Facts about topical fluoride varnish

Why is it when you go to the dental office, your dentist or dental hygienist usually recommends fluoride treatment after you get your teeth cleaned?  How long do you have to wait before you can eat and drink after getting professional fluoride treatment?  Find out why fluoride is a safe and cost effective method of reducing tooth decay.


http://www.bellevuefamilydentistry.com/8-facts-topical-fluoride-varnish-treatment/

NBA player suffers tooth injury during basketball game

NBA player Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a front tooth injury during a basketball game against the Miami Heat on March 27, 2018.  An opposing player accidentally hit Love's upper front tooth, causing a likely subluxation.  Clinically a subluxated tooth demonstrates mobility, pain, and tenderness to touch.

Radiographically the tooth would need to be evaluated for possible coronal and/or root fracture.  Assuming the root and natural crown are not involved, a splint would be placed immediately for 2 weeks to stabilize the injured tooth; the affected tooth is then re-evaluated 2-4 weeks, 6-8 weeks, 6 months, and periodically every year.  If the injury causes pulpal injury, a root canal may be indicated.  If the injured tooth remains mobile and suffers bone loss, the tooth may ultimately need to be evaluated for a dental implant.

Sports players should consider, as a preventive measure, getting fitted for a protective sportsguard to help protect against possible injuries to their maxillary dentition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQQEClRR5i4#action=share

Cleaning a dental implant

Dental implants should be treated like a regular tooth; the implant needs to be kept clean, free of bacteria, plaque, and food debris.  If the dental prosthesis is not cleaned regularly, infection may develop and result in implant failure.

Dental implants have become a popular treatment choice to restore missing space that may be placed due to fractured tooth that is not restorable, a tooth with repeated failed endodontic therapy, an abscessed tooth that required removal, a tooth lost due to severe periodontal disease, tooth lost due to accidental trauma requiring emergency dentistry, or to replace a space from a congenitally missing tooth.

Once the implant is integrated and the implant abutment and crown are placed, the implant needs to be cleaned daily at home. At home, twice a day brushing is crucial to remove surface bacteria, food debris, and plaque.  Daily flossing is required to remove plaque trapped between the implant and the adjacent tooth or crown.  A water pick is a good supplement to help flush bacteria that may be trapped underneath the gum line.

At the dental clinic during your checkup and dental cleaning appointment, the hygienist will help flush out bacteria around the implant's gingiva with a high speed water unit.  A plastic dental scaler may also be used to hand remove trapped mineral deposits and food plaque in and around periodontal pockets.  The plastic dental scaler is intentionally used to avoid possible accidental trauma to the implant from a metal instrument.  If the implant is not kept clean, a periodontal abscess may result and require surgery to drain the infection, resulting from peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis can exhibit radiographic loss of supporting bone and bleeding upon probing.  Advanced bone loss can lead to implant mobility, loss and extraction of the implant.  At this point you and your dentist can decide if another implant procedure is appropriate.

Keeping a dental implant free of plaque and debris is vital to the longevity and success of your implant.  If you have any questions, be sure to consult with your family dentist.

From the desk of your Bellevue dentist,
Peter Chien, DMD, MPH
www.bellevuefamilydentistry.com

Signs of impacted wisdom tooth

Have you been having radiating pain behind your second molars?  Lingering jaw and/or sinus pain?  It's possible you may have a impacted wisdom tooth.  Be sure to read my blog and find out about potential warning signs of an impacted wisdom tooth and its treatment.

http://www.bellevuefamilydentistry.com/signs-impacted-wisdom-tooth/

Did you know in the 1800s barbers and blacksmiths also served as dentists?

Here's a little known dental fact: Did you know in the 1800s barbers and blacksmiths also served as dentists?  Imagine getting a haircut and a dental cleaning at the same place!

Long term breast feeding may increase child's risk of tooth decay

A recent study suggests long term breast feeding may increase your children's risk of tooth decay. Though more studies are needed, it's worth a read on finding out why...

http://health.usnews.com/wellness/health-buzz/articles/2017-07-03/long-term-breast-feeding-could-raise-your-kids-risk-for-cavities

Dentalfact: Only 12% of people floss daily.

