A Portland Dentist Answers Common Oral Health Problems
In our Portland dentist office, we treat people of all ages and are asked a lot of questions about oral health. We are happy to answer them and to discuss ways that you can improve your health at home. We know that even if you visit our office once a year, you still need to take care of your teeth on a daily basis in order to keep them healthy. As such, we invite you to ask as many questions as you need to in order to determine the best way to care for your teeth and gums. Here are some of the questions that patients ask us on a regular basis.
Do some health conditions put teeth at a greater risk?
Yes, if you use any tobacco products, you are at a greater risk for gum disease and tooth decay along with oral cancer. We recommend quitting tobacco altogether and if you use it, schedule an appointment for several times a year. Additionally, both diabetes and pregnancy can negatively impact your oral health because they tend to restrict blood flow to the gums. While not detrimental in and of itself, this should prompt you to visit our office twice a year so that we can remove the plaque and tartar from around your gums before they have the chance to become infected.
Will you be able to fix my loose crown in your Portland dentist office if you didn't place the crown initially?
Certainly, we can help you, regardless of who placed your initial crown or when they did it. We will warn you, however, that you should have the crown replaced right away. Typically a crown is placed because the tooth underneath is damaged, or a portion of the enamel is gone. This means that the tooth is naturally more susceptible to infection. With a loose crown, bacteria can get trapped in between the crown and tooth, resulting in a greater health issue. Replacing it immediately, therefore, is the best solution.
My tooth hurts. How long should I wait before having it checked out?
If you have a toothache, feel free to call us right away so that we can examine your tooth. One of the reasons that people have a toothache is that food becomes stuck in between their teeth. You should try brushing your teeth and flossing first to see if that helps. If not, you may have a common cavity or the center of your tooth (dental pulp) may be infected. In both cases, we can remove the decay or infection and restore your tooth to good health so that you can feel comfortable again.
I cracked my tooth. How can you fix it in your Portland dentist office?
Absolutely, there are multiple ways that we can restore a cracked tooth. If we are treating a child, we typically recommend a bonding procedure since this can be done on the same day and without needing to significantly prepare the tooth. For adults, a dental veneer or crown is a more commonly used solution. All are effective.
Brushing your child’s teeth and other oral hygiene habits are necessary for several reasons. The first set of teeth (primary) keeps your child’s jaw straightened. The primary teeth also hold the spaces for adult teeth to come in and help your child learn how to smile, chew and speak properly. Learning good oral hygiene habits…
Are you aware that your mouth is home to over 700 different bacterial strains? However, not all of them are harmful. This does not mean that you have to sleep on your dental care obligations because a few slippery mistakes might cost you your teeth and gums. Oral bacterial problems will arise when you neglect…
Here are some good dental hygiene tips for kids that can be used to help your kids have a healthy smile today and in the future. We encourage parents to take this information and apply it on a daily basis for optimal results.Remember to call our office and schedule an appointment for professional dental cleaning…
Your child’s dental health, especially after they start teething, should never be taken for granted. Pediatric dental care is a guaranteed way of ensuring your child’s oral health and help in preventing cases of dental diseases like tooth decay. Pediatric dental care is necessary for children between the ages of 0 and 18.You should help…
It is normal to desire a brighter, whiter smile, but trying to decide between a teeth whitening kit for home use or a visit to a dental professional complicates the matter. Over-the-counter applications can seem more convenient and less expensive, but do they offer the same results as what can be expected with an in-office…
Dental Restorations refers to a procedure that is done in order to restore a tooth that is in bad shape due to decay, abnormalities, or imperfections. There are a number of different dental restorations that dentists can administer to patients of all ages.One of the most commonly performed dental restoration procedures is a root canal,…
At Rachel Cole DDS PC, we remain committed to doing our part in minimizing the spread of COVID-19.
As healthcare professionals, we continue to follow well-researched, scientific public health advice to help
limit infections and slow the spread of COVID-19.
We’re excited to announce that Oregon’s Emergency-Only order has been lifted and we will begin seeing
patients again on May 11th!
Rest assured, your safety and the safety of our dental team, is a top priority. We will continue to follow
all CDC, ADA, and State specific recommendations regarding Personal Protective Equipment and the
sterilization of instruments, surfaces, and work spaces to protect our patients and staff members. We are
also taking extended measures to further protect all our patients and team with the following protocols:
Pre-screening patients as we confirm appointments and prior to entering the building
Just as you will be screened, our entire staff is screened daily upon entry to the office
Social distancing – by asking you to remain in your car until we call you when we are ready for your
appointment, and minimize any guests or escorts to your appointment unless absolutely necessary
Upon entering the office, you will be asked to wear a mask and sanitize your hands. If you do not have a
mask, we will provide you with one
At the beginning of your appointment, you will be asked to pre-rinse with an anti-viral rinse
We have installed an Air Filtration unit in the duct work of our HVAC system -We will be installing
medical grade air-purifiers in every operatory and reception area
If you had an appointment scheduled during our closure, we will be reaching out to you to get your
appointment rescheduled. If we’ve already rescheduled your appointment, we’ll be reaching out to confirm
your appointment and advise you of some new protocols we’ve put in place to ensure you and our dental team
are protected. We encourage everyone in our community to continue to take steps to minimize the spread of
the virus, as dictated by the CDC.
If you have a question about an upcoming appointment, please contact us at (503) 248-1114. We look forward to
seeing you again!