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Summer is almost here, which means a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is just around the corner for our patients at Central New England Endodontics and Implantology.

Everyone wants a glowing and radiant white smile when the sun comes around and we have a few reminders to keep your pearly whites healthy and beautiful over the summer! Try to stay away from drinks that will stain your teeth like coffee, soft drinks, or dark colored juices. Not only will drinks like this weaken your enamel but they will also darken that fabulous smile you're working on! Another tip is to try and focus on brushing your teeth; everyone knows that when busy schedules start picking up, getting a good brushing session in tends to take the backseat! A good tip for keeping your mouth safe from staining and other possible pitfalls is to rinse your mouth with water after any meal you can’t fully brush your teeth after. Your teeth, inside and out, will benefit!

And remember, whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just having fun in the backyard this summer, we want to hear all about it! Make sure to let us know what you’re up to below or on our Facebook page! We also encourage you to post any photos from your adventures!

When you have a dental health concern about one or more of your teeth, the best option is always to keep your natural teeth! Often, the only alternative to endodontic treatment (also known as root canal treatment) is extraction of the tooth.

That’s followed by implant surgery or the placement of a bridge, and although these are common treatments nowadays, endodontic treatment should be your first consideration.

If you’re told by Drs. Manzoli, Russo, Pauk, Desrosiers, Sahakyants that you need a root canal or endodontic treatment, you will probably have some questions. We'll try to answer some of them here.

What is endodontic treatment?

The most common type of endodontic treatment performed at our Worcester office is called an apicoectomy. In this procedure, Drs. Manzoli, Russo, Pauk, Desrosiers, Sahakyants will surgically open the gum tissue, remove infected or inflamed material from the underlying bone, and remove the tip of the root.

Who needs endodontic treatment?

Usually, endodontic treatment is recommended for patients who have persistent pain or symptoms that can’t be detected by other, non-surgical means such as X-rays or a visual examination. This means typically the tooth has a hairline fracture or a small canal that’s causing discomfort. There are also cases where a patient may have a canal that has become calcified.

Why do I need surgery?

By performing a root canal, Drs. Manzoli, Russo, Pauk, Desrosiers, Sahakyants can examine the entire root of the tooth to learn what is causing the discomfort and address it. So it’s not just a treatment but a means of diagnosis too. After the problem has been addressed, you will be able to keep your natural tooth and use it as you always have.

What’s the benefit of root canal treatment as opposed to getting an implant or a bridge?

A root canal allows patients to keep their natural tooth. Nothing comes close to how a natural tooth looks and functions, no matter how advanced implant technology or bridges may become. Often, a tooth that’s undergone a root canal can last patients their entire lifetime without any need for further treatment.

What if I’ve had a root canal but still have pain?

In rare cases, it’s possible that a tooth that has undergone a root canal could become inflamed or infected again. If this is the case, other surgical options may be able to save your tooth.

It's a habit many people have and not only can it be annoying to the people around you, it can be detrimental to your dental health. Chewing ice is so common that it even has its own name, pagophagia. We're not talking about a slushy or shaved ice (although those artificially sugary treats should be avoided too!) but more like the hunks of ice rattling around in the bottom of your glass.

Ice chewing can be a sign of emotional problems like stress or obsessive-compulsive disorder, but it can also be a marker for iron deficiency anemia and other physical problems. Then again, some people just like to have something to chew on. For whatever reason you find yourself chewing on it, it's a habit you need to break.

Chewing on ice can cause:

• Chipped and cracked teeth
• Damaged enamel
• Sore jaw muscles
• Damage to dental work such as crowns, fillings, or other appliances

If chewing on ice is becoming a problem in your life, don’t hesitate to speak with Drs. Manzoli, Russo, Pauk, Desrosiers, Sahakyants about it. But if you find yourself still wanting to chew on something, here are a few alternatives to ice:

• Baby carrots
• Celery sticks
• Sugar-free (xylitol) gum

We know you need to chill sometimes, but chomping down your entire glass of ice is not the way to do it. If you have any other questions on the topic, feel free to talk with a member of our Worcester team. It may be beneficial in solving the issue and helping to remediate any damage to your teeth.

What is oral cancer?

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. If you have been putting off a visit to our Worcester office, now is an excellent time to schedule one. Regular visits to Central New England Endodontics and Implantology can be the first line of defense against oral cancer, by identifying early warning signs of the disease, or helping you with preventive care tips to lower your chances of developing it.

Oral Cancer Rates in America

Nearly 40,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, and more than 8,000 die every year from this disease. It is a devastating illness: most people who are diagnosed with it do not live more than five years beyond their diagnosis. Oral cancer has a higher death rate than many other common cancers, including cervical cancer, testicular cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and thyroid or skin cancers. The high death rate results from the fact that most oral cancers go undiagnosed until the disease is well advanced and has spread to another part of the body—most often, the lymph nodes in the neck.

What causes oral cancer?

While there is no way to predict exactly which individuals will get oral cancer, there are some potential causes you should know about—because in some cases, you can minimize these risk factors.

• Age (most patients diagnosed with oral cancer are over the age of 40)
• Tobacco use, either from cigarettes or smokeless chewing tobacco
• Excessive alcohol consumption (especially in combination with tobacco use)
• Persistent viral infections, such as HPV16
• A diet low in fruits and vegetables

In addition, oral cancer tends to occur at a rate six times greater in men than in women, and more often for African Americans than other ethnic groups. No genetic links have been identified to explain the higher incidence in these populations, so lifestyle choices remain the likeliest cause.

Oral Cancer Treatments

Once a diagnosis has been made, treatment of oral cancer usually involves a multi-disciplinary team that includes surgeons, oncologists, dentists, nutritionists, and rehabilitation and restorative specialists. Our team will decide on the best approach for each patient, depending on the risk factors and how far the cancer has progressed. The strategy will be different in every case. Some of the most common methods include chemotherapy, radiation, and potential surgery.

Finding out you have cancer can be devastating news. If you are concerned that you might be at risk for developing oral cancer, talk to us about screenings and other things you can do to reduce your risk.