Last updated 1 day 22 hours ago
If your dentist recommends that dental X-rays be taken, this is not necessarily cause for concern. Dental X-rays can provide thorough insight into the status of your oral and dental health. These images can also help your dentist predict your future dental health. Lake Grove Dental does digital X-rays, which are safer than traditional X-rays and are easier to share with other referring doctors when necessary. For an overview of what dentists look for in X-rays, see below.
Dental Position
Depending on your age, your dentist may evaluate the position of your teeth in an X-ray image. Your dentist will try to determine if you will need orthodontic therapy. He or she will also look for any impacted teeth, signs of wisdom teeth, and other dental conditions. These X-rays will be kept in your file and used throughout your life as a dental roadmap.
Dental Decay
The number-one thing dentists look for when taking X-rays is dental decay and other oral infections. Thanks to today’s technology, your dentist can detect minute signs of cavities and early stages of tooth decay by taking X-rays of your mouth. He or she can also detect root canal infections and some oral tissue infections. In most cases, your dentist will order a set of X-rays following a dental cleaning or routine exam. However, you’ll only need to have X-rays taken every one to two years, unless dental complications occur.
Wisdom Tooth Development
Often, wisdom teeth grow in sideways, which can put pressure on the molars and incisors, causing dental shifting. Your dentist will want to monitor wisdom tooth development with X-rays to ensure that they are extracted before they can cause damage to the surrounding teeth. Sometimes, the wisdom teeth and surrounding oral tissues become infected. Dentists can also detect impaction with X-ray technology and treat the infection before it causes major oral discomfort.
If you want a dentist who will monitor and help preserve your dental health, visit Lake Grove Dental. We offer comprehensive dental care and emphasize patient comfort. Let us help you preserve a beautiful and long-lasting smile by calling us at (503) 342-8301 today.
Last updated 1 month ago
Caring for your teeth and ensuring their health is the best way to make your smile last a lifetime. To read more about what to expect from your teeth as you mature, or to better understand TMJ, dive into these helpful links. If you live in the Lake Oswego area, you can depend on Lake Grove Dental for your dental care. To schedule an appointment, call Lake Grove Dental at (503) 342-8301.
- Explore this WebMD article to read more about how age can affect your teeth. This article also offers tips on how to manage the changes in your teeth over time.
- To get an idea of some of the changes your teeth may undergo throughout your lifetime, check out this article.
- For a look at how your oral health changes throughout the decades, click through this article from Everyday Health.
- Mayo Clinic discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatments for TMJ.
- MedicineNet provides this comprehensive article on TMJ, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Last updated 1 month ago
Like every other part of the human body, the teeth and gums can be affected by age. Although these changes occur naturally over the course of your lifetime, proper oral hygiene and help from your dentist are essential to the health and longevity of your teeth. Read on for solutions to these avoidable dental problems.
Tooth Decay
Problem: At any time throughout your life, tooth decay can significantly impact the health of your teeth. Sugary and starchy foods cause bacteria in your mouth to produce acids that can damage the enamel of your teeth. Damaged enamel can lead to tooth decay, infection, and the need for a root canal or extraction.
Solutions: Try to limit sweet, carbohydrate-rich foods in your diet. Chew sugarless gum to increase saliva production, which in turn cleanses the mouth and neutralizes acidity. Also remember to brush at least twice daily, floss once a day, and visit your dentist for checkups and cleanings twice a year.
Discoloration
Problem: In addition to the natural yellowing of teeth over time, foods and beverages can stain your teeth. Coffee, tea, and red wine are especially likely to stain. Tobacco can also stain your teeth.
Solutions: Avoid foods that can stain your teeth when possible, or at least brush soon after indulging. Cold drinks like sodas and teas can be enjoyed through a straw to lessen contact with the enamel. You may also ask your dentist about tooth whitening.
Gum Disease
Problem: The most significant threat to oral hygiene and health is gum disease. As you age, the risk for gum disease increases. Pockets at the gum line may develop in early stages of gum disease, where bacteria can collect and grow. When left untreated, the bacteria can cause inflammation and infection. Eventually, gum disease causes damage to gum tissue, bone, and even organs.
Solutions: Brush your teeth and floss daily to prevent the buildup of plaque. You may also try using an antibacterial mouthwash. Schedule regular checkups and cleanings to detect early signs of gum disease
For superior family dental care, rely on the doctors and hygienists of Lake Grove Dental. We serve the Lake Oswego and Portland area with state-of-the-art techniques. Call us at (503) 342-8301 to schedule your appointment today!
