WE TREAT OUR PATIENTS LIKE FAMILY

     We provide excellent care and dentistry the way we would want our family and ourselves to be treated. Our office welcomes every new patient with a warm smile, so call us at 322-0444 to come meet your new dental family. We welcome new patients. Emergencies seen promptly!
Bend’s husband & wife dental team have over 20 years in dentistry.

     Anyone who makes the switch from smoking cigarettes to smokeless tobacco believing it to be less harmful should think again. According to a recent study by the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) cancer agency, using chewing tobacco and snuff raises the risk of oral cancer by 80 percent. While snuff and chew may be less dangerous than smoking because they are not linked to lung cancer, they are still linked to oral cancer. The review of eleven studies worldwide also showed that users of chewing tobacco and snuff also have a 60 percent higher risk of esophagus and pancreatic cancer. This study represents the first systematic attempt to quantify the risk of smokeless tobacco. Dentists do more than fill cavities, construct crowns, perform root canals, and make dentures. If you have questions about tobacco and snuff and their affect on your oral health, if you’re experiencing unusual discomfort, or if you are worried about your child’s developing teeth, the answers to these concerns and others can be found at our office.
  P.S. One of the first things that the dentist or hygienist will do, during a comprehensive dental exam, is examine the soft tissues of the mouth for signs of oral cancer.

     It is estimated that more than two-thirds of adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, decay, or gum disease. Thirty years ago, the only option for these people and others with missing permanent teeth would have been a fixed bridge or removable denture to replace the missing tooth (or teeth). More recently, however, dental implants are fast becoming the best tooth-replacement option for most individuals. Unlike fixed bridges, which attach to adjacent teeth, and dentures, which rest on the gums, dental implants are rooted directly into the jawbone. As such, they function like a natural tooth root to firmly anchor the replacement crown permanently in place. Some dental implants have lasted more than 20 years, with a better than 90 percent success rate. Implant patients who practice good oral hygiene and have regular professional dental checkups can enjoy smiles that last a lifetime. Implants are one of the most exciting options available today to aesthetically and functionally improve your teeth.
 P.S. Dental implants discourage the bone loss that otherwise accompanies the loss of a permanent tooth.

     It seems that recent research has found that vitamin D confers more health benefits than was once thought. The most recent finding shows that babies born to mothers with low vitamin D levels may be at increased risk for tooth enamel defects and early childhood decay. This is important because researchers found that only 10.5 percent of the women studied during their second trimester of pregnancy had adequate vitamin D levels. With this study in mind, women of childbearing age may want to be sure that they are eating foods that are rich in nutrients, including vitamin D. If necessary, supplemental vitamins/minerals may be considered, always keeping daily recommendations and intake limits in mind. A very good lesson to remember is that prevention is key to optimum dental health for patients of all ages. Through good habits like choosing a dental-friendly diet and proper brushing and flossing, you have a lot of control over your dental health and that of your children.
  P.S. Numerous studies indicate that vitamin D and calcium deficiencies result in bone loss and increased inflammation, which is a well-recognized symptom of periodontal diseases.

     Gum disease may raise the risk of developing cancer. This finding is based on a long-running study in which male health professionals with a history of gum disease were found to have a 14 percent higher overall risk of developing cancer. After controlling for smoking and other risk factors, periodontal disease was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of lung, kidney, pancreatic, and hematological (blood) cancers. This higher overall risk was even detected in men who had never smoked. Researchers point out that people with gum disease have inflammation in their blood, and inflammation has been linked with cancer. It is also possible that whatever causes the inflammation may also cause gum disease and cancer. Your total health is always our concern, which is why we take the time to advise you on preventive care. That’s also why all new patient exams are so thorough, so we can establish a baseline against which we can measure your future dental profile and progress.
  P.S. Whether or not maintaining good oral hygiene can help prevent cancer, preventing and treating periodontal (gum) disease is a good end in itself.

     People now have one more very good reason to preserve their teeth into old age. According to a recent study, having few (or no) natural teeth at age 70 may provide an early indication of disability onset and mortality. The study, which followed non-disabled men and women over a 20-year period, found that seniors with few (or no) teeth at age 70 were significantly more likely to report mobility problems (such as difficulty walking and climbing stairs) than seniors with 20 (or more) natural teeth. Edentulism (toothlessness) at age 70 was also linked with greater mortality over the study’s 20-year period. The connection between tooth loss in old age and declining health is a complex but valid link. We have also found that many elderly Americans neglect their dental health because they assume that dental problems are an inevitable part of aging. We believe this does not have to be the case. With the innovative dental care products available today, plus daily brushing and flossing, people of all ages can keep their smiles glowing for years to come.
 P.S. Tooth loss in old age may lead to declining health due to limited dietary choices and reduced nutritional intake.