Avoiding Sugar - Have Healthy Teeth for Life!

Courtesy of Smart Practice 2003

It is well known that sugar can promote obesity, tooth decay, and a wealth of other health issues. but do we realize just how much sugar is in our food and snacks? Here at Village Plaza Dental in Eugene, OR we understand that a healthy diet is just as important as regular visits to the dentists or hygienist. Our friends at the Minnesota Dental Association have put together a campaign to teach children and families about the harmful effects of soda drinking.

Here's how you get cavities

• Sugar in pop combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid.
• Diet or "sugar-free" pop contains its own acid.
• Acid in soft drinks, whether they contain sugar or not, is the primary cause of weakening tooth enamel.
• The acid attacks your teeth. Each acid attack lasts about 20 minutes.
• The acid attack starts over again with every sip.
• Ongoing acid attacks weaken your tooth enamel.
• Bacteria in your mouth cause cavities when tooth enamel is damaged.

How to reduce decay

• Drink soft drinks in moderation.
• Don't sip for extended periods of time. Ongoing sipping prolongs sugar and acid attacks on your teeth.
• Use a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth.
• After drinking, swish your mouth out with water to dilute the sugar.

To learn more about the research Minnesota Dental Association has completed, visit their website here!

Nature's Cavity Fighter

A Lifetime of Healthy Teeth!

Dr. Damion Gilday at Village Plaza Dental in Eugene, OR joins the ADA and ODA to support water fluoridation to prevent dental disease.

Fluoride is nature's cavity fighter, occurring naturally in the earth's crust, in combination with other minerals in rocks and soil. Small amounts of fluoride occur naturally in all water sources, and varying amounts of the mineral are found in all foods and beverages. Water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the natural level of fluoride to a concentration sufficient to protect against tooth decay. Flouride minerals bind to enamel to strengthen the structure of the tooth, and this can be key for children as their teeth develop.

For more information about the work the Oregon Dental Association is doing for Portland area residents in the fight for children's health, read more here.

Children's Dental Health Month

Two Minutes - Twice A Day!

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and all across the United States, dental associations participate in Give Kids A Smile Day - a day of free dental care. Many children suffer from decayed and abscessed teeth in Oregon, as a result of poor diet, poor hygiene, and lack of access to preventive dental care.

At Village Plaza Dental, we advocate for children's health and recommend children begin dental visits at age 1, or when teeth first come in (per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines). This helps ensure that children become familiar with visiting the dentist on a regular basis, alleviating any anxiety or fear. It also creates a comforting and recognized environment for your child, should a dental emergency occur.

Although children have baby teeth (primary dentition) that will eventually exfoliate (fall out), it is highly important that those teeth remain free of decay and disease. Not only does decay cause pain and other illness, but children need their teeth as they learn to speak, and to assist in proper jaw and facial development.

To learn more about children's oral health and visit your dentist in Eugene, OR, visit our website or call us at (541) 205-9997.

What Is Gingivitis?

Brush Twice A Day, Floss Once!

Gum disease starts with gingivitis; an inflammation of the gums (gingiva). It occurs when bacteria creates plaque and the plaque develops under the gumline on the roots of the teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into the more serious periodontitis which can eventually lead to a loss of teeth.

Patients with gingivitis will have red and puffy gums, and they generally will bleed during brushing and dental exams. Many times gingivitis can be treated simply with better oral hygiene - longer and more frequent brushing and daily flossing. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis may include:

1 - Bright red or purple gums

2 - Tender or painful gums

3 - Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing

4 - Bad Breath (halitosis)

5 - Inflamed gums

6 - Gums that are receding or soft

Dr. Damion Gilday checks for symptoms of gingivitis at your regular cleaning and exams, and the hygienists at Village Plaza Dental will remove any buildup of calculus (hardened plaque) around the gumline so that gums can remain healthy. It is important to have regular dental checkups to keep dental disease and decay in check and be treated for any initial signs of disease.

To schedule your cleaning appointment and checkup, call us today at (541) 343-3822.

