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Signs Your Child May Have a Dental Problem

Examining your child’s mouth isn’t easy! Their bone structure is still developing, and they might have difficulty opening wide—if they don’t, you’ll probably need a flashlight and a dental mirror for examination. 

Your Portland dentist, Dr. David Case of Family Dental Health, is equipped with a comfortable dental chair for them to lean back in, an illuminating overhead light, intraoral cameras, and x-ray imaging that helps us get an accurate picture of the condition of their teeth, gums, jawbone, and tongue.

However, if your child is experiencing any dental issue, such as gum disease, a tongue tie, or tooth decay, there are telltale signs you’ll notice, such as your little one avoiding eating or drinking because of sensitive teeth.

Physical Cues

Young children may not be able to verbally express that they’re experiencing pain, but if they’re drooling, rubbing their faces, having trouble sleeping, or even acting out angrily, bringing them to Family Dental Health is a good idea. We can talk more with you about the most common dental symptoms that indicate trouble and explain potential causes.

If you’re concerned for any reason about your child’s dental health, don’t hesitate to contact Family Dental Health! We’re here to ensure your little one’s smile doesn’t cause them pain.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Does My Child Have to Have a Shot to Get Dental Work?

No one of any age gets shots in their mouth for fun, and fear of needles (trypanophobia) is a documented condition. Children may fear shots because they seem so unfamiliar, with a fear of potential pain. Does your child have to have a shot to get dental work? It will depend on the procedure being done, and what Family Dental Health advises.

Pain relief methods that do not require a shot include:

• Topical anesthetic alone numbs the gums enough for most children to tolerate dental work.
• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) can relax a child but isn’t appropriate for all kids.
• Oral sedation may be effective pain relief for young children receiving extensive care.
• Laser therapies can eliminate the need for shots. 

Some other ways to calm a child who fears shots:

• Demonstrate a small pinch on their arm to show how a shot could feel, substituting words like “sleepy juice” and “tickling your teeth” that seem less scary. Don’t lie about pain— but avoid horror stories!
• Have the child meet the dentist at a separate appointment where no dental work is being done so they can meet the staff, ask questions, and get more comfortable with our office at Family Dental Health.

If you have any questions or concerns, we’re happy to help! Get in touch with Family Dental Health today.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Questions to Ask at a Back-to-School Dental Visit

Some schools require a back-to-school dental visit, but even if yours doesn’t, right before school starts is a good time to schedule one of your child’s regular checkups. Family Dental Health can take care of any problems so your child won’t have to miss class after school starts, and if oral hygiene routines got a little lax over the summer, Family Dental Health can help get kids back on track.

Here are a few questions to ask at your child’s appointment:

• How is my child’s overall dental health?
• Will my child get a cleaning today? 
• Does my child need an x-ray?
• Do you recommend sealants?
• Can you check my child’s mouthguard?

These questions cover all the bases for general dental health and safety. A mouthguard will be checked for wear, tear, and fit in case a replacement will be needed, while sealants can help prevent cavities in permanent molars. A professional cleaning picks up where brushing and flossing leave off to give your child a nice bright smile to begin their school year.

If you need to schedule a dental checkup for your child at any time of year, give Family Dental Health a call today!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Mouthwash: More Harm Than Good?

At Family Dental Health, we know a lot of people feel they’re adding a layer of tooth decay and gum disease prevention to their oral hygiene routines when they swish with mouthwash—which may be true, but it depends on the mouthwash. If you floss and brush properly, mouthwash isn’t always necessary, and certain types could even be harmful to your oral health.

Think about it this way: do you take antibiotics when you don’t have an infection that requires them? Like antibiotics, certain mouthwashes can kill beneficial bacteria and either create or aggravate problems.

It’s All About the Ingredients

One of the conditions that can be exacerbated by mouthwash is dry mouth, and it’s usually due to the alcohol content many of them carry. Do you know that burning feeling that makes it feel like it’s working? That’s the alcohol, and it’s doing more harm than good. 

If you have any questions or concerns about this topic or any other oral health subject, contact Family Dental Health today. We love staying in touch with our dental family!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Baby Bottles & Water: It’s Complicated

Dr. Case wants to tackle the issue of babies and water intake in today’s blog. Of course, water is the healthiest beverage available for kids and adults, particularly when it comes to oral hygiene, but in babies less than six months of age, water is a no-no.  

Until babies are six months old, they have a liquid diet of formula or breast milk. Both of those are made up of 80-90% water, providing plenty of hydration and nutrition as long as they remain undiluted. Water intake for infants is detrimental because it makes them feel full, interfering with proper nutrient intake and healthy weight gain. 

Once a baby is six months old, they can have small sips (a few tablespoons) of water, but caregivers should still use caution until kids are at least a year old. At that time, it is safe to give a quarter- to half-cup of water to your little one because they will be eating solid food. Whether your baby is breastfed, bottle-fed, or has graduated to solids, their gums and new teeth should be wiped with a wet washcloth or gently brushed after each feeding and before going to bed. 

Putting only water in their bottles (but not before six months, and not too much!) between feedings is the best practice for your baby’s oral health. This will help prevent acidic buildup that would otherwise lead to baby bottle tooth decay, which can happen when babies are put to bed with a bottle of milk.

