Regular dental should include attention not only to the teeth, but also the gums that support them. Periodontal disease, or a chronic bacterial infection along the gums and jaw, are tricky issues to resolve once they set in, and Dr. Walker recommends a healthy ruotine of proper tooth brushing and flossing to protect patients from this painful condition.

Here are a few frequently asked questions about periodontal disease, with answers patients should keep in mind as part of their healthy dental routine.

How Does Periodontal Disease Start?

Periodontal disease is the result of a building of plaque between teeth that nestles its way into the deeper recesses of the gums, where tooth brushes and floss cannot reach. Because of this, it is important to clear away any gunk that could lead to plaque buildup following meals, as well as taking care to brush and rinse before heading to bed.

What are the Signs of Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease can first be noticed if a patient experiences gum inflammation and swelling that sticks around for days at a time. Unlike a canker sore, periodontal disease swelling will persist and keep hurting until directly addressed. Because of the sensitive nature of gums, it is not recommended that a patient just floss or brush like mad in a possibly infected. Rather, the best plan is to set up an appointment with Dr. Walker and address the issue with a long-term solution.

What Causes Periodontal Disease to Persist?

In most cases, periodontal disease begins and continues if a patient gets out of a regular dental hygiene habit that includes brushing two times per day, flossing once per day, making use of fluoride rinse and attending regular check-ups at Dr. Walker’s office. Overnight attack by plaque is a major contributor, and it is a particualr concern since it has to track when it happens but also hard to reverse once the effects are felt. Going to sleep and waking up with a funky taste in the mouth is a bad sign, so if brushing and flossing are not addressing this issue, be sure to mention it at your next visit.

What Options are Available for Periodontal Disease Treatment?

Scaling and root planing are methods for removing plaque deposits that are non-surgical. They help reduce swelling and are very effective if Dr. Walker’s office is able to catch the signs of periodontal disease.

There are also some options for regenerative surgery, though they are invasive and will lead to some recovery time. Grafts and donor tissues are part of these procedures, so the best bet is to just keep up a good dental care routine and avoid these steps altogether.

Any questions about periodontal disease are best answered in person, so be sure to voice concerns to Dr. Walker during a visit and learn more about the best way to ward off any painful swelling.

Keeping a regular dental care schedule is important for everyone, because it is usually like car maintenance or home repair projects in that most people do not worry about it until something is going wrong. Our staff is here to help each patient and their children keep a regular dental care schedule throughout the calendar!

First, it is important for our dental care patients to keep to a daily schedule of brushing and flossing, and this could include setting little reminders such as notes near the restroom sink or on top of clothes dressers. Any time you plan to travel, be sure to include dental care products with your belongings so the schedule is maintained and the risk of tarter, plaque and other issues is kept to a minimum.

Next up, be sure to ask you dentist about keeping a regular routine of check-ups that include a fluoride rinse and cleaning, as these are the meetings that help reduce any chance that teeth and gums may need surgery to repair. There are different requirements for each patient, so while each appointment should follow a routine, it is also the best time to ask particular questions a patient has about anything related to their dental care.

In any situation where it may be required to have surgery, such as pulling a tooth or filling a cavity, the dental care schedule will probably change up a bit. These sort of procedures are usually required when the daily schedule gets missed out on, or when a patient has difficulty keeping up with eating and drinking things that promote good dental care. As soon as there are toothaches or sudden pains, a dentist should be consulted immediately to address the pain and set up a plan to prevent future concerns from coming up.

Overall, a dental health schedule is all about keeping on top of daily brushing and regular visits. To set up an appointment, please go here or contact the office . In the case of a severe pain, contact us immediately to determine if dental surgery is required.

With all that’s available, how can you know what is safe and effective to use for whitening your teeth without straining your budget? These simple tips help demystify what it means to whiten your teeth.

Why Don’t Teeth Stay White?

Both the health and color of our smile are effected by daily use. Teeth become discolored over time from eating and drinking products that known to cause staining, such as coffee, soda and tea. Long-term tobacco use can also lead to yellowing teeth and an increased risk of gum disease.

Our teeth can also become discolored through the build-up of plaque. When not brushed away, plaque sticks to teeth and gums and forms a sticky, yellow substance. This layer of plaque turns to tartar that hardens on our teeth and gums, leading to the development of gum disease.

The Simplest Answer for Whiter Teeth

Hands down, the easiest and most effective way to keep teeth healthy and bright is through practicing good dental habits on a consistent basis. Brushing teeth twice a day with a whitening toothpaste keeps plaque from forming and coating your teeth. Make time to brush once in the morning and once at night, and incorporate flossing into your daily routine. Brushing and flossing, along with a healthy diet, eliminate harmful bacteria that destroy the health of your teeth.

