Meet Your Dentist: Dr. Damion Gilday

Dr. Damion 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.

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.

Since its founding in 1999, HELP has grown to be a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization specializing in three core competencies: (1) public health, (2) education and (3) entrepreneurship/business projects.

In April 2012, Dr. Damion Gilday purchased Village Plaza Dental in Eugene, OR and enjoys working with his diverse patient community.

Dr. Gilday is married, with 6 children ages 7 to 17. His family can often be found golfing together, and they are avid Ducks fans. They also enjoy spending time backpacking and out on the trails.

We invite you to meet Dr. Gilday - call our office today at 541-343-3822 for your appointment!

FDA Alert: Benzocaine Products

FDA warns against using benzocaine products in children under 2

When a baby is teething, mom and dad want to help stop the pain. For this reason, gel and spray products are available that contain benzocaine, a topical anesthetic. However, the Food and Drug Administration has warned that these products should not be used for children under 2, except under the advice and supervision of a health care professional. The reason? Benzocaine has been associated with a rare but serious, and sometimes fatal, condition called methemoglobinemia.

What is methemoglobinemia? In simple terms, it’s a disorder in which the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry is greatly reduced. Although it can occur in older children and adults, children under 2 appear to be particularly at risk. That’s because since 2006, the FDA has received 29 reports of benzocaine gel-related cases of methemoglobinemia, and 15 of these have been in children under 2.

According to the FDA’s consumer update, here are some of the symptoms of methemoglobinemia:

• pale, gray, or blue colored skin, lips and nails
• shortness of breath
• fatigue
• confusion
• headache
• light-headedness
• rapid heart rate

The ADA’s Seal of Acceptance Program currently has two topical benzocaine-containing pain relief products that bear the ADA Seal, neither intended for children under 2. These products are Benzodent Dental Pain Relieving Cream by Chattem, and Professional Strength Kanka Mouth Pain Liquid by Blistex. Both products contain 20 percent benzocaine and contain the following label statements:

• For the temporary relief of pain due to minor irritations of the mouth and gums caused by dentures or orthodontic appliances or minor injury to mouth and gums. Kanka also says that it can be used to help relieve pain from canker sores.
• Children under 2 years of age: consult a dentist or physician.
• Children under 12 years of age should be supervised in the use of this product.
• Keep out of reach of children.

For more information on these and other oral care products that carry the ADA Seal, visit the ADA Seal page on MouthHealthy. Products that bear the ADA Seal have undergone a rigorous, independent, scientific review to ensure that they meet ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness.
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Information provided is from mouthhealthy.org - a site developed by the American Dental Association.

Oral Cancer Screenings: A Matter of Life and Death

Oral cancer is the largest group of those cancers which fall into the head and neck cancer category. Common names include mouth cancer, tongue cancer, tonsil cancer, and throat cancer. Approximately 40,000 people in the U.S. will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2012. Published studies show that currently less than 15% of those who visit a dentist regularly, report having had an oral cancer screening. Historically, the greatest strides in combatting most cancers have come from an increased awareness, and aggressive campaigns that focus on early detection.

It is important to realize that a visit to your dentist is no longer about a filling, a crown, or a postponable cleaning, but it is actually a matter of life and death. Dental exams, when properly done and that include a screening for oral cancer, can save lives. With advances in modern technology, dentists are now able to pinpoint the start of a potential problem much earlier in its development.

Dr. Damion Gilday and his staff at Village Plaza Dental in Eugene, OR believe strongly in the health of their patients, and recommend oral cancer screenings at your new patient appointment, and each year thereafter. Oral cancer screenings are generally completed with an ultraviolet light, or a similar device that allows the dentist to view problem areas that can't always be detected by the human eye under normal conditions.

We encourage you to make an appointment today at Village Plaza Dental in Eugene, OR for your annual dental exam and cleaning, and make sure that you are on the path to a healthy mouth for life! Contact us today at 541-343-3822.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

As the name implies, teeth whitening is the act of whiting teeth and therefore making them more attractive. Teeth whitening can be used to whiten stained, discolored, or dull teeth to improve your smile. Whitening is one of the most safe and cost effective ways to improve your smile and is relatively painless.
There are two primary methods of teeth whitening; in office and at home trays.

