Oral Health

ORAL HEALTH

MARCH 2020 | FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

An Independent Supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today

Rob Paulsen

The prolifıc comic voice actor gets serious about throat cancer

What kind of relationship do you have with your dentist?

A toothache can indicate something much more grave than a cavity

Join us for Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week®

April 13 - 19, 2020 Early detection saves lives. Find a free screening near you. | www.headandneck.org/events

Every Child Should Have a Dental Home More than 4 out of 10 American children will have had tooth decay by the time they go to kindergarten.

In fact, more than 34 million school hours are lost each year because of dental problems.

For many children and their parents, a diagnosis of one or more cavities can make first dental appointments discouraging. The good news is that tooth decay and related complications are not a necessary part of childhood — they are entirely preventable.

We encourage parents to visit a pediatric dentist with the arrival of the first baby tooth, typically between the first four and six months. At this early appointment, parents will learn about hygiene routines, fluoride, and healthy eating habits to prevent cavities and gum disease.

A relationship with a pediatric dentist early in a child’s life creates a comfortable space for parents to engage with pediatric dentists on preventive care and receive advice on topics like teething, pacifiers, thumbsucking, and sippy cups.

Working together, a parent and the pediatric dentist can select the best treatment methods to make a child’s visit as comfortable as possible. When emergencies do come up, parents can spend more time comforting their child and less time searching for a dentist because they already have a dental home.

Dr. Kevin J. Donly, President, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

This Is What It Takes to Sustain Oral Health A beneficial relationship with a dentist starts in childhood and should extend well into adulthood to prevent and treat threats to overall oral health.

O

ral health is about more than just a good smile. In many cases, the condition of the mouth mirrors the condition of the body as a whole.

Because poor oral health and untreated oral diseases and conditions can have a significant impact on quality of life, the Academy of General Dentistry recommends establishing a dental home early in a patient’s life to maintain consistent dental care habits and protect your smile.

A roof over your head What a dental home really is is an ongoing relationship between dentist and patient, one that takes into account all aspects of oral healthcare delivered in a comprehensive, continuously accessible, coordinated, and family-centered way. Parents should establish a dental home for their child no later than 12 months of age.

A dental home is usually established during the initial process of finding a

Connie L. White DDS, FAGD President, Academy of General Dentistry dentist. General dentists, the gatekeepers of oral health, establish an early relationship with their patients, and are able to deliver coordinated and continuous care to patients in a more family-centered way. This is the beginning of patients understanding basic health information and the services needed to make appropriate decisions to sustain good oral health.

Sticking to it Regular visits to your general dentist are key to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Tooth decay and gum disease are the biggest risks for adults who don’t receive regular dental care.

Regular checkups for children, starting at age one, will safeguard them against problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations, gum disease, and prolonged thumbsucking, and help prevent cavities throughout their early years.

Building a relationship with a general dentist who sees you regularly and knows your history allows you to maintain your oral health and catch small problems before they become big ones. General dentists are the primary dental care providers for patients of all ages. They can treat you and your entire family and care for your overall oral health.

This is crucial to your total health. Your general dentist takes responsibility for the diagnosis, treatment, and overall coordination of services to meet your oral health needs. If you need a specialized dental procedure performed, your general dentist may work with other dentists to make sure you get the care you need. n

Publisher Nellie Dubin, Shira Peretz, Brianna Roberts Business Developer Gretchen Pancak Managing Director Luciana Olson Lead Designer Tiffany Pryor Designer Keziah Makoundou Lead Editor Mina Fanous Copy Editor Seth Garben Director of Sales Stephanie King Director of Product Faye Godfrey Cover Photo Lesley Bohm All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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Natural teeth are like a precious forest that supplies oxygen to humans and wildlife alike. They’re worth caring for with regular, six-month dental checkups, as well as daily brushing and flossing.

In the event of a dental problem like tooth pain, they’re worth saving just like a forest, or a priceless family keepsake, or irreplaceable photos in a burning house.

Dental experts agree that if you have a tooth-

ache, seeing a dental specialist such as an endodontist can help resolve the problem more quickly than if you wait for the pain to worsen. Not to mention, their expert treatment could save your smile.

After all, according to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), no artificial structure — be it a bridge, an implant, or a denture — looks or feels like your real teeth.

Debunking root canal myths When you think “root canal,” your mind may flash to scenes from a TV show or movie that portrays the procedure as painful. But the truth is, root canals aren’t scary.

Almost every patient is pleasantly surprised at

the ease and comfort of the procedure.

In fact, root canal treatments are common and routine for endodontists who perform them almost exclusively and on average 25 times per week.

As pain management experts, endodontists are best at delivering a virtually painless procedure.

They are experts at addressing that throbbing, dull, or sharp discomfort you may be feeling now or experience in the future.

The fact of the matter is that having an endodontist diagnose a dental problem, recommend a treatment, and provide the root canal treatment when needed can prevent further dental stress and expenses down the line.

