Why a Healthy Mouth Is Important

Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means your teeth are clean and free of debris, gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss, and bad breath is not a constant problem. At Criscione Family Dental, our staff can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and will point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention while brushing and flossing.

Taking good care of your mouth – teeth and gums – does more than help ensure you have a bright, white, smile. The mouth is the doorway to our body and its first line of defense. It performs more essential functions than any other part of the body. Good oral hygiene and oral health can improve your overall health, reducing the risk of serious disease and perhaps even preserving your memory in your golden years. When your mouth is unhealthy, your body will feel the effects in many ways and your health in general, will suffer.

In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include brushing thoroughly twice a day, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals, as well as using dental products that are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

If you need assistance with your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601. 

The Root Canal Procedure

If you have a tooth that is causing you pain, depending on the severity you may need a root canal. At Criscione Family dental we can save your tooth with this procedure if the tooth itself is badly damaged or infected. The term “root canal” comes from cleaning the canals inside the tooth’s root. It is a scary term for most, but we hope to put our patients more at ease by explaining the procedure step-by-step.

The area around the tooth is first numbed with an anesthetic to start the procedure. One of our dentists will then drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. They will then be able to remove the infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection has been removed, the space is filled with a sealant called gutta percha. Your tooth will then be placed with a temporary crown until you are able to be fitted with a permanent one.

If you have questions about an upcoming procedure, give us a call. To learn more about root canals as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601.

The Proper Flossing Technique

 

Flossing is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums and chances are you are either not flossing, or not flossing enough. The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day to help remove plaque from the areas between your teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. At Criscione Family Dentistry we’ve heard every excuse in the book as to why our patients aren’t flossing and today we are going to put an end to them. Next time you stand in front of the mirror to brush your teeth, break out the floss and follow these tips. 

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.

• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.

• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.

• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.

• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the back ones! 

If you have questions about maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601.

Flossing is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums and chances are you are either not flossing, or not flossing enough. The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day to help remove plaque from the areas between your teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. At Criscione Family Dentistry we’ve heard every excuse in the book as to why our patients aren’t flossing and today we are going to put an end to them. Next time you stand in front of the mirror to brush your teeth, break out the floss and follow these tips.

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.


• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.


• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.


• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.


• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the back ones!

If you have questions about maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601.

 

Are You Brushing Correctly?

At Criscione Family Dentistry we want you to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime. To do this, you need to brush at least twice a day for two minutes. Many of you may not realize that there is a proper brushing technique, so allow us to introduce you to the correct way to brush your teeth.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.


• Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

Remember that brushing your teeth isn’t the only part of a complete dental routine. Don’t forget to floss and visit us regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.

If you have questions about maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage to surrounding tissue. Oral cancer appears as a growth or sore in the mouth that doesn’t go away. At Criscione Family Dental, our staff utilizes oral cancer screenings to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for a cure.

Oral cancer screening is an examination performed by a dentist or doctor to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. The examination can be carried out in the dental chair using gloved hands, a mirror and good lighting. The screening will consist of a visual inspection of the mouth and palpation of the jaw and neck.

The oral cavity includes your lips, cheek lining, gums, front part of your tongue, floor of the mouth beneath the tongue and the hard palate that makes up the roof of your mouth. During your dental visit, one of our doctors can talk to you about your health history and examine these areas for signs of mouth and/or throat cancer.

To learn more about oral cancer screenings as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease, or gingivitis, is inflammation of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Gingivitis is a very common condition and varies widely in severity. When left untreated, it can extend from the gums to the bone and advance to periodontitis. This is why it is important to schedule regular dental checkups with our doctors at Criscione Family Dental to prevent the current problem from getting worse.

Gingivitis starts as food debris mixes with saliva and bacteria-forming plaque that sticks on the surfaces of the teeth. If dental plaque and tartar aren’t removed by brushing with toothpaste and flossing, it can become mineralized and form tartar, or calculus that can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. Gum disease is usually caused by improper oral hygiene, however, other risk factors include:

• Smoking or chewing tobacco


• Crooked, rotated or overlapping teeth that create more areas for plaque and calculus to accumulate


• Hormonal changes due to puberty, pregnancy and menopause


• Poor nutrition


• Stress

If you notice a bit of blood when you brush, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about periodontal (gum) disease as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601.

What is TMJ syndrome?

The temporomandibular joints, called TMJ, are the joints that make it possible to open and close your mouth. Located on each side of the head, your TMJ work together when you chew, speak, or swallow and include muscles and ligaments as well as the jaw bone. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder. When it does, our staff at Criscione Family Dentistry can help.  

Causes of temporomandibular joint syndrome include injury to the teeth or jaw, misalignment of the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding, poor posture, stress, arthritis, and gum chewing. Signs and symptoms of TMJ syndrome include pain in the jaw joint, clicking of the jaw, ear pain, popping sounds in the ears, headaches, stiff or sore jaw muscles, pain in the temple area or locking of the jaw. Depending on the severity of the TMJ pain one of our doctors may suggest a night guard to relieve pressure on your jaw.

If you have questions about TMJ syndrome, give us a call or visit www.criscionefamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601. 

Why a Healthy Mouth Is Important

Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means your teeth are clean and free of debris, gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss, and bad breath is not a constant problem. At Criscione Family Dental, our staff can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and will point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention while brushing and flossing.

Taking good care of your mouth – teeth and gums – does more than help ensure you have a bright, white, smile. The mouth is the doorway to our body and its first line of defense. It performs more essential functions than any other part of the body. Good oral hygiene and oral health can improve your overall health, reducing the risk of serious disease and perhaps even preserving your memory in your golden years. When your mouth is unhealthy, your body will feel the effects in many ways and your health in general, will suffer.

In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include brushing thoroughly twice a day, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals, as well as using dental products that are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

If you need assistance with your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601.