Dental Care and Pregnancy

If you are an expectant mother, congratulations! We at Fairwood Dental Center understand how exciting and busy this moment is for you. In fact, you have so much to think about during pregnancy that it may be easy to overlook your oral hygiene. Pregnancy can actually make dental problems worse, which is why it’s important to continue your dental visits during pregnancy for checkups and cleanings, along with brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth once a day.

As a precautionary measure, dental treatments during the first trimester and second half of the third trimester should be avoided as much as possible, except in the case of emergency. These are critical times in the baby’s growth and development and it’s simply wise to avoid exposing the mother to procedures that could harm that in any way. However, routine dental care can be received during the second trimester. Don’t skip your dental checkup appointment simply because you are pregnant. Now more than ever, regular periodontal exams are very important, because pregnancy causes hormonal changes that put you at increased risk for periodontal disease and a condition called pregnancy gingivitis.

Pay attention to any changes in your gums during pregnancy. If you notice any changes, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725.

When a Root Canal Fails

A root canal can help relieve you from pain and more importantly can prevent the need for a tooth extraction. For the most part, root canals are successful – and your dental treatment may last a lifetime. However, when root canals don’t heal, endodontic retreatment is often necessary to save the tooth. If your tooth requires endodontic retreatment, our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center can help.

Endodontic therapy is a complicated procedure that uses files to extract infected pulp from the root. When the infection remains in the root’s canals, the tooth may not heal, causing it to become reinfected. There are several ways this can happen:

• Newly formed tooth decay can cause a leakage of bacteria into the root canal.


• The dental crown used to protect the tooth cracks, breaks or is placed too late, allowing new infection to enter the root.


• The roots weren’t cleaned thoroughly or were missed completely.


• The roots were incorrectly sealed or filled.


•  The tooth was contaminated by saliva during the procedure.

If you’ve experienced a root canal gone wrong, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725.

Custom-Fitted Mouth Guards for Children

Imagine what it would be like if your child suddenly lost one or two front teeth due to injury. Mouth guards, also known as mouth protectors, help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw. Here at Fairwood Dental Center our doctors develop custom-fitted mouth guards to protect your child’s teeth from dental damage.

Mouth guards typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of the tongue, lips, and cheek lining. The best type of mouth guard is one that has been custom made for your child’s mouth by one of our dentists here at Fairwood Dental Center. Custom-fitted mouth guards are created with thin plastic that is hardened to protect the teeth. The thinness of the custom mouth guard allows for easy breathing and also allows for easy communication (especially important for your star athlete who’s shouting out all the signals).   

If you are considering a mouth guard for your child give us a call to discuss options. To learn more about the services we provide here at the office, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725. 

Invest in a Tongue Scraper

At Fairwood Dental Center, we want you to have the freshest breath imaginable. While regular brushing and flossing addresses the teeth and gums, it’s all too easy to forget about the tongue. Tongue scrapers, which are available in most drugstores, (and fairly cheap) vary in shapes and sizes and have been declared as a way to reduce or eliminate bad breath (halitosis). Bad breath can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems.

Dental research has concluded that a tongue scraper is more effective at removing toxins and bacteria from the tongue than a toothbrush. These small plastic devices feature a curved edge so that when you drag them across the top of your tongue, they’ll scrape off the germs and bacteria that cause bad breath. Almost half of our oral bacteria live on and in the deep crevices of our tongue and the scraping action of a tongue scraper collects these toxic tongue coatings.

If you still suffer from bad breath after using a tongue scraper, give us a call so we can identify the cause. To learn more about the services we provide here at the office, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725. 

Dental Emergencies

Here at Fairwood Dental Center we offer this advice, if it’s causing you mouth pain, it’s an emergency.  Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Mouth injuries can cause teeth to become cracked, broken, or knocked out/dislodged, whether it be the result of an accident or biting on a piece of food that’s too hard. Any obvious damage to the tooth should be treated as soon as possible.

When you have a dental emergency, it’s important to visit the dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible. Any dental emergency like an injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious and should not be ignored. Ignoring a dental problem can increase the risk of permanent damage as well as the need for more extensive and expensive treatment later on. Common dental emergencies may include but are not limited to: toothaches, chipped or broken teeth, a dislodged tooth, objects caught between the teeth, broken braces and wires, a lost filling or a lost crown.

At Fairwood Dental Center, emergencies are always our top priority. To learn more about the services we provide here at the office, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725. 

Electric vs. Manual Toothbrush

Good old manual toothbrushes used to be considered a luxury, but in recent years, the electric toothbrush has given some serious competition. Here at Fairwood Dental Center we want you to understand the difference of a manual toothbrush compared to an electric toothbrush. Since both types of toothbrushes are designed to be used to promote good oral health, the one you choose to keep your teeth clean will depend on your personal preference.

Dental health experts agree that regular tooth brushing (no matter how high tech or low tech the gadget) and flossing can help prevent tooth decay. It’s possible to brush your teeth effectively with a manual toothbrush. Manual toothbrushes will thoroughly clean your tongue and inside cheeks when you’re doing your two minute routine brush. However, an electric toothbrush can be a great alternative to a manual toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult to brush well. True electric toothbrushes are rechargeable units that plug into the wall. Electric brushes also come with various features, such as special modes for sensitive teeth, gum massage, and whitening. Some even come with pressure sensors that let you know if you are brushing too hard.  

Remember, it’s not important which type of toothbrush you use; it’s important to routinely brush your teeth the right way. To learn more about oral hygiene and the services we provide here at the office, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725.