Dental Benefits of Xylitol

At Fairwood Dental Center, our doctors want you to know that the benefits of xylitol are numerous, but here we will explain a few. Xylitol is a naturally occurring carbohydrate, which looks and tastes just like regular table sugar and is widely found in nature as well as most of the fruits and vegetables that we eat on a daily basis. Xylitol can benefit dental patients who have dry mouth, and can also help protect teeth from demineralization in patients who are low risk or prefer not to use fluoride.

Xylitol is a natural ingredient in sugar-free chewing gums, candies, mints, diabetes-friendly foods and oral care products. It also reduces the acidity of saliva, which helps to fight acid-driven degradation of tooth enamel. Xylitol stimulates salivary flow, allowing calcium and phosphate to be deposited into the enamel to keep the enamel strong. Xylitol starves harmful bacteria in the mouth, reducing plaque buildup and tooth decay. This prevents dental cavities and inflammatory gum diseases.

To learn about other services we provide at our practice, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center here in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725.

Common Tooth Extractions

Although permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime, there are a number of reasons why a patient may need a tooth extracted. A very common reason involves a tooth that is too badly damaged, from trauma or decay, to be repaired. If a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center will try their best to fix it with a filling, crown or other dental treatment. You’re probably most familiar with wisdom teeth extractions, but other reasons for the procedure may include:

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


•  Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore, will require extraction.

To learn about other services we provide at our practice, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center here in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725.

The Stages of Gum Disease

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis, you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center twice a year to avoid them.  

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you experience gum inflammation, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about other services we provide at our practice, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center here in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725.

Pocket Reduction Surgery

When gum disease advances, it can create deep pockets in the gums that continue the cycle of gum disease. When these pockets are too large to heal on their own, a pocket reduction procedure is necessary. At Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, we perform pocket reduction surgery, sometimes called osseous surgery, so our patients can keep gum disease away.

To begin pocket reduction, your dentist will lift the gums up and away so that the deepest bacteria can be reached and removed. After the bacteria are cleared out from the gums and teeth, your dentist will replace the gum tissue so that it is tight against your teeth. This restores the proper fit of your gums around your teeth so that they do not collect bacteria.

The end result is a natural-looking gum line. It should be loose enough for normal at-home care like flossing but snug enough so that bacteria cannot reach deep down by the tooth’s root.

If you suspect you have gum disease, do not wait to seek treatment. Schedule an appointment at our Renton, WA office by calling (425) 271-7725 or by visiting our Fairwood Dental Center website, www.fairwooddental.com. 

Choosing the Right Toothbrush for You

Walking through the toothbrush aisle, there many different options. So how do you know which toothbrush is right for you? At Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, we want to help our patients pick out the toothbrush that will help them get the best oral care.

Manual vs Electric

Manual and electric toothbrushes have been shown to do about the same job cleaning your teeth. However, electric toothbrushes may be better for patients who have difficulty moving their hands. This is because the electric toothbrush does almost all the work; it just needs to be held in the right spots.

The Bristles and the Head

A toothbrush with a large head can be difficult to fit in all the spaces of your mouth. Choose a toothbrush with a smaller head or one you can easily maneuver around your mouth. Also do not pick a toothbrush with stiff bristles. Stiff bristles wear down enamel and irritate gum tissue.

Singing Toothbrushes

For kids or grown-ups who love a little extra pizazz in their oral care routine, a toothbrush that plays music can make brushing fun. They also have nifty timers that let you know you have brushed for a full two minutes.

For more dental resources, visit our website, www.fairwooddental.com. To schedule an appointment with Fairwood Dental Center in Renton, WA, call our office at (425) 271-7725 or visit our website. 

What Do Our Teeth Do?

At Fairwood Dental Center, we take pride in educating you about oral health and dental hygiene. Our teeth are used every day whether we are chewing, speaking, or smiling for the camera, but have you ever wondered why all of your teeth are different shapes and sizes? That’s because they all do different things! Read on to learn about the different types of teeth you have and the purpose they serve in your mouth!

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have questions about your teeth, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center here in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725.

Show Off Your Smile!

Your smile is the first thing someone notices about you, so our job at Fairwood Dental Center want to help you show it off. With instant photo sharing taking over the internet, we offer teeth whitening services as an excellent way to restore the natural color of your teeth or even make them whiter than your natural color if you would like. However, if there is any reason you can’t go the cosmetic route at this moment, we want to provide you with some smile tips to help you show off the beautiful smile you already have! 

• Be natural – when it’s picture time, smile gently. That way, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.

• Check your teeth and gums – getting your smile camera-ready sometimes calls for a little behind the scenes prep work. If your pearly whites have yellowed with age, try an over-the-counter whitening product or pay us a visit! Also, don’t forget about taking care of your gums. They play a critical role in your nice smile. So keep them in good shape by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash every day. 

• Practice – your perfect smile may not happen overnight, but if you have a big photo event like a wedding or a graduation coming up, it doesn’t hurt to try out your grin in front of the mirror! 

If you have questions about our whitening services, please give us a call. To learn about other services we provide at our practice, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center here in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725.

Your smile is the first thing someone notices about you, so our job at Fairwood Dental Center want to help you show it off. With instant photo sharing taking over the internet, we offer teeth whitening services as an excellent way to restore the natural color of your teeth or even make them whiter than your natural color if you would like. However, if there is any reason you can’t go the cosmetic route at this moment, we want to provide you with some smile tips to help you show off the beautiful smile you already have!

• Be natural – when it’s picture time, smile gently. That way, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.

• Check your teeth and gums – getting your smile camera-ready sometimes calls for a little behind the scenes prep work. If your pearly whites have yellowed with age, try an over-the-counter whitening product or pay us a visit! Also, don’t forget about taking care of your gums. They play a critical role in your nice smile. So keep them in good shape by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash every day.

•  Practice – your perfect smile may not happen overnight, but if you have a big photo event like a wedding or a graduation coming up, it doesn’t hurt to try out your grin in front of the mirror!

 

If you have questions about our whitening services, please give us a call. To learn about other services we provide at our practice, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center here in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725.