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Understanding Oral Cancer | Fayetteville, GA

Young woman smiling with perfect dental health

Cancer is an uncomfortable thing to consider, and for many around the world is a trigger for distress. Yet, the key to beating cancer commonly comes down to early detection. It’s important to understand the warning signs to look out for at home so you can consult with your dentist about your concerns as soon as possible. Please note the following is not an exhaustive list within any of these categories, but they are important to keep in mind.

Risk Factors

Unfortunately, our age and certain lifestyle choices do put us at a greater risk of developing oral cancer. Here are some factors that contribute to our relative risk:

  • Being genetically male
  • Being over 40 years old
  • People 18-39 who use tobacco, drink, or have been diagnosed with oral HPV

Warning Signs

If any of the following symptoms lasting more than 7-10 days, please seek the advice of your doctor. Keep in mind that these symptoms may also present themselves in the absence of pain. Be mindful of changes that can be detected on the lips, inside the cheeks, palate, and gum tissue surrounding your teeth and tongue.

  • Reddish or whitish patches in the mouth
  • Sores that fail to heal and bleed easily
  • A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
  • Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Risk Reduction

One of the best ways to mitigate risk is through regular visits to your dentist. Over half of the patients diagnosed with oral cancer later into its progression survive for more than five years, so it’s important to remain on top of potential warning signs for early detection. If you recognize yourself as being at high risk for oral cancer according to the above list, you may consider increasing the frequency with which you visit your dentist.

Here are some other ways to reduce your risk of developing oral cancer:

  • Avoid all tobacco
  • Avoid or reduce alcohol intake
  • Consume more fruits and vegetables
  • Avoid excessive sun exposure that can result in cancer of the lip
  • Avoid exposure to environmentally hazardous materials
  • Conduct a self-exam monthly 
    • Use a small hand-held mirror so you can see the back of your mouth and tongue. If you notice something concerning, reach out to your dentist for a second opinion.

Oral cancer is serious and can happen to anyone, but if you keep this information in mind, you can mitigate your risk. Continue to attend your regular cleanings and reach out to your dentist with any concerns you may have; you may just catch a warning sign of oral cancer early, allowing you to intervene before it gets worse.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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The Dos and Don’s of Proper Brushing | Fayetteville, GA

girl eating an apple

Hopefully, you are brushing twice per day, every day, practicing those tips and tricks you learned as a kid. If you aren’t brushing twice daily, or are wondering if your technique is giving you the clean you need, here are some easy brushing dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

What You Should Do

– Use a 45-degree angle when brushing

– Use short, side-to-side strokes

– Brush gently, a touch helps prevent wear and tear on your enamel

– Brush at least twice a day, especially after consuming something sugary or acidic

– Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months

– Brush for a full 2 minutes; set a timer if you need to

– Allow your toothbrush to air dry

– Store your toothbrush in the medicine cabinet away from other bathroom germs

– Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that is gentle on your tooth enamel

Things You Should Not Do

– Store your toothbrush on the sink counter where bathroom particles can get on it

  • Keep your brush flat
  • Use long strokes, short strokes are more effective
  • Brush with force

– Use the same toothbrush for life

– Brush for less than two minutes

  • Keep your toothbrush in a closed container
  • Use a stiff bristle brush

If you keep these tips and tricks in mind, your enamel and overall oral health will be much better off for it!

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Electric Vs. Manual Toothbrushes: What To Know | Fayetteville, GA

mom and daughter brushing teeth

Whether you employ an electric or manual toothbrush doesn’t make or break your oral hygiene. How you use it does. If you struggle to get a thorough clean with a manual brush, or an electric brush would help you stick to the two-minute rule, it may be a good option. If you are really good about brushing for two minutes and getting to every corner of your mouth, a manual bush is just fine.

