Blog

Don’t Get Kicked in the Teeth! The Importance of Mouthguards in Sports Safety

It’s no secret that residents of Portland love sports! The folks around here work hard and play just as hard, whether it’s football, baseball, basketball, or numerous other high-impact sports that can cause harm to your family’s mouths – at least 13% of all oral injuries happen during sports activities. Dr. Case wants you to know how to keep your teeth out of harm’s way and still enjoy a good game, so please read on to learn how to win big with a safe, healthy smile!

READ MORE

Professional Dental Cleanings Make a Big Difference

You’ve been hearing it for years – “make sure to visitDr. Case twice a year for your regular cleanings.” Just in case you’ve ever wondered why regular dental cleanings are so important, we at Family Dental Health would like to take this opportunity to let Portland residents in on some information you don’t often hear. Let this article serve as your personal guide to the benefits of getting your teeth cleaned.

Why You Should Get Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned

Unfortunately, some folks in Portland believe that visiting the dentist is unnecessary as long as you brush and floss regularly. That just isn’t the case. In addition to keeping your teeth clean and healthy, regular visits to our expert hygienists at Family Dental Health ensure that we can have a good look at your pearly whites and make sure nothing is wrong. If you don’t come in for cleanings, you’ll only need more expensive work later in life.

Here are a few reasons get your teeth cleaned:

1. Tartar

We’ve all heard of plaque, but what about tartar? And no, not like the sauce. Tartar is the grown-up version of plaque. In other words, plaque becomes harder as it builds up and eventually turns into tartar. It is difficult for the average Portland resident to remove on their own, but dental cleanings can give you tartar-free teeth!

2. Gum Disease

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. When plaque and tartar buildup on teeth, they begin irritating gums and cause an infection that actually separates gums from teeth. Left unchecked, gum disease can be a serious, damaging, and painful condition. However, regular cleanings help keep gum disease at bay and give Dr. Case a chance to treat problems before they become serious.

3. Bright Smiles

Drinking tea, coffee, and using tobacco are just a few habits that can stain your teeth. However, our hygienists at Family Dental Health can remove many of these stains during a simple cleaning. On top of that, every cleaning ends with a polishing that will leave you with a whiter, healthier smile.

4. Dental Benefits

If you have dental insurance, but don’t visit Dr. Case for your regular cleanings, you are missing out on your benefits! Almost all dental insurance providers allow for two cleanings per year, free of charge. There’s no reason to let your insurance go to waste.

Now you know why it’s so important to have your teeth cleaned.If you have any questions or find that you are suddenly inspired to visit Dr. Case for a cleaning, feel free to give us a call!

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teeth_cleaning

http://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/teeth_cleaning.html

I’d Rather Have a Root Canal

Have you ever heard someone say, “I would rather have a root canal”? Most of us in Portland are used to hearing root canals compared to some genuinely unpleasant circumstances, but Dr. Case would like to set the record straight and talk about how root canals can do some serious dental good.

Root Canals Save Teeth

Here it comes, the question on everyone’s mind – why on Earth would you want a root canal?! There is one thing all dentists in Portland and beyond will agree on – saving your natural teeth is always the best option. There are many ways that Dr. Case can replace missing or damaged teeth, but nothing is as good as the real thing.

If you have a tooth with inflamed or infected pulp, a root canal can eliminate the infection and save it. Thus, root canals are preferable to extraction. Here are some more advantages of endodontic root canal treatment:

• Natural appearance
• Efficient chewing
• Tolerance of normal bite force and sensation
• Surrounding teeth are protected from extra wear and/or strain

Root Canals Get Rid of Pain

Perhaps if you had a root canal before modern techniques and anesthetic options, it would live up to its reputation. Fortunately, that is no longer the case today.

