Cascade Dental

Reasons to Replace Your Silver Amalgam Fillings

As you likely know, dental fillings are a type of dental restoration used to treat caries or cavities in one or more teeth. While silver amalgam was a widely used filling material in past decades, more and more dentists are choosing composite white fillings to take their place.

Learn why dentists favor this latter material by reading this article, and find out when you should consider having your amalgam fillings replaced.

Superior Aesthetics
The first, and perhaps most obvious, benefit to composite white fillings is their virtual invisibility inside the mouth. While silver amalgam fillings can easily be seen in contrast to the pearly white color of most teeth, composite restorations are tooth-colored, and appear to be part of the tooth itself once installed in the mouth. Furthermore, composite fillings can be tinted to accommodate almost any shade of teeth, allowing for optimum camouflage.

Less Sensitivity
Many dental patients have also found that they experience little tooth sensitivity with white fillings. Silver amalgam, on the other hand, is more likely to conduct extreme heat and cold, and may cause the dental patient discomfort while eating foods like ice cream or hot soup. 

When to Replace
While some dental patients do choose to replace their silver amalgam fillings with composite whites based entirely on the latter option’s aforementioned benefits, others wait until their current amalgam fillings have become compromised or until additional tooth decay has cropped up in the same tooth. In either case, it is likely that your dentist will recommend composite fillings as a superior and worthwhile investment.

Would you like to know more about replacing amalgam fillings, and why dental patients should consider the option? Contact the dentists at Cascade Dental for more details, and consider scheduling an appointment with our staff if you think you may be experiencing symptoms of a cavity. Our Vancouver offices can be reached at (360) 213-1999. 

Happy Holidays from Cascade Dental!

Happy Holidays from Cascade Dental to all our friends and family! Wishing great things for you all this holiday season!

Tips for Taking Care of Your Dental Implants

Like your original teeth, dental implants require regular maintenance and care in order to retain their integrity and appearance.

Read this article for instructions on how to take care of your dental implants in the aftermath of your surgery, and don’t forget to ask your dental surgeon if there are any additional tactics you need to take to ensure their longevity.

Eating With Dental Implants
Although they are almost as sturdy and resilient as natural teeth, dental implants and crowns tend to show wear and tear if they are not used properly. As a general rule, you will want to refrain from eating hard food products, sticky items, and products that stain the teeth. You’ll also want to avoid chewing on only one side of the mouth, since this can put added pressure on your implant or implants, not to mention undue stress on your jaw muscles.

Cleaning Dental Implants
Make sure you thoroughly clean your dental implants twice a day using a soft-bristled brush designed for cleaning implants. Consider purchasing an oral irrigation tool to flush away any debris that has collected around or behind the restoration. You’ll also want to floss carefully, paying close attention to the area around your implant abutments. Finally, be sure to rinse your mouth out carefully with a fluoride mouthwash to make sure your mouth and dental work are free of food particles and harmful bacteria.

Maintain Regular Dental Appointments
One of the most important parts of taking care of your dental implants is going to see your dentist for regular exams and cleanings. By doing so, you can be sure no problems are escaping detection and that you are doing everything in your power to keep your implants as white and decay-free as the day they were first installed.

Want more tips on taking care of your dental implants? Call Cascade Dental at (360) 213-1999 and get the expert advice of our dental team members. If you think you may be having a problem with your current implants, you can schedule a consultation appointment at one of our Vancouver locations. 

Information About Treatment Before it Begins

We love to answer your questions. We have lots of visual tools to help you understand your diagnosis and treatment. Often there are options and working with you, we can recommend one that works best for you. We will even send you away with information so you can be better informed. So ask away! All questions are good ones. 

With years of experience, our general/cosmetic dentists with Cascade Dental are fully trained to handle all your treatments. Contact us at (360) 213-1999 or visit our website for more information and to find one of the three locations nearest you!

How to Floss Teeth

Have you been struggling with your flossing technique, only to find yourself left with food particles and plaque on your teeth despite your best efforts?

Watch this video clip and learn how to floss your teeth properly. The instructions cover how much floss to use, as well as how to move the floss between teeth and around the base of the tooth for maximum coverage. In addition, viewers are offered important precautions against flossing with force, or reusing portions of floss as you make your way through your mouth.

For more tips on how to floss successfully, call Cascade Dental at (360) 213-1999. We can go over proper dental hygiene techniques and give you several product recommendations based on our expert experience. To learn more about our services, visit us online today.