Can Children be at Risk for Developing Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is rarely found in children, and only sometimes found in adolescents. However, children should still learn the importance of keeping their teeth and gums healthy to prevent periodontal disease in the future. Children should brush their teeth twice a day and learn how to floss properly- if children learn how to floss at an early age, they will be more likely to make it a lifetime habit. These two simple acts will help protect their teeth and gums from periodontal disease.

As a parent, you should also be aware of the warning signs of periodontal disease, which include red, swollen, bleeding gums or bad breath that won’t go away. If your child develops any of these symptoms, tell your dental professional right away. It’s also a good idea to ensure your dental professional knows your complete family history, as genetics can play an important role in the early development of periodontal disease.

perio.org

Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona

Dawnie L. Kildoo, D.D.S., M.A.G.D

267 W. Duval Road, Suite 105, Green Valley, AZ  85614

Office: (520) 625-0131   Website: www.LegacySmilesAZ.com

Oral Cancer: Early Detection is Key!

Oral Cancer

The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that close to 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day.

Factors That May Cause Cancer

Research has identified a number of factors that may contribute to the development of oral cancer. In the past, those at an especially high risk of developing oral cancer were over 40 years of age, heavy drinkers and smokers.

While smoking and heavy drinking are still major risk factors, the fastest growing segment of oral cancer patients is young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals under the age of 40. Recent research has identified the human papilloma virus version 16 as being sexually transmitted between partners and related to the increasing incidence of oral cancer in young non-smoking patients. There are also links to young men and women who use conventional "smokeless" chewing or spit tobacco. Promoted by some as a safer alternative to smoking, this form of tobacco use is actually no safer when it comes to oral cancers.

Other factors that may promote oral cancer include physical trauma, infectious disease, poor oral hygiene and poor nutrition; however, the research regarding their involvement is uncertain. It is likely that there is a complex interaction of many external and internal factors that play a role in the development of oral cancer.

Perform a Self-Exam Monthly

Historically the death rate associated with this cancer is particularly high, not because it is hard to detect or diagnose, but because the cancer is often discovered late in its development.

The National Cancer Institute's SEER data indicate that when oral cancer is detected early, survival outcomes are improved and treatment-related health problems are reduced. Among healthcare professionals, your family dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon is in the best position to detect oral cancer during your routine dental examinations. If you are at high risk for oral cancer, you should see your general dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon for an annual exam.

In addition, dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons recommend that everyone perform an oral cancer self-exam each month. An oral examination is performed using a bright light and a mirror:

•remove any dentures

•look and feel inside the lips and the front of gums

•tilt head back to inspect and feel the roof of your mouth

•pull the cheek out to see its inside surface as well as the back of the gums

•pull out your tongue and look at all of its surfaces

•feel for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) in both sides of the neck including under the lower jaw

Early Detection and Treatment Provide a Better Chance for Cure

When performing an oral cancer self-examination, look for the following:

•white patches of the oral tissues — leukoplakia

•red patches — erythroplakia

•red and white patches — erythroleukoplakia

•a sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily

•an abnormal lump or thickening of the tissues of the mouth

•chronic sore throat or hoarseness

•difficulty in chewing or swallowing

•a mass or lump in the neck

See your dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon if you have any of these signs. If your doctor agrees that something looks suspicious, a biopsy may be recommended. A biopsy involves the removal of a piece of the suspicious tissue, which is then sent to a pathology laboratory for a microscopic examination that will accurately diagnose the problem. The biopsy report not only helps establish a diagnosis, but also enables the doctor to develop a specific plan of treatment.

A Word about Oral Care

Keep in mind that your mouth is one of your body's most important early warning systems. Don't ignore any suspicious lumps or sores. Should you discover something, make an appointment for a prompt examination. Early treatment may well be the key to complete recovery.

© 2005-2013 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 

(AAOMS).   http://www.aaoms.org

Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona

Dawnie L. Kildoo, D.D.S., M.A.G.D.

