Healthy Smiles Family Dental

Patients commonly mistake flossing as being an optional hygiene practice. In reality, flossing is just as important as brushing. Drs. Na Xu and Mark Thomas hear many reasons why patients aren’t flossing at their bi-annual checkups. Don’t be one of them! That’s why Healthy Smiles Family Dental, located in Salem, OR, is providing this flossing guide and some tips.   The majority of the patients treated at your Salem dental office never learned to floss properly. Proper technique makes all the difference in your teeth. First, remove around 18 inches of floss from the packet. Twirl one end around each of your middle fingers. One finger will control the clean floss, the other the dirty floss. Next, hold the floss taut and carefully move it between your teeth. Wrap the floss around one of the two teeth in a “C” shape. Move the floss up and down, rubbing between the teeth. Repeat this for all of your teeth.   One of the biggest dental mistakes possible is not flossing daily. Only through flos...

If you have a fear of going to the dentist, you might suffer from dental phobia. Dental phobia is a fear of going to the dentist and having people work on your teeth. An estimated 9% to 15% of people avoid going to the dentist due to dental phobia. It is important to get your teeth cleaned twice a year to maintain good dental hygiene. Our doctors at healthy Smiles Family Dental encourages our patients who suffer from dental phobia have a greater chance of developing gum disease and tooth decay. To ease your mind, we will talk with you about any concerns or fears you have. Some signs that you might have dental phobia include tense or nervousness, sleepless nights before the dentist, and the thought of the dentist makes you feel sick. Don’t forget to call us before your appointment to discuss your fears and concerns at the dentist. Our staff will do everything we can to accommodate you so you feel comfortable and safe at the dentist. Healthy Smiles Family Dental is located in Salem, OR. ...

Canker sores are small, shallow ulcers that appear in your mouth and make it difficult for you to eat and talk. The exact cause of canker sores is unknown although stress is thought to trigger the ulcers. At Healthy Smiles Family Dental, we encourage our patients who have canker sores to avoid food eating food that contain have a lot of citrus and are acidic. Some foods that are known triggers to ulcers include lemons, oranges, apples, and tomatoes. Symptoms of ulcers include pain on your tongue or the inside of your cheeks, and a burning sensation in your mouth. Canker sores are circular in shape and usually white or grayish color with red edges. Our doctors encourage our patients to rinse your mouth out with hot salt water multiple times a couple of times a day. If you still have canker sores after 1-2 weeks we advise you to make an appointment with us. Remember to make an appointment with us if you get canker sores frequently. Your health is our number one priority. Healthy Smiles F...

Endodontics and endodontic procedures are a dental specialty focused on the roots and nerves of the teeth. The most common procedure is root canal therapy. At Healthy Smiles Family Dental, located in Salem, OR, Drs. Na Xu and Mark Thomas perform root canals almost painlessly and always successfully. This procedure is needed when a tooth becomes infected, causing pain and discomfort in your mouth.   An infected tooth is a very serious matter. When left untreated, the infection can spread. In some cases, an extraction is necessary. A root canal prevents this. At the start of the procedure, Drs. Xu or Thomas apply a local anesthetic to the area. This prevents any unnecessary discomfort. Your Salem dentist drills into the tooth and exposes the root canal. All of the infected material becomes visible and easily removable. Afterward, the canal is thoroughly disinfected and cleaned. The dentist closes up the tooth with a sealant or filling, finishing up by placing a dental crown on top.   Tod...