Like the commercial says “There’s an app for that…” and we’ve found some apps to smile about. Usually you don’t think of smartphones and smiles – unless you are using your phone to take a photo of a smile…

While the apps discussed here are available for iPhones there are similar apps available for other Android and Google phones.

You know that you are supposed to brush  for two minutes every morning and at night – but do you time it? There are apps that will time you while you brush your teeth – using songs from your own playlist (Brush DJ). There are apps about flossing. The Philips Zoom virtual whitening app lets you to take a picture of your smile and shows how you would look with whiter teeth and then share the photo on Facebook or Twitter. These are both free apps and the Brush DJ would be really good for kids. Give us a call about your whitening appointment!

Dental Care HD is not free, but at 99 cents it gives tutorials on brushing, flossing, contains sections about dental problems and even gives nutritional information for optimal oral health. Sounds like it could be worth the money!

Rothfus Family Dental is happy to be a part of the Medford, OR community and we invite you to “Like” us on facebook. Please contact us today at 541-858-7994 to schedule your next visit.

What do you think about a filling that actually regenerates tooth structure? A cavity in your tooth happens when the mineral content of the tooth has been dissolved. The oral bacteria living in the plaque on your tooth surface secrete acids which eat away at the tooth.  Even when a dentist removes the decay from the tooth there are still some bacteria left behind. A new filling material may change that.

Scientists at the University of Maryland are working on a new material that may change filling cavities in the future. The new fillings are designed with special antibacterial agents that kill harmful bacteria remaining in the tooth and regenerate tooth structure lost to decay. This new dental filling at the University of Maryland is still in the research stage and will be a huge leap in caring for dental decay.

Dental fillings have come a long way since the  mercury based silver amalgam of yesteryear. The tooth colored composite fillings we use today not only look nicer but are far superior to those old silver fillings. Composite filling materials avoid mercury exposure for both dentist and patient, they are long lasting and don’t expand and contract when exposed to hot or cold substances like old style fillings did. This expansion and contraction often led to cracked fillings or even broken teeth.

Prevention is the key to a healthy smile but cavities can happen. When they do remember to contact Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, OR at 541-858-7994 to schedule your appointment.

Yesterday the New York Times reported on the increasing number of preschool aged children developing cavities – lots of cavities! The story was picked up by the NBC Nightly News and is now spreading across the newswires. Hopefully this publicity will be a wake up call for everyone involved in protecting our kids teeth.

For the first time in 40 years the CDC reported an increase in cavities in kids – cavities had decreased dramatically once water was fluoridated but now people are drinking more bottled water. Other reasons for the increase include too much snacking, drinking juices and sweet beverages throughout the day,  poor dental hygiene care at home and never visiting the dentist.

The Times article stated that an increasing number of children are presenting with so many cavities and decay so severe that they require treatment under general anesthesia. Decay in over half of the 20 baby teeth is not uncommon and sadly most of this decay could be prevented. Proper home care including brushing and flossing are important. Drink tap water instead of bottled or ask your pediatrician about fluoride drops. Placing sealants on the chewing surfaces of teeth help protect against decay.

It is important to bring your child to the dentist early. This enables us to gauge their current dental health and get an idea of what their dental future may hold. Children who visit the dentist early and often also avoid developing anxiety or fear about the experience because it is part of the routine.

Please contact Rothfus Family Dental today at 541-858-7994 to schedule an appointment for your child. Conveniently located in Medford, OR we love Making Smiles Happen, Daily!

Can dental X-rays predict which patients may be at risk of breaking bones at a future date? According to a Swedish study published in the journal Nature Reviews Endocinology the answer may be yes. This research showed that sparse bone structure in the lower jaw is an indicator that a person is at greater risk for bone fractures in the future.

The study used data from the Swedish Gothenburg study of women that has been running for over 40 years. The researchers believe that although the study data was about women, the same link will apply to men. The study also showed that the older the person, the stronger the link between the sparse bone structure in the jaw and bone fractures. Hopefully this research will translate into guidelines that can be used in dental offices since more people get regular dental x-rays than seek out bone density testing or other types of x-rays. A dentist could share x-ray data with physicians to help monitor those most at risk of fracture. One more reason to keep those regular dental visits and get dental x-rays when your dentist has them scheduled.

Dental x-rays are used for more than finding hidden cavities. Dentists already use the films to check on the health of the jaw bone and to look for oral cancers so they are an important part of your dental examination. Digital x-rays (radiographs) have reduced the amount of radiation drastically. You actually receive more radiation on a cross country airplane flight that you do from your dental x-rays!

Please contact Rothfus Family Dental  in Medford, OR today at 541-858-7994 to schedule your next appointment. If you can’t remember the last time you had dental x-rays it is time to get them scheduled!

Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, Oregon is very warm and welcoming.  From the moment you walk in the entrance, you immediately get the feeling that this is not your typical dental office.

The doctors have designed the office to feel more like a warm inviting home, than a stereotypical Medford dental clinic.  This homey feeling invites your entire family in to experience dentistry in a relaxed calming environment.

Kid friendly and adult approved the team at Rothfus Family Dental are experts at family dentistry allowing your children to feel safe and at ease.  Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, OR is the place to go for general family dentistry in the Rogue Valley.

Your entire family is in good hands at Rothfus Family Dental.  We love to start seeing kids at the age of 2.  Learning to have a good experience in the dental office is crucial to the dental health of your child.  Many adults had “bad” experiences at the dentist as a child, and we want to make sure that doesn’t happen to your children.  Your child will learn good oral hygiene and will develop good habits that can last a lifetime.  Happy kids make happy teeth.

Dr.’s Karla and Randall Rothfus share the common goal of making sure everyone that comes to Rothfus Family Dental is treated with dignity and respect.  They won’t judge your dental condition and make you feel bad.  They are glad that you have made the decision to come to the dentist, and they want to make you a lifetime patient, so no matter what shape your teeth are in, they work with you to come up with a treatment plan to meet your needs.  Remember, you’re in the drivers seat, we just help you get to where you want to go.

The doctors at Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, Oregon put a special emphasis on preventive dentistry. The use of dental sealants to prevent cavities in the grooves of teeth, and fluoride treatments to strengthen and harden your teeth are both designed to protect and preserve your own natural tooth structure.  They want to see you and your children learn good oral hygiene techniques and nothing makes them happier than seeing your child make the “no cavity club”.  This is very rewarding for the child and makes parents proud of their child’s achievement.  There’s nothing like positive reinforcement to reward good behavior.

Offering a variety of dental services and seeing patients of all ages at one location is the goal of a true general dental practice.  We want to earn your business.  If you are looking for a new Medford, Oregon dentist, we are here for you. We offer the following services:

Rothfus Family Dental – Medford, Oregon

At Rothfus Family Dental, it’s our goal to provide you with the highest level of dental services and care in a safe and caring environment.  We want to be there for your entire family, whether you’re 3 or 103.

 Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, OregonProviding most aspects of dentistry in one location makes us a true Medford, Oregon general dental practice.  We also utilize the most advanced dental techniques, equipment and materials, so that the dentistry you receive will last for many years to come.

Earning your trust and treating you how we would want to be treated is the basis we want to build our dental relationship on.  We want to be your dental care provider for a lifetime, and we want to make you a raving fan of our office.  We provide Medford, Oregon family dentistry and Rogue Valley dental services.

Call us today to schedule a dental appointment.  You’ll be happy you did, because at Rothfus Family Dental, we are… “Making Smiles Happen, Daily.”  Medford, Oregon Family Dentistry – (541) 858-7994