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What We Look for During Dental Exams | Issaquah Dentist

Most people take their trip to the dentist for granted. They go in with the hope that they will hear they have no cavities, a new toothbrush and an appointment to return in 6 months. They don’t really pay attention to what we are doing, but it’s not a bad thing to learn about if you want to improve your oral health.

While most people think that the most important work we do is during the actual exam, the work we do before that is just as important. We start out by looking at the history we have for our patients, including any issues that could signal potential problems with oral health. We also want to look at the x-rays and notes from previous exams to see if there are any changes that signal a potential issue.

During the exam we are looking for more than changes. We look for signs of any bacterial growth that could lead to plaque buildup, the positioning of your teeth and gums, and gaps and pockets that may cause a problem. We look for any discoloration of the teeth or spots on the teeth that are signs of tooth decay. We are looking for the same signs that a patient can look for at home that the health of their teeth and gums are at risk.

We also rely on x-rays to look at the structure of the teeth and gums to spot problems before they become a bigger issue. Our goal is to make sure we can treat any issues as easily as possible to prevent problems before they occur. During an office visit, we will do this and then give you the treatments and tools needed for optimal oral health.

For more information about dental examinations, call Dr. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Frank S. Sciabica proudly serves patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.

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Can You Eat Regular Foods Following Getting Sealants? | Issaquah Dentist

Dental sealants help to protect your teeth from cavities. They do this by creating a barrier between the enamel and plaque, which is full of bacteria.

The molars have small grooves within the surface that can trap plaque and food particle, and since your toothbrush can’t remove them completely, they can get stuck there for a long time. Dental sealants can help, and after a relatively simple procedure, you’ll be able to start eating and drinking right away.

What to expect after dental sealants

After we’ve finished sealing your teeth, you can eat, drink, play, or work. There won’t be any restrictions. It may feel strange to bite into something at first due to the new sealant, but this sensation should go away in a few days. Soon, you won’t even know that you have the sealant. Regular dental appointments are still essential after your teeth are sealed.

Some patients believe that once they have sealants that their teeth are virtually immune to decay and other issues. That simply isn’t the case. You still need to brush and floss regularly, and regular appointments in our office allow us to check how your sealant is doing. Sealants don’t last forever, but they can effectively seal teeth for 10 years, and they can be replaced easily if they are damaged or chipped.

Foods to avoid

While they aren’t specific to dental sealants, there are some foods that you should avoid in order to maintain good oral health. These are foods that are especially sticky, hard, and chewy, including caramel, taffy, jawbreakers, hard candy, chewing gum, and gummy bears.

Are you interested in dental sealants for either yourself or your child? If so, contact our office today to learn more about your options. We will discuss the pros and cons of dental sealants to help you decide if they are right for you.

For more information about dental sealants, call Dr. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Frank S. Sciabica proudly serves patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.

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Is It Important to Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly? | Issaquah Dentist

Once you buy a toothbrush you haven’t made a lifelong investment. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) you need to replace your toothbrush once every three months. If its bristles become frayed, you will need to replace your toothbrush even sooner.

Why You Need to Replace Your Toothbrush

Unfortunately, the bristles on your toothbrush don’t kill the bacteria that’s in your mouth or keep you from getting sick. In fact, things like the flu virus, strep virus, yeast fungus, staph bacteria, and E. coli can live on your toothbrush and make you sick (which is why you should change your toothbrush after you’re done being sick with any of these things).

What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Toothbrush

When you don’t change your toothbrush frequently enough, you could actually get sick from using your toothbrush. Fortunately, this is unlikely to happen, but it’s still a disgusting possibility – one that should encourage you to replace your toothbrush as often as recommended.

In fact, researchers have found that even though bacteria do hang out on your toothbrush, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be re-infected with the same illness a second time. Instead, it’s more likely that you’ll develop another type of virus from it.

How to Choose a New Toothbrush

Once you’re ready to choose a new toothbrush, you’ll want to make sure you choose one that will fit your needs – not just any toothbrush will do because they’re not all made the same. You want a toothbrush head that’s a half-inch wide and one-inch tall, so you can reach all the areas of your mouth.

Make sure it has soft bristles so it’s both comfortable and safe to use. It’s also a good idea to make sure that it’s recommended by the ADA. You can learn more about your toothbrush by giving our office a call today.

For more information about toothbrushes, call Dr. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Frank S. Sciabica proudly serves patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.

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You Should Not Brush for 30 Minutes After You Eat – Why Is That? | Issaquah Dentist

You know how important it is to brush your teeth regularly to prevent cavities and decay. However, did you know that brushing too soon after you eat could actually do more harm to your teeth than good? It is true, and that is why we recommend that you wait at least 30 minutes after eating before you brush.

Don’t Brush Right Away

To explain why you shouldn’t brush right away, it is important to understand what is going on in your mouth right after you eat. The foods that you consume create acids that will work away at the enamel, and right after you are eating, those levels are at their highest. This means that your teeth are in a weakened state, as they are being attacked by acid.

The good news is that your body will naturally neutralize acid levels in your mouth. The saliva rinses food particles away, and after about a half an hour, the pH value should be back to normal. The bad news is that if you brush during this weakened time, you’ll actually help the acids to attack the teeth, scrubbing the destructive acid right into the enamel.

What Should You Do?

It is good that you are concerned about your teeth and the impact food might have on them. If you want to do something right after you eat, rinse your mouth out with water. This will help to speed up the neutralizing process. Then, don’t forget to brush later, at least two times a day. As long as you wait at least 30 minutes after you eat, your teeth should be strong again and out of the danger zone.

Do you have questions about how to better care for your teeth? If so, please call our office and speak to one of our friendly staff members about an appointment.

For more information about brushing, call Dr. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Frank S. Sciabica proudly serves patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.