The truth is, root canals eliminate pain by removing infected, damaged tissues. When Dr. Case performs a root canal they clean out the infection, sterilizes/disinfects the inside of the tooth, uses a rubber sealant to fill the gap, and then places a crown or filling on top to protect the tooth. Once it is done, the tooth functions just like its neighbors. Voila, your tooth is now healthy again!

At Family Dental Health, we love changing people’s minds about root canals, so please give us a call to find out if you can benefit from this treatment. Maybe then you’ll start saying, “That was almost as pleasant as a root canal!”

Sources

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/root-canals

http://www.aae.org/patients/treatments-and-procedures/root-canals/myths-about-root-canals-and-root-canal-pain.aspx

http://www.aae.org/patients/treatments-and-procedures/root-canals/root-canals.aspx

HPV & Oral Cancer: What You Need to Know

We love to talk about the fun and interesting sides of oral health, but today, there is something much more serious on our minds. We care about the health of everyone in Portland, and as dental care professionals, we feel it is our duty to educate you on how to be as safe and healthy as you can be. While you have probably heard of the human papillomavirus and oral cancer, most people don’t know that they are linked. Here is some information from Dr. Case about the topic. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Family Dental Health.

READ MORE

Can Bleeding Gums Cause a Heart Attack?

What is the Oral-Systemic Link?

You’ve always heard that it’s important to take care of your teeth. Brush and floss every day, and see the dentist for good oral health. But did you know that your oral health could directly affect your overall health? And the road goes both ways—problems with your overall health show signs in your mouth, too.

Did you know that gum disease increases your risk of heart attack by 50%? Did you know that plaque buildup in your mouth can be an indicator of and contribute to plaque buildup in your arteries? These mouth-body connections are called the “oral-systemic link.” Dr. Case, your Portland dentist, explains the important ways your body systems work together for better or worse.

READ MORE

Could Brushing & Flossing Prevent a Heart Attack?

A lot of healthy lifestyle choices benefit more than one system within your body. Eating well, exercising, good sleep, and fresh air all support a lot of your physical needs. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that what hurts one area of your health can easily hurt another area, too. An important (though less known) connection in your health systems is the connection between oral hygiene and heart health.

READ MORE

The Best Way to Replace Missing Teeth

We all remember losing our teeth as children and being delighted to find money from the tooth fairy under our pillow, but it’s just not as much fun losing teeth as an adult. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have an average of 25 permanent teeth remaining, which is three shy of a full set (not counting wisdom teeth). Dr. Case wants everyone in Portland to know that replacing a missing tooth is important to your dental health. Read on for more information and please give Family Dental Health a call with any questions or concerns.

READ MORE

Are You Singing the Toothache Blues?

Are you or a loved one suffering from the toothache blues? Don’t wait around in pain for the problem to resolve itself. Although we do enjoy spending quality time with our patients at Family Dental Health, we don’t want any Portland residents to have to undergo unnecessary dental procedures. A toothache can indicate a much more serious problem that should be addressed immediately – but there are a few things you can do in the meantime for temporary relief from toothache pain.

READ MORE

Adult Dentistry: It’s Never Too Late for Dental Care

Good News for Grown Ups

“Adulting” can be hard. Between rent, bills, kids, a career, and other responsibilities, it can be hard to make time for yourself. But independence, parenting, fulfilling work, and the wisdom that comes with age can be pretty fantastic, too. So how does your oral healthcare fit into a grown-up lifestyle? Family Dental Health serves adults from all over Portland. Read more for our tips on how to care for your oral health at this particular stage in life.

READ MORE

Bacteria: The Good, The Bad & The Neutral

Living in a land of antibacterial gels, soaps, plastics, and even fabrics, it might surprise you to hear that tons of bacteria live in your mouth every day, and they aren’t all bad! In fact, some play an important role in keeping up your overall health. Some oral bacteria, however, can cause serious problems and must be fought with good oral hygiene. Dr. Case from Family Dental Health in Portland helps you understand the role bacteria play in your health and wellness.

What are Bacteria?

READ MORE