Receiving x rays at the dentist is to be expected. X rays are important  for a number of reasons. They give dentists vital information about our teeth and gums that is otherwise indeterminable. X rays also help prevent further dental issues, by spotting problems before they get out of hand. Though we all know x rays are necessary, with traditional x rays, they can be both time consuming, and expose you to low levels of radiation. Luckily, digital x rays are becoming increasingly popular, and they come with a long list of benefits over traditional x rays.

Less Radiation

Though the radiation from traditional x rays has been proven to be safe, and well worth the risk, it’s still a concern for some. Pregnant women, the very elderly, or those with compromised immune systems, are sometimes told to avoid x rays because of these concerns. One wonderful thing about digital x rays, is that they give off less radiation. In order to get a digital x ray, it takes far less radiation to get an image of the exact same caliber, as it would for a traditional x ray. Patients and staff members alike can rest assured that Oregon Family Dentistry does everything they can to make your experience as safe as possible.

Quicker to Process and Store

Perhaps the most compelling argument on behalf of digital x rays for many, is the fact that they’re considerably faster to process. This is because the digitization of x ray, has deemed the chemical processing formally needed, unnecessary. Just like with digital and traditional film, most prefer to snap a picture and have it available immediately. This also reduces the time in the sense of easy storage. Digital files can be stored and saved in no time, and no time is required to uncover them before a dental appointment. Digitizing x rays streamlines the process, and makes it more efficient, and quick, for everyone involved.

Better for the Environment

The chemical processing needed for traditional x rays is not only time consuming, but it’s bad for the environment as well. All of the chemicals needed to process traditional x rays are toxic, and the use of them contributes to environmental issues involved with using and disposing of chemicals like these. So digital x rays provide a more safe, fast, and ultimately “green” alternative to traditional x rays.

Oregon City Dental and Digital X Rays

With the advent of digital x rays, the process of getting x rayed has become fast, efficient, and even more safe. Digital x rays are a great alternative to traditional x rays for both patients and dentists. Oregon City Dentistry has embraced the advantages of this new technology, and converted their x ray process to digital. There are many benefits to the adoption of digital x rays over traditional ones.

]]> http://www.oregoncitydentistry.com/blog/the-benefits-of-digital-x-rays/feed/ 0 http://www.oregoncitydentistry.com/blog/what-causes-your-jaw-pain/ http://www.oregoncitydentistry.com/blog/what-causes-your-jaw-pain/#comments Fri, 29 Mar 2013 18:17:45 +0000 Oregon City Dentistry http://www.oregoncitydentistry.com/?p=608 As anyone who has ever dealt with jaw pain can attest, the discomfort you experience can make talking, eating, and even speaking difficult. Temporomandibular disorders are one of the most common causes of jaw pain, and can cause poor function in both the jaw joint and the muscles used to move for movement. These disorders are also referred to as TMD, or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders. Over 10 million Americans suffer from TMD, according to the National Institutes of Health, with the condition being more common in women than in men.

TMJ symptoms can range from the mildly uncomfortable to the life altering. In less severe instances of the condition, TMJ can cause a burst of pain to shoot through the jaw joint every time you bite down on a hard piece of food. While uncomfortable, the pain usually subsides within a few minutes. In cases of severe TMJ, the condition can severely debilitate a person’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis.

For example, in some cases TMJ can cause an individual’s jaw joint to slip out of position while they sleep. When the person awakes in the morning, the can only open their mouth a fraction of what they can normally. Not being able to eat breakfast due to an inability to open the mouth can cause a great deal of panic in many people who suffer from TMJ.

Signs of TMJ

If you believe you suffer from TMJ, you might experience symptoms that include:

• Pain in the jaw joint or chewing muscles
• Pain in the face, neck, or jaw
• Stiff jaw muscles
• Limited movement or a locking of the jaw
• Uncomfortable popping, clicking, or grating of the jaw joint
• A change in how your upper and lower teeth fit together

Treatment Options

If you suffer from any of the symptoms listed above, talk with Dr. McDowell about what treatment option might be right for you. A number of nonsurgical treatment options can help you deal with the pain caused by TMJ, while also improving your jaw function. These methods include:

Joint stabilization or bite splint. The most common treatment option for jaw pain and muscle tightness involves the use of a plastic guard that fits over the upper or lower teeth. The guard allows your teeth to move smoothly against one another, which enables the jaw muscles to relax. Splinting also helps to prevent clenching and grinding of the teeth. Usually a splint only needs to be worn at night, but occasionally needs to be worn 24 hours a day in extreme cases.

Physical therapy. Therapy involves muscle relaxation and working to increase the range of motion in the jaw joint. Therapy methods can involve stretching exercises, biofeedback, or ultrasound treatments. The application of warm compresses to the side of the face during treatment can also help to easy pain, while increasing movement. Additional therapy methods can include mediation, acupuncture, stress management, and yoga.

Drug Therapy

A number of prescription medications can also help treat jaw pain, such as anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants in cases where restricted movement is due to muscle spasms.

Most doctors agree that patients suffering from TMJ should try nonsurgical treatment methods prior to undergoing a surgical procedure. Talk with Dr. McDowell about the best methods for dealing with your TMJ.

Trying to keep their teeth and gums healthy and strong leaves seniors with a lot of questions about their oral health. To help you understand what you need to do to maintain a healthy smile, here are the answers to a number of common questions seniors have about their dental care.

Q. Do Seniors Need to Worry about Cavities?

When you think about cavities, it’s easy to assume the oral health problem only effects children. However, thanks to advances made in preventative care, dental sealants, and the availability of fluoridated water, there has been a significant reduction in the number children with cavities over the last 20 years. In fact, the group that has seen the largest increase in cavities during that same period of time is seniors.

This has occurred due to a variety of factors. For one, gum tissue begins to recede away from the base of our teeth as we age. This exposes the roots of our teeth to bacteria that causes decay and cavities. Additionally, seniors are more likely to suffer from dry mouth, which causes the body to produce less saliva. Normally, saliva helps wash away harmful bacteria and lingering food particles in the mouth that cause decay. Without this protection, seniors who suffer from dry mouth have a higher risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease.

To offset the effects of dry mouth and age, seniors need to pay close attention to their oral hygiene to protect their teeth and gums.

Q. What Causes Tooth Sensitivity to Hot and Cold Foods and Drinks?

The roots of your teeth become exposed when gum tissue recedes away from the base of your teeth. These roots contain thousands of tiny tubules that run directly to the sensitive nerve center of a tooth. When outside stimuli such as hot, cold, sweet, or even sour irritate these tubules, it cause a sharp, sudden burst of pain to radiate out from the nerve center of a tooth.

Seniors who deal with sensitive teeth may want to try switching to a toothpaste designed to help relieve sensitive teeth. In cases of extreme sensitivity, seniors may consider undergoing a soft tissue graft to cover exposed tooth roots. If you suffer from sensitive teeth, talk to Dr. Johnson about a treatment method that’s right for you.

Q. Do Seniors Have an Increased Risk of Developing Oral Cancer?

Yes, as with most forms of the disease, the risk of developing oral cancer increases with age. Anytime a senior notices a bump, lesion, sore, or discoloration anywhere in the mouth or on the tongue they need to have it examined by their dentist.

Q. What can be Done About Loose Teeth?

When seniors suffer from loose teeth, they should schedule an appointment with Dr. Johnson, who can diagnose any soft tissue disease in the mouth and recommend treatment options. To determine the best course for your oral health, Dr. Johnson will examine the condition of your teeth, discuss your oral hygiene practices, and review your medical history to make a determination on the best treatment options. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, can directly contribute to loose teeth.

Q. Do Seniors With Few to No Teeth Need Still Need to Visit the Dentist?

Even if a senior has no remaining teeth, it’s still wise to schedule a yearly checkup with a dentist. Seniors who wear ill-fitting dentures can experience dental problems that can lead to the development of painful sores or dry mouth, and oral health exams also provide Dr. Johnson with the opportunity to perform a routine oral cancer screening.

Q. What Should Seniors do when Their Dentures No Longer Fit?

As people age, the bone structure that supports their dentures can begin to change. Over time, this may require seniors to have their dentures refitted in order to ensure a snug fit. Dentures can be easily warped or broken, so seniors should never attempt to shape their dentures themselves in an effort to make them fit more securely.

If you’re like the millions of Americans who fail to floss, you probably have a number of excuses you use to justify why you neglect this invaluable habit. While these excuses may have convinced you it’s okay not to floss, they haven’t convinced your gums. With that in mind, here are a few common excuse people use not to floss.

Excuse: Food Never Gets Stuck Between My Teeth

Despite the remarkable ability you’d have to possess never to get food stuck between your teeth, the main reason you need to floss has nothing to do with lingering food particles. Plaque, a stick biofilm of bacteria, buildups in places where your toothbrush cannot reach, such as between teeth. Whenever you consume sugar, plaque begins producing acids that slowly erode away tooth enamel. Over time, small grooves will become worn into enamel where bacteria can begin to grow, eventually leading to decay. Because so many people fail to floss, it’s not surprising that the most common places cavities begin to form are between teeth.

So to help prevent the onset of cavities and gum disease, you need to start flossing daily regardless if you ever have food stuck between your teeth.

Excuse: I Don’t Have the Coordination to Floss

Individuals who suffer from impaired dexterity, such as those with arthritis, who have suffered a stroke, injury, or amputation, may not feel they possess the coordination to correctly floss. While a loss of dexterity may make tradition flossing (the use of string tied between your two index fingers) difficult, a number of options exist that allow a person to floss using only one hand. Floss holders, for example, have small bits of string attached to plastic picks that allow an individual to floss even with limited dexterity.

Another option is to use a dental stimulator such as Soft-Picks or Stim-U-Dents. These toothpick shaped instruments also allow a person to clean between their teeth using only one hand or with limited dexterity. If you suffer from a loss of coordination, consult with your dentist to find the best alternate flossing option for you.

Excuse: I Don’t Have the Time

A debatable excuse considering the importance of flossing, a lack of time is often cited to dentists as one of the most common reasons a patient doesn’t floss. While proper flossing does require you to spend several minutes (ideally between three to five) cleaning in-between your teeth, you can still experience a huge benefit from flossing one minute a day. If you spend any time shaving, combing your hair, applying makeup, or engaging in any other grooming habit, you need to devout some time to flossing. To help you remember to floss, try leaving yourself a note next to your toothbrush or leaving the floss out someplace noticeable.

Excuse: It Hurts to Floss

If flossing causes you to experience discomfort, bleeding from the gums, or swelling of the gums, you probably already have gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. However, even if flossing cause you some discomfort, you actually need to floss more not less. Flossing can help reverse the effects of gum disease, healing our gums and allowing you to floss pain free in the future.

If you have red, sore gums that tend to bleed after brushing your teeth, you may have gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. In the U.S., 75 percent of all adults will suffer from gum disease at some point in their lives, according to statistics compiled by the American Dental Association. Of those cases, 75 percent result in gingivitis, while the remaining 25 percent will develop into periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that often results in tooth loss. Fortunately, by practicing proper oral care, you can easily prevent gingivitis.

Causes of Gingivitis

When you don’t brush and floss your teeth nightly, you allow deposits of plaque, a sticky film of food particles and bacteria, to form around your teeth. Plaque feeds on food particles to produce damaging acids that can slowly wear away at the health of teeth enamel, eventually leading to decay. Once plaque has remained on your teeth for 72 hours it begins to harden into tartar, which can no longer be removed by brushing. To remove a buildup of tartar, you must schedule a cleaning with Dr. Johnson. If tartar is allowed to remain on your teeth, it begins to make cleaning your teeth while brushing difficult. Over time, these plaque and tartar deposits will begin to irritate and inflame your gums, causing gingivitis.

Does Gingivitis Always Lead to Severe Gum Disease?

While the majority of dentists used to believe that if left untreated, gingivitis would eventually develop into periodontitis, recent research has shown that’s not always the case. Researchers now believe that how a person’s body reacts to the buildup of plaque and bacteria in the mouth determines whether they will develop a more serious form of gum disease. Research has found that periodontitis may develop due to a variety of factors, including:

• Bacteria. While there are over 400 different types of bacteria species living in your mouth, only roughly 15 of them can cause severe gum disease.
• Genetics. Researchers believe that roughly 30 percent of the population has a genetic predisposition to develop gum disease.
• Unmanaged diabetes. Individuals suffering from diabetes have an increased risk of developing gum disease. Gum disease and diabetes feed off each other, as individuals with uncontrolled diabetes have a difficult time fighting infection such as gum disease, and diabetics with gum disease have a harder time managing their disease.
• Smoking. The American Dental Association attributes nearly 75 percent of all cases of periodontal disease to smoking.

While these risk factors might make a person more likely to develop a more serious form of gum disease, there’s no way of telling. This makes scheduling regular checkups with Dr. Johnson all that more important so he can examine your mouth for any signs of gum irritation.

Symptom of Gingivitis

The early symptoms of gingivitis are often quite mild and easy to miss if you don’t know that you have developed the disease. Given enough time, you might begin to notice such symptoms as:

• Swollen, red, or purplish gums. When healthy, your gums should appear bright pink and firm.
• Bleeding gums. You notice blood mixed with your saliva when spitting out toothpaste or on your toothbrush.
• Tender gums that feel sore to the touch
• Mouth sores

If you notice any of these symptoms and believe you might suffer from gum disease, you should begin to examine what aspects of your oral hygiene routine need improving. For example, if you don’t spend enough time brushing, the ADA recommends you spend at least two minutes every time you brush, consider putting a clock in or near the bathroom. If you often forget to floss, place a note near your toothbrush to remind yourself to floss today. By focusing on these little changes, you can make a dramatic improvement to your oral health and avoid developing gum disease.

Preventing Gingivitis

To enjoy healthy teeth and gums while avoiding gum disease, you need practice the following oral care habits.

• Brush your teeth for two minutes at a time, twice a day. Make sure you use toothpaste that contains fluoride and a soft-bristled brush to avoid irritating gum tissue during brushing.
• Floss daily. Flossing does more than just remove lingering food particles that become stuck between teeth. It also cleans plaque from areas your brush could not otherwise reach.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash as part of your nightly oral health regimen. A mouthwash can not only reduce your risk of gingivitis, it can also help to eliminate persistent bad breath.
• Schedule regular checkups and cleanings with Dr Johnson at least every six months.

By following these easy, daily steps, you can ensure your gums stay healthy and disease free.

But before you panic by setting your brush on fire, and running out to by 365 new brushes for the coming new year, you should know your mouth wasn’t that clean to begin with.

Your Dirty Mouth

Even the healthiest of mouths contain millions of bacteria and hundreds of microorganisms every day. In fact, if it’s been awhile since you’ve brushed, your mouth may actually contain more bacteria than people currently living on the planet. Most of the time the fact your mouth contains so many different types of bacteria isn’t really a big deal. It only becomes a problem when the balance between the number of healthy and unhealthy bacteria in your mouth tips in the unhealthy direction.

The reason you brush your teeth to begin with has to do with the removal of bacteria from your mouth. Plaque, the sticky substance that you need to brush away in order to remove it from your teeth, is a bacteria, so every time you brush you’re placing bacteria on your toothbrush.

Can Your Brush Make You Sick?

So far we’ve established that your brush and mouth are full of bacteria, but can that bacteria actually make you sick? In all likelihood, the answer is no, it cannot. No matter how much bacteria lives in your mouth, or whether that bacteria arrived there by catching a ride on your toothbrush, your body’s natural defenses make it extremely unlikely that your going to catch any kind of infection simply by brushing your teeth.

The human body is incredibly resilient when it comes to fighting off bacteria, so the odds of a toothbrush, which spends all but five minutes a day sitting in a holder on a shelf in your bathroom, making you sick are extremely low. However, just because something isn’t probable doesn’t mean it’s not possible. So you should still practice some common sense when it comes to how and where you store a toothbrush.

Don’t Brush and Flush

Unless you live in a palatial mansion that contains a number of sitting rooms and an observatory where Col. Mustard likes to get busy with a candlestick, odds are your bathroom isn’t the largest room in your house. Odds are even better that the distance between your bathroom sink and toilet could probably be more accurately measured in inches instead of feet.

So consider that every time you flush, the toilet ejects a spray of bacteria that float out into the air. If you keep your toothbrush sitting on an elevated ledge located almost directly above your toilet…well you can probably image what could happen. Instead of keeping your toothbrush out in the open, try storing it in your medicine cabinet when not in use.

Storage Tips

Once you’ve moved your brush away from the toilet, here are a few other storage tips that can help to keep your brush germ free.

• Keep it rinsed and always wash it after each use
• Keep it dry, as bacteria love moisture, which provides ideal conditions for growth
• Keep it upright so it has an easier time drying
• Keep it to yourself and never share it with anyone else, no matter how close

Do all of the following and your toothbrush will be that last thing to get you sick. Now, what to do about that werewolf.

Recent research shows that children actually perceive Halloween as a holiday that is not very good for their health; they recognize that they usually eat too much candy. Do you kids know that sugar is bad for their teeth?

Some children surveyed said they would preferred to receive other types of gifts like video games instead. The questionnaire was conducted by the American Dental Association and Pop Games which targeted trick-or-treating aged children 5 to 13 in the United States.

94% of all American children participate in trick-or-treating. Chances are your family is right there along with the rest of Americans. If you are trying to take care of your family’s health, Doctor Brett L. Johnson at Oregon City Dentistry has tips to help you.

Have fun

Although two thirds of kids that were questioned agreed that they do eat too much candy during Halloween 89% reported that they would still love the holiday even if it wasn’t candy focused because it is one of the most fun holidays. Make sure to encourage your children to have fun and enjoy the time out trick-or-treating.

Brush more often

Encourage your children to brush their teeth more often this time of year especially since Halloween is really centered around candy. The extra sugar can stay on the teeth longer than expected, which can cause extra tooth decay.

Floss daily

Many people get so busy during this time of year that they forget to floss make sure that you actually floss especially after you eat candies such as gummy bears. Any candy that has a gummy substance is actually the worst type of candy for your teeth. The sugar can seep into the crevices of your teeth and cause tooth decay and cavities.

Make smart choice this Halloween. And from all of us at Oregon City Dentistry we wish you a happy, healthy Halloween.

Stay Up to Date With Dental Appointments

Many people suffer from dental anxiety, which prevents them from visiting the dentist. The fear of going to the dentist is a troubling situation that prevents people from making healthy choices. Visiting the dentist for a routine cleaning is on of the smartest things to do for your oral health. When you postpone or skip a routine cleaning, your mouth can become unhealthy fast.

Choose To Be Healthy

A recent consumer report surveys that 43% of people put of going to the dentist because of the dental bills and high cost. Whether you have dental insurance or not it is still one of the biggest fears of visiting the dentist. Most patients will worry about the pain of visiting the dentist, but even more people worry about the medical expenses. Doctor Brett L. Johnson can help ease your concerns.

If you have financial worries, it is best to be preventive and put your health first. Recognize that by putting off the dentist because of your fear of paying the bill will actually make matters worse. The longer we wait to visit the dentist the more plaque build up and possible oral infections can take place, which inevitable will cost more. Practice good health care by visiting your dentist regularly, you will actually save money.

Do Your Research

We often run monthly specials. Such as free X-Rays with routine cleaning, or free teeth whitening for life, etc. Call your us or visit our website to see what types of offers and specials we are running. You could save money by doing your research.

The best way to prevent gum disease is to be proactive and take care of your teeth at home. Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss every day. Mouth was is a good addition to your regular routine oral care process.

If you have more questions we would be happy to answer them, make an appointment or call us today.

When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, what you eat and how you take care of yourself can show up in more ways than one. As it turns out your teeth, and gums can show the world a lot about your overall health.

Doctor Brett L. Johnson says that, “Your mouth is part of your entire body.” What we can see in the mouth can have a significant effect on other organ systems and processes in the body. And of course the reverse is that things that are going on inside our body can manifest in the mouth.

Here are some common health problems that can show up on your teeth.

 A headache plus flat worn teeth.

