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!

Finding A Link Between Oral Health & Dementia?

Can Oral Health Habits Affect Your Brain?

Dental researchers have determined a relationship between oral health habits and dementia.

According to a University of California study, oral health habits may affect whether a person develops dementia later in life. Researchers measured oral health habits of residents of a Laguna Hills, CA retirement community between 1992 and 2010. They followed 5,468 adults with no previous diagnosis of dementia age and a median age of 81 and determined that participants who reported brushing their teeth less than once per day had up to a 65 percent greater risk of developing dementia than those who brushed three times daily. Read More...

At Village Plaza Dental, your Eugene, OR dentist, Dr. Damion Gilday works with patients of all ages to preserve your oral health and keep you healthy for a lifetime. We recommend visiting the dentist twice yearly for a comprehensive exam and professional cleaning to keep plaque and calculus buildup from causing gum disease. Our patients with periodontal disease may need to visit our office more often throughout the year to manage their oral health. To schedule your dental checkup, call our office at (541) 343-3822 today!

A Season of Thankfulness

As we approach Thanksgiving and live in this season of thankfulness, we want to send our thanks and appreciation to our patients and community. Without your patronage and service, we would not exist! Dr. Damion Gilday and the staff at Village Plaza Dental strive for meeting your individual needs; not seeing people in terms of their teeth, but treating the whole person and helping them on a road to longer living in a healthy way.

We also thank the military personnel that have served in the past for our country and those that are serving now, away from family and friends. Dr. Damion Gilday's military service gives him a unique perspective on what our troops endure to fulfill service to their country.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday - to you and yours!

The Staff of Village Plaza Dental