Fighting Back Against Oral Cancer

ORAL CANCER IS A SUBJECT we’d all prefer not to have to think about, but it’s critical to have a basic understanding of risk factors and symptoms. More than 50,000 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with oral cancer last year, and that number is expected to rise. That’s why, in honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we’re dedicating a blog post to giving our patients the tools they need for early detection.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

There are several risk factors that increase a person’s chances of developing oral cancer. Some of them are out of our control, such as age and sex. Men are twice as likely as women to develop oral cancer, and it is far more common in people over 45. But there are plenty of risk factors that we can control, the biggest of which is tobacco. A whopping 85 percent of oral cancer cases are linked to some kind of tobacco use (even e-cigarettes). The next biggest avoidable risk factor is frequent, heavy alcohol consumption.

A few of the less-obvious risk factors include getting too much sun (which can cause lip cancer), HPV, and neglecting your oral hygiene, particularly if you also smoke. You can eliminate this risk factor by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling regular dental appointments!

Symptoms To Watch Out For

Unfortunately, even people with none of these risk factors will sometimes develop oral cancer anyway, which is why it’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms, which include:

• A sore in the mouth or on the lip that doesn’t heal
• Red or white patches inside the mouth
• Unusual lump on lip, mouth, neck, or throat, or strange thickness in the cheek
• Persistent sensation of having something stuck in the throat
• Numbness of mouth or tongue
• Difficulty with chewing or swallowing
• Chronic bad breath

If you do have one or more of the risk factors for oral cancer, getting regular general health screenings can catch it before you even notice any symptoms. The earlier oral cancer is caught, the easier it is to beat it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsWirMQ6xIs

Where Does The Dentist Fit In?

Another way oral cancer is caught early is at regular dental exams! In addition to checking your teeth for cavities and your gums for signs of gum disease, we can spot many of those early symptoms of oral cancer while we’re looking at your mouth, which is just one more reason why it’s so important to keep scheduling your dental appointments!

Even if you don’t have oral cancer or any of the risk factors, you can still help the people who are fighting this disease. Ask us how you can get involved!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

                                     

                                                   Dr. Andrew Bruening & Dr. Carissa Bruening are

 General & Family Dentists located in Chesterfield, Missouri.

636-532-3311 | admin@chdental.net

Check Out Our Website!

                                      

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

                                           
Helping Your Child Trust The Dentist

EVEN THOUGH WE ALL know how important it is to go to the dentist, dental anxiety can make many people avoid crucial dental checkups. For some, dental anxiety starts in childhood and lasts a lifetime. How can we help our children start out with a positive mindset towards the dentist so that they will always seek the professional care and attention their teeth need as adults?

Be Honest But Avoid Negativity

The most important thing you can do for your child is to not make a trip to the dentist into an ordeal. Simply approach it as a perfectly normal part of staying healthy. Tell your child about an upcoming dental visit ahead of time so that it isn’t a surprise, and answer their questions about what dental appointments are like. Try to avoid scary words like “pain” and “shots,” and leave the detailed explanations of dental procedures to us.

One crucial thing to do even when there isn’t an appointment coming up is to never use the dentist as a threat. Saying things like, “If you don’t brush your teeth, you’ll end up at the dentist!” will only make a child think dentist visits are punishments — something to be feared and avoided. You can still encourage good oral hygiene habits without portraying the dentist as the boogeyman, like the way this video does:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOebfGGcjVw

Address Existing Sources Of Fear

If your child is already afraid of the dentist, you might have a little more of an uphill battle to fight, but it’s still a battle you can win! Communication is key. Talk to your child about why they’re afraid of the dentist and help them understand that it isn’t so scary. Lead by example and show them that you go to the dentist too.

Patience is also crucial. Even for adults, the idea of having a stranger poking and prodding inside our mouths while we’re lying in a vulnerable position can be unsettling, so imagine how that must be for a child who isn’t used to it. Make sure your child understands that dental cleanings will make their teeth feel great and that the dentist is on their team, helping them fight bad germs and tooth decay.

We Are Happy To Help

Sometimes, dental anxiety is too strong for these strategies to completely cure. That’s where we come in. Our team knows how to work with children to make them feel more comfortable, so don’t feel like you have to make them love us without our help!

We’re looking forward to helping your child’s smile stay healthy and bright!

                                 

                                                   Dr. Andrew Bruening & Dr. Carissa Bruening are

 General & Family Dentists located in Chesterfield, Missouri.

636-532-3311 | admin@chdental.net

Check Out Our Website!

                                       

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

                                             


Breastfeeding And Your Baby’s Oral Health

ALL FIRST-TIME PARENTS are faced with a seemingly endless stream of questions, decisions, and unknowns about how to raise and care for their new baby. One of the big ones is whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed.

