Blog

Veneers Can Give You Back Your Smile!

Having a great smile is a privilege that everyone in Portland should enjoy. The confidence that comes from having genuine pride in your pearly whites is irreplaceable. However, many of us struggle with imperfections in our teeth. Broken, chipped, cracked, stained, and crooked teeth can really put a damper on your smile. At Family Dental Health, we know how much a healthy, happy smile means to Portland residents, so we’d like to talk about how Dr. Case can help get you the smile you deserve with veneers.

READ MORE

Get Your Beauty Sleep Back with Sleep Apnea Treatment

Do you have a spouse or loved one that complains about your snoring? Do you wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air? Do you find that you are always exhausted during the day and just can’t seem to ever catch up on sleep? If these symptoms sound familiar, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Portland dentist Dr. David Case wants you to know you are not alone, there is a solution, and wants to help you get the restful sleep you deserve. Read on to learn about what sleep apnea is and how we can treat it. If you have any questions, our team at Family Dental Health is happy to answer them.

READ MORE

How Dental Sealants Keep Cavities at Bay!

If you are a parent, you probably know how difficult it is to get kids to brush and floss regularly. On top of that, young children often lack the necessary motor skills to properly care for their teeth. At Family Dental Health, we want your whole family to have excellent dental health, so here’s some information on how Portland dentist Dr. David Case can help protect your kids from tooth decay.

READ MORE

How Dental Nightguards Can Help You

It’s common to see people wearing mouthguards for protection during all kinds of sports, such as football, basketball, and boxing, but did you know that lots of folks wear mouthguards at night for their dental health? People who grind their teeth (bruxism) and people with sleep apnea can get relief from their symptoms simply by wearing a specially-designed mouthguard at night. Portland dentist Dr. David Case has helped many residents improve their quality of life with nightguards.

READ MORE

Forget Your Fears with Sedation Dentistry

Don’t be Afraid of the Dentist!

We at Family Dental Health know that some Portland folks avoid the dentist’s chair like the plague. According to studies at the Dental Fears Research Clinic at the University of Washington, as much as 8% of Americans are too afraid to go to dentists and 20% are too anxious to visit a dentist for anything other than an emergency.

Dr. Case understands that dental anxiety prevents a lot of people from getting the care they need, so we’ve designed our entire practice around your comfort. Read on to find out about how we can help!

READ MORE

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