We are pleased to serve the community of Slidell, LA. Our doors are always open to welcome new patients who areready to receive the best in dental care.
Find Us:
Patient Library
Find helpful information in our digital library.
Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
Tags
- celebrity smiles (66)
- oral health (25)
- dental hygiene (1)
- tooth contouring (1)
- cosmetic dentistry (11)
- dental injury (7)
- mouthguards (4)
- veneers (5)
- crowns (5)
- mouthguard (2)
- dental injuries (2)
- dentures (2)
- oral hygiene (26)
- pediatric care (1)
- teeth whitening (5)
- tooth bleaching (1)
- Toothache (4)
- nutrition (6)
- dental erosion (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- sedation dentistry (1)
- oral sedation (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- Dental Implants (15)
- orthodontics (5)
- braces (9)
- laser dentistry (2)
- gum disease (17)
- wisdom teeth (6)
- periodontal disease (4)
- root canal (5)
- Root Canals (2)
- dental sealants (1)
- bone grafting (2)
- pediatric dentistry (11)
- tooth decay (10)
- sealants (1)
- tooth staining (1)
- bad breath (2)
- bonding (1)
- Fillings (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- partial denture (1)
- dental emergency (1)
- anesthesia (1)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- restorative dentistry (3)
- geographic tongue (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- air abrasion (1)
- burning mouth syndrome (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- dental crowns (2)
- orthodontic treatment (10)
- bacteria (1)
- porcelain veneers (7)
- preventative dentistry (1)
- tooth pain (5)
- pregnancy (4)
- tmj disorders (1)
- sinus surgery (1)
- teething (2)
- Oral Cancer (3)
- cancer treatment (1)
- bone loss (1)
- teeth grinding (2)
- bruxism (1)
- blood pressure medications (1)
- medicine (1)
- Dental Extractions (1)
- Damaged Teeth (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- smile makeover (2)
- osteoporosis (2)
- smoking (2)
- gum recession (2)
- pulp capping (1)
- root canal treatment (4)
- chipped tooth (2)
- Filling (1)
- dental implant (3)
- Oral Cancer Screening (1)
- dental exam (1)
- fluoride (2)
- composite resin (1)
- Oral Care (1)
- dental care (1)
- loose tooth (1)
- retainers (1)
- Dental Appointment (1)
- Dental Visits (1)
- sleep apnea (1)
- snoring (1)
Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
Fans of the legendary rock band Steely Dan received some sad news a few months ago: Co-founder Walter Becker died unexpectedly at the age of 67. The cause of his death was an aggressive form of esophageal cancer. This disease, which is related to oral cancer, may not get as much attention as some others. Yet Becker's name is the latest addition to the list of well-known people whose lives it has cut short—including actor Humphrey Bogart, writer Christopher Hitchens, and TV personality Richard Dawson.
As its name implies, esophageal cancer affects the esophagus: the long, hollow tube that joins the throat to the stomach. Solid and liquid foods taken into the mouth pass through this tube on their way through the digestive system. Worldwide, it is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths.
Like oral cancer, esophageal cancer generally does not produce obvious symptoms in its early stages. As a result, by the time these diseases are discovered, both types of cancer are most often in their later stages, and often prove difficult to treat successfully. Another similarity is that dentists can play an important role in oral and esophageal cancer detection.
Many people see dentists more often than any other health care professionals—at recommended twice-yearly checkups, for example. During routine examinations, we check the mouth, tongue, neck and throat for possible signs of oral cancer. These may include lumps, swellings, discolorations, and other abnormalities—which, fortunately, are most often harmless. Other symptoms, including persistent coughing or hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and unexplained weight loss, are common to both oral and esophageal cancer. Chest pain, worsening heartburn or indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also alert us to the possibility of esophageal cancer.
Cancer may be a scary subject—but early detection and treatment can offer many people the best possible outcome. If you have questions about oral or esophageal cancer, call our office or schedule a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine article “Oral Cancer.”