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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.

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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?

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Need a Tooth Extraction? Don’t Be Afraid!

We’ve all had a toothache at some point at some point or another. While you should always consult your Portland dentist, it’s not always a serious problem. Often, the issue can be fixed with a filling or a root canal. However, many Portland residents have found themselves in a situation where the tooth is not salvageable, and the only solution is for Dr. David Case to perform an extraction, or remove the tooth. Today, Dr. David Case at Family Dental Health would like to talk about what you can expect from an extraction and why it’s not something to fear!

Pulling Teeth isn’t like “Pulling Teeth” Anymore

Just like root canals, tooth extractions have a pretty bad reputation. Many Portland folks may refer to something difficult by saying it was, “like pulling teeth.” However, Dr. David Case will be the first one to tell you that the technology and techniques of modern dentistry have made the process of extracting a tooth fairly simple and with minimal discomfort to the patients. As long as you take it easy after the procedure and follow the guidelines, you’ll be back to normal in a just a few days.

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Replace Missing Teeth – Dentures & Dental Implants

So you’re missing a tooth—or a few!

An apple a day will not take care of this one, unfortunately. It’s time to consider dentures or dental implants. A variety of personal and practical factors will determine which solution is best for your new smile. Don’t feel lost among all the pros and cons of choosing a tooth-replacement plan. Family Dental Health in Portland is an experienced practice you can trust to  help guide you on your journey from missing teeth toward a complete, natural, and healthy smile.

Not your grandma’s dentures

Thankfully, time and technology have greatly improved the denture experience for our patients. Today, dentures look and feel more natural than ever before. Dentures are a whole set of false teeth held into your gums with secure bonding glue. This can be an affordable option if you need to replace multiple teeth. For added stability, functionality, and peace of mind, dentures can also be secured with dental implants.

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Caring for Your Dentures

The image of a glass full of false teeth on the nightstand is plastered all throughout popular culture. You would think that soaking your dentures in water and cleaner is sufficient, but Dr. David Case reminds us that proper denture care requires more than just that. In fact, denture maintenance is an important part of oral health. For Portland residents who have dentures or are considering them, it is important to know exactly how they function and how to care for them. If you have any questions, please give us a call at Family Dental Health.

How do Dentures Work?

Dentures are intended for Portland residents who have lost most or all of their teeth. Dentures are removable dental appliances that look nearly identical to natural teeth. They also function the same way, allowing folks with little or no remaining teeth to eat and speak normally. In addition to improving oral health, facial structure, and smile, having a good set of dentures can mean a world of difference for your general health.

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5 Common Dental Myths: Fact or Fiction?

When it comes to ridiculous beliefs on dental hygiene and treatment, we’ve heard just about everything. However, the most dangerous ones usually aren’t quite so over the top. Unfortunately, a number of dental myths are floating all over Portland, so Dr. David Case is here to put an end to the misinformation. Don’t feel bad if you have believed one or more of these at some point, you’re not the only one, but do make sure to give us a call at Family Dental Health if you have any questions or concerns.

If your gums are bleeding, don’t brush them

The idea behind this false claim is that bleeding gums need to be allowed time to heal before they should be brushed, when in fact, gums bleed because they haven’t been brushed enough! This is because bacteria has built up around and beneath the gum line, irritating the gums.

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Diabetes and Oral Health: What Your Dentist Sees

It’s no secret that diabetes is a health condition that must be treated because of the problems it can cause throughout the body—including in your mouth.  Consider that nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S. who, according to the American Diabetes Association, have diabetes. Portland dentist, Dr. David Case wants you to know the side effects diabetes can have on oral health.

When people with diabetes experience high glucose levels, those levels could also be helping bacteria thrive—causing major problems for their teeth. Some diabetics have chronic inflammation and infections in their mouths.

Because of the risk, it’s important that diabetics take extra special care of their teeth. People with diabetes have special oral are needs, so it’s vital that you share this information with your dentist.

Common dental conditions associated with diabetes are tooth decay, gum disease, saliva gland dysfunction, infection, delayed healing and more.

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The Benefits of Composite Fillings

Traditionally, dentists have used what’s known as amalgam, or special metal alloys, to fill cavities. However, modern dental medicine has advanced to the point that Dr. David Case can offer Portland patients a much better option for filling holes caused by tooth decay: composite fillings. At Family Dental Health, we would like to educate you on the benefits of tooth-colored, composite fillings, so please let this article serve as your personal fillings fact sheet.

The History of Fillings

Once upon a time, the choices for dental restoration materials were limited. Records dating back as far as 659 A.D. tell us that amalgams (mixtures of silver, mercury, tin, and/or copper) have been used widely for more than 1300 years. There have been a number of scientific disputes (referred to as the amalgam war) over the health concerns of using mercury, but the American Dental Association has always defended the safety of amalgam fillings. Until recently, amalgam fillings were favored because of their strength, resilience, and relative ease of preparation and placement. That being said, amalgams have three main drawbacks:

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Crack Down on Cracked Tooth Syndrome

Cracked tooth syndrome (CTS), also known as cracked cusp syndrome or split tooth syndrome, is a painful condition that results from a crack in one of your teeth. CTS can mean anything from a tiny hairline split in the crown to a fracture that goes all the way to the root. If you have a nasty toothache and remember biting down on something hard, it’s time to call Dr. David Case. Don’t worry though, because the dental professionals at Family Dental Health are committed to giving you the best oral care that Portland has to offer. To find out more about cracked tooth syndrome, read on.

Symptoms of Cracked Tooth Syndrome

Although this condition can vary a little bit for everyone, here are some common signs you may have cracked tooth or cracked cusp syndrome:

• Biting down in a certain area causes sharp pain
• The pain goes away shortly after you have finished chewing or biting
• You have localized sensitivity to hot or cold, and sticky, sweet, or sour foods
• You find that you have begun favoring one side of your mouth for chewing denser food or all food
• You notice sharp, localized pain while biting and immediately afterwards (indicating the opening and closing of the crack)

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Prevention vs. Treatment of Oral Health

The World Health Organization defines health as “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Sadly, in our fast-paced culture, many of us settle for less-than-healthy or even truly sick conditions every day. We allow ourselves to be tired, achy, stressed and in pain more often than not. Why? Because it’s hard to prioritize our long-term health in a world of so many immediate needs competing for our attention. But long-term health is actually the most important need of all. Without our health, we won’t truly be able to enjoy life or contribute to a greater good.

Dr. David Case offers a few points on how to seek wellness and prevent oral health problems before they even start.

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