Guard Your Smile against Oral Cancer with Help from Dr. Carmen

April 26, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: dr. bobby carmen, Moore, Norman, Norman dentist, Oklahoma, oklahoma dentist, oral cancer, oral cancer norman, oral cancer norman dentist, the University of Oklahoma, velscope, velscope norman — admin @ 5:42 pm

Did you know that April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month? Here in Norman, OK, we’re constantly surprised to find that many of our patients aren’t familiar with this destructive disease. Oral cancer kills one American every hour, and only around half of those diagnosed with it will go on to survive more than five years. Even worse, while most cases are found in people who excessively use tobacco and/or alcohol, nearly a fourth of patients with oral cancer never participated in any risk factors whatsoever. Thankfully, Dr. Bobby Carmen and his staff take this threat very seriously; that’s why we thoroughly inspect your mouth for any signs of the disease every time you’re in our office. However, if you find yourself unable to come in to see us for a significant period of time, here are some common signs of oral cancer you can check for at home:

A sore that bleeds easily and doesn’t show signs of healing.
A sudden color change of the oral tissue.
A lump, thickening, or crust inside the mouth
Pain, tenderness, or numbness in the mouth or lips

Of course, it’s important to remember that Dr. Carmen should be your first line of defense against all oral health diseases, including oral cancer. By scheduling regular check-ups for you and your family, you’ll give our team the perfect opportunity to keep an eye out for suspicious areas and treat them accordingly. At our Norman office, we have several techniques available to detect the presence of oral cancer, including brush biopsies, scalpel biopsies, and VELscope.

Contact our practice today to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Carmen! Our team will be sure to keep your teeth happy and healthy with a variety of services and procedures. In addition to Norman, we also welcome patients from Moore, the University of Oklahoma, and all over Central Oklahoma.

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Give Your Teeth a Break with TMJ Therapy from Dr. Carmen

April 19, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Central Oklahoma, central oklahoma tmj dentist, central oklahoma tmj dysfunction, dr. bobby carmen, Norman, Norman dentist, tmj dentist, tmj dysfunction norman, tmj dysfunction norman dentist, TMJ therapy, tmj-disorder, University of Oklahoma — admin @ 5:29 pm

When asked to name common health conditions that a dentist could treat, most potential patients would probably start with typical ailments of the teeth and gums, such as cavities, cracks, and periodontal disease. But did you know that some of the greatest pain you can experience as a result of an oral-health condition isn’t caused by areas that you brush and/or floss around at all? Located just in front of your ears are small joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull, which are usually referred to as temporomandibular joints, or TMJ. While little, these joints are massively important; in fact, they contain a complex system of blood vessels, nerves, and bone. Worse, even a slight misalignment or problem can negatively impact both your dental health and your overall wellbeing. Here at Dr. Bobby Carmen’s Norman office, we don’t take problems with the TMJ (commonly called TMJ disorder) lightly. Our dedicated team will do everything in our power to help ease your pain and get you back to smiling sooner.

How can you help my TMJ disorder?

First, we’ll make sure to inspect your mouth and jaw for any possible signs of TMJ dysfunction during each regular check-up. If we detect any signs of the condition, we’ll work fast in order to prevent damage to your teeth, as well as relieve pain. In most cases, an oral appliance can help hold your jaw in a preferable position during sleep so as to relieve pressure. Additionally, there are several other methods that could help:

Stress management
New bite/chewing techniques
A new sleeping position
Light temple and jaw massage
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or analgesics

Don’t let pain from TMJ dysfunction ruin one more day – contact our Norman office to schedule an appointment. Dr. Carmen and his team are well-known for providing personalized, precise care that will put your comfort first. We’re also happy to see patients from Moore, the University of Oklahoma, and Central Oklahoma.

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Find Personalized Dental Care for Patients with Special Needs in Norman, OK

April 8, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Central Oklahoma, central oklahoma dentist, dr. bobby carmen, Moore, Norman, Norman dentist, special needs dentistry, special needs dentistry norman, special needs norman dentist, University of Oklahoma — admin @ 5:29 pm

When you have a loved one who suffers from a serious mental or physical disability, making sure that they get the dental services they need can seem like an impossible task at times. After all, a regular approach often won’t meet their unique needs, and it can even result in trauma or disaster. Here in Norman, OK, Dr. Bobby Carmen and his dedicated team are committed to providing excellent care to smiles of all shapes and sizes, no matter what the circumstances are. That’s why we’ve taken the time to learn the special needs that come with a variety of disabilities and adjust our services accordingly. We want you and every member of your family to feel welcome at our practice!

When caring for special needs patients, it’s crucial to understand their disabilities and the unique challenges that they pose. Here are a few examples:

Alzheimer’s

As this degenerative disease progresses, symptoms such as forgetfulness and dementia begin to affect every aspect of that person’s life, including their dental hygiene routine. Dr. Carmen recommends that patients with Alzheimer’s are brought in to his Norman office more frequently for check-ups and cleanings. Additionally, oral sedation and other measures that can induce relaxation may be necessary.

Parkinson’s

Tremors are usually associated with this condition, making it harder as time goes on to control even simple movements fully – a problem that can definitely affect brushing and flossing, which require fine motor skills. A large percentage of people with Parkinson’s also suffer from depression. Our team can ensure that these patients’ smiles stay full and functional, contributing to a higher quality of life.

Down syndrome

When it comes to people with Down syndrome, trust has to be a crucial aspect of their care. We’ll help you assure your loved one that they won’t be harmed or restrained in any way during their procedure. Because their immune systems may be compromised as well, we’ll take every precaution to prevent the spread of infection and keep a close eye on any possible signs of developing gum disease.

We’re here to give you and your family a reason to smile! Contact our Norman office today to learn more about our dental care for special needs patients, or if you’d like to schedule an appointment. Additionally, you can find out additional information about other conditions at this page. We also serve the areas of Moore, the University of Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma, and beyond.

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