There are passionate proponents of both options, some claiming that breast milk is far superior to formula while others claim that there’s little nutritional difference, so why not take advantage of the convenience of formula? We can’t make this decision for you, but, as dentists, we can weigh in on the effects of breastfeeding on a baby’s oral health and development.

Key Breast Milk Nutrients

Breast milk provides the nutrients your baby needs to grow healthy and strong, such as:

• proteins like casein, which helps build strong jaw muscles,
• fatty acids crucial for brain development, and
• vitamins that are vital for dental development.

All of these nutrients are important factors in helping reduce tooth decay once those baby teeth make their debut. One nutrient that breast milk lacks, however, is vitamin D, an essential component in good oral health because it helps the body absorb calcium. Older children and adults get vitamin D from sunlight, but that can be risky for babies, so formula and supplements are safer sources.

Facial Development And Bite

Leaving aside the nutrients of breast milk versus formula, studies have shown that the actual act of breastfeeding is better for a growing baby’s jaw and facial structure than bottle-feeding. Breastfeeding will help give your baby strong jaw muscles and healthy gums, which will decrease their chance of developing a malocclusion (bad bite) and requiring orthodontic treatment in their teens.

Breastfeeding And Tooth Decay

Most people think they only need to clean their baby’s gums after bottle-feeding because formula milk can linger longer, leaving sugars to start causing decay, but it’s just as important to clean the gums after breastfeeding. We also advise you not to put your baby to bed with a formula or breast milk bottle, as this can lead to a form of tooth decay known as “bottle rot.”

How To Prevent Decay

Whether you decide to bottle-feed or breastfeed your baby, it’s important to begin the fight against tooth decay before the first tooth even shows up. Simply use a gentle washcloth or gauze to wipe away any leftover milk. Once the baby begins teething and you see their new teeth start popping up, you can start using a baby sized toothbrush with a grain of rice amount of toothpaste to clean their teeth!

Don’t forget that new moms need to take care of their own teeth too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRB3Z9xUH7o

We’ve Got The Answers

Along with these kinds of concerns, you probably have many other questions regarding breastfeeding and how it could affect your child. We’re here for you! Give us a call or come in and we will address any concerns you have!

Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, the choice is always yours!

                               

                                                  Dr. Andrew Bruening & Dr. Carissa Bruening are

 General & Family Dentists located in Chesterfield, Missouri.

636-532-3311 | admin@chdental.net

Check Out Our Website!

                                    

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

Love Summer? So Do We!

                               



IT’S SUMMER AGAIN! Whether you live near a beach, a lake, a forest, or mountains, the kids are out of school and it’s time to play! We’d like to share some of our team’s favorite ways to enjoy the summer.
Our Team’s Favorite Summer Vacation Spots

From Dr. Andrew and Carissa Bruening: Table Rock Lake with their puppy Penny

From Chris: Smoky Mountains

From Amanda: Moon Palace Cancun

From Kayla: Anywhere on a beach! I love to relax in the sand with the noise of the waves crashing onto the shore, I would have my immediate family and my husbands family with me with a huge house on the beach.. A house big enough to spread out if needed. OH and of course the house would need to be pet friendly because I would need to bring my fur baby Mazie!

From Megan: My Family's farm in Southern Missouri with all my family and my two dogs Dallas and Cooper!

From Lisa: Napa Valley with all of my family.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

What Are Your Fun Summer Plans?
How are you? How do you like to enjoy your summer? Do you love camping? Tanning on the beach? Traveling to to exotic places or see family? Getting that adrenaline rush from amusement parks or skydiving? Tubing on a river or riding on jet ski on the lake? We'd love to hear about it! Share in the comments below or let us know on social media

Thank you for being part of what makes summer so great!

                                      



                                              Dr. Andrew Bruening & Dr. Carissa Bruening are

 General & Family Dentists located in Chesterfield, Missouri.

636-532-3311 | admin@chdental.net

Check Out Our Website!

                                           


                                       

To stay up to date with patient appreciation raffles, office specials, and volunteer events, go "LIKE" our Facebook Page by searching @chdental or Chesterfield Hilltown Dental. We are always accepting new patients, and our family looks forward to meeting yours!
                                           

Take Care Of Your Furry Friend’s Smile!

Penny Bruening - The new boss at the Bruening household.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT what you need to do to keep those teeth of yours healthy and beautiful. While you’re taking care of your smile, don’t forget about your pet’s! Your furry friend’s teeth need to be cared for as well.

Keep Up On Your Pet’s Dental Health

You probably don’t think about checking your dog or cat’s mouth very often, but it’s important that you do. Dental problems can often lead to other health problems in your pet, not to mention they can be painful and costly. As with our own teeth, prevention is key!