We all know the goal of brushing is to remove surface plaque before it becomes hardened tartar and eventually an oral infection. It’s important to maintain your entire oral care routine (brush, floss, rinse, and tongue scrape) twice daily for the best chance at avoiding oral health issues. Yet, arthritis, a motor disability, or simply being a kid can all contribute to someone’s inability to properly use a manual brush, so for those individuals, an electric brush may be a useful tool. Children’s electric brushes commonly play music or assist with their two minutes with a built-in timer. For those with motor disabilities or arthritis, an electric brush may ease their physical pain or discomfort.

In general, it doesn’t matter what you use to clean your teeth, it matters how thorough you can be at it.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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We All Accumulate Plaque: Here’s What To Do About It | Fayetteville, GA

woman smiling with perfect dental health

Put simply, plaque feels and may even look like fuzzy house slippers that coat your teeth. It’s a sticky, colorless film of bacteria along the surface of your teeth and gum line that accumulates daily. Everyone accumulates, and subsequently removes plaque, daily. What we consume throughout the day can somewhat alter the amount of plaque we accumulate, but we can’t keep it from happening.

It’s important to retain a great oral care routine for the purpose of removing plaque. When plaque remains on the surface of, and in between, our teeth for prolonged amounts of time, it allows the bacteria in our mouth a chance to feed on it. When this happens, the bacteria release acid that wears your enamel and contributes to oral infections over time. Additionally, if you let plaque live in your mouth for too long, it turns into tartar, which takes a visit to your dentist to remove.

The most effective way to remove plaque is to brush and floss twice daily. Utilizing a tongue scraper and mouthwash can be an extra preventative measure but isn’t entirely necessary. As long as you employ proper brushing and flossing, you shouldn’t be at risk for developing tartar buildup or an oral infection.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Common Dental Emergencies | Fayetteville, GA

woman with dental anxiety

Dental emergencies happen and can occur at any time, anywhere. As with any emergency, its going to throw us into fight or flight mode, raising our cortisol levels and potentially even causing us to freeze in our tracks wondering what the best plan of action may be. If a dental emergency does happen, do your best not to panic, and keep the following information about what to do during a dental emergency in mind.

What is an emergency?

Dental emergencies refer to events that occur in which you need to immediately save a tooth, need to attend to a bleed or begin experiencing acute tooth or mouth pain. A cracked or lost tooth following a traumatic incident are good examples.

Common emergencies

Tooth Loss –  For children who still have their baby teeth, the loss of a tooth, be it the tooth’s “turn” or due to trauma, isn’t as much a cause for concern as the loss of an adult tooth. If your child suffers the unintentional loss of a tooth due to trauma, contact their dentist right away to ensure pieces of bone are not lingering in the socket, and do not attempt to place the tooth back in their socket. An adult who has lost a tooth should attempt to place the tooth in the socket without touching the root. If that is not possible, the tooth can be stored between your cheek and gum, in milk, or an ADA-approved preservation solution. Its important to keep the tooth wet until you can have the situation, and lost tooth, evaluated by your dentist.

Cracked Tooth – If you crack your tooth, it’s important to rinse your mouth to clear it of immediate debris that may imbed itself in the crack. Then, place an ice pack on the site to reduce the pain and swelling. Wrap the tooth in wet gauze or a piece of cloth, and call your dentist to make an appointment as soon as possible.

Toothache – Simply rinse your mouth with warm water, gently floss to remove food debris, and note any facial swelling that may occur. Swelling may signal an infection, and if the swelling does occur, place an ice pack on the site to reduce it and ease the pain. Call your dentist right away so he or she may evaluate the situation and advise you on how to proceed.

Preventing emergencies

Here are a few common ways patients increase their risk of a dental emergency. It’s best to avoid these common mistakes, as it’s easier to avoid an emergency than to recover from one.

