Smiles of Memorial News

Oral Cancer – It’s Important to Spot it Early!

May 17, 2021

Oral cancer can be a dangerous disease if not found early. An oral cancer screening from Dr. Viet Tran and his team at Smiles of Memorial scan patients for oral cancer during their yearly dental exam. This is one reason why the oral health team encourages patients to complete bi-annual dental visits. Prevention is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of expensive, time consuming, and risky dental restorations in the future.

Who Can Get Oral Cancer?

Similar to most diseases, anyone can be susceptible to oral cancer; however, according to the American Cancer Society, the demographic that is most likely to develop oral cancer is men over 50 years old. Apart from this, risk factors that can increase anyones risk of developing oral cancer is smoke or smokeless tobacco, a history of cancer, excessive alcohol or sun exposure, or Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Reducing Your Risk For Oral Cancer

It is important that patients are aware of their risk factors and know that there are certain things they can do to prevent oral cancer. The first, of course, is an oral cancer screening with Dr. Viet Tran at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas. During this screening, Dr. Viet Tran will consider your symptoms, if you have any, and feel for lumps and abnormalities around your neck and mouth. If he finds a concerning area, he will send part of it for a biopsy.

You can also prevent oral cancer by reducing the behavioral risk factors: alcohol consumption, sun exposure, and tobacco usage. There are a number of oral and overall health benefits to quitting smokeless and smoke tobacco, but one is its ability to increase your risk of developing oral cancer. Additionally, limit your sun exposure, and when you are in the sun, apply sunscreen on your face and lower lip. This will help reduce your risk of developing oral cancer.

Patients that discover their oral cancer early have a higher chance of recovering and riding themselves of the cancer. If you have not been to the dentist in a while or if you have any oral health concerns, call Smiles of Memorial of Houston – Viet Tran DMD, Texas to book an appointment, today!

Treating Periodontal or Gum Disease

If your gums become red, swollen, or start to bleed while brushing your teeth, you may have gum disease. Many patients assume these sensitive tooth symptoms are from decay; however, gum disease could be causing underlying oral health problems. If untreated, periodontal disease, also called gum disease, can cause an infection in your body and tooth loss. The best way to prevent these complications is through effective gum disease treatment.

Gum Disease Treatment

Non-Surgical Gum Disease Treatment Options

When diagnosed early, Dr. Viet Tran may suggest a gum disease treatment of an enhanced oral health routine and regular periodontal appointments. In this gum disease treatment, a Smiles of Memorial hygienist will scrape away tarter and plaque build-up on or around your gums and teeth. This build-up leads to the progression of gum disease by forming pockets between the tooth and the gums. This is also a reason why gums appear red, inflamed, and bleed in the early stages of gum disease.

Gum disease puts your oral health and overall health at risk for infection. To combat this, Dr. Viet Tran also offers a powdered based medication called Arestin. This gum disease treatment helps your body eliminate infections caused by gum disease. Without this gum disease treatment, an infection that spreads through the body can cause complications like stroke and heart disease.

Surgical Gum Disease Treatment Options

Another option that Dr. Viet Tran offers his patients is a surgical gum disease treatment. The Smiles of Memorial team typically recommends this gum disease treatment for patients with advanced gum disease. However, many patients that have been told they need periodontal surgery in the past, qualify for a non-surgical laser treatment. Contact the Smiles of Memorial team to find out which gum disease treatment is right for you.

The risks of gum disease are not on the radar of many patients. However, it is just as important to pay attention to the health of your gums as well as the health of your teeth. For more information about gum disease treatment options or to plan your next visit to Smiles of Memorial of Houston – Viet Tran DMD, call our office, today!

Cosmetic Smiles How You Want Them

Many of our patients in Memorial and Houston, Texas dream of beautiful, Hollywood worthy smiles. At Smiles of Memorial, we can help you achieve you dream smile. From simple cosmetic updates to full mouth restorations, our Smiles of Memorial team is dedicated to enhancing your smile.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Memorial, Texas

When patients first come to our office, many of them ask, “What is cosmetic dentistry?” A cosmetic dental procedure can be done when the patient is in good oral health and wants to improve the appearance of their smile. If you have underlying dental concerns, such as a large decay or gum disease, Dr. Viet Tran at Smiles of Memorial may not recommend a cosmetic treatment. If you have poor oral health, a cosmetic dentistry procedure could worsen your oral health. At Smiles of Memorial we offer a number of cosmetic procedures ranging from porcelain veneers, Invisalign, teeth whitening, and dental implants. Below, we will describe each procedure. If you have any questions or if you would like to plan a consultation visit with Dr. Viet Tran, please call our dental office in Houston, Texas.

Dental Veneers

For a quick, smile restoration with cosmetic dentistry, opt for dental veneers. At Smiles of Memorial, we offer dental veneers that can be placed in just one short appointment and will whiten and brighten your smile for years. Dental veneers can even also make your smile appear straighter and your check bones may appear lifted.

Teeth Whitening

Whether you opt for at-home or in-office teeth whitening at Smiles of Memorial, you will not be disappointed. With our prescription strength whitening gel and custom fit trays, we can help lighten your smile multiple shades.

Brighten you smile with our cosmetic dentistry products at Smiles of Memorial with Dr. Viet Tran in Memorial, Texas. Call our office if you would like to discuss cosmetic dentistry with us or plan your next visit.

Burning Mouth Syndrom – What is it?

If your mouth sometimes feels like a hot, dry sauna, you are not alone. This is called burning mouth syndrome which can be related to a variety of diseases, infections, and medications. If you have a dry, burning sensation on your tongue, hard palate, lips or anywhere in your mouth, call Dr. Viet Tran at Smiles of Memorial to plan a visit. Although burning mouth syndrome is usually associated with another cause, it can occur on its own in response to stress or hormonal changes.

What are the Symptoms of Burning Mouth Syndrome?

One of the tell-tale signs of burning mouth syndrome is in the name, an uncontrollable burning, dry sensation in your mouth. Other common symptoms are thirst, loss of taste or a metallic sense of taste, or a tingling in or around your mouth. Symptoms can occur all the time, in the morning and/or at night, or worsen throughout the day. If you have any of these symptoms, call Dr. Viet Tran and the Smiles of Memorial team to discuss your symptoms.

Causes Of Burning Mouth Syndrome

Alone, there is not usually a clear sign of what causes burning mouth syndrome. The syndrome is usually a side effect or complication of another dental or overall health concern. Common conditions that accompany burning mouth syndrome are: dry mouth (xerostomia), oral infection (thrush), clenching and grinding teeth (bruxism), certain medications, stomach reflex (GERD), nutritional deficiencies, and endocrine disorders. Further, as with most oral health conditions, a poor oral health routine can lead to the secondary condition, burning mouth syndrome.

Treatment Options For Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome usually occurs with no warning signs and there is no clear treatment option. Decreasing your stress level, eliminating the use of tobacco products, avoiding spicy foods, and limiting acidic and/or carbonated drinks can decrease your risk of developing burning mouth syndrome. The population that has the highest risk of developing burning mouth syndrome is postmenopausal women over 50 years old. Even though there is no clear treatment, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Viet Tran if you experience any of these symptoms. Dr. Viet Tran and the Smiles of Memorial team can help you live with burning mouth syndrome.

Although burning mouth syndrome is not common, it is important to know the risk factors and symptoms associated with it. For more information about burning mouth syndrome or oral health call Smiles of Memorial Houston, Texas, today!

How To Care For Sensitive Teeth

It’s a hot summer day and you take a big, delicious bite into a bowl of rocky road ice cream. Just as the chocolate and vanilla hit your tongue a sharp, painful stabbing pain fills your tooth. This situation is all too common for people with sensitive teeth. At Smiles of Memorial, we want to help you enjoy the hot or cold foods and drinks that you love without pain.

What Causes sensitive teeth?

There are a number of reasons that you may have sensitive teeth. The first is that there may be fine cracks in the enamel of your tooth. This small crack may reach the middle pulp of your tooth where your blood vessels and nerves are stored. Another reason you may experience tooth sensitivity is if you have shrinking gums naturally or through gum disease. People who are over age 40 have an increased risk of shrinking gums which can uncover the sensitive tooth roots, also called pulp. Another reason that your gums may be receding is gum disease. This can occur at any age. A build-up of plaque and tartar from bacteria can create pockets between your teeth and your gums. Similarly, receding gums from gum disease lead to exposure of your pulp allowing sugars, hot and cold liquids, and other foods to cause a painful feeling when you eat or drink them.

