We are pleased to offer a wide range of dental care services including: children's dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, family dentistry, general dentistry, implant dentistry, preventive dentistry and sedation dentistry.
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. Sunlight People who have jobs working outside are more prone to developing lip cancer and should use UV protection.
Diet Poor nutrition also may put you at risk for developing oral cancer. A diet low in fruits and vegetables may increase your chance of developing oral cancer, so add more color to your plate! To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
Russell E. Graham, DMD 2935 N Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 327-1205 RussellEGrahamDMD.com
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. Tobacco Whether you smoke it or chew it, tobacco use increases your risk dramatically. Smoking can cause oral cancer, as well as cancer in other parts of the body. Pipe smokers are also at a higher risk for developing cancer in their lips. Smokeless tobacco, like chew, can lead to many issues in your mouth, the most serious being cancer of the cheeks, gums, and lips.
Alcohol According to the American Cancer Society, 7 of 10 oral cancer patients are heavy drinkers. Heavy drinking, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is an average of two drinks a day or more for men and an average of more than one drink a day for women. If you are a heavy drinker and a heavy smoker, your chances of developing oral cancer increase significantly. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) The sexually transmitted disease is now associated with about 9,000 cases of head and neck cancer (specifically those occurring at the back of the tongue, in or around the tonsils) diagnosed each year in the United States, according to the CDC. People who are diagnosed with HPV-related head and neck cancer tend to be younger and nonsmokers. People with HPV-positive cancers have a lower risk of death or recurrence, even though these cancers are often diagnosed at a later stage because it develops in difficult-to-detect areas. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
Russell E. Graham, DMD 2935 N Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 327-1205 RussellEGrahamDMD.com
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 article visit MouthHealthy.org. Russell E. Graham, DMD 2935 N Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 327-1205 RussellEGrahamDMD.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 combination of the foods you eat and the order in which you eat them.
Medical conditions you may have, such as gastrointestinal reflux and eating disorders, which can increase risk of cavities and weaken teeth.
How Snacking Affects Your Dental Health For dental health, it’s recommended that people limit eating and drinking between meals. Of course, sometimes eating between meals must happen. Unfortunately, most people choose foods like sweets and chips for snacks; foods that harm teeth by promoting tooth decay. If you do snack, make it a nutritious choice-such as cheese, yogurt, fruits, vegetables or nuts-for your overall health and the health of your teeth. Did you know that certain foods can put you at risk for cavities and other dental health problems? Here are some MouthHealthy tips. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org. The remainder of the article details the following:
Recommended Nutritional Guidelines
Foods That Harm Your Dental Health
Sugar and Your Dental Health
How Sugar Substitutes Affect Your Teeth
4 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Cavities
Russell E. Graham, DMD 2935 N Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 327-1205 RussellEGrahamDMD.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 - 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 details the following:
Teeth can last for hundreds of years
Strong as they are, teeth can't heal on their own
Healthy teeth have the power to resist decay, but they need our help
Russell E. Graham, DMD 2935 N Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 327-1205 RussellEGrahamDMD.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org Is the satisfying fizz of your favorite sparkling water putting you at risk for tooth decay? Because any drink with carbonation-including sparkling water-has a higher acid level, some reports have questioned whether sipping sparkling water will weaken your tooth enamel (the hard outer shell of your teeth where cavities first form). So, Is Sparkling Water Affecting My Teeth? According to available research, sparkling water is generally fine for your teeth-and here's why. In a study using teeth that were removed as a part of treatment and donated for research, researchers tested to see whether sparkling water would attack tooth enamel more aggressively than regular lab water. The result? The two forms of water were about the same in their effects on tooth enamel. This finding suggests that, even though sparkling water is slightly more acidic than ordinary water, it's all just water to your teeth. Tips for Enjoying Sparkling Water-and Protecting Your Teeth
Sparkling water is far better for your teeth than sugary drinks. In addition, be sure to drink plenty of regular, fluoridated water, too-it’s the best beverage for your teeth. Water with fluoride naturally helps fight cavities, washes away the leftover food cavity-causing bacteria feast on and keeps your mouth from becoming dry (which can put you at a higher risk of cavities).
Be mindful of what’s in your sparkling water. Citrus-flavored waters often have higher acid levels that does increase the risk of damage to your enamel. Plan to enjoy these in one sitting or with meals. This way, you aren’t sipping it throughout the day and exposing your teeth over and over again to the slightly higher level of acid it contains.
Sparkling water brands with added sugar can no longer be considered just sparkling water. They are a sugar-sweetened beverage, which can contribute to your risk of developing cavities. So remember-sparkling or not-plain water is always the best choice.
