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What’s the Right Amount of Fluoride for Your Child’s Teeth?

Your child’s smile can make your day, and at Family Dental Health, we know you want them to love their smile as much as you do. That’s why we’re always happy to inform you of the best prevention and treatment methods! 

Our prevention lessons and practices are usually focused on gum disease and cavities, but there’s another condition that can affect your child’s teeth: fluorosis. Fluorosis can occur in children ages eight and younger as a result of too much fluoride consumption while their teeth are still forming.

Is fluorosis harmful?

First, we’d like you to know fluorosis isn’t very common, and when we do spot it, it’s usually very mild and unnoticed by people who aren’t dental professionals. If the fluorosis is moderate to severe, you may see streaks or flecks of white, or what looks like rough, pitted spots in your child’s enamel. 

Fluorosis is typically unaccompanied by other symptoms, but because we want your child to be confident in their smile, we’d like to help you prevent their enamel from showing anything but strength and shine. To decrease the chances of your child consuming too much fluoride, ensure you’re using no more than the recommended amount of fluoride toothpaste. 

Another way to reduce the risk of fluorosis is to breastfeed your child. Using a formula usually requires tap water, and most public water supplies contain fluoride, though usually at a low level.

If you’d like to learn more about fluorosis prevention and treatment, or just schedule a checkup for your child, reach out to your Portland dentist, Dr. David Case of 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.

Move Over, Mono: Another Kissing Disease?

If you’ve heard about (or experienced) mononucleosis, often shortened to “mono” or “the kissing disease”, you might think it can’t be compared to gum disease in any way. However, there is one trait these infections have in common.

According to pathologists, mono is caused primarily by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and it’s definitely something you’ll want to guard yourself against, both because its symptoms “can feel like the worst cold or flu you’ve ever had”, and because in some people, EBV can lead to the development of other disorders later in life.

But did you know gum disease, which is the leading cause of adult tooth loss and linked to 52 other systemic illnesses, is communicable in the same way mono is?

Kissing & Telling

You read that right: gum disease is not only contagious but can be spread through kissing. Along with smooching, common activities like sharing food or eating and drinking utensils can expose you (or your loved ones) to the bacteria that cause the traveling inflammation.

Your Portland dentist, Dr. David Case of Family Dental Health, doesn’t want you to panic over this information, but we do encourage you to remain conscious and diligent about your prevention methods (*cough* oral hygiene *cough*). 

If you’ve got any questions or concerns, or you’d like to ensure you’ve been keeping the bad bugs at bay, contact us today to schedule an appointment with Family Dental Health!

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.

Feeling Worn Down?

As people get older, the body naturally begins breaking down, and unfortunately, that includes our teeth. Worn teeth are somewhat inevitable, but diligent oral hygiene[LINK] and quality dental care from Family Dental Health can help save as many of your natural teeth as possible.

It is extremely common for adults to have tooth wear beyond the degree that is healthy for their age, and unfortunately, severe tooth wear ages them as well.

Some of the problems caused by worn-down teeth include:

• Temperature-sensitive teeth
• Difficulty chewing
• Chipped teeth
• Fractured teeth
• Bite-related problems
• Headaches
• TMJ and jaw joint issues
• Nerve exposure, leading to a severe toothache
  

If you suffer from bruxism (grinding and clenching teeth), some tooth wear may be alleviated by using a nightguard while you sleep, but there are other causes for tooth wear:

• Malocclusion (teeth and bite misalignment)
• Abrasion (external forces on teeth, including hard-bristle toothbrushes or teeth whiteners)
• Erosion (chemical or acid breaking down of teeth)

Restorative dentistry may be recommended in cases of severe tooth wear, particularly if significant tooth damage should occur. However, it is important to identify the cause of tooth wear before undergoing treatment, and Family Dental Health can help! Saving your teeth is the most important thing to your Portland dentist, and for your health in the long run.

If you’re concerned about tooth wear, please make an appointment with Family Dental Health today. 

Disclaimer: 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 Children Get Receding Gums?

Receding gums (also known as gingival recession in the field of dentistry) are not uncommon in adults aged 40 and older, but children can also experience this progressive loss of gum tissue as young as age 7. 

Left untreated, gum recession can expose tooth roots and lead to pain and sensitivity. While causes of gum recession in adults can be addressed and ruled out one by one (tobacco use, hormones, aggressive brushing, etc.), gum recession in kids is a little more complicated. The most common reason for pediatric gum recession is an irregularly located tooth! 

When evaluating a child for gum recession, Family Dental Health will consider the following:

• Age of the child
• Amount of gum tissue lost
• Amount of tooth root exposed
• Location of the aberrant tooth relative to the adjoining teeth
• Whether orthodontic treatment is planned for your child

If your child is still in the process of getting their permanent teeth and gum recession is not severe, your Portland dentist may decide to take a “watch and see what happens” approach. Whatever the treatment plan, ensure your child practices good oral hygiene and brushes their teeth and gums gently. Caring for gums is just as important as caring for teeth.

If you would like to learn more about gum health or have any other questions, feel free to get in touch with us at 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 Before Special Needs Kids See the Dentist

All children are unique individuals with personal preferences, but sometimes special needs kids have a higher level of anxiety in new situations like visiting the dentist. Dentists like Dr. David Case of Family Dental Health realize that treating special needs kids requires patience and understanding, and while most dentists who treat children are capable of accommodating a variety of special needs, there are a few questions parents might want to ask in advance.

