Thanks to advances in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, almost anyone can have a perfect smile. But what makes a smile perfect? There is no objective answer, but there are a few things we keep in mind when making treatment recommendations for our patients.

• Healthy and strong: Our first priority is the health of the teeth, mouth and jaw. In an ideal smile, the teeth are strong and aligned perfectly so that you may eat and chew without discomfort, speak naturally, and, of course, smile with confidence. Keeping up on your dental health can help you avoid expensive and time-consuming procedures down the road. But if you do have damaged or compromised teeth, don’t worry. There are plenty of options, such as crowns, inlays and onlays, and implants that can restore your healthy smile.
• Straight and even: Your bite, or occlusion (as dentists call it) is related to both the appearance and function of the teeth. As mentioned earlier, misaligned teeth can cause problems with your bite, as well as lead to uneven wear. A “crooked smile” is a common complaint, but there are many ways to correct this. Invisalign orthodontics treatment is one of the best ways to straighten misaligned teeth in teens and adults. Veneers and laser gum contouring are also popular solutions, especially on the front teeth.
• Well-shaped: Even when teeth are mostly straight, there still may be one or two that protrude at an odd angle, have chips or gaps, or whose shape otherwise detracts from a pleasing smile. Cosmetic dentistry offers many options to fix these smaller flaws. Bonding, crowns, and veneers can be used with great success to change the shape of the teeth–often in just a few visits.
• Bright and white: White teeth are the hallmark of a beautiful smile, and luckily, it’s one of the easiest things to achieve. Most people with yellowing or darkened teeth can see dramatic results with ZOOM! whitening, an in-office bleaching treatment that takes about two hours. For people with discoloration that does not respond to bleaching, such as internal damage or tetracycline stains, veneers or crowns can be effective options.

With all its parties, weddings, reunions and other social occasions, summer is the perfect time to achieve a more perfect smile. Call us for your free consultation today. We’ll make recommendations based on your goals, timeline, and budget.

Watch what you put in your mouth.

Here in Seattle, we love our lattes and coffee drinks. But did you know your morning habit could be putting you at risk for tooth decay?

Lattes, cappuccinos and other coffee drinks containing milk also contain lactose, or milk sugar, which can be as bad for your teeth as regular sugar. If you sip on a coffee drink for hours a day, you’re creating an environment that encourages the buildup of harmful bacteria.

The same goes for sugar-free soda and many flavored waters, which can contain citric acid that contributes to an acidic environment in the mouth. And, mindless snacking can be bad for your teeth as well as your waistline.

Minimize the effects of acid in your mouth by rinsing with water or chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol, which helps prevent tooth decay. Of course, it’s best to get eating or drinking out of the way, then brush and floss soon afterwards. Regular checkups and cleanings will also help prevent cavities, and if they do occur, early treatment ensures the damage will be minimal.

So no matter if you’re five or seventy-five, you still have to watch out for dental cavities. However, it’s fairly easy to avoid them by using some grown-up common sense.

Other related newsletter articles:

• Dental cavities. A kid’s problem you won’t outgrow.

Look twice before you cross the street! Study so you don’t flunk the test! Brush your teeth or you’ll get cavities! All important lessons we learned as kids. Or did we?

Contrary to popular belief, cavities aren’t something we outgrow. In fact, dental cavities are even more common in adults than children. Age-related conditions such as gingivitis, worn or cracked teeth, or even previous dental work increase the chance that cavities will develop.

Cavities happen when bacteria in the mouth builds up. This happens when we eat, especially if the food is high in sugar or starch. If it’s not removed by brushing and flossing, the bacteria creates acids that eat away at the enamel and, eventually, the dentin, or inner layer of the tooth.

This decay creates holes, or cavities, which start out as soft spots on the teeth, and may be discovered during your regular checkup or x-rays. Left untreated, the decayed part grows larger and deeper. The tooth may become sensitive to heat and cold, and you may experience pain when eating sweets.

Tooth sensitivity often signals the onset of a cavity, and should not be ignored. The longer you wait, the more extensive the decay will become and the more expensive and painful it will be to treat. A small cavity can be filled, but a large one may require a crown . If the decay is so extensive that it causes the nerve of your tooth to die, you’re in for a lot of pain – and probably a costly root canal or tooth extraction.

Preventing cavities can be as simple as practicing good oral hygiene and making sure you get fillings done as soon as possible. If you haven’t been in for a checkup in a while or if you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, contact our office to schedule an appointment. We’ll make sure you leave with a healthy, pain-free smile.

• Want to avoid adult cavities?

Victoria, Dental Hygienist

Victoria has been working alongside Dr. Koczarski for 17 1/2 years — almost his entire career. In that time, she has become an expert dental hygienist with a focus on teeth cleaning. She performs both regular and periodontal cleanings, as well as restorative procedures.

Victoria originally hails from the Philippines, but is a long-time Washington resident who currently lives in Bothell. She considers getting her hygiene license “in the beautiful state of Washington” to be a highlight of her career, but it’s her patients who give her the biggest sense of satisfaction.

