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. 

Proper Flossing

Flossing your teeth every day is very important for plaque removal and for preventing cavities in between teeth. Here at Fairwood Dental Center of Renton, WA, we want to give our patients some guidelines to make sure they are flossing effectively.

The first thing to know is that flossing should be done every day. Food and other debris get stuck in our teeth and cause plaque to build up, which can cause decay and infection. Failing to floss could also lead to gum disease. Gum disease is irritating, painful, and can eventually lead to tooth loss. Flossing can be done before or after brushing.

To get a good grip on the floss, take eighteen inches of it and wrap most of it around both of your middle fingers, leaving about two inches to floss with. Adjust the floss to use a new section of it for every space. Take the floss and rub it back and forth between two teeth until you hit your gums. When you reach the gums, make sure not to snap the floss against them, as this could cut or bruise the gums. Make a swooping motion at the gums and continue to scrub all the way up the teeth and out. Make sure the get in between all of your teeth, do not leave any out.

Flossing daily, brushing twice a day, and regular cleanings by your dentist are all part of a good oral hygiene routine. To schedule with Fairwood Dental Center, call (425) 271-7725, or visit our website, www.fairwooddental.com. 

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. 

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Wisdom teeth usually grow in between the ages of seventeen and twenty five. Sometimes they will grow in with no problems at all and other times they will need to be removed. The experienced dentists of Fairwood Dental Center of Renton, WA are skilled in wisdom teeth extractions and have performed the procedure for many patients.

The procedure is completed under a local anesthetic and either nitrous oxide, IV sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the procedure. Your dentist will make an incision in the gums to reveal the tooth. If needed, the some bone may be removed, as well. The tooth will be rocked back and forth until it is loose enough to pull out. If breaking it up into sections makes the removal easier, that may be done so.  The gums will then be stitched together.

Wisdom teeth can grow in with no problems at all, however, even if they cause no problems, they are still sometimes recommended to be taken out. The wisdom teeth are sometimes so far back that they are hard to get fully clean. This can promote gum disease and infection. Often, wisdom teeth will need to be taken out anyway, as they are creating problems in the mouth. They can grow in at an angle, not fully emerge, or damage other teeth.

If you suspect your wisdom teeth are growing in, schedule an appointment with us at our Renton, WA dental practice. To schedule, call us at (425) 271-7725 or visit the Fairwood Dental Center website, www.fairwooddental.com. 

Tips for Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth is an everyday task that many people probably don’t think twice about. But having the proper brushing technique is what makes brushing every day effective. Here at Fairwood Dental Center of Renton, WA we want our patients to get the most out of their oral hygiene routine.

The first step to proper teeth brushing starts with the toothbrush, of course. It is important that the brush is not too big and not too small. There are different sizes for different ages, but the brush head needs to be small enough to be able to reach every tooth. Soft bristles are best for removing plaque.

Brushing should be done twice a day. If you can fit in three times a day, that is ideal. A good way to squeeze in that third time is by bringing a toothbrush to work. Make sure not too over-brush, as this can wear down the enamel on your teeth and irritate gums.

Using a circular or up-and-down motion will be the most effective at brushing the whole surface of the tooth. Be sure to brush the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of all teeth. Don’t forget your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth, as well!

In addition to these teeth brushing tips, be sure to store your toothbrush upright and where it can air-dry well.

For more tips on how to keep good oral hygiene, visit the Fairwood Dental Center website, www.fairwooddental.com. To schedule an appointment, call (425) 271-7725 or visit our website.