Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The Burba Buzz

8 Dental Tips For a Healthy & Happy Halloween

by Leave a Comment

Little girl trick-or-treating at a door. Woman answering the door has candy and a mask.

Trick-or-Treat!

Halloween is just around the corner, which for most kids means lots of candy! But the holiday can also present parents with a number of health challenges, especially when it comes to their children’s oral health. Halloween can and should be fun, but it’s important to have a plan so that you and your family don’t overdo it on the sweets. Here are eight tips to help you keep your Halloween as healthy as possible.

1.) Choose wisely.

Believe it or not, some candies are better for your teeth than others. Try and avoid hard candy and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long period of time. The length of time sugary candy is in your mouth plays a huge role in tooth decay. Choose candies that dissolve quickly or kinds that are chewable.

2.) Only have candy with meals.

Next, we recommend that you only eat your Halloween candy with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals, which helps to cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth. Additionally, saliva helps to rinse away food particles.

3.) Avoid sticky treats.

Sticky things, especially candy, cling to your teeth. The stickier candies such as taffy and gummy bears, take longer to get washed away by saliva. The longer the candy stays on your teeth, the higher the risk is for developing tooth decay. If you do indulge in sticky candy, be sure to brush and floss soon after.

4.) Moderation is key.

Just like everything, too much of anything isn’t a good thing. The same rule applies to candy. Limit your candy intake to a set number of pieces per day. Your teeth AND your body will thank you.

5.) Hydrate with fluoride.

Give your teeth a little boost this Halloween with fluoride.

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. It helps to prevent tooth decay by making your teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in your mouth. Additionally, it reverses early tooth decay.

If you drink bottled water, look for kinds that are fluoridated.

6.) Keep it in the candy.

Since you’re going to be eating candy for the next few weeks, it’s important to cut out the sugar from your liquid diet. When your teeth come in contact with beverages that contain sugar, your risk of tooth decay is increased.

This includes soda, sports drinks, and flavored waters. Your teeth are already more vulnerable during the holidays, and by cutting out sugary drinks, you’ll help your body balance things out.

7.) Consider donating.

We know it’s tempting to keep your Halloween candy laying around, but we recommend you have your family pick out their favorites and donate the rest. There are a number of great charities that will gladly take in your unused candy. Operation Gratitude is a favorite organization of ours. They collect and donate sweet treats for our deployed troops and first responders. You’ll be doing something good for yourself and others.

8.) Chew sugar-free gum.

Chewing sugarless gum for at least 20 minutes after mealtime helps to reduce tooth decay. This is because increased saliva flow washes out food and neutralizes the acid produced by bacteria. If you’re craving something sweet, but you’re over your limit on candy for the day– grab a piece of sugar-free gum.

Happy Halloween!!!Cartoon trick or treat jack o' lantern filled with candy

We hope you have a very safe, happy, and healthy Halloween. As a reminder, if it’s been over six months since your last cleaning appointment–you’re due! Make one today.

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

 

 

Salem White Spot Removal

by Leave a Comment

Have a smile you can be proud of.

Have you ever felt like covering your mouth while laughing, or trying not to smile because you’re self- conscious about the white spots on your teeth? We understand how you feel about your teeth can have a big impact on your self-esteem. The good news is, now you can achieve a smile that you can be proud of with very little effort and time.

Causes

White spots are actually pretty common and can come from one of three causes.

The first cause is fluorosis, which happens when you have an excess of fluoride in your system. It can occur from over fluoridated water, or from ingesting too much fluoride toothpaste while your teeth are still forming.

The next reason you might have white spots is called enamel hypoplasia. This stems from a number of different medical issues including high fever, malnutrition, or as a side effect of certain medications. There’s also evidence that prenatal smoking can be a contributing factor.

The final cause of white spots is from demineralization. This occurs when your tooth enamel loses minerals including calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions. In addition to white spots, it can also lead to osteoporosis or tooth decay.

