Your healthy mouth is an important part of a healthy body, and taking care of your oral hygiene is essential to your overall health. Regular dental visits are an integral component of that maintenance. You should see your dentist every six months, or more frequently as recommended by your dentist. What happens at regular visits? There are two main things that happen at your regular dental visit, cleaning by the hygienist, and an examination by your dentist. The checkup will include looking closely for cavities or other issues such as fractured teeth or broken or leaking fillings. The dentist will also screen for oral cancer and other abnormalities. The dental hygienist will clean plaque and tartar off your teeth with instruments specially designed for that purpose. Plaque and calculus deposits are the early building blocks for periodontal diseases. Once the teeth are scaled and cleaned, they will polish them to…

Having a nice, bright smile can improve your appearance, make you more approachable, and improve your confidence levels. But what if your smile isn’t naturally white? Even healthy, well-cared-for teeth are susceptible to staining and usually darken over time. If that’s the case, you may be considering whitening toothpaste. But will it really work? If your teeth have a naturally yellowish hue, whitening toothpaste won’t solve that problem. What they can do is remove surface stains on teeth that result from eating certain foods and consuming some drinks such as coffee and tea. Any smoking will also cause surface stains. Whitening toothpastes are ineffective for deeper internal discoloration. That doesn’t mean teeth whitening toothpaste doesn’t have some cosmetic benefits. Whitening toothpaste uses special abrasives that gently polish the teeth. This adds luster to your smile and will help to break down and remove stains. If used twice a day, your…

Your dentist or hygienist always asks, and you always fudge your answer a little bit: how often do you floss your teeth? In addition to regular brushing, flossing should be part of your daily oral hygiene routine. It’s a quick, easy way to keep your smile healthy and looking great, and has other benefits as well. If you already brush twice a day, you may think that’s enough. Unfortunately, the bristles aren’t able to reach every part of the tooth and gums. If plaque is allowed to build up in those crevices, you could be facing tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. But the health issues don’t stop there. Plaque is a thin layer of bacteria found on the teeth. If not addressed, it can harden and turn to tartar. That’s why flossing is so important. With the ability to reach all the areas your brush can’t, floss removes…

The connection between good oral health and good overall health is indisputable. Many of the choices we make such as maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco in all forms, and alcohol in moderation, and maintaining regular professional examinations and cleanings contribute greatly to improving our oral and general (systemic)  health. Having a healthy mouth and being able to chew properly has a major impact on our nutritional intake which is vital to maintaining optimal overall health. While research is ongoing, it is known poor oral health has a significant impact on, and consequences to overall health. Some of the connections to specific health conditions being investigated include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, pregnancy complications, and certain cancers. Many of the inflammatory processes that are active in the conditions of the mouth are connected with other disease processes. At Creekside Dental we take your health seriously, and we will do…

We can lose teeth for many different reasons. For example, if teeth aren’t properly cared for your oral health will be put at risk. This means daily brushing, flossing, and regularly scheduled visits to your dentist. Cavities that get too large can lead to infection, breakage, and tooth loss. Periodontal (gum) disease results in loss of supporting bone for teeth, which eventually can lead to tooth loss. Trauma to teeth from accidents is another way we can lose a tooth. The following are several ways teeth can be replaced. The best option for replacement will depend on several factors. Your dentist can help you decide on the best option for your particular situation. Removable partial or complete dentures Removable partial or complete dentures are used to replace missing teeth and are usually taken out at night before bed. There are many types of dentures and they can be supported by…

Creekside Dental Services in Salmon Creek welcomes new Ridgefield Residents For the past few years, Ridgefield, Washington has been the fastest growing city in Clark County as well as one of the fastest growing in Washington State. It’s easy to see why: plenty of wide open spaces, a vibrant downtown area that retains a small town feel, and a community event calendar that is full all year round. With so many people moving to Ridgefield, certain services may be pushed to capacity. Creekside Dental, located in Salmon Creek next to Fred Meyer, is a family dental office that provides general dentistry, hygiene services, and cosmetic dentistry. Creekside Dental has been serving the greater Vancouver area, including Ridgefield WA, for more than 25 years. After your appointment, there’s plenty to do in Ridgefield if you want to take a stroll. The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is located just across Lake River…

In recent years, the physical, social, and health issues that women face in their daily lives have been making headlines. Campaigns like “Real Beauty” and “Go Red for Women” have made Dove a household name and have been extremely successful at spreading awareness. However, the impact oral health has on women’s overall health and self-esteem has gone largely unrecognized. Maintaining good oral health has value beyond the obvious aesthetic rewards of a beautiful, straight, white smile. It protects overall health and can even protect the health of a woman’s unborn child. The stages of women’s lives affect their oral health requirements. As female hormone levels change during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, the way gums react to plaque is magnified, and the attention that a woman pays to her oral health and hygiene habits should be increased. Fluctuation in female hormones can increase the occurrence of: Cold sores and canker…

While every member of our staff works hard to help you preserve your oral health, our dental assistants are key players in the routine dental care and the specialized treatments we provide. They make contact with every patient who walks through our doors, are responsible for making sure you feel comfortable and safe while you are in the dentist’s seat, and before you walk out our door, they will make sure you are well informed and educated. The quality of our practice’s care wouldn’t be the same without them! What Your Dental Assistant Does If you are wondering exactly what our dental assistants are responsible for, the following are just some of their daily duties: Greeting patients and escorting them to the examination rooms Ensuring each patient’s comfort Taking down and tracking patients’ medical histories Making sure all of our dental equipment is sterilized and in safe condition Assisting with…

As the new hottest trend “Dad Bod” suggests, recent surveys and studies show that men are less likely to take care of their physical health than women. This holds true for their oral health. In fact, one of the greatest risk factors for infrequent trips to the dentist is simply being male. With Father’s Day right around the corner and Men’s Health Week upon us, now is a good time to make sure all the special men in our lives take care of their oral health, and to talk about how we can support them so they can fully enjoy optimal whole health and a lifetime of smiles. What the Statistics Say Men have an increased risk of developing oral and throat cancer Men are at greater risk of developing periodontal disease than women One-third of men have not had a dental checkup in the past year On average, a…

Let’s be honest: there are few things in your life you can count on. Relationships come and go, job security is rare, and even your best of friends occasionally let you down. But, amid all the uncertainty life dishes up, there is one thing that never fails you: coffee. Back in high school, when you pulled an all-nighter studying for that Trigonometry test that meant the difference between passing or failing the entire class — coffee was there for you. In college, when you couldn’t sleep for weeks after your first true love dumped you — coffee kept you going. And after you had your first child and learned what sleep deprivation was really about (and that it would now be regular part of rest of your life) coffee warmly greeted you every morning — and sometimes in the afternoon— and has been there for your ever since. In fact, coffee is so reliable…