Thursday, July 28, 2016

Pediatric Dentistry

For children to have optimal oral health, it's crucial to not miss any dental visits. It's important to develop a healthy hygiene habit while children are young. However, it's not always an easy task. It's not uncommon for kids to be scared of visiting the dentist. There are tips you can take into consideration as a parent to make your child's visit less fearful.

Try to Keep Conversations Basic
It's natural for your child to be curious and ask you what will go on at the dentist. It's beneficial if you keep the conversation as simple as possible. Try to refrain from using any words such as drill, filling, shots, x-rays, etc. The best and most basic thing to tell them is that the dentist will be checking for sugar bugs on their teeth. From there, the dentist will be able to take over and explain the next steps in a kid-friendly manner.

Play Pretend
Most kids like to play pretend and it may be beneficial for the both of you to play pretend dentist prior to the actual appointment. For example, the night or morning before the dental appointment, you can pretend you are the dentist and your child is the patient. Take a toothbrush and count his or her teeth in a fun way. Avoid any drill noises or anything that could make him or her anxious. By playing pretend, it will make your child feel more at ease knowing what to expect.

For more information on our pediatric dentistry services, contact us at 516-962-5010 or view our website www.bramdental.com

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral Cancer Screenings at Bram Dental

An estimated 30,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer in the United States each year, according to the National Cancer Institute. At Bram Dental, Drs. Mark and Lea Bram use their dental expertise to provide oral cancer screenings to their patients.

Oral cancer is cancer that can involve the lips, tongue, gums, teeth, cheek linings, and part of your mouth under your tongue. Oral cancers cause cells in the mouth to grow at an uncontrolled rate. This can cause a person to develop tumors that can then spread to other parts of the body.

The dentists will use a special technique to examine the structures of the mouth. In some instances, this can allow them to view areas of different tissues that could indicate oral cancer.

Some symptoms/indications of oral cancer include:
• White patches in the mouth
• Red patches
• A sore on your lip or mouth that won’t heal
• Teeth that feel loose
• Bleeding or soreness in the mouth
• A unexplained lump in the neck
• Numbness of the lower lip

Please call Dr. Bram to schedule your oral cancer screening.

Are You at Risk for Oral Cancer?

Patients who may be at risk for oral cancers include those who use tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, or smokeless tobacco. People who abuse tobacco and are heavy drinkers are at an especially increased risk for oral cancers. Other risk factors include sun exposure, prior exposure to HPV, a past history of oral cancers, and those who do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, according to the American Cancer Society.

For more information on oral cancer screenings at Bram Dental, please call the dentists office at (516) 962-5010. www.bramdental.com