Additional Strategies to Whiten Teeth

Whitening your smile boils down to a simple equation that involves time and consistency. Products available for whitening teeth include:

• toothpastes that gradually produce a whiter smile
• rinses that kill harmful bacteria
• homemade toothpaste made from baking soda and water
• gels that are painted on the surfaces of teeth
• adhesive strips that adhere to teeth
• trays with whitening agents, usually in the form of a gel
• professional teeth whitening under the care of a dentist

To get whiter teeth in a shorter amount of time, more money will be required since professional teeth whitening is the fastest and most effective way to get results. Other strategies cost less, but take more time. Regardless of the products you choose in order to whiten your teeth, the trick is to thoroughly read and carefully follow the directions, using the product consistently for best results!

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Our goal is to help patients maintain a healthy smile for life. The best way to do that is through regular visits and prevention. Some common problem patients may experience include:

Tooth Decay

Caries, or tooth decay, is a preventable disease. While caries might not endanger your life, they may negatively impact your quality of life.

When your teeth and gums are consistently exposed to large amounts of starches and sugars, acids may form that begin to eat away at tooth enamel. Carbohydrate-rich foods such as candy, cookies, soft drinks and even fruit juices leave deposits on your teeth. Those deposits bond with the bacteria that normally survive in your mouth and form plaque. The combination of deposits and plaque forms acids that can damage the mineral structure of teeth, with tooth decay resulting.

Sensitive Teeth

Your teeth expand and contract in reaction to changes in temperature. Hot and cold food and beverages can cause pain or irritation to people with sensitive teeth. Over time, tooth enamel can be worn down, gums may recede or teeth may develop microscopic cracks, exposing the interior of the tooth and irritating nerve endings. Just breathing cold air can be painful for those with extremely sensitive teeth.

Gum Disease

Gum, or periodontal, disease can cause inflammation, tooth loss and bone damage. Gum disease begins with a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Gums in the early stage of disease, or gingivitis, can bleed easily and become red and swollen. As the disease progresses to periodontitis, teeth may fall out or need to be removed by a dentist. Gum disease is highly preventable and can usually be avoided by daily brushing and flossing. One indicator of gum disease is consistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth.

Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Daily brushing and flossing helps to prevent the buildup of food particles, plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Food particles left in the mouth deteriorate and cause bad breath. While certain foods, such as garlic or anchovies, may create temporary bad breath, consistent bad breath may be a sign of gum disease or another dental problem.

Canker Sores

Canker sores (aphthous ulcers) are small sores inside the mouth that often recur. Generally lasting one or two weeks, the duration of canker sores can be reduced by the use of antimicrobial mouthwashes or topical agents. The canker sore has a white or gray base surrounded by a red border.

Orthodontic Problems

A bite that does not meet properly (a malocclusion) can be inherited, or some types may be acquired. Some causes of malocclusion include missing or extra teeth, crowded teeth or misaligned jaws. Accidents or developmental issues, such as finger or thumb sucking over an extended period of time, may cause malocclusions.

Since plaque collects on the surfaces of your teeth as you eat, it builds up throughout the day and needs to be removed regularly. If it isn’t brushed and flossed away, this yellowish, sticky substance will cause tooth decay – this leads to even bigger and more serious dental problems.

As you take care of your teeth at home, keep these products and techniques in mind to maintain a bright, healthy smile!

What Makes a Good Tooth Brush?

Tooth brushes should be changed approximately every three months. When you head to the store for a new tooth brush, the amount of choices can be overwhelming. It’s important to remember that the tooth brush you choose should have a small brush head, well-designed bristles and a comfortable handle. These qualities will help you to reach the plaque that hides on all surfaces of your teeth.

However, the kind of tooth brush you have may not be as important as how you use it. Plaque isn’t going to give up that easily, and teeth need to be brushed for three minutes twice a day to best clean your teeth. Brush along the gumline as well as the inside and outside surfaces of all of your teeth.

What to Look for in a Toothpaste

More so than tooth brushes, there’s a wide-range of toothpastes on the market from which to choose. When it comes to

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

choosing the “right” one, the simple truth is this: when used correctly, all toothpastes fight cavities. Important factors to consider include whether or not to choose a specialized toothpaste, including:

• Whitening toothpaste – these help remove stains from the surfaces of teeth
• Toothpaste for sensitive teeth – this kind can help if you have teeth that are sensitive to temperature or sweets
• All-natural toothpaste – increasing in popularity, these use natural ingredients like peppermint oil and baking soda to clean teeth
• Antibacterial toothpaste – if you have a history of gingivitis, these may help protect your gums

The Truth About Floss

Brushing regularly is essential, but it won’t remove all of the food particles and plaque that are hiding between your teeth and under the gumline. The kind of floss you use will depend on your teeth and your preference. Unwaxed floss is thin and fits easily between teeth, but there are many flavors available. When used carefully and as directed once a day, floss can effectively remove plaque and help keep your smile healthy.

