This could just save your life or that of someone close to you.

At this mornings weekly business breakfast meeting f the Jack O'Newbury chapter of BNI, I chose to devote my 60 seconds "sales pitch" to a serious subject. Mouth Cancer. The reason why I chose to do this today was that each week ,we normally tell a brief story of the previous week's matters of  business interest.

My story today was as  follows:

Yesterday I saw a 57 years old male patient for a review. I last saw him for some routine dental care in September 2009. At that time he came for a visit and mentioned that he had had an odd sensation when swallowing, as if something was irritating the back of his tongue of throat. He had seen his doctor but it was felt nothing to be too concrned about. However he was still perturbed. I made it very clear that he must return to his doctor for a more detailed examination and to take matters further.

He did just that. It transpired that what he had was a malignant cancer of his tonsils on one side- quite unusual but apparently more cases are being seen in recent times. He was a non-drinker and a non-smoker.

The result for him over last Christmas and New Year was 30 sessions of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and an extensive operation of his neck and face area. He has pulled through to date and we wish him well, naturally. As he also knows, time will tell.

CANCER can occur in any part of the mouth, tongue, lips, throat, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, sinus, and other sites located in the head and neck area.


These "Mouth Cancers" have a higher proportion of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer or skin melanoma.

Much more vital information can be found at the Mouth Cancer Awarness Foundation
 
If you have any concerns about anything unusual in the mouth, throat, neck, sinuses, palate or gums PLEASE don't delay, visit your dentist. They are all highly trained in knowing what to look for, if anything is out of the ordianry and will arrange a rapid referral if there is any doubt.
 
We do change smiles and change lives and just occasionally may even have a hand in saving lives too.
 
 
 

What made me smile today

From time to time I look back at some of my older blog posts. This one made me smile. Its great to be reminded of how we do walk the walk of our "Changing Smiles ~ Changing Lives" strap line.

Here are just some of the many testimonials we have received over the years.
Can we help you acheive the smile you want based on a foundation of good dental health?

Free initial discussion

If you'd like to discuss your requirements, call and book an appointment with Chris Charon our Practice Treatnent Coordinator. She has a wealth of knowledge, experience and understanding of every aspect of  dental care. You'll find her very understanding.

Please call us on 01635 47757 or e-mail

Richard Charon at Newbury Smilemakers - where we are "Dedicated to Fear-Free Dentistry"

"Painless Potter"

At my regular Friday BNI meeting held at Newbury and Crookham Gold Club in Newbury   yesterday, I told a short story of what happened when one of my patients, who is due to start her Invisalign treatment in July, when came to visit us, the day before.

Unusually she did need to have a upper wisdom tooth removed to allow the proper movement of her upper row of teeth. This will be able to make a huge difference to he uneven smile.

Today I recieved a great e-mail of thanks from her. She said

" Just to say thanks to you, Richard and the whole team for yesterday, I was amazed how quickly the tooth came out and it was completely pain free, I was nervous which I am not normally, but that soon went...... Very excited about the next steps, can't wait for July."

If you are interested to find out how Invisalign might be able to "fix your wonky smile"
please call us at Newbury Smilemakers on 01635 47757 to book a free discussion.

I am a member of the Jack O'Newbury chapter of BNI.

Jab-Free Dentistry

Painless dentistry & no more dental syringes - really!

In 2004, well ahead of the game, we at Newbury Smilemakers introduced "The Wand" which has been very well received by our patients. "The Wand" is a revolutionary way to acheive painless dentistry without the use of a traditional syringe from the USA. It really is magic!


We believe in bringing the benefits enjoyed by people in leading edge dental practices the world over to our patients in Newbury.  So If I could show you a way to painless dentistry, without a syringe, would you be interested?


This new technology, called The 'Wand'(tm), has been heralded as the first major advance in painless dentistry since the anaesthetic syringe was invented by Cook in 1920!!.

The 'Wand'(tm) ,is a state of the art system which uses a very slow and gentle computer-controlled technique that minimises the anaesthetic dosage needed. This means that it can be used to numb just the area needed, not the surrounding face, so no more feeling as though part of your face has disappeared, sometimes for several hours after treatment. Such a plus if you have meetings to attend or people to speak to after your dental visit.

The Wand, as well as using a completely revoloutionary technique, complies with our stringent cross infection control standards. A new sterile delivery unit is used for each patient. These are then disposed of carefully and incinerated by a licensed clinical waste collection service.
When we first introduced the system, we thought we would use it for youngsters and especially nervous people. It is so good that we now use it routinely and all of our regulars who need fillings or minor surgery have tried it. All of them think it is a huge improvment on the old syringes.

If you wish to try The Wand for your next filling

 please let us know.

Call us at Newbury Smilemakers

on 01635 47757

or e-mail

Laser tooth scanner prevents drilling. Diagnodent

Every dentist , every day is faced with a tricky decison. Is that a hole I see before me?  Shall I use the "pokey thing" ? Is that a new hole in that tooth? Is it just a bit of staining from food and drink such as tea, coffee, red wine or curry? Can I leave well alone or should I be thinking about some MID or "Minimally Invasive Dentistry". Prevention or a stitch in time? If I leave this will there be a bigger hole in a year or two?

Well here at Newbury Smilemakers we don't use "pokey things" . For the last 5 years we have used a reliable laser tooth-decay detector. The Diagnodent. Painless, simple and quick, normally used by our dental hygienist, the tiny tip of the laser scanner is passed over the biting surface natural fissures to double-check.
It stops me from using the dreaded drill if the tooth can be safely left alone.

• Low score         4-10 the tooth can be left alone or perhaps sealed against decay .
• Medium score 10-15 then the stained can be skimmed away from the surface of the enamel and then the areas sealed against decay.
• High score        15-99 - The tooth has a cavity which needs filling. Usually the higher the score the deeper the hole !
  

Does your dentist you a "pokey thing"? Do you hate them? Well we don't and we get it right every time with Diagnodent.

Please don't keep us a secret. Let your friends know!