Dental Visits Can Prevent Oral Cancer

By Arthur Kezian

Annual dental visits are not just for checking the health of your teeth and gums but are used as early prevention for diagnosing oral cancer. If it is diagnosed or caught early on, your chances of survival are much better. Dr. Kezian suggests that every individual gets at least two Dentist appointments yearly, unless otherwise noted. Although going to the Dentist can seem annoying or even scary, you will be thankful that you decided to go instead of delay or postpone your annual cleaning. If you have any family history of cancer of the mouth; you will want to go to the Dentist possibly a few more times yearly than the average person. If you have questions or concerns, make sure that you ask your Dentist about the importance of Dental visits.

What Causes This Cancer?

·         Your risks factors for getting oral cancer rise rapidly if you smoke, chew tobacco, or have a family history of it.

·         It is caused by using these substances in excess which can cause the oral cavity of your mouth to develop this cancer.

Symptoms:

·         The following symptoms are possible signs of developing oral cancer

·         Splotchy lesions that are in your mouth; ulcers that have not healed up after a few days; changes in your voice or your ease of biting/chewing; hoarseness that does not go away; and lumps that develop in your neck and throat

·         If you have any of these symptoms, you should visit Dr. Kezian and staff immediately so they can assess your health and the diagnose the possibility of cancer.

Preventing Cancer:

·         You can prevent this cancer by the following means -

·         Scheduling annual dental visits which will keep you in the constant care of a trained and professional Dentist who can catch any symptoms early on;

·         Reducing your in-take of alcohol or tobacco – studies have shown that too much alcohol and tobacco can cause oral cancer

·         Choosing not to go to tanning beds/use fake tanner on your lips will drastically reduce your probability of getting this cancer due to the chemicals that are found in them;

·         And, most importantly, if somebody in your genetic line has had oral cancer, make sure to stay in communication with a Dentist that you trust so that you will not be affected by and that it is caught sooner than later.

If you choose to keep a close eye on your oral health, you should first begin with an annual dental checkup as this is the number one sure fire way to prevent or slow down the spread of this cancer. When you go to the Dentist, talk to them about your concerns about this cancer and make sure that he or she know what they are talking about when they answer you. If they do not, find a new Dentist – one who is an expert in diagnosing it. Your dental and physical health depends upon having a good, trust-worthy Dentist who understands and knows about this cancer.

So, if you have a genetic history of family members who have had cancer of the mouth; you should be extremely vigilant in stopping any further influences that could cause this cancer. You should choose to stop going to tanning beds and you should limit your in-take of alcohol and tobacco. Cancer is never something to mess around with and you must know the symptoms of it – oral cancer has symptoms of white lesions that do not go away in your mouth; lumps on your throat and neck; hoarseness in your voice; and voice or bite changes. If you experience these, visit Dr. Kezian immediately to get annual dental checkups.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 

-N.S.

Three Reasons to Choose Dental Implants

By Arthur Kezian

In the history of implant dentistry, the use of dental implants has been increasingly proved to be the best restorative option for missing teeth. They play a vital role in improving the appearance, health, and function of the smile. It can be hard to accept the fact that a person lost their teeth due to tooth decay or advanced gum disease. However, the oral health of a person mostly depends on replacement of the damaged tooth as early as possible. Dr. Kezian is a well known dental implant dentist in Los Angeles who deals with remedies for missing teeth through dental implantation techniques. If the empty space is left in the mouth, it can have adverse consequences in the future. These consequences include an increased rate of diseases in the mouth, a misaligned bite along with painful TMJ dysfunction, and also lower self-esteem.

Dental Implants which Function as Natural Teeth

Unlike dentures and bridges that replace only the part of the tooth that is visible, an implant specialist will ensure restoration of the support structure that is present under the gum line in the patient’s mouth.

·         It is designed in such a way that it replaces both tooth root and crown.
·         It provides a high level of stability without any need for readjustment.
·         During the first phase, the implant is placed into the jawbone by an experienced oral surgeon, thus, the jawbone is also supported.
·         An implant dentist will then cap the implant. This will be done during the second phase.

Dental Implant Influence Appearance

Missing teeth may look cute when it comes to little kids, however, in adults, missing teeth can make them look aged and unhealthy.

·         This can seriously tarnish one’s personality. Through dental implants, a person can regain their confidence. When your teeth are healthy and aligned, you tend to smile more. This in turn can reduce the level of stress and symptoms of depression at a faster pace.

Dental Implants Influence Health

Implant dentistry is the only way in which a person can ensure good jaw health unlike dentures and bridges which only take care of the pain associated with dental drift.

·         Even though dental implants can prove to be expensive compared to traditional dentures, they can ensure the teeth and jaw remain healthier in the long term.
·         When a tooth is lost, the underlying bone will be the most prone for deterioration. A dental implant is usually implemented towards the jawbone, thereby taking the position of the missing tooth root. This eventually leads to bone tissues remaining healthier.
·         Dental implants are also the least prone to any kind of decay as long as proper oral care is provided for the teeth.

