A Denturist’s View of Tobacco Use

You have all heard it and it’s basically common knowledge… Smoking and tobacco use is not good for your health. That said, you might not have heard about what it can do to your oral health! Today your denturist in Portland OR wants to show you the effects of smoking on your dentures and people with dental implants as well.

second hand smokeBack fifty years ago, people were not so aware of the risks and health issues associated with smoking or the connection between cigarettes and lung cancer.  And over time, we have seen study after study showing consistent findings showing links to mouth cancer, gum disease, and tooth decay. It is also important to note that smoking cigarettes and the use of other tobacco products can actually cause negative effects to where the soft tissue connects the bone to the teeth and impacts the function of the oral cells and tissues.

With the knowledge that tobacco use can drastically damage your denture (or dental implant) experience, it is more important than ever to stop smoking if you can.

Here are just a few things to know:

  • Your dental implant failure risk increases if you use tobacco. Many medical professionals will recommend quitting smoking if you’re considering having dental implants.
  • If you smoke, you are at greater risk of infection when having dental implants fitted.
  • Smoking can damage the success rate of dental surgery.
  • Your healing time is extended after surgery for those who smoke. This is because nicotine constricts your arteries and reduces the blood flow to your gums.
  • Bone loss that comes with losing your teeth is often accelerated in smokers, which can cause your face to shrink and other harmful side effects.

Risks of Second-Hand Smoke

Smoking and damage to oral healthThere are many things that can be harmful to your oral health, and tobacco use is definitely on the list for both adults and children. Second-hand smoke causes more harm than you might realize, for yourself and for those around you! All the more reason to quit smoking.

Second-hand smoking (or passive smoking) is dangerous to everyone, children included, leading to respiratory problems and other health complications. What you might not realize is that it can actually cause the formation of cavities in children’s teeth.

We hope that this information has helped you realize the harmful effects of smoking and has shed some light on how serious these issues can be. You may not always be able to see or feel the damage it does, but it’s there.

To learn more about oral health or have questions about your dentures in Portland OR, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Ten Tips to Help You Adjust to Your New Dentures

If you are new to wearing dentures and are concerned that you aren’t completely adjusted to wearing them immediately… You aren’t alone.

In general, it can actually take around 30 days to get used to wearing them.

It might be difficult to be patient during this time, but your denturist in Portland Oregon suggests relaxing and allowing yourself to get used to them before worrying. As you adjust, you will be learning to eat and speak again, which can definitely be a challenge.

As uncomfortable as it might be, you should probably expect some soreness at first. This is especially true if you have had some tooth extractions. These procedures inflame your gums and need time to heal.

Eating soft foods and rinsing with warm salt water will help reduce your pain and allow your mouth a chance to get used to the new situation.

Below you will find 10 denture scenarios, and some suggestions to help you overcome and adjust to them.

portland oregon denturist

1. Patience. Learning to wear a denture takes time, and your mouth needs to heal and adjust. It’s important to follow your denturist’s advice and not become discouraged because everyone who gets new dentures experiences this.

 
2. Lowers. If you have a complete lower denture, you should know that it usually takes far longer to master than a complete upper one. Remember to take your time and try not to worry when your tongue feels strange or restricted. It will soon accustom itself to the new position. Practice makes perfect!

 
3. Chewing. Eating only soft foods for the first few days is important to allow your mouth to heal. Over time you can add more solid foods into the mix, and as you do try to chew slowly and evenly so that you grow accustomed to managing your denture and to the pressure on the gums when chewing and biting. Give yourself more time for meals, because the longer you take, the quicker you will master your new denture.

 
4. Biting. In the beginning, don’t take large bites. Cut all foods into small portions and take much smaller bites than you normally would. If and when your gum ridges are firm enough to try foods that are bitten off (bread, corn on the cob, maybe even apples), press the food back against the upper teeth when biting to stabilize the denture.

 
5. Sore Spots. If you are experiencing pain and/or discomfort spots on your gums, visit your denturist for an adjustment.

 
6. Speech. If you notice that your dentures are causing you to slur your words or make speech seem more difficult, it is always a good idea to practice reading aloud or speaking before a mirror.

