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Take Charge of Your Oral Health

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Take Charge of Your Oral Health

Posted on: March 31st, 2025 by admin

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month: Take Charge of Your Oral Health

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about a disease that affects thousands of people each year. While oral cancer may not always be top of mind, it’s a serious condition that can have life-threatening consequences if not detected early. At Lifetime Dental, we believe that prevention and early detection are the keys to protecting your health. That’s why we encourage all of our patients to schedule regular screenings and learn the signs of oral cancer.

The Importance of Early Detection

Oral cancer can develop in various areas of the mouth, including the tongue, lips, cheeks, gums, and the roof or floor of the mouth. The key to successful treatment is catching it early, which is why routine dental visits are so critical. Dentists and hygienists are trained to recognize potential warning signs before symptoms become severe. With early diagnosis, the survival rate for oral cancer is significantly higher.

Who Is at Risk?

Oral cancer can affect anyone, but certain risk factors can increase a person’s likelihood of developing the disease, including:

Tobacco Use: Cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco products significantly increase the risk of oral cancer.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Frequent alcohol use, especially in combination with tobacco, can greatly raise the chances of developing oral cancer.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Infection: Certain strains of HPV have been linked to oropharyngeal cancers.
Excessive Sun Exposure: Prolonged exposure to the sun without protection can lead to lip cancer.
Age and Genetics: While oral cancer is more common in individuals over 40, younger individuals are not immune, particularly those with a genetic predisposition or HPV-related factors.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

While a professional screening is the most reliable way to detect oral cancer, being aware of the warning signs can help you identify potential concerns early. Some symptoms to look out for include:

Persistent mouth sores that don’t heal within two weeks
Red or white patches inside the mouth or on the lips
Lumps, swelling, or thickening in the mouth or neck
Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaw
Persistent sore throat or hoarseness
Numbness or pain in the mouth or lips

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist or doctor as soon as possible.

Prevention Tips: How to Lower Your Risk

While some risk factors for oral cancer, such as age and genetics, cannot be controlled, there are proactive steps you can take to reduce your risk:

✅ Schedule Regular Dental Check-Ups – A routine visit to Lifetime Dental includes an oral cancer screening, which is a crucial step in early detection.

✅ Avoid Tobacco Products – Quitting smoking and avoiding smokeless tobacco can dramatically lower your risk.

✅ Limit Alcohol Consumption – Reducing alcohol intake can help protect your oral and overall health.

✅ Protect Your Lips from the Sun – Use lip balm with SPF when spending time outdoors to prevent lip cancer.

✅ Maintain a Healthy Diet – A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can boost your immune system and reduce cancer risk.

✅ Practice Good Oral Hygiene – Brushing twice a day, flossing, and using an antibacterial mouthwash can help keep your mouth healthy.

Why Choose Lifetime Dental for Your Oral Health Needs?

At Lifetime Dental, we care about more than just your smile—we care about your overall well-being. Our experienced team in West Bloomfield, Canton, and South Lyon is dedicated to providing thorough oral exams and cancer screenings to help detect any issues early. We use the latest technology and techniques to ensure the best possible care for our patients.

By scheduling your regular dental check-up, you’re taking a proactive step in safeguarding your health. Don’t wait—early detection saves lives!

Call us today to book your appointment at Lifetime Dental!

The Benefits of Probiotics for Your Oral Health

Posted on: June 29th, 2020 by admin

Probiotics can benefit our oral health as well as our digestive health. How are probiotics beneficial for our oral health?

While the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not approved oral probiotics yet, we are seeing that research is beginning to suggest they may keep our mouths healthy. Below are a few potential health benefits of oral probiotics:

1. Preventing Plaque and Tooth Decay
A “bad” type of bacteria, Streptocuccus mutans, turns sugar into lactic acid, creating an acidic environment that can lead to the development of plaque and cavities. One study found that A12, a “good” type of bacteria, stops the growth of S. mutans and prevents plaque from forming. In addition, Bifidobacterium in the digestive system has been found to prevent tooth decay, as it reduces the amount of strep bacteria in the mouth.

2. Managing Gingivitis Symptoms
Gingivitis, or gum disease, produces such symptoms as sensitive teeth and swollen, sore gums. One study involved more than 50 gingivitis patients who took either a Lactobacillus reuteri probiotic supplement or a placebo. Two weeks later, the patients who took the highest dosage of probiotics displayed fewer symptoms and had less plaque than those who took the placebo.

