Tag: gums

Get an Oral Cancer Screening as Part of Your Checkup

by smilebystanogmailcom • 28 Mar 2018

As part of your dental checkup, you can have an oral cancer screening. Cancer is a serious threat to your health. That is why it is important to get checked regularly.

Our dentist, Drs. Paul and Brant Stanovick in Mechanicsville, Virginia, cares about your oral health, and your overall health, which is why we have provided you this information on oral cancer screenings and why they are essential.

There have been reports that claim over 42,000 Americans alone will be diagnosed with oral or throat cancers this year. In fact, the five-year survival rate is on average 64 percent! It is also known that the earlier you can diagnose cancer, the better your chances are for overcoming it, making it essential get checked regularly. You should get screened regularly to catch it as early as possible.

Between your dental checkup times, there are signs you can watch out for that could be symptoms of oral cancer, such as:

-Patches in your mouth or throat: If you see white, red, or speckled spots inside your mouth, this could be a warning sign you have cancer.
-Inflammation: If you see any swelling in your mouth or gums, along with any lumps or bumps you can’t explain, this could be a sign of cancer.
-Throat pain: If your throat feels like something is stuck in it, or if you feel pain when breathing or swallowing, it could be a tumor living in your throat.
-Sensitivity in your gums and throat: If you are experiencing any numbness or pain and tenderness in your mouth, throat and even neck, be sure to get checked out right away for the safety of your oral health.
-Lack of movement: If you have difficulty speaking, chewing, swallowing, moving your jaw or tongue around, you could be experiencing oral cancer.

If you are experiencing any of these warning symptoms, be sure to call us for an oral cancer screening.

Our dental team is happy to provide you with high-quality care and answer any oral health questions you may have. To make an appointment at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS, please call 804-781-1919 and talk to a member of our friendly staff. Our dental team looks forward to your call

Learning About Gum Disease

by smilebystanogmailcom • 30 Jun 2017

Gum disease can be a serious problem for your oral health, and your overall health. That is why it is important to know the symptoms of gum disease like persistent bad breath, loose teeth, and bleeding gums. Understanding the causes of gum disease can help you to reverse the condition and restore your healthy smile.

Our staff at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS in Mechanicsville, Virginia, is thrilled to talk with you about gum disease and the leading causes of it, so you can identify the symptoms and get help in dealing with it. Some of the causes are:

-Eating sugary foods or foods that stick to your teeth
-Pregnancy, which can also increase the risk of gum disease
-Using any tobacco of any kind, which can lead to oral cancer
-Diabetes, cancer, and other serious illnesses that can put you at a higher risk for gum disease
-Plaque and tartar buildup, when it is left untreated and unchecked
-Missing your semi-annual dental checkups
-Neglecting to brush and floss each day
-Neglect getting the fillings you need when you have cavities

If you are experiencing any of these conditions, please call our office right away at 804-781-1919 and make an appointment to see Drs. Paul and Brant Stanovick. Our friendly and professional team is prepared to help you win the fight against gum disease and help you achieve positive oral health.

Dental Checkups Look for Oral Cancer

by smilebystanogmailcom • 29 Jun 2017

Oral cancer can be frightening to think about, but it is still important to check for regularly. If you discover cancer in your body early, the better the odds are greater at overcoming it. That is why, our team here at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS in Mechanicsville, Virginia, is happy to talk to you about oral cancer.

Oral cancer can begin in your lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, floor or roof of your mouth and even in your throat. Despite their series of possible locations, there are symptoms to watch out for such as red or white patches, pain, tenderness, sores or irritations that won’t go away, a lump, difficulty swallowing or chewing, difficulty in talking, and even a change in your dental alignment.

Did you know, during your regular dental exam every six months, your dentists, Drs. Paul and Brant Stanovick will check you for signs of oral cancer? Well, it’s true! That is one of the many vital reasons your regular dental checkup should not be skipped. If you do find something suspicious or painful, make sure to call our office right away to schedule an appointment, so we can treat it right away.

If you have any questions about oral cancer or think it may be time for you to have a dental check-up, please call us today at 804-781-1919 to set up an appointment. Our caring and professional staff is happy to assist you in any way we can to help you with your oral health.

Laser Dentistry: Facts

by smilebystanogmailcom • 19 Jan 2017

Did you know that lasers have been used in dentistry for decades? However, recently laser dentistry has become more and more common. One of the main reasons for this is simply that patients tend to feel less anxious with a laser than they are with other dental tools. Laser dentistry also offers a number of other benefits.

Lasers have been used broadly since the mid 1990’s. Laser dentistry is a popular choice because patients tend to feel more relaxed and comfortable when a laser is used instead of a drill. Lasers also allow dentists to be more precise. This means dentists can reduce damage done to nearby areas during treatments. Patients can also expect to heal more quickly and should experience less bleeding during and after a procedure.

Laser dentistry can also be used in a number of treatments. For example, tooth decay can actually be removed with a laser. Lasers can also be used to prepare your enamel, or the protective outer layer of your teeth, for having a filling placed. Lasers can also be used during the setting and curing of fillings. Gum disease and root canal therapy can also be done with lasers.

Do you have any more questions about the care you could receive from our team? Are you interested in learning more about whether you’re a good candidate for laser dentistry? Would you simply like to set up an appointment with our dentist, Drs. Stanovick and Stanovick? If so, we invite you to give Paul R. Stanovick, DDS a call at 804-781-1919. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Don’t Forget to Add These Smile Friendly Thanksgiving Foods to the Menu

by smilebystanogmailcom • 9 Nov 2016

While you are cooking up a storm this Thanksgiving holiday, Dr. Paul R. Stanovick, Brant Stanovick, and our team in Mechanicsville, Virginia, hope you include some smile-friendly fare on your menu. Most people are familiar with heart-healthy food choices, but smile-friendly food choices are not as well-known, yet both are vital to good health. Following are some smile-friendly choices we hope you include in your family’s bounteous spread.

— Chewing cheddar cheese lowers acid levels in the mouth and stimulates saliva production, both of which promote good oral health. Cheese also has calcium and protein which aids tooth enamel.

— Crunchy foods like apples, raw carrots, and celery can help clean plaque off of your pearly whites. They also contain fiber, which stimulates both the gums and saliva production which help wash away plaque.

— If you want to build tooth enamel, in addition to cheese, eat plenty of leafy greens such as spinach and kale, and almonds, which contain calcium. And meat, eggs, and fish supply the body with phosphorous, which also helps tooth enamel.

— If you have eaten and can’t brush your teeth, chewing sugarless gum helps remove bacteria in the mouth, which prevents plaque from building up on your teeth.

— Drinking milk after consuming sugary foods can help neutralize the acid created by bacteria which forms into plaque.

— Polyphenols, which are compounds found in both black and green teas, slow down bacterial growth that can cause cavities and gum disease. Drinking these teas are also good for fighting bad breath.

As you can see, you can help your family enjoy the holidays while protecting those hard-earned smiles. Remember to brush and floss no matter how busy you are, and keep those twice a year dental cleanings and checkups. To schedule a visit for you or a family member, please call 804-781-1919 today. Dr. Paul R. Stanovick, Brant Stanovick and the rest of our team at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS wish you and yours a healthy Thanksgiving!

Keeping Ahead of COVID-19