Blog: Dental Health

Tony Gwynn Baseball Hall of Fame Outfielder Has Oral Cancer

Baseball hall of fame outfielder Tony Gwynn is for the second time removing a cancerous tumor in his mouth.  Oral Cancer Screening in Scottsdale, AZ  is available at Gore and Svans Dentistry.  According to sources they don't believe the cancer has outside the mouth.  Read the article about Tony Gwynn's oral cancer.   Read more about oral cancer screening in Scottsdale at Gore and Svans Dentistry

Oral Cancer Screening Velscope

For many years, oral cancer awareness has fallen by the wayside, but with the recent development of early detection systems, the disease is getting more press. Rightfully so. A quick visit to the facts page at www.oralcancerfoundation.org tells us that:

  • “More than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year.” (Many more go undiagnosed.)
  • 8000 will die – that’s one every hour, all day and all night.
  • Only half of the 34,000 diagnosed will live 5 years.
  • Oral cancer deaths outnumber those from cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s, testes, endocrine system, and skin cancer.

Early detection improves survival potential by 50-70%. If it were your health, or your loved ones’, you’d want those odds in your favor.
You may have already heard these facts. After all, Dental Economics editor Joe Blaes has helped spread the facts about oral cancer, making the topic his quest this year. In this month’s DE, Louis Malcmacher, DDS picks up the reigns, telling us that a new website is available to teach people how to do oral cancer self exams at home.

We suggest our patients come in for checkups every six months. The doctor or Hygienist will be doing a thorough soft tissue exam, including inspection for oral cancer lesions. Even better, we offer the VELscope exam to detect cancer before it’s visible in a traditional visual exam. The truth is, many dentists don’t prioritize oral cancer screenings, and  many people don’t visit the dentist like they should. This combination can allow many oral cancer victims to be ignorant of their condition until it’s too late.

The oral cancer self-exam site, www.oralcancerselfexam.com, is a great tool that we would like to share with our patients. Spread the word and help put a dent in a disease that’s silent, deadly, and rampant across the globe.  Call  480-478-1366 to schedule your VELscope Oral Cancer screening today.  Accepting patients for screening from Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe and Glendale.

Halitosis Bad Breath Part 2

Halitosis - There is a Solution!

Here at the office of Dr. Rod Gore and Dr. Erik Svans, we want you to know we care about your dental concerns. One question we commonly hear in our office is: “What can I do about my bad breath?” In part 1 of our blog series on halitosis, we discussed likely causes of bad breath. Today, we want to focus on finding a solution to this embarrassing predicament.

First and foremost, regular checkups with your experienced cosmetic dentist are key. Your dentist can diagnose the cause of halitosis and recommend a course of action to eliminate the problem. Sometimes, halitosis is a sign of a more serious health concern, and you may be referred to a specialist to have the issue addressed. However, more frequently, your dentist may be able to recommend products and/or treatments to reduce the problem.

Excellent oral hygiene is also imperative in keeping bad breath at bay. Daily brushing and flossing can reduce bacteria in the mouth and keep periodontal (gum) disease in check. It is important to remember that technique really matters here! Our kind, gentle hygiene team is happy to educate you on proper brushing and flossing techniques to rid you of your bad breath problem.
Please contact the office of your Scottsdale, AZ cosmetic dentists today. It may be your first step towards ending the worry caused by embarrassing halitosis.

Halitosis Bad Breath Part 1

Halitosis - Possible Causes

Perhaps it has happened to you: A friend, relative, or coworker is speaking to you and a stench that could knock you out wafts from their open mouth! Or perhaps you've noticed the same thing from your own teeth, gums, and tongue. Fortunately, bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be solved! Your friendly Scottsdale, AZ cosmetic dentists Dr. Rod Gore and Dr. Erik Svans can help you locate the cause of your disconcerting dental problem before determining a solution. Some possible causes of halitosis include:

  • Certain foods like onions and garlic which are exhaled can cause an unpleasant odor.
  • Inadequate brushing and flossing can leave particles of food in the mouth collects bacteria, leaving you with bad breath.
  • Dry mouth (or xerostomia). Saliva is necessary to cleanse the teeth and tissues of the mouth, with inadequate saliva flow caused by mouth breathing, salivary gland problems, or certain medications, halitosis can result.
  • Tabacco use.

Missing regularly scheduled dental exams and cleanings. Routinely visiting your dental hygienist for gentle thorough teeth cleanings, and your highly-trained Scottsdale dentist for decay, oral cancer, and gum disease screening should be your first defense against bad breath!