What Is a Cavity?

Cavities refer to tooth decay, which occurs when specific types of bacteria produce acid that destroys the tooth’s enamel and its underlying layer, the dentin. Cavities are very serious. If left untreated, a cavity can destroy your tooth and kill the delicate nerves at its center, which may result in an abscess, an area of infection at the root tip. Only our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center can tell for sure whether you have a cavity. This is why it is important to schedule professional cleanings and dental checkups twice a year.

The reason we brush and floss our teeth every day is to remove plaque because bacteria in plaque react with sugar in the foods we eat to produce acids that can attack and weaken tooth enamel – the hard, protective covering on our teeth. Eroding enamel leaves the teeth unprotected, allowing for cavities to develop more easily. If you’ve had a cavity for a while, you might get a toothache, especially after you eat or drink something sweet, hot, or cold. Treatment for your cavity will depend on how bad the cavity is.

If you are experiencing tooth pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, 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.

Diet and Dental Health

At Fairwood Dental Center, we can’t manage your diet, but we can help you manage your oral health routine. Dental health refers to all aspects of the health and functioning of our mouth, especially the teeth and gums. The health of our teeth and mouth are also linked to our overall health and well-being. Although poor nutrition does not cause tooth decay or periodontal disease directly, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and can be more severe in people with nutrient-poor diets.

When bacteria come into contact with food in the mouth, acid is produced that attacks the teeth. This can eventually lead to tooth decay, if flossing and brushing are not completed on a regular basis. Specific dietary elements and related factors that have demonstrated significant potential for causing tooth decay include eating processed starches such as pretzels, pasta, French fries and chips, frequency of sugary drink intakes and the level of salivation or lack thereof when snacking on carbohydrates. Reducing the intake of acidic foods and brushing and flossing your teeth daily will not only improve your diet, but your dental health as well.

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about services provided at the practice, 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.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Hundreds of different types of bacteria live on our teeth, gums, tongue and other crevices in the mouth. Some are helpful, but some can be harmful such as those that play a role in the tooth decay process. At Fairwood Dental, we want our patients to know that good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay.

When a tooth is exposed to acid frequently – for example if you frequently eat foods or drinks containing sugar and starches – the repeated cycles of acid attacks cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals. This will cause a white spot to appear if the minerals have been lost. When this happens, this is a sign of early decay.

You can help prevent tooth decay by following these tips:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.


• Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaner.


•  Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.


• Visit us at Fairwood Dental for professional cleanings and oral examination.

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about services provided at the practice, 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.

How to Choose the Correct Toothpaste

Toothpaste’s ingredients help control mouth bacteria and fight dental problems. Toothpaste doesn’t just polish teeth; it also removes the bacteria that cause dental plaque and bad breath. The type of toothpaste you choose to brush your teeth with should reflect your personal dental needs. This is why our staff at Fairwood Family Dental would like to offer some things to consider when selecting the toothpaste that is right for you.

There are many types of toothpastes on the market, but it is especially important to choose one with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Antimicrobial toothpastes contain stannous fluoride, an antibacterial agent that also provides anti-cavity and sensitivity benefits. Tartar-control toothpaste may contain sodium pyrophosphate which helps to keep tartar from forming on teeth and can help prevent tartar and stain above the gum line. If your smile is healthy and you just want to whiten your teeth, whitening toothpastes contain chemical or abrasive ingredients to help remove and/or prevent stains from forming on the teeth.

If you have questions about the toothpaste you are using or you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about services provided at the practice, 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.

Bruxism Causes and Treatment

Do you ever wake up from a night’s sleep with sore teeth and jaws? You could be grinding your teeth. The medical term for occasional teeth grinding is called bruxism and although this condition does not usually cause harm, when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise. At Fairwood Dental Center, we offer night guards to prevent this from happening and to provide you with relief.

Stress, anxiety, smoking, heavy alcohol, caffeine, depression and sleep disorders are all possible causes of teeth grinding. Treatment for teeth grinding depends on the cause. In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in fracturing, loosening or loss of teeth. The purpose of a night guard is to protect your teeth and jaws. At Fairwood Dental Center, if you require a night guard we will custom make them just for you.

If you suspect that you are suffering from bruxism, give us a call. To learn more about services provided at the practice, 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.

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.