The NobleDentist Blog

Oral surgeon Dr. Gary Bouloux is about to pull a diseased wisdom tooth from his patient’s mouth, using forceps that look like a pair of silver pliers.

Dr. Gary Bouloux prepares for oral surgery at Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia.

1 of 3 “We’re in good shape,” Bouloux assures his patient. In a smooth, quick motion, Bouloux snatches the white molar from the woman’s gum with a loud snap.

“Strong bones,” Bouloux quips to his numb patient. “You’ll never break your hip.”

And it might help cut her heart disease risk, too.

In theory, by removing his patient’s teeth ravaged by gum disease, “we reduced the number of inflamed and infected sites in her mouth, which may reduce her overall inflammatory burden and thus reduce her risk for cardiovascular disease,” said Bouloux, an assistant professor at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Doctors have known for years that gum disease and heart disease are linked, but they have yet to reach agreement on the exact reasons behind the connection.

Heart disease patients often have several risk factors such as high cholesterol or poor diet, making it impossible to single out bad dental health as a contributing factor.

Heart disease is the nation’s top killer, claiming a staggering 450,000 lives in 2004, according to the American Heart Association.

Although it’s unknown how many of those deaths are linked to gum disease, oral pathologist Dr. Dwight Weathers of Emory University suspects that the number would be high, “given that 85 percent of people over age 65 and probably half of people younger than that have some form of periodontal disease. Wow. That would be a big number.”

Poor dental health is so prevalent that the number of lives saved by eliminating gum disease worldwide would “definitely be in the hundreds of thousands,” said Dr. Steven Offenbacher, a University of North Carolina research professor.

Acute gum disease increases the amount of hs-CRP in the bloodstream, which is a natural response to inflammation caused by injury or infection. The American Heart Association says hs-CRP may signal an increased risk for heart attacks.

“There’s a lot of evidence to suggest that inflammation can be a hidden killer,” said Offenbacher, who’s been researching links between gum disease and heart disease for 15 years.

Dr. Michael Kowolik, who researches gum disease, inflammation and hs-CRP at Indiana University, warned that “even if we think our mouths are healthy, we still may be at risk. It’s possible that many people have died from heart disease linked to their poor dental health, and they just didn’t know it.”

Gum disease can sneak up on its victims without any warning signs, according to the American Dental Association, which recommends prevention by proper diet, brushing, flossing and dental visits.

Whether hs-CRP is merely a cardiovascular danger signal or a direct risk factor is a hotly debated issue in the medical community, said Emory cardiologist Dr. Arshed Quyyumi.

Research could determine hs-CRP as a full-blown risk factor for heart disease, the same as smoking, high cholesterol or obesity. In non-human lab experiments, “you can even show some direct damage” to cells by hs-CRP, Quyyumi said.

People included in the research would have to be very carefully chosen so their risk factors could be properly isolated into various control groups.

“Many people with bad teeth also may have risk factors for heart disease,” Quyyumi said. “They may smoke a lot or be overweight.”

Also, future studies would do well to include more cooperation between cardiologists and dental researchers, Offenbacher said.

“The best thing that could happen on a national level would be to integrate dental findings into the cardiology studies,” he said.

Apart from hs-CRP, scientists are looking at mouth bacteria as another possible link between gum disease and heart disease.

Researchers at Ireland’s Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin are developing a drug based on a theory that bacteria travel from bleeding gums into the bloodstream, where they attack the heart.

Project leader Dr. Steve Kerrigan said the drug would hinder proteins that allow bacteria to clump with blood cells. The clumps restrict blood flow to the heart, creating a risk for a heart attack, he said.

“We would like to think that we will have a very solid drug target in the next five years,” said Kerrigan, who said his project has a 1 million pound grant from the Health Research Board of Ireland and Britain’s Wellcome Trust.

But the theory that oral bacteria pose a threat to the heart is another subject of intense medical debate.

There’s no doubt,” Bouloux said, that during oral surgery to remove diseased teeth, bacteria do enter the bloodstream. “But is there any evidence of that association with heart attack and stroke? No.”

Kerrigan acknowledges that more research is needed. “There would be huge amounts of money thrown at this if there was a study that showed a direct cause and effect between oral bacteria and heart disease.”

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This is an article by Erin Waite that was recently published in The University at Buffalo The Spectrum – NY, USA.