“Endodontic treatment

PHOTO: COURTESY OF AAE

How Endodontists Can Minimize Tooth Pain

has a high success rate and many root canal-treated teeth last a lifetime,” noted the AAE. “Replacing an extracted tooth with a bridge or implant requires more time in treatment and may result in further procedures to neighboring teeth and supporting tissue.”

Considering the benefıts It’s everyone’s dream to retain their youthful energy and appearance as they age. And maintaining good dental health, aesthetically and functionally, is a worthy effort in this quest.

Fortunately, in the face of severe tooth pain or swelling, opting for a root canal can get you back on your feet, and back to work and your social life more quickly than if you

were to have your problematic tooth extracted.

“Thanks to modern techniques and effective anesthesia, patients who experience root canals are six times more likely to describe it as painless than patients who have a tooth extracted,” according to the AAE. Root canals effectively treat inflamed or infected pulp, which lies inside of your tooth.

Trauma, decay, a crack in the tooth, malfunctioning crowns, or multiple dental procedures can contribute to this inflammation or infection. During a root canal or endodontic treatment, the pulp is cleared and the inside of the tooth is disinfected then sealed.

Next, a crown or filling is placed on top, creating a structure that’s as good as new.

If you’ve ever had a filling before, think of a root canal as a similar procedure. It requires one to two visits, depending on the health and anatomy of the tooth.

Endodontists agree that retaining your tooth with a root canal treatment offers additional perks, including allowing you to continue to chew efficiently, bite with the same force and sensation, and shield surrounding teeth from unnecessary wear, tear, or strain.

All in all, the end result of going the natural route in your dental care is looking and feeling your best — now, and for years to come. ■ Melinda Carter MEDIAPLANET • 5

Head and Neck Cancer Means a Diffıcult “New Normal” for Many Survivors

began in 2016, after a doctor inspected a growth on his neck during a routine physical. Paulsen underwent testing and learned he had human papillomavirus (HPV)-attributed stage III squamous cell carcinoma.

He faced aggressive cancer treatments, including both chemotherapy and radiation, losing 50 pounds and the ability to taste food in the process.

What if, one day, you could no longer speak? What if you could no longer taste, chew, or swallow food? What would life be like?

Elizabeth Langdon, VP Communications & Development, Head and Neck Cancer Alliance 6 • FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

This Famous Voice Actor Lends His Voice to a Worthy Cause The man who brings life to Pinky, Donatello, and Raphael discusses his battle with throat cancer and his efforts to raise awareness about the disease.

Emmy Award-winning voice actor, author, and singer Rob Paulsen makes his living perched behind a microphone. When he learned he had stage III throat cancer, it was a double blow; however, he

refused to let the diagnosis consume him.

“I recall getting the phone call with almost an odd consternation,” explains the 64-year-old Michigan native, who serves as the 2020 spokesperson for the nonprofit Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA). “But at no time did I freak out.”

Facing a tough road Paulsen’s cancer journey

Sharing his story Initially, Paulsen stayed silent about his condition.

Today, as the face and voice of HNCA’s Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Program, he’s committed to getting the word out.

Paulsen encourages those at risk to get screened for oral cancer, and wants people to understand the importance of early detection and prevention through HPV vaccination.

“We may be able to save a lot of young people, not only from getting cancer, but from having to go through such a gnarly treatment.”

PHOTO: LESLEY BOHM

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a group of cancers that affect the mouth, throat, voice box, sinuses, nasal cavity, or salivary glands. There are an estimated 430,000 HNC survivors in the United States, with 65,000 more diagnosed each year. Unlike many cancers, when treatment is over, life does not go back to normal for most survivors, who are left with devastating and enduring side effects.

Some survivors lose their voices, either temporarily or permanently, their voice boxes having been removed. Friends and family often distance themselves because they’re uncomfortable with the survivor’s new voice.

Additionally, changes to the throat often result in swallowing problems that cause episodes of aspiration and coughing. Destruction of the salivary glands may leave survivors with extensive and permanent dry mouth that affects taste, leaving many too embarrassed to eat around others.

Then there’s the stigma associated with HNC. Smoking and drinking are traditionally considered the strongest risk factors for HNC. Human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection, is now also known to be responsible for a growing number of throat cancers.

Factors like these lead many survivors to isolate from society. In fact, the HNC patient population has one of the highest rates of suicide among all cancer populations.

If you know a survivor, support them as they learn their “new normal,” and remember that no matter how difficult these adjustments are for you, they are far more difficult for them.

A message of hope Best known for his work on “Animaniacs,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and “Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius,” Paulsen is grateful for his success, and is eager to give something back.

Paulsen has spent a great deal of time with sick and terminally ill fans during his career. He credits them with giving him perspective as he speaks out about his ordeal.

“It was my turn to share.

You never know when you’ll have the opportunity to be inspirational.” ■ Cindy Riley MEDIAPLANET

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