Dentist in Hillsboro Highlights Signs of Oral Cancer
April 25, 2018
To prevent against tooth decay and gum disease, you maintain your oral hygiene habits at home and visit your dentist in Hillsboro twice a year, but did you know that there may be another threat lingering in your mouth? Over 49,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. Unfortunately, those who develop it have a little over a 50% 5-year survival rate. All too often, the cancer goes undetected and undiagnosed until it has reached the advanced stages or metastasized to other areas of your body. To help promote early detection, it is best to learn your risk factors for oral cancer and to undergo a regular screening.
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Straighten Your Teeth without Metal Wires: Clear Braces in Hillsboro, OR
April 17, 2015
Everyone wants straight, healthy teeth and a confident smile that they’re proud to share with the world. Unfortunately, not all of us are lucky enough to have perfectly straight teeth, and metal braces don’t fit everyone’s lifestyle. If you are one of the millions of teens and adults who longs for a more balanced smile without metal brackets and wires, The Dentists at Orenco Station want to help. Our Hillsboro, OR dental office happily offers an alternative to traditional orthodontics: ClearCorrect clear braces.
Benefits of ClearCorrect Clear Aligners
One of the most obvious benefits of ClearCorrect clear braces is their aesthetic value. For image-conscious adolescents and sophisticated professionals, the thought of wearing conspicuous metal braces just isn’t appealing. With clear plastic aligners, no one has to know that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment except for you and your dentist.
In addition to their cosmetic advantages, clear braces are vastly more comfortable than traditional braces. You won’t have to worry about a broken wire or bracket poking your lip or cheek lining. Instead, enjoy the smooth contours of your custom aligners.
Because your ClearCorrect clear braces are easy to remove, there are no dietary restrictions associated with treatment. Continue to enjoy your favorite foods throughout the duration of your treatment. Your teeth are also much easier to clean with clear aligners than they are with metal braces. Simply brush and floss as you normally would and replace your aligners when you’re finished.
Am I Candidate for Clear Braces?
A consultation with our experienced, highly trained team will determine your candidacy for ClearCorrect clear braces and any of our other cosmetic dentistry services. Simply give us a call today to schedule your visit with Drs. Brandon and Malinda Kearbey, your trusted Dentists at Orenco Station in Hillsboro, OR. We genuinely look forward to helping you achieve the gorgeous, healthier smile you’ve always wanted without any metal brackets or wires. Our state-of-the-art dental practice warmly welcomes teens and adults to explore their options with ClearCorrect invisible braces. We proudly serve families from throughout Hillsboro and the surrounding areas, including Forest Grove, Beaverton, Cornelius, Rock Creek, and beyond.
Could Your Headache and Neck Pain Be Caused By a TMJ Disorder?
December 17, 2014
Do you often have unexplained head pain and jaw stiffness? You could be suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Millions of people suffer from the headaches, neck pain, and joint and muscle soreness of TMJ disorder without knowing it. Untreated TMJ disorder can make it difficult to eat or even speak. If you suspect that you may have developed a TMJ disorder, make an appointment with Drs. Brandon and Malinda Kearbey for a TMJ disorder evaluation and treatment plan today. They can determine if your pain and discomfort stem from a TMJ disorder. The Dentists at Orenco Station proudly serve patients of all ages throughout Hillsboro, OR, Forest Grove, Beaverton, Cornelius, Rock Creek, and nearby communities.
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder is a group of degenerative conditions involving the temporomandibular joint and its surrounding muscles. This area is responsible for the jaw movement necessary to talk and eat. The joint slides and rotates just in front of your ear, connecting the temporal bone (side of the skull) with the mandible (lower jaw). TMJ disorder can fall into one of three categories:
- Myofascial pain: discomfort or pain in the muscles of the jaw, neck, and shoulders
- Injury: resulting from a dislocated jaw or displaced disc
- Degenerative joint disease: rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis in the jaw joint
What are the Signs of TMJ Disorder?
- Jaw pain or soreness that is specific to a certain time of day
- Jaw pain when you chew or yawn
- Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth
- Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
- Locked or stiff jaw
- Sensitive teeth in the absence of infection or gum disease
- An earache without an ear infection
Who’s at Risk for Developing TMJ Disorder?
No one knows the exact cause of TMJ disorder. However, TMJ disorder does affect twice as many women as men. Trauma to the jaw or jaw joint can sometimes play a role in development of the disorder, but in most cases the cause of the disorder is unknown. However, stressful situations can aggravate the symptoms. The discomfort you experience is caused by the overuse of the jaw joint muscles, especially if you clench or grind your teeth (bruxism). These excessive habits can tire the jaw muscles and lead to the associated pain and discomfort in the head and neck.
TMJ Disorder Evaluations in Hillsboro, OR
The Dentists at Orenco Station can evaluate and treat you for TMJ disorder. Many patients have been able to eliminate and even reverse their TMJ disorder with non-invasive oral appliance therapy. You can make an appointment with Drs. Brandon and Malinda Kearbey for immediate TMJ symptom relief with a custom oral appliance today. Drs. Brandon and Malinda Kearbey are highly qualified general and restorative dentists. The Dentists at Orenco Station proudly serve families throughout Hillsboro, OR, Forest Grove, Beaverton, Cornelius, Rock Creek, and the surrounding areas.
