There’s a chance that you might be given the news from your dentist at some point that you have periodontal disease (gum disease). This condition falls on a spectrum from gingivitis (early gum disease) to periodontitis (severe gum disease) and it does affect 80% of adults in the United States at some point in their lives. Your Knoxville…
There’s a chance that you might be given the news from your dentist at some point that you have periodontal disease (gum disease). This condition falls on a spectrum from gingivitis (early gum disease) to periodontitis (severe gum disease) and it does affect 80% of adults in the United States at some point in their lives. Your Knoxville dentist, Dr. Jim Erpenbach, can examine you for periodontal disease at your regular checkups. Your propensity for gum disease can also be checked through a test called OralDNA. This versatile test can also check for oral cancer. Read on to learn more.
Gum Disease
Genetics are an important part of dental research and the progression of every medical field. OralDna is a salivary test that can provide your Knoxville dentist with a periodontal analysis on individual patients. Bacteria levels are measured, helping Dr. Erpenbach to analyze who might have a stronger predisposition to gum disease. When periodontal disease is identified early enough, it can be halted before any invasive treatment is necessary. Gum disease, when left alone, is the leading cause of natural tooth loss in adults.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a serious issue. Now that oral HPV has become a bigger problem, we are seeing more oral malignancies than ever. Other risk factors include tobacco use, over-exposure to sunlight, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic cheek or lip biting. Many patients ignore bumps and lesions in the mouth because they can come and go so frequently. This is another reason why preventive dental exams are extremely important. Dr. Erpenbach is trained to recognize red flags in the form of sores and bumps in your mouth that appear potentially cancerous. OralDNA testing can take the preventive efforts a step further. Early detection of oral cancer can be the difference between life and death, so keep up with your checkups.
Oral Cancer Screenings from Knoxville Dentist
If periodontal disease and oral cancer concern you, or you are simply due for a dental checkup, call Dr. Erpenbach. You can reach our Knoxville dentist office at 865-584-8630. We are proud to offer comprehensive dentistry to patients in West Knoxville, the Bearden area, the 37919 zip code, and surrounding neighborhoods.
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