• Are the office and dental equipment accessible for kids with mobility issues?
• Does the staff have experience treating other special needs patients?
• Does the staff have any specialized clinical training?
• What distraction techniques are available to reduce kids’ anxiety?
• If necessary, what is the typical game plan for sedation?
• Are there any videos, brochures, books, or websites that can be reviewed before the visit?
• Is a pre-appointment available?

Even standard pediatric dentistry treatment can be very challenging for a special needs child (and their parents). The compassionate staff at Family Dental Health wants to provide your child with the most favorable dental experience possible. 

If you’d like to discuss treatment options for your special needs child with us or schedule a visit, get in touch with Family Dental Health in Portland. We’d love to meet you! 

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.

Should I Be Screening Myself for Oral Cancer?

In a word: Ab-so-lute-ly! Pretend those hyphens are the “clapping hands” emoji, because we want to emphasize how important it is to get up close and personal with your mouth in the interests of oral cancer detection. 

Currently, oral cancer kills one person in the United States per hour. The reason it’s so deadly is largely due to later-stage diagnoses. While tobacco use of any kind and high alcohol consumption remain strong links to the disease, the biggest risk factor today is human papillomavirus (HPV).

I Screen, You Screen, We All Should Screen!

You can count on your Portland dentist, Dr. David Case of Family Dental Health, to screen you for oral cancer whenever you visit us, but if we only see you twice a year (or less), self-examinations can give you peace of mind or help you spot abnormalities sooner. To learn how to examine your mouth and what to look for, please ask us about oral cancer self-exams at your next visit!

We don’t want to be alarmist and have you checking your mouth fearfully each day, but a once-monthly check that takes about 10 minutes total could make the difference between a grim survival rate and a more positive prognosis.

We’re here to answer any questions you might have about oral cancer or other dental health-related topics, so be sure to contact Family Dental Health if you’ve got something on your mind or would like to schedule a visit!

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.

A Deeper Dental Cleaning: Scaling & Root Planing

Teeth are typically the first thing that comes to mind for people when they hear the words dentist or dentistry, which makes sense—the root word dent actually means tooth! However, your teeth require healthy gums to hold them in place. 

Did you know gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss? That’s why we need to examine your gums just as thoroughly as your teeth, and for you to remain diligent about your oral hygiene routines and cleaning visits with your Portland dental team at Family Dental Health.

If You Have Gum Disease

First, know that you’re not alone. Nearly half of adults in the U.S. over the age of 30 experience chronic periodontitis (the advanced stage of gum disease, which starts as gingivitis). Gum disease can be treated, and one of our first steps might be scaling and root planing.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a visit with Dr. David Case to ensure your teeth and gums are in good shape, 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.

CariFree®: Oral pH in Balance

CariFree® is a revolutionary dental product line that balances the bacteria in your mouth for a healthier pH level. Once the chemical makeup inside your mouth is healthy and stable, CariFree products have been scientifically proven to prevent cavities. 

They also offer solutions for sensitive teeth and dry mouth, and xylitol gum in addition to gels, rinses and sprays that keep teeth and gums clean and healthy. Family Dental Health carries the CariFree product line because Dr. Case has seen so much improvement in the oral health of our patients.

Cavities are caused by bacterial and acidic imbalances in the mouth, but when dentists fill cavities, only the result of the imbalance is being treated—the actual imbalance is not addressed at all. 

Until quite recently, it was believed that favorable oral hygiene removed bacteria and eliminated decay from the mouth—but it’s more complicated than that. The elevated pH of CariFree products neutralizes decay-causing acids, solving the problem at its source.

If you would like to find out more about CariFree products or ask any questions about the oral-systemic link to wellness, 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.

Zirconia Crowns for Kids

Zirconia has been used in major medical procedures like hip replacement for many years due to its strength and biocompatibility. It took the dental industry until the early 2000s to catch up, beginning with adult dental procedures such as dental implants, root canals and dental crowns. In 2010, zirconia became available for use in pediatric dentistry. Family Dental Health outlines some benefits of zirconia dental crowns for kids below.

The use of white zirconia results in a durable and visually pleasing crown. As the strongest non-metal material available on the market for use in restorative pediatric dentistry, it has allowed kids to enjoy natural-looking dental solutions they can rely on for:

• Damaged, chipped, or broken teeth
• Abnormal tooth development
• Significant dental decay
• Damage from cavities in early childhood

Family Dental Health may choose a crown restoration to protect a compromised tooth from breakage that the process of filling a tooth may cause. Zirconia crowns don’t stain, chip, or break and are resistant to plaque and decay. 

If you have any questions about zirconia crowns for kids or would like to schedule an appointment, 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.

Should I Let My Teen Whiten Their Teeth?

Do you remember feeling like standards of beauty were unattainable when you were a teenager? Heck, many of feel this way as adults! It makes sense that teenagers might be concerned with the appearance of their smile and pine for bright white smiles the same way adults do, because they’re often exposed to the same media that displays stunning smiles nonstop. 

There’s a lot to be said for defying those expectations, but if there were a simple, safe, and widely available treatment that could make a world of difference for your teen’s self-confidence, would you be ok with it? 

Your Dentist Can Help

If your teen has expressed that they’d like to have their teeth whitened, you might be inclined to gasp and reply, “Your smile is perfect as it is!” We understand, and at Family Dental Health, we do love how unique smiles are from person to person, and we want everyone to feel comfortable with their natural smile just as it is. 

However, maybe it can lead to a productive discussion and informed decision. First, there’s the question of whether teeth whitening is a suitable treatment for adolescents, and if it is, what type of treatment will be the most effective and economical. 

If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation with your Portland, OR dentist, Dr. Case, please contact Family Dental Health! We want all of our friends and neighbors to have healthy smiles they feel proud to share.

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.