 
7. Cleaning. Your denture should be cleaned every morning with a denture safe cleanser or soap. This will help you make sure that it isn’t harboring bacteria or plaque that could cause damage to your gums. Cleaning will also ensure that your denture stays beautiful and comfortable for as long as possible.

 
8. Wear and Care. Try not to remove your denture, unless you need to clean or rinse it. Your denture may warp if it is left out to dry for an extended period of time. When you remove it for the night, keep it in water.

 
9. Tissue Change. It is important to remember that your gum tissues change, but your denture does not. Visit your denturist on a regular basis for a complete denture checkup to make sure that your denture is functioning properly.

 
10. Adjustments. This one is important! Never attempt to repair, reline, or adjust your denture by yourself in any way. This is a task that must be left to your denturist.

 

Enjoy soft foods while you adjust to your new denturesThe above tips are important to ensuring that you can be successful in wearing your new dentures! They might be uncomfortable, strange, and sore at first, but getting new dentures should be seen as an exciting new step in your life. These dentures are meant to give you confidence, beauty, and function… So if you are stressed out with the adjustment process, just remember that it’s only temporary.

After just a bit of time, you will be LOVING your new mouth and these first 30 days will be a distant memory!

At Classic Denture Center, we are dedicated to helping you achieve that goal.

Your denturist in Portland Oregon, Tanya Poleon, can ease your mind and answer any questions you might have. We’ll gladly provide you with extra tips to help you adjust to your new smile. Contact us today!

9 Reasons to Take Advantage of Our Free Denture Consultations

You might be wondering if you are ready to take the plunge into a full set of dentures. Even investing in partial dentures or implants can be a big decision that will definitely affect your life.

dentures portland oregon

At Classic Denture Center, your Portland OR Denturist Tanya Poleon doesn’t want you to have to live a life of discomfort, pain, or low self-confidence while you make the decision that dentures are your next step. She understands the importance of this choice, which is why she offers free in-office consultations for anyone who may be considering new dentures, or for those who are struggling with the functionality or comfort of their current ones.

Tanya Poleon was a licensed dentist and oral surgeon for over 20 years before making the switch into dentures over 8 years ago. She made this change because of her strong belief that making the switch to dentures at precisely the right time is a major component of oral health.

Common symptoms that might suggest it is time for an oral change include:  

  • You are getting regular headaches
  • You are having trouble eating hard or chewy foods
  • Shoulder, neck, and back pain from tooth misalignment
  • You are experiencing tooth pain
  • You have recurring facial pain
  • You are self-conscious about smiling
  • You are experiencing chronic tooth decay
  • Your teeth are loose, shifting, or the gaps between your teeth are wider
  • You have red or swollen gums

Your denturist’s experience in the dentistry and surgical fields gave her the experience of witnessing how the mouth wears over time first-hand. This unique experience is exactly why you can fully trust that you will be treated with honesty and dignity during your no-cost evaluation, and leave with new knowledge about your oral health.

Whether now is the right time to make some important dental changes or not, you can be sure that your denturist in Portland OR will help you devise a plan for your mouth that will get you on the path towards optimal health. Dentures may be the solution or maybe some proper care and maintenance can restore your mouth to its original luster.

At Classic Denture Center, we do not just provide our clients with dentures, we offer a variety of services that could improve your smile. These services include:

  • Dentures
  • Partials
  • Relines
  • Same Day Denture Adjustments & Repairs
  • Immediate Dentures
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Private Consultations & Oral Exams
  • Denture Rebases
  • Ultrasonic Denture Cleaning
  • Dentures Over Implants

Denturist Tanya Poleon understands that your oral health depends on overall optimal health. This is why she dedicates herself to making sure that dentures are the number one best choice for you.

Her classic values for you include:

  • To feel well
  • To eat and chew properly
  • To look and feel beautiful

Encompassing these values, Tanya Poleon will help you make this important decision. She feels that the best way to respect your health goals is to provide you with the personalized, confidential, and honest care that you deserve.

So if you are ready to find out if dentures are the right choice for you right now, do not hesitate to contact your trusted and experienced Denturist in Portland OR today. A bright and white smile is just a phone call away!