The Hidden Dangers of Gum Disease
November 17, 2014
Have you ever discovered that your gums we’re sore or bleeding after brushing your teeth or eating? You may think that it resulted from brushing too hard or getting food stuck between your teeth, but it could be a sign of advanced gum disease. If left untreated, the gum disease Gingivitis can advance into full blown Periodontitis. Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Don’t let gum disease rob you of your healthy smile. The easiest way to stop gum disease in its tracks is to visit a dentist for a check-up and cleaning. If caught early enough, gum disease treatment can actually be reversed. Make an appointment with Drs. Brandon and Malinda Kearbey at Orenco Station Dental today. They want to help you save your healthy teeth. The Dentists at Orenco Station proudly serve families throughout Hillsboro, OR, Forest Grove, Beaverton, Cornelius, Rock Creek and surrounding areas.
Signs of Gum Disease
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Mouth pain
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus or mucus between gums and teeth
- Mouth sores
- Halitosis
- A change in your bite
- Dentures or partials no longer fit
Gum Disease Prevention and Treatment in Hillsboro, OR
Remember that gum disease is serious but treatable. No matter how well we take care of our teeth at home, there is no substitution for a regular dental check-up and professional cleaning. The dentist can find and remove plaque and tarter that you just can’t see at home. A small investment of time for a regular dental check up can save you the time and money needed for restorative dental procedures to save your teeth from advanced gum disease. Don’t delay; make an appointment with Drs. Brandon and Malinda Kearbey at Orenco Station Dental. The Dentists at Orenco Station restore smiles daily throughout Hillsboro, OR, Forest Grove, Beaverton, Cornelius, Rock Creek and nearby communities.
Improve Your Entire Family’s Smile In 2014 with Family Dental Care
January 29, 2014
A common question for any dentist is: How often should I come in for checkups and cleanings? The answer might surprise you. While you only need to see your primary care doctor once a year, it’s a good idea to see your dentist twice a year. Why so often? Because common oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease can develop quickly and easily. And it doesn’t matter how old the patient is—children are just as susceptible to these conditions as adults.
That’s why Dr. Brandon Kearbey and Dr. Malinda Kearbey are proud to put family dental care at the center of what they do. With a checkup and cleaning twice a year, our friendly, experienced Hillsboro team will help you and your little ones watch for signs of decay, gum disease, TMJ dysfunction, and even oral cancer. We can also remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar above and below the gum line with a professional cleaning.
What’s more, our helpful Hillsboro dental team can also talk to you about taking care of your smile at home. Regular brushing and flossing are important; they can do a lot to protect your teeth from gum disease and tooth decay in between visits, though even the best homecare routine isn’t a substitute for a professional cleaning.
And what if we find something during your visit with us? Dr. Brandon Kearbey and Dr. Malinda Kearbey are happy to put together a customized plan to help you. We offer a great range of today’s best general, cosmetic, and restorative services.
Do you need to schedule your first appointment for yourself or your child? Call The Dentists at Orenco Station today for an appointment. Dr. Brandon Kearbey and Dr. Malinda Kearbey serve families from Forest Grove, Beaverton, Cornelius, and Rock Creek.
Trade Sugar for Xylitol This Holiday Season
October 28, 2013
On Thursday, Halloween will come and go, signaling the start of the holiday season. From now until the stroke of midnight on December 31, 2013, homes and offices will be awash in holiday treats.
At The Dentists at Orenco Station, we want you to enjoy everything the holidays have to offer, but we also want you to enjoy good oral and overall health. To help with that, we recommend that our Hillsboro patients trade conventional sugar for xylitol.
What Is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from the fibers of plants and can be substituted with sugar for baking at a ratio of 1:1. But the key thing to note here is how differently it responds to the bacteria in the mouth. Sugar responds to bacteria by creating acid, which damages teeth and creates cavities. That’s not the case with xylitol, which creates a neutral environment safe for teeth instead.
Because of how different the response is, why not consider making a switch? You can use xylitol for baking, but you can also find candies that have been sweetened with it. To find candies sweetened with xylitol, explore sites like Dr. John’s Candies and Ice Chips. You can also find xylitol products at your nearest health food store.
Do you have questions for Dr. Brandon Kearbey and Dr. Malinda Kearbey? Call us today to ask, or to schedule your next appointment. Our office is located in Hillsboro and serves patients from Forest Grove, Beaverton, Cornelius, and Rock Creek.
What Is Family Dentistry?
January 31, 2013
When you talk about family dentistry, you’re talking about two things. On the one hand, you’re talking about a group of services that includes checkups, cleanings, and more. But you’re also talking about more than that. Dentists like Dr. Brandon and Malinda Kearbey are concerned about meeting the needs of busy families. With everything that you have to worry about, finding a dental office that can help your whole family shouldn’t be one of them.
Every family dental visit at our Hillsboro dental office includes a comprehensive oral exam. We’ll take an X-ray of your teeth, check for signs of gum disease or tooth decay, and even perform an oral cancer screening. Following your exam, a professional cleaning will help us remove tartar from your gum line, and eliminate plaque and bacteria.
If we find anything during your or your child’s appointment that needs to be treated, Dr. Kearbey will propose a custom-made treatment plan. We can also answer any questions you might have about brushing and flossing at home. Regular visits for your family are important, but caring for your teeth in between visits is just as important. We would be happy to offer you and your children homecare tips while you’re with us.
Are you ready to schedule a checkup for yourself or your little one? Call The Dentists at Orenco Station today for your appointment. Dr. Brandon and Malinda Kearbey are proud to serve patients from Hillsboro, Forrest Grove, Beaverton, Cornelius, and Rock Creek.