Healthy Smiles Family Dental

No matter what kind of dental history a patient has, modern dentists have more ways of restoring their teeth than ever before. We at Healthy Smiles Family Dental in Salem proudly provide our patients with crowns, bridges, and implants that help to maintain the integrity of their faces and allow them to chew and speak normally. But because dental prosthetics have advanced so much in recent years, some patients may be unclear about their options, which is why we wanted to describe some types of bridges. The classic bridge is one in which a Pontic crown is suspended between two crowns that slide over reshaped natural teeth. This type of bridge is favored when the supporting teeth have been damaged and need new crowns regardless. The fixed bridge is not prone to moving out of place as the teeth migrate naturally, and it can be cleaned by threading floss under it. But we try to avoid removing or reshaping teeth that are healthy, which is why a denture might be recommended. Partial dentures ...

Shining teeth can do wonders for your self-confidence. But if your teeth are discolored due to internal factors, getting them examined may also be crucial to your health. We provide a wide range of dental services at Healthy Smiles Family Dental in Salem, so no matter what is causing your tooth discoloration, we can help. Extrinsic stains are those caused by something such as smoke or dark liquid affecting the outer layer of your teeth. Intrinsic stains are those affecting the pulp or dentin. Some intrinsic stains are benign. Teeth may look brown if a person was exposed to large amounts of fluoride in their youth, or they may look black if they were exposed to certain antibiotics. But if an intrinsic stain develops later in life, it almost certainly means the patient has a pulp infection. Inflammation in the pulp chamber will cause a tooth to look black, purple, or red. It will often be accompanied by sensitivity and a bad taste. If a pulp infection is not treated, it may develop into ...

We at Healthy Smiles Family Dental in Salem work closely with orthodontists to ensure that our patients have properly aligned teeth. Not only does orthodontic therapy improve the teeth’s appearance, it also makes them easier to clean and prevents bite problems. You’re probably aware that patients finish orthodontic therapy by wearing retainers. These oral appliances need to be cleaned regularly, so patients naturally wonder how long they can expect to wear them. The fact is that in order to ensure orthodontic therapy works permanently the retainer will have to be worn throughout life. Teeth naturally migrate, and one of the reasons minor orthodontic therapy is becoming more popular among adults is so they can restore their teeth to the position they were in when they got their braces off. People usually have to wear their retainers in the day for an amount of time equal to the time they were undergoing orthodontic treatment, and will have to wear their retainer at night for as long as ...

No matter what kind of dental history a patient has, modern dentists have more ways of restoring their teeth than ever before. We at Healthy Smiles Family Dental in Salem proudly provide our patients with crowns, bridges, and implants that help to maintain the integrity of their faces and allow them to chew and speak normally. But because dental prosthetics have advanced so much in recent years, some patients may be unclear about their options, which is why we wanted to describe some types of bridges. The classic bridge is one in which a Pontic crown is suspended between two crowns that slide over reshaped natural teeth. This type of bridge is favored when the supporting teeth have been damaged and need new crowns regardless. The fixed bridge is not prone to moving out of place as the teeth migrate naturally, and it can be cleaned by threading floss under it. But we try to avoid removing or reshaping teeth that are healthy, which is why a denture might be recommended. Partial dentures ...

Tooth extractions are ideally rare, but when they are necessary, we at Healthy Smiles Family Dental see our patients through safely. Many adolescents need to have their wisdom teeth removed to prevent alignment problems, and extractions are sometimes done on teeth with pulp infections after root canal treatment has proven unsuccessful. But in emergency situations, tooth extractions may not be preplanned, which is why we want our patients to be familiar with how to prevent a dry socket. A simple extraction is one in which the tooth is wiggled loose until it can be pulled out with pliers. A complex extraction is one requiring an incision to be made into the gum tissue. Dry sockets are likelier to result from complex extractions. When a tooth is removed, a blood clot ordinarily forms to seal off the socket, protecting it from pathogens and keeping moisture locked inside. A clot may have more difficulty forming over a surgical incision, or it may come loose more easily. Prior to the extrac...

Braces make everything a million times harder. It doesn’t have to with flossing. There are a variety of dental products that help you floss. Drs. Xu and Thomas recommend flossing daily, especially when you have braces. It’s the only way to clean your teeth and avoid cavities. That’s why Healthy Smiles Family Dental has put together this brief guide for flossing with braces. Learn more by contacting our office in Salem, OR.   Flossing and brushing are always a necessity. You’re supposed to floss every day. Braces shouldn’t hinder your dental routine. Invest in a Floss Threader. This is a handheld dental device that directs the floss under the wire. You can then grab the floss and use it normally. Do this for each of your teeth. Floss picks are another viable option. This is a small two-pronged device with floss between it. They are thin enough to fit under your wire. Place the prong between the two teeth to apply the floss.   The other important aspect of flossing with braces is the tec...

It’s normal to have a dry mouth before standing up to report during a big meeting, or when you’re about to get down on one knee to propose. It becomes an issue when it’s happening all the time. If your mouth constantly feels dry, you’re always thirsty, or you can’t even eat or speak, contact Healthy Smiles Family Dental. Drs. Na Xu and Mark Thomas can help. You may be suffering from a condition known as Dry Mouth or Xerostomia.   It may seem strange, but your mouth needs saliva. It’s crucial for eating and speaking. Your saliva also keeps your mouth clean and free of bacteria. When left untreated, dry mouth lowers your quality of life while heightening your risk of dental problems. Your first appointment is meant to detect the cause of your dryness. Let the staff know of any medications that you take. There are over 500 medications known to cause dryness. Even allergy medication can be responsible. Certain autoimmune disorders, like Sjögren's syndrome, also put you at risk. This di...