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The Fundamentals of Oral Cancer

Did you know that oral cancer affects over 40,000 new Americans every year? With such a high prevalence of the disease, you should check your mouth every day for any signs or symptoms. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, you should contact your dentist right away. Even if you don’t have cancer, your symptoms still need to be evaluated.

You should contact your dentist if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:​

– Trouble speaking, eating, and chewing.
– A lump in your throat that will not go away, or a sore throat that doesn’t get better.
– Numbness in your mouth or face.
– A wound or sore in your mouth or on your face that does not heal after two weeks.
– Irregular bumps, lumps, colored patches, rough spots, or unexplained swelling in your mouth.
– Difficulty fully opening your mouth.
– Unusual or unexplained bleeding from your mouth, head face, or neck areas.​

To learn more about these symptoms and oral cancer screenings, contact Pell City Dental Center PC at 205-473-0044. Come visit Dr. Scott Barnett and the team at our office in Pell City, Alabama. We would be glad to take care of any oral health care needs you may have.

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Clean Your Smile Before Bed by Doing These Things

Did you know it’s best to clean your smile twice a day: every morning and every night? It’s true! Oral hygiene is vital for your oral health. In the morning, it’s best to brush your teeth. At night, your routine is a little more complicated. To help you perform a successful before-bed oral hygiene routine, Dr. Scott Barnett has some helpful tips for you.

To begin, clean your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. As you brush, do so for two minutes and deeply clean the front, back, and top surfaces of each tooth. When the two minutes are up, rinse your mouth with water, wash the toothbrush head with water, and then place the toothbrush in an area where it can remain germ free.

Then, floss your teeth with an easy-to-use flossing product. This can be waxed floss, a water flosser, or a flossing stick. As you floss, be careful around the gumline. Being rough can injure your oral tissues. Make sure to remove as much plaque as possible.​

Next, rinse your mouth with mouthwash. It’s best to use antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash for optimal results. As you rinse, follow the instructions on the bottle. It should mention the length of time to swish the rinse. This will give you a fresh breath as well as clean any areas that the toothbrush and floss might have missed.​

Do you have any questions about how to clean your smile or about oral hygiene in Pell City, Alabama? If so, call Pell City Dental Center PC at 205-473-0044 now! The sooner you call us, the sooner we will be able to help you. We look forward to giving you the tips you need to care for your smile!