The Solution

Teeth before icon (white spots visible.)

Before treatment with icon.

A pair of teeth with no white spots after being treated with icon.

After treatment with icon.

In the past, if you had white spots that you wanted to have removed, the treatment was invasive. That has all changed with Icon. Icon was developed in Europe and has over a decade of success. The process is simple. First, we treat the affected area with a pre-treated special gel. Next, we place another gel on it to dry your tooth. Once your tooth is dry, we’ll apply the Icon resin material. It penetrates the affected area, filling and sealing your tooth. When the treatment is complete, your white spots will be completely gone.

Pain-Free

For many people, fear keeps them away from the dentist. In those cases, often what could have been a quick, easy fix becomes much more complicated. Instead of a simple filling, they may end up needing a root canal treatment. But because of past traumatic experiences, they avoid the quick and easy fix.

With Icon, this isn’t an issue.

One of the best things about the procedure is that it’s completely pain-free. There’s no need for numbing since there’s no drilling. To top it all off, it’s all done in just one appointment!

Make an Appointment

If you’re suffering from embarrassing white spots, call our office to schedule an appointment. If you’d prefer, click here to request an appointment online. We look forward to treating you.

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

 

Pregnancy and Your Oral Health

by Leave a Comment

Pregnant? Congratulations!

A pregnant bare belly.

Being pregnant can be exciting, but it also brings on a whole new set of challenges. When it comes to your oral health, pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase your chances of developing gum disease. If this occurs, it can have serious effects on your unborn baby. Luckily, there’s a number of things you can do to help reduce the risk. Here are 6 things you need to know about pregnancy and your oral health.

1.) Prenatal Care.

If your pregnancy is planned, one thing you can do for the health of yourself and your baby is to stay on top of your dental health before you get pregnant. That way, your pearly whites can be professionally cleaned, gum tissue can be examined, and any oral health problems can be addressed and treated ahead of time.

2.) Check With Your Doctor.

Routine dental care can be done at any time during your pregnancy, along with anything urgent. But, any elective dental procedures should be done after your baby is born.

According to the American Dental Association, having dental x-rays during your pregnancy is considered safe with appropriate shielding. Just be sure to let us know.

Additionally, before you have your dental appointment, talk to your OBGYN to see if they have any special instructions for you.

3.) Pregnancy Gingivitis.

When you’re pregnant, it’s important to pay even more attention to your teeth and gums. Pregnancy causes changes that put you at an increased risk for gum disease and for tender gums that bleed easily– a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. Pay particular attention to any changes in your gums during pregnancy. If tenderness, bleeding, or gum swelling occurs at any time– contact us as soon as possible.

4.) Morning Sickness.

If morning sickness is keeping you from brushing your teeth, try changing to a bland-tasting toothpaste. In addition, if you suffer from morning sickness and vomit frequently– rinse your mouth out with water or a mouth rinse. If you brush right after, you’ll risk damaging your tooth enamel.

5.) Diet.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet while pregnant is key. Believe it or not, your baby’s first teeth begin to develop about three months into your pregnancy. We highly recommend a healthy diet that contains dairy, since it’s a great source of essential minerals that will help to develop your baby’s teeth, gums, and bones.

For the sake of your own dental health, try and avoid sugary snacks as much as possible. Sweet cravings are common during pregnancy, but it’s important to keep in mind that the more frequently you snack– the greater your chances are of developing tooth decay.

6.) After Birth.

After you’ve had your bundle of joy, soon after delivery you should schedule an appointment to have your entire mouth examined and periodontal health evaluated.

From there, you can resume your normal dental care routine and continue to see us once every six months.

Make an Appointment

If you’re pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant, or just need a check-up– you can make an appointment here. We look forward to seeing you!

Dr. Randall and Stanley Burba

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Burba Dental Partners: Our Other Services

by Leave a Comment

At Burba Dental Partners, our passion is beautiful, durable dentistry.

