When should you call Bridgeview Dental?

If you're facing a dental emergency this summer, Drs. Parks and Briles want you to please give us a call immediately or let us know on our Facebook page. If you need urgent treatment after hours, you can call our emergency number (please ask us for the number if you haven't already done so). We are always here to assist when your dental health is at risk. Below are tips on dealing with urgent dental situations; you may want to display this list on your refrigerator or store it near your emergency phone numbers for easy reference.

Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water and inspect your teeth to be sure there is nothing caught between them. If pain continues, use a cold compress to ease the pain. Do not apply heat or any kind of aspirin or topical pain reliever directly to the affected area, as this can cause damage to the gums. Schedule an appointment immediately.

Bitten Lip or Tongue: If you've bitten your lip or tongue severely enough to cause bleeding, clean the bite gently with water and use a cold compress (a cold, wet towel or washcloth pressed firmly against the area) to reduce or avoid swelling. Give us a call to help determine how serious the bite is.

Object Caught In Teeth: If you have something caught between your teeth, use dental floss to gently remove it. Never use a metal, plastic, or sharp tool to remove a stuck object. If you are unable to remove the item with dental floss, give us a call.

Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth: If you've chipped or broken a piece off of your tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water, then use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Try to locate and save the tooth fragment that broke off. Call us immediately.

Knocked Out Tooth: If your tooth has been knocked out, find the tooth and rinse it with water (no soap), taking care to only touch the crown of the tooth (the part you can see when it's in place). If you can, place the tooth back in its socket and hold it in place with a clean towel or cloth. If you can't return the tooth to its socket, place it in a clean container with milk. In either case, call us immediately and/or head to the nearest hospital. If you act quickly, it's possible to save the tooth.

Loose Tooth: If you have a loose tooth, it should be removed to avoid being swallowed or inhaled. And, you probably guessed it: give us a call.

The truth is, you can prevent toothaches with regular brushing, flossing and visits to Bridgeview Dental. Have you been in for a visit in the past six months? If not, we invite you to call us at 503.224.9130 and set up an appointment. We hope you're having a GREAT weekend!

Ask Bridgeview Dental: Is there any difference between a dentist and a cosmetic dentist?

Our staff at Bridgeview Dental like to tell our patients that at our office, you get two dentists for one. You get the care and attention to your good oral health that any good general dentist provides. But on top of that, you get dentists in Drs. Briles and Parks who understand the impact of a bright, beautiful smile and straight teeth.

Cosmetic dentists undergo extra training to stay on the leading edge of restorative techniques. We can whiten teeth, perform implants, add veneers and even straighten minor crooked teeth with Invisalign's clear aligners. All the while, we’re keeping an eye on your dental health. Your teeth will be in great shape, and your smile will be stunning! Our doctors focus on creating an office atmosphere where you and your family will feel welcome and relaxed. Our patients choose us because they know that they are going to receive the best dental care possible, and they trust that we will do whatever it takes to bring a smile to their faces!

Drs. Briles and Parks and our talented staff have been creating beautiful smiles in Portland for many years, and would love to build a winning smile for you as well! Give us a call at 503.224.9130 to set up an appointment.

We hope you're having a great weekend and a wonderful summer!

Bridgeview Dental present: Mr. Bean goes to the dentist

How about a little treat today? Here's a little classic dental humor for you to enjoy, from the bumbling and awkward yet affable British spy, Mr. Bean. Our staff loved it, and know you'll get a laugh out of it as well. Enjoy "Mr. Bean Goes to the Dentist”!

If you have any other video suggestions you think we should share with our patients this summer, please let us know! We're open to ideas! Happy Tuesday!!

- The Bridgeview Dental Team

Drs. Parks & Briles want to know: are you suffering from sleep disorders?

At Bridgeview Dental, we understand snoring can seriously affect quality of life - both for the person who snores and their partner. That's why we are proud to offer our patients the TAP 3 Snoreguard that is guaranteed to reduce snoring and help you and your partner get the sleep you need.

Drs. Parks and Briles will tell you snoring happens at night when your muscles relax, and have difficulty keeping the airway open. A shift in jaw position changes the shape of the airway and makes it smaller. Breathing through a narrow airway or windpipe causes vibrations that cause the loud sound of snoring. Studies have shown that the partners of people who snore don't get the sleep that they need and people who snore do not sleep as restfully as they should.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, in fact, recommends the TAP 3 Snoreguard as the first line of treatment for snoring and mild sleep disturbance. TAP 3 Snoreguards work by slightly shifting the jaw forward so that the airway remains open. Studies have shown that the TAP 3 Snoreguard eliminates snoring in over 95 percent of patients making the TAP 3 a Snoreguard a highly effective solution for snoring.

We encourage you to give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation at our convenient downtown Portland office to find out how the TAP 3 Snoreguard could benefit you! We hope you're enjoying a safe and relaxing Independence Day weekend!