Students looking to maintain a healthy smile should focus on dental hygiene and be wary of that notorious sweet tooth.
Brush, floss, rinse, spit.

Though these rituals of dental hygiene are ingrained in our consciousness from childhood, our teeth may still fall victim to sugary foods, sodas, daily coffee and even laziness or apathy.

Still, no one can deny the importance of healthy teeth. Stefan Ruhl, assistant professor of oral biology at the School of Dental Medicine, discussed the significance of keeping those pearly whites clean and plaque-free.

“There are basically two major problems and diseases in dentistry – cavities and inflammation of the gum tissue, known as gum disease or gingivitis,” Ruhl said. “Dental hygiene is very important because you can prevent the formation of dental diseases.”

According to Ruhl, only a small number of people have genetic predispositions to dental diseases. Most appearances of these diseases may be traced back to one’s diet.

“We all have lots of bacteria in our mouths, which are harmless and may even be beneficial, but we get too much sugar in our daily intake,” Ruhl said. “This wasn’t a problem several thousand years ago and people did not get a lot of cavities, but today there is sugar in everything, from soft drinks to ketchup.”

Ruhl observed that this modern accretion of dietary sugar changes the bacteria and bacterial flora in the mouth, which alters the formation of acid that leads to cavities.

“Certain bacteria produce acids that dissolve the tooth mineral, or enamel,” Ruhl said. “If the bacteria stay in your mouth a long time, cavities may develop.”

If students want to prevent cavities, Ruhl said that they should avoid any sweets that stick to the teeth or stay in the mouth for a long time.

Drinking soft drinks and chewing or sucking on sugary candy can have negative effects on teeth, according to Ruhl. The longer a person keeps sugary products in the mouth, the more bacteria can metabolize the sugar within the mouth, which produces acid that could threaten the integrity of the teeth.

“By brushing daily, you remove the bacterial layer of dental plaque that grows after several days,” Ruhl said. “Flossing is very important because brushing doesn’t get to the bacteria in between the teeth.”

Ruhl stated that people should brush their teeth two to three times a day, including after breakfast, lunch and before bed.

“Don’t brush too close to your meal because there is always a natural acid in food,” Ruhl said. “After half an hour saliva has the chance to repair the tooth enamel.”

Since there is an expansive variety of toothpastes on the shelves today, Ruhl offered advice for picking the best for your teeth.

“Toothpaste should not contain abrasive material and shouldn’t have a grinding or sandy feeling,” Ruhl said. “Abrasive material damages the teeth.”

Even though there is already fluoride in the drinking water in the U.S., one should buy toothpaste that contains fluoride because it hardens your teeth, according to Ruhl.

Many students regard dental hygiene as an essential part of one’s personal health.

“I don’t want my teeth to rot out – dentures are expensive,” said Bill King, a junior electrical engineering major. “I brush, floss and rinse every day. It’s just routine.”

Asaf Nisim, a senior music performance major, also revealed his hygienic preferences.

“Although it may seem tedious, a beautiful smile goes a long way because it’s an aesthetic world,” Nisim said. “Of course I think [dental hygiene] is important – let’s face it, no one wants to get down with someone who looks like Sloth from The Goonies.”

Nisim noted that he flosses every day, but does not believe that most people do.

Ricky Khy, a junior electrical engineering major, said that even though he doesn’t floss often, keeping a healthy mouth is necessary because it is something people notice during first impressions.

In regard to now-common procedures of teeth whitening, Ruhl quelled some general misconceptions.

“Whitening of the teeth is a purely aesthetic and cosmetic procedure,” Ruhl said. “Teeth are naturally more yellow, and this whitening trend is a cultural thing, particularly with the U.S.”

Ruhl observed that teeth whitening is propelled by the Hollywood image, but that teeth’s whiteness has nothing to do with their health.

“Whitening is fine as long as you don’t do it excessively,” Ruhl said. “There are people who have sensitive teeth and for them whitening can be painful – in that case they should have it done by a professional.”

This is an article that was recently published in RDH Magazine – Tulsa, OK, USA.

More than 55,000 health-care professionals are expected to gather at the Greater New York Dental Meeting where Dr. Jeremy Mao, DDS, PhD, will discuss the medical applications of dental stem cells and how dentists can incorporate this discovery into their practices.

Dentists are now in the position to help patients preserve their stem cells. Instead of discarding a patient’s tooth during a routine medical procedure, a new technology allows dentists to preserve these teeth so patients can bank their stem cells.