“I love meeting people and establishing long-term relationships,” she says. “I strive to be a true caregiver to my patients, in every sense of the word.”

Victoria is also passionate about travel, food, running, hot yoga and Goju Karate, in which she holds a black belt. In both her work and her personal life, she embraces the philosophy that life is a gift. “Like any gift, I use it wisely,” she says. “And I have fun.”

• Sweeter kisses for Valentine’s Day.
• Pregnancy and your teeth: what you need to know

Sweeter kisses for Valentine’s Day.

A beautiful smile can make anyone more attractive. And when is that more important than on Valentine’s Day? Even if you have a sweetie on the big day, you can take easy steps in order to put your best smile forward this Valentine’s Day. For this month’s blog, I’m offering a few tips on how you can get your smile romance ready.

• Brush and floss: Not only can flossing help your teeth stay whiter and your breath fresher, it also cuts down on oral bacteria that you can pass along to your partner. In fact, kissing couples can share hundreds of germ species, some of which cause gum disease.
• Eliminate dry mouth: Dry mouth can lead to bad-smelling breath, as well as increase the chance of developing oral disease. Medications and lifestyle habits (like smoking) are common causes of dry mouth, but it could also be a sign of a more serious condition.
• Enjoy some chocolate: If your loved one surprises you with a sweet treat, go ahead and indulge. Unlike some candies, chocolate doesn’t stick to your teeth. After you’re done, just brush your teeth. If you can’t, at least rinse with water or chew sugarless gum.
• Pucker up: Instead of chocolate kisses, give your honey a smooch. Believe it or not, kissing is good for the teeth. It stimulates the production of saliva, which washes away bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
• Brighten your smile: ZOOM! Whitening is a fast and easy way to add sparkle to your smile, as are procedures like dental veneers and CEREC one-visit crowns. Even something as simple as a professional cleaning can help you make sure your smile is ready for Cupid’s arrow.

• Pregnancy and your teeth: what you need to know
• Victoria, Dental Hygienist

If you’re trying to have a baby, or are already pregnant, chances are you’re paying extra attention to your health. Your oral health should be no exception. With a baby on the way, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Dental exams: Although everyone should get regular checkups, they’re especially important during pregnancy. As pregnancy hormones increase, foods may taste different, dry mouth and mouth sores are more common, and you’re at a higher risk of developing gum disease.
• A healthy diet: What you eat affects your baby’s development, and that includes his or her teeth. Teeth begin to develop during the third month of pregnancy, so you’ll want to include foods high in protein, phosphorous, vitamins and minerals in your diet.
• Calcium counts: Along with vitamins A, C and D, calcium is very important to tooth development. If you lack calcium in your diet, your body will take it from your bones (but not your teeth, as you may have heard). Your doctor may recommend calcium supplements to ensure both you and baby get enough.
• Avoid infections: If you need a filling, root canal or other procedure, make sure to get it as soon as you can. Damaged teeth can create infections, which can be dangerous for both you and your baby. Despite what you may have heard, dental work during pregnancy is completely safe. However, you may be more comfortable in the dental chair if you schedule it earlier — between 14 and 20 weeks is ideal.
• Watch out for pregnancy-induced gingivitis: Hormones will put you at higher risk of developing gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Gingivitis can be prevented with good oral hygiene and regular professional cleanings. If your gums are red, swollen or they bleed when you brush, contact us for a treatment recommendation.
• X-rays should be OK: We use digital x-rays , which use 80 to 90 percent less radiation than traditional x-rays. The radiation in a full set of digital x-rays is about the same amount you’d get from eating 10 bananas. And, we use leaded aprons and thyroid collars to protect your body. However, we always recommend consulting your doctor to see if x-rays are appropriate during your pregnancy.

• Sweeter kisses for Valentine’s Day.
• Victoria, Dental Hygienist

Why dental x-rays are important, and the benefits of going digital.

With the advent of x-ray scanning at airports, many of my patients are questioning the need for x-rays at their dental checkups, so I’ve decided to make this the subject of this month’s blog post.

Why do we take x-rays? Because they’re the best ways to see and diagnose abnormalities in the teeth and jaws, and their benefits generally far outweigh the very slight radiation exposure. This is especially true with modern digital technology.

Today’s digital x-rays, the type we offer in our practice, use 80 to 90 percent less radiation than traditional x-rays, making them a great and relatively risk-free diagnostic tool. Radiation is a natural part of our atmosphere, and we are all exposed to a tiny amount every day. Eating 10 bananas subjects you to more radiation than an annual set of digital dental x-rays, as does a typical afternoon spent outdoors, even in the dead of Seattle winter.

On a positive note, a set of digital dental x-rays can expose serious risks to your health, including:

• Tiny areas of decay invisible to the naked eye, such as those between teeth or below the gum line
• Cracks or damage in an existing filling
• Bone loss due to gum disease or other conditions
• Certain changes associated with cancer and other diseases

We also use digital x-rays to monitor new tooth development in children, to prevent things like impacted teeth (new teeth that are unable to erupt normally) and to make accommodations for other things kids commonly experience as their permanent teeth emerge.

