April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month! Risk factors for oral cancer include smoking and use of other tobacco products. However, the fastest growing cause of oral cancer in young, healthy individuals that do not use tobacco is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV within the mouth affects the tonsils and base of tongue.

Facts about HPV:

• HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States
• There are over 200 strains. Out of the 200, 9 of the strains can cause oral cancer.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that more than 80% of Americans will have HPV in their lifetime
• With a ratio of 4:1, males are most likely to develop oral cancer when compared to females.

Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer:

• Red or white patches in the mouth
• An ulcer or sore that does not heal in 2-3 weeks
• Difficult swallowing
• Hoarse or sore throat
• Painless lump on the outside of the neck

At your checkups, oral cancer screenings are performed by your dentist to look for precancerous conditions or signs of cancer within the oral cavity.  They will look for asymmetries in the face, discolorations of the tissues and ulcerations within the mouth.

Is there a cure for HPV?

While there is no cure for HPV, it can resolve itself and does not normally cause health problems. Currently there is one vaccine,  Gardasil which protects against the 9 strains of HPV that cause cancer. The vaccines are recommended for boys and girls of ages 11 and 12.

This pandemic has impacted us all, but our community is indeed all stronger together. Our team at WDG always has your safety and health as our top priority, and we have implemented additional safety measures and equipment to help prevent the transmission of all infections, including COVID-19. Wellesley Dental Group has completely reopened since June 8th, 2020 for all dental procedures and cleanings! Thank you for entrusting your health and dental care to us at Wellesley Dental Group.

Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and the caring team at Wellesley Dental Group if you have any thoughts or concerns; they will be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to set up an appointment.

Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist, Dr. Bahar Houshman and Dr. Marisa Reason is happy to help with your TMJ and orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other oral surgery needs, Dr. Reisman would love to help, and our gum-specialist Dr. Singh can help with your gum-related concerns.

References:

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/h/hpv-and-oral-cancer

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/hpv_oropharyngeal.htm

https://oralcancerfoundation.org/understanding/hpv/hpv-oral-cancer-facts/

As we hop into spring and a new month, we're reminded to keep our health up to par especially as we continue to fight through COVID-19. Easter, like many of the other holidays celebrated over the past year may still look different as we continue to avoid large crowds and limit our gatherings to people in our immediate households to help protect against the spread of coronavirus.

With Easter also comes lots of sweet treats, from marshmallow peeps, to jellybeans, to chocolate bunnies! But, will this impact your smile? Some sweets can be more harmful to your teeth than others, and while indulging in your favorite treats every once in a while can be okay, we're here to tell you about some of the most dangerous candies that can lead to tooth decay.

This Easter, and in general, you'll want to avoid:

1. Sticky and gooey candies: These candies, such as caramels, gummies, jelly beans, and taffy, tend to stay in the mouth longer and adhere to the surfaces of your teeth, allowing dangerous oral bacteria to feed off the sugars and create acids that break down your tooth enamel.

1. Hard candies: Rock solid candies like lollipops or jawbreakers tend to stay in your mouth for longer periods of time while you eat them, leaving teeth exposed to sugar during this time. This gives the oral bacteria a greater chance to cause damage. Not to mention, hard candies can cause tooth damage and lead to chipped or broken teeth.

1. Sour treats: Sour treats can be just as tricky as sweet ones. The sugars and acids put your teeth at risk of weakening the outer layer of your teeth, the dental enamel, and offer an environment for damaging bacteria to thrive in and create tooth decay.

Luckily, there are healthier alternatives:

• Dark Chocolates: Dark chocolate is a great option to satisfy your sweet tooth. Research has reported dark chocolate to have properties that help fight cavities and dental plaque. In addition, it has been found to contain nutrients beneficial to health, including potassium, phosphorous, zinc, and selenium. It also contains antioxidants, which can help lower risks of cancer and other diseases. Plus, studies have even found it to have blood pressure lowering effects and increase skin hydration.
• Sugar-Free Treats: Sugar-free candies can be just as tasty and lower your risk of tooth decay.

After satisfying your sweet tooth, be sure to drink water, which helps neutralize harmful acids and rinse away leftover candy particles. You should wait approximately 30 minutes before instructing your child to brush their teeth after having sweets to avoid harming your dental enamel which is in a softened state due to acidity.

Avoid potential dental issues from consuming too much Easter candy! Remember, you can avoid developing cavities with the right plan of action and by following proper oral health guidelines. Proper oral health and seeing your dentist regularly is essential for keeping your pearly whites shining and healthy. If you are having a hard time trying to get your children to brush twice a day for two minutes each time, try implementing fun activities that promote brushing, including videos, books, coloring pages, and even music while brushing.

This pandemic has impacted us all, but our community is indeed all stronger together. Our team at WDG always has your safety and health as our top priority, and we have implemented additional safety measures and equipment to help prevent the transmission of all infections, including COVID-19. Wellesley Dental Group has completely reopened since June 8th, 2020 for all dental procedures and cleanings! Thank you for entrusting your health and dental care to us at Wellesley Dental Group.

Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and the caring team at Wellesley Dental Group if you have any thoughts or concerns; they will be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to set up an appointment.

Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist, Dr. Bahar Houshman and Dr. Marisa Reason is happy to help with your TMJ and orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other oral surgery needs, Dr. Reisman would love to help, and our gum-specialist Dr. Singh can help with your gum-related concerns.