Some dental offices only focus on cleanings and other basic, restorative work. While we have these services, we additionally offer a plethora of others. Since Dr. Stanley and Dr. Randy always like to provide their patients with a clear understanding of their care, we wanted to give you a detailed description of some our most popular procedures. Our goal is to give you a smile that looks as good as it feels!

Smile Makeovers

You too can have a stunning smile!

Are you someone who’s unhappy with their smile? Occasionally, our patients come in for a smile makeover knowing exactly what kind of smile they’re looking for. They even provide us with pictures. Other times, all they know is that they want to improve their smile– without knowing exactly how. Either way, we can help you get the smile you’ve always dreamed about.

There are essentially three types of smiles: youthful, sophisticated, and sporty. Within these frameworks, we can do any number of variations in shape, size, and color.

Once you’ve decided on the basic framework of your smile, we’ll work out other details, including the exact color. Take a look at some of the gorgeous smiles we’ve created! We know you’ll be happy with the result because we guarantee all of our smiles.

Dental Implants

Another common procedure we perform is placing dental implants. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that supports a crown. It’s made of titanium and surgically placed into your jawbone to replace your missing tooth root. Once your custom-made crown is placed on the implant, it’ll function just like a natural tooth. You’ll be able to eat with the same efficiency, and no special dental hygiene procedures are needed.

The implants are placed in a two-step process. First, the root form is surgically implanted in your jawbone, just below your gumline. Then, bone grows in tightly around the implant during a process called osseointegration, which anchors it to the jawbone.

The final step is placing a crown on the implant– which completes the tooth restoration.

Invisalign

Finally, there’s a new option in orthodontics. No longer do you need bulky, uncomfortable metal brackets filling your mouth in order to straighten your teeth. With Invisalign, you can have a beautiful, straight smile in half the time of traditional braces.

First, Dr. Burba will take a detailed impression of your teeth. Three-dimensional images of the impressions are programmed into a computer that will manufacture a set of aligners designed specifically for you. When you get your first set of aligners they’ll feel like they don’t fit– which is intentional. The aligners are gently moving your teeth into a new position. After about two weeks, they’ll fit naturally. Then, it’s time for the next set of aligners. This process continues until your teeth are perfectly straight.

This new computerized method is much more accurate than other orthodontics. Because of that, Invisalign works in about six months to a year– which is half the time of traditional braces!

Make an Appointment

 

If it’s been over six months since your last cleaning– you’re due!

Keep in mind, these are just some of the things we offer. To see a full list, please visit our website. If you’d like to know if you’re a candidate for any of our services, but you aren’t ready to schedule an exam– we’d be happy to have you come in for a complimentary consultation with one of our doctors. Just give us a call, or visit our appointment page. We can’t wait to meet you!

Dr. Randall and Stanley Burba

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! In his free time, he often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

 

 

Diabetes and Your Oral Health

by Leave a Comment

Diabetes

Over 9 million people in the United States have diabetes, and about 1.4 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed every year. In fact, more than one in every 10 adults who are over the age of 20 have it. March 28th is the official American Diabetes Association’s Alert Day. Find out more about what you can do to protect yourself.

Do you suffer from diabetes?

What is it?

Diabetes is a number of diseases that involve problems with the hormone insulin. Normally, the pancreas releases insulin to help your body store and use the sugar and fat from the food you eat. Diabetes can occur when your pancreas produces very little or no insulin, or when your body doesn’t respond appropriately to insulin. Every 21 seconds someone is diagnosed with diabetes, and as of now– there’s no cure. Additionally, the disease is directly linked to poor oral health.

What’s the correlation?

Your oral health affects your overall health in a big way. A healthy mouth leads to a healthy body.

Millions of Americans suffer from diabetes and you might be surprised to learn about an unexpected complication associated with the condition. Research shows that there’s an increased prevalence of gum disease among those with diabetes. Other complications associated with it include heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.

The progression of gum disease.

