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Dental Health Information

For the General Public

For information on oral hygiene, click here!


For information on oral health for children, click here!


For information on proper flossing, click here!


For information on oral piercing, click here!


For information on tooth decay and how to prevent it, click here!


For Information on Dental Amalgam from the ADA   click here!


For information on sealants click here

 

 

Fluoride information

FLUORIDE FOR OREGON HELP ...GET INVOLVED!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR HELPING TO REDUCE TOOTH DECAY IN OREGON!

DON'T BE SHY - The people who oppose fluoridation certainly aren't!  Get your co-workers, freinds, relative etc. to contact their legislators! For more info go to: www.healthyteeth.us or www.ada.org/goto/fluoride. 

SENATE BILL 33: Requires water systems that serve over 10,000 customers to provide fluoridated water.  The Most enticing section of the bill states that neither water customers nor tax payers have to pay for the implementation of a fluoridation system- financing has to come from private sources.  Click here to get  brochure "Fluoridation for Oregon: It's about time".   It has all the in's and out's of how to contact your legislator.

 

FOR CHILDREN , THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGE TO SWALLOWING FLUORIDE CALLED THE SYSTEMIC EFFECT.  FROM 2 MONTHS BEFORE BIRTH TO ABOUT 14 YEARS OF AGE, TEETH ARE FORMING IN ENAMEL SACS IN THE JAW BONES. IF THERE IS FLUORIDE IN THE FLUID SURROUNDING THESE DEVELOPING TEETH, THE FLUORIDE WILL AFFECT THE SHAPE OF THE TEETH THAT MAKES THEM MORE DECAY RESISTANT. 

WE TEND TO GET CAVITIES FIRST IN THE GROVES AND CRACKS (PITS AND FISSURES) IN OUR MOLARS BECXAUSE FOOD GETS STUCK THERE AND IT'S HARD TO BRUSH OUT.  OFTEN THESE TEETH WILL DEVELOP WITH THIN OR NO ENAMEL BRIDGING OVER THESE AREAS SOS THE LIKELYIHOOD OF GETTING CAVITIES IS HIGH.  A TOOTH THAT HAS BEEN FLUORIDATED DURING ITS DEVELOPMENT IS MUCH LESS LIKELY TO HAVE OPEN PITS AND FISSURES.  THE CHEWING SURFACES TEND TO BE FLATTER AND LESS RETENTIVE OF FOOD.  WHEN A DENTIST SAYS, "I CAN SEE THAT YOU WERE RAISED WITH FLUORIDE" THIS IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

PEOPLE WITH FLUORIDATED TEETH WILL BE MORE RESISTANT TO DECAY, WILL GET DECAY LATER IN LIFE AND DECAY WILL PROGRESS SLOWER.

 

Emergencies

Your tooth hurts. It's sensitive to hot or cold. It is throbbing. You can't chew because it hurts.
Injuries to the mouth may include teeth that are knocked out (avulsed), forced out of position (extruded) or broken (fractured). Sometimes lips, gums or cheeks have cuts. Oral injuries are often painful, and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.

- What Should You do?
The Obvious Answer is to Call a Dentist

Some of the questions the dentist will ask you if you have a toothache are:

  • How long has it hurt?
  • Is it sensitive to hot or cold?
  • Is it a sharp or dull pain?
  • How much does it hurt?
  • Have you been taking anything for the pain?

The dentist or the dental staff will ask you those questions as a way to determine what type of emergency treatment will be required and how quickly you need to be seen in the office.

When you arrive at the dentist's office, he or she will do an oral examination to determine which tooth is bothering you and the source of the pain. The dentist may also need to take x-rays to help in the diagnosis. Treatment can then begin to alleviate the pain and address the problem. Some of the main reasons for a toothache include: decay, periodontal (gum) disease or physical trauma, such as being hit in the mouth with a baseball or hockey stick.

Common complaints associated with toothaches include that the tooth is sensitive to hot or cold liquid or foods or to sweets; there is often a throbbing pain; and sometimes there is what is called referred pain. "Referred pain" means you might have a pain in your ear or in the lower jaw, but it's really caused by a tooth.

It used to be that if you had a toothache, the tooth probably would be extracted. Today, dentists focus now on preserving the tooth. In most cases, pain can be resolved without removing the tooth. Dentistry is making great progress in helping people keep their teeth for a lifetime.

The following are some types of oral injuries and what can be done:

- Knocked-Out Tooth

Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissue. Instead, rinse it carefully in running water. Gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If this isn't possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk or, in the absence of milk, cool water. Bring it and the patient directly to the dentist within 30 minutes, if possible

- Loose Tooth

If the tooth is pushed out of place (inward or outward), it should be repositioned to its normal alignment with very light finger pressure. Do not force the tooth into the socket. Hold the tooth in place with a moist tissue or gauze. Again, it is vital that the injured individual be seen by a dentist within 30 minutes

- Broken Tooth

Gently clean dirt from the injured area with warm water. Place a cold compress on the face near the injury to decrease swelling. Go directly to the dentist.

- Bitten or Cut Tongue, Cheek or Lip

Apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. Apply cold compresses to swollen areas. If the bleeding doesn't stop, go to a hospital emergency room.

- Objects Caught Between Teeth

Do not attempt to remove the object with sharp or pointed instruments which could cut the gums. Instead, carefully guide dental floss between the teeth. If this doesn't work, go to the dentist.

- Possible Broken Jaw

Do not move the jaw. Secure the jaw in place by tying a scarf, handkerchief, necktie or towel around the jaw and over the top of the head. Apply cold compresses to swollen areas. Go immediately to a hospital emergency room or call your dentist.

- Toothache

Do not place aspirin on the aching tooth or gum. Rinse the mouth with warm water. Floss to remove any food that might be trapped between the teeth. See your dentist as soon as possible.

- Problems with Braces and Retainers

Cover the ends of irritating wires with a small cotton ball, beeswax or a piece of gauze until you can see your dentist. Do not attempt to remove a wire that is stuck in your cheek, tongue or gum. Go to your dentist immediately. If an appliance becomes loose or a piece breaks off, take the appliance and piece to the dentist.