If used twice a day, it is x4 times more effective than a regular toothpaste, eliminating the accumulation of bacteria, one of the causes of bleeding gums *.

STEP 2 – FLOSS TO REMOVE PLAQUE BETWEEN TEETH

Use dental floss or interdental brushes to remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas, such as between teeth. Remember to floss carefully as you could damage your gums.

STEP 3 – VISIT A DENTIST REGULARLY TO ELIMINATE PLAQUE BUILDUP AND HELP PREVENT GINGIVAL DISEASE

Visit the dentist regularly for check-ups. As a professional, it can detect your gum problems before you notice the symptoms. Dentists can also perform dental cleanings to eliminate the accumulation of bacterial plaque that is more difficult to remove (stones) and thus prevent the appearance of a gingival disease. Follow these three steps to avoid gingival disease and keep healthy gums and strong teeth.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I ALREADY HAVE GINGIVAL DISEASE?

If you suffer from any of the symptoms of gingival disease or you already have gingivitis, these three steps can help prevent it from progressing to periodontitis. This is important since periodontitis is irreversible and, if left untreated, can cause the loss of teeth. If you have a gingival disease you should visit your dentist to prevent it from getting worse.

When is sedation dentistry the right choice?

March 14, 2023August 15, 2019 by Dr. Dulay

Professional Teeth Cleaning by a Dentist

Many people suffer from anxiety or get nervous when they
walk into a dental office. Dulay Dental strives to help each patient and give
them an exceptional experience during any cleaning or procedure at our office.
We want our patients to feel relaxed and at ease knowing they are in good
hands.

There are options that we offer in our office when patients
have anxiety, or have had a bad experience in the past with a dental procedure.
Our staff will work with each patient to come up with a customized treatment
plan, and will discuss all our options available.

In some cases we may recommend sedation dentistry as the
right choice for patients that suffer from dental anxiety. Sedation dentistry
is a way to keep patients relaxed and calm during their procedure or
appointment.

Patients may choose
sedation dentistry if they have one of the following:

Strong gag reflex
Patients that may be recommended for a long
dental procedure, or multiple procedures.
Patients that have a low tolerance for pain.

Types of sedation
available:

Nitrous
Oxide: This is known as “laughing gas” and is given through a mask placed
on the mouth combined with oxygen. This gas helps a patient to relax, and the
patient is awake during the procedure. Once the procedure is complete, the gas
wears off quickly.

Oral
Sedation: This can be given orally before a procedure to help patents
relax. Depending on the dose given, oral sedation can either keep the patient
pain free but awake, or may make the patient fall completely asleep.

IV
Sedation: IV Sedation is given intravenously. This type of sedation can be
controlled by the dentist, and can produce moderate sedation or deep sedation
depending on the patient’s needs and treatment.

Our goal at Dulay Dental is to make sure our patients are
comfortable and relaxed during any procedure. If sedation is the right option,
we will work with each patient to choose the best type of sedation, and make
sure they know what to expect every step of the way.

If you are interested in finding out more about sedation
dentistry, please contact Dulay Dental to schedule your appointment.

What age groups seek orthodontic care?

March 14, 2023August 5, 2019 by Dr. Dulay

There are many advancements in orthodontic care that have made it a lot easier to get that beautiful smile. Orthodontic care is not only for children, but for anyone that is unhappy with their teeth, and want a smile they can be proud of.

On average, children usually get braces between 10-14 years of age, and it is recommended that a child can see an orthodontist starting at age 7 when their permanent teeth begin to erupt. Braces are most common in teenagers, because when teeth first erupt they begin to notice crooked teeth. Visiting an orthodontist early on can allow them to evaluate any issues, and develop a customized plan for the future.

Orthodontic care can be done at any age, and we encourage all patients to meet with our team to discuss your concerns and goals. Our team will take x-rays and develop a plan that is customized to each patient’s needs.

You may be a good candidate for braces if:

You are unhappy with the way your smile looks or feels.
You have an under bite or an overbite.
Your teeth are crooked or misaligned.
Speech is affected by your teeth.
You had braces in the past but did not get the results you desired.

Contact Dulay Dental today to schedule your consultation, and we will discuss all the options available for braces and what can work for you.

How often should I get my teeth cleaned?

March 14, 2023July 25, 2019 by Dr. Dulay

Regular dental cleanings are important to keep up with our oral health, and keep our teeth and gums looking and feeling great. Cleanings help to remove that sticky layer of bacteria and plaque that builds up on our teeth and under our gums. This layer cannot be removed with normal brushing or flossing at home.

At Dulay Dental we recommend our patients have their teeth cleaned twice a year. This helps to keep the plaque layer down, and prevents issues such as gum disease.

