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J. Michael Puckett, DDS, delivers quality oral health care to patients through his dental office in Jamestown, North Carolina. Among the many services offered at his practice, J. Michael Puckett, DDS, conducts important oral cancer screenings that help catch cancer in its early stages.

Among all Americans, nearly 50,000 will develop oral cancer in 2017. Of those new patients, oral cancer will kill about 20 percent. Doctors categorize oral cancer among a broader class called head and neck cancer. Oral cancers comprise about 85 percent of all head and neck cancers and can appear in places like the gums, lips, tongue, and throat.

Oral cancer is much easier to address when discovered before it has had the chance to grow and to spread to other parts of the body. One way oral cancer gets discovered early is during routine exams conducted as part of dental checkups.

Oral health providers carry out the exams by carefully examining tissues like the gums and tongue for evidence of cancer. Moreover, dentists feel along the neck and jaw for abnormal signs that might signal the presence of cancerous growths.

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J Michael Puckett DDS Jamestown, NC, US Dentist in Jamestown, North Carolina Dedicated to providing personalized and principled dental care in a co...

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J Michael Puckett DDS | Dds at J Michael Puckett, Dds,Pa

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Dr. J Michael Puckett DDS twice returned to academia: first, to complete a program in clinical practice on occlusion at the Seattle I...

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J Michael Puckett DDS - North Carolina-Based DDS - Resume |

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J. Michael Puckett, DDS, draws on over 20 years of dentistry experience at his Jamestown, North Carolina-based private practice. In addition to routine denta...

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J. Michael Puckett, DDS, has led an independent dental practice in Jamestown, North Carolina, for more than 20 years. Dedicated to the continuing oral health of people of all ages, J. Michael Puckett, DDS, provides patient education to help senior citizens retain healthy teeth.

Although senior adults do face more risks to oral health as compared to their younger counterparts, regular hygiene can help to protect older teeth and keep the mouth healthy. Gum disease is a particular concern, as it is the leading cause of tooth loss in the senior years.

Today, close to 23 percent of adults between the ages of 65 and 74 have severe gum disease. It often develops when the patient's oral hygiene routine is not sufficient to remove built-up plaque, which causes infection in the gum tissue. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to cavities, which statistics suggest are present in almost 33 percent of patients over 65 years of age.

Experts recommend that older adults protect themselves against these risks with a hygiene routine that includes brushing at least twice each day and flossing once daily. For those who find such activities difficult due to decreased mobility, floss holders and toothbrushes with broader grips may provide some help. Antimicrobial mouthwash can also help the patient to rinse away bacteria that brushing could not reach, though it is important for even the most conscientious patient to visit the dentist regularly for a professional cleaning and exam.