For a single missing tooth, one implant along with a crown can replace it. For the replacement of several teeth, supported implant bridges are usually provided. For the replacement of full missing teeth, a full implant denture would be used. If you have missing teeth, don’t wait any longer, make a call and change your life.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 

-N.S.

How Much Toothpaste Is Important For Dental Health?

By Arthur Kezian

Brushing once in the morning is not the only thing that keeps your teeth and gums away from cavities and other mouth diseases. Every part of the human body needs proper care and treatment to keep it healthy and at less risk of permanent disease. Dental health cannot be ignored at any cost. Destroyed teeth ruin the smile of your face and personality. Dr Kezian focuses on the health of the teeth. He regularly attends seminars on dental care, and keeps himself up to date on the newest dental procedures and techniques.

Is Using Your Toothbrush Enough?

A toothbrush, regardless of how expensive it is can clean only so much of your teeth. The brush does not reach the inner lining of the teeth, so food particles stay inside these crevices and causes bacteria and other diseases. Just brushing your teeth is not enough. You put your dental health at risk this way.

How Dental Health Can Be Assured?

Tooth brushing twice a day in mandatory by using a good tooth paste that has cavity control ingredients. By using a good mouth wash once a day, you kill the bacteria inside your mouth. With that being said, these are only home remedies. If your teeth are turning yellow in color, go and see your doctor for a teeth whitening treatment. One visit every 4-6 months to the dental office for a complete check up is required to assure the dental health of your teeth. Dr. Kezian puts emphasis on his patients coming in for a 4-6 month dental health examination so that their teeth don’t expire at an early age.

Although, dental treatments are expensive - One visit to the dental office every 4-6 months is not very costly. If you take care of your teeth on a regular basis, you minimize the chance of bacteria growing and attacking your teeth and reduce your risk.

How to Get Rid Of Dirty Teeth?

If you experience mouth odor and have dark yellow stained teeth, then your teeth are at high risk of oral diseases. You cannot cure these kinds of oral diseases at home, according to Dr. Kezian. The lifespan of your teeth are shrinking, making it important for you to make an appointment with Dr. Kezian so he can help you get back on track and improve your over-all dental health and prevent the progression of disease.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 

-N.S.

Porcelain Crowns: Are They Really Necessary?

By Arthur Kezian

You have already scheduled your appointment for the root canal to take care of those pesky cavities, now you need to decide whether or not you need porcelain crowns. Often dental insurance does not cover this more expensive procedure so before you pay extra you need to learn about the benefits and pluses over less costly alternatives.

Dr. Kezian understands that a well educated patient is a happier patient.  Here are the basics to get you started:

What are dental crowns anyway?

Once you have a tooth cavity severe enough to damage the dental pulp or core of the tooth, conservative management is no longer a good option.  Treatment choices include tooth extraction or a root canal. Generally people want to hold onto their own natural teeth, so choose the root canal option.  Your dentist will essentially scrape out the debris within the cavity.  This weakens your tooth, making it more prone to fracture or breaking.  Here’s where a dental crown comes in!

A dental crown is like a hat or cap that is placed over the tooth.  This protects the tooth’s shape and strength.  To keep the crown in place, a cement is used.  Importantly, the crown is fully visible.  The choices for crown material are metal or porcelain.  Metal is cheaper but not as cosmetically pleasing! Metal crowns are sturdier but best reserved for out of sight teeth like molars.

Porcelain, while more expensive, is essentially the color of enamel and therefore a more aesthetically pleasing.  Porcelain crowns are also a good choice for those who suffer from metal allergies.

What problems can occur with crowns?

You may be asking yourself, what can go wrong?  Not much if you are in the good hands of an experienced dentist.  Sometimes a person with a newly crowned tooth, may experience heat or cold sensitivity.  Switching to a toothpaste specially formulated for sensitive teeth will likely do the trick.  If the cement used wears off, the crown can fall off.  One drawback of porcelain crowns over metal crowns is that porcelain as a material is more prone to chipping.  If the chip is small a sealant similar in color to the crown can patch it.

How long will my new crown last?

It’s tough to predict how long a crown will last.  On average, expect your crowns to last anywhere between five to fifteen years.  Factors that influence the longevity of dental crowns are similar to those that put you at risk for dental caries in the first place such as oral hygiene, diet, smoking and whether or not you grind your teeth.

How to I take care of my crown?

Crowns really do not require special care in specif.  Underneath the crown is still a living tooth that is at risk from further cavity formation and gum disease.  So basically, ramping up your oral hygiene practices is the sure-fire way to protecting your new porcelain crowns.

Dr. Kezian will gladly meet with you to discuss dental crown options and treatment choices that are best for your specific needs.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 

-N.S.