Dental Health Archives - Richmond Dentist Dr. Robert Oliveros DMD

Oral cancer screening in Richmond, BC

Every year, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with some form of oral cancer. While certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking or excessive alcohol use can increase a person’s odds of developing oral cancer, unfortunately, anyone can be diagnosed with oral cancer. The good news is that, when caught in its early stages, there is a good chance that oral cancer can be treated. For this reason, at every cleaning and exam appointment, our dentist here at our Richmond dental office performs a careful oral cancer screening. During this appointment, Dr. Oliveros will check a patient’s your face, neck, lips, tongue, and gums for any signs of oral cancer. In addition, diagnostic x-rays (radiographs) will be done to find and tumours or unusual growths which may not be immediately visible.

Signs and symptoms of oral cancer

There are several early warning signs of oral cancer. Of course, many of these symptoms can be attributed to other, more benign conditions. However, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms it is advisable to go see a dentist or doctor right away:

A sore that doesn’t go away after a few days
A bleeding sore on the lips or inside of cheeks
A growth or bump on the inside of the mouth or cheeks
Tooth pain not attributed to cavities or gum disease
Tongue pain
Pain in the jaw bone
Difficulty swallowing and eating

Preventing oral cancer

Some patients may be genetically predisposed to developing oral cancer. However, there are several things a person can do to minimize their risk such as:

Wearing a lip balm containing SPF when going out in the sun
Drinking no more than 1 or 2 alcoholic beverages per day
Refraining from or quitting smoking
Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet

It’s also important to maintain regular dental visits for checkups and exams to ensure that, if oral cancer does develop, it is caught early. Please contact our office if you would like to book an appointment for a cleaning and exam.

November 22, 2023/by Dr. Robert Oliveros

The benefit of regular dental visits

Dental Health

You may have heard that it’s important to visit your dentist about twice a year, or once every six years, to maintain good oral health. Some dentists will advocate for more or less frequent visits, depending on your current dental health. Perhaps you’ve been tempted to skip a visit or two, either due to financial or time constraints. But just how harmful is it to miss those cleanings?

We would like to encourage all of our patients to maintain regular visits for a dental exam and cleaning. No matter how good a job of brushing and flossing you’re doing at home, plaque and tartar can build up. In fact, plaque can form within twelve hours of brushing. Tartar is the result of plaque that has been left on your teeth, which interacts with minerals and saliva to form a hard, calcified layer. Tartar can only be removed by a dentist with professional instruments during a cleaning.

Plaque and tartar can also build up below the gum line, and in other areas that are hard to reach by brushing and flossing alone. The sooner this buildup is removed, the less chance that gingivitis will have a chance to form.

Gingivitis often has silent symptoms in its earliest stages. However, your dentist will be able to tell if you are beginning to develop gingivitis. Gingivitis, if left untreated, can precede gum disease, which is more complicated to treat and can lead to swelling, inflammation or even tooth loss. In fact, most dental issues, such as cavities, are best treated when caught early on.

In addition to preventing plaque and tartar buildup, decay, gingivitis and gum disease, at each cleaning and check up your dentist will screen you for oral cancer. Many lives have been saved by the early detection of oral cancer, as it is most successfully treated in its earliest stages. Your dentist has the equipment to detect any abnormalities.

Most insurance providers will cover at least one dental visit a year for a cleaning and checkup. We can help you understand your insurance plan to ensure that you get the most out of your benefits. At any rate, it’s not a good idea to let your insurance plan dictate how often you visit the dentist. Think of visiting your dentist twice a year as an investment in your health and overall wellbeing.

November 20, 2023/by Dr. Robert Oliveros

Root canal treatment: what to expect

Dental Health

Patients may require a root canal for a variety of reasons. If a tooth is badly decayed, that decay can spread to the root and pulp of the tooth. Also, dental traumas such as a broken tooth can expose the tooth root, leaving it vulnerable to infection. An infection in the root and pulp of the tooth can cause the patient a great deal of discomfort and inflammation. It is important to treat the infection promptly before it causes health complications such as an abscess. Without treatment, bacteria from the infection can enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body.

Many patients have anxiety about having a root canal done. In truth, a root canal is no more uncomfortable than having a cavity filled, though the procedure is more complex. If a person has an infected tooth root, having a root canal will likely ease their discomfort. Being informed about what goes on during a root canal can greatly ease your mind if you are in need of a root canal and experiencing anxiety about the procedure.

During a root canal, the infected or dead pulp (the inner nerves and blood vessels) from inside the tooth are removed. The dentist begins by applying local anaesthesia and isolating the area with a rubber dam. Our dental team is experienced in administering pain- relief to our patients and dealing with patients who are anxious about dental procedures. Upon your visit, we will determine the best form of pain relief to make you as comfortable as possible. The dentist will then drill an opening in the tooth to access the infected pulp, and remove it and clean the area with specialized tools. The dentist fills the root space with a filling material. Finally, the dentist must seal the surface of the tooth with a crown to prevent further infection and restore the function and appearance of the tooth. The dentist begins by applying local anaesthesia and isolating the area with a rubber dam. Then they drill an opening in the tooth to access the infected pulp, and remove it and clean the area with specialized tools. The dentist fills the root space with a filling material. Finally ,the dentist must seal the surface of the tooth with a crown to prevent further infection and restore the function and appearance of the tooth.

With proper oral hygiene and regular dental care, conditions that make a root canal necessary can be avoided. However, many people will require a root canal in their life to save an infected tooth. Root canals are one of the most routine dental procedures, and thousands of root canals are safely performed each day. If you require a root canal, Dr. Oliveros will ensure that you are as comfortable as possible during your treatment.

September 12, 2022/by Dr. Robert Oliveros

Oral cancer screening in Richmond, BC

Signs and symptoms of oral cancer

Preventing oral cancer

The benefit of regular dental visits

Root canal treatment: what to expect

Dr Robert Oliveros DMD – Richmond Dentist BC

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