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Everything You Want to Know About Teeth Whitening

Are you considering teeth whitening before a big event? Do you want to have a smile that is the star of your wedding? Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic procedure and can boost confidence, eliminate stubborn stains, and give you a look that shines. However, like any dental procedure, it’s important to understand why your teeth are stained in the first place, what teeth whitening is like, and finally, how to prolong the results of professional teeth whitening. If you’d like to book a consult now, call Family Dental Health!

Common Causes of Teeth Staining

A column in TuftsNow by clinical professor Ronald Perry outlines some common causes of extrinsic staining or staining of the enamel:

• Black tea
• Coffee
• Wines, red and white
• Dark-colored food (beets, chocolate)
• Berries
• Popsicles
• Candy
• Pickles
• Soy sauce
• Curry
• Smoking 

The good news about extrinsic stains is that we can treat them with teeth whitening and proper brushing and flossing. There are also ways Dr. Perry suggests you mitigate staining agents. He advises drinking dark liquids through a straw to avoid contact with the teeth, brushing and flossing after consuming food and drink, chewing sugarless gum, and finally eating a diet high in fiber. However, if your efforts to mitigate staining have started too late, he suggests teeth bleaching as a good option to eliminate extrinsic stains. 

What are My Options for Teeth Whitening?

We’re all familiar with the over-the-counter teeth whitening strips. While convenient, there is the danger of falling into the ‘more is better’ trap, explained by Dr. Adam S. Harwood, DMD, in Dentistry Today. The idea that adding more peroxide, charcoal, or other trendy solutions to your at-home regimen will cause whiter teeth isn’t necessarily the case. Too much of anything can be damaging.  Professional teeth whitening is a safer and more predictable option. There are several brands of professional whitening, but most fall into two categories: In-office and at-home solutions.

In-office whitening

If you choose an in-office approach, you will choose the level of whiteness you wish your teeth to reach with your dental provider. They will then prep your teeth and gums for safe application of the specially formulated whitening gel. Some offices will then shine a special activation light on the gel to speed up whitening, while others don’t. When your whitening session is complete, the gel is cleaned off, and a topical anti-sensitivity product is applied. We send you on your way with instructions for avoiding certain foods and drinks to maintain your new bright smile. 

 At-home professional teeth whitening

If you prefer to whiten in the comfort of your own home, your dentist will fit you for professional plastic whitening trays. Then they will provide prescription-strength gel to fill the trays and wear at home. Depending on the solution, you may wear the trays several days in a row, or for a few days a month until you reach your desired shade. At-home whitening can be a great way to whiten your teeth on your schedule. 

What Your Dentist Wants You to Know

Teeth whitening under the supervision of your dentist is ideal. You can get a bright white smile that is also healthy. You will also get professional recommendations on how to maintain your results, and most dentists will also provide at-home touch-up options to keep your smile bright between visits. If you are interested in whitening your teeth or you have questions, please reach out! Contact 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.

Pediatric Oral Health FAQ

At Family Dental Health, we know that parenting is both rewarding and exhausting. Many of us are parents ourselves, so we understand the never-ending effort it takes to keep our kids healthy and happy. From mommy blogs to unsolicited advice from in-laws, everyone seems to have an opinion on where parents fall short.

Are your kids eating well? Getting enough sleep? And of course, are they brushing and flossing every day? To help ease the overwhelm, Portland dentist, Dr. David Case, is answering some of the most common dental questions we hear from parents just like you.

Q: When should my child go to the dentist for the first time?

A: According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should visit the dentist by their first birthday. That may sound early, but baby teeth play an essential role in your child’s development.

If your child is already two or three and hasn’t had a dental visit yet, don’t panic! Just schedule their first appointment as soon as you can. It’s never too late to start building healthy habits.

Q: Should I take my child to a pediatric dentist, or can they see my regular dentist?

A: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If your current dentist treats children and you feel comfortable with them, that can be a good option to try. But here’s why many parents prefer pediatric dentists:

• Specialized training in children’s oral health and development
• Child-sized tools and equipment designed just for little mouths
• Fun, kid-friendly environments that help reduce fear and anxiety
• Teams trained to communicate with children using age-appropriate language, like calling plaque “tooth bugs”

Pediatric dentists genuinely enjoy working with children, and that can make a big difference in how your child feels about going to the dentist.