Not only are diabetics more susceptible to serious gum disease, but serious gum disease may have the potential to affect blood glucose control and contribute to the progression of it. Research suggests that people with diabetes are at higher risk for oral health problems, such as gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease) and periodontitis (serious gum disease). All diabetics are at an increased risk for gum disease because they’re generally more susceptible to bacterial infection. Therefore, they have a decreased ability to fight bacteria that invade the gums.

It’s manageable.

Stop tooth loss before it starts.

If your blood glucose levels are poorly controlled, you’re more likely to develop serious gum disease and lose more teeth. Like all infections, serious gum disease may be a factor in causing blood sugar to rise and may make diabetes harder to control. Maintaining good oral health is an essential part of living a healthy life. Additionally, diabetics need to manage their disease closely to stay healthy.

Make An Appointment

See us twice a year.

Always keep us informed of any changes in your condition and any medication you might be taking. Postpone any non-emergency dental procedures if your blood sugar is irregular.

The American Dental Association says that good oral health is integral to general health. Therefore, be sure to brush and floss properly and see us for regular checkups.

If it’s been over six months since your last appointment–make one today!

Dr. Randall and Stanley Burba

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Make This Halloween Tooth Friendly

by Leave a Comment

Happy Halloween!

Trick-or-Treat.

Just thinking about Halloween candy and its effect on your children’s teeth is enough to make you want to avoid the holiday all together. But don’t fret, your kids CAN eat candy, and trick-or-treat with their friends– and still be healthy.

Tooth Decay in Children

More than half of all children have cavities by the second grade.

The U.S. Surgeon General recognizes oral health as critical to overall well-being. Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, cavities are a chronic disease that’s five times more common than asthma among our nation’s children.

The majority of tooth decay occurs from eating foods that contain sugars or starches that enable bacteria in dental plaque to produce acids. If the acids remain in their mouth for longer than 20 minutes, it can lead to a loss of tooth minerals and eventually– cavities.

Making Better Choices

The kind of candy they eat makes a difference.

Choosing the right kinds of candies and snacks this Halloween is a crucial part to keeping your kiddos teeth healthy.

Try and avoid lollipops or any hard candies that will allow large amounts of sugar to sit in their mouth for long periods of time. If your child licks a piece of hard candy every few minutes, they’ll be more susceptible to tooth decay, because long-lasting snacks create an acid attack the entire time they’re in the mouth. Therefore, one approach would be to allow your little witches and goblins to indulge in their Halloween candy at mealtimes– instead of as a snack.

In addition, avoid sour candies, since they’re highly acidic, and taffy– because it can get stuck in their teeth.

Don’t worry– we aren’t making you avoid all of the good stuff this holiday. Grab some dark chocolate! Its antioxidant properties will help to keep your kid’s hearts healthy.

Furthermore, sugar-free hard candies can stimulate saliva and prevent dry mouth.

Finally, chewing sugar-free gum after meals helps to prevent cavities, by aiding in removing food particles in teeth left behind that cause decay.

We’ll Buy Back Your Candy!

Donate your candy to this wonderful cause.

We’re having an awesome event that we’d love for you to participate in. This Halloween, if you have leftover candy, or candy that you don’t want your children to eat– donate it!  On November 2nd, we’ll buy back your unwanted candy and donate it to servicemen and women overseas. It’s a great way to teach your kids about our military and giving back to the community. Plus, they get a little cash incentive. It’s a win-win.

Have Fun

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

It’s okay to let your children have Halloween treats– just make sure they do it in moderation. Depriving your kids of all candy will only make them want it more. Remember, good dental health depends on more than just their diet.

Practice good oral hygiene by making sure your kiddos brush and floss every day, use fluoride toothpaste, and visit us regularly. If it’s been over six months since they’ve been in to see us, make an appointment today.