Dr. Mao, one of the leading stem cell researchers in the world, and scientific advisor to StemSave, will discuss his latest scientific findings and why dentists should expand their practice to incorporate the recovery and cryo-preservation of dental stem cells on behalf of their patients.

WHY: Recovering and cryo-preserving dental stem cells gives people the opportunity to benefit from future regenerative services and medical technology. In addition, it gives dentists the opportunity to expand their practice while providing a potentially life-saving service to patients.

Many dental professionals are simply unaware that powerful stem cells exist within dental pulp. It is only in the past decade that researchers at the National Institutes of Health discovered stem cells within teeth have the ability to grow into a wide range of cells and tissues.

This discovery has opened the door to tremendous medical applications, as these stem cells could be used to treat many of today’s most difficult diseases including Parkinson’s disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injury and arthritis to diabetes, infertility, osteoporosis, and brain trauma.

This is an article that was recently published in the Washington Post – United States.

Dental implants require much more follow-up treatment than root canals, according to a study by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The findings suggest that every effort should be made to preserve natural teeth before considering implants.

The researchers examined the charts of a group of patients who received a total of 129 dental implants and a group of patients who received 143 root canals. The follow-up ranged from 15 to 57 months (average of 36 months) for the dental implants and 18 to 59 months (average of 22 months) for the root canals.

The success rate for the dental implants was 98.4 percent; for root canals it was 99.3 percent. However, 12.4 percent of the dental implants required additional interventions, compared with 1.4 percent of the root canals.

The findings were published in the November issue of the Journal of Endodontics.

“Many dental professionals today are faced with the dilemma of whether root canal treatment or dental implants are the best option for their patients,” lead investigator Dr. James Porter Hannahan, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said in an American Association of Endodontists (AAE) news release. “While the success of both procedures is similar, saving the natural tooth through a root canal rarely requires follow-up treatment and generally lasts a lifetime; implants, on the other hand, have more post-operative complications and higher long-term failure rates.”

Research has shown that poor oral health and tooth loss may be associated with serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even certain types of cancer.

“Considering these (study) results in light of the growing body of evidence on the impact of oral health on overall health, it is imperative for dental professionals to partner with endodontists who have advanced training in examining whether a natural tooth can be saved through root canal treatment,” AAE President Dr. Louis Rossman said in the news release. “While implants may be an appropriate solution for people with missing teeth, endodontic treatment should be the first choice for restoring a compromised tooth.”

In root canal, the inflamed pulp that’s causing pain is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned, filled and sealed. Most root canals can be completed in one visit. Each year in the United States, root canals restore and save about 17 million teeth. In dental implants, the tooth is extracted, a metal post is inserted in the jaw, and a porcelain crown is attached to the post. An implant can require three or more visits over the course of several months, according to the AAE.

This is an article by Dr Paul Bell that was recently published in YourHub.com – Denver, CO, USA.

If you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant then congratulations! I have had 5 favorite days in life so far, days where I just felt like I was walking on air and all other problems disappeared. 2 of those days were when each of my 2 boys was born. I have another of those days coming up soon as my wife is pregnant with our 3 rd child and 1 st girl. I’m so excited to have my little princess!

Lots of changes happen during pregnancy. The most obvious is that growing bulge in the midsection. Changes in your pocketbook and the color of the baby’s future room are just a few more I could mention. One change that you may not be aware of is the change that can occur in your oral health.

Pregnancy can actually cause an increase in gingivitis, the red puffy gums that bleed easily. This exaggerated response to plaque is caused by an increase in the level of progesterone in your system. During pregnancy, you may actually need to have more frequent dental cleanings to prevent this problem.

In addition to your own health, seeing the dentist before or during pregnancy might actually help the health of your developing baby. New studies indicate that women with severe periodontal (gum) disease may be at higher risk for preterm birth and associated low-birthweight.

Dental x-rays are always a concern during pregnancy and should be avoided when possible. However, when an emergency happens and x-rays have to be used, every precaution is taken to minimize exposure to the baby. A protective lead apron is used with a thyroid collar to protect mom and baby from unnecessary exposure.

