Questions About Family or Cosmetic Dentistry?
Below is a list of some of the questions we get asked most frequently from our patients. If you have a question that isn't answered below, feel free to give our Bellevue, WA dental practice a call and we'll be happy to assist you.
1.Firstly, make sure to use a soft bristled brush. Hard bristled brushes can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
2. Place your brush at a 45 degree angle to your gumline. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gumline.
3. Use short back and forth strokes or tiny circular movements to brush your teeth. Each movement should be no bigger than the size of each tooth.
4. Make sure to use gentle strokes while brushing. Gentle strokes are effective in removing plaque, while too much pressure can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
5. Brush all surfaces of each tooth, including the outer, inner, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
6. Finally, don't cut your brushing short! Make sure to brush for at least 2 minutes.
1. Take 18" of floss and wind it around the middle finger of each hand .You can use these fingers to take up floss as it becomes dirty. Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch the floss leaving 1-2 inches in between for cleaning.
2. Gently move the floss up and down the spaces of your teeth. Never snap the floss down onto your gums, as it can cause damage.
3. As you move the floss down into the space between two teeth, slide it up and down against the surface of one tooth. Gently clean at the gumline as well. Repeat this for the other tooth.
4. Repeat this process for all of your teeth.
- gums that bleed while brushing
- red, swollen or tender gums
- gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- bad breath that doesn't go away
- pus between your teeth and gums
- loose teeth
- a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- a change in the fit of partial dentures
Invisalign clear braces will straighten your teeth by using the most advanced clear aligners in the world. These aligners are designed to slowly shift your teeth into proper alignments. Our office is proud to be a certified provider of invisalign clear aligners, which give you a clear, convenient, and comfortable option to achieve the smile you've always wanted.
Comfortable - The material of Invisalign tends to be non-irritating to the gum tissue. Our aligners are custom-made to achieve a flawless and comfortable fit. They are not only smooth and comfortable to wear, but they're also removable. That means you can continue doing all the thing you normally would, from brushing and flossing to eating whatever you like.
Convenient - Invisalign treatments is ideal for your busy schedules, since you only need to visit our office every six weeks.
Faster treatment - In many cases, treatment can take half the time of traditional braces. The series of Invisalign aligners are completely customized to your smile, which allows for effective treatment when properly worn.
Virtually invisible - Most people won't even know you're going through treatment, because Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible!
Proven results - Invisalign clear aligners can treat a wide range of teeth straightening conditions, including cross bites, crowding, open bites, gapped teeth, overbites, and underbites. SmartTrack material and SmartForce features are clinically proven to improve control of tooth movement with the aligners.
No Brackets or Wire - You don't have to worry about the inside of your lips, cheeks, or tongue being cut by metal, because Invisalign uses no brackets or wires.
Your consultation - We will discuss your orthodontic needs following thorough evaluation of your oral cavity. We may take X-rays to get a more complete picture of your dental health.
Your digital scan - Digital images of your teeth will be taken by using Itero digital scanner. Those images are used to create a customized treatment plan and custom-made aligners for you.
Your custom made aligners - The first aligners may take a couple of weeks to arrive. Then, you will receive enough aligners to allow you to change weekly and return for your checkups every six weeks or so. It is important that you use your aligners about 22 hours a day to stay on track with your treatment plan. The aligners should only be taken out to eat, brush, floss and drink something other than water.
Your progress - During your regular check-up visits, we will make sure your teeth are progressing and may make adjustments to your treatment plan where needed.
Your new smile - When your treatment is complete, ask us about a Vivera retainer. Vivera retainers are custom-made using the same state-of-the-art technology as Invisalign clear aligners.
In-office teeth whitening
In-office teeth whitening works by producing a significant color change in your teeth in short amount of time, usally within an hour. The procedure is done at the dentist's office applying a high-concentration peroxide gel on the teeth after they have been protected with a special shield.
Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Whitening Kits
These whitening kits are purchased from your doctor for use at home. The strength of the gel used in these kits is lower than that used for in-office bleaching, and thus the gel can be applied for longer periods of time. Usually the trays are worn a couple hours a day or overnight for a few days or weeks depending on the product.
Over the counter whitening
Over the counter teeth whitening kits are store-bought and use a lower concentration gel than both in-office bleachin and take-home kits purchased from your doctor. While they are cheaper, they typically are less effective than methods that can be performed by your dentist because of the low concentration gel. Additionally, over the counter trays are not custom fit for your teeth, which can result in irritation to your gums while wearing the trays.
Regardless of the cause of your bad breath, good oral hygiene and regular checkups to the dentist will help reduce it. Brushing and flossing will eliminate particles of food stuck between your teeth which emit odors. It will also help prevent or treat periodontal disease (gum disease), caused by plaque buildup on your teeth, which can lead to bad breath. Dentures should be properly cleaned and soaked overnight in antibacterial solution (unless otherwise advised by your dentist). Finally, make sure to brush your tongue regularly to eliminate any residue.