Plaque begins to return on our teeth after a cleaning within 24-48 hours. If you visit our office twice a year, patients are less likely to have a thick layer of plaque and tarter. Visiting our office regularly helps to spot any signs of early problems such as cavities, receding gums, or oral cancer.

Our skilled staff will use special tools to clean your teeth and gums, as well as take any x-rays needed. Our dentist will meet with each patient to discuss the health of your teeth and gums, and recommend any further treatment that may be needed.

Our oral health is extremely important, and keeping up with regularly scheduled dental cleanings keeps teeth and gums free of harmful bacteria and plaque.

Most insurance companies will cover dental cleanings twice a year, and it is always smart to check with your insurance company to understand what your coverage includes.

If you are interested in scheduling a dental cleaning, contact Dulay Dental to schedule your appointment.

How long is a dentist appointment?

March 14, 2023July 15, 2019 by Dr. Dulay

Dental checkup covered by financing with CareCredit

Many of us go for our regular dental visits twice a year to get our teeth cleaned and evaluated to make sure our dental health is kept on top of. Maintaining oral health is extremely important to keep our teeth and gums free of bacteria and plaque. Keeping up with our oral health helps to ensure we avoid serious issues such as gum disease in the future.

Typically, if you are visiting our office for your regularly scheduled visit, our cleaning process takes around 30-45 minutes. Our highly skilled staff will clean your teeth and take any x-rays if needed.

Over time, bacteria and plaque create a sticky layer on our teeth. This layer can harden and can cause inflammation in and around the gums. This can lead to gum disease if it is not treated or removed. Brushing regularly is a great way to remove the bacteria, but brushing cannot remove all of the tarter left on our teeth.

Our skilled team of hygienists use special tools to remove the plaque from a patient’s teeth, and ensure your mouth is clean and free of any bacteria or plaque. Your x-rays are carefully reviewed to help us customize your cleaning depending on each patient’s needs.

Our goal is to make each patient comfortable, and to give our patients an exceptional experience when you visit our office. We know your time is valuable, and our team works to give you quality service in a reasonable amount of time.

Regular visits are so important for our oral health, and our team at Dulay Dental will go above and beyond to ensure our patients have the best experience.

If you are interested in finding out more about our dental cleaning services, contact Dulay Dental to schedule your appointment.

How long does it take to get a dental implant?

March 14, 2023July 5, 2019 by Dr. Dulay

Implants are one of the most popular restorative procedures done today. Implants provide a permanent and reliable solution for patients seeking a beautiful white smile. At Dulay Dental we strive to work with each patient to develop a customized treatment plan to get them the smile they desire.

Typically dental implants take multiple appointments and a few months from start to finish. Patients that have broken, missing, or cracked teeth are great candidates for implants. The implant process has two steps. The first step involves placing the implant into the jawbone. This involves making an incision in the gum tissue to place the implant.

Once this is complete, there is a healing process that allows the implants time to fuse to the jawbone. It is important that the patient has adequate bone in the jaw to support the implants. Part of our evaluation process will determine if there is enough bone present, and bone grafts can be done to provide additional support if needed. If a bone graft is needed, this is an additional step that will involve healing time.

The healing process can take a few months depending on each patient and the amount of implants needed. Once the healing process is complete, an abutment or connector is place on top of the implant. This allows a crown to be installed on top. Custom crowns are made to match the shape, color, and size of your natural teeth. Temporary crowns may be used while you wait for your permanent crown to be installed.

Implants are built out of titanium and are made to last. If taken care of, implants can last upwards of 25 years or a lifetime. The entire process takes between four and six months.

If you are looking for that perfect smile, and think implants may be the solution for you, contact Dulay Dental to schedule your appointment.

How long do Veneers last?

March 14, 2023June 25, 2019 by Dr. Dulay

A Dental Shade Determination Under Progress

Porcelain veneers are shells that cover the surface of teeth. Veneers are the color of our natural teeth, and can help improve your smile. They can be colored, shaped, and sized, to match your natural teeth making them blend in perfectly with the teeth around them. Veneers are bonded to the front of your teeth using a cement like material.

Veneers are made out of porcelain and are very durable. They are stain resistant and can last between 10 to 15 years. Veneers can sustain damage just like any tooth can, so it is important to protect your veneers to help lengthen their life. Veneers are permanent and are the perfect solution for many patients, giving them the smile they have always wanted.

Reasons veneers are used:

You have a chipped, broken, or misshapen tooth.
You have a gap in your tooth.
Your tooth is discolored.

In order to help your veneer last we recommend to follow good oral hygiene habits. If you play any sports consider wearing a mouthguard to help protect your veneers. Avoid biting any hard objects with your teeth, clenching, or grinding your teeth to prevent damage.

If you are interested in finding out more about veneers contact Dulay Dental today to schedule your appointment.