According to the CDC, nearly half of all adults over 30 show signs of gum disease, with severe gum disease affecting about 9% of the adult population. To help raise awareness about gum disease in its various forms and how it can be prevented, February has been designated National Gum Disease Awareness Month. At Pacific Northwest Smiles, we…
General Dentistry
Tongue Trouble
Categories: General Dentistry
Your tongue is probably one of those things you give very little thought to – until it looks or feels different than it usually does. If your tongue is sore or it just doesn’t look right, should you be concerned? Is this something you should see your dentist for? Common tongue problems The good news is that…
October is National Dental Hygiene Month!
Categories: General Dentistry
You have probably already made plans to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month! But, just in case you didn’t know there was such a thing, Pacific Northwest Smiles would like to suggest that you celebrate by taking some time this month to look at your dental care routine, to make sure your oral health is at…
Soft Foods to Eat After a Dental Procedure
Categories: General Dentistry
We’ve all been there – wandering into the kitchen, starving, and having no idea what to eat. But after any sort of medical procedure you want to make sure this doesn’t happen, because eating nutritious food will help you heal and help you to feel better. This goes for dental procedures, too! If you have…
Is it time to have your wisdom teeth removed?
Categories: General Dentistry
Let’s face it: dealing with wisdom teeth is not one of the best parts of becoming a young adult. However, your wisdom teeth are the last to come in, and that can mean that your mouth will become crowded, which can cause other problems. Are you wondering if it is time to have your wisdom teeth…
Mouthwash: Important for your oral health or just a waste of money?
Categories: General Dentistry
You brush and you floss every day, and you visit your dentist for cleanings, too. But what about mouthwash? Is it something you should be using, or is it just one more thing to buy? Can it really help to keep teeth healthy and beautiful? Here is some information about mouthwash so that you can decide…
Should you be using an electric toothbrush?
Categories: General Dentistry
When it comes to keeping teeth healthy and clean, does it really matter what kind of toothbrush you use, manual or electric? It may seem like the answer would be “no,” as long as you brush. However, there are some benefits to using an electric toothbrush over a manual one – read on for some more…
Why are my gums receding?
Categories: General Dentistry
It can be quite a surprise when you look in the mirror one day and notice that you are seeing more tooth and less gums. It can be especially upsetting if you are someone who makes an extra effort to keep your teeth healthy. You may wonder why your gums are receding and what you can…
How serious is a tooth abscess?
Categories: General Dentistry
Taking good care of your teeth is always important, for your comfort, your overall health, and so you can have that gorgeous smile everyone loves to see every day. Another reason to make sure you take good care of your teeth is so you can avoid serious problems, such as a tooth abscess. But what exactly…
What is scaling and planing?
Categories: General Dentistry
“Scaling and planing” may not sound like something you would want any part of, especially when you find out it is something that happens at your dentist’s office. You may have visions of some sort of dental torture – but actually, scaling and planing is a common procedure and a very important part of good…