Did you know that oral cancer accounts for 2% of all cancers in women and 3% of cancers in men? According to the American Cancer Society, it is one of the few cancers in which the death rate has actually increased. One reason is that is often presents without any noticeable symptoms or pain. If it is left undetected, it can spread to other parts of your body and become nearly impossible to treat. Almost anyone is at risk – it isn’t only smoking or chewing tobacco that cause oral cancer. Everything from prolonged sun exposure, a diet low in fruits and vegetables to HPV and alcohol consumption can also contribute to an increased risk for oral cancer. That is why regular oral cancer screenings from your dentist are just as important as any other annual cancer exam you have. I do both an visual exam and use the ViziLite to help spot abnormal cells and other warning signs. For more information about ViziLite technology and the importance of oral cancer screenings, call me, Dr. Craig at (760) 943-1449, or visit my website www.cosmeticdentistencinitas.com.

I have found that patients often put off their dental visits because they have some level of anxiety about having dental work done. Some statistics indicate that between 40 and 50 percent of Americans won’t go to the dentist unless they have severe pain or something actually breaks. I’d like to help those people relax – not only because it will keep them more comfortable during their visits, but also because it will help them keep their teeth healthy an sound for life. That is why sedation dentistry is such a big part of my practice.  It has helped countless patients get the dental help and care they need and made visits actually pleasant and restful. Your muscles don’t tense up, your mouth will feel less sore, and you will leave your visit feeling as if you had a nice afternoon nap. For more detailed information about sedation dentistry and its benefits, visit www.cosmeticdentistencinitas.com or give me, Dr. Craig a call at  (760) 943-1449.

Do you need a crown? Crowns are a wonderful way to restore a tooth but the process can be tedious. Usually, you have to schedule at least two visits that involve Novocain shots, gooey and uncomfortable dental impressions, tooth preparation and the placement of a temporary crown. Then of course, you have the wait, which might involve a return visit because the temporary came loose or fell out, and finally you have a return date to have more shots, the temporary pulled off, more preparation and at last, have your permanent crown placed. However, all this nuisance disappears when you have a crown created with the CEREC cad/cam system. This system lets me create and place a beautiful, strong crown in just one visit! Moreover, it isn’t just porcelain dental crowns we can make for our patients in Encinitas. We can also create permanent, all ceramic onlays, inlays or veneers. For more information about CEREC technology for Encinitas, Carlsbad, LaCosta, Rancho Santa Fe, Leucadia and the greater San Diego area call me, Dr. Craig at  (760) 943-1449, or visit my website at www.cosmeticdentistencinitas.com.

How many times a night does your bed partner nudge you or shake you to stop your snoring? Neither one of you are getting much sleep because of it. The truth is that severe and loud snoring could indicate something more serious – sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can severely affect your health, and that is why I talk about it so often. Many folks who suffer from sleep apnea in Encinitas go undiagnosed for years and years because, often, the person suffering from sleep apnea doesn’t think anything of the snoring and never consults with a health care provider.  Yet, the list of symptoms and side effects is significant and includes nighttime chest pain, waking unrefreshed, morning headaches, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, even strokes, heart failure or heart attacks. If you live in the Encinitas California area and you snore at all, please talk to me about it or read more on my website at www.cosmeticdentistencinitas.com. You’ll find useful information about what sleep apnea is and how we can treat it. To schedule an appointment, call me, Dr. Craig Fitch, at  (760) 943-1449. I’d like to help you get some sleep and fell better all day long.