Billings MT Dentist-Wicks Dental Clinic

Large B-cell Lymphoma

2010-11-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

Large B-Cell Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer involving the cells of the immune system. About 74,030 people living in the US will be diagnosed with lymphoma in 2010. And an estimated 21,530 persons will die of lymphoma in the US in 2010. (LLS booklet Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma Facts 2010-2011) Primary lymphomas of the the oral cavity are uncommon, accounting for only about 2% of all extra nodal lymphomas. Patients present with soft tissue swelling, pain, ulceration, parasthesia, and teeth loosening. It is important that your dentist knows the signs of Lymphoma. Dentists can also identify signs of B-cell lymphoma whose primary site is not in the oral cavity. Almost 23% of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presented with involvement of an extra nodal head or neck site. (A. Urquhart and R. Berg, Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the head and neck, Laryngoscope 111 (2001), pp. 1565–1569) By knowing the signs of B-cell lymphoma, dentists can play an important role in early detection of this disease.

Boss's Day! October 16, 2010

2010-10-20T22:11:00.000-07:00

Why do we love Dr. Jones??

It could be the team building pedicure trip.

Or maybe the totally awesome shopping spree he gave us to celebrate our 1 year mark.

(Afterall, he did give us each a flower, chocolate, a poem, and $$$.)

And he thought of this all on his own :)

Or maybe becuase he is just so fun to be around.....

In honor of boss's day the office took Dr. Jones to lunch at Bull Mountain Grille and gave him a very much appreciated gift card to Central Hobbies (for his RC planes). But wait that's not all.......

The girls decided to give Dr. Jones an office make-over!!!

(more pictures to come)

Not brushing teeth linked to heart attacks

2010-09-18T22:15:00.000-07:00

For years we have known that poor oral hygiene is linked to heart disease, but scientists at the University of Bristol believe they have discovered the bug responsible for causing this damage. Professor Howard Jenkinson from the University of Bristol states, "Poor dental hygiene can lead to bleeding gums, providing bacteria with an escape route into the bloodstream, where they can initiate blood clots leading to heart disease," Findings from the research show that bacteria use a special protein to cause platelets in the blood to bind together and form clots. As these clots are formed it creates a protective encasing for the bacteria, which can cause small blood clots to block blood supply to the brain and heart. Although this research is still in the preliminary stages Professor Jenkinson says, ""People need to be aware that as well [as] keeping a check on their diet, blood pressure, cholesterol and fitness levels, they also need to maintain good dental hygiene to minimise their risk of heart problems." To read the full article click here.