  • Don’t use your teeth when scissors can do the job
  • Wear a mouthguard when engaging in contact or high-impact sports
  • Wear a helmet whenever engaging in activities such as biking and rock climbing
  • Avoid chewing on hard candies and ice
  • Help your child keep toys, trinkets, and hard items out of their mouth

Dental emergencies happen, and if they do, try to remain calm, and contact your dentist immediately.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Choosing the Right Toothpaste For Your Oral Health | Fayetteville, GA

mom and daughter brushing teeth

There are a lot of kinds of toothpaste on the market to choose from. With so many different ways these options have differentiated themselves from one another, it can be daunting to figure out what the best option is for us. Here are some things you might want to consider when replacing your next tube of toothpaste.

Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is something many people struggle with, but there are a number of pastes on the market with additives that work to help. Sensitivity is commonly the result of weakened enamel, so sensitive toothpaste contains ingredients that work to strengthen the enamel to ease sensitivity.

Fluoride

Fluoride is commonly employed for its ability to keep cavities at bay, but there is a significant portion of the population that doesn’t like the idea of fluoride for daily use. That’s okay, as there are natural alternatives that may help mitigate cavities without the use of fluoride. While it won’t make or break your ability to fight cavities, it is effective and may be the most convenient option.

Flavors and Colors

In general, the flavor and color of toothpaste is simply a preference. If pink bubblegum toothpaste helps motivate your child to brush his or her teeth, it’s not going to hurt their oral hygiene to use it. Similarly, if you prefer pastes without flavoring, or enjoy spearmint over cinnamon, that is entirely up to you. If you know you are allergic to certain flavors or dyes, of course, it’s best to retain a paste that won’t make you sick.

Whitening Additives

A whitening additive such as charcoal has become a big trend in dental health over the last few years. Unfortunately, it can be too abrasive, and begin to deteriorate your enamel over time. In regard to charcoal specifically, it may be best to consult with your dentist, but in general whitening additives, like flavor and color, aren’t likely to hurt your oral health.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Your Child Has A Crossbite, Now What? | Fayetteville, GA

mom and daughter brushing teeth

Learning that you or you or your child may have a crossbite can be an intimidating moment. A crossbite can seriously impact one’s quality of life, and treatments can seem scary. Yet, questions like “How soon should a crossbite be addressed” and “What means of intervention might we take” are better addressed sooner than later.

Signs of a Cross Bite

Simply put, a crossbite is when your upper and lower jaws do not align properly. Your upper jaw may rest to the right or left of your lower jaw, causing an improper alignment. This can cause a variety of issues such as grinding down your teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder, inability to chew effectively, facial asymmetry, uneven jaw development, and biting your cheek or tongue frequently.

Treatment Options

Opinions are divided about when to begin treatment for a crossbite, some suggesting at the time of diagnosis (for a child, this could mean around the age of three), while others want to wait until a child’s molars arrive (commonly around the age of six). No matter when you decide to begin treatment, dentists and orthodontists alike agree a cross bit should not be left untreated for the reasons mentioned above.

Depending on the kind of crossbite, and how severe the misalignment is, its likely treatment will involve dental appliances that work to correct the bite pattern. This can be in the form of braces, sagittal expanders, and retainers that all work to correct the alignment over time. These methods are commonly employed when the entire alignment is off. If misalignment is being caused by a single tooth, it is more likely that a dental face mask, clear aligners, or braces are employed.

While crossbites are not very common, they are generally considered a genetic occurrence. In the case of discovering your young child has a crossbite, it should be treated before they sustain permanent damage to their face and jaw. Listen to all the options provided by your dentist, and choose the course of action that best suits your child.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Is Tongue Scraping Essential For Oral Hygiene? | Fayetteville, GA

woman with dental anxiety

It’s not the most settling thing to learn that your tongue harbors a myriad of bacteria, fungi, and food residue that contribute to your oral health, ability to properly taste food, and the actual color of it. Brushing or scraping our tongue is not the first thing we think to incorporate into our care routine, but it could go a long way to protect your peace of mind and improve your oral hygiene. Here are the things we think you should know about tongue scraping for your oral care.