References:

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/kids-oral-care/4-fun-dental-activities-for-children

https://connect2local.com/l/21843/c/259446/3-important-dental-care-tips-for-kids-during-easter

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sunrisedentalcare.com%2Fblog%2Fyour-tooth-friendly-guide-to-easter-candy%2F&psig=AOvVaw3D_Xk2BH6B3Ln2j7qz51Oi&ust=1617635975436000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCPC1sPHx5O8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAQ

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.littlestepsasia.com%2Fjakarta%2Fshop%2Fkids-shops%2Ffabulous-sticky-candy%2F&psig=AOvVaw02pyEfUSqS5GSZ0_wf-4EG&ust=1617636140871000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCPCMzrHy5O8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fspy.com%2Fgallery%2Fbest-sour-candies%2F&psig=AOvVaw0fO87AOzcS3q_GIzc6tfAK&ust=1617636251611000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCIiE3OTy5O8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAe

https://za.pinterest.com/pin/520799144394923333/

We all know how important taking care of our teeth are, but did you know that in doing so you could be lowering your risk of having severe complications from COVID-19? The human body is fascinating, and throughout the years research has been continuously proving the relationship between our oral conditions and the conditions that can develop throughout the entire body, particularly as a result of systemic inflammation. A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology reported that individuals with a severe form of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, are 9 times more likely to die from infection with COVID-19. 

Periodontal disease has been found to be linked as a culprit of many detrimental health conditions, including diabetes, respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, just to name a few. In addition, periodontal disease can lead to oral problems such as bad breath, bone loss, and ultimately result in loss of teeth.

More recently, it has been suggested that controlling periodontal gum inflammation could possibly help lower the chance of experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms

Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology also found that individuals with gum disease who become infected with COVID-19 are 3.5 times more likely to be in the intensive care unit (ICU) and 4.5 times more likely to require use of a ventilator. They found that the blood inflammatory markers were significantly higher in patient with gum disease.

This pandemic has impacted us all, but our community is indeed all stronger together. Our team at WDG always has your safety and health as our top priority, and we have implemented additional safety measures and equipment to help prevent the transmission of all infections, including COVID-19. Wellesley Dental Group has completely reopened since June 8th, 2020 for all dental procedures and cleanings! Thank you for entrusting your health and dental care to us at Wellesley Dental Group.

Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and the caring team at Wellesley Dental Group if you have any thoughts or concerns; they will be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to set up an appointment.

Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist, Dr. Bahar Houshman and Dr. Marisa Reason is happy to help with your TMJ and orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other oral surgery needs, Dr. Reisman would love to help, and our gum-specialist Dr. Singh can help with your gum-related concerns.

References:

https://nypost.com/2021/02/08/covid-19-patients-with-gum-disease-more-likely-to-die-study/

https://www.beckersdental.com/clinical-leadership-infection-control/36224-routine-dental-care-may-prevent-severe-covid-19-complications-study-finds.html

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpe.13435

https://www.beckersdental.com/clinical-leadership-infection-control/36458-covid-19-patients-with-gum-disease-9-times-more-likely-to-die-from-the-virus-study-finds.html?origin=DentalE&utm_source=DentalE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=7754I6987723B8B

https://www.cda.org/Home/News-and-Events/Newsroom/Article-Details/routine-dental-care-may-protect-against-severe-covid-19-related-complications#:~:text=Oral%20bacteria%20can%20be%20aspirated,to%20dentistry%20and%20COVID%2D19.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fleemingdental.com.au%2Fnew-studies-show-gum-disease-may-increase-severity-of-covid-19%2F&psig=AOvVaw2eU7rvXv9h5qjRprOqk-Bv&ust=1617025137826000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCMDBpqeO0-8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lanap.com%2F2016%2F09%2F22%2Fsurprising-link-between-gum-disease-and-systemic-disease%2F&psig=AOvVaw2yP2PqAwAjz0-Wnp8RPUO8&ust=1617028498531000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCJjskN-a0-8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI

The CDC also recommends that people should still postpone traveling domestically and internationally. If travel is necessary, it is still necessary to follow the essential precautions as stated by the CDC.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are symptomatic, you should not visit with individuals or gather in public places, regardless of whether vaccinated or not. As more information on vaccinations and COVID-19 become available, the CDC will continue to update recommendations for all individuals on their website.

This pandemic has impacted us all, but our community is indeed all stronger together. Our team at WDG always has your safety and health as our top priority, and we have implemented additional safety measures and equipment to help prevent the transmission of all infections, including COVID-19. Wellesley Dental Group has completely reopened since June 8th, 2020 for all dental procedures and cleanings! Thank you for entrusting your health and dental care to us at Wellesley Dental Group.

Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and the caring team at Wellesley Dental Group if you have any thoughts or concerns; they will be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to set up an appointment.

Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist, Dr. Bahar Houshman and Dr. Marisa Reason is happy to help with your TMJ and orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other oral surgery needs, Dr. Reisman would love to help, and our gum-specialist Dr. Singh can help with your gum-related concerns.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.phila.gov%2F2021-01-12-city-announces-schedule-of-priority-populations-for-covid-19-vaccine%2F&psig=AOvVaw15qHF05S5cpgFG2cDgSveK&ust=1616454376374000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCPi3tf-_wu8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD