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Straight Talk on Straight Teeth: Do Braces Hurt?

Orthodontic treatments have been around for centuries, but luckily the materials and methods used have been updated with the expansion of education and technology. If they hadn’t, you might see metal bands or golden wires wrapped all the way around teeth instead of small brackets held in place by wires—or worse, cords made from animal intestines. You might be thinking, “Yikes on bikes, I’d never!” but the reason people in those ancient times were desperate enough to seek teeth straightening through these means is that orthodontics serves more than a cosmetic purpose. 

Straight teeth tend to be healthier teeth as proper alignment makes for a happy jaw and simpler oral hygiene routines for better oral health. This is a primary concern for Dr. Case of Family Dental Health, who wants Portland families and friends to have healthy, happy smiles. However, when braces are recommended, many patients ask, “Do they hurt?” Dr. Case is happy to answer the question.

Where Did My Teeth Go Wrong?

First, if you’re cursing the alignment of your teeth and wondering why they couldn’t stay in line—please don’t. We know that hearing you or your child will need orthodontic treatment isn’t the most welcome news, but it’s a very common need. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists estimates that at any given moment, over four million people in the United States are undergoing orthodontic treatment, and 25% of them are adults. 

The reasons for misaligned teeth are varied, ranging from having a jaw that’s too small for each incisor, canine (or cuspid), and molar to co-exist in harmony, to habits such as chronic and prolonged thumb and pacifier sucking in childhood. While this does suggest alignment can be helped by the avoidance or breaking of habits that can negatively affect your bite (or your child’s), genetics and jaw size are factors not entirely in your control. 

Orthodontics can save the day—or rather, the days post-treatment when your teeth have been straightened and your bite has aligned like the stars of Orion’s Belt, which we think is a fitting simile because your eyes may twinkle when you see your renewed smile! There are different types of orthodontic treatments available today, but to answer the frequently asked question we posed earlier, we’ll focus on…

The Tried & True

Traditional braces remain one of the most popular forms of orthodontic treatment because of their ability to improve nearly any bite and smile. While treatments like Invisalign® or SureSmile®  continue to innovate their aligners to treat a wider variety of cases, they don’t provide orthodontists (or general dentists who have received the advanced training and education needed to perform orthodontic treatment) with the same amount of control over the movement of individual teeth. 

If you or your child have a severe malocclusion, teeth that are rotated more than 20 degrees from their proper position, teeth angled more than 45 degrees, or spaces between teeth that are larger than 0.6 centimeters, braces are the prescription that will create the smile transformation you’re looking for. This is because braces don’t just apply pressure to the tops of your teeth—they also encourage the tooth roots to shift. When we mention shifting of tooth roots, the question we set out to answer in this blog becomes emphasized, doesn’t it? So, without further ado…

You Will Feel Some Pressure

It’s one thing to go from a mouth free of metal, and another thing entirely to have metal brackets, wires, and bands placed on your teeth. That’s one difference that comes with an adjustment period. But what about the shifting of teeth? Let’s take a look at what’s moving:

• Dentin – A hard, dense, bone-like tissue within your teeth that lines the pulp cavity. Dentin is harder than bone but softer than its exterior, which is our next point!
• Enamel – Enamel is the hardest substance in your body and coats each tooth. When you experience tooth sensitivity, it’s usually an indication of sensitive enamel or an infection that has gone beneath your enamel.
•  Cementum – Connective tissue that binds your tooth roots firmly to your gums and jawbone.
• Periodontal Ligament – Tissue that helps keep teeth firmly held against the jaw.

There’s a lot of strong material at work in your mouth, so the honest answer is that you’ll definitely experience some discomfort during your treatment with braces. The good news is, there are ways to treat each symptom you may face while your teeth shift into alignment. 

If you’re experiencing pressure and pain from the tightness of your braces and the movement of your teeth, you can suck on an ice cube (don’t chew!) or apply a cold compress to the outside of the face. If your discomfort is due to wires and brackets rubbing against your cheeks and lips, dental wax can be applied as a barrier. You can also take anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen to reduce soreness and prevent irritation to your tongue by avoiding the action of running it along your braces.

The most important thing you can do to prevent additional discomfort is remaining diligent in your oral hygiene regimen. Trust us, you do not want to add gum disease treatment to your orthodontic treatment plan. 

If you have more questions about orthodontic treatment, Dr. Case would love to hear from you! Or, if you’ve already gotten braces and are looking for suggestions on how to adapt while you wear them (remember, this is temporary and your results will be worth it!), don’t hesitate to contact your Portland dentist, Dr. Case at Family Dental Health and schedule an appointment today!

The content on 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.

Late for an Important Date: When Baby Teeth Don’t Fall Out

Most kids lose their baby teeth—also called primary teeth—in a distinct sequence at set intervals.  Children’s baby teeth come out naturally starting around age six, becoming progressively looser as they fall out (sometimes with a little extra wiggling because the Tooth Fairy is expected to visit). 

Sometimes baby tooth loss doesn’t happen in the usual order, and a permanent tooth appears prior to the loss of the primary tooth, which leads to a double row of front teeth. While this is a common pediatric dental concern that should be addressed, it is no cause for alarm and rarely has long-term negative effects. 

When the loss of a primary tooth and subsequent eruption of a permanent tooth takes over a year longer than the anticipated date, that primary tooth is considered over-retained. Are you concerned because your child’s baby tooth isn’t falling out, or the permanent tooth hasn’t appeared yet? Portland dentist, Dr. David Case at Family Dental Health, discusses over-retained baby teeth and possible treatment options below.

Baby Teeth Need Assessment

Baby teeth should be checked routinely by a dentist so abnormalities can be identified and treated early for your child’s long-term oral health and comfort.

The first step when assessing a child’s over-retained baby tooth is a comprehensive oral examination that includes a thorough exam with digital x-rays. Condition, color, shape, and position of the over-retained tooth must be evaluated in case it is fused to the bone, a condition known as ankylosis. When ankylosis occurs, the affected tooth appears sunken in the gums and is unable to come out on its own.

What Are Some Causes Over-Retained Baby Teeth?

The most common cause for an over-retained primary tooth is the absence of a permanent tooth to take its place. When the baby and permanent teeth are developing as they should, the permanent tooth will push on and eventually dissolve the primary tooth root, facilitating its loss so the permanent tooth can take its rightful place in the jaw. 

In up to 7% of cases, permanent teeth are absent, which occurs more frequently in girls than boys. Other possible causes for over-retained primary teeth include obstruction, trauma, infection, environmental factors, endocrine disorders, genetics, and misalignment or delayed eruption of the permanent tooth underneath.

What are the Risks of Not Treating Over-Retained Baby Teeth?

Over-retained primary teeth can lead to other serious dental issues later, which is why early assessment and treatment is beneficial. Periodontal (gum) problems, cavities, and misalignment of adjacent permanent teeth can occur if over-retained baby teeth are left untreated.

Treatment Options for Over-Retained Baby Teeth

The condition of the over-retained tooth or teeth and the surrounding structures of the mouth determine the best treatment for your little one. If the child has several over-retained teeth, it is likely that several permanent teeth below are missing. If this is the case, an orthodontist should evaluate your child in addition to your dentist so an acceptable treatment solution can be carefully planned and executed for optimal end results.

If the over-retained baby tooth is structurally strong and satisfactory in appearance, that tooth can be retained. If the tooth is strong but looks unattractive, its aesthetics can be improved with a dental restoration.

If the primary tooth is crooked, extraction is the best option for two reasons: 1) the gap can be closed later with orthodontic treatment; or 2) an absent tooth can be replaced with a fixed bridge or dental implant. A dental implant is currently the superior option due to aesthetics, functionality, jawbone health, and higher rates of success.

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s over-retained baby teeth, your Portland dentist at Family Dental Health would be happy to welcome you and your child for examination and treatment. We’d love to hear from you—contact Family Dental Health today!

The content on 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.

How NOT to Pull a Loose Tooth

We’ve all seen variations of DIY methods when it comes to pulling loose baby teeth: the string and door slam method is by far one of the most popular (although we’re not sure why). But our team at Family Dental Health is here to advise against this and similarly aggressive techniques so your kiddo will have the safest and most painless tooth loss experience possible. (Growing up is traumatic enough already, right?)

Read on to learn more about the dos and don’ts of helping wiggly baby teeth make their grand exit.

Why baby teeth?

All this wiggly tooth talk might have you wondering–why do we get two sets of teeth? Well, simply because baby mouths are not yet big enough to house a full set of adult chompers. So, we start out with a smaller set of baby teeth to get us through these early, small-mouthed years until our growth and development allows more space for adult teeth to make their entrance. When the permanent teeth start to come in, the roots of the baby teeth dissolve until they’re loose enough to fall out on their own.

Patience is a virtue

If you ask Dr. David Case at Family Dental Health their advice on pulling a loose baby tooth, they will likely respond with, “Don’t!” If you can avoid it, it’s best to just let baby teeth run their natural course and fall out on their own—it will happen eventually, we promise! 

If the tooth is not ready to come out naturally, any attempts to remove it will pull on sensitive tooth roots and cause unnecessary pain and bleeding. Pulling out a tooth prematurely can damage connective tissues and lead to infection—not to mention the traumatic experience that may create negative feelings about oral health and dental visits for the rest of their life.

However, an extremely wiggly or stubborn tooth that just keeps hanging on by a thread can be frustrating and hard to live with, and we understand why both you and your kiddo might want to expedite the process. If you both feel the tooth is ready to come out and you want to give it a little encouragement, there are some things you can do to help it along.

• Wiggle baby wiggle

Encourage your soon-to-be toothless wonder to wiggle their loose tooth back and forth regularly, either with their tongue or with clean fingers. Wiggling the tooth will help loosen it so hopefully, it will fall out on its own.

• An apple a day

If the tooth is loose enough and on the brink of coming out, eating a crunchy or sticky snack might be just the ticket. Apples and carrots are great healthy options, but if your little one is fearful and needs a little more encouragement, you can opt for a sweet treat like a popsicle (which will also help reduce pain and inflammation) or a sticky tooth trap like a chewy candy. Supervise closely to ensure they don’t bite down on or swallow the tooth.

• Brush & floss

Brushing regularly at least twice per day and flossing daily is always recommended and will give the loose tooth a nudge in the right direction. You can also use floss as a tool for pulling the tooth—if it’s ready to pull. Position the floss in between the gums and the loose tooth and yank quickly outward.

• Twist & pull gently

If you’ve wiggled and wiggled and the tooth is still hanging on by a thread, a gentle twist and pull might be all it takes to pop it out. We encourage you to allow your child to be the one to do so, as they are the only one who can tell if the tooth is ready to pull and feel if (or when) there’s any pain. Use clean fingers or gauze to gently twist and pull the tooth out.

To recap, our best advice is to have patience and allow your child’s baby teeth to fall out naturally on their own. But if they just can’t stand it any longer and the tooth is ready to come out, follow our advice above for the safest, most comfortable, and least traumatic methods. 

As always, if your child experiences any pain, swelling, or excessive bleeding, or the tooth still won’t come out, you should come to see us right away and we’ll remove the tooth safely and painlessly. Contact your Portland dentist, Dr. Case at Family Dental Health today for more advice or to schedule 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.

Tongue Tied: Does My Baby Need a Frenectomy?

But first, what’s a frenum? Or is it frenulum? The short answer is, they’re one and the same—a small fold of muscular tissue that prevents an organ in the body from moving too far. There are several in the body, but the two we’ll be discussing today are located in the mouth—labial frenum and lingual frenum.

Labial Frenum

The labial frenum connects the inside of the upper lip to the gums between the two upper front teeth. Everyone has one, but sometimes it can be malformed—too short, too long, too rigid—and cause a host of problems for children. Sometimes the labial frenum can create a large gap between the two front teeth, and cause gum recession as the frenum pulls the gums away from the teeth. If the labial frenum is too tight, sometimes it can create an open-mouth position that inhibits the mouth from properly sealing, which can cause mouth breathing and improper development of the airway and jaw.

Lingual Frenum

The lingual frenum connects the lower floor of the mouth to the tongue. Most of us can move our tongues around freely for easy speaking and eating, but if the lingual frenum is too tight or too short, it can inhibit the movement of the tongue. This is a condition commonly known as “tongue-tie.”

Tongue-Tie

Hearing your baby babble their first words and learn to speak is one of the greatest joys of parenting. Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) can prevent babies and children from being able to breastfeed, eat, and speak properly. Tongue-tie can inhibit proper jaw development, cause long-term orthodontic problems, and sometimes lead to sleep apnea. 

When the tongue is unable to press against the upper palate during swallowing, it will begin to press against or between the front teeth instead which can affect the development of a proper bite. Tongue-tie is also one of the most common culprits of speech impediments including lisp.

Frenectomy

Whether our concern is the labial or lingual frenum, the procedure is generally the same. Frenectomy involves snipping or removing the frenum to allow for a greater range of motion of the lips or tongue. First, we will use a local anesthetic to numb the area and ensure your little one doesn’t feel a thing. Sometimes dental lasers can be used instead of or in combination with traditional dental tools as a minimally invasive alternative with less bleeding and faster healing.

Left untreated, problems with the frenum can cause a domino effect of consequences for the oral health, aesthetics, development, and function of your child’s smile. If you’ve noticed any of the signs and symptoms discussed above including painful breastfeeding or gapped front teeth, you may want to consider coming in to see Family Dental Health for an exam. We can tell you if this tiny bit of tissue is the source of the problem and provide a solution that gives your little one the freedom to grow up happy and healthy.

Contact your Portland dentist at Family Dental Health today to schedule 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.

Applesauce to Zucchini: What Should I Eat After Dental Surgery?

If you need dental surgery, you may have a lot of questions and concerns. How much will it cost? How much will it hurt? Who is going to drive me home? And perhaps most importantly, what can I eat? Recovery can seem a lot more stressful if you don’t stock up on acceptable soft foods in advance. Portland dentist, Dr. David Case at Family Dental Health, shares a comprehensive list of foods in this article to help ease your mind—at least about one aspect of your procedure!

Types of Dental Treatments

Each type of dental treatment is different, so it’s important to follow post-operative instructions from Family Dental Health regarding appropriate foods to eat. Certain surgeries require a strict liquid diet for a certain amount of time before transitioning to soft foods. Types of dental procedures that require soft foods while recovering may include:

• Dental implants
• Extractions
• Periodontal (involving the gums)
• Restorative work (crowns, bridges)

Awesome Post-Op Soft Foods from A to Z

Here we go! And don’t be afraid to get friendly with your blender to make a delicious smoothie or two!

A: Applesauce, avocado, apples (baked)

B: Baby food, beans (black or baked, mashed if necessary), bananas, broccoli (steamed to softness), broth, butternut squash (cooked soft)

C: Carnation Instant Breakfast Essentials® (some available in sugar-free!), carrots (steamed soft), soft cheese, casseroles, clam chowder, cottage cheese, canned fruits and veggies, crab cakes, cranberry sauce, chicken salad, curry

D: Deviled eggs, deviled ham, dumplings (steamed)

E: Ensure®, eggs (poached, fried, or scrambled), egg salad, egg drop soup

F: Fettuccine, fish, frozen yogurt, fruit juice, fruit smoothies, soft fruits (not citrus)

G: Gravy, ground meats (turkey, beef, chicken), guacamole, gelato, gazpacho

H: Hummus

I: Ice cream

J: Jell-O®, juiced vegetables, and fruits

K: Kefir, key lime pie

L: Lentils or lentil soup (puréed), lunch meats

M: Macaroni and cheese, Malt-O-Meal®, mangoes, mashed potatoes, matzoh ball soup, meatloaf, meatballs, miso soup, mousse, muffins (no nuts), melons (very ripe), milkshakes (but don’t use a straw!)

N: Noodles (ramen, egg), nut butters (great when added to shakes and smoothies), nutmeg (for flavor)

O: Oatmeal (soft)

P: Pancakes, pasta (cooked very soft), pies, polenta, pot roast with vegetables (cooked to falling apart), protein powder, protein drinks and shakes like Premier Protein®, pudding

Q: Quiche (no crust)

R: Refried beans, ricotta cheese, risotto, rice

S: Sherbet, smoothies, soft bread (soak in soup), soufflé, soup, spaghetti, spinach, spinach dip, steamed vegetables, stew, sweet potatoes

T: Tapioca pudding, tofu, tuna salad

U: Unsweetened herbal tea (hold the lemon—too acidic!)

V: Vichyssoise (chilled potato leek soup)

W: Waffles

X: Xavier soup (Italian dumpling soup)

Y: Yellow squash, yogurt

Z: Zucchini (baked, mashed)

Foods to Avoid

We hope we’ve sparked a little kitchen creativity with the soft foods listed above, but equally important, you should know which types of foods to avoid to ensure your quickest and most comfortable recovery.

• Anything acidic (tomatoes, tomato sauce, oranges, lemons, or any other acidic fruit or juice)
• Seeds, cracked pepper, or popcorn (can become lodged, causing discomfort or infection)
• Spicy foods (may lead to discomfort)
• Crunchy or especially chewy foods (can interfere with postoperative blood clotting)

Over-the-counter mouth rinses should also be avoided during your recovery. Even though they are not technically a food, they are commonly used and interfere significantly with healing. Dentists will usually prescribe a safe mouth rinse for use following dental surgery.

If you have any questions about dental surgery, Portland dentist, Dr. Case, would love to answer them. 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.

The Smoking Gun: Tobacco & Oral Health

They say not everything natural is good for you. Nature has many poisons that humans have experimented with and learned the hard way to avoid. Tobacco is a popular plant that we’ve learned can really do a number on your health. Using tobacco is a personal and communal practice that can be really hard to avoid, even if you know it’s bad for you. Working with your doctor and Portland dentist Dr. Case at Family Dental Health will be essential if you’re concerned about your health and want to stop using tobacco. 

What Is Tobacco?

Tobacco is a green, leafy plant that has long been grown, dried, and used by cultures around the world. It’s usually smoked but is sometimes chewed or inhaled. Tobacco is known to affect the way people think, feel, and behave by interrupting the brain’s normal communication with the rest of the body. The tobacco plant contains the addictive stimulant nicotine, which is why a smoking habit is so hard to break. Cigarettes contain 2,000 ingredients known to be toxic and harmful to the human body.

Effects of Tobacco on Oral Health

There’s nothing good to be said about tobacco use. More than 20 million people have died directly because of tobacco (either personal use or secondhand) since the Surgeon General first put out the warning against it in 1964.

It’s especially bad for your heart and lungs. Since all forms of using tobacco first enter through your mouth, you can imagine it also really takes a toll on your oral health. Using tobacco has immediate and long-term consequences for your mouth and body.  Using tobacco causes:

• Bad breath
• Stained teeth
• Increased plaque
• Increased risk of gum disease
• Decreased ability to taste
• Slow healing
• Drastically increased risk of oral cancer

Oral Health & Overall Wellness

It’s hard (impossible, actually) to be completely healthy if your mouth isn’t healthy. Your oral health affects your overall health in many ways and vice versa—the two go hand in hand. Quitting tobacco completely is the only way to avoid the negative side effects associated with smoking, chewing, and snuffing.

If you want to take better care of yourself and quit using tobacco, your dentist can be a helpful and supportive partner on the journey. Everyone deserves a life that makes them smile and a smile they are proud to show off. If you’re concerned about your tobacco use, you should come to see us for an oral cancer screening at your earliest convenience.

Make an appointment at Family Dental Health today and let us help you make positive changes in your life and smile!

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.

4 Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay in Children

As a parent, you only want what’s best for your little one. Whether you’re a new mom navigating the waters of caring for your firstborn, or a seasoned pro ready to start your own family softball team (sorry neighbor kids, all positions are filled), preventing tooth decay in kids is never an easy feat. 

Because tiny hands and mouths don’t yet have the knowledge or the dexterity to properly care for their teeth, tooth decay is a common occurrence, and it’s largely up to you to help establish healthy habits and keep tooth decay at bay.

Read on to learn the four simplest ways to help prevent tooth decay so your kids can have a head start on a healthy, happy smile for life.

• A Healthy Oral Hygiene Routine

Like, duh! (Do kids still say duh?) Anyway, obviously oral hygiene is one of the most important ways to prevent tooth decay, but implementing it is easier said than done! The easiest way to establish a routine that will stick is to lead by example and start early. These early years are formative, and their brains are like sponges, absorbing everything around them and forming habits and attitudes they will carry with them for life. 

• You should wash your baby’s gums after feeding with a warm washcloth, even before their teeth start to come in. 
• Once their first tooth emerges, you should begin brushing with a baby-sized toothbrush and water. Brush their teeth and gums gently in small circular motions, even where no teeth have emerged yet to stimulate blood blow and get them used to the feeling of brushing.
• Begin flossing as soon as two or more teeth start to touch. Curve the floss gently in a c-shape around the teeth and under the gums and use a new section of floss between each tooth.
• Begin using fluoridated toothpaste around age 2-3, when they are able to spit the paste out.
• Brush for them until they are able to do so effectively themselves, which is typically around age 6 when they are able to tie their own shoes and head off to school. Continue supervising until you’re confident in their big-kid brushing and flossing skills.
• A healthy hygiene routine includes brushing at least twice per day, before breakfast and before bed, and flossing once daily at either time. 
• Rinsing with water after eating, before brushing, and periodically throughout the day is a great way to reduce plaque, acidity, and enamel damage.

• Limited Sugar Intake

Nowadays, sugar is in just about everything we eat and drink, so it’s more important than ever to pay attention to what you and your kids are consuming regularly. Not only do tooth-decay bugs feed on sugar, but other diseases (including cancers) thrive on it as well, so it’s best to limit sugar as much as possible if your goal is healthy smiles and healthy bodies. 

• Only allow water in the baby bottle. Anything else including breast milk, formula, or juice is chock-full of sugar, and if they’re sipping it from a bottle all day or night, they will almost certainly develop baby-bottle tooth decay.
• Make juice a “sometimes treat” for special occasions or as a reward for good behavior. Juice, soda, sports drinks, or other sugary beverages should not be their primary form of hydration. Water should always come first and foremost. 
• Choose healthy, natural, unprocessed snacks like fruits, vegetables, berries, cheese, crackers, yogurt, and nuts or trail mix. Avoid sugary snacks and candy as much as possible, and save them for special occasions. The more sugar they have early-on the more they will become addicted to it and crave it on a regular basis.

• Fluoride

Fluoride is one of our greatest weapons against childhood tooth decay, which is why most cities and towns in the US and Canada have fluoridated public water supplies. It’s also why most mouth rinses and toothpaste contain fluoride, and most dentists provide fluoride treatments for kids. Fluoride is highly effective for preventing tooth decay in children because when teeth are growing, it combines with tooth enamel to form stronger, decay-resistant teeth that are better at fighting off sugar, plaque, and acid.

• Is Portland’s water supply fluoridated? You can find out by contacting your community’s water provider.
• Start using fluoridated toothpaste for your kiddo around age 3.
• If they’re still getting cavities, talk to Family Dental Health. We can provide regular fluoride treatments and recommend a fluoridated mouth rinse for an added boost.
• If Portland’s water is not fluoridated or it’s simply not enough to keep the cavity bugs away, we can also recommend fluoride supplements.

• Regular Dental Visits at Family Dental Health

A healthy diet, a solid oral hygiene routine, and plenty of fluoride are all great starts, but oral health is complex and you’ll want a team of well-educated professionals in your corner. Everyone should see the dentist regularly—twice every year or once every six months—but especially kiddos! They are the most susceptible to tooth decay, so you should bring them in to see us often for regular exams and cleanings. Only we have the technology and the tools necessary to remove tartar buildup and detect disease and decay before it becomes serious.

• Stay on schedule with your regular check-ups, cleanings, and exams. When the appointment is over, go ahead and schedule the next one.
• Ask Family Dental Health plenty of questions. “Why are they still getting cavities?” “What’s that dark spot on the x-ray?” “What can we do better?” The more educated you are about your child’s oral health, the more equipped you will be to help keep tooth decay away.

While cavities in kids are very common and usually don’t cause too many problems if they’re filled promptly, untreated tooth decay can be a serious issue for a child’s growth and development. Not only can cavities be very painful for kiddos, but they can also lead to poor performance in school, missed school days, and even behavioral and developmental issues. Not to mention, baby teeth set the stage for adult teeth to grow in properly, so it’s important to keep baby teeth healthy and decay-free to set them up for oral health and confidence later in life.

If you follow our advice, you’ll be on the right path to preventing tooth decay and promoting oral health for your child. If you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment with your Portland dentist, Dr. David Case at Family Dental Health, contact us 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.

Why Are My Baby’s Teeth Stained?

As brand-new humans, it seems logical that babies and children would have gleaming white teeth to go along with their bright eyes and soft skin. Baby teeth—also called primary teeth—generally do appear whiter than adult permanent teeth because they are more calcified. However,  it is not uncommon for a child’s teeth to appear less than luminous for any number of reasons. Your Portland dental team at Family Dental Health would like to share some causes and possible solutions for yellow, brown, and black stains on kids’ teeth.

What Causes Stained Baby Teeth?

• Poor Oral Hygiene – If baby teeth aren’t brushed and flossed thoroughly, bacteria may form and become plaque, which hardens into tartar and can lead to discoloration. Practice thorough oral hygiene for the healthiest, whitest smile.
• Medication – If babies are given nutritional supplements containing iron, their teeth can become dark and discolored. If their mothers take tetracycline while pregnant or breastfeeding, babies can develop black stains on their teeth.
• Injury – A single blackened tooth can be the result of dental trauma that caused bleeding inside the tooth.
• Weak Enamel – Inadequate enamel formation can be hereditary and lead to baby teeth that appear a dull gray color.
• Excessive Fluoride – Fluorosis is a condition caused by the consumption of too much fluoride when teeth are forming but prior to appearance in the mouth, which takes place before kids are eight years old. To avoid fluorosis, keep an eye on your child’s oral hygiene habits and remind them not to swallow toothpaste or mouthwash. Fluorosis can also be caused by mixing infant formula powder or liquid with fluoridated water if these types of formula are your baby’s main food source. Fluorosis can range in severity from mild, barely visible markings to pitting and black or brown spots in more severe cases.
• Illness – Some kids’ baby teeth develop with a greenish or yellowish tint if they are born with a condition called hyperbilirubinemia, which means there is too much bilirubin in the blood.
• Foods & Beverages – This list of staining culprits wouldn’t be complete without some common staining foods and beverages. Thankfully (hopefully), kids don’t need to worry much about tea, coffee, or red wine, which are some of the biggest factors for adults, but any dark-colored foods and drinks like berries or fruit juice will stain their teeth. Even light-colored foods like apples and potatoes go through a process of oxidation that can cause teeth staining. Who knew!?

How Can Stained Baby Teeth Be Prevented or Treated?

If discoloration is caused by poor dental hygiene, brushing more thoroughly should help. Until your child learns to spit at around age three, don’t use more than a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste on their toothbrush.

To decrease bad bacteria in your child’s mouth, avoid putting soft drinks, juice, formula, or other sugary concoctions in their bottle—only allow them a bottle filled with water. If your child uses a pacifier, never dip it in sugar or honey, and try to avoid sharing utensils with your child as this can transfer bacteria from your mouth to theirs (and vice versa!) and increase the likelihood of cavity formation.

Depending on your child’s unique dental situation, Family Dental Health may watch their teeth for signs of other problems or recommend future procedures like teeth whitening or bonding. Some kids are more sensitive to stained teeth than others due to their natural oral pH level.

If you are concerned about stains on your child’s teeth, contact your Portland dentist, Dr. David Case at Family Dental Health today. We’d love to help!

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.

Oral Piercings: Not Cool for Teeth

Remember that guy with the lip ring you had a crush on in high school? I wonder how his teeth are doing now. Don’t get us wrong—at Family Dental Health, we’re all about the freedom of self-expression, and if body modifications like tattoos and piercings are your thing, we support you. However, as your dental health professionals, we strongly advise against oral piercings specifically because they can be really harmful to your teeth—and we want you to keep your teeth healthy, so you can continue to express yourself with your beautiful smile.

Oral piercings refer to any piercing in or around the mouth. In the old days, the only options were the more traditional tongue or lip piercings, but today there are more options than you can shake a stick at. If it’s in your mouth, you better believe someone has pierced it. From the tongue web piercing to the vampire or upper frenulum piercing, to the gum piercing, venom bites, snake eyes, smiley piercing, frown piercing, and even the uvula piercing—yes, apparently you can pierce your uvula. There’s even a “dental piercing” which is not necessarily a drilled hole, but jewelry that is embedded onto the tooth surface. But of course, we don’t recommend any of these, so don’t get any ideas!

Family Dental Health is here to share some reasons oral piercings are not cool for teeth.

Infection

If you’ve ever had your ears or anything else pierced, you understand the risk of infection and the importance of keeping your new piercing clean. However, oral piercings have a much higher rate of infection because of their location in or around the mouth. The mouth is home to millions of bacteria (some are good, others are extremely dangerous) that have the potential to enter the piercing site and cause infection. 

According to the American Dental Association, secondary infections can result in serious illness including blood-borne hepatitis, angina, and herpes. With oral piercings, there is always a risk of infection, but particularly in the few weeks following the initial piercing. Signs of infection include swelling, pain, fever, chills, shaking, or a red-streaked appearance around the piercing. Contact us right away if you notice signs of infection.

Tooth & Gum Damage

One of the most common dental problems associated with oral piercings is tooth and gum damage. It’s easy enough to damage your teeth and gums already, whether from chewing ice or brushing your teeth too hard. Add a piece of metal jewelry into the equation and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Oral piercings can irritate the gum tissue, and cause enamel damage in the form of cracks, chips, scratches, and tooth sensitivity. 

If you’ve had any dental work done—including fillings or crowns—oral piercings can damage these as well, so if you don’t want to spend more money and time in the dental chair having your dental work repaired, we recommend choosing a non-oral piercing—if you’ve really got the urge to pierce something.

Nerve Damage

Following a tongue piercing, it’s not uncommon to experience numbness due to nerve damage; this is usually temporary, but can sometimes be permanent. Nerve damage can affect your sense of taste, as well as the movement and function of your mouth. Tongue piercings have also been known to damage the tongue’s blood vessels, which can cause serious blood loss.

Other Hazards

Allergic reactions are always possible with piercings. Some folks are allergic to certain types of metals, and some are just hypersensitive to certain metals. Tongue piercings can create increased saliva production, which can cause excessive drooling and can also affect your speech patterns causing a lisp. Not as appealing as you thought it was going to be, eh? Finally, oral piercings can be a problem when it comes to dental care because they interfere with x-rays and prevent us from seeing the full picture of your mouth.

Our Advice

If you already have an oral piercing, we do recommend removing it, but we understand if it’s become a staple of your signature look. If you’re keeping or still considering getting an oral piercing after reading this article, at least read our advice on how to care for it and avoid or minimize dental problems.