All About Dr. Damion Gilday

Dr. Gilday has always had a passion for helping people in need and became interested in dentistry at a young age. He attended the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, each for two years. In 1996 he graduated from Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) Dental School, and received his DMD with honors. He then went on to study full mouth reconstruction at the Pankey Institute, during which time he was in private practice until 2003.

Military Service

Dr. Gilday joined the Army Reserves in 2003 and was immediately deployed to serve his country in Iraq. In 2007 he enlisted as full-time military and became part of the first Army Special Forces stationed in SE Asia. He spent much of his time in the Philippines setting up a dental facility to treat the impoverished. Read More...

Dental Volunteering

After his military service, Dr. Damion Gilday served on several medical missions in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Belarus through HELP International. The mission of HELP International is to empower people to fight global poverty through sustainable, life-changing development programs. Learn More About HELP International

In April of 2012, Dr. Damion Gilday purchased Village Plaza Dental in Eugene, OR and works closely with his dental staff to provide exceptional care to the Eugene, OR and Springfield, OR patient community. To schedule your appointment, call us at (541) 343-3822.

5 Ways to A Beautiful Smile

Cosmetic dentistry offers many options for people who are unhappy with their smile. There are five main ways to improve your smile for a natural and beautiful effect.

1 - Composite bonding: Using tooth colored composite material, your dentist can apply this to the surface of the tooth to repair chipped, broken, discolored, or decayed teeth.

2 - Composite fillings: These fillings are tooth colored and require less tooth removal than traditional silver (amalgam) fillings. Many people choose to have their amalgam (silver) fillings replaced with composite for a more natural look.

3 - Dental Veneers: Composite or porcelain veneers are adhesively bonded to the anterior (front) of the tooth to repair chips and cracks, or to correct severe tooth discoloration. 

4 - Teeth Whitening: Our teeth often become stained from smoking, foods, and poor oral hygiene. Using specialized whitening bleach either in the office or a lower-strength product at home, lightening your teeth can take years off your smile.

5 - Smile Makeover: These involved a comprehensive assessment of your oral health and your smile goals to improve your overall appearance. During a smile makeover, several dental procedures may be required to achieve the look you want.

To schedule your Smile Makeover Consultation with Dr. Damion Gilday at our Eugene, OR dental office, call us at (541) 343-3822.

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Are You Missing Teeth?

Did you know that the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 is estimated to have three or more decayed or missing teeth? Your dental care and oral health are necessary to maintaining your overall health and wellness. Untreated dental disease in decaying teeth can lead to more serious health issues, including infection or damage to your bones and nerves. Learn More About Missing Teeth at www.MouthHealthy.org

If you are missing one or more teeth, or have teeth that need to be removed, there are many ways to restore your oral health and your beautiful smile. Dental bridges are one method of restoring missing teeth. A bridge restoration is fixed to adjacent teeth, and can be more invasive for teeth that are unrestored or are not needing to be removed. 

Dental implants are another method of restoring missing teeth, and provide a natural looking and naturally functioning tooth, and can be less invasive to adjacent teeth. To learn more about dental options for replacing missing teeth, contact our restoration specialist, Dr. Damion Gilday, at (541) 343-3822 to schedule your initial consultation.

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Implant Dentistry - Art, Experience, & Science

Implant dentistry merges art and experience with science to create naturally functioning replacement teeth. A dental implant serves as a replacement for the root or roots of a tooth. Like tooth roots, dental implants are secured in the jawbone and are not visible once placed. Implants are made of titanium, which has a special property of fusing to bone. This fusion is called “osseointegration” and is the basis of dental implant success. Dental implants have the highest success rate of any implanted surgical device. 

Dental Implants - Restoring Beauty to Your Smile

When teeth are lost, the bone that supported those roots is lost too. Placing implants stabilizes this bone, and prevents bone loss. Implants help maintain the jawbone’s shape, and supports the overal facial structure of the skeleton. Dental implants help you eat, chew, talk; all in a completely natural fashion. Read More About Dental Implants

How do you know if dental implants are right for you? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Damion Gilday, your Eugene OR dentist, to learn more about how dental implants can help restore your natural and beautiful smile. Call our office today at (541) 343-3822 and schedule your appointment!