Teeth Cleaning (Prophylaxis)

We all know that teeth cleaning keeps your teeth looking clean and shiny. Did you know it is also essential to your overall health? Indeed, poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems such as gum disease, infection, heart disease, stroke, and even diabetes.

Teeth cleaning (prophylaxis) is the removal of dental plaque and tartar in order to prevent cavities, gingivitis and gum disease. Teeth cleaning is a routine procedure, it is rarely painful and takes about 20 to 45 minutes. You should have a professional teeth cleaning at least twice  a year.

Oral Cancer Screening

According to the American Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer kills roughly one person per hour, 24 hours a day in the US alone. The death rate (at approximately 50%) associated with this cancer is particularly high not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development. Today, (2017) that statement is still true, as there is not a comprehensive program in the US to opportunistically screen for the disease, and without that, late stage discovery is more common – such as when the cancer has metastasized to another location, most likely the lymph nodes of the neck and the base of the brain.

At our Manhattan clinic, Dr. Natour offers comprehensive oral cavity cancer screening using advanced VELscope® VX technology as part of your biannual teeth cleaning appointment and oral exam in an effort to diagnose malignancies early. Remember – as with all types of cancer, early detection of oral cancer makes all the difference in survival rates.