How can I strengthen My Enamel?

The enamel is the hard surface around the outside of your tooth. This is the hardest substance in your body, it is even harder than bone! Even though they are extremely strong, this substance can be broken down by sugars and starches in your food. Additionally, using a hard-bristled toothbrush or brushing too hard can lead to enamel wear. When you brush, it is best to use a soft bristled brush and softly move the brush against your teeth on a 45-degree angle. Opt for a toothpaste with fluoride to help strengthen the enamel on your teeth.

Another way your teeth can wear down is by grinding or clenching your teeth. This usually happens unconsciously when patients are sleeping or stressed. Lastly, refrain from over bleaching your teeth. At Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas we do encourage patients to participate in a healthy dose of teeth whitening. However, over whitening, your teeth can also weaken the enamel exposing sensitive nerves to foods and drinks.

Protecting sensitive teeth is not only beneficial for a comfortable lifestyle but also important to maintain your overall health. For more information about sensitive teeth or strengthening your enamel, call Smiles of Memorial of Houston – Viet Tran DMD, Texas, today!

Eat Candy And Have A Healthy Smile

Spring has sprung! This is the time of year children start to ask for spring goodies, like peeps, jelly beans, and chocolate. If your worried about how this will affect the health of their teeth, you’re not alone. However, at Smiles of Memorial, Dr. Viet Tran promotes a healthy way to eat candy without damaging the health of your teeth.

Rinse With Water

If your child is not at home when they are eating candy, teach them the importance of rinsing their mouth after eating sugar. When your child eats candy, the sugars turn into acids and bacteria that eat away the protective layer of their teeth called enamel. One way they can prevent sugars from eating their enamel is by drinking water after eating candy. This will rinse off the surface of their teeth removing some of the sugars.

Sugar-Free Candy

Although this may not be their go-to option, whenever possible, choose sugar-free candy. Like mentioned above, this will limit the number of sugar molecules eating away their enamel. Additionally, it is healthier for your child’s overall health.

Brush

Rinsing with water and choosing sugar-free candy are great options when your child is not at home. However, there is no replacement for brushing! Remember to encourage your child to brush twice a day for two minutes each time. The abrasive material in their toothpaste and the scrubbing of the toothbrush will remove sugars.

Floss

Even if your child brushes twice a day for two minutes each time, they could be missing important spots between their teeth. Teaching your children to floss at a young age will help them develop the habit of flossing for the rest of their life.

Eating candy, especially in the spring and summer, can be fun, but you don’t have to sacrifice your oral health to enjoy it. By following these few tips, your child can maintain good oral health, even when they’re eating candy. For more oral health tips or to plan your next visit to Smiles of Memorial in Memorial Texas, call our office today!

What’s Up With Saliva?

At times, saliva can seem like a liquidy nuisance making your mouth uncomfortably watery. Other times, saliva is nowhere to be found and your mouth feels like a desert in the middle of summer. So, what does saliva really do and how can it help your oral and overall health. Let’s take a deeper dive into the watery world of saliva.

What is Saliva?

Saliva, or spit, is the liquid inside of your mouth responsible for breaking down your food, rinsing sugars from your teeth, and protecting your body from bad bacteria. First, saliva uses an enzyme called amylase to turn a piece of bread into small molecules that your body can digest. Next, saliva is a fluid that rinses over your teeth washing away bacteria that can cause decay and cavities. Lastly, saliva fights off bacteria that want to harm your body from entering with the enzyme called lysozyme. This same enzyme is also in your tears preventing bacteria from entering the body through the eyes. It turns out, saliva does a lot of good!

What if I Don’t Have Enough Saliva?

If you don’t eat or drink for a few hours, your saliva production will probably decrease causing dry mouth and even bad breath. Not only is this uncomfortable and possibly smelly, but it can also even cause cavities. As you may remember from before, saliva washes of bacteria. Without saliva, the bacteria can eat away the outer layer of your tooth called enamel, therefore developing a hole in this tooth. This hole of decay is a cavity and if it is not treated right away, you may need a filling to prevent the cavity from increasing in size and potentially losing the tooth. Staying hydrated and chewing sugar-free gum are both ways that you can improve your saliva production and avoid decay.

