Sip All Day - Get Decay!



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It is well known that sugar can promote obesity, tooth decay, and a wealth of other health issues. but do we realize just how much sugar is in our food and snacks? Here at South Coast Family Dentistry in Coos Bay, OR we understand that a healthy diet is just as important as regular visits to the dentists or hygienist. Our friends at the Minnesota Dental Association have put together a campaign to teach children and families about the harmful effects of soda drinking.

Here's how you get cavities

     Sugar in pop combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid.

     Diet or "sugar-free" pop contains its own acid.

     Acid in soft drinks, whether they contain sugar or not, is the primary cause of weakening tooth enamel.

     The acid attacks your teeth. Each acid attack lasts about 20 minutes.

     The acid attack starts over again with every sip.

     Ongoing acid attacks weaken your tooth enamel.

     Bacteria in your mouth cause cavities when tooth enamel is damaged.

How to reduce decay

     Drink soft drinks in moderation.

     Don't sip for extended periods of time. Ongoing sipping prolongs sugar and acid attacks on your teeth.

     Use a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth.

     After drinking, swish your mouth out with water to dilute the sugar.

To learn more about the research Minnesota Dental Association has completed, visit their website here!

Flouride - Nature's Cavity Fighter



Strong, healthy teeth for life!

Drs. Ryan Bailey and William Bacon at South Coast Family Dentistry serving Coos Bay and North Bend, OR join the ADA and ODA to support water fluoridation to prevent dental disease.

Fluoride is nature's cavity fighter, occurring naturally in the earth's crust, in combination with other minerals in rocks and soil. Small amounts of fluoride occur naturally in all water sources, and varying amounts of the mineral are found in all foods and beverages. Water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the natural level of fluoride to a concentration sufficient to protect against tooth decay. Flouride minerals bind to enamel to strengthen the structure of the tooth, and this can be key for children as their teeth develop.

For more information about the work the Oregon Dental Association is doing for Portland area residents in the fight for children's health, read more here.

Children's Dental Health Month!

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and all across the United States, dental associations participate in Give Kids A Smile Day - a day of free dental care. Many children suffer from decayed and abscessed teeth in Oregon, as a result of poor diet, poor hygiene, and lack of access to preventive dental care.

At South Coast Family Dentistry, we advocate for children's health and recommend children begin dental visits at age 1, or when teeth first come in (per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines). This helps ensure that children become familiar with visiting the dentist on a regular basis, alleviating any anxiety or fear. It also creates a comforting and recognized environment for your child, should a dental emergency occur.

Although children have baby teeth (primary dentition) that will eventually exfoliate (fall out), it is highly important that those teeth remain free of decay and disease. Not only does decay cause pain and other illness, but children need their teeth as they learn to speak, and to assist in proper jaw and facial development.

To learn more about children's oral health and visit your dentist in Coos Bay and North Bend, OR, visit our website or call us at (541) 982-2175.

5 Ways to Improve Your Smile!

Improve Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry offers many options for people who are unhappy with their smile. There are five primary ways the doctors at South Coast Family Dentistry will work with you on to improve your smile for a natural and beautiful effect.

1 - 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.

2 - 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. Learn More!

3 - 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.

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. Read More...

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 learn more about the cosmetic dental options available to you for a new and enhanced smile, please call our office at (541) 982-2175 to schedule your personalized consultation. For easy scheduling, click here to request your appointment online.

Dental Implants - Natural Function With A Natural Look

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. Read more about how dental implants work.

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.

Dental Implants -
Merging Art & Science

The dentists at South Coast Family Dentistry have extensive experience in working with patients who are missing teeth are are looking for a naturally functioning restoration for their missing tooth. Call us today at (541) 982-1275 to schedule your dental implant consultation with Dr. Bailey or Dr. Bacon. 

Want to schedule your appointment online? Use our online appointment request form!

Can Oral Health Be Linked to Dementia?

Oral Health is Your Window to A Healthy Body

According to dental researchers, there is a relationship between oral health habits and dementia. In reviewing 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. 

Oral health is a necessary part of overall wellness, and your dentists at South Coast Family Dentistry strongly recommend twice yearly visits for an exam and professional cleaning to remove plaque and tarter buildup and keep decay and disease at bay. Our patients who have been diagnosed with periodontal disease may need more frequent visits depending upon the progression of their oral disease.

Schedule your appointment today by calling us at (541) 982-2175 or click here to request your appointment online! We look forward to serving our Coos Bay and North Bend, OR area patients!

Take Years Off Your Smile!

Take Years Off Your Smile

Many whitening options exist to help a patient achieve a brighter, whiter smile. Depending on the patient's needs and dental health history, our Coos Bay dentist Dr. Bailey can suggest a procedure in the office or dispense a system that can be used at home. It is important to consult a dentist before starting any tooth whitening procedure. At South Coast Family Dentistry, we offer a variety of products in our office to achieve excellent whitening results. To learn more about how simple tooth whitening can transform your smile, contact us at (541) 982-2175 today or request more information online!