Symbol of oral cancer

  If you have arthritis, you may locate it tricky to brush and floss for good oral health care and deterrence of disease. Ask your dentist for ways to overcome this trouble. Certain dental products are designed to make dental care less painful for arthritis sufferers. You may want to try strapping the toothbrush to a better object, such as a ball, to make the brush more comfortable to handle, or emotional toothbrushes can help by doing some of the work for. Oral cancer most often occurs in people over 40 years of age. See a dentist immediately if you notice any red or white patches on your gums or tongue, and watch for sores that fail to heal within two weeks. Unhappily, oral cancer is often not easy to detect in its early stages, when it can be cured easily. Your dentist can perform a head and neck exam to screen for signs of cancer. Dry mouth (xerostomia) happens when salivary glands fail to work due to disease, certain medications or cancer treatment. This can make it hard to eat, swallow, taste and speak. In certain cases, such as radiation therapy, dry mouth can lead to severe complications, which is why it is important you see a dentist immediately before beginning any form of cancer treatment. Drinking lots of water and avoiding sweets, tobacco, alcohol and caffeine are some ways to scrap dry mouth. Your dentist also can prescribe medications to fight severe dry mouth. Studies have shown that maintaining a healthy mouth may remain your body healthier and help you avoid diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The best way to achieve good oral health is to visit your dentist at least twice a year.