As dental health professionals, we focus on preventative dentistry to keep our client’s smiles happy and healthy

Regular dental exams are key

Simply put, almost all dental issues start off small. Taking care of your teeth through good hygiene and regular dental care is better for your health, better for you stress and better for your wallet than having to larger dental procedures. Portland Family Dentistry works to educate our community and our clients on the importance of taking care of oral health problems when they are first detectable, small, and relatively simple. Filling a small cavity is a quick and easy process compared to the complex procedures required to restore deep cavities and tooth decay, which can develop into tooth aches, infection, or tooth loss. Unfortunately, just because nothing hurts doesn’t mean that everything is okay with your teeth. A dental exam is needed to evaluate potential issues and help correct flaws in dental health and put in place preventative measures. In fact, Most dental problems don’t develop symptoms until they advance to a stage that requires a big commitment of time and money to repair. A great example is tooth decay, which doesn’t cause pain until it has encroached into the nerve. At that point, a root canal and crown are usually necessary to repair a problem that could of treated with a small filling if discovered early on. Portland family dentist, Dr. Travis Agee and the rest of our dental team are strong advocates for preventative dental health regimes and we are more than happy to help inform and coach on the best program for you.

Fluoride Treatment

What is flouride treatment

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element which helps to harden tooth enamel and make it more resistant to acid exposure. It helps protect against cavities (caries) and can reduce tooth sensitivity.

Many people are aware that topical (applied to the surface of the teeth) fluoride is commonly applied for children’s teeth – but fluoride can also be a beneficial part of a preventative dental regime for a variety of adults. 

Pediatric Dental Care

Fluoride is generally recommended twice a year for children through their adolescent years to help prevent cavities. A dentist is the best person to assess the patient’s individual risk for cavities, and the developmental status of the patient’s teeth.
 
 

Fluoride Treatment for Adults

Portland Family Dentistry recommends topical fluoride supplementation for patients who suffer from chronic dry mouth (xerostomia), generalized gingival recession (recessed gums), and sensitive teeth.

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Incorporate fluoride into your dental regime.

The premier dental team at Portland Family Dentistry keeps up with the latest industry education and news. We know that the scientific study has shown the extensive benefits of fluoride in the prevention of tooth decay. Fluoride treatments re-mineralize teeth, stop cavities from developing, and make your teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque, bacteria, and sugars in the mouth. 

Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal, or gum disease progressively destroys the gums and jaw bone, which support your natural teeth. Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque, the yellowish film that sticks to your teeth along your gum line.

Bacteria found in plaque irritate your gums, which may cause them to turn red, swell, and bleed easily. Prolonged irritation can cause inflammation and infection that the body tries to fight off. The bacterial infection, along with the body’s defense against that infection, can cause deterioration of the bone and soft tissue that hold teeth in place. If this process goes untreated, it can lead to loosening of teeth and eventual tooth loss.

Plaque hardens into a rough, porous substance known as calculus (or tartar) if not consistently removed each day. Periodontal disease is best prevented thorough daily brushing and flossing of your teeth, along with regular routine visits to see our NE Portland dentist.

Scaling and root planing, sometimes called a deep cleaning, is a common treatment for periodontal disease. This method allows Dr. Agee and a registered dental hygienist to provide a thorough cleaning of the teeth and root surfaces, preventing progression of the disease.

Tooth Sealants

The grooves and depressions on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, particularly molars, are prone to decay. 

As part of prevention, Dr. Agee often recommends tooth sealants. These are protective coating which are painted onto teeth in those grooves, preventing food debris from sticking in them and causing cavities.

Sealants are quick, easy, and painless for all patients, kids and adults. Add to this the fact that dental sealants are incredibly durable, lasting for several years before a reapplication is required, and have no impact on a patient’s ability to eat, drink, or speak, sealants are an obvious treatment to include into a preventative dentistry program.