267 W. Duval Road, Suite 105

 Green Valley, AZ  85614  

Office: (520) 625-0131  Fax: (520) 625-6998

Email: office@legacysmilesaz.com   

Website: http://www.legacysmilesaz.com

Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona - Community Outreach

We feel strongly that being part of a community means giving back to a community. Our office is proud to support our local communities of Green Valley and Sahuarita, and our national community, the United States of America, by holding various charity drives throughout the years. 

Please join our office in supporting the great community we live in.

January – Green Valley Assistance Services

February – American Heart Association

March – Animal League of Green Valley

April – Oral Cancer

May – Sheriff Auxiliary Volunteers

June, July, and August – Arizona Department of Health Water Collection

July - The Town of Sahuarita Kid's Care Fair

September - National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

October - American Cancer Society, Hope Fest — Free Dentistry for Low-Income Persons

November – Green Valley Food Bank

December – Marine Corps Toys for Tots!

Meet Dawnie L. Kildoo, D.D.S., M.A.G.D.

Dawnie L. Kildoo, DDS, MAGD

Education

Georgetown University Dental School, 1986, DDS
George Mason University 1979-1981
Virginia Commonwealth University 1977-1979
Trident Technical College Charleston SC 1973-1975 AD in Dental Assisting

Continuing Education

In 2005, Dr. Kildoo earned the prestigious Mastership Award (MAGD) from the Academy of General Dentistry—Only 1% of the 35,000 dentists in the AGD have achieved this coveted award. On average, a dentist committed to earning this award will take 10 to 15 years to pursue the necessary continuing education credit hours to achieve the MAGD. The Mastership is one of highest awards that the Academy of General Dentistry (the AGD is the primary professional association for general dentists) can confer upon a general dentist--the "Master" of the AGD (MAGD). When you see a dentist with MAGD after their name, you know they are truly dedicated to their profession.

This Mastership award means Dr. Kildoo has completed over 1100 credit hours of continuing education in over 17 separate dental disciplines. This award also demonstrates Dr. Kildoo's extraordinary commitment to being one of the best well-rounded dentist in her field, one who deeply cares about the long-term dental health of you and your family.

Today Dr. Kildoo continues her pursuit of excellence by attending the acclaimed UCLA Aesthetic Continuum, a one-of-a-kind, innovative course, in which world-renowned specialists in the area of cosmetic dentistry provide almost 100 lecture hours of continuing education on such wide-ranging subjects as treatment planning and esthetic enhancement.

Other Accomplishments

• Endodontic Mini Residency at Georgetown University Dental School, 1986.
• Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry awarded in 1991.
• President of Chesapeake Chapter of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 1997.
• National Board Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 1995-1996.
• Continuum I - V, LD Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education, 1992-1998.
• Creating Restorative Excellence I - IV with Dr. John Kois & Dr. Frank Spear, 1994-1998.
• Peak Plan Pennsylvania AGD, 1989-1990 & 1997-2000.
• Mastership Group, Medical College of Virginia, 1995-1997.
• Association of Contemporary Dental Education, Founding Member, 1997-2002.

Personal Bio:

Dr. Kildoo has practiced dentistry for over 26 years. For the first 14 years, she ran her own private practice in McLean, Virginia (across from the CIA!). Fortunately for our community, she has practiced in Green Valley for the last 12 years. She is married and has four children, one grandchild, one Jack Russell dog, and a quarter horse named Cayenne. She loves to hike, ride, and spend time with her family.

Professional Statement:

I want to help people keep their teeth for a lifetime, no matter what the age, and if they so choose. If they decide otherwise, I then want to help them figure out what option is best for them. I believe in "Complete Dentistry" which means evaluating the entire oral health of a person: jaw joints, chewing muscles, tooth health, existing dentistry, gum and surrounding bone health, and chewing habits. By using all this information, I can help a patient establish a comprehensive, personal plan to keep his or her teeth healthy for a lifetime.