We get a lot of great dental questions everyday and we will answer our most popular ones with you here today!

Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

Most dental offices today (including our office) utilize digital dental x-rays, which use approximately 80-90% less radiation than traditional X-Rays. In the doses that your dentist prescribes, these X-Rays are absolutely safe. They are also much more environmentally friendly since they do not require chemicals to process and develop the image.

What Age Should I Take My child To The Dentist For The First Time? 

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have a dental exam by their first birthday. If you notice problems prior to that, then you should have them seen sooner. It is important to create positive associations and experiences with a dentist from an early age. And remember, as soon as you see that first tooth start to peek through the gums, it is important to clean it daily!

How Do I Get My Teeth Whiter?

First things first. A good professional cleaning and effective brushing is going to be the best place to start. In order for teeth to be their brightest and whitest, the external build up and stain will need to be removed. Once it is removed by your dentist or dental hygienist, it will be your job to keep it off. We generally recommend an electric toothbrush such as a Sonicare or Oral B because the studies show that they are more effective at removing plaque, debris, and stain than manual toothbrushes. Once you have clean teeth and a good dental home care routine down, we can talk whitening.

There are many over the counter (OTC) products that you can purchase to whiten your teeth. Whitening toothpastes and whitening strips are the most common. We don’t recommend regular, long term use of whitening toothpastes because most brands are very abrasive and when used for long periods of time, they can contribute to gum recession and tooth sensitivity. OTC whitening strips can be effective at whitening to some extent. This can be a first course of action for you to see if they deliver the result you are looking for.

The best option that will provide quick and long lasting results is having professional whitening trays made at your dentist. Custom whitening trays from your dentist typically whiten teeth quicker and more evenly than OTC whitening products and generally whiten with less tooth and gum sensitivity. To learn more about the professional teeth whitening process, click here: https://www.morelanddental.com/services/cosmetic-dentistry/teeth-whitening/

How Often Do I Really Need To Have My Teeth Cleaned?

Great question! This depends heavily on several factors including a persons current home care routine, current dental health, overall health, and genetics. During a new patient exam here at Moreland Neighborhood Dental, we will evaluate your periodontal condition. Our doctor or hygienist will look at any x-rays or imaging that was made as well as measure your periodontal pockets with a special measuring device. Our doctors and hygienists will recommend a cleaning schedule for each individual based upon the findings in this exam.

Generally, if you are a healthy individual with a good brushing and flossing routine and no history of periodontal disease, a six month cleaning schedule may be best for you. If periodontal disease, heart disease, diabetes, poor oral home care, or a high decay rate is a factor, sometimes a more frequent cleaning routine is necessary. We carefully evaluate each individual situation and will recommend what is best for you and your dental health.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a replacement for a tooth root. They can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. They can even replace all teeth in an arch or act as connectors to hold and stabilize dentures. Typically, dental implants are made of titanium and are similar in size and shape to a natural tooth root. Titanium is often the material of choice for dental implants due to its strength and its ability to fuse to bone. This fusing to bone is called osseointegration and is a vital part of implant placement and long term success.

Dental implants can be a great solution for patients who have missing or compromised teeth due to periodontal disease, trauma, deep fractures, and extreme decay, amongst many other situations. If you’d like to learn more about dental implants, click here: https://www.morelanddental.com/services/restorative-dentistry/dental-implants/

Looking for a great dentist in Portland, OR? We are accepting new patients and are here to help. 

Call our office today at (503) 235-7000 or just stop by! We are conveniently located in the Sellwood/Moreland Neighborhood of SE Portland.

https://www.morelanddental.com/contact/