strauss-dental

When to Consider a Mouth Guard

josh@fix8media.com (Josh Neimark) — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 01:17:39 GMT

Mouth guards are aptly named. After all, their primary purpose is to protect your mouth from injury or damage. The key to enjoying their benefits is to know when you need a guard and which type will benefit you.

As a leading preventive care dentist in Oregon City, Oregon, Julie Strauss, DMD , offers two primary types of mouth guards for patients at Strauss Dental , helping every patient get round-the-clock protection from potential damage. Here’s how to tell if you could benefit from one (or both) of these options.

Sports or “daytime” mouth guards

Mouth guards worn during the day are sometimes called sports guards, but that’s a misnomer. While you can — and should — absolutely wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth from sports-related impacts, these guards are beneficial during other activities where you can get struck in the mouth or face.

Sports guards are specifically designed for your activity. Buying an off-the-shelf mouth guard can leave your mouth vulnerable to various impact-related injuries, including broken teeth, knocked out teeth, and other serious problems.

Sports guards prevent these problems for kids, teens, and adults. They also help you avoid the discomfort of oral injuries and the potentially complex treatments to repair them once they occur.

Occlusal or “nighttime” mouth guards

Occlusal is the medical term for how your teeth come together when you bite or close your mouth. Occlusal damage happens when that contact causes wear and tear on one or more teeth.

Two of the biggest causes of occlusal damage are grinding (also called bruxism ) and clenching, habits that are surprisingly common during sleep. Of course, because they happen while you’re sleeping, you can’t stop yourself — and you might not even be aware you’re doing it.

Without treatment, grinding and clenching can cause serious bite problems, tooth damage, tooth loss, and chronic headaches and jaw pain. A night guard cushions your teeth while you sleep, preventing painful symptoms and damage caused by grinding and clenching.

Mouth guard basics

Although each type of guard you wear is for different reasons, the way Dr. Strauss designs your guard is similar. Since you need to wear your guard on a regular basis in order to enjoy its benefits, Dr. Strauss makes comfort a priority.

Every guard begins with a dental impression of your teeth — a 3D model that acts as a “stand-in” for your teeth while your guard is being made. The dental impression ensures your guard will hug the contours of your teeth, making it comfortable to wear.

These impressions are sent to a lab specializing in state-of-the-art oral care appliances, including mouth guards. Once the guard is ready, you’ll come back in for a final adjustment so you can enjoy maximum comfort and protection for your teeth.

Our guards consist of lightweight material that’s strong enough to protect your teeth without being “clunky” or heavy. This combination of superior comfort and protection is a big reason why a mouth guard from your dentist is far better and more effective than an over-the-counter guard that wears out quickly and feels more cumbersome.

Protect your beautiful smile

Preventive dentistry includes various treatments to prevent oral health problems and preserve your gorgeous smile. To learn more about mouth guards and other steps you can take to protect your teeth and gums, call 503-656-2139 or book an appointment online with the team at Strauss Dental today.

How to Keep Your Dentures Clean

josh@fix8media.com (Josh Neimark) — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 01:17:39 GMT

Did you know that about half of all American adults are missing at least one tooth? What’s more, about 36 million adults have no natural teeth. That means millions of Americans rely on dentures to preserve their smiles and oral function.

If you’re one of them, you want to do all you can to keep your dentures looking and feeling their best. Julie Strauss, DMD , and our team at Strauss Dental in Oregon City, Oregon, offer these five helpful tips to keep your dentures clean and fresh.

1. Brush regularly

Use a soft-bristled brush and a small amount of toothpaste to gently scrub your dentures, making sure to get in between every tooth and all around the clasps that hold your dentures in place. Make sure to remove all traces of adhesives if you use them. Regular cleaning ensures your dentures don’t develop an odor or unattractive staining.

2. Avoid abrasive toothpaste

Abrasive or whitening toothpaste can damage denture materials, causing scratches that could leave your dentures looking worn, scuffed, or stained. Opt for a basic toothpaste instead. Not sure which one to use? Give us a call, and we can help.

3. Freshen up

Rinse your dentures and your mouth after eating to remove food particles that can become trapped under the denture framework. Rinsing also removes any residues that could cause yellowing or staining. Carrying a little bottle of mouthwash keeps your mouth and dentures fresh when you’re on the go.

4. Use a case

A denture case keeps your dentures safe and clean when not in your mouth. Never store dentures wrapped in a napkin — you might accidentally throw them away, and they can be damaged in a purse or pocket. Fill the case with water to keep your dentures moist when not in your mouth.

5. Soak overnight

For extra freshness, drop a denture cleansing tablet in the case for a deep, overnight clean that works while you sleep. Just don’t use products that contain whiteners or bleaching agents.

More denture care tips

Cleaning dentures is important, but there are other things you should do to get the most from your dentures.