Here's a little known dental fact.  Did you know only 12% of people floss daily?  By flossing daily, you are able to remove pesky bacteria and food debris between your teeth, decreasing your chance of developing cavities between your teeth, and also decreasing your chance of periodontal/gum disease.

Back to schoold dental tips

It's back to school time for many kids in September. Below is an article I wrote with some simple ideas and back to school dental tips to help keep your kid's teeth and gums in great shape during the school year.  Hope you find it useful...

http://www.bellevuefamilydentistry.com/back-to-school-dental-tips/

Odontalgia, tooth ache, is 1986 Spelling Bee winning word

I found this interesting: Did you know the winner of the 1986 National Spelling Bell won by spelling out "Odantalgia" which means pain in a tooth, or toothache. Ouch! :)

Bellevue Family Dentistry
1299 156th Ave NE #115
Bellevue, WA  98007

Baseball player chips his tooth during a game, accidentally (of course)

Interesting dental news in the world of sports.  Check out this article I saw.  Dental trauma during a sporting event is real and unfortunately may come at the most inopportune time.  Hopefully Aaron Judge saw his dentist for emergency dental treatment and was able to get his tooth restored.

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/aaron-judge-chipped-tooth-video-yankees-rays-walk-off-home-run-brett-gardner/1t8hvlx5vc87h148czjka98h3t

Dental wire from 10 years ago found in woman's intestine!

An orthodontic wire was found in a woman's intestine after complaining of abdominal pain.  Turns out the 30 year old woman had orthodontic treatment 10 years ago and doesn't remember accidentally swallowing the wire.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/07/health/dental-braces-intestine-10-years-study/index.html

Part of your tooth is discolored and yellow

So today a new patient came in and pointed out to me part of his front tooth was yellow and bothering him.  Check out my blog I wrote below and find out what I did to help him.

http://www.bellevuefamilydentistry.com/part-tooth-is-discolored-yellow/

Dental fact: Toothpaste

Interesting dental fact:

 Did you know US consumers buy 14 million gallons of toothpaste every year?  That's a lot of toothpaste to squeeze!

Colgate released first toothpaste in 1873

Here's an interesting dentalfact:

 

Did you know Colgate released the first commercially produced toothpaste in 1873, which had the same original minty flavor we know today?

Do whitening toothpastes work at removing stains?

Patients many times ask if whitening toothpastes work, will a whitening toothpaste remove stains on my teeth?  Check out my blog below and let me know what you think...

http://www.bellevuefamilydentistry.com/whitening-toothpaste-effective-removing-stains/

Wisdom tooth interesting fact

Interesting dental fact, did you know that 33% of the population do not have 3rd molars or also known as wisdom teeth?  Saves a potential trip your favorite oral surgeon ;)

Bellevue Family Dentistry
1299 156th Ave NE #115
Bellevue, WA  980007

Mountain Dew mouth

Check out this dental article below on the effects of Mountain Dew soda drink on teeth.  The acid in the soda causes erosion on teeth's enamel, while the soda's sugar increases risk of tooth decay. 

http://www.salon.com/2017/06/20/the-tragedy-of-mountain-dew-mouth-and-the-u-s-s-insane-approach-to-dental-care_partner/

Interesting dental fact...

#dentalfact:

 Did you know US consumer purchase 14 million gallons of toothpaste every year?  That's a lot of toothpaste!

Bellevue Family Dentistry
1299156th Ave NE #115
Bellevue, WA  980007

Factors of dental savings plan in retirement

 For those heading into or contemplating retirement, the lack of dental coverage and amount of out of pocket expenses can be shocking.  Check out the article below for some retirement tips regarding dental savings plans.

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/insurance/dental-savings-plans-in-retirement-1.aspx#slide=1

Marijuana use show to increase of periodontal disease

Washington state has recently legalized the use and sale of marijuana.  In a recent dental study, cannabis, or pot, has recently been shown to increase the risk of gum and periodontal disease.

Below is a brief article I wrote about the relationship between marijuana and gum disease.  More studies are needed to assess specific causes...

http://www.bellevuefamilydentistry.com/marijuana-use-increased-risk-periodontitis/

Dr. Chien
Bellevue Family Dentistry
1299 156th Ave NE #115
Bellevue, WA  98007