Dr. Randall and Stanley Burba

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Back-To-School Essentials

by Leave a Comment

Back-to-school season adds a lot of things to a parent’s to do list: purchasing school supplies, buying new clothes for your kids, and wrapping up summer programs and vacations. Don’t worry- we’re here to help! We’ve compiled a list of everything your kiddo needs for a successful school year.

It’s that time of year. Back to school!

School Supplies

Use this check-list and be ready for the first day of school.

Every school differs when it comes to their requirements for school supplies. However, we have a general check-list you can use until your children’s teachers tell you anything specific they need. Get ahead of the game!

-pens

-pencils

-colored pencils

-markers

-highlighter

-pencil pouch

-ruler

-paper

-multi-subject notebook

-binder

-dividers

-folders (one per subject)

-mini stapler

-USB drive

-calculator

-combination lock

Clothing and Shoes

Make back-to-school shopping fun.

Shopping for new clothes and shoes is always the most fun part about going back to school. Makes sure you buy a pair of athletic shoes– they’ll come in handy. Some other things your kids need are shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, socks, belts, sweaters, sweatshirts, a heavy jacket, leggings, tights, hats, mittens, and scarves for the winter.

Backpack

Get a strong and sturdy backpack.

When it comes to choosing a backpack for you child, you’re going to want to get one that’s sturdy and will last all year. Backpacks go through a lot and many break as a result of wear and tear. Jansport is a great brand and they offer a lifetime guarantee. Just buy one, and you won’t need to purchase a new one every year.

Lunchbox

Don’t forget a water bottle.

Next, let your child choose a fun lunchbox. Pottery barn kids has a variety of colorful, durable, fun lunch boxes. Always remember to include a water bottle!

In case of an emergency

Be prepared.

You can never be too prepared for any situation. Just in case, you probably want your child to be prepared too. Include a first aid kit, tissues, an umbrella, and sunscreen in their backpacks.

Have a Physical

Do your kids play sports? They should have a physical.

Late summer often results in a rush to complete physicals, and although some schools require an annual physical, some don’t. It’s always a good idea for all parents to get their child a school physical annually. This is important for a variety of reasons, including: having immunizations done, receiving a general check-up to make sure their development is coming along normally, and receiving important safety information.

Get a Dental Check-up

Is it time for a check-up?

Regular dental visits are important all year-round, but a back-to-school check-up is key in fighting the most common chronic disease found in children– periodontal disease. The bacteria found in plaque are the main cause of periodontal disease, and dental disease causes children to miss more than 51 million hours of school each year.

Prevention and early detection can help with avoiding pain, trouble eating, difficulty speaking and school absences, so if it’s been over six months since your child has had a check-up– request an appointment today.

Have a Great Year!

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Everything You Need To Know About Your Teeth

by Leave a Comment

Most of us take our teeth for granted … until something goes wrong. Our teeth help us chew and digest food, play an important role in speech, and impact our overall health in a big way. The best way to give them the attention they deserve is by brushing up on your dental health knowledge.

How much do you know about your pearly whites?

Development

Humans have two sets of teeth, primary (or baby) teeth, and then a permanent set– which develop in stages. Although the timing is different, their development is similar.

Tooth development begins long before your first tooth becomes visible. For example, a baby’s first tooth appears at around six months of age, but those teeth actually begin developing during the early second trimester of pregnancy.

The crown forms first, while the roots continue to develop even after the tooth has erupted through your gums.

Your primary set is in place by age 3, and will remain there until around 6 years of age when they begin to fall out to make way for your permanent set.

Your adult set will start to grow in between 6 and 12 years of age. Each tooth has different parts, with each part serving a different purpose.

Parts

Enamel

Your tooth enamel is the hard, white, outer part of your tooth that’s mostly made of calcium phosphate. It’s actually the strongest substance in your body.

Dentin

The dentin is the layer of your teeth that underlines your enamel. It’s made of living cells, which secrete a hard mineral substance.

Pulp

The softer, living inner structure is called the pulp. Blood vessels and nerves run through the pulp of your teeth.