If you have a headache and your teeth our worn chances are this is a sign of stress. But not just any stress, big-time stress. Teeth grinding is a common habit of highly stressed people. Many people underestimate the physical toll that stress can place on the body.  Grinding the teeth at night during sleep is a common sign of emotional or psychological stress.

If you have a headaches, it could be caused by spasms in the muscles that are doing the grinding. Sometimes the pain can radiate from the mouth into the back of the head and down to the neck and upper back. Visit your dentist about getting a mouth guard which is often used at night to can relieve the symptoms and protect teeth.

Cracking and crumbling teeth.

If your teeth crack or crumble it could be a sign of a much bigger issue like Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Many adults are vulnerable to teeth that appear to be cracking or crumbling away. This is because the enamel becomes thin and almost transparent. But this erosion isn’t a normal consequence of aging. In fact, it can happen at any age.

Disintegrating teeth can be caused by acid that’s coming up from the stomach and dissolving them. Like Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, also called acid reflux disease). GERD causes stomach acid to back up into the esophagus — and from there, it’s a short distance to the mouth for some of the damaging acid. Other things to watch out for is a dry mouth and heartburn which are related GERD symptoms.

As you see, your teeth are an important part of your overall health. They can tell you a lot about your health. For more information or a dental cleaning please come in and visit us for a consoltation and appointment.

Maybe your child’s baby teeth are falling out and the tooth fairy will soon be fluttering through your home. Many children enjoy the notion of the tooth fairy because it adds an element of surprise and wonder to losing their baby teeth.

For a child, losing a baby tooth is a rite of passage into a big kid world. They compare losing teeth stories with their friends at school. It becomes a notion of “I’m a big kid now.” But what about the real story of the tooth fairy? Do you ever wonder when the tooth fairy started to come to collect teeth and leave money?

Dr. Johnson and the team at Oregon City Family Dentistry tracked down the relevant history of the tooth fairy and why this fiction has inspired generations of hope and happiness to families across the world.

What is the Tooth Fairy?

The tooth fairy is a fantasy figure for many children, much like the Easter Bunny or Santa Clause. The folklore unfolds that when a child loses a baby tooth and places it beneath the bed or pillow, the tooth fairy visits while the child is sleeping. The fairy will replace the lost tooth with a small payment of some sort.

Where is the Tooth Fairy From?

Although tracking down the origins of the tooth fairy can take the magic out of this exciting myth, we did a little research to uncover the real start of this mysterious fairy.  In the Middle Ages, it was believed that witches could gain control over people if they had any physical part of them – by gaining access to their hair, clothing or teeth they could in turn work their magic.

But the tooth fairy didn’t really enter the scene during the middle ages. In fact, some of the rituals around tooth disposal weren’t quite as dark. Some parents would bury their children’s baby teeth in the garden so new adult teeth would grow in strong and straight. Believe it or not, Vikings believed that having a child’s tooth was good luck in battle, so they would often create jewelry from the teeth of children.

Generations of parents in old Europe would tell their children about the tooth fairy. The idea of having a fairy leave money in exchange for the beautiful baby tooth became a ritual children could look forward to. The tooth fairy took the element of fear out of loosing baby teeth. In essence, the fantasy helps ease the uneasiness of the unknown. Losing a tooth could be scary if a child does not understand the big picture. Allowing the tooth fairy to collect teeth and leave money is a nice way to soften the anxiety brought by change.

When Should Parents Tell Their Children the Truth?

Many parents ask our Oregon City dentist whether they should tell their children about the tooth fairy. We always say you don’t need to tell them; the natural promotion of the fiction story will not usually hinder your trust with the child. In fact, the majority of children report positive outcomes. Upon learning the tooth fairy is not real, 75% of children reported liking the custom, 20% were neutral and 3% were not in favor and said they did not intend to continue the practice when they became parents.

Usually children start to question the myth between the ages of  5 and 8. At this time they are wondering about other fictitious characters such as Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny. Usually upon learning about those, they put it together that perhaps the tooth fairy is a fable as well.

Whether you decide to celebrate the tooth fairy or not in your household, the idea of getting valuable money for your baby teeth is part of a childhood tradition that traces back to our ancient ancestors. And who doesn’t love a good story?