April Is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Help Prevent Oral Cancer With Screenings at Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville

During the month of April, Longbranch Dental Center is helping to raise awareness about oral cancer by offering oral cancer screenings with every dental exam. The Oral Cancer Foundation predicts that approximately 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. With early detection and diagnosis, this deadly disease can be caught and treated with an oral cancer screening at your Greenville dentist.

Important Facts to Know:

  • Oral cancer strikes approximately 40,000 American adults annually
  • Smoking, using tobacco, and heavy drinking are prime risk factors for developing oral cancer
  • Over 25% of adults diagnosed with oral cancer don’t drink heavily or smoke
  • Regular visits to our Greenville dentists at Longbranch Dental Center can lead to early diagnosis and treatment

The main risk factors for developing oral cancer is smoking, tobacco use and heavy drinking. However, the fastest growing patient profile developing oral cancer are young, healthy, nonsmoking adults due that have the HPV virus.

It’s important to recognize the symptoms of oral cancer. These symptoms include:

  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • A sore throat that doesn’t heal
  • A white or red patch or a lump on the inside of the mouth, especially if it doesn’t heal in a few days
  • Tongue pain, jaw pain, or jaw stiffness that doesn’t go away

At Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville, we perform oral cancer screenings during our routine dental exams. It is important to point out to our Greenville dentist if you have, or are currently experiencing any of the symptoms of oral cancer. If a problem is found, our dentists will perform a biopsy and send the sample to a local lab for analysis. if a problem is discovered, we will provide a recommendation to a oral cancer specialist.

Contact Us Today

If you are interested in scheduling an oral cancer screening in Greenville, contact Longbranch Dental Center today or request an online appointment.


Dental Emergency? Call Longbranch Dental Center Today!

A dental emergency can be a scary situation. Don’t panic! If you have lost a filling, cracked or broken a tooth, or had a tooth knocked out, contact Longbranch Dental Center today. We offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies.

If you have experienced any of the following, you may be experiencing a dental emergency:

  • Accidental tooth knockout
  • Cracked tooth
  • Jaw injury
  • Lip or tongue bite with excessive bleeding
  • Loose tooth
  • Lost filling or crown
  • Painful swelling not caused by an injury
  • Sudden toothache

If you have a dental emergency, below are some tips to help care for the tooth until you can see our Greenville dentist:

  • If you have lost a permanent tooth, call our Greenville dental practice immediately. Until your appointment, keep your tooth moist at all times by placing it in-between your cheek and gums, in a glass of milk, or purchase a tooth preservation product.
  • If you have cracked a tooth, immediately rinse your mouth with warm water. This will help clean the area of harmful bacteria. Use a cold compress on your face to help minimize swelling.
  • If you have bitten your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water. Use a cold compress on the area to minimize swelling.
  • If you experience a toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean any bacteria from the area. Gently floss to remove any food caught between the teeth.
  • For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues.

Don’t put off going to the dentist if you are in pain or experiencing any of the above symptoms. Our Greenville emergency dentist can quickly diagnose the problem and recommend the best treatment plan to get you out of pain and back to enjoying your daily activities.

 


Close The Gap With A Dental Implant

Have you lost a tooth due to accident, injury, or illness? If so, then visit the cosmetic dentists at Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville, TX to learn if a dental implant is right for you!

A dental implant is a popular solution to “close the gap” between two teeth. If you have lost a tooth, it is important to replace it with a dental implant, as bacteria can grow and flourish in the open gum. If left untreated, an infected gum can cause additional tooth loss.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is metal post that is surgically implanted into the jaw bone. Once the metal post has been placed, and the gum and jawbone have healed, an artificial tooth can be placed on top of the metal post.

What types of dental implants are available?

The American Dental Association recommends two types of dental implants:

  • Endosteal implants. This type of dental implant is surgically implanted directly into the jawbone. Once the gum tissue has healed (typically three to six months), a second surgery will be needed to connect the metal post to the original implant. The last step of the procedure is for an artificial tooth (or teeth) to be attached to the post. If multiple implants are required, a dental bridge may be required.
  • Subperiosteal implants. This type of dental implant includes a metal frame that is fitted onto the jawbone, just below the gum tissue. As the gums heal, the frame becomes fixed to the jawbone. As with endosteal implants, artificial teeth are then mounted to the posts.

What are the advantages of a dental implant?

There are several advantages to a dental implant. They are:

  • A long-lasting solution for a missing tooth
  • Look and feel like natural teeth
  • Reduces the change of bacteria forming in the open gum
  • Restores your smile and can boost your confidence

Schedule a consultation today

If you have a missing tooth, contact the cosmetic dentists at Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville, TX today. Our friendly and knowledgable staff will schedule a free consultation to determine if a dental implant is right for you.

 


Maximize Your Dental Benefits Before It’s Too Late

Use It or Lose It – Don’t let your 2016 dental benefits go to waste

The end of the year is quickly approaching, and time is running out to use any dental benefits before they expire on December 31. As you make your list, and check it twice, remember to call Greenville family dentist Longbranch Dental Center today and schedule an appointment.

Understanding Dental Insurance

Have you heard the term “deductible” but aren’t sure exactly what this means? A deductible is the amount of money you must pay out-of-pocket before the insurance provider will cover all or a portion of the cost of treatment or services. For example, if your deductible is $500 and you’ve spent $400 so far this year, and you need a root canal, now is the time to schedule the procedure. Your out-of-pocket expenses will be much less than if you wait until January, when you have to start over to meet the $500 deductible.

Don’t Waste Your Preventive Care Services

Most dental benefit plans cover all, or a large portion of, preventive services. This includes twice-yearly teeth cleanings, exam, and x-rays. Did you remember to schedule your 6-month cleaning at your last appointment? If not, contact Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville today to schedule a cleaning before  the end of the year. This not only helps keep your mouth clean and healthy, you won’t be wasting your benefits that you’ve been paying for all year.

Start A Treatment in 2016 and Complete A Treatment in 2017

If you need dental work completed that requires multiple visits, such as a dental implant or a dental bridge and crown, you can maximize your dental benefits across the two calendar years. If you are close to meeting your maximum, or have met your deductible, you can have part of the treatment completed in November or December. You can complete the treatment in January or February, which will help you to reach your deductible more quickly.

Call Us Today

If you have been putting off any dental work, contact Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville today. We can help you understand your dental benefits and explain how you can get the most of of your insurance coverage. Start 2017 with a healthy and beautiful smile!