Cementum

The cementum is a layer of connective tissue that binds the roots of your teeth firmly to your gums and jawbone.

Periodontal ligament

Finally, the tissue that helps to hold your teeth tightly against your jaw is called the periodontal ligament.

The crown of each tooth projects into your mouth, while the roots descend below your gum line– into your jaw.

Types

Incisors

Incisors are the eight teeth in the front and center of your mouth. You have four on the top and four on the bottom, and you use them to take bites of your food. Incisors are usually the first to erupt, when you’re about 6 months old for your first set of teeth, and anywhere from 6-8 years old for your adult set.

Canines

Your four canines are the next to develop. These are your sharpest teeth and are used for ripping and tearing your food apart. Primary canines generally appear between 16 and 20 months of age, with the upper canines coming in just ahead of the lower canines. For your permanent teeth, the order is reversed. Your lower canines come in around the age of 9, with the uppers arriving when you’re about 11 or 12 years old.

Premolars

We use our premolars for chewing and grinding food. You have four premolars on each side of your mouth– two on the upper, and two on the lower jaw. The first premolars appear when you’re around 10 years old, and the second premolars come in about a year later.

Molars

Primary molars are also used for chewing and grinding food. These appear between 12 and 15 months of age, and are eventually replaced by the first and second permanent premolars. The permanent molars do not replace, but come in behind the primary teeth. The first molars erupt around the age of 6 (before the primary molars fall out), while the second molars come in between the ages of 11-13.

Third Molars (Wisdom Teeth)

Third molars are more commonly known as wisdom teeth. These are the last to develop and don’t typically erupt until your late teens or early twenties. Some people never even get third molars at all, and for those who do– they can cause problems and may need to be removed.

Every Six Months

Schedule your appointment today.

Now that you know everything there is to know about your pearly whites, make sure you’re always keeping them in tip-top shape. If it’s been over 6 months since your last cleaning/exam request an appointment today.

 

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

April Is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

by Leave a Comment

What Is Oral Cancer?

Educate yourself and help stop the spread of oral cancer.

Oral cancer, a.k.a cancer of the mouth and upper throat, kills about one person every hour of every day of the year. Of the people that are newly diagnosed, about 40 percent won’t survive longer than five years. In addition, those who do survive can suffer long-term problems, such as severe facial disfigurement or difficulties eating and speaking. The death rate associated with oral cancers is particularly high since the cancer is often discovered late in its development.

Why Do We Have Oral Cancer Awareness Month?

Because the death rate is so high, it’s important we dedicate an entire month to educating the public about the risks. Oral Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated in April, and it’s a national screening campaign to end oral cancer. Awareness in the American public is low, and without education– the problem won’t get any better.

The purpose of the campaign is to remind everyone that regular cancer exams by your dentist, remain the best method to detect oral cancer in its early stages. The Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Oral Medicine, the American Dental Association, and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, just to name a few– have all joined the Oral Cancer Foundation in its campaign to educate the public about knowing the risks.

Risks

Being aware of the symptoms and risk factors of oral and oropharyngeal cancer– along with early detection and treatment, may be the key to a complete recovery. There are a number of things that contribute to the onset of oral cancer, but the top three are tobacco, alcohol and HPV.

Tobacco

Tobacco can wreak havoc on your mouth.

Cigarette smoking puts you at a higher risk for developing mouth cancer, since tobacco smoke contains chemicals that have been proven to contribute to oral and esophageal cancer.

Alcohol

Avoid alcohol for a healthy mouth.

All forms of alcohol can cause or contribute to mouth cancer. Alcohol, particularly when used in addition to tobacco, has been recognized as an important risk factor for almost 50 years.

HPV

Young people are increasingly at risk for oral cancer due to HPV.

Finally, genital HPV, also known as the human papilloma virus, is a very common sexually transmitted disease. It usually causes no symptoms and goes away by itself, but it can cause serious illnesses, including oral cancer. In fact, HPV is responsible for approximately 60% of all oral cancers.