Dental emergencies do happen during pregnancy and they are never fun. Just recently I had a new patient come in the day before a scheduled C-section with a painful throbbing tooth! She needed a root canal. Luckily, we were able to take care of her pain and she was able to enjoy the arrival of her new baby without a throbbing tooth. Waiting and watching on teeth that need emergency treatment is not always the best option during pregnancy because pain can cause unnecessary stress to you and your baby. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, come in to see us for a pre-pregnancy exam to determine if there are any cavities that can’t wait until after your pregnancy.

Now let me mention a few things about your future baby’s teeth. Your baby’s teeth will start to erupt about six months after birth. These will be baby teeth that your child will lose later, but they are very important for spacing, health, speech development, and normal emotional development. It is important that they remain cavity free.

These baby teeth are susceptible to cavities as soon as they enter the mouth and brushing should start with the eruption of the first teeth. A soft baby toothbrush and baby toothpaste without fluoride should be used until your baby can spit out on its own. Then you can switch to fluoride toothpaste. Early childhood caries (cavities) can happen when sugary liquids like milk, formula or juice come in contact with the teeth. Obviously, your baby needs to eat, but juice should be used sparingly. You should avoid putting your baby in the crib alone with a full bottle of anything but water. Bottles should be finished before going down for naptime or bedtime.

A new study also shows that a few applications of fluoride varnish on baby teeth can dramatically reduce the chance of those teeth getting decay. It’s a good idea to have the first visit to the dentist by your child’s first birthday. This allows the baby to establish a positive relationship with the dentist, we can check for cavities and apply fluoride varnish.

This is an article by Adam Cresswell that was recently published in The Australian.

Oral health advocates say new figures support their campaign to retain a threatened dental scheme.

DENTIST Catherine Groenlund has treated “hundreds” of patients under a Commonwealth scheme that the current Government insists is a failure.

Groenlund, one of a number of dental experts lobbying to save the program, says for many patients it offers the only realistic means for them to keep not just their oral health, but also their general condition, under control.

“If you have a heart problem, research shows that if you have periodontal disease you have a much higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke,” says Groenlund, who works in a 14-dentist practice in Sydney’s western suburbs. “The patient needs to keep their oral health up to a standard where they don’t have active disease, and the only way to do that is to go to a dentist and get it assessed.”

Groenlund’s area is normally considered a Labor heartland, and she has found no shortage of patients who qualify for the enhanced dental Medicare scheme, which was relaunched in November last year, in the dying days of the Howard Government.

It pays $2150 in Medicare rebates for private dental treatment per year, provided the patient is referred to the dentist by a GP who has assessed them as having a potentially life-threatening chronic condition that is being exacerbated by their dental problems.

Although the enhanced scheme was a big improvement on the little-used previous version of the program, take-up was at first slow to increase and the new Labor Government lost little time in vowing to scrap it, on the grounds of the low numbers and the fact that it is accessible to rich and poor alike.

The Senate has blocked the scrapping of the program, which has forced the Government to continue paying for a scheme it had banked on being history by now.

In its place the Government wants to pump extra money into state governments’ existing public dental programs. It has also pledged a dental scheme for teenagers, under which an estimated 1 million teenagers whose families qualify for Family Tax Benefit Part A would be eligible for a $150 payment for a consultation, scale and clean.

Groenlund is sceptical about the plans to address dental disease by boosting state-run schemes, saying that will simply lengthen existing queues of patients waiting to be seen by the limited numbers of public dentists. The Medicare scheme, in contrast, allows patients to see any private dentist they choose. “They don’t have to wait in a queue, they don’t have to go for a four-hour drive away, or face any of the different access problems you have in the public system,” she says.

Another critic of the Government’s plans is Hans Zoellner, chairman of the Association for the Promotion of Oral Health, who has recently completed an updated analysis of the uptake of the threatened Medicare scheme.

Zoellner says this shows that despite a slow start, it has delivered over 1 million services to almost 80,000 patients—a rate he says disproves claims that it’s been a failure.

The figures for November 2007 to September 2008 show there have been nearly 300,000 services for pain including surgical procedures and extractions, and nearly 215,000 preventive and periodontal services.

“One of the criticisms that people have levelled at the (Medicare) scheme is that it’s open to massive abuse, that there’s inappropriate treatment,” Zoellner says. “The analysis shows that the bulk of services delivered are needed for health.

“The average patient is getting something like three treatments for pain or extraction of teeth—no one in their right mind would seriously suggest that those patients are just receiving cosmetic services, or are just trying to rort the system.”