Q: I can’t get my kids to brush and floss consistently. Help!

A: Take a deep breath—you’re not alone. Brushing and flossing battles are common. Here are some creative ways to make oral hygiene fun (and effective):

• Let them pick a fun toothbrush and tasty toothpaste
• Use a rewards system with stickers, stars, or small prizes
• Download a free brushing app or play a favorite song as a timer
• Combine brushing time with another routine, like bath time or screen time
• Make it a family activity—brush together and turn it into a silly dance party!

Q: My child has a cavity in a baby tooth. Do we really need to fix it?

A: Yes! Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, they’re still very important. Primary teeth help children:

• Chew properly for good nutrition
• Speak clearly as they learn a language
• Guide the proper growth of their jaws and adult teeth

Ignoring decay in baby teeth can lead to pain, infection, or problems with permanent teeth later on. It’s best to treat cavities early.

Your Partner in Pediatric Dental Health

We know it’s not always easy. Kids can be unpredictable, and dental routines can quickly become battlegrounds. But remember, you’re not in this alone.

Whether you need advice, resources, or reassurance, the Family Dental Health team is here for you. We consider it an honor to be part of your child’s healthcare team. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support, have concerns, or are ready to schedule a visit.

We’re your cheerleaders on the journey to a healthy, happy smile!

The content of this blog is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Does My Child Need a Dental Crown?

Baby teeth are important because they save space in the mouth for eventual adult teeth, in addition to helping kids learn to speak, bite, and chew properly. Baby teeth are temporary, but they do need to be functional for quite some time. The first teeth appear around six months, while the last baby molars don’t fall out until 12 to 13 years of age. Keeping baby teeth healthy and intact increases the likelihood that adult teeth will appear in favorable positions, reducing the chances of future orthodontic treatment.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, baby teeth have thinner enamel and a greater percentage of inner pulp that lies closer to the tooth surface. Due to these factors, Family Dental Health will recommend the quick repair of small cavities in baby teeth with fillings as a proactive measure against more complex future treatment.

If a severely compromised baby tooth is unlikely to be restored successfully using other filling materials, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends stainless steel crowns be used, especially in cases where the tooth has already received pulpal (root canal) therapy. If your child needs a pulpotomy or pulpectomy, don’t worry! These procedures are commonplace today, and your Portland dentist can help.

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s oral health, don’t hesitate to 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.

Why Have a Dental Implant?

Dental implants replace an entire tooth, including the root, with a permanent replacement. Family Dental Health can tell you it is the #1 most popular tooth replacement method in all of dentistry, but there are many reasons dental implant surgery may be recommended.

Dental implants may work for you if you have one or more teeth missing, your jawbone has reached full adult growth, and you’re willing to commit several months to the implant process. Other times when dental implants might be a good dental solution include:

• When gum tissue is healthy
• When bone density is adequate to support an implant
• When a patient wants to speak more clearly 
• When a patient wants to eat and chew easily
• When a patient does not want to wear dentures
• When the patient does not use tobacco

Family Dental Health wants you to have a full, functional smile that you are proud to show. Though implants are more of a marathon than a sprint, they provide a permanent, beautiful solution for missing teeth. If you have questions or concerns about dental implants, get in touch with your Portland dentist 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.

Suffering from a Sore Throat & Bad Breath? You Might Have Tonsil Stones

You’ve heard of kidney and gallbladder stones, but have you heard of tonsil stones or experienced their formation yourself? The symptoms of tonsil stones may include:

• Bad breath
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Ear pain

None of these are pleasant, so your dental team at Family Dental Health is here to tell you ways you may be able to treat them at home, as well as offer advice on how you can prevent them from returning. 

Leave the Stones to Sisyphus

Tonsil stones are the result of bacteria and debris accumulation in what is called the crypts of your tonsils, so your best defense is a diligent oral hygiene routine! 

Your tonsils are an important part of a strong immune system; in fact, the American Academy of Otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat doctors) refers to them as your “body’s first line of defense.” That’s just one example of how your oral health is linked to your overall wellness, which is something we work hard to convey to our dental family because we want you to feel as fantastic as possible!

