Cascade Dental

Curious About Good Oral Health? Check Out These Great Resources

Cascade Dental offers comprehensive dental services for your entire family. Whether you need a dentist for your child or yourself, we can take care of all your oral health needs. Call (360) 213-1999 or visit our website for more information on our Vancouver area offices.

• Could you be inadvertently brushing your teeth with a dirty toothbrush? SheKnows.com explains what you need to know about keeping your toothbrush clean.
• Pregnancy hormones affect virtually every part of the body, including the teeth and gums. The March of Dimes provides readers with an overview of these changes.
• Showing your children how to properly care for their teeth can help them have a healthy smile throughout adulthood. KidsHealth.org discusses oral health habits for kids.
• Kids may love sweets, but sugary foods can be particularly damaging to teeth. HowStuffWorks.com talks about healthy food options for children.
• Going to the dentist can be fun! Parents.com helps parents find ways to ease their child’s dental anxieties.

The Patient's Guide to Wisdom Teeth

When you receive your molars during adolescence, you assume you’re finally done getting new teeth. Then, approximately 10 years later, your dentist shows you an x-ray that reveals several wisdom teeth lying beneath the gum line. If this has happened to you, you’re not alone. Each year, millions of individuals find out that they have to get their wisdom teeth removed. Read on to learn more about wisdom teeth and their removal:

Why Do People Get Wisdom Teeth?
Approximately two-thirds of all adults have wisdom teeth. Some people have only one wisdom tooth, while others get a full set of four. Many dentists attribute the development of wisdom teeth to genetics. If your parents had them, you likely will as well. However, wisdom teeth are not necessary. You do not need them for chewing or speaking; in fact, your wisdom teeth may negatively impact eating or talking abilities, depending on how they grow.

What Are the Dangers of Wisdom Teeth?
The human mouth generally does not have enough room for the wisdom teeth. As a result, they may push against existing teeth while trying to break through the surface of the gums, causing malocclusions. In other cases, the wisdom teeth may develop sideways instead of vertically, which may prevent them from erupting—instead, they become impacted against tooth roots or jawbone. Under these circumstances, a person may develop painful and dangerous tooth abscesses.

How Can a Dentist Solve My Wisdom Teeth Issue?
The easiest and safest way to prevent the myriad of concerns that wisdom teeth can cause is extraction. By removing your wisdom teeth, your dentist can eliminate the potential problems they may produce. If you suspect that you have wisdom teeth coming in, be sure to contact a dentist for further assistance.

Do you have wisdom teeth? If so, Cascade Dental can remove them at one of our comfortable Vancouver offices. To schedule a consultation for your wisdom teeth extraction, call us at (360) 213-1999.

Download This iPhone App for a Great Toothbrushing Timer

Do you find it difficult getting your child to brush her teeth? The StarTeeth application by Fungamental Labs can make your child’s toothbrushing routine fun.

The StarTeeth app will make your child look forward to her daily brushing. With child-friendly animated characters that encourage brushing, StarTeeth teaches consistent and correct oral hygiene habits. Your child can choose her animated friend, who demonstrates proper brushing techniques with easy-to-follow visual aids. The StarTeeth app also comes with a brushing timer, so now you can make sure that your child is brushing for as long as your dentist recommends.

Cascade Dental provides gentle and friendly children’s dentistry services for our youngest patients in the Vancouver region. To make an appointment for your child, call (360) 213-1999.

Take A Look At These Links To Find Out How You Can Maintain A Beautiful, Healthy Smile

It’s important for parents to teach their children good oral hygiene habits while they’re young. The friendly staff at Cascade Dental is here to help your child keep their teeth looking great. Call us today at (360) 213-1999 to set up an appointment. These articles discuss the development of the teeth and gums and ways to keep them healthy for a lifetime.

• WebMD.com explains different types of teeth and their individual functions.
• The wisdom teeth are often called the third molars. MedicineNet.com details how they can negatively affect a person’s oral health.
• When wisdom teeth cannot erupt, they may push against bone or tooth and cause infection. The U.S. National Library of Medicine describes this condition, frequently referred to as a tooth abscess.
• Knowing the right way to brush and floss your teeth can prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. The Mayo Clinic gives readers some tips on correct oral hygiene techniques.
• MouthHealthy.org discusses why tooth decay occurs and how it damages teeth.

Do You Know the Truth About Your Toothbrush?

You may think that your oral hygiene habits are sound if you brush twice a day. However, dentists stress that toothbrushes can be easily misused. For many people, the effort they put into brushing gets derailed simply because they don’t take the steps to properly handle their toothbrush and replace it when needed. The following toothbrush facts can help you make sure that your toothbrush is helping your oral health instead of hurting it:

Your Toothbrush is a Haven for Bacteria
Your mouth always harbors a certain number of bacteria, and your toothbrush can greatly compound the problem. Studies reveal that the average toothbrush may be home to millions of bacteria, including staphylococcus and E. coli. In extreme cases, you can suffer skin problems or diarrhea should these bacterial strains come into contact with your toothbrush and saliva.

Your Bathroom May be Contaminating Your Toothbrush
It makes sense that you would store your toothbrush in your bathroom; after all, it’s the room where most people carry out their hygiene routine. Consider other bathroom activities, though—if you leave your toothbrush on your countertop, you are likely inviting bacteria that escape from flushing toilet water. To avoid contamination, store your toothbrush in a safe place like a drawer or cabinet.

Your Toothbrush Requires Regular Replacing
Your toothbrush is an essential tool for good oral hygiene, but its shelf life is short. If you brush twice a day, you will find that your toothbrush bristles become weak and worn out over a few months’ time. When frayed, your toothbrush cannot effectively clean your teeth. By replacing your toothbrush every three months, you can make sure that your brushing habits keep your teeth as clean as possible.

Cascade Dental provides a wide range of dental services for families in the greater Vancouver area. We can help you protect the health of your smile and enhance its cosmetic appeal. To learn more about our cosmetic dentistry and children’s dentistry options, call (360) 213-1999.