Serving Charlottesville, Virginia with Excellent Dentistry

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and we’d like to remind you of not only the health consequences to smoking, but the dental complications as well.  While it’s important to recognize that not all lung cancer patients are tobacco users, it’s equally necessary to acknowledge smoking as the top risk factor to developing this life-threatening disease.

Smoking not only increases the risk of lung cancer, it can also lead to several other unwanted health and dental issues.  Focusing on the negative impacts smoking has on oral health, tobacco use raises the possibility of developing periodontal (gum) disease, discoloration of teeth and oral cancer.  In fact, oral cancer is six times more common in people who smoke.  Knowing these risk factors, it makes scheduling and keeping regular dental appointments at my Charlottesville, Virginia dental office even more important.

Our pledge is to provide all of our patients with state-of-the-art, comprehensive oral health care in the most comfortable and caring environment.  We strive to be extremely thorough, gentle and caring during all of our treatments including periodontal disease screenings, oral cancer screenings and smile whitening – all of which are extremely important, especially if you’re a tobacco user.

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for adults in the United States and can lead to some pretty scary health issues such as heart disease, strokes and osteoporosis.   My team and I use extensive skill and experience to screen and treat for periodontal disease.  If your gums require more attention, we will develop a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan that includes in-office treatment as well as in-home care.  Throughout periodontal therapy, you can always rely on our compassion, gentle touch and thorough treatment.

Oral cancer causes more than 7,500 deaths each year.  Here at Dr. Jack T. Kayton Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we’re all about early detection and treatment of this life-threatening disease.  At every checkup and hygiene appointment, we check for oral cancer.  If caught and treated early, it can be controlled which makes scheduling and keeping appointments every six months extremely important.

Not only can smoking lead to unwanted discoloration of teeth, everyday life and even the foods you eat can cause teeth to be less than the desired bright white.  With us, you can either choose to whiten at home or at our Charlottesville, Virginia office.  Our in-office whitening treatment will lighten teeth by 2 to 8 shades in just one appointment, and for touch ups we offer a professional grade at-home whitening gel.

During Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and every month, it’s important to become educated on the dangers of tobacco use and also reflect on the dental damage smoking can cause.  Call my Charlottesville, Virginia dental office today at 434-977-3939 and have us treat you and your smile to excellent dentistry.

About The Author

Dr. Jack T. Kayton

Dr. Jack T. Kayton has served families in Charlottesville and surrounding areas since 1994 through his general and family dentistry private practice. Believing that everyone deserves quality dental care, he donates his time to worthy causes. He volunteers at the Donated Dental Service and the Charlottesville Free Clinic. His professional affiliations include the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Academy of General Dentistry, among others.

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