Paying for Your Dentures Made Easy at Classic Denture Center

When you first start considering investing in your smile through dentures, the thought might be incredibly daunting. Even once you determine that they are the right choice for you, the cost can loom over you like a bad dream. At Classic Denture Center, we want to make getting dentures in Portland OR a peaceful and rejuvenating experience.

poleon dentures | dentures portland oregonIt is our mission to give you back your life, to give you back your favorite foods, and most importantly to give you back your confidence. For this reason, we make every effort to keep our costs low and quality of service high.

When you step through the doorway into our clinic, you will meet our experienced and knowledgeable denturist Tanya Poleon. She will examine your mouth and talk with you about all of your dental options. Throughout this process, she will not try to sell you on something more expensive or more extreme than you actually need, her main concern will be getting you back to a place where your mouth functions and looks just the way you want it to.

Once you have agreed on a treatment plan that is right for you, it will be time to determine the best way to pay for your shiny new dentures or dental implants.

When determining the cost of our services, it is our goal to provide you our best possible estimate on price. In some cases, clinical issues specific to your case might cause the cost to fluctuate. In such cases, we will consult with you prior to providing the additional services.

When it comes to payment of services, our clients are as unique as the services they require. Below are a few of the payment options you can choose from for your new dentures:

  • Dental Insurance: United Health Care, MODA, or Providence ElderPlace 
  • Oregon Health Plan/Medicaid
  • Payment from Third-Party Care Providers
  • Out of Pocket Payment
  • Combination of any of the above

We understand that 20%-30% of our clients intend to pay for denture services with cash up front, out of pocket. That said, we are more than happy to work with you to determine the best payment arrangement for you.

Here are just a few of our private payment options: 

  • Deposit up front and finalize when done
  • Pay in full up front
  • Put down a deposit and make monthly payments
  • Pay with a credit card

When determining which of our services will work best for your smile, we also offer mobile denture services. This option does tend to cost a little more, but not much. This personalized service allows you to receive denture care in your group home or assisted living community, without the inconvenience of having to come into the office.

Your denturist Tanya Poleon works hard to keep her prices very competitive because she knows that you have many other ways to spend your money. She is dedicated to your ability to enjoy life to the fullest, which is why at Classic Denture Center a full set of dentures will generally only cost around $1800. This is much lower than other denture clinics in the area.

So if you are ready to make the plunge into a bright new smile through dentures in Portland OR, contact Classic Denture Center today!  We can provide you exceptional service at a price you can be happy about.

How to Save Time with Mobile Denture Services

At Classic Denture Center, we understand how important proper dental care is to your overall health. The way we look at it is that your mouth is the door to the rest of your body. Diseases that occur here, such as oral infections, can lead to much more serious and even life-threatening issues.

mobile denturist portland oregon | Poleon dentures Thankfully, your mobile denturist in Portland OR has both the experience and skills that are necessary to provide the quality oral care that you or your loved one needs in order to achieve a high quality of life. For this reason, we offer mobile denture services for our clients who reside in nursing homes, as well as those who live in adult foster care centers. It is our mission to help change their lives through consistent, prompt, skillful, and compassionate care.

How does mobile dental service work?

Your denturist Tanya Poleon, LD is willing to help all of her denture clients, including those who are unable to come into the clinic. You might not realize it, but we can actually bring a full range of denture services right to you! We bring the tools with us, from the necessary equipment needed for the procedure to our experienced and knowledgeable team.

How do I get mobile denture services?

Now that you know about this amazing service, are you wondering how to get this mobile treatment? In order to obtain a referral to our mobile denture services, please contact Exceptional Needs Dental Services at endsor.com right away. Once you have a referral, you or your loved one can call our office to request an appointment. We will then ask you for some information and have you fill out some paperwork. If you currently live in a senior care center or in an adult foster care center, our team will reach out to you or your representative to walk you through the process.

Denture care is easier than ever with Classic Denture Center! You can avoid the trip to our office and skip taking an entire day off to see your denturist because she will come to you. This service will help you achieve all of your oral goals in a cost-effective and timely manner.

If you are in need of denture service, but leaving your residence to get it ranges from difficult to impossible, your mobile denturist in Portland OR is here to help. Delaying care can lead to painful and costly repercussions, which can be avoided with denture services. Contact Classic Denture Center today to schedule your appointment and get ready to be spoiled with care directly from your home.