3. Decreasing Gum Disease Inflammation
One study found that patients who took supplements containing the bacteria Lactobacillus brevis experienced a decrease in oral inflammation. Another study showed that a daily regimen of probiotic milk reduced inflammation in the mouth.

4. Preventing Halitosis
Commonly known as bad breath, halitosis can result from “bad” bacteria in the mouth or gut. A study involving more than 20 patients who took either a supplement containing the probiotic Streptococcus salivarius or a placebo, along with an antimicrobial mouthwash for three days, showed that 85 percent of those who took the probiotic supplement had less “bad” bacteria in their mouths than those who took the placebo.

Probiotic Sources
You can choose to take probiotics either as food or as supplements. Such enriched or fermented foods as soft cheeses, milk, sourdough bread, sauerkraut, dill pickles and yogurt are excellent sources of probiotics. Because they’re not so concentrated as supplements, these foods are better sources of probiotics for those at high risk of infection.You can find concentrated sources of probiotics in pill or in powder form. Your doctor or dietician may recommend that you take prebiotics along with probiotics. Prebiotics help healthy probiotics develop and grow.

Probiotic Side Effects
A healthy person shouldn’t experience any side effects from probiotics. However, if your risk of infection is high from an autoimmune disease, you shouldn’t take oral probiotic supplements. In addition, children, pregnant women and the elderly should talk to a doctor before taking probiotics. Even if you’re healthy, it’s wise to consult with your doctor before taking any kind of supplements, and you should never take more than the recommended dosage of probiotics.

Ask Your Dentist
We are just beginning to understand how our gut biome affects our health, especially oral health. While the initial results and data have been encouraging, we advise that you speak to an oral health expert, before making significant changes to your dental routine. Contact any of our dentists at South Lyon’s Lifetime Dental Group to determine your oral health needs with exams and specialized dental treatments.

Strategies for How to Make Brushing Teeth Fun

Posted on: April 27th, 2020 by admin

Lifetime Dental Group in Canton and South Lyon, Michigan wants to make teeth brushing teeth fun for your family! Our dental team led by Dr. David Kam has put together a few ideas to get you started:

Find Fun Dental Health Education Resources.

At Lifetime Dental, we believe that family dental care starts with an educational but fun approach. Try reading age-appropriate books and watching videos about dental hygiene with your child as you begin exploring how to make brushing teeth fun. Your child will enjoy the time you spend together learning about oral health, and you’ll enjoy the opportunity to introduce healthy habits like brushing and flossing.

Make Brushing and Flossing a Family Affair.

Setting an example for your kids is one of your most powerful tools to make brushing teeth fun. To model good dental hygiene, brush, and floss at least twice daily with your children, including once before bedtime. For younger children, you might even have them practice brushing your teeth! The routine of family brushing will establish consistency, so children will be able to learn healthy habits more easily. Plus, extra family time and attention for your child is never a bad thing! Sometimes, it takes teamwork to accomplish family goals, and proper dental care is worth the extra effort!

Create a Two-minute “Contest” For Brushing.

In addition to “how to make brushing teeth fun,” our Lifetime Dental Team of dentists and hygienists frequently answers questions like “how long children should brush their teeth.” Adults and children alike should brush teeth for two minutes twice daily, including before bedtime. To make brushing teeth fun, make a game of it, and set the timer for two minutes; the “winner” must brush for the entire two minutes without stopping. This type of game will create a sense of friendly competition and motivate your kids to brush properly.

Get Your Child a Special Toothbrush

As adults, we forget the novelty of incorporating toys into everyday life. Relive the magic of childhood and indulge your child in a special toothbrush of his or her choosing. You’ll find that, by adapting the toothbrushing process into a game with “toys” of sorts, you’ve found one special way to make brushing teeth fun.

Reward Consistent Tooth Brushing.

To really make twice-daily brushing and flossing something that really catches kids’ attention, reward their behavior. Start small by choosing a simple reward (like gold stars), and award it only when kids brush and floss as instructed (i.e. two minutes per day twice a day for brushing and once a day for flossing). Once kids have the mechanics and schedule of brushing in place, reward consistency by creating a weekly brushing calendar; each week of perfect daily brushing results in a bigger reward.

Recruit the Tooth Fairy.

Not everyone realizes that the tooth fairy pays more for teeth that are clean and cavity-free. Make sure your child knows this fact; it will go a long way in motivating your child to engage in daily brushing and flossing!