Oral health

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, so we thought we'd take a little time to answer some common questions about how to care for your little one's teeth.

Q: At what age should children begin brushing their teeth on their own?
A (Dr. Baker): Usually a child is capable of brushing well when he/she has the manual dexterity to tie shoes. Proper tooth brushing actually takes more dexterity than tying shoelaces, but it is a good time to begin the transition.

Q: My daughter still has little spaces between all her teeth. Does she need to floss?
A (Dr. Baker): Even if her teeth have spaces between them, flossing now is a great way to establish that habit for when she is older. She may also have closer contacts than you realize between her teeth in the back, so starting the flossing habit now will make sure to keep all her teeth healthy - even the ones you don't always see.

Q: I have seen little picks pre-threaded with floss. Are those good for kids to use?
A (Dr. Baker): While regular floss is the ideal, the floss picks are great for kids because they can use them without help. We find that kids are more often willing to use one of those flossers than a regular strand of dental floss. I say any tool that helps them to learn to floss regularly is a good thing!

Q: When should my baby have his first dental appointment?
A (Dr. Baker): I like to see babies in my office as soon as they start getting teeth. We call this a "happy visit" and use it as an opportunity to introduce your child to our office in a non-threatening way. We have lots of fun staff members who are great with kids, an excellent prize box (my kids picked out all the prizes), as well as children's books about oral health and even a multi-layer tooth puzzle.  Since dental fear in one of the main reasons people stay away, we want to make sure your little one starts off with a positive impression of visiting the dentist. We also use this appointment to discuss with you any concerns or questions you might have about your son's dental health and take a quick peek in his mouth to make sure everything is healthy and developing normally. After this initial visit, we usually start seeing kids for cleanings and exams on a regular basis when they are about 4 years old.

Q: What are the main dental issues you see in children?
A (Dr. Baker): The issues I see most frequently are trauma (from a fall or other accident) and tooth decay. Aside from the normal precautions, there's not always a lot you can do to prevent accidents, but the good new is there IS a lot you can do to prevent tooth decay. Sugary foods (even healthy ones like raisins, crackers, and milk) can cause tooth decay. The best way to manage this is to serve food and drinks at meal times and snack times but not have them available for grazing during the rest of the day. Milk carried around in bottles or sippy cups can be especially problematic since your baby's teeth will be constantly bathed in sugar. Fluoride is another important way to fight tooth decay. Since it shouldn't be ingested in large quantities, make sure you don't let your child use fluoride toothpaste until he/she is able to spit. In the meantime, we can apply a topical fluoride "varnish" in our office at around age 4 or sooner as needed.

Hopefully this information has been helpful. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask in the comment area below or send us a message!

Just as there are so many different types of toothbrushes to choose from, each brush also has a different type of bristle! There are generally three different types of bristles; hard, medium, and soft. I always recommend that my patients, especially children and seniors, use a soft bristled toothbrush.

Using a hard and medium bristled brush can actually harm your teeth and gums by stripping the enamel from the teeth and irritating the gums so that they become red and sore, and can even cause gum recession. If you do use a hard or medium bristled brush as a personal preference, I recommend using an electric toothbrush.

Soft bristles are much gentler on your teeth and gums, and while patients of all ages are recommended to use soft bristled brushes, they are particularly great for children, seniors, patients recovering from a dental procedure, and patients wearing braces.

Soft bristles, and even extra-soft bristles are every bit as effective when it comes to cleaning your teeth; in fact, if you currently use a hard or medium bristled brush, try a soft bristled brush next time you buy a toothbrush and we bet you won’t even notice a difference.

Happy brushing!

Many folks in Seattle consider the beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your health and happiness in 2012? I recommend that you make a New Year’s resolution to benefit your oral health!

It is important that New Year’s resolutions are reasonable and attainable, and that they improve your overall quality of life—for example, did you know that flossing every day is the very best way to prevent periodontal, or gum, disease? Using a straw when drinking sugary beverages can also help prevent cavities. There are many small steps that you can take to prevent cavities, oral infections and bad breath.

Be sure to give me a call if you need a few suggestions on ways to improve your oral health, or visit this helpful article from my friends at the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). After all, your oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile.

Happy New Year!

Maintaining a healthy diet over the holiday season can prove a difficult task. After all, who can resist the tasty treats of Christmas? With Grandma and everybody else offering you candy, chocolate logs or Christmas pudding, you just can’t say “I’ll pass” each time. But trouble lurks: every time you chow down on that chocolate or candy, the bacteria in your mouth have a feast on the sugar—at your expense. The sugar turns into acid, and the acid eats away at the enamel on your teeth. Then, you start getting cavities.

Instead, my friends at the American Dental Association recommend nuts or dried fruit, which are nice alternatives to sugars and have greater nutritional value—also satisfying your sweet tooth! Both nuts and fruit are a great source of fiber and act as an appetite suppressant. In addition, nuts are a great source of Vitamin E, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B9, nutrients that contribute to a healthy immune system. Nuts are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked with reducing heart disease and lower blood pressure.

If you must go for the chocolaty goodness this Christmas or holiday season (and probably all of us will), it’s a good idea to decide what you’re going to indulge in and then eat it all at once instead of grazing. Every time you eat something sugary, you increase that enamel-eating acid in your mouth for about 15 minutes. So, if you eat a piece of candy every 15 minutes your mouth will be in a constant state of elevated acidity. It is better for your teeth to eat your sugar all at once and then let your mouth return to a more enamel-friendly state. Also remember to brush your teeth about 15 minutes after eating sugary treats (once the acidity level has returned to normal). Happy holidays!

Dental health is closely connected to your overall health. I also know the mouth can oftentimes be the first place to indicate signs of health issues in the body. Recently, I found a helpful article that outlined seven warning signs that indicate it might be time to check in with my team.

Flat, worn teeth plus headache (sign of stress)

Grind, grind, grind .... grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, you’re probably familiar with this unpleasant sound. Emotional or psychological stress can definitely contribute to teeth grinding. In addition, headaches, which are caused by spasms in the muscles, can radiate from the mouth and head down to the neck and upper back. Night guards, which I proudly provide, may relieve the symptoms, as well as protect your teeth.

Cracking, crumbling teeth (sign of Gastroesophageal reflux disease)

As we age we may notice that the enamel on our teeth starts to chip at the edges of our front teeth or form hollowed out “wells” on the surface of our molars.  These symptoms may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid—and occasionally, bile—flows back into your food pipe. Other signs and symptoms of GERD include acid reflux, dry mouth and heartburn.

Sores that won’t go away (sign of oral cancer)

More than 21,000 men and 9,000 women are diagnosed with oral cancer annually, according to the National Cancer Institute. Those most affected include the elderly (most are over the age of 60) and smokers. The survival rate for oral cancer is 35 percent. When an open sore in the mouth doesn't go away within a week or two, or when you experience unexplained bleeding or numbness, it’s always a good idea to visit my dental office so that we may rule out oral cancer. A lot of sores and ulcers may lurk underneath your tongue, where they are difficult to find.

Gums growing over teeth (sign of medication problems)

If you notice your gum growing over your tooth, and you're taking a prescribed or other medication, please give me a call as soon as possible. Certain medications may cause the gums to overgrow; the dosage will need to be adjusted, but it’s important I take a look.

Dry mouth (sign of Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes)

Many things are known to cause dry mouth, but a lack of sufficient saliva is also an early warning of Sjogren's syndrome, as well as diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, 17 million Americans suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes, which is a metabolic disease caused by high blood sugar. Other signs of diabetes include excessive thirst, tingling in the hands or feet, frequent urination, blurred vision and weight loss.

Sjogren's syndrome, which affects approximately anywhere between 1-to-4 million Americans, causes white blood cells of the body attack—for unknown reasons—their moisture-producing glands. Symptoms also include dry eyes, as well as the mouth, but the rest of the body is affected by the disorder.

White webbing inside cheeks (sign of Lichen planus)

Lichen planus, the cause of which is unknown, is an inflammatory skin disease that usually affects the skin, mouth, or both, according to the Mayo Clinic. On the skin it manifests with small purplish bumps while in the mouth it takes the appearance of a whitish, lacy pattern on the insides of the cheeks. The disease can't be passed from one person to another. Lichen planus may require relatively simple at-home care or no treatment. When symptoms are severe, such as pain or significant itching, please give me a call.

Crusting dentures (sign of pneumonia)

Older folks are known to inhale debris around the teeth and dentures, and inadvertently breathe in other materials into the lungs and airway, causing dangerous (even fatal) inflammation. Be sure to remove and wash dentures on a regular basis.

Dental emergencies are never convenient or timely. If you are a patient of record, I am committed to your dental health and more than willing to see you!

As your dentist, I am here to help you, any time, any day. When your dental health is at risk, I’ll do everything I can to make sure that you’re treated as soon as possible. While dental emergencies are rare, I know they can happen at any moment and it’s important to know how to take care of your teeth no matter what.

Common dental emergencies include:

• A bitten lip or tongue
• Broken or cracked tooth/teeth
• Broken jaw
• Permanent tooth that has been knocked out
• Object caught between teeth
• Severe toothache

If you have a dental emergency after regular office hours, please give me a call. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts. I proudly serve patients from downtown Seattle and other surrounding communities.

