Protect Your Pearly Whites against Oral Cancer with Help from Dr. Henkel

August 1, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 7:25 pm

When it comes to your teeth, you’re probably concerned mostly with the threat of cavities, root canals, or structural cracks – but have you ever stopped and wondered if you could have oral cancer? While this disease isn’t discussed as often, the numbers associated with it are staggering. One American dies from oral cancer every hour on average, and nearly half of the tens of thousands patients diagnosed this year won’t go on to survive more than five years.  Even worse, the disease can crop up in a variety of places, including your tongue, cheek, gum tissue, lips, and more. Here in Horsham and Philadelphia, Dr. Henkel takes the threat of oral cancer very seriously; that’s why he makes sure to always inspect patients during regular check-ups for any potentially suspicious areas. Come in to Horsham Dental Elements today to be examined as well!

How do I know if I have oral cancer?

If you won’t be able to schedule a trip to our office for a while, here are some common symptoms of oral cancer you can check for in the comfort of your own home:

  • A sore in the mouth that bleeds and doesn’t show signs of healing
  • A lump, rough spot, or thickening inside the mouth
  • A sudden change in the color of your oral tissue
  • Any numbness or pain in the lips or mouth

Of course, sometimes it can be difficult for an untrained eye to notice these signs right away, which is why it’s so important to rely on our team at Horsham Dental Elements as your first line of defense in the fight against oral cancer. We’ll be sure to keep a close eye on any possibly cancerous or precancerous areas.

Remember – while most cases of oral cancer occur in patients that smoke and/or drink heavily, a whopping 25% of cases affect people who don’t participate in any risk factors whatsoever. Contact either our Horsham or Philadelphia office today to schedule an appointment. Our team wants nothing more to leave your smile healthier and happier than when you first came in to see us!

Brushing and Flossing for the New Year

December 20, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 7:39 pm

The end of the year is fast approaching. This is usually a time for reflection over the year that is ending, and planning for the different ways we will approach the New Year. Something you should consider for 2013 is to make a commitment to brushing and flossing.

The New Year is a good time to start on new healthy habits, so why not start this year off right? Also, don’t forget to come see Dr. Henkel twice a year for your regular checkup!

It is important to make sure you brush your teeth twice a day to help remove all the plaque and debris from your teeth. Brush at morning and night, and make sure you brush for two full minutes each time. This is critical to ensure that all plaque is removed.

Flossing is really important because it helps remove the plaque that’s stuck between your teeth and cannot be removed by brushing alone. If allowed to remain, this plaque could result in tooth decay. Make sure you floss your teeth at least once a day.

If you need some brushing or flossing tips, don’t hesitate to call us here at Horsham Dental Elements. We’re here to help with all your dental health needs!

Call our Horsham or Philadelphia office today to schedule your appointment with Horsham Dental Elements.  Dr. Henkel provides quality and experienced care to patients from Montgomery, Philadelphia, Horsham, Bucks County, and beyond.

Comfortable Periodontal Therapy with Laser Dentistry

October 16, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 7:32 am

Periodontal disease—which you know better as gum disease—is a common oral health condition. It’s so common, in fact, that as much as 80% of the population may have some form of it. Symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Red or tender gums
  • Frequent bad breath

But a lack of these symptoms doesn’t mean you’re gum disease-free. In some cases there are no symptoms, meaning there are patients who have gum disease without realizing it.

All of which makes regular visit to Horsham Dental Elements very important. During a regular visit to our Horsham or Philadelphia office, Dr. Henkel can thoroughly assess your oral health to check for signs of gum disease and a range of other common conditions.

If we find signs of gum disease, Dr. Henkel can provide effective periodontal therapy with laser dentistry. Periodontal therapy with a soft-tissue laser is more comfortable than traditional therapy with a scalpel, and is more efficient too. What’s more, therapy with a laser doesn’t require stitches and comes with a much shorter recovery time.

Why Is Treating Periodontal Disease Important?

Not treating gum disease has serious implications for your oral and overall health. On the oral health side, gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. On overall health side, medical studies have linked gum disease with a wide variety of serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, among others.

Schedule Your Next Visit Today!

How long has it been since your last checkup with Dr. Henkel? Call our Horsham or Philadelphia office today if you need to schedule a visit. With our comprehensive services, we can meet a wide variety of important general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry needs.

Quality Dental Care for the Entire Family

July 3, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 7:37 pm

At Horsham Dental Elements, what you’ll find is an experienced and knowledgeable team eager to help your entire family enjoy optimal oral health. And with two locations, we can extend that care to patients from Horsham, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Bucks County, and beyond.

Meeting Your Family’s Needs to Create Beautiful Smiles

Part of how Dr. Gary Henkel and our team are helping families every day is through meeting basic needs. That means treating decay and cases of gum disease at their earliest stages, before they’ve developed into cases that would require extensive restorative care.

General dentistry is about more than just meeting basic needs, though. It’s also about prevention. At Horsham Dental Elements we recommend that all patients—no matter what age—come to see us twice a year for a regular cleaning and checkup. Our goal through these regular visits is to help you maintain your oral health so that a more serious problem never develops. If it does, though, we can catch it quickly and begin working on a treatment plan with a regular exam and cleaning.

Regular visits and cleanings also give Dr. Henkel and our team a chance to educate our patients about good homecare. As effective as professional cleanings are, they’re only effective when they’re supported by great brushing and flossing at home. While you’re in our Horsham or Philadelphia office we’d be happy to talk to you about how you can take better care of your smile at home.

Is It Time for Your Next Appointment?

If it’s time for you to schedule your next appointment for yourself or your child, don’t hesitate to call Horsham Dental Elements today. Dr. Henkel serves patients from Montgomery, Philadelphia, Bucks County and beyond.

 

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