I became a dentist because I liked biology and working with people. I wanted a profession where I could be my own boss and I like working with my hands. Also I knew I didn't want to work in a hospital because I find them depressing.

The mouth can provide dentists with a lot of information about potential problems throughout the entire body—everything found in the blood is also in the saliva. Also, periodontal or gum disease has been linked to heart disease and diabetes.

First and foremost, seeing the dentist twice a year for cleanings to remove tartar build up is the best way to prevent gum disease along with daily brushing and flossing. These visits also allow the dentist to examine the teeth and detect and treat small problems before they become more costly and painful.

Adults and children should brush their teeth twice a day and floss once per day. Typically it should take about 2 minutes to brush. Young children should have help from their parents until they are old enough to do a good job on their own.

Yes, women do have special oral health needs. Hormones have a surprisingly strong influence on the mouth. Puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and use of birth control pills all influence women's oral health.

Gingivitis is the most common oral health issue associated with pregnancy because of the hormonal and other changes that occur during this time. So, it is very important to maintain good oral hygiene while you are pregnant. While breastfeeding, it is important to keep in mind that many drugs that may be used or prescribed by your dentist may enter the breast milk and be passed to your baby. So be sure to tell your dentist if you are breastfeeding before any visit.

There are many signs that you may have a problem with your teeth or gums. Signs include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bleeding when brushing or flossing
• Bad breath
• Red gums as opposed to light pink
• Discolored or broken teeth
• Pain around the ears when chewing
• The teeth not coming together properly

Yes. Oral cancer is rising among women, young people, and non-smokers. Approximately 35,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. Some 25 percent of those people will die of the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, oral cancer occurs almost as frequently as leukemia and claims more lives than melanoma or cervical cancer.

Many types of abnormal cells can develop in the oral cavity in the form of red or white spots. Some are harmless and benign, some are cancerous, and others are pre-cancerous, meaning they can develop into cancer if not detected early and removed. Identifying abnormal white and red spots and removing them before they become cancer is an effective method for reducing the incidence and mortality of cancer.

Routine, careful examination of patients is appropriate and necessary. This can easily be achieved during a regular dental visit. Finding cancer early is very important. When detected early, oral cancer is more easily treated and cured. When detected late, the overall five-year survival rate is about 50 percent.

The best way to prevent oral cancer is to avoid tobacco and alcohol. Regular dental check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential to early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. Knowing the risk factors and seeing your dentist for oral cancer screenings can help prevent this deadly disease.

Here are some facts about oral cancer according to the American Dental Association:

• African-Americans are especially at risk; the incidence rate is 1/3 higher than whites and the mortality rate is almost twice as high.
• Although the use of tobacco and alcohol are risk factors in developing oral cancer, approximately 25 percent of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors.
• There has been a nearly five-fold increase in the number of oral cancer patients under age 40, many with no known risk factors.
• Oral cancer rates in women have increased significantly, largely due to an increase in women smoking. In 1950 the male to female ratio was 6:1; by 2002, it was 2:1.

The food we eat plays a major role in keeping the teeth and gums healthy. Try to keep the sugar content as low as possible. Also, smoking is a major contributor to gum disease. If you smoke, it is important to quit.

Additional tools to help keep the teeth healthy include fluoride rinses, oral irrigation products such as a water pick, and electric tooth brushes.

There are many things available for the anxious patient. We have drugs you can take an hour before an appointment to help you relax. We can give nitrous oxide (laughing gas) during the appointment, which also helps you to relax. There are oral sedation drugs (drugs taken by mouth) which can put a patient into deeper levels of sedation and there are intravenous (IV) drugs that can put a person totally to sleep.

Everybody loves a bright white smile, and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help people improve the look of theirs. If someone wants to go beyond brushing with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, flossing, and regular cleanings to make their smile look brighter, they should investigate all of their options.

Whitening products may be done by dentists in the dental office, given out by dentists for home-use, or purchased over-the-counter (OTC). The American Dental Association advises patients to speak with their dentist to determine the best treatment. This is very important for patients with many fillings, crowns, or extremely dark stains. A careful oral exam, performed by a licensed dentist, is essential to find out if bleaching is the right treatment. The dentist then supervises the use of bleaching agents as part of a complete treatment plan.

Going to the dentist can be a traumatic experience for many people. It is important to remember that your dentist wants to help you, not hurt you. Be honest and open about your fears and concerns so he or she can do whatever possible to keep you comfortable and healthy.