Medical Conditions for Less Saliva

If you stay hydrated, but you still experience a low level of saliva, there could be a medical cause. Common conditions that lead to low saliva levels are salivary stones, salivary gland infection, cysts, tumors, infections, and Sjogren’s syndrome. In these cases, you may experience pain, fever, and swelling of the gland which may look like swollen cheeks. For more information about these conditions, contact Smiles of Memorial of Houston – Viet Tran DMD, Texas.

Although it may seem troublesome and inconvenient, saliva can help us in many ways. From fighting off bacteria to digesting food, saliva is a necessary part of good oral health. If you feel like you have a problem with your saliva production or if you want to plan your next visit with Dr. Viet Tran, call Smiles of Memorial, TX, today!

Do You Really Need to Fill Your Cavity?

At Smiles of Memorial, Dr. Viet Tran and his team hear this question often. It is a valid one. When a dentist, like Dr. Viet Tran, tells you that you have a cavity and need a dental filling, do you ever wonder, “but, do I really need a filling?”. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of getting a filling to learn if patients can forgo small fillings and if cavities can heal themselves.

What is a Dental Cavity?

First, let’s talk about a cavity. When you eat sugars or carbs, molecules in the food cling to your teeth and start to wear down your tooth’s outer defense mechanism called enamel. This then forms a cavity. There are a few ways you fight against these invaders. First, drinking water or chewing sugar-free gum that stimulates saliva production will rinse the bacteria from your enamel. secondly, as a part of a good oral hygiene routine, remember to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time and floss once per day. This reduces the number of bacteria on your teeth and spots them from wearing down your teeth.

What Happens if you Don’t Treat a Cavity?

Over time, the small amount of decay in your tooth will grow larger. With poor oral hygiene, the decay the size of the decay will grow larger quicker. When the decay first develops, it can sometimes be resolved with good oral hygiene and without a filling. The next intervention is filling the cavity. If the cavity is too big to fill, you may need a root canal. In severe cases, the tooth may have to be extracted and replaced with a crown, bridge, denture, or dental implant.

Stem-Cell Advancements

Although, a filling may not always be the answer to restore a cavity. Right now, scientists are testing a new medication named Tideglusib. The GSK3 antagonist is a cloth-like material that is attached to the decayed area. So far, the treatment has only been tested on rats and the Tideglusib material helped the rat’s body use its own cells to restore the tooth. The advancements seem promising, but the team of researchers needs to test the medication on humans before organizations like the American Dental Association can recommend it for clinical use.

The answer to your question? Right now, if the cavity is not found early, the best treatment is to receive a filling from Dr. Viet Tran at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas. However, there is a possibility that stem cells could help your tooth repair itself without a dental filling. For more information about dental fillings or to plan your next visit to Smiles of Memorial, call us today!

All About Oral Cancer

Dr. Viet Tran and his team at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas want to ensure that you have good oral and overall health. One way they do this is by providing a complimentary oral cancer screening during regular exams. In this blog, we will discuss some risk factors for developing oral cancer, common signs and symptoms, and what you can do to prevent oral cancer.

Risk Factors for Developing Oral Cancer

One of the main risk factors is tobacco use. Not only are smokeless and smoke tobacco products bad for your overall health, but it can also badly damage your oral health and increase your chance of developing oral cancer. Other risk factors are excessive drinking, prolonged sun exposure, family history of oral cancer, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). If you have one or more of these risk factors, talk with Dr. Viet Tran and his team at your next Smiles of Memorial visit to learn how to protect yourself from oral cancer.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer

There are a number of symptoms that can relate to oral cancer. If your gums bleed, then this could be a sign of periodontal disease; however, if you experience unexplained bleeding or numbness in your mouth, it could be a sign of oral cancer. Other signs include multiple sores lasting for longer than 2 weeks on your throat or in your mouth, bumps or growths in your mouth or throat, dramatic weight loss, hoarse voice, and ear pain. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, call Dr. Viet Tran and his team at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas to learn more.

