Dentist in Maple Grove MN Urges YOU To Get YOUR Oral Cancer Screening Today!

Oral cancer is on the rise.                                               

This year alone it is estimated that more than 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed 
this year, and about 9,000 will die as a result of oral cancer.  That is why educating yourself on prevention methods, early detection, and treatment options is more important than  ever.  

The number of people expected to be diagnosed this year with oral and throat cancers is VERY concerning.  The good news is that early detection is quick, easy, and painless.  As part of your routine dental exam, we will be screening you for oral cancer as well.  A dentist can see and feel precancerous tissue changes and early cancer, and can diagnose them during the early, curable stages. When oral cancer is detected early, the survival rate is an encouraging 80% to 90% and treatment outcomes are also good.

Many oral and throat cancers today are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus, specifically HPV 16 and HPV 18.  Because of the rapidly growing number of HPV-related oral cancer diagnoses, we strongly recommend that our patients age 17 years and older get screened yearly.

What Is an Oral Cancer Screening?

An oral cancer screening takes only three minutes. It consists of a verbal, visual, and physical examination and includes the following:

•   A thorough review of your oral health history, as well as your overall health history, which includes questions that help assess your level of risk for mouth cancer

•   A visual inspection of all the areas of your mouth and throat in an effort to locate any abnormalities, such as sores and red or white patches; this inspection includes the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, floor of the mouth, roof of the mouth, and far-back section of your tongue

Oral Cancer Signs and Symptoms

In between routine dental exams, you should perform self-examinations.  Some of the things that you should be looking for when doing self examination which may indicate either a cancerous or pre-cancerous lesion are any of the following:

•   Red or white patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue

•   Swelling or thickening of areas inside the mouth

•   Unexplained bleeding

•   Sores on the face, neck, or mouth that do not heal

•   A Chronic sore throat

•   Hoarseness in your voice

•   A change in the way your dentures fit

•   Suspicious lumps found by palpating your mouth, jaw, and neck

•   Dramatic weight loss

•   Inability to swallow, or difficulty in swallowing

•   Swollen glands in the neck that do not go away

Oral Cancer Prevention Tips

Here are some of the things that you can do to minimize your risk of getting Oral or Throat Cancer:

•   Avoid smoking and the use of all tobacco products.

•   Limit drinking alcohol, or avoid it all together.

•   Avoid overexposure to the sun, and use sunblock on your skin and lips.

•   Practice safe sex.  HPV is a sexually transmitted virus.

•   Maintain a healthy diet.

Give our office a call today to schedule your Oral Cancer Screening.  It just takes 3 minutes of your time.  It’s quick, easy, and painless, and the life you save may be your own.  Don’t wait one day longer.  Call our office today for you personal screening and get the peace of mind that you deserve!

Dentist in Maple Grove MN Asks, Are You Embarrassed Because It's Been A While Since You've Been To Then Dentist

Are You Embarrassed Because It’s Been A While 

Since You’ve Been To The Dentist?

            

Dentist in Maple Grove, MN, Dr. Michael Colbert understands what you’re going through. Dr. Colbert is proud to say that the entire team here at Gentle Family Dental take great pride in helping nervous patients get the dental care that they need.  We understand that there are many reasons people avoid going to the dentist.  Some patients may have had a bad experience in the past, often as a child.  

We take pride in the fact that we spend what ever time is necessary to understand each individual patient’s concerns.  It is very gratifying for us to see someone who comes in that is very fearful, but gradually becomes confident at every dental visit.  This happens regularly at our office, because we offer comfortable dental treatment for our patients in a caring, non threatening, and non judgemental environment.

If you’ve been thinking that you really should make that dental appointment, but have been putting it off for a long time, you don’t have to worry any longer.  We are here for you.  You should also know that when you come for your visit, we won’t lecture you!  We understand that many factors affect dental health including environmental and hereditary factors.  We just want you to know that we will do everything possible to help you achieve a healthy and optimal smile.  

If you are embarrassed about the condition of your teeth, please understand that we have seen worse, and you are not alone!  The good news is that if we work together, we can come up with a plan that fits into your life.  We will help you achieve that smile of your dreams, and you won’t have to be embarrassed any longer.

Give us a call today at (763) 424-4544 to schedule your complimentary consultation.  While you’re here, be sure and let us know if there is anything in particular that has kept you from visiting the dentist in the past.  It is our goal to make your experience in our office a very pleasant one.  Your comfort is our number one priority.

If you’re looking for a great dentist in the Maple Grove, MN area, this is the office for you!  We look forward to meeting you soon.

www.MichaelColbertDDS.com

Dentist Maple Grove MN | What Is Your Smile Saying About You?

Dentist in Maple Grove, MN, Dr. Michael Colbert says, let’s face it, your smile says a lot about you. Your smile and the condition of your teeth are a direct reflection of you. The number one thing people notice when they meet you for the first time is your smile. People with attractive smiles are generally more confident, happier, friendlier and seem to enjoy life more.  They are also generally more respected an liked by others.  Your smile really does matter.

Studies show that 99.7% of Americans believe a smile is an important social asset. Also, a more pleasant smile can help you get ahead in life. People want to date someone who is attractive and who takes care of their appearance. Employers want to hire and promote people who are more attractive and who have a warm friendly smile. Over 74% of Americans believe an unattractive smile can hurt a person's chances of career success. Your smile is one of your biggest assets. Dull, stained, crooked or missing teeth can negatively affect how others feel about you and it affects how you feel about yourself.

The Dental Technology is Here

Advances in dental technology have made procedures we used to only dream about an everyday reality. There are veneers, cosmetic bonding, porcelain crowns, teeth whitening and dental implants - just to name a few. From no-prep/no anesthesia cosmetic veneers to extreme smile makeovers as seen on TV.

Look Years Younger With Cosmetic Dentistry

 

Would you like to look younger without the expense and risk of cosmetic surgery? Modern cosmetic dentistry can now offer dramatic changes in facial appearance without the need for invasive surgery and long recovery periods. The team at Gentle Family Dental are well versed in the latest facial restructuring techniques available to the cosmetic dentist.

The proper alignment of the teeth and the jaws can produce a startling and instantaneous change to a person's facial structure. Wrinkles can suddenly disappear, lips can be fuller and restoring a proper relationship of teeth can make someone look 10 to 15 years younger.

Broken down, chipped, stained, cracked, crooked and worn teeth not only make you look older, but they can also make your face look older too. As teeth wear, they become shorter causing the face to collapse thereby producing wrinkles. Restoring teeth to their natural youthful appearance can have a similar transformation on the rest of your face.

Long lasting and affordable smile makeovers can make a difference in your life!  You'll look have a great looking smile you can be proud of, will look years younger and feel much better about yourself. You'll be able to speak and eat as you naturally would. You'll discover that cosmetic dentistry is surprisingly easy and last for decades. Your friends will say, "You Look Great" when they notice the change in your smile.

With our state-of-the-art cosmetic techniques, we can eliminate and beautifully restore unsightly cavities, stains, chips, gaps, cracks and crooked teeth in as little as one or two visits. You'll be able to smile with confidence.

Give us a call today at   (763) 424-4544 to schedule your complimentary cosmetic consultation.  Come find out what the possibilities are.  You may be very pleasantly surprised.  

http://www.MichaelColbertDDS.com