The way you care for your teeth at home doesn’t just affect your oral health – it can impact your overall health as well. In recent years, researchers have found clear links between the mouth and other parts of the body, and the evidence is especially impactful for people with diabetes.

November marks Diabetes Awareness Month, and a great time to learn about how keeping your mouth healthy is vital to your overall health, too. If you are one of the nearly 26 million Americans currently living with diabetes, there is some good news: you can protect your gums and teeth from the effects of diabetes by visiting my dental office for regular check-ups and cleanings. Most people should have at least two dental appointments per year, but those folks living with diabetes may require additional visits to make sure their dental health remains in top shape. Many insurance plans provide expanded benefits for diabetic patients. During your next appointment, I can tell you how often you need to come in for your dental visits.

For more information on how I can help, please give my office a call!

I hope you are not a part of the 51 percent of Americans who don’t floss every day. And I definitely hope you're not part of the 10 percent who never floss at all. I’m sure that you’ve heard before that proper flossing is just as important for your dental health as brushing regularly. Flossing, you see, cleans food and plaque that builds up between teeth and below the gumline, key areas that brushing simply cannot reach.

Flossing 3-to-5 minutes each day is recommended, but even 60 seconds of flossing has a great benefit over not flossing at all. Also, make sure to always brush your teeth after you floss, and to rinse with water or mouthwash. When you begin flossing you may experience gum pain or bleeding, but with daily flossing and brushing this should stop within a week or so.

Lastly, has it been at least six months since your last dental checkup? If the answer is yes, I encourage you to schedule an appointment!

Everyone loves fun facts and dental tips. Fun, fun, fun! Today, I wanted to share a few dental fun facts that I recently came across. Enjoy!

• The second most common disease in the United States is cavities. The first is the common cold.
• There are almost 9,000 accidental pokings and piercings with toothpicks per year.
• X-rays may be an effective tool in preventing strokes.
• A child will have 20 baby teeth by the time he or she is 2 years old. Through childhood, kids gradually lose baby teeth and grow 32 permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth.
• According to consumer reports, dentists are among the 5 most trusted professionals in the United States.
• Approximately $2 billion a year is spent on dental products like toothpastes, mouthwashes and dental floss.
• The average American spends about 38 days brushing teeth over his or her lifetime.
• Kids in North America spend half a billion dollars per year on chewing gum.
• Approximately 94 percent of Americans say they brush nightly while only 81 percent say they brush first thing in the morning.
• Grand Rapids, MI was the first American city to fluoridate its water.
• Earliest record of a toothbrush was found in Chinese literature about 1600 AD
• The natural bristles of early toothbrushes were taken from the necks and shoulders of swine, especially pigs living in colder climates like Siberia and China.

Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? For my team, that means only one thing: Reminding you that your teeth are an important part of your body, and keeping them clean helps keep your mouth and your body healthy. By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and visiting our convenient Seattle dental office on a regular basis, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.

Check out the official National Dental Hygiene Month website, which provides pointers on keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Lastly, has it been six months since your last dental checkup? If the answer is yes, I encourage you to give my office a call now, while you’re thinking about it, to set up an appointment!

As a parent, I know getting kids and teens to eat healthy isn’t always an easy task, especially when they’re busy with school and after-school activities. At the school cafeteria, it's just too easy for kids to snack on french fries, chicken nuggets and other fried foods and unhealthy snacks, which is why I’d like to pass along five delicious, smile-healthy, and nutritious snacks that my kids love.

1. Cheese – Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheese stimulates the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. One study showed fewer cavities in kids who ate pears with cheese than in those who ate pears alone. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

2. Blueberries - These tiny nutritional powerhouses are loaded with Vitamin C, as well as folic acid, minerals, fiber and disease-fighting phytochemicals, which have shown to help prevent cancer and diabetes. My kids love them plain, added to muffins and pancakes.

3. Whole wheat bread or cereal – From bread, kids get their iron, vitamins, magnesium, and zinc. With vitamins, calcium, and fiber, a bowl of enriched whole grain cereal with milk—and even fruit—is a power-packed snack or healthy start to the day.

4. Almonds - They’re rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals and Vitamin E, and also have good amounts of fiber, iron, and calcium. Let your kids eat them raw. (Note: Whole nuts are a choking hazard for children under 3 years old.)

5. Yogurt - Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy smile. Low-fat yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, especially when whipped up in a parfait with berries and granola. Homemade fruity yogurt pops sure beats sugary store-bought frozen treats. Just punch a plastic spoon through the lid of a small yogurt container and freeze for an easy, healthy treat!

I encourage you to check out this article for 15 other healthy snacks your child can enjoy at any time of the day! For more information about which foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please post your question here on our blog, give our team a call or ask us on Facebook! I hope your child had a great first week of school.