Russell E. Graham, DMD 2935 N Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 327-1205 RussellEGrahamDMD.com
Keeping your teeth clean, smooth and beautiful... Proper oral hygiene is your key to a healthy, beautiful smile. Here are our and the American Dental Association's recommendations for at home care:
Brush 2-3 times every day with a fluoride toothpaste (it doesn't matter which brand)
Floss once a day
Eat a healthy diet (fruits, vegetables, etc)
Limit consumption of sugary foods and beverages. Soda drinks can destroy teeth faster than almost anything else
Eliminate or at least limit use of alcohol, chewing tabacco, and cigarettes
We also recommend using an electric high-speed toothbrush in conjunction with a waterpik for your daily at-home oral care. And don't forget six-month professional cleanings and checkups. The American Dental Association recommends checkups every six months for those ages four and older. Professional cleanings by qualified hygienists will remove bacteria and plaque, which can cause serious dental problems if not kept in check. If you have not been seen recently call our office for an appointment! Russell E. Graham, DMD 2935 N Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 327-1205 RussellEGrahamDMD.com
Lately, there has been a lot of talk about flossing and if it is good or not! Kind of reminds me of coffee, some studies say is good for you and others say it isn't. Our dental office believes that flossing is beneficial to a person's general oral health. Our staff is trained to address the issues of proper flossing to our patients on an individual need basis. We promote many different tools used to effectively and safely clean between the teeth. If you are concerned with the recent news reports, please give our office a call to schedule an appointment. We will be happy to review your concerns and make sure you are properly caring for your teeth.
Russell E. Graham, DMD 2935 N Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 327-1205 RussellEGrahamDMD.com
Plaque is that soft, sticky stuff that builds up on your teeth over time. It contains legions of bacteria. Left untreated it will eventually lead to gum disease, bad breath and tooth loss. Frequent brushing and flossing are required to keep plaque at bay. But it's virtually impossible to remove all plaque without the skills of your professional dental hygienist. In other words, you're going to need some help. Call our office today to schedule your next routine teeth cleaning to receive help with your plaque removal!
Russell E. Graham, DMD 2935 N Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 327-1205 RussellEGrahamDMD.com
Normally we think of a teeth cleaning as just that. Our tongues love the smooth and clean feeling we get after visiting our dental hygienist. But there's another huge benefit to regular teeth cleaning. Hygienists spend time in your mouth. That give them the opportunity to spot suspicious tissue or other possible signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer has a fantastically high cure rate - but only if it's detected early. Another reason to love your dental hygienist!
Russell E. Graham, DMD 2935 N Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 327-1205 RussellEGrahamDMD.com
Maybe you remember that TV show, Extreme Makeovers? They took people who were unhappy with their appearance and let surgeons and dentists perform cosmetic miracles on their bodies and teeth. Well, a complete smile makeover like that can be done by many dentists, And often it only takes two visits!
Russell E. Graham, DMD 2935 N Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 327-1205 RussellEGrahamDMD.com
Tooth enamel is very hard but... That doesn't mean you can't break it. Our office recommends to avoid eating "hard foods" such as popcorn. Don't crack nut shells with your teeth or chew on ice. Opening packages with your teeth can also damage the enamel. It's not just the sugar - it's also the acid Sugar and acids are your teeth's worst enemies. What are we talking about? Soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, and candy. Because of the acid content, Mountain Dew seems to be the worst of the worst. There is even a name for the damage it does and it is called "Dew Mouth." These erode the tooth enamel, making it highly susceptible to decay. Parents, watch your kid's consumption of these because young children's enamle hasn't developed fully. This makes these drinks even more damaging for kids. As well as eliminating the above (or at least reducing their consumption), it is recommended to always brush and floss after every meal. If you can't, use a sugar-free xylitol chewing gum after a meal. Also rinse your mouth with a high quality dental mouthwash.
Russell E. Graham, DMD 2935 N Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 327-1205 RussellEGrahamDMD.com
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.
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 - and how to keep them that way.
Is the satisfying fizz of your favorite sparkling water putting you at risk for tooth decay? Because any drink with carbonation-including sparkling water-has a higher acid level, some reports have questioned whether sipping sparkling water will weaken your tooth enamel (the hard outer shell of your teeth where cavities first form).
Keeping your teeth clean, smooth and beautiful...
Lately, there has been a lot of talk about flossing and if it is good or not! Kind of reminds me of coffee, some studies say is good for you and others say it isn't.
Plaque is that soft, sticky stuff that builds up on your teeth over time. It contains legions of bacteria. Left untreated it will eventually lead to gum disease, bad breath and tooth loss.
Normally we think of a teeth cleaning as just that. Our tongues love the smooth and clean feeling we get after visiting our dental hygienist.
Maybe you remember that TV show, Extreme Makeovers?
Tooth enamel is very hard but...