FAQ’s

Dentistry is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions, disorders, and diseases of the teeth, gums, mouth and jaw. Often considered necessary for complete oral health, dentistry can have an impact on the health of your entire body.

A dentist is a specialist who works to diagnose, treat and prevent oral health problems. A dentist has completed at least eight years of schooling and received either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. If your doctor is a pediatric dentist, this means that they specialize in caring for children from infancy through their teen years. A pediatric dentist has received the proper education and training needed to work with young kids. Other specializations include:

• Endodontics (root canals)
• Oral and maxillofacial (including pathology, radiology and surgery)
• Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
• Periodontics (gum disease)
• Prosthodontics (implants)

Visiting the dentist regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy but also help keep the rest of your body healthy. Dental care is important because it:

• Helps prevent tooth decay
• Protects against periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to tooth and bone loss
• Prevents bad breath — brushing, flossing and seeing the dentist regularly will help reduce the amount of bacteria that causes bad breath
• Gives you a more attractive smile and increases your self-confidence
• Helps keep teeth looking bright by preventing them from becoming stained by food, drinks and tobacco
• Strengthens your teeth so that you can enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles for the rest of your life!

Your teeth may feel fine, but it’s still important to see a dentist regularly because problems can exist without you knowing. Your smile’s appearance is important, and a dentist can help keep your smile healthy and looking beautiful. With so many advances in dentistry, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, missing or misshapen teeth. Today’s dentists offer many treatment choices that can help you smile with confidence, including:

• Professional teeth whitening
• Fillings that mimic the appearance of natural teeth
• Tooth replacement and full smile makeovers

Choosing a dentist who “clicks” with you and your family is important, and you may wish to consider several dentists before making your final decision. During your first visit at our Kirkland dental office, you should be able to determine whether our team is right for you. During your appointment, consider the following:

• Is the appointment schedule convenient?
• Is the office easy to get to and close by?
• Does the office appear to be clean and orderly?
• Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?
• Does the dentist explain techniques for good oral health?
• Is information about the cost presented to you before treatment is scheduled?
• Is your dentist a member of the ADA (American Dental Association®)?

• ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth at least two times a day and floss at least once!
• Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride and ask our dentists if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities.
• Avoid foods with a lot of sugar (sugar increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, causing more plaque and possibly cavities) and avoid tobacco (this can stain your teeth, cause gum disease and eventually lead to oral cancer).
• Don’t be afraid to brush your tongue! By brushing your tongue, you will remove food particles and reduce the amount of plaque-causing bacteria. Tongue brushing also helps keep your breath fresh.
• Be sure to schedule your routine checkup. It is recommended that you visit a dentist every six months.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children first see a dentist as early as 6 months old and no later than 1 year old. During this time, your child’s baby teeth will be coming in, and a dentist can examine the health of your child’s first few teeth. After the first visit, be sure to schedule regular checkups every six months.

Children, teens and adults should all see a dentist for a regular checkup at least once every six months. Patients who are at a greater risk for oral cancer or gum disease may be required to see a dentist more than just twice a year. We can help determine how often you should visit our dentists for regular checkups.

A cavity is a small hole that forms inside a tooth because of tooth decay. Cavities are formed when plaque buildup on the outside of the tooth combines with sugars and starches in the food you eat. This produces an acid that can eat away the enamel on your tooth. If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to more serious oral health problems. Cavities can be prevented when you remember to brush your teeth at least two times a day and floss between teeth at least once.

A filling is a synthetic material that a dentist uses to fill a cavity after all of the tooth decay has been removed. Fillings do not generally hurt because our dentists will numb your mouth with an anesthetic. Fillings are made from a variety of different materials, including composites, gold or ceramic. If you need a filling, be sure to talk to our dentists about what type is best for you and your teeth.

According to Paramount Dental Center and the American Dental Association®, you should brush your teeth at least two times a day. Brushing keeps your teeth, gums, and mouth clean and healthy by removing bacteria-causing plaque. It is also recommended that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride when you brush your teeth. You should spend at least a minute on the top teeth and a minute on the bottom teeth, and remember to brush your tongue — it will help keep your breath smelling fresh!

Your toothbrush will eventually wear out, especially if you are brushing your teeth twice a day for two to three minutes each time. We recommend that adults and children change their toothbrush every three months. If you are using an electric toothbrush, be sure to read the directions because you may not need to change toothbrush heads as frequently. Patients with gum disease are encouraged to change their toothbrush every four to six weeks to keep any bacteria from spreading. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with hot water to kill germs and keep the bristles clean. If you’ve been sick, be sure to change your toothbrush as soon as possible.

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is mostly caused by plaque and bacteria buildup that is not treated in its early stage. Other causes of periodontal disease include tobacco use, teeth grinding, some medications and genetics. Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease and, if detected, is treatable. Gingivitis left untreated may turn into gum disease. Advanced gum disease will lead to tooth and bone loss and is a permanent condition. Brushing your teeth regularly and visiting the dentist every six months will help prevent gingivitis and more severe cases of periodontal disease. Common signs of gum disease are:

• Red, irritated, bleeding or swollen gums
• Chronic bad breath
• Loose teeth or loss of teeth
• Extreme tooth sensitivity
• Receding gum line
• Abscessed teeth

Yes! In fact, it’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit a dentist regularly. With braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and gum disease. Our dentists will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while wearing braces.

Simply call our practice at 425-739-9093 (Kirkland) or 206-464-9002 (Seattle)! Our front desk staff will be happy to help schedule your next dental checkup at your convenience. If you are a new patient, please let us know, and we will provide you with all the information you need for your first dental visit.