A Dentist Today will Save Your Smile for Tommorrow

Feel Good About Your Smile With a Great Dentist

Do you feel uncomfortable about your smile? Or found yourself hiding it behind the palm of your hands? It can only mean that your oral health doesn’t give you as much confidence as it should. Studies show that a confident smile is able to boost your self-esteem instantly. However, such is only achