Oral Cancer and Alcohol

When patients come to the offices of Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk, they’re getting top-quality care from dentists who have a close relationship with other hospital staff. This is especially important for patients facing oral cancer, which we provide screenings for. But while we are experienced with caring for the needs of oral cancer patients, we want the public to be better educated about how to avoid this disease, which is why we’re passing along a new study on the relationship between oral cancer and alcohol.

The study by the American Society of Clinical Oncology found that alcohol causes about 5% of cancer cases, including cases of oral cancer. This is different from past studies, which examined alcohol in combination with smoking, a more widely-known risk factor. The study found that people are generally unaware of the carcinogenic danger posed by alcohol and that the type of alcoholic drink consumed does not alter the risk (meaning beer and wine are not less dangerous than liquor). While heavy drinking is riskier, light and moderate drinking were still contributors. Why alcohol would cause oral cancer is still unclear, but the study also found that when people stop alcohol consumption, their chances of developing cancer in the oral cavity or the rest of their digestive tract fall to the levels they were at before they started drinking.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.

Advanced Periodontitis

Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk hope that patients never reach the first stage of periodontal disease let alone the final stage. If mild gingivitis is left untreated, it will advance to periodontitis. Periodontitis is typically treated first through a procedure called scaling and root planing. This involves a deep cleaning of the gums that can be avoided with proper oral hygiene habits. If you experience gum inflammation, schedule a professional cleaning to get the condition under control.

Healthy gums are firm and pink; therefore, if your gums are a dark red, or have a purple tint, you may be a victim of periodontal disease. With advanced periodontitis, the gum will pull away from the tooth, and the risk of losing permanent teeth is increased. Depending on the severity of periodontitis, scaling and root planing will be performed to remove the bacteria from below the gum line. To prevent periodontal disease in any form, you should adequately brush your teeth at least twice a day for a two-minute period. Follow this up with proper flossing and a quick mouth rinse, and your smile will benefit.  

If you have questions or concerns about dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as the services we provide at the practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630. 

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

Have you ever walked down the oral health aisle, just to find yourself overwhelmed by all of the decisions? Fear not, because Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk are here to help you pick the right instrument to clean those pearly (or not so pearly) whites. It’s important to know that it doesn’t matter if you use an electric or a manual toothbrush, as long as you are putting the time and effort into your oral hygiene routine.

Any toothbrush that you choose for yourself should have soft bristles. Hard bristles can cause abrasion to periodontal tissue and will only make the teeth more sensitive. Select a toothbrush head that will easily fit in your mouth. If you are shopping for a child, it’s important to select a toothbrush that has soft bristles for gentle cleaning, a small head to fit their tiny teeth and a large handle, because this is easier for a child to grip. You should replace your toothbrush once every three months or sooner if the bristles become worn out or frayed.

If you have questions or concerns about dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as the services we provide at the practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630.