Here are some things you should do to keep your furry friend’s mouth healthy:

• Have your pet’s teeth checked and cleaned at least once a year by a veterinarian
• While daily toothbrushing is ideal for your pet, at least get in three to four good brushing sessions per week (using toothpaste specially formulated for them–not human toothpaste)
• Make sure your dog or cat is on a nutritious diet that is good for their teeth; your veterinarian will help you know what kind of food is best
• Chew toys are great for scraping plaque off of your dog’s teeth and can be a great supplement to tooth brushing!

There are many products out there that can help keep your pet’s teeth healthy and breath fresh. Talk to your veterinarian about what products they recommend for your dog or cat’s oral hygiene routine!



Watch the video below to see how to properly brush your pet’s teeth:

Healthy Smiles Make It All Worthwhile

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association(AVMA), 70 percent of cats and 80 percent of dogs have some kind of oral disease by the age of two or three. That’s why attending to your pet’s oral health on a daily basis should be as normal to them as their daily walks.

After enough practice, they may even look forward to toothbrushing time! And while brushing your pet’s teeth may be a lot of work, just remember, healthy smiles make all that work worthwhile.

We’d love to see your pets’ smiles!

Snap a photo of you and your pet showing off your pearly whites and post it to our Facebook page!

Thank you for reading our blog and supporting our practice.

Dr. Andrew Bruening & Dr. Carissa Bruening are General Dentists located in Chesterfield, Missouri.

636-532-3311 | admin@chdental.net

To stay up to date with patient appreciation raffles, office specials, and volunteer events, go "LIKE" our Facebook Page by searching @chdental or Chesterfield Hilltown Dental. We are always accepting new patients, and our family looks forward to meeting yours!

www.chesterfieldhilltowndental.com

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Your Child's First Dental Visit

Creating a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry say that the first dental visit should occur within 6 months after the baby's first tooth appears, but no later than the child's first birthday. It's best to meet the dentist when your child isn't having any dental problems -- don't wait until an emergency comes up!!

If your child is an infant, the Dentists should examine your child in the knee-to-knee position. You and the dentist will sit on chairs facing each other. Your child sits on your lap, facing you. You then lay your child back with his or her head in the dentist's lap. In this position, both you and the dentist can see clearly into your child's mouth and your child can look up at you.




During the examination, depending on the age of your child, the dentist will check all of their existing teeth for decay, examine your child’s bite, and look for any potential problems with the gums, jaw, and oral tissues.The dentist or hygienist may also clean your child's teeth. This is likely to occur if your child's teeth have a stain that commonly appears in infants. The dentist or hygienist also may apply fluoride, particularly if you child has a higher than average risk of developing cavities.

(Pictured above: Dr. Carissa Bruening performing a lap examination

 on a 9 month old baby at our office in Chesterfield, Missouri.)

Tips for a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles for your Child:

1. Find a dentist that you trust and an office where you feel comfortable. You should be able to consider this your "dental home". 
2. Stay positive! Please keep it to yourself if you still have any anxiety about dental visits.
3. Never bribe your child to go to the dentist or use the dentist as a punishment or threat!
4. Although bribing isn't a good idea, try to make your child's dental visit an enjoyable outing. Teaching your child good oral hygiene habits will lead to a lifetime of good dental health. 

To stay up to date with patient appreciation raffles, office specials, and volunteer events, go "LIKE" our Facebook Page by searching @chdental or Chesterfield Hilltown Dental.

Dr. Andrew Bruening & Dr. Carissa Bruening

 are General Dentists located in Chesterfield, Missouri.

www.chesterfieldhilltowndental.com

New Year, New Smile.

Have you found yourself unhappy with your smile, but also intimidated by the cost/evasiveness of fixing that smile? You have come to the right place. With the scientific advancements Dentistry has made in the past 20 years, and the extended payment options made possible by companies like Care Credit & The Citi Bank Health Card, there is no reason that you can’t have the smile you desire!

Let’s talk about the different ways that we can help you get that “dream” smile of yours.

1. MTM

MTM Clear Aligners are the virtually undetectable way to align your smile without traditional braces. MTM® Clear Aligner utilizes a series of removable trays to correct slight misalignments such as crowding or gaps. Each aligner is custom fabricated, per your doctor’s treatment plan, to progressively advance your teeth into their ideal position, leaving you with a healthy and beautiful smile. Schedule a consult with one of the Bruenings to see if you are a good for our MTM treatment.

2. Veneers

Unhappy with your smile? Veneers can significantly improve your appearance and most importantly, your confidence! For many of our patients, veneers have the ability to alter the color, shape & alignment of their teeth, leaving them with an esthetic result & enhanced smile.

Give us a call! We are excited to discuss your smile “goals” and work together to determine the best option for you.

To stay up to date with patient appreciation raffles, office specials, and volunteer events, go "LIKE" our Facebook Page by searching @chdental or Chesterfield Hilltown Dental.

Dr. Andrew Bruening & Dr. Carissa Bruening

 are General Dentists located in Chesterfield, Missouri.

www.chesterfieldhilltowndental.com