Zoellner does concede the Medicare scheme has minor problems—such as a higher rate of expensive crowns and bridges than would be seen in the normal dental patient population.

At 7.4 per cent of total Medicare treatments, on a per-tooth basis, Zoellner says this is “probably higher than it should be” but could be dealt with by requiring such treatment to be pre-approved, much as happens now with Department of Veterans’ Affairs patients.

One of the Government’s arguments in favour of replacing the dental Medicare scheme has been that it is much less used outside NSW. But Zoellner, a longstanding critic of the Government’s plans, says this is the Government’s own fault as it has been doing its utmost for at least six months to cajole, warn and threaten dentists and patients not to initiate treatment cycles.

Zoellner is highly critical of the Government’s preferred scheme, which relies on the dwindling band of state-funded public dentists. Although the Government’s scheme involves pumping nearly $100 million extra into this system, Zoellner says it will perpetuate stark inequities in funding levels from state to state.

If the money in each state dental budget were divided equally between all the state patients eligible to be treated, even after the proposed increases Zoellner says it would equate to just $77.84 per patient in NSW and $91.73 in Victoria—compared to $106.40 in South Australia, $122.58 in Queensland and $153.07 in the ACT.

The Australian Dental Association now also has some sympathy with Zoellner’s cause. Its outgoing president John Matthews says the new figures challenge the government’s case that dental Medicare is not working: “I don’t think you can say that—it’s working within its parameters.”

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon challenges the validity of Zoellner’s figures, saying it’s misleading to divide the funding in the public scheme by all the patients eligible.

“These figures are misleading as they are based on an assumption that every eligible person will immediately seek to access the Commonwealth Dental Health Program, rather that the program being targeted to those most in need of dental care—as would actually be the case,” Roxon says.

“We also know that the previous Government’s chronic disease dental program isn’t reaching many people most in need—for example, only 0.6 per cent of services have been provided in Western Australia and only 0.3 per cent in Tasmania.

“The Commonwealth Dental Health Program will be better targeted than the Liberals’ flawed program in providing assistance to people most needy in our community.”

This is an article that was submitted by ePR Source that recently appeared in Best Syndication News.

People who are missing one or several teeth are increasingly turning to dental implants over traditional dental treatments such as bridges, or dentures and partials. While bridges and dentures used to be the preferred treatments for missing teeth, the advantages of implants are so great that it is no surprise that they have become so popular in recent years. Part of their popularity is due to the fact that most people who want them can get them. If you are missing one or more teeth, have sufficient jawbone structure, and have generally good oral health, then you are very likely a prime candidate.

So how does one go about getting implants?

This is a fairly extensive process, and one that requires a bit more patience than many cosmetic dental procedures. This being said, it can be done with very little discomfort to the patient, and comparatively few visits to the dentist’s office.

• Initial consultation – This involves a thorough dental exam including x-rays to ensure that your oral health and bone structure is sufficient to support the implant. This is also your chance to discuss your expectations and goals with your cosmetic dentist.

• Preparation – Gum tissue is removed to expose the underlying bone. If the bone structure is insufficient, then a bone graft may be necessary. If there is sufficient bone structure, then the next step can begin.

• Placing the implant – A small hole is drilled into the bone that is used as a guide for the actual titanium implant screw. Once this hole is successfully drilled, the implant can be installed.

• Osseointegration – This is the most important part of the process. The titanium implant and the bone need to bond together in order for the implant to be properly anchored in the jaw. This anchoring process is called “osseointegration.” This step in the process can take several months, accounting for most of the waiting involved.

• Placing the crown – After successful osseointegration, the post can then be attached to the implant, and then the crown attached to the post. This allows for the crown to be replaced without disturbing the implant itself should your crown ever be damaged.

Dental implants provide the most durable, natural looking, easily maintained, and hassle-free treatment option for those with missing teeth.

This is an article that was published recently in Bathhurst Western Advocate – Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia.

DENTAL health in Bathurst is in for a boost with an initiative designed to give teenagers a free check-up.
The Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) is urging families who have received a Medicare Teen Dental Voucher to ensure they take advantage of the new Commonwealth Govern-ment Scheme.

Vouchers must be used before they expire on December 31.

Medicare Teen Dental Vouchers are issued to young people aged 12-17 years whose families are in receipt of Family Tax Benefit Part A, or who receive Youth Allowance or Abstudy.

