Happy Earth Day!

On our Facebook page we asked people what these products have in common. 

Would you believe that they all come from or contain ingredients from trees? If so, you're right!

Every day, everywhere in the world, every person uses wood. Wood is one of the Earth's most important resources.  It shows up in homes and other buildings, paper products, furnishings and tools. In addition to these, more than 5,000 other products come from or contain ingredients from trees.

So this Earth Day, consider the great value of trees and do your part to reduce waste...but we still don't recommend sharing toothbrushes!

info from Mt. St. Helen's Forest Learning Center

Chewing Tobacco and Baseball

Jackie Robinson was the first Afrcian-American baseball player to join major league baseball on this day in 1947. Many boys begin using chewing tobacco when they join baseball teams, particularly in high school. Researchers believe that boys are influenced by watching pro baseball players chew.

 It is a myth that chewing tobacco is healthier than cigarettes. Half of high school boys who use chewing tobacco develop white pre-cancerous white patches in their mouth. Chewing tobacco can harm your health because it contains toxins, which can cause gum disease. Other possible oral health impacts of tobacco products include: stained teeth and tongue; dulled sense of taste and smell; slow healing after a tooth extraction or other surgery; difficulties in correcting cosmetic dental problems; and oral cancer. Click here to take a quiz and see how much you know about the effects of tobacco on your oral health.

Baseball is much more fun without oral health problems. Skip the tobacco and hit a home run for your health!


For more information on risks of chewing tobacco and other oral health concerns, visit www.mouthhealthy.org.
Full article and more information on Jackie Robinson's amazing career available here.
More info on tobacco and links to baseball available here.

Top Foods That Damage Your Teeth

Ever wonder which foods do the most damage to your teeth? According to the American Dental Association, these are the top nine foods that damage your teeth. We also have some good alternatives if you are partial to some of these delightful yet damaging treats.

Hard Candy

Hard Candy puts your teeth in constant exposure to sugar. They can also trigger a dental emergency such as a broken or chipped tooth. Looking for a better alternative? Try chewing sugarless gum.

Ice

Ice is made of water and doesn't contain any sugar or other additives, but chewing on hard substances can damage the enamel on your teeth. There's also a risk of chipping a tooth any time you chew on hard substances. Advice? Break the habit and enjoy water in its liquid form.

Citrus

Frequent exposure to acidic foods can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay over time. So even though a squeeze of lemon or lime can turn a simple glass of water into a fun beverage, it's not always the best choice for your mouth. Citric fruits can also irritate mouth sores. Make sure to drink plenty of plain water! 

Coffee and Tea

Frequent drinks of coffee and tea may stain your teeth. Caffeinated coffee and tea can also dry out your mouth. If you do consume, make sure to drink plenty of water and try not to add a lot of sugar.

Sticky Foods

Sticky foods are your mouth's worst nightmare! When it comes to picking healthy snacks, many people put dried fruit at the top of the list. But many dried fruits are stick and can damage your teeth since they tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find yourself eating dried fruits or trail mix often, make sure to rinse with water after and to brush and floss carefully.

Starchy Food

Who doesn't love the nice, satisfying cruch of a potato chip? Unfortunately potato chips are filled with starch, which tends to get trapped in your teeth.  If you choose to indulge in snacks like these, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that lead to plaque build-up.

Soda

When you eat sugary foods or sip sugary drinks for long periods of time, plaque bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel (the hard surface of your tooth). Most carbonated soft drinks, including diet soda, are acidic and therefore bad for your teeth.  Caffeinated beverages, such as colas, can also dry out your mouth.  If you do consume soft drinks, try to drink alongside a cup of water.

Alcohol

 Alcohol causes dehydration and dry mouth.  People who drink excessively may find their saliva flow is reduced over time, which can lead to tooth decay and other oral infections such as gum disease.  Heavy alcohol use also increases your risk for mouth cancer.

Sports Drinks

They sound healthy, don't they? But for many sports drinks and energy drinks, sugar is a top ingredient.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, while sports drinks can be helpful for young athletes engaged in prolonged vigorous physical activities, in most cases they are unnecessary.  Before your next sip, check the label to make sure your drink of choice is low in sugar. Not sure? Drink water instead!

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

We often sing, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth," but has anyone ever really received that for Christmas? You might be surprised to know that two front teeth are exactly what one baby was born with just three days after Christmas.

Natal teeth (teeth present at birth) are uncommon, but not unheard of. About one in every 2,000 to 3,000 babies are born with natal teeth, according to the National Institute of Health, and they usually appear on the lower gums. Often the teeth are shaved down or removed as soon as possible to avoid problems with nursing or biting the tongue. They can also present a choking hazard, as they are an extra set and will fall out to allow for the normal baby teeth to come in.

Most babies begin to teethe around 6 months, though some children don't get their first tooth until 12 to 14 months. During the first few years of life, baby teeth will gradually push through the gums one or two at a time until the baby has a full set of 20 teeth. Most children have their full set of baby teeth by the time they are three years old. Common side effects of teething include becoming fussy, sleepless, and irritable, loss of appetite, or drooling more than usual. Diarrhea, rashes, and fever are not normal symptoms of teething, so if your baby is experiencing these symptoms or continues to be cranky and uncomfortable, call your physician.

Info from ABC News and Mouthhealthy.org.

Root Canal

This month marks 100 years since the opening of the Panama Canal. While the Panama Canal is integral to worldwide shipping, a root canal can be integral to your everyday comfort.

Sometimes a cavity is just too deep to be fixed and may require a root canal. Root canals are necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or diseased. The pulp contains the blood vessels and the nerves of the tooth, which run like a thread down into the root. The pulp tissue can die when it’s infected or injured. If you don't remove it, your tooth gets infected and you could lose it. During a root canal treatment, the dentist removes the pulp, and the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Your dentist may then place a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger and protect it.

Causes of an infected pulp could include:

• a deep cavity
• repeated dental procedures
• a cracked or broken tooth
• injury to the tooth (even if there’s not a visible crack or chip)

If you continue to care for your teeth and gums with daily brushing and flossing your restored tooth could last a lifetime. However, regular checkups are necessary; a tooth without its nerve can still develop cavities or gum disease. Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile!

Info from www.mouthhealthy.org

Teaching Kids How To Brush And Floss

For older kids and adults, we have educational posts that illustrate and how to floss and how to brush your teeth. For younger kids, we found a great activity using egg cartons to help them practice!

Sometimes it is hard to see if kids are using the proper technique when brushing. This oversize mouth model helps kids practice, and allows you to show them each area that they should brush on their teeth.  If you don't have time to do the craft, simply have them practice brushing the top, outside, and inside of an egg carton. When flossing, make sure kids remember to curve the floss into a C shape against each tooth when they reach the gums and gently rub the floss back and forth (illustrated example). 

Flossing daily and brushing twice a day for two minutes will help you enjoy a lifetime of beautiful smiles!

March Madness...Brackets or Braces?

During March Madness people often talk about their brackets and how they're doing. But rarely outside of our office are they talking about the brackets found on teeth! Brackets are a component of braces which aid in straightening teeth.

image source

If you have a bad bite or your teeth are crooked or out of alignment, you may benefit from braces. Braces can help improve your smile and make your teeth straighter. They can also improve your dental health and overall health because untreated orthodontic problems can make it hard to bite and chew and can interfere with eating. If you have a bad bite, you may also be prone to cavities or gum disease because it may be hard to clean your teeth. Braces come in many different styles, including tooth-colored plastic braces or traditional metal braces that come in a variety of colors. Removable clear retainers can sometimes be used.

If you've ever wondered if braces would improve your smile, give us a call and we can help you decide the best option for making your smile everything you'd like it to be!

Information from www.mouthhealthy.org

Thumbsucking

Did you know that thumbsucking is one of the top ten concerns of people who visit the American Dental Association's website mouthhealthy.org? Thumbsucking is a natural reflex for children. Sucking on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects may make babies feel secure and happy and help them learn about their world. Young children may also suck to soothe themselves and help them fall asleep.

After the permanent teeth come in, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. Some aggressive thumbsuckers may develop problems with their baby teeth so be sure to go in for regular dental visits and check with your dentist f you notice changes in your child’s primary teeth, or are concerned about your child’s thumbsucking.

Tips for helping your child stop thumbsucking:

• Praise your child for not sucking.
• Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or needing comfort. Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child.
• For an older child, involve him or her in choosing the method of stopping.
• Your dentist can offer encouragement to your child and explain what could happen to their teeth if they do not stop sucking.

If the above tips don’t work, remind the child of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the hand at night. Your dentist or pediatrician may prescribe a bitter medication to coat the thumb or the use of a mouth appliance. 

Info from www.mouthhealthy.org

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a great way to help stop cavities before they they start!  Brushing and flossing help remove food and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, but toothbrush bristles can't reach all the way into the depressions and grooves. Sealants protect these areas by "sealing out" plaque and food, and as long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants are painless and easy for your dentist to apply. The sealant is painted onto the teeth and hardens, acting as a barrier to protect the enamel from plaque and acids.  Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing  and may last several years before they need to be reapplied.

While sealants help prevent cavities, you should still brush twice a day, floss daily, and continue to see your dentist regularly. At your regular dental visits, your dentist will check your teeth to see if you need another sealant application.

Ask your dentist if sealants would be a benefit to you. In the meantime, happy brushing!

Info from www.mouthhealthy.org

Children's Dental Health

February is National Children's Dental Health Month. While this month is coming to a close, children are always welcome in our office! We enjoy providing a comfortable, caring environment for both children and adults so the whole family can receive their dental care together. This provides a comfortable atmosphere for your child and makes it convenient for you! Your child can become a member of our No Cavity Club, and always gets a balloon and a toy from our toy tower after their checkup.

We even have accommodations for your children when you are at the dentist - no need to find a babysitter when you come in for your appointment! We are pleased to offer free onsite babysitting in our Smile Zone. Just let us know when making your appointment that you would like to sign up your child.

Here are some fun educational ideas you might enjoy with your child at home, including online games, a toothbrush chart, and two minute videos - perfectly timed to watch while brushing teeth. Here's wishing you and your children a lifetime of beautiful smiles!

New Toothpaste Guidelines for Kids

How much toothpaste should you be using for your kids? To help prevent children’s tooth decay, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth comes in. Caregivers should use a smear of fluoride toothpaste (or an amount about the size of a grain of rice) for children younger than 3 years old and a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste for children 3 to 6 years old.

The ADA previously recommended using water to brush the teeth of children under two. They have changed their recommendation based on a review of scientific evidence. For half a century, the ADA has recommended that patients use fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities, and a review of scientific research shows that this holds true for all ages. The new guidance is intended to provide children with the full benefit of cavity protection while limiting their risk of developing fluorosis, which is a mild discoloration of teeth usually appearing as faint lines. Children should spit out toothpaste as soon as they are old enough to do so.  

To fully prevent tooth decay, the ADA also encourages caregivers to take their child to the dentist when the first tooth appears or no later than the child’s first birthday. Happy brushing!

source: http://www.ada.org/9611.aspx

Mouthguards

Seahawks green and blue have been surfacing all over our office this football season! Before game days we've been wearing our Seahawks gear. Kate, Raychel, and Kim are posing in front of an amazing work of art created by one of our patients.

During games we've noticed a flash of bright green from an unusual place on the field...the mouth! That's right, some of those Seahawks have been sporting bright green mouthguards.

Imagine what it would be like if you suddenly lost one or two of your front teeth. Smiling, talking, eating—everything would suddenly be affected. When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age. In fact, studies show that athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth if they’re not wearing a mouthguard.

Mouthguards, also called mouth protectors, help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining.

There are three types of mouthguards: 

• Custom-fitted. These are made by your dentist for you personally. They are more expensive than the other versions, but because they are customized, they usually offer the best comfort and protection.If you'd like to sport your school colors or favorite team colors, our office can customize your mouthguard in a variety of colors!  If you prefer a more discrete mouthguard, you can see in this video how small and almost unnoticeable custom mouthguards can be.
• Stock. These are inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to wear. Unfortunately, they often don’t fit very well. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult.
• Boil and bite. These mouth protectors can be bought at many sporting goods stores and drugstores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. They are first softened in water (boiled), then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth. These are bigger and more bulky than custom mouthguards, and often come in many different color assortments.

The best mouthguard is one that has been custom made for your mouth by your dentist. However, if you can’t afford a custom-fitted mouthguard, you should still wear a stock mouthguard or a boil-and-bite mouthguard. If you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw, your dentist may suggest a mouth protector for these teeth as well.

This information was adapted from the American Dental Association's mouthhealthy.org. For more information on mouthguards, including tips on taking care of them, visit their website.

How to Store Your Toothbrush

In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, The American Dental Association has some recommendations for storing your toothbrush and keeping it clean.

You should rinse your toothbrush with tap water after brushing to remove any remaining toothpaste and debris. Store the brush in an upright position if possible and allow it to air dry until using it again. If more than one toothbrush is stored in the same location, keep the toothbrushes separate to avoid cross-contamination.  Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers.  A moist environment, such as a closed container, is more conducive to the growth of microorganisms than the open air.

Here are some fun storage solutions that follow the ADA's suggestions.

source

Here are a few mason jar toothbrush holders above and below. If you don't like them on the wall, you could store them this way under the sink, in a drawer, or on the counter. Good old fashioned cups work well also!

This one takes the price for most creative...and most manly!

How do you store your toothbrushes?

How to Floss

It's a new year, and a perfect time to double check your methods for brushing and flossing. If you're not used to flossing, you may feel discomfort when you first start, but don’t give up! With daily brushing and flossing, that discomfort should ease within a week or two. If your pain persists, talk to your dentist. Here are some tips on flossing:

	Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.
	Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
	Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
	When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
	Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Don’t forget the back side of your last tooth.

For more information on flossing, visit the American Dental Association.

How To Brush Your Teeth

Ever wonder if you are brushing your teeth the "correct" way? Check out these illustrated step-by-step instructions from the American Dental Association to help you out! You can even print this out and hang it in your bathroom for future reference.

Step 1 – Place brush at 45 degree angle to your gums

Step 2 – Move the brush gently back and forth

Step 3 – Make sure to brush the inside, outside and top of each tooth

Step 4 – Clean the inside of your top front teeth by making short up and down strokes

Step 5 – Lastly, brush your tongue to keep your breath fresh and to remove and bacteria on your tongue.

How to Save Your Tooth

image source

The weather here in Lakewood this past week has definitely brought us into fall! While the weather won't typically knock out your teeth, do you know what to do if you fall and knock out a tooth? Knowing what to do if your tooth falls out in an emergency can make the difference between saving and losing your tooth!

For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times.  If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that's not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance.  Then, get to your dentist's office right away.

For your convenience, all of our dentists are available after hours during an emergency. This helps ensure that you will receive excellent care from your dentist any time an emergency strikes!

Info from mouthhealthy.org

Baby Teeth

Did you know that a baby’s 20 primary teeth are already present in the jaws at birth? Those baby teeth that begin coming through the gums around 6 months are important. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Their first teeth also help make sure their adult teeth come in correctly. Even baby teeth are susceptible to cavities. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, or Early Childhood Caries.  It’s important to start infants off with good oral care to help protect their teeth for decades to come.

What causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected.

There are many factors which can cause tooth decay. One common cause is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar. Tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby.

Tooth decay is a disease that can begin with cavity-causing bacteria being passed from the mother (or primary caregiver) to the infant. These bacteria are passed through the saliva. When the mother puts the baby’s feeding spoon in her mouth, or cleans a pacifier in her mouth, the bacteria can be passed to the baby.

If your infant or toddler does not receive an adequate amount of fluoride, they may also have an increased risk for tooth decay. The good news is that decay is preventable.

Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

• Try not to share saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, wipe your child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.
• When your child’s teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and water. Be sure to consult with your child’s dentist or physician if you are considering using fluoride toothpaste before age 2.
• Brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste from the ages of 2 to 6.
• Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste—usually not before he or she is 6 or 7.
• Place only formula, milk or breastmilk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks.
• Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to bed.
• If your child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean—don’t dip it in sugar or honey.
• Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.
• Encourage healthy eating habits.

When your child’s first tooth appears, talk to your dentist about scheduling the first dental visit. Treat the first dental visit as you would a well-baby checkup with the child’s physician.

We are a family practice and love to see children of all ages, so you can get the same great dental care from childhood to adulthood. The whole family can even come together! If the children finish before mom and dad, they can play in our Smile Zone. And we'd love to add your child's picture to our wall of fame as a member of our No Cavity Club. Remember: starting early is the key to a lifetime of good dental health!

info from www.mouthhealthy.org

Oral Health During Pregnancy

We have a few pregnant ladies in our office! Kim, Dr. Jung's business assistant, is due with a baby boy this month! Dr. David Stevens' wife Jennifer (who is a dental hygienist and works here periodically) just found out they are having a baby girl, due in December. 

Kim, showing us her cute baby bump at Dental Health Associates.

It is completely safe to visit the dentist during pregnancy - in fact, you should make sure you do because hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your oral health. For example, some women develop a condition known as “pregnancy gingivitis,” an inflammation of the gums that can cause swelling and tenderness. Your gums also may bleed a little when you brush or floss. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to more serious forms of gum disease. Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings to prevent this.

In some women, overgrowths of tissue called “pregnancy tumors” appear on the gums, most often during the second trimester. These non-cancerous growths or swellings are usually found between the teeth and are believed to be related to excess plaque. They bleed easily and have a red, raw-looking raspberry-like appearance. They usually disappear after your baby is born, but if you are concerned, talk to your dentist about removing them. If you notice pregnancy tumors or any other changes in your mouth during pregnancy, see your dentist.

If you are pregnant, be sure to tell your dentist what stage of pregnancy you are in when scheduling an appointment. Routine dental exams are safe, but some procedures cannot be done during certain stages of pregnancy.

For these and more dental concerns unique to pregnancy, visit the American Dental Association's mouthhealthy.org.

Burgers and Crowns

Crowns abound at Burger King, but this is not a promotional post. Crowns also abound in our dental office, which connection you've likely already made. But burgers? How does that fit into the dental realm?

Consider for a moment that you are in the mood for a hamburger. You have several options available to you. If you went to Burger King and asked for a cheeseburger you would get this:

This would set you back about $1 here in Lakewood, Washington.

If you went to Red Robin and asked for a cheeseburger, you would get this:

This would cost $8.99 (and comes with unlimited fries). Would you complain that it costs more, or would you accept the fact that the higher price is for an item of better quality and would satisfy you longer? Of course this is an extreme comparison to make a point. The fact is, you get what you pay for when it comes to burgers...and teeth.

Recently a patient mentioned that he could get a crown elsewhere for less money than at our office. Just as not all hamburgers are created equally, not all crowns are created equally. At Dental Health Associates, we have high standards of quality in the care we provide and the materials we use. We never compromise in the materials, lab, or workmanship of the crown just so we can offer a lower price (though we do try to keep our prices low)! This enables us to provide excellent fit, comfort, and longevity of crowns for our patients.

Unfortunately that means that we can't charge Burger King prices for the work we perform. We understand that with the current state of the economy many of our patients are on tight budgets or a fixed income. We provide different treatment options that fall within any budget, and offer financing when needed. To schedule an appointment, give us a call or schedule an appointment online so we can keep your smile looking its best!

Diabetes and Gum Disease

Over the weekend Dr. David Stevens and his family participated in the 2013 Walk to Cure Diabetes to support a family friend who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was just 8 years old.

Diabetes affects your body’s ability to process sugar. The resulting high blood sugar can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body - including your teeth. Diabetes can lower your resistance to infection and slow the healing process, so people with diabetes have a decreased ability to fight germs that invade the gums and are twice as likely to develop serious gum disease.

Gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. In the early stages, gum disease is reversible so make sure you go to the dentist immediately if you have any symptoms - whether you have diabetes or not! You can prevent gum disease by brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and going to the dentist at least every six months. Don't leave out those dental visits because sometimes gum disease is painless.

We are grateful for those who choose to smile despite living with diabetes - they are an inspiration!

Info from the American Dental Association and Colgate