Dentures and Dental Implants Seattle

Although thousands of Americans die every year from oral cancer, there is a high chance it can be cured if it is caught early enough. Each year, more than 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer and only half of those diagnosed survive more than five years. But nowadays, dentists have the skills and tools to ensure that early signs of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions are identified. If it is caught early, there is a much higher chance that, with your dentist’s help, you could win a battle against oral cancer. The key is to know the early signs and see your dentist regularly. Oral cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth. It can affect any area of the oral cavity including the lips, gum tissue, cheek lining, tongue or the palate. Other signs include: – A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal – A change in the color of the oral tissues – A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area – Pain, tenderne...

A healthy mouth is a good indication of your overall health and helps you to keep a great smile and continue eating what you want for many years to come. There are a few steps you can take to make sure your mouth is as healthy as possible: – Brush your teeth twice a day using a good quality toothbrush – Renew your toothbrush regularly. It will only keep your mouth healthy if the brush is in good condition and the bristles are strong. You should replace it at least every three or four months – Clean between your teeth. Your toothbrush can’t reach everywhere and bacteria can linger between the teeth so it’s important to clean between them every day using floss or an interdental cleaner – Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleaning and oral examinations Your dentist will be able to give you tips on what other products you should consider to help improve your oral health. For example, antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes can reduce the germs in your mouth and reduce...

Gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults but it can be prevented or reversed if you take the right steps. It’s caused by plaque – a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins that can damage the gums. However, you can help avoid gum disease by caring properly for your teeth and having regular dental checkups. These are some steps you can take to keep your teeth and gums healthy: Brush your teeth well twice a day: This removes the film of bacteria from the teeth. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush that is in good condition. Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing fluoride strengthen the teeth and help prevent decay. Clean between your teeth every day: You need to remove the bacteria and food particles that a toothbrush can’t reach so you should clean between your teeth with floss or interdental cleaners every day. Your dentist will show you how to do this properly without injuring your gums. Even if you already ...

While our teeth are normally very strong, they can crack for a number of reasons. Reasons could include tooth decay, trauma/injury, grinding of the teeth or a stress fracture. Sometimes, our jaw may be stronger than our teeth and the teeth can fracture when we bite heavily on food. We can protect our teeth in some circumstances – for example it may be advisable to wear a mouth guard during sports. Taking proper care of the teeth and regular visits to the dentist will help keep your teeth in good shape. If a tooth cracks, it may become painful if the nerve is exposed and the area can become tender. If this happens, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Then call your dentist immediately. Treatment will depend on where the tooth has fractured, how close it is to the nerve and the overall condition of the tooth. A cracked tooth may be repaired with silver alloy, gold, porcelain or plastic. Or it may require a crow...

Bad breath – also known as halitosis – is an unpleasant condition that can cause a great deal of embarrassment. And, for many people, it’s made even worse by the fact they don’t even know that they have it. There are many possible causes for bad breath so, if you think you might have the problem, talk to your dentist. What you eat affects what you breathe out. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor and even dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating. If you don’t brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia) which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. One of the reasons why it’s especially important to talk to your dentist about bad breath is that it may be a sign of an underlying medical problem such as respiratory tract infection or gastrointestinal problems. Persistent bad breath or a ...

Eating the right food plays an important role in developing healthy teeth and gums. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to fight infection and this can contribute to gum disease. Although poor nutrition does not cause gum disease directly, the disease may progress faster and could be more severe in people with diets which are low in nutrients. The U.S. Department of Agriculture makes recommendations on the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed by your body – including your teeth and gums – to promote health and prevent disease. We have different needs at various stages life and depending on our physical activity. The DOA website provides more information and your dentist will be able to discuss how your diet affects your teeth. Here are some steps you can take to make sure what you eat doesn’t harm your teeth. – Maintain a healthy diet – Drink plenty water – Limit the number of between-meal snacks. When you must snack...