As a result, the fastest growing demographic of oral cancer patients is young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals. If you have HPV, you’re 30 times more likely to develop oral cancer.

Signs and Symptoms

Knowing the signs and symptoms of this terrible disease can help with early detection, and ultimately save lives. The following are all signs you could have oral cancer:

-A white or red patch in your mouth.

-A feeling that something is caught in your throat.

-Difficulty chewing or swallowing.

-A sore, irritation, lump or thick patch in your mouth, lip, or throat.

-Difficulty moving your tongue or jaw.

-Numbness in your tongue or other areas of your mouth.

-Swelling of your jaw.

-Pain in one ear without hearing loss.

If you have any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks, you need to see us for an exam right away. Usually, these symptoms don’t mean cancer, but you need be sure. An infection or other problem can cause the same symptoms– but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Get Checked

We can’t stop this virus from spreading, but we do hope to save lives with professional involvement and public awareness. While the death toll is high, when cancers are detected and treated early, mortality and treatment related health problems are greatly reduced.

If you’ve never never had an oral cancer examination, there’s no better time to schedule one than this month. When you do, be sure to ask that this examination be made a routine part of all of your future dental check-ups. Make your appointment today!

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Celebrate World Oral Health Day!

by Leave a Comment

World Oral Health Day is celebrated on March 20th.

Each year, World Oral Health Day is celebrated around the world on March 20. It was created to spread the word about the importance of keeping your mouth healthy all year long.

This event is organized by the World Dental Federation, and was launched in 2013 to raise awareness about maintaining good oral health, and how it’s directly related to your overall health and well-being.

How do they spread the message?

Organizers decided to achieve this goal by launching an international awareness campaign that’s promoted locally by national dental associations in more than 140 countries worldwide.

The program offers dentists around the world the chance to make a difference with a worldwide effort to reduce tooth decay and organize events under a single message. Every year, a new message is chosen.

“Live Mouth Smart.”

This year’s message.

This year’s message is “Live Mouth Smart.” There are many different ways you can do this. The first thing you can do is to make sure you’re getting regular dental cleanings and check-ups. If you have kids, you should start having their teeth checked and cleaned from an early age. This helps them maintain the best oral health they can as they get older, and ensures they live not only a longer life– but also one free from pain.

It’s also important to understand the risk factors that lead to oral diseases. These include tobacco, harmful alcohol and unhealthy diets – especially those rich in sugar. Avoiding these risky behaviors can help you to protect your oral health and prevent other conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.

Finally, “Living Mouth Smart”, means understanding that good oral health is much more than just having a nice smile. Oral diseases can impact every aspect of your life – including your ability to perform basic functions. A worst case scenario is oral cancer, which can have deadly consequences.

Our contribution.

Dr. Burba volunteering.

Every year, to help the people of Jamaica, Dr. Randy and Burba Dental Partners partner with the Great Shape! Inc. 1000 Smiles Program—the world’s largest international humanitarian dental project.

Dr. Burba joins over 350 volunteers who partner with the 1000 Smiles project. Together, they’re able to help serve more than 15,000 Jamaicans. Volunteer dentists and hygienists provide fillings, cleanings, extractions, sealants, dentures and education in pop-up dental clinics and schools.

Previous campaigns.

These campaigns were in the past, but their messages are just as important as ever. Previous campaign themes included:

2013: Healthy Teeth for a Healthy Life.

2014: Celebrating Healthy Smiles.

2015: Smile for Life!

2016: Healthy mouth. Health body.

Getting involved.

Dental education is important all over the world.

If you’re interested in celebrating World Oral Health Day, we encourage you to organize efforts on March 20 or within the month of March. Be sure to tag the American Dental Association, or use the hashtag #WOHD17 on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook posts.

You can also visit World Oral Health Day for more info.

Schedule a cleaning every 6 months.

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.