Don’t sleep in them

Dentures are made for daytime wear. If you keep them in while you sleep, they could slip and cause a choking problem. If you grind or clench your teeth when you sleep, that extra pressure could damage your dentures or cause sore spots on your gums or palate.

Have them adjusted

After you lose a tooth, your jaw bone in that area starts to atrophy — wear away and get thinner. That means your dentures won’t always stay snug: They’ll need regular adjustments to fit properly over time — and to prevent embarrassing slippage.

Pay attention to sore areas

Your dentures should always be comfortable and never cause pain or discomfort. If you develop a sore spot or your dentures stop fitting the way they normally do, it could be a sign of a developing problem. Call the office right away so we can fit you in as soon as possible. Ignoring sore spots could lead to serious infections, and ill-fitting dentures could be caused by an abscess or a benign or cancerous growth.

Keep them out of the heat

Dentures are made of durable material, but they’re not designed to withstand excessive heat. If you leave your dentures in the sun or on top of a radiator, they could become warped — even if they’re in their case.

Don’t skip appointments

No matter how many teeth you’re missing — even if you’re missing all your teeth — you still need to visit the dentist regularly. Dr. Strauss does more than care for teeth — she cares for the rest of your mouth, too. Regular dental visits are essential for maintaining oral health and preventing potential problems, including infections and oral cancers.

If you have questions about dentures, call 503-656-2139 or book an appointment online with the team at Strauss Dental today.

4 Signs Your Tooth Needs to be Extracted

josh@fix8media.com (Josh Neimark) — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 01:17:39 GMT

Regardless of how you feel about visiting the dentist, one thing most patients agree on: Dentists are dedicated to helping patients enjoy optimal oral health at every age.

That’s why some patients are surprised when their dentist recommends an extraction. While having a tooth pulled may not be the solution you’re looking for, there are definitely times when an extraction is absolutely the best course of action .

At Strauss Dental , Julie Strauss, DMD , helps patients throughout Oregon City, Oregon, keep their teeth and gums healthy by using a custom, patient-centered care approach. Sometimes, that approach means pulling a tooth, and here are four examples of when an extraction may make sense.

1. You have a deep or extensive infection

Did you know gum disease is the most common cause of adult tooth loss in the United States? Gum disease happens when bacteria invade the gums and the spaces around your teeth and tooth roots (the root pocket).

Other infections, including dental abscesses, also affect your gums. And sometimes, an infection happens inside your tooth, spreading down through the tooth root and into your jaw bone.

Many infections can be treated using advanced techniques, like root canal or surgery to remove the diseased and infected tissue. But sometimes, extraction is the best solution for eliminating the source of infection and preventing it from spreading.

2. Your tooth is badly broken or damaged

Many decayed, chipped, or broken teeth can be restored with a root canal, a filling, or a dental crown . But sometimes, the damage to the tooth is so extensive that having an extraction is the best way to preserve your oral health.

A good example: When a tooth is broken below the gum line, rebuilding it is often impossible. Pulling it allows you to replace the tooth with a durable prosthetic, like a dental implant, a bridge , or a denture . That way, you can restore your bite function and continue to enjoy a beautiful smile.

3. Your tooth is impacted

Hear the word “impacted,” and it’s almost certain you’ll think of your wisdom teeth. That’s because wisdom teeth come in after all your other teeth have erupted, which means they’re often left without enough room to erupt through the gums. As a result, these teeth are often impacted — “stuck” or trapped under the neighboring molar.

But although wisdom teeth are routinely impacted, impaction can happen in other areas of your mouth, too. In most cases, having one of the teeth extracted is the best way to avoid pain, infection, and other serious problems.

4. Your teeth are too crowded

We’re “designed” to have 32 teeth, so you’d think the human mouth would also be designed to accommodate them. Sometimes, though, that’s not the case. If your jaws are small, your teeth can have trouble “fitting in.”

That could mean they come in sideways or even erupt out of the side of your gum tissue. Often, crowded teeth need orthodontic correction to fix. But whether or not you need braces or aligners, it’s almost certain you’ll need to have one or more teeth removed to give your teeth the space they need to function and stay healthy.

Crowded teeth affect your bite and can lead to a grinding habit (bruxism), jaw pain, and chronic headaches. Because crowded teeth are harder to care for, your risks of decay and gum disease can also increase. Extraction provides room for teeth, and when performed early, it may help you avoid the need for orthodontic treatment.

Custom care for your unique smile

While tooth pain and swollen gums are common symptoms before extraction, they don’t necessarily mean an extraction is necessary. The only way to know if you ended an extraction is to have your tooth evaluated by our team.

To schedule your evaluation and to learn more about extractions and other treatments that can help maintain your oral health, call 503-656-2139 or book an appointment online with the team at Strauss Dental today.