Dentures and Dental Implants Seattle

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums. If you let it build up on your teeth, it can lead to several problems. The best way to remove plaque from the tooth surfaces is by brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day. You should brush your teeth twice a day, with a soft-bristled brush. The brush should fit your mouth comfortably, allowing you to reach all areas easily. When you use toothpaste that contains fluoride, this helps protect your teeth. You can help even more by cleaning between the teeth once a day with floss or interdental cleaners. This removes plaque from between the teeth in areas the toothbrush can’t reach. By taking a few steps each day to look after your teeth – and visiting your dentist regularly, you’ll be able to enjoy healthy teeth and a great smile all your life.

When you visit a modern dental surgery, its hard to imagine the challenges of dental treatment without all the latest technology. Yet specialists have been taking care of peoples teeth for thousands of years. Here are some of the key developments over the last 300 years. 1723: French surgeon Pierre Richard – credited as being the father of modern dentistry – publishes the first book to describe a comprehensive system for the practice of dentistry. 1760: John Baker, the earliest medically-trained dentist to practice in America, immigrates from England and sets up practice. 1790: John Greenwood adapts his mothers foot treadle spinning wheel to rotate a drill. 1790: Josiah Flag, a prominent American dentist, constructs the first chair made specifically for dental patients. 1832: James Snell invents the first reclining dental chair. 1841: Alabama enacts the first dental practice act, regulating dentistry in the United States. 1844: Horace Wells, a Connecticut dentist, discovers that nitrog...

Reduced saliva flow that results in a dry mouth is a common problem among older adults. It is caused by certain medical disorders and is often a side effect of medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers and diuretics. Some of the common problems associated with dry mouth include: – Constant sore throat – Burning sensation – Problems speaking – Difficulty swallowing – Hoarseness or dry nasal passages Left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth. Without adequate saliva to lubricate your mouth, wash away food, and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive cavities can form. Your dentist can recommend various methods to restore moisture. For example, sugar-free candy or gum stimulates saliva flow, and moisture can be replaced by using artificial saliva and oral rinses. Another issue that can affect older adults is a loss of appetite due to a change in your sense of taste. Besides an age-related decrease in the sense of taste and smell, certain diseases, me...

Oral cancer hits more than 30,000 Americans every year but you can minimize the risk by taking steps to ensure its caught early enough. The first indications of oral cancer may be a very small, but dangerous, oral spot or sore that you are not even aware of. In a routine examination, your dentist will carefully examine the inside of your mouth and tongue. If they notice a flat, painless, white or red spot or a small sore, this may be completely harmless. But harmful spots or sores often look the same as harmless ones. To ensure that a spot or sore is not dangerous, your dentist may choose to perform a simple test, such as a brush test. This collects cells from the lesion which can them be analyzed. Any positive results from a brush test must usually be confirmed by a biopsy before deciding the next step. If precancerous cells are found, the lesion can be surgically removed if necessary during a separate procedure. When caught early enough, the chances of preventing the cancer developin...

People who are new to wearing dentures naturally have many questions about how their life will change. New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. During this time, its not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should diminish. Dentures can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that little change in appearance will be noticeable. Dentures may even improve the look of your smile and help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent the dentures from tipping. As you become accustomed to chewing, add other foods until you return to your normal diet. Continu...

Your dentures were made to fit you precisely and, if they are cared for properly, they do not change shape. But you may sometimes find that they can become loose due to natural changes in the gums and bone supporting them. As the jawbone begins to shrink, so do the gums. If you find your dentures no longer fit properly, see your dentist as soon as possible so adjustments can be made. Trying to change the fit of your dentures yourself can damage them and make them unrepairable so this would be a costly experiment! Ill-fitting dentures repaired at home can also irritate the gums, tongue and cheeks. In an emergency, you could use denture adhesives to keep the dentures stable until you are able to see the dentist. Even if you no longer have your natural teeth, its still important to see your dentist regularly for an oral examination. The dentist will examine your mouth to check for any problem with the gum ridges, the tongue and the joints of the jaw, as well as screen for oral cancer. For...

Your dentures are designed to last a very long time so its important that you take care of them as you would take care of your own teeth. They are very delicate and may break easily if dropped even a few inches. So its a good idea to stand over a folded towel or a basin of water when handling dentures. When you are not wearing your dentures, store them away from children and pets. Like natural teeth, dentures must be brushed daily to remove food deposits and plaque. Brushing helps prevent dentures from becoming permanently stained and helps your mouth stay healthy. There are special brushes designed for cleaning dentures but a toothbrush with soft bristles can also be used. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes as these can damage your dentures. Some denture wearers also use hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid for cleaning and thats fine. But avoid using powdered household cleansers, which may be too abrasive. Also, avoid using bleach, as this may whiten the pink portion of the denture. T...