Adult patients with healthy mouths and good oral care habits usually only need x-rays once every few years. But children and people with extensive disease, restoration work, poor hygiene or other conditions that may result in decay may need to be x-rayed every six months to one year.

Radiation Dose Chart – Randall Munroe – Reed Research Reactor
http://xkcd.com/radiation/

Other related newsletter articles:

• Six reasons you need to see a dentist now.

If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to stop procrastinating about your health, be sure you don’t overlook your oral health. Getting a checkup every six months is a good start, but if you’re experiencing certain symptoms, you may want to come in sooner rather than later.

Dental problems have a way of sneaking up on a person, and a mild issue now could mean a more serious ― and potentially painful or expensive ― problem later.

What symptoms should set off a red flag? Here are six common ones. If you’re experiencing any of them, it’s a sign you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

1. Chronic tooth or mouth pain: Do you find yourself chewing on one side of your mouth? Do your jaws or gums ache? Mouth pain can develop so subtly that people barely even notice it. But if yours constantly hurts, it could be a sign of a cavity, cracked tooth, infection or worse.
2. Persistent dry mouth: A healthy mouth produces enough saliva to prevent dryness, but if your mouth feels dry most of the time, you should talk to us. Prescription medication is often the culprit, but it can also be a sign of a compromised immune system. Regardless of the cause, chronic dry mouth can lead to bad breath and advanced tooth and gum decay if left to continue.
3. Mouth sores that won’t heal: A typical canker sore comes and goes in a few days, but if yours lasts longer than a week it could indicate a nutritional deficiency, immune system problem or gastroenterological disease. Mouth sores can also be very painful, so it’s best to get them treated right away.
4. Loose teeth: Unless you’re a little kid, a loose tooth is not normal. Whether it is from an injury or has just become loose over time, it’s a very serious problem that if left untreated could lead to pain, infection or loss of the tooth entirely.
5. Loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness: These could be signs of a serious condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). People with OSA experience short periods of interrupted breathing while asleep, which over time can lead to chronic sleep deprivation and a host of other ailments. Fortunately, OSA can be effectively treated with a dental appliance (similar to a night guard) to help you breathe easier, reduce snoring and get a more restful night’s sleep.
6. Bad breath (halitosis): Though sour breath can be caused by poor diet and bad oral hygiene, it could also be a symptom of liver or kidney dysfunction. If it is dental- or diet-related, a dentist will be able to determine the cause and help treat the problem. If it points to a larger health issue, they’ll be able to refer you to a doctor who can help.

If you’re concerned about any of these symptoms, give us a call. We can help decide how serious your problem might be and fit you in for an urgent appointment if you need one.

Other related newsletter articles:

• Why dental x-rays are important, and the benefits of going digital.

Thanks for making this such a wonderful year.

Though the days are short and the weather is cold, we’re feeling the warmth of the season, thanks in part to our patients and friends. We love making you smile, and we’re grateful for the chance to keep you happy and healthy.

We’ve been busy putting together new offers and promotions for 2012, and we’ll announce them as soon as we finalize the details. In the meantime, we’re preparing for our annual holiday break.

This year, we will close the office Friday, December 23, through Sunday, January 1. We’ll open our doors on Monday, January 2.

We hope that you’ll take time that week to enjoy family and friends, as well as keep up good brushing and flossing habits, which are especially important when you’re indulging in candy and desserts. And when it comes time for New Year’s resolutions, we hope that you’ll keep your oral health in mind.

If we don’t see you before the break, we wish you the happiest of holidays and a great New Year.

Sincerely,
Dr. Mike Koczarski, Dr. Katie McKay and the entire team.

Other related newsletter articles:

• Employee Spotlight / Wendi
• Posing for the camera
• Smile! The holidays are here.

Wendi, Scheduling Coordinator

Also known by her nickname, “Wendall,” Wendi is responsible for answering the phone and greeting patients when they come into our office.

“Since I’m the first person patients will see or speak to,” she says, “I try to be happy and helpful. And if I can’t help, I can certainly find someone who can.” Wendi truly enjoys getting to know patients and doing her part to help them feel comfortable. “Patient care is always on our minds,” she remarks. “Our team is amazing, and there’s always lots of laughter.”

Like her personality, Wendi’s hometown of Van Nuys, California, is also bright and sunny. But she’s lived in the Northwest for 35 years and currently resides in Bothell with her husband Lance.

Wendi and Lance have two grown sons, Jory and Casey, as well as a granddaughter, Hailey Marie. Her 22-year-old son Casey is a professional dancer in Hollywood and has appeared on Glee and Dancing with the Stars. As this proud mom exclaims, “You’ve probably seen him on TV!”

• Posing for the camera
• Smile! The holidays are here.
• Wishing you a happy, healthy holiday