Wednesday 26 April 2017

Top Dental Symptoms: Jaw Pain or Popping/Clicking in the Jaw

Many things can cause these symptoms, which can make it difficult to diagnose. Possible causes include sinus problems, toothache, arthritis, injury, teeth grinding, gingivitis or problems with your jaw like TMJ. Your dentist will conduct a thorough exam, which may include X-rays, to determine the source of the pain.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Monday 24 April 2017

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month


April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month
Oral cancer can be fatal. But if detected early, it has a fantastic cure rate.
Get your painless oral cancer screening today! Ask your dentist for an oral cancer screening.
It could save your life! 


Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Saturday 22 April 2017

Mouth-Healthy Eating

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was Reviewed by the Faculty of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

If you want to prevent cavities, how often you eat can be just as important as what you eat. That's because food affects your teeth and mouth long after you swallow. Eating cookies with dinner will do less harm to your teeth than eating them as a separate snack. Of course, overall poor nutrition can contribute to periodontal (gum) disease. It also can have other long-term effects on your mouth. Learning how food affects your oral health is the first step toward mouth-healthy eating.

Immediate Effects of Food

Changes begin in your mouth the minute you start to eat certain foods. Bacteria in your mouth make acids. The acids start the process that can lead to cavities.

How does this happen?
All carbohydrate foods eventually break down into simple sugars: glucose, fructose, maltose and lactose. Fermentable carbohydrates break down in the mouth. Other foods don't break down until they move further down the digestive tract.

Fermentable carbohydrates work with bacteria to form acids that begin the decay process and eventually destroy teeth. They include the obvious sugary foods, such as cookies, cakes, soft drinks and candy. But they also include less obvious foods, such as bread, crackers, bananas and breakfast cereals.

Certain bacteria on your teeth use the sugars from these foods and produce acids. The acids dissolve minerals inside the tooth enamel. The process is called demineralization. Teeth also can regain minerals. This natural process is called remineralization. Saliva helps minerals to build back up in teeth. So do fluoride and some foods.

Dental decay begins inside the tooth enamel when minerals are being lost faster than they are being regained.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

The remainder of the article details the following:
  • more information on the Immediate Effects of food
  • information on the Long-Term Effects of food
  • information on What to Eat

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Wednesday 19 April 2017

Top Dental Symptoms: Cracked or Broken Teeth

A cracked or broken tooth can happen for a variety of reasons- brittle teeth, teeth grinding, injury. The crack may be invisible to the naked eye and even X-ray, but they can be incredibly painful and create bigger problems if left untreated. If you experience pain when chewing see your dentist. They can diagnose the cause and develop a plan for treatment.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Monday 17 April 2017

Your Dentist and Hygienist are your First Line of Defense


Your Dentist and Hygienist are your First Line of Defense
Who else ever examines the inside of your mouth this closely?
Oral cancer can be fatal. But if detected early the cure rate is astounding.
Ask your dentist for a painless oral cancer screening today.
It could save your life.


Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Saturday 15 April 2017

Nutrition Tips: How to Eat Healthy

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Yolanda Eddis

Healthy eating is essential for your overall health. Choosing foods and beverages that provide the right amount of energy and nutrients goes a long way toward maintaining not only a healthy body, but also a healthy mouth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer numerous nutrition resources, such as sample recipes, menus and educational tools that will guide you in picking out the right foods and drinks to consume. By knowing how to eat healthy, you can improve your physical and oral health, prevent disease and promote healthy growth and development for children and adolescents.

What Is a Nutritious Diet?

Eating a nutritious diet has many benefits. A well-balanced diet should include foods from the basic food groups and subgroups along with the right oils. Nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals are a staple of healthy diets, but it's also important to avoid eating too many or too few nutrients.

In an effort to assist consumers to learn how to eat healthy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture developed the MyPlate website. MyPlate illustrates the five food groups, which include fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy, and provides several examples of each. Oils that come from different plants and fish are also recommended although they don't constitute a food group of their own. The selection of foods from these groups can be fresh, canned, frozen or dried. The site also recommends different ways to balance your caloric intake by increasing nutrients and decreasing the consumption of sugar and sodium in meals and snacks.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

The remainder of the article details the following:

  • How to Select Healthy Beverages
  • Healthy Habits after Eating and Drinking
  • Healthy Eating Tips
  • Diet and Dental Health


Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Friday 14 April 2017

Good Food for Dental Health: Fruits & Veggies

Fruits and Veggies Pack an Extra Punch
Fruits and veggies are an important part of any balanced diet, and they are also good for your teeth. Since they are high in water and fiber, they help to balance the sugars they contain and help to clean your teeth. Chewing also helps to stimulate saliva production, which washes harmful acids and food particles away from your teeth. 

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

How Tooth Whitening Works

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about teeth whitening in their video on 'How Tooth Whitening Works.'


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Wednesday 12 April 2017

Wine Tasters, Beware

Wine tasters may be at high risk for enamel stain and erosion.

Why? Sipping wine many times a day -- and swishing it in the mouth -- increases the enamel's exposure to damaging acids.

That is why it's better to drink a glass of wine, soda, or sweet tea with a meal instead of sipping it over several hours.

Above article from: Webmd.com/oral-health

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Monday 10 April 2017

Oral Cancer Screening


Oral cancer is a killer. Thousands die from it every year.
Don’t be one of them.
Ask your dentist for a painless oral cancer screening today!
It could save your life.


Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Saturday 8 April 2017

Diet, Food Choices and Healthy Gums

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by the ADA 

Can food or drink choices help a person have healthier gums?

Japanese researchers studied a group of nearly 950 adults to determine whether consuming dairy products with lactic acid like milk, yogurt and cheese, had a lower risk for gum disease.

Participants' periodontal health was evaluated through two measurements - periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss of gum tissue. Researchers found that participants who consumed 55 grams or more each day of yogurt or lactic acid drinks had significantly lower instance of periodontal disease. They found that consuming milk or cheese was not as beneficial to periodontal health.

Researchers theorize that the probiotic effect of Lactobacillus bacteria could be related to healthier gums. Another Japanese study showed that adults who drank green tea might also lead to healthier gums, because its antioxidants have anti - inflammatory properties.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Friday 7 April 2017

Pregnancy and Newborn Oral Health

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about 'Pregnancy and Newborn Oral Health.'


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Wednesday 5 April 2017

Your Mouth Is Not a Bottle Opener!

Your mother was right: Never open bottles, packages, or other containers with your teeth. You might permanently chip or crack the enamel.

Gnawing on anything else -- like pens or fingernails -- or chomping down on seeds, popcorn kernels, or ice could have the same result.

Above article from: Webmd.com/oral-health

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Monday 3 April 2017

Foods That Stain Your Teeth: Tea and Your Teeth

Although tea has a reputation as a healthy beverage, it may not be the best choice when it comes to keeping your teeth white. Dentists say tea -- especially the basic black variety -- can cause more stains than coffee. However, recent studies have found that even herbal teas and white teas have the potential to erode enamel and cause tooth staining.

Above article from: Webmd.com/oral-health

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com