The Basics

A tongue scraper is a U-shaped metal or plastic utensil designed to “scrape” the top layer of scum from your tongue. The residue left on your tongue after a meal or a full day includes the “bad” bacteria we don’t want in excess as they cause bad breath, increase your risk of periodontal disease, gingivitis and tooth decay, as well as contribute to poor heart health. When we remove these bacteria and fungi, we also reduce our risk of these bad bacteria negatively impacting our oral and overall health.

Proper Use

First, it doesn’t matter whether you scrape before or after cleaning your teeth. Once you’re ready, rinse your tongue and apply the scraper at the back of your tongue and drag forward. Rinse again and repeat. Be sure not to apply too much pressure, and to get all sides of your tongue.

If you have a dental procedure performed, ask your dentist whether or not you should continue tongue scraping as you recover. 

Get Scraping

You can inquire if your dentist has tongue scrapers available for patients, or you should be able to find one in your local grocery. They are relatively inexpensive, and can last for a long time with proper care. The material, color, and brand are all up to you – get one that you enjoy and get going!

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Don’t Stain Your Teeth, Do This Instead | Fayetteville, GA

teeth whitening

Common culprits of staining are red wine, dark sodas, and coffee, three beverages casually consumed by the average person. There is nothing wrong with consuming dark foods and beverages, of course, but if you find your smile has become dull or yellow, it may be time to evaluate the habits that surround the consumption of them. Thankfully, however, there are ways you can mitigate dental staining with some common and easily applied practices. Here are some tips to keep in mind the next time you go for that evening glass of wine or morning cup of coffee.

Brushing your teeth 30 minutes after consuming these beverages may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s better than brushing immediately after. Coffee, soda, and wine are acidic, meaning they weaken your enamel. When we brush immediately after, we are being abrasive against an already weakened barrier causing it to weaken further. Brushing some time after consumption helps retain your enamel and will help prevent staining.

Otherwise, all you can do is floss, employ whitening powders or pastes, and maintain regular dental visits to keep teeth stains at bay. If you are interested in incorporating health practices into your life that also help reduce the risk of staining, cutting back on your consumption of dark sodas, red wine and coffee will go a long way to achieve that goal. You can also try at-home whitening strips, trays, or UV light whitening devices that may help you get up to two shades of whiter teeth.

If your teeth are already stained, and at-home methods aren’t working to mitigate the appearance of dull or yellow teeth, that’s where a cosmetic dentist can help. In-office whitening is more powerful than at-home treatments, and when professionally executed may go further than DIY methods.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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A Guide to Tartar Buildup and What To Do About It | Fayetteville, GA

mom and daughter brushing teeth

The buildup of plaque that hardens on your teeth is known as tarter. When plaque isn’t removed properly from your hygienic routine, that’s when the soft, removable plaque can turn into tarter which may require a more intense means of removal. Your dentist or hygienist may employ a method called scaling in which he or she uses special instruments to remove the tartar from around the gum line and bottom of the tooth pocket.

If you are employing a thorough routine of proper brushing and flossing, you should be able to avoid tartar buildup. Yet, it’s still important to understand the signs and symptoms of tarter buildup, so that if you do recognize it’s happening, you can consult your dentist sooner than later. Tarter is a buildup of minerals that, if above the gum line, is fairly easy to spot. If you notice yellow or brown-colored stains on the teeth or gums, it may be tarter. The only real way to know however, is to consult your dentist, and they can remove it for you. If it gets really bad, you may experience bad breath, darker staining, loose teeth and red, swollen or bleeding gums.

While tartar buildup can happen, there are ways your can mitigate your risk. Tarter control toothpastes and rinses can help eliminate stubborn plaque to help prevent tartar all together. Regular visits with your dentist and flossing also go a long way in helping ensure a thorough oral care routine and minimize the risk of tartar buildup.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.