Achieve a Happy and Healthy Smile with
Oral Cancer Screening In Jupiter, FL
Our State Of The Art Office Is Only A Few Miles From Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, And All Of Palm Beach County.
Oral Cancer Screening
Although oral cancer was once considered to be an issue exclusive to smokers, it is now the sixth most common cancer among men, and has continued to see an increased rate of detection. Smoking continues to be the leading cause or oral cancer, but new research indicates that alcohol consumption, ethnicity, and genetic predisposition are also contributing factors.
There are roughly 50,000 Americans diagnosed with oral cancer every year, and of those, approximately 9,750 cases will be fatal. Checking for oral cancer is one of the more compelling reasons to schedule a dentist appointment every six months. These visits may seem like simple checkups, but they are also opportunities for you dentist to observe the health and wellbeing of other areas of your mouth, including your lips, gums, and the areas surrounding your mouth.
At Ritter and Ramsey, we are committed to providing you with the oral health care support you need. If you have noticed any suspicious lumps or sores, or have not had a dental checkup in some time, it is important that you schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Treating a problem early can prevent this problem from developing into something far worse later on. Please call today to schedule an appointment at (561) 626-6667.
Common Oral Cancer Symptoms
During your regular checkups, your dentist will look for several indications to determine if there are any warning signs of warning cancer, including inspecting the soft tissue and any sores that are not healing. They will also identify any thickening of the skin, growth, or lumps that may have formed in the lining of your mouth. Other potential symptoms might include difficulty swallowing, loose teeth, sore throats, or suddenly ill-fitting
dentures.
Award Winning
Dentistry at Ritter + Ramsey
Our Doctors are known nationally for their knowledge of practice materials and techniques. Ritter and Ramsey have provided industry insights and research to some of the top dental manufactures worldwide. Together, they lecture both nationally and internationally in excess of 50 times per year.
Causes Of Oral Cancer
There are several factors that can play a significant role in increasing your chances of developing oral cancer, the most common of which are smoking or using any kind of tobacco product, as well as consuming alcohol on a regular basis. While there is no way to completely prevent oral cancer from developing, avoiding any tobacco use is the best thing you can do to reduce the chances of this occurring.
Somewhat surprisingly, individuals who have a restricted diet of only fruits and vegetables also have a slightly increased risk of developing oral cancer. In addition to these external factors, a person’s genetic predisposition can play an important role in determining the likelihood of developing oral cancer. If you have a compromised or weakened immune system, you are also at an increased risk for developing oral cancer.
Treatment Of Oral Cancer
If your dentist has determined that you should have biopsy following a checkup, they will remove a part of the tissue to send to a lab, where it will then be analyzed for potential issues. Along with determining what the specific cause of the growth is, the results of this sample will allow your dentist to determine a plan of treatment that is designed to best address your particular case.
If it has been confirmed that you have oral cancer, there are a variety of treatment options that will be made available to you. One approach to addressing oral cancer is to have the tumor removed. If the area that is affected covers a substantial amount of tissue, radiation therapy may be recommended in order to protect the remaining health tissue and actively target the cells that are cancerous. Chemotherapy in conjunction with radiation is also a fairly common treatment option.
Preventing Oral Cancer From Developing
While there is no guaranteed solution for preventing oral cancer from developing, there are certain preventative measures you can take to reduce your risk of developing this issue. One of the best things you can do to prevent oral cancer from developing is to quit smoking or using tobacco
products immediately. It is also a good idea to avoid second hand smoke as much as possible.
Another proactive measure you can take to reduce your risk of developing oral cancer is to avoid drinking excessively. Individuals who drink to excess on a regular basis irritate the cells of their mouth, which in turn makes it more vulnerable to developing mouth cancer. If you do enjoy a daily cocktail or beer, limiting yourself to a single drink or two at most each day can have a significant impact on reducing your chances of developing oral cancer issues in the future.
Finally, it is a good idea to avoid excessive sun exposure, especially to your lips. If you are going to be out in the sun, make sure that you apply sunscreen and avoid prolonged exposure as much as possible.
Practice Monthly Self Examinations
It is a good idea for everyone to practice regular monthly oral exams. Please review this step-by-step overview of practicing monthly exams:
- Remove your dentures (if applicable)
- Tilt back your head back to examine the roof of your mouth
- Feel around inside your gums for any new growths or abnormalities
- Stretch out your cheek to look at the gums and surrounding teeth for any new growths or other abnormalities
- Touch your neck and massage the base of the jaw for signs of any lumps or enlarged glands
Contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately if this examination shows any abnormalities, or if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Sores that fail to heal and/or bleed
- Red and/or white patches
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Unexplained lumps or masses in the neck region
- Chronic cough, hoarseness, or sore throat
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DENTISTRY SINCE 1994
Traditionally, hours of hand labor in a dental laboratory are invested in these precise products. With the adoption of more technology into dentistry, digital imaging continues to grow in importance. Most restorations begin with a mold of your mouth that involves messy impression materials. With the Itero Digital Scanner, you can say goodbye to the mess. Itero eliminates this step, replacing it with simple digital images captured with a handheld wand. The images quickly appear on a computer monitor as 3-D models of your teeth.
Expert Tooth Restoration Using Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain dental crowns are used to restore dental implants, to secure dental bridges, restore and help repair broken or damaged teeth. Dental crowns can be performed in one visit. The goal with dental crowns is to create a natural looking smile. These types of crowns can add the strength and durability to any tooth with any needed repair. Aesthetically, dental crowns are used to cover a discolored tooth and even narrow the gaps between largely separated teeth.
The Finest Porcelain Veneers for a New Smile
At Ritter & Ramsey, watching patients discover a brilliant new smile is the highlight of our days. Porcelain veneers can transform a smile dramatically. A beautiful new set of porcelain veneers can correct chips, stains, and even deeply discolored teeth. But they can also alter the length and size of teeth, or help teeth that seem rotated appear straight. While it sounds dramatic, only the stunning visual outcome is surprising. Porcelain veneers provide a highly conservative approach to aesthetic smile makeovers.
Meet Our Internationally Recognized Cosmetic Dentists
Our doctors have more than 40 years of combined experience diagnosing and treating dental health issues. Patients trust our team to perform top quality work and send you home from your appointments with a gleaming smile. Get to know our doctors below and be sure to meet our wonderful, hard-working staff as well.
Dr. Robert Ritter
Dr. Robert Ritter grew up in Palm Beach prior to attending Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine. Practicing since 1994 and logging more than 200 hours of continuing education per year, Dr. Ritter is an extremely proficient doctor of restorative dentistry.
Dr. Christopher Ramsey
Dr. Christopher Ramsey was raised in Jupiter and achieved his dental degree from Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia. Dr. Ramsey is on the editorial review board for two dentistry journals and stays on the cutting edge of cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Dr. Isabelle Ritter
Dr. Isabelle Ritter graduated from Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine in 1994. Dr. Ritter provides tailored, mercury-free dental care for your young children and teens. She enjoys providing young people with healthy habits and gleaming smiles.