SAN LEANDRO — Treating cancer is one of the great challenges of modern health care, and dentistry is no exception. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, nearly 50,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and only slightly more than half typically survive. In fact, oral cancer has a higher mortality rate than many more well-known forms of cancer.

The Oral Cancer Foundation asserts the main reason for oral cancer’s unusually high mortality rate is that it’s typically discovered in later stages when treatment is less effective. As with any form of cancer, early detection is the most important factor in successfully treating oral cancer. For this reason, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential warning signs. These include:

• Unusual lumps or bumps

• Changes in texture, contour or color in the mouth

• Sores that grow rapidly or bleed spontaneously

• Any sore or lump that hasn’t subsided after 12 days

If you notice one or more of these developments, schedule an appointment with your dentist or physician to have it checked out.

SAN LEANDRO — Thanks to modern innovation, a lot can be accomplished with dental technology nowadays. No matter what condition your teeth are in, there are solutions available to repair or replace them and restore your chewing ability, speech, and self-confidence. However, even though this technology is readily available, that doesn’t mean you should immediately use it. The reality is, in an age where dental technology has made almost anything possible, it’s best to take a conservative approach to treatment.

Cutting-edge innovations like dental implants make it possible to replace one or more teeth while preserving their natural appearance and functionality. However, at the end of the day, you’re better off keeping your natural teeth than replacing them with prosthetics. That’s why minimally invasive oral health solutions should be favored whenever possible. The more of your original teeth you can preserve, the better, which is why getting a small filling is better than getting an implant.

Of course, treatment options often depend on the extent of the damage. That’s why it’s best to preventatively monitor your oral health with regular visits to your dentist. By catching problems early, you’ll have more treatment options (including less invasive procedures) and increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth.

SAN LEANDRO — Are you thinking about getting a second opinion on a diagnosis provided by your regular dentist? If so, there’s something you should keep in mind. Your regular dentist is familiar with your health history, and that familiarity undoubtedly comes to bear on their diagnosis. If you go to another dentist who has never seen you before, you may get a very different diagnosis simply because they aren’t familiar with your health history.

In fact, there have been multiple experiments performed in which a person would visit several different dentists to be diagnosed. In each instance, the diagnoses provided by the dentists varied widely, with recommendations ranging from no treatment to intensive procedures. What accounted for these differences is hard to say. These experiments illuminate the benefit of having a dentist who’s familiar with your health history. In general, this will increase the accuracy of diagnosis. So, while there’s nothing wrong with getting a second opinion, you should take it with a grain of salt.

SAN LEANDRO — Dental implants are a type of prosthetic designed to replace missing teeth or support a partial or denture. Unlike other dental prosthetics like bridges, implants are free-standing, which gives them the look and function of genuine teeth. This is achieved by surgically installing a titanium post in the patient’s jawbone, upon which the dental practitioner can install an artificial crown. Once installed, implants require very little maintenance beyond your normal dental hygiene routine.

Because of their versatility, dental implants can be used to solve a variety of dental issues. They also circumvent many of the inconveniences posed by other types of dental prosthetics. However, patients should be aware that the cost of dental implants can vary significantly depending on the extent of the treatment. If you’re interested in taking advantage of this beneficial technology, talk to your dentist about your options.