#dentalhealth

7 days ago

The Anatomy of the Human Tooth – With Your General & Restorative Dentist in Auburn, WA

Would you consider your teeth as living things? It might come as a surprise given how hard they are, but our teeth are indeed living things! Human teeth have a unique structure and four distinct types of dental tissue, all of which work together to keep teeth healthy and strong. The three parts that make up a tooth’s structure are: crown, neck and root. The four types of dental tissue are: enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp. Let’s take a closer look into the anatomy of a tooth

Jan 9

What Is Oral Biofilm; How Does it Impact Oral Health? Auburn, WA Family & General Dentist Explains

Do you know how much bacteria is in the human mouth? Estimates vary between 500 to 700 different species of bacteria, and between 6 million and 20 million microbes of bacteria in the mouth at any given time! Those billions of bacteria adhere to each other and to surfaces within the mouth – teeth, gums, inner cheeks, tongue, and form a complex, slimy, sticky substance called biofilm. Dental biofilm can actually aid oral health. Besides containing hundreds of varieties of both

Oct 31, 2022

How to Fight Sugar Cravings, With Your Auburn, Washington Family & General Dentist

People today consume an astounding amount of sugar – nearly 300% of the recommended amount! Over the past few decades, added sugars in our food and drinks have been linked to drastic spikes in the prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the U.S. Other serious health issues linked with increased sugar consumption include: heart and lung diseases, stroke, cancer, mood disorders like depression, and tooth decay. It is all too easy to default to grabbing a sugar-laden drink or snac

Sep 30, 2022

Coffee and Your Oral Health, With Restorative & General Dentist in Auburn, Washington.

Are you a daily coffee drinker? 64% of American adults are! In fact, Americans drink about 400 million cups of coffee every single day. All of that daily coffee consumption begs the question: What does drinking coffee do to our mouths? And, is coffee good or bad for oral health? The answer depends largely on how you drink your coffee. Are you a fan of americanos, frappuccinos, lattes, cappuccinos, or do you take your coffee black? Do you drink one or two cups of coffee in the

Sep 3, 2022

What is a Sinus Lift, and Why Might I Need One? Auburn, WA Implant & Restorative Dentist Explains

If you plan to get a dental implant, you might be told that you need a sinus lift surgery first. But what exactly is a sinus lift, and why is it needed? We want to provide you with all the details you need to feel informed and confident as you prepare for your sinus lift procedure. Ahead, we’ll answer frequently asked questions about sinus lift surgery. What is a Sinus Lift? A sinus lift (aka sinus augmentation) is a procedure that lifts the floor of the existing sinus membra

Aug 1, 2022

What are the 4 Main Tooth Filling Materials? Auburn, WA Family & General Dentist Explains

If you’ve ever been told you have a cavity, you know what comes next: getting a filling. There are four main types of filling materials, and every type has their own specific advantages and disadvantages. Ahead, we'll break down the differences between the filling materials, as well as the pros and cons of each! Amalgam Fillings Amalgam fillings have been used for nearly 150 years, and have been the tried and true dental filling material for nearly as long. Amalgam fillings a

Jul 5, 2022

How Does Fluoride Protect Our Teeth? Your Family & General Dentist in Auburn, WA Explains

What is Fluoride? Fluoride (pronounced “floor-eyed”) is a naturally occurring mineral found nearly everywhere on earth – in air, soil, water, and in many foods and drinks. Nicknamed “nature’s cavity protector,” fluoride significantly decreases the risk of dental cavities by strengthening tooth enamel. The Fluoride Discovery In the 1930s, scientists discovered that people who drank water with naturally occurring fluoride levels of or greater than 1 part fluoride per 1 million

Apr 29, 2022

What Can Custom Mouth Guards Do For You? Auburn, WA General & Restorative Dentist Explains

Imagine losing a front tooth due to a sports injury, or painfully cracking a tooth due to habitual teeth grinding. The trauma of the injury would be distressing enough on its own, but simple enjoyments and daily routines like eating, speaking and smiling would also be affected. In many cases, dental injury is preventable with mouth guards! Mouthguard Uses Sports & Recreation: Teeth are extremely vulnerable to damage when they are not properly protected while playing contact s

Mar 31, 2022

What are Inlays and Onlays? Learn With Your Auburn, WA Restorative and Cosmetic Dentist

You've heard of dental fillings and crowns, but have you heard of inlays and onlays? In the past, dental crowns were always the go-to solution for restoring teeth too damaged to be repaired with fillings. But today, there are intermediary options: Inlays and Onlays. What are Inlays and Onlays? Inlays and onlays (also known as indirect fillings) are strong, durable tooth restorations that are custom made to repair a tooth, and are great options for restoring teeth with medium

Feb 1, 2022

Auburn, WA, Residents Ask: What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay? Learn With Family & General Dentist

Baby teeth may be temporary, but they are incredibly important! They play a big role in a growing child’s speech, digestion, and social development, and also serve as placeholders that help guide adult teeth into their correct positions. And because they’re so important to a young child’s health and development, it is very important to prevent cavities in baby teeth. What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay? Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is called baby bottle tooth decay (also c

Dec 17, 2021

The Top 6 Popular Cosmetic Dental Treatments in Auburn, WA, Explained By Our Cosmetic Dentist

Wish you could improve your smile? Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you, and many view an attractive smile as an important social and career asset. Many of today’s cosmetic dental treatments have a restorative component along with their aesthetic purpose, and work doubly to improve your smile while also improving your oral health. Listed below are the 6 most popular cosmetic dental treatments today. Teeth Whitening Teeth Whitening is probably the most p

Oct 26, 2021

Manual vs. Electric: Which Toothbrush is Better? Learn With Auburn, WA General & Family Dentist

Do you use an electric toothbrush or a regular one? Does one type seem like it cleans your teeth better than the other? The truth is that both manual and electric toothbrushes are great at cleaning your teeth effectively, as long as they are used properly! That said, there are several pros and cons that may make one type a better choice for you over the other. Let’s take a look! Manual Toothbrush Pros: Affordable and easy to replace - Standard toothbrushes are widely availabl

Sep 28, 2021

Do You Have Tonsil Stones? Causes, Symptoms & Treatments, With Auburn, WA Family & General Dentist

Have you ever seen white-ish or yellow-ish lumps that look like they are embedded in the back of your throat? These are likely tonsil stones (also called tonsilloliths), which are hardened deposits of debris and bacteria buildup in the craggy crevices of the tonsils. Tonsil stones are fairly common, and often treatable at home. Causes of Tonsil Stones Tonsil stones form when bacteria and material like dead cells, food debris, mucus and saliva get trapped in the tonsil crypts

Aug 31, 2021

What Are the Best Sugar Substitutes? Healthy Choices With Auburn, WA General & Family Dentist

Are you trying to cut down on sugar? As dentists and health professionals, we definitely support that choice! But be aware: though many drinks and foods claim that they are “diet” and sugar-free, not all artificial sweeteners are created equal. But how do artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes affect the health of our mouth and teeth? Scientists are still learning about the health effects that various sugar substitutes have on the human body, but we do know that artifici

Jul 23, 2021

What Makes Foods More Likely to Cause Cavities? Your Auburn, WA Family & General Dentist Explains

cariogenic car·i·o·gen·ic | \ ˌker-ē-ə-ˈje-nik , -ˈjē- \ adjective producing or promoting the development of tooth decay1 Did you know that some foods are more likely to cause cavities than other foods? If a certain type of food is highly cariogenic, it has a high potential for producing or promoting tooth decay (aka caries, aka cavities). What Influences Cariogenicity? Here are the biggest factors: How long a food is kept in the mouth The physical form of the food (liqu

Feb 23, 2021

Auburn, WA Family & General Dentist Says: Choose Water (Nature’s Drink) for You & Your Children!

Each year throughout National Children’s Dental Health Month in February, the American Dental Association brings together dental health professionals, caregivers, parents, and teachers to give children the best start on oral health. This year’s NCDHM theme is “Water: Nature’s Drink.” Let’s explore how and why water is so important for good dental health! What Water Does for Your Smile Strengthens Your Teeth - Drinking water with fluoride is one of the easiest things you can d

Jan 26, 2021

The Top 7 Worst Foods For Your Teeth; Listed By Your Auburn, WA General & Family Dentist

As the saying goes, “you are what you eat” - and there’s no better place to see this than in your mouth! Many of the foods and drinks that we consume actively encourage the growth of bacteria-laden plaque in our mouths, which is a main factor in the development of cavities (aka tooth decay). And if you don’t clean your teeth properly, plaque eventually hardens into tartar, which contributes to gum disease and can only be removed with special tools by a dentist or hygienist. L

Dec 29, 2020

New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthier, Happier Mouth! With your Auburn, WA General Dentist

2020 is almost over, finally! It’s been an extremely strange and challenging year, but we’re ready to turn the page and start a new, brighter chapter in 2021. Check out our suggestions for a New Year’s Resolution to help you kick off 2021 with a healthier, happier smile! Floss! The truth is, we always know when our patients are fudging the truth about how often they floss - the proof is all over your gums and teeth! Sticky, bacteria-laden plaque is constantly forming on and b

Dec 3, 2020

All About Cosmetic Dental Contouring, AKA Tooth Reshaping - With Auburn, WA Cosmetic Dentist

Do minor dental imperfections make you afraid to smile? Tooth reshaping, aka dental contouring, may be right for you! There are actually a lot of different names for it - enameloplasty, odontoplasty, stripping, slenderizing - but they all refer to the same simple cosmetic dental procedure that can fix slightly imperfect teeth quickly, painlessly and affordably. How it Works: Tooth reshaping is a simple and painless procedure. Your dentist uses tools like drills, lasers or pro

Oct 19, 2020

Auburn, Washington Patients Ask: How Do Invisible Aligners Work? Cosmetic & General Dentist Answers

Wish you had straighter teeth, but don’t want a mouth full of metal brackets and wires? Invisible aligners could be a great choice for you! Invisible aligners are a custom made series of snug-fitting clear aligners that gently straighten your teeth over the course of several months, and are virtually undetectable when worn. Who Can Use Invisible Aligners? Invisible aligners are an excellent option for older teens and adults. Children and younger teens are usually not good can

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