Preventing Oral Cancer in Celina

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The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that about 40,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. While one-fourth of patients diagnosed with oral cancer don’t have any risk factors, the majority of oral cancer cases can be prevented with proper care and diagnosis. This week, April 22-28, is Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week, and Dr. Newton would like to decrease your risk of developing oral cancer.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is classified as cancer that occurs in the mouth, lips, gums, cheeks, throat, tongue, or any other area of the oral cavity. The most common symptoms of oral cancer include mouth sores that bleed easily or don’t heal, pain that doesn’t go away, lumps in the throat or cheek, and white or red discoloration of oral tissues.

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Sedation Relieves Dental Stress

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Recent research shows that about 50 percent of Americans avoid visiting the dentist due to fear or anxiety. Skipping dental appointments means you are not receiving the preventive care you need to keep your smile healthy. At Celina Family Dentistry, Dr. Newton and our team are committed to patient comfort. We offer a beverage station, free WiFi, and TVs in our office to help patients relax. However, some people still stress about their dental appointments. Today, April 16, is Stress Awareness Day, and Dr. Newton wants you to be aware of the sedation techniques that can help relieve your dental stresses.

Common Dental Stresses

Dental sedation can relax your body to help relieve your dental fears and phobias. Sedation is ideal for patients who experience any of the following conditions:

Fun Uses for Dental Hygiene Products

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We’ve had a few rain showers lately in North Texas, but storm season is just beginning. Even if you’re stuck inside on a rainy day, Dr. Newton wants you to keep a healthy smile on your face. Next time it pours, try to entertain yourself with these fun uses for your old dental products.

Clean Your Clothes

You may think laundry is a boring task, but not with your dental hygiene products! Remember to only use an old toothbrush for cleaning around the house—not the current one you use to clean your teeth.

  • Spot Remover: Toothpaste and toothbrushes help remove surface stains from your teeth, but they can also remove stains from other surfaces. Use an old toothbrush and a dab of toothpaste to help scrub stains out of fabric or rub mud off shoes.
  • Fresh Laundry: Adding a cup of mouthwash to your laundry load can help destroy the bacteria in your wash. When you’re done washing your clothes, hang them up to dry using a piece of dental floss as a temporary clothesline.
  • Shiny Jewelry: Don’t forget your accessories! Gently scrub your jewelry with a toothbrush and abrasive toothpaste to help polish your jewels.

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Your Celina Dental Team Introduces New Website and Medical Building

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Dr. Newton and your Celina dental team are excited to announce two new updates that are designed to serve you better. Last month, we launched our newly-redesigned website to better inform and educate our patients. Last week, we celebrated our groundbreaking for our new medical office, intended to increase your dental comfort and care.

Our New Dental Website

Our website, localhost/celina, has been reformatted so you can receive all the information you need to know about your dental health. We have made our site user-friendly with an easy navigation and comfortable layout so you can quickly find the material you need. Our new website features a biography section so you can learn about the backgrounds and experiences of our dental team. We have also broken down our services into categories (preventive, restorative, cosmetic, comfort, technology) so you can find the treatment you need.

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Dental Technology Can Save Your Smile!

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Modern technology makes dental care more precise, more comfortable, and simpler. Advanced dental tools and equipment can help Dr. Newton evaluate details about your oral health and make more accurate diagnoses and treatments. Here’s how our special technologies can help save your smile.

Detecting Oral Cancer

At your regular checkups with Dr. Newton, she will provide an oral cancer screening. When caught early, oral cancer has a 50 to 80 percent survival rate. Unfortunately, it is not always detected early enough to be treated. Many times, the first sign of oral cancer is a visible sore or bump inside your mouth. Dr. Newton will examine your mouth for any noticeable changes or suspicious areas. In addition to a visible screening, Dr. Newton uses the VELscope tool to further evaluate areas of your mouth. The VELscope will scan your mouth and a blue light will highlight areas of concern. The VELscope screening takes about two minutes and can save your life from oral cancer.

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How to Get a Whiter Smile in Celina

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A bold, bright smile can improve your appearance and confidence. Dr. Newton offers the cosmetic treatments you need to show off your pearly whites and achieve the smile of your dreams. Here’s how we can help brighten your smile.

Removing Tooth Stains in Celina

Dr. Newton uses the LumiBrite in-office whitening system to lighten the shade of your teeth in just one visit. Our professional whitening treatment uses a desensitizer and specialized whitening agent to remove stains from your teeth. Additionally, we offer custom take-home whitening trays to leisurely brighten your smile at home.

Hiding Tooth Flaws in Prosper

If your teeth are chipped, discolored, gapped, or uneven, Dr. Newton can cover the surface of your teeth with bonding or veneers. During composite bonding, Dr. Newton will apply a liquid resin to your tooth, tint and shape it to match your natural form, and then harden and buff the material. Veneers are ceramic restorations that are typically stronger than bonding. Dr. Newton will apply thin porcelain shells to your teeth to hide all your imperfections. She also offers Vivaneers, a minimal-prep option to veneers.

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Benefits of Breakfast

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You’ve always heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it’s true! This week, March 5-9, is School Breakfast Week, a promotion created by the USDA to raise awareness about the importance of breakfast, and the effect it has on children’s performances during the day. Whether your child eats breakfast at home or at school, Dr. Newton can make sure your child’s eating habits are healthy.

Stay Alert

A nutritious morning meal gives your body the energy it needs to wake up and function for the day. Research shows that children who eat breakfast have better alertness, focus, concentration, and comprehension during the day so they can learn better. A healthy balanced breakfast also improves classroom behavior and keeps bodies strong.

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Choosing Your Dental Hygiene Products

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Proper oral hygiene involves brushing, flossing, and rinsing properly. All three activities are necessary because each component serves a different purpose. Dr. Newton can show you the proper way to clean your mouth, and which hygiene products will help you best.

Brushing

You should brush your teeth twice a day, for three minutes each time. Brushing your teeth removes food particles and bacteria in your mouth. Your toothbrush works to scrub away plaque that is stuck on your teeth, and the ingredients in toothpaste help keep your smile strong and clean.

There are many different styles of toothbrushes. The toothbrush you choose should have soft bristles and a comfortable handle. Electric toothbrushes sometimes have special features to control the force of brushing and massage your gums, but manual toothbrushes can be just as effective. The important thing to remember when choosing a toothbrush is to select one you will actually use.

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Change Your Smile in a Snap

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Do you want to change the appearance of your smile without undergoing complicated dental procedures? We have a solution for you! Dr. Newton is proud to be one of the first North Texas dentists to be trained in the Snap-On Smile.

What is the Snap-On Smile?

The Snap-On Smile is an oral appliance from the makers of Lumineers. This device fits over your natural teeth and snaps into place to provide you with a beautiful new smile instantly. This non-invasive cosmetic procedure is reversible, removable, and customizable, so you can easily change the way your smile looks. As a bonus, it doesn’t remove or alter any natural tooth structure.

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Healthy Mouth, Healthy Heart

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With the Valentine love around us, it makes sense that February is National Heart Month! However, Dr. Newton believes you should focus on your heart every month, because poor oral health affects every part of your body.

Oral bacteria can spread to other parts of your body. Just like it inflames your gums, these bacteria can also infect and damage other tissues and organs. The American Academy of Periodontology found that people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to have heart disease. Gum disease makes your gums tender, weak, and swollen. Simply brushing or flossing can irritate your gum tissue and create an opening for bacteria to enter your bloodstream. In patients with gum disease, the same oral bacteria are often found clumped in artery plaques. When your arteries become blocked, it increases your risk of heart attacks or strokes.

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