What Does Fluoride Do?

Fluoride, often found in dental hygiene products, helps protect teeth from decay. Useful for preventing cavities, fluoride strengthens the enamel of teeth and protects them from demineralization. It can be found in drinking water in some parts of the country, can be applied directly to teeth, and can be taken as orally as prescribed by a doctor.

While seeing the dentist twice a year is essential for good dental health, so is taking the necessary steps to ensure that your teeth are clean and healthy as you go about your every day routine.

Technological improvements in dental implants have given people who have missing teeth new hope. Today’s dental implants radically improve the way we can solve the problem of tooth loss. Dr. Chadwick Walker can advise you whether you are a candidate for dental implant treatment.

Traditionally, missing teeth could only be restored with a partial denture, a full denture or dental bridges, which literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.

The problem with bridges and partials is that they depend upon the surrounding teeth and tissue for support. Dental implants eliminate these issues since implants are independent of the surrounding teeth, making them permanent and stable.

Implants can be an excellent solution to tooth loss because they look, feel and function like your natural teeth. Most dental implants are made of titanium, which is biocompatible. This quality allows titanium implants to be surgically placed into the bone and the bone will bond to the implant.

In most cases, it takes on average 6 months for the bone to heal around the implant anchor. After this healing period an artificial tooth is attached to the implant anchor.

One limiting factor with placing an implant tends to be the amount of bone available to support the implant. If needed, bone grafting may be needed in order to create a solid site within the bone for placement of the implant anchor.

Once your dental implants are in place, regular dental hygiene and home care is the same as with your natural teeth. It is important to floss and brush around implants at least twice a day. Implants, like natural teeth, can fail with poor oral hygiene.

Patients who suffer from bruxism, diabetes, and other systemic diseases may not be good candidates for implants. For more information and to learn whether you may be a candidate for dental implants please contact us for an appointment.

I love working with kids and they really seem to relate to me too.

Welcome to the office of Dr. Sue Chadwick Walker, a leading dental care practice in Milwaukie, Oregon. We understand the importance of good dental hygiene and oral care and are committed to providing you the best care in a fun, pleasant environment.

From common problems to gum disease, we provide an array of dental services to meet your needs all in one convenient location. Using the latest technology, our experienced staff works together as a team to give you exceptional quality treatment from the time you walk in for your initial visit.

We thank you for your interest in our services and the trust you have placed in us. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Now a few years and many patients later I can honestly say that choosing dentistry as a career has been one of the best decisions I ever made. I truly enjoy the little details of clinical dental work. I am fascinated by the science involved in dentistry.

It is very satisfying to be able to fix things and feel like you have made a difference in someone‘s life…that’s what clinical dentistry is. But the best part of my job is getting to know the patients.

I have been so fortunate to associate with so many wonderful individuals. From the grandparents to the little preschoolers the interaction has enhanced my life and I have gained so much.

I am also very lucky to work with the staff here. They each have a commendable work ethic that is hard to find. They are well trained, professional and enthusiastic. We are all active in our professional organizations, study clubs and continuing education courses.

All of the employees have been here a number of years …. some longer than I have! They make the patients feel like part of a big family. Coming to work is always a positive experience.

In turn, our professional services reflect are a reflection of our work environment. I hope that everyone that comes to our practice feels taken care of and appreciated. We always encourage referrals of family and friends.

~Sue Chadwick Walker, DMD, PC

We are especially interested in making all our patients feel right at home! We put your needs first to achieve efficient and comprehensive treatment. Our staff is trained and skilled, and we strive to provide energetic and fun-loving service to each patient.

Our assistants and hygienists have EFTA and expanded duties certifications, and our office staff has years of experience in treating patients with the highest level of care. We strive to improve our skills by regularly attending continuing education courses and seminars in CPR, office safety and medical emergency training.

This dental practice provides quality dentistry for people of all ages. We offer a wide range of dental services, including preventive dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry and reconstructive dentistry. We pride ourselves on our patient-centered practice. We do everything possible to make dental visits pleasant for our patients.

We have earned the loyalty of our patients, many of whom have been with us since our inception in 1957 with Dr. Orville Boyle and continue with Dr. Sue Walker, who has continued the practice since 1995.