If you have more questions about baby bottle tooth decay, pediatric dentistry or your baby’s first teeth, contact Family Dental Health and schedule an appointment to talk to Dr. Case today!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Can My Child Skip Visits to the Dentist?

You may think of our team at Family Dental Health as part of your child’s defensive line keeping them safe from gum disease and tooth decay, but we’re also myth busters! You’ve probably heard one of the most common misconceptions we have to challenge: dentistry isn’t important until after children lose their baby teeth. 

The truth is that oral health routines should be developed right from the beginning, and visiting the dentist is a foundational part of creating healthy habits.

From the beginning?

That’s right! There are tips you’ll want to follow as your little one’s smile forms and grows, and around the time you’re celebrating their first birthday, you’ll want to schedule their first dental visit. For an overview of why early introductions are crucial and what you can do to keep them on the right track before this milestone, we invite you to come to see us!

If you have any questions or you’d like to schedule a visit with Portland dentist, Dr. David Case to get your kids started on their smile journey, contact Family Dental Health today!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Down Syndrome & Dental Issues

Today, Dr. David Case of Family Dental Health would like to discuss the unique dental characteristics of those with Down Syndrome.

• • First teeth may arrive later. Children who have Down syndrome can get their first teeth anywhere from 12 to 24 months of age; they may not have a complete set of baby teeth until age 4 or 5. The eruption of front permanent teeth and 6-year-old permanent molars may also be delayed until 8-9 years of age—and it’s not unusual for any or all of these teeth to show up in a different order than anticipated.

• • Teeth and tongue attributes are different. People with Down syndrome have teeth that are smaller than usual—their tooth roots may even be shorter than those of the average population. Another marker of Down syndrome is a small upper jaw, which can cause a misaligned bite and mouths that do not comfortably accommodate their tongues.

• • Gum disease tends to be more prevalent in people that have Down syndrome. An impaired immune system is present in people who have Down syndrome, so their bodies do not have the natural protection against disease than is typical—so oral hygiene is very important.

Consistent dental care is important for every person, and your Portland dental team would love to help your little one with Down syndrome enjoy optimal oral health and wellness. Get in touch with Family Dental Health today to make an appointment!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Teens & Tobacco: Know the Risks

Today, Family Dental Health wants to give teens the bottom line about tobacco use: there is no such thing as a “safe” or “safer” tobacco product. Every tobacco product contains nicotine in varying amounts—and not only is nicotine addictive, but it can also harm the brain. (Many people don’t realize the brain continues developing until the mid-20s or even early-30s.)

• Cigarettes are usually made of tobacco and chemical additives in a paper casing. Inhaled smoke from a lit cigarette contains more than 7,000 harmful chemicals; at least 70 of them are linked to cancer. Smoking cigarettes damages almost every organ of the body and leads to diseases like oral cancer and lung cancer, heart disease and stroke.
• The “vaping” of e-cigarettes has become increasingly popular in recent years. These devices heat liquid into an aerosol that is then inhaled by the user. Many believe this aerosol is innocuous, but it actually contains many chemicals that are unsafe to breathe. Most e-cigarettes also contain nicotine.
• Smokeless tobacco is tobacco that is not burned and includes chewing, oral and spitting tobacco, dip, chew, and snuff. Smokeless tobacco has high levels of toxic chemicals, and users are at high risk of oral cancer.

Oral cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers worldwide, and Family Dental Health wants all their young patients to enjoy long, healthy lives. Get in touch with us at Family Dental Health with any questions about tobacco use and oral health today.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

What Are Maxillary Teeth?

The upper teeth formed along the maxillary jawbone are called “maxillary teeth” and include the top incisors, molars, premolars, and canines. Family Dental Health shares more information about maxillary teeth below.

Understanding the role of the upper teeth and caring for them properly is important in the fight against bacteria and infection in gum tissues and upper sinus cavities. Most maxillary teeth play specific roles in eating and digesting food, functioning as a set of silverware to break it down. 

Because maxillary teeth are so close to maxillary sinus cavities, it is easy to confuse a sinus infection with an infected tooth. If you visit Family Dental Health complaining of pain, they will determine which infection is present and either provide treatment or send you to your general physician.

If you have more questions about your child’s maxillary teeth—or ANY of their teeth—get in touch with Family Dental Health today!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Special Needs Dentistry: Everyone Deserves a Healthy Smile!

The Americans with Disabilities Act defines disability as a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” (Specific examples of major life activities addressed by the ADA include functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing and learning.) 

Disabilities may be congenital (present from birth) or develop later in life. If your child is living with a disability, you know how deeply important access to quality, compassionate medical care is, and that includes oral healthcare. At Family Dental Health, we want to help every person we treat develop and maintain a healthy, happy smile, and we believe being inclusive of children with special needs is an essential part of this mission. 

There is much to be considered when customizing care for individuals with special needs, from ramps, entryways, office furniture, space, and atmosphere, to the technology we use and the amount of time scheduled for appointments. Family Dental Health considers all of it and more to provide quality and compassionate care for kids with special needs. Tailored treatment plans may include sedation and anesthesia, which can really improve dental experiences for our patients with special needs as well as those with dental fears and phobias.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Family Dental Health with your questions, concerns, or comments, or just to schedule an appointment to come in and see us!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.