• Choose a jewelry style that works well with the location in your mouth.
• Gauge your jewelry accordingly. Longer or bigger jewelry may be necessary at first due to swelling, but once the swelling goes down the jewelry should be swapped or adjusted to fit.
• If you choose metal jewelry, make sure you’re aware of any sensitivities you may have and make sure the jewelry conforms to surgical implant grade standards.
• Use polymer balls to reduce the risk of damage, and select a smaller ball for the underside of the tongue to reduce contact with this soft tissue area.
• Keep the piercing clean and free of debris by brushing and flossing diligently and rinsing with mouthwash after every meal—contrary to what you might believe, alcohol-free is a better option because alcohol is drying, and a dry mouth is more susceptible to infection.
• Avoid playing with your jewelry or moving it around in your mouth, including chewing on it or clicking it around against your teeth. Be gentle and aware of how the jewelry moves when you speak and eat.
• Check the tightness of your jewelry (with clean hands) regularly to ensure it’s secure so you don’t swallow or choke on it.
• If you participate in sports, you may want to remove your jewelry while playing, and you should always wear a mouthguard.
• Maintain your diligent oral hygiene routine and see us at Family Dental Health regularly so we can catch any small problems before they progress.

We hope this article has made you think twice about oral piercings. There are plenty of other places to pierce, after all, and plenty of other ways to express yourself that don’t involve permanently damaging your mouth. If you already have an oral piercing or are considering getting one, we hope you’ll follow our advice on how to best minimize the damage. 

If you have any more questions about oral piercings or anything else related to oral health, we would love to speak with you. Contact your Portland dentist, Dr. David Case 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.

How to Choose the Right Pediatric Dentist for Your Child

Being the parent of a little one (or a couple or a few) means making a lot of decisions each day—what to dress them in, what to feed them, what books to read, toys to purchase, schools in your district. There are also a lot of questions you’ll ask, such as: “How do I care for my child’s oral health? How do I help them through teething? When is fluoride toothpaste safe for them to use?” 

It can feel a little overwhelming to think about, but Dr. David Case of Family Dental Health wants you to take a deep breath, sit back, and read on to learn about how to choose a pediatric dentist that can answer these questions and more. We’re pleased to provide supportive care and education that teaches Portland children the importance of oral health and good habits that will keep their smiles happy and healthy for life.

1 Tooth, 2 Teeth, Red Tongue, Blue Toothpaste

Did you know Dr. Seuss was a dentist? We joke (but first a little bit of trivia: the beloved writer and illustrator wasn’t actually a doctor at all but wrote under the pen name Dr. Seuss because his father wanted him to practice medicine), but this is to emphasize how we like to make the dental world a fun, creative, exploratory, and yes, sometimes silly place for children to visit. That’s one difference you might find between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist. Other differences include:

• Pediatric dentists study for an additional 2-3 years after obtaining their DDS or DMD (Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine).
• Pediatric dentists treat children from infancy through adolescence.
• A pediatric dental office will be completely geared toward making children feel safe and comfortable. 
• Besides a warm, friendly atmosphere, even the equipment and tools will be child-sized.

Olly Olly Oxen Free

Finding the right pediatric dentist for your child doesn’t have to be a tricky game of hide-and-seek. The AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentists) has a search tool that can help you narrow your selection based on your location. We also suggest:

• Asking family and friends for their recommendations and experiences.
• Asking your family doctor or pediatrician for a referral.
• Searching local websites or print publications in your area.
• Keeping in mind that if you don’t feel like you’ve found a good fit for your little one(s), you’re not obligated to return. You and your family deserve quality care you can trust.

If you do end up searching around, one thing that should remain constant in any pediatric dental office is an emphasis on education and prevention. At Family Dental Health, we employ digital x-rays that reduce radiation exposure and can be taken from the comfort of the dental chair. The images will help us confirm your child’s mouth is developing properly. If it isn’t, we can get them back on track with fluoride treatments and sealants, and we can provide gentle cleanings and fillings if any of their teeth suffer decay.

Go Forth & Conquer

The team at Family Dental Health believes in you. Even if it takes some time for you to find the right dental family in Portland, you have the power to set a positive example by conducting a diligent oral hygiene routine. 

While our role includes making oral health education fun and protecting those baby teeth that will set the stage for their adult teeth, you know your child best and spend the most time with them. You’ll know their favorite stories and cartoon characters and can use those details to motivate them. If they’re into Pokémon, they won’t be able to catch them all if they’re spending a lot of time at the dentist getting cavities filled, so let’s fight those double-trouble decay-causing bugs by brushing our teeth, gums, and tongue at least twice a day!

If you have additional questions or are contemplating making Family Dental Health your child’s dental home, please contact us today! Family Dental Health would be happy to smile with you and your 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.