How Can I Prevent Oral Cancer?

The best way to reduce your risk of developing oral cancer is to minimize the risk factors that you can change. For example, if you use smoke or smokeless tobacco, quit today. Another way you can reduce oral and other types of cancers is to limit sun exposure and use UV A/B sunblock when in the sun. Lastly, look out for common oral cancer signs. Consider giving yourself an oral cancer screening once a month at home. Additionally, during your biyearly appointments with Dr. Viet Tran and his team at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas, you will receive an oral cancer screening.

Oral cancer is a serious disease that should be treated right away. Limiting sun exposure, avoiding tobacco products, getting regular screenings, and eating right are all ways you can reduce your risk. However, if you have any of the risk factors or signs and symptoms, call at Smiles of Memorial of Houston – Viet Tran DMD, Texas at (281) 426-0120 for more information.

Common Dental Emergencies

Whether you were in a recent accident, had a traumatic fall, or have a toothache you may have a dental emergency. Many patients discount their pain and do not visit Dr. Viet Tran and his team when they have a true dental emergency because they think it is not a ‘big deal’. Well, if you are in excruciating pain or you have experienced one of the dental emergencies below, visit Dr. Viet Tran and his team at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas right away.

1. Missing or Dislodged tooth

If your child plays a contact sport, they should always wear a mouthguard. This can prevent a dental emergency such as a cracked, missing, or dislodged tooth. However, if their tooth falls out, it is important to get to Smiles of Memorial, or any dentist, within 30 minutes. This will preserve the tooth so Dr. Viet Tran and his team can hopefully save your natural tooth. If you or your child’s tooth dislodges, gently hold it in place in the mouth until you get to the dentist. If the tooth falls out, quickly rinse it under water. Avoid scrubbing the tooth. This can damage the tissue and roots of the tooth. Gently try to put it back in place, but do not force it in. If it does not go back into its original position, place the tooth in a bag or cup of milk and go to Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas for a dental emergency appointment right away. Before you reach the dentist, you can relieve the pain with a cold compress on the cheek and/or take an over-the-counter medication like Tylenol or Advil.

2. Toothache or Chipped Tooth

The first step you should take with a toothache is to thoroughly brush your teeth and rinse your mouth. Then, carefully floss between the teeth. Many times a toothache dental emergency can be caused by an object lodged in between the teeth. If you see the object between your teeth, only use dental floss, never other sharp tools, to remove the object. If you cannot remove it, call Dr. Viet Tran and his team at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas to make an appointment right away.

First, for a chipped tooth dental emergency, remember to collect the pieces that disconnected from the tooth. These may be important parts of saving your tooth. Next, rinse your mouth and tooth chips with water. Finally, apply pressure with a tissue or gauze to bleeding areas and visit Dr. Viet Tran at Smiles of Memorial right away. In either situation, if pain continues, you can put a cold compress on the affected area and take over the counter medication such as Tylenol or Advil.

3. Lost Crown or Filling

Although a lost crown or filling is not as time sensitive as a missing tooth dental emergency, it is still important to visit Dr. Viet Tran right away to avoid further decay and damage to the affected tooth. To prevent further decay, you can fill your cavity with dental cement or sugar-free gum before visiting Dr. Viet Tran. For your dental crown, you can place clove oil or dental cement in the crown and temporarily reattach it to the tooth. Remember, these are not permanent solutions and you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Viet Tran and his team at Smiles of Memorial right after you lose the crown or filling.

4. Abscess

Although you may not be familiar with this term, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this dental emergency. If untreated, this infection can spread throughout your body causing damage to your oral and overall health. So, what is an abscess dental emergency? Typically, an abscess presents as a painful, pimple-like bulge on your gums around your teeth. Before your dental appointment, rinse with salt water to relieve the pain. Then, call Dr. Viet Tran at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas right away to plan your visit.

What do I do in a Dental Emergency?

Your oral health may be more important to your overall health than you initially realize. This is why dental emergencies should be taken seriously. If you have a missing or dislodged tooth, toothache, chipped tooth, lost crown or filling, or a dental abscess, make a dental emergency appointment with Dr. Viet Tran at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas right away! For more information, or to plan your next visit call (281)-493-0061, today!