You know your dentist is looking for cavities during regular check-ups, but you may not realize your dentist can check for cancer at the same time. It’s estimated that approximately 51,540 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer and cancers of the throat, tonsils and back of the tongue in 2018. Regular visits to your dentist can help you detect such cancers early, and changing a few potentially harmful habits may help reduce your chances of developing them. Read on to find out the top risk factors. Gender  Men are twice more likely to get oral cancer. The American Cancer Society attributes this to higher rates of alcohol and tobacco use by men, but says more men of a younger age are being diagnosed with HPV-related forms of oral cancer.   Age  Most people who are diagnosed with oral cancer are 55 or older, according to the American Cancer Society. HPV-related oral cancers, however, are often diagnosed in people who are younger.     To read the entire

Learn what the American Dental Association has to about the importance of brushing and flossing daily.   The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Park Dental of Colmar   James H. Park, DMD 2200 N. Broad Street Colmar, PA 18915 (215) 716-7228 ParkDentalColmar.com

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about wisdom teeth. The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Park Dental of Colmar   James H. Park, DMD 2200 N. Broad Street Colmar, PA 18915 (215) 716-7228 ParkDentalColmar.com

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org Your mouth, teeth, and gums are more than just tools for eating. They’re essential for chewing and swallowing-the first steps in the digestion process. Your mouth is your body’s initial point of contact with the nutrients you consume. So what you put in your mouth impacts not only your general health but also that of your teeth and gums. In fact, if your nutrition is poor, the first signs often show up in your mouth. Here are a few helpful things to know about how what you eat can impact your dental health. Diet and Tooth Decay The foods you eat and the beverages you drink can have a direct influence on the incidence and progression of tooth decay, depending upon:  The form of the food-whether it’s liquid, solid, sticky or slow to dissolve makes a difference.  How often you eat sugary foods and beverages and how often you eat or drink acidic foods and beverages.  The nutritional makeup of the food.  The combinatio

Learn what the American Dental Association's answer is to the question: "What if an Object Gets Caught in Your Teeth?". The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Park Dental of Colmar   James H. Park, DMD 2200 N. Broad Street Colmar, PA 18915 (215) 716-7228 ParkDentalColmar.com

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org The right smile can leave you laughing, fill you with joy or make you melt with emotion. But, ultimately, the best smile is one that is healthy and strong. Here are some of the “tooth truths” about how tough your teeth really are ñ and how to keep them that way. 1. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body. The shiny, white enamel that covers your teeth is even stronger than bone. This resilient surface is 96 percent mineral, the highest percentage of any tissue in your body - making it durable and damage-resistant.     2. Your bite is powerful! Did you know your teeth can exert an average of 200 pounds of pressure when you bite down? That’s probably what tempts us to use our teeth as tools from time to time ñ but as your dentist will remind you, that’s one of the worst habits when it comes to preserving healthy teeth.     To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org . The remainder of the article de