Most vouchers would have been posted to families in August this year.

The voucher covers a dental check-up and preventive dental care up to the value of $150.

Public dental clinics and some private dentists will bulk bill patients with no out of pocket expenses for the preventive care.

Some private dental practices will charge an upfront fee and provide a receipt which can be taken to Medicare for a refund of up to $150.

According to Jennifer Floyd, area manager oral health services for the GWAHS, although the Medicare Teen Dental Vouchers did not cover general dental treatment such as fillings and extractions, free treatment could still be accessed through child dental clinics within the area health service.

“Teenagers have been under represented when it comes to accessing dental care at child dental clinics in the GWAHS,” she said.

“Families should ensure they use their voucher to make an appointment, either at a private dental practice or at a GWAHS child dental clinic.”

This is an article by Helen Rae that was recently published in Chronicle Live – England, UK.

LOOKING after your mouth isnt just about having the perfect smile.

Keeping a healthy mouth, and having regular check-ups at the dentist, can also help guard against diseases including mouth cancer.

For this reason Cancer Research UK is launching its Love Your Mouth campaign during Mouth Cancer Awareness Week which runs from November 16 to November 22.

Cancer Research UKs campaign, funded by the Department of Health, is run by Newcastle University. This is the second stage in the health campaign which is being run in Newcastle and Gateshead.

The aim is to detect problems in the mouth early ranging from relatively minor conditions to serious diseases such as mouth cancer so that they can be treated quickly.

The campaign entitles men and women over 40, who havent visited the dentist for at least two years, and who smoke and/or drink heavily, to a free mouth check.

The mouth check is quick, easy and painless. The check doesnt include dental examination or treatment.

Mouth cancer survivor, Maggie Bratton, of Springwell Village, Gateshead, knows all too well how important it is to look after your mouth. The mum-of-two was diagnosed with mouth cancer in April 2001 when she was 46.

She had developed a lump on the roof of her mouth but left it a couple of months before going to see her GP. When two courses of antibiotic failed to clear it up, Maggies doctor referred her to Newcastles General Hospital.

Maggie said: I thought it was just a sore in my mouth so to be told I had cancer was a complete shock. Even though I smoked 40 cigarettes a day, I never for one moment thought it would happen to me. I really thought my life was over. The day after her diagnosis, Maggie had an operation to remove the lump. The team of specialists then decided she would need further surgery to remove part of the roof of her mouth.

Maggie, who decided to give up smoking the night before she had the surgery, added: The operation involved removing a flap of skin from the top of my leg and using it to create a new lining for my mouth.

I also had an obturator fitted, which basically replaced part of the roof of my mouth and now holds my face in shape. I cant speak or eat when I take it out. My face was very swollen and I had tubes everywhere after the operation.

But the medical care I received was excellent and my consultant made me a promise. He said Youll look as beautiful as you did before the surgery. It took me about a year to get back to normal but now you can hardly tell the difference.

She added: It took a long time for the feeling to come back into my face and to be able to speak and eat properly again. When we went out for meals, my son David and I used a code so Id know if I had food on my face.

Im so grateful to all the doctors and nurses, as well as my family and friends. Ive been given a second chance at life and know how lucky I am to still be here.

Maggie has made a full recovery and now has regular check-ups. As a result of her own experience, she is keen to support Cancer Research UKs Love Your Mouth campaign.

She said: Its really important for people to be aware of the signs of mouth cancer.

Although there is a lot of publicity these days about other types of cancer, many people know very little about mouth cancer. Id never heard of it before my diagnosis.

I would encourage everyone who is eligible to take advantage of the campaign and go and have a free mouth check. Its a quick and painless examination and could make all the difference.

Dr Ray Lowry, a senior lecturer at Newcastle University and a consultant in Public Heath for Gateshead Primary Care Trust, is leading the project.

He said: A lot of people are afraid to visit their dentists and as a result choose to avoid them altogether and not go for check-ups.

Your dentist doesnt just look at your teeth during a check-up. They will also look at the soft, fleshy parts of your mouth, such as the tongue, gums and lips, to make sure they are healthy.

Dr Lowry added: Taking advantage of this free mouth check could allay any worries or concerns people might have, particularly if they have something they feel anxious about, such as a lump in their mouth. The main thing is to spot the symptoms as soon as possible.