So, what should you do if you suspect you have tonsil stones? You may be able to see them if you open your mouth widely and stick out your tongue (like doctors ask you to when they use tongue depressors); they may be white, yellow, or gray nodes on your tonsils, or they might be burrowed within your tonsil and thus out of sight. 

Whether or not you see any, you may be able to dislodge them by gargling salt water or using a water flosser to flush the debris from your tonsils. Or, better yet, why not contact your Portland dentist, Dr. David Case of Family Dental Health, today to schedule a visit? We can perform a thorough and gentle examination and get you back on the road to optimal oral 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.

This Tool Can Help Your Child Floss Like a Boss!

Hey Portland parents, how diligent are you about flossing once a day? Unless you’re an avid flosser, you probably hate this question. However, we don’t ask to shame you, so keep that in mind when we ask how much you help your young one floss.

We know it’s not particularly easy to get string in between their little teeth, especially because it usually isn’t comfortable for them to open wide while you try to make sure you don’t snap the floss roughly up and down. That’s why we’re excited whenever we get to share with parents that there’s another way to remove up to 99.9% of plaque, one that your kid is likely to enjoy much more, too!

What’s the Secret?

It might not be much of a secret considering the first model was invented in 1962, but water flossers have come a long way since then and can help children remove debris and plaque from their gumline and between teeth, too! There are even models made specifically for children that they can decorate and make their own.

Introducing a water flosser can make your child’s oral hygiene routines less of a struggle. They may even ask you, “Is it time to brush and water floss yet?”

If you have any questions about water flossers, or you’d like to schedule a checkup for your child so they can show off how well they’re water flossing, contact 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.

Keys to Successful Dental Visits for Kids

There are very few people in the world who would choose to go to the dentist as their favorite thing to do, and kids are no exception. Here are a few tips to help ensure a more successful dental visit for your child:

• Encourage age-appropriate daily oral hygiene routines at home. The best checkups are the ones where you hear Dr. David Case of Family Dental Health say the best words you can hear at the dentist: “No cavities!”
• Plan. If your child needs to see a dentist right before the school year begins or during spring break, make the appointment as far in advance as you can.
• Consider the time of day when scheduling appointments. If your child naps at a certain time or is already not a morning person, keep that in mind when picking a time. It’s also best not to schedule an appointment right after school or intensive athletic events so kids have the stamina to get through their dental visit reasonably content.
• Don’t take kids to the dentist hungry. Hungry people are grouchy people, no matter their age! A light meal is best, but please don’t eat it in the waiting room. Brushing before a hygiene appointment is polite and a good habit to instill in kids.
• Keep your anxiety in check. Kids pick up on your anxiety. Some doctors feel that between the ages of 4-6 is the most important time to keep kids calm at the dentist because adults with dental phobia tend to have had their negative experiences at that age.
• Choose your words carefully. Don’t make it sound scarier than it has to be! There’s no need to talk about how much it might hurt. If they are comfortable, have your child ask the dentist questions.
• Keep your cool if your child is uncooperative. Slow down. Try to figure out why your little one is upset, and talk them through the process, breaking explanations into small steps so it’s not as overwhelming. Work as a team with Family Dental Health to keep the visit going. If you just terminate the appointment without trying to make the situation work, Dr. David Case has observed that it will likely be worse next time.

We look forward to smiling with your family. If you’d like to make an appointment to visit Family Dental Health, get in touch 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.

Can My Child’s Asthma Affect Their Dental Health?

Did you know that more than 26 million Americans have asthma, and it’s the leading chronic disease in children? As dental health professionals who understand how deeply your oral and overall health rely on one another and want both to be optimal for your child, we feel it’s important to talk about how asthma might affect your child’s smile.

Children with asthma may breathe more frequently through their mouths, and mouth breathing combined with commonly prescribed corticosteroids can cause dry mouth. Without the beneficial enzymes in healthy saliva production, your child may be at an increased risk of bad breath, enamel erosion (which leads to cavities), and gum disease.

Don’t Toss that Inhaler!

While asthma may pose some challenges for keeping your child’s smile in tip-top shape, rest assured, it doesn’t guarantee dental problems for them. We’re happy to recommend effective and safe products for tackling dry mouth and acidity and give technique tips any time, just contact Dr. David Case of Family Dental Health, today to schedule an appointment with our friendly and caring team!

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.

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.