In office teeth whitening is ideal for people looking for immediate results or active lifestyles that don't have time for a series of at home treatments. The procedure usually takes about an hour. In office teeth whitening starts with the application of a protective gel to the gums and surrounding soft tissue for protection from light. A different gel that activates under light is applied to the teeth surfaces. An intense light is used enhance the whitening gel's effectiveness.

At home trays are generally less expensive than in office treatments and require the making a mold of the teeth to create trays. After a few days the trays will be ready for pick-up and receive instruction on proper use. The trays are taken home, filled with a bleaching gel, and worn for up to one hour at a time, up to twice a day. Bleach trays allow for gradual whitening of the teeth over several days or weeks ending in fabulous result. Bleaching may cause tooth sensitivity.

To schedule your appointment to have custom trays made for you by our Eugene, OR cosmetic dentist, call our office at 541-343-3822 or visit our website for more information.

Vitamin D - Good for Your Teeth!

You already know that good dental health depends on regular oral health practices and a healthy diet low in sugar. But did you know that vitamin D also plays a role?

Scientists and researchers for the past 100 years have noted geographical variations in dental health. A study as far back as the Civil War showed an 8% military service rejection rate in Kentucky for lost teeth compared to a 25% rate in New England.

The connection between geography and sunlight exposure was made in the 1930's when researchers found that subjects living in more sunny areas had half as many tooth decay issues as those in less sunny areas.

In a study conducted in Oregon in the 1950's, dental decay was lower on the sunny side of the state and more pronounced on the rainy side. Vitamin D from sunlight's ultraviolet rays was identified as a factor in calcium metabolism. Both the sun's rays and vitamin D induce cathelicidin, an antimicrobial polypeptide that fights oral bacteria.

Vitamin D has many health benefits in addition to reducing dental decay. If you don't spend much time outdoors or if you live somewhere without a lot of sunlight, make sure you and your family are receiving sufficient levels of this important vitamin.

If you have questions or concerns about vitamin intake, give us a call or contact your physician. We invite you to subscribe to our monthly wellness newsletter for more tips on your oral health. Dr. Damion Gilday in Eugene, OR looks forward to answering your questions and helping you achieve optimal dental health!

Rhuematoid Arthritis Linked to Periodontal Disease

At Village Plaza Dental, Dr. Damion Gilday and his staff keep on top of the latest wellness research. Recently a study was published regarding the links between rhuematoid arthritis and periodontal (gum) disease. What do the two have in common?

"The common denominator here is the inflammatory aspect of both diseases," according to President of the New Jersey Society of Periodontists Dr. Scott Zirkin. Because chronic bacterial infection is associated with periodontal disease, the system experiences an inflammatory response. The ensuing chronic inflammation not only taxes the immune system but it can destroy connective tissue and bone tissue, both teeth and joints.

So here's the good news for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. A study in the Journal of Periodontology found that people who suffer from both periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis had fewer swollen joints and stiffness when they brought their periodontal disease under control.

"The mouth/body connection is very strong and should not be underestimated by those living with arthritis or their caregivers," says Zirkin. We would like to take that one step further and tell you that the mouth/body connection should not be underestimated by any of our patients because there are many body-related complications associated with periodontal disease, not just rheumatoid arthritis.

To read more and receive monthly wellness news, visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter.

Why Dental Implants for Missing Teeth?

Dental implants are the closest dental restoration to your original teeth. They are natural-looking and provide the functionality of a normal tooth. Dental Implants require the same maintenance as a normal tooth; brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups. Dental implants can replace missing or severely damaged teeth and can be used to secure restorations like dentures and dental bridges. Patients with dental implants often have greater satisfaction and results than other types of dental restorations.
Dental implants have two primary parts, a small titanium post and a crown. The small titanium post is first implanted into the jawbone. Titanium is used because of its unique compatibility with human tissue.

Unlike other metals, the jawbone will grow naturally around the titanium post and secure it in place. After the post is secure the dental crown or other dental fixture is attached to the post. The titanium post acts similarly to a natural tooth root and the crown provides a natural looking tooth and biting surface. Dental implants can replace a single tooth or many teeth, regardless of whether the tooth loss was caused by disease or injury.

For information on dental implants and to learn whether they are the right restoration option for you, call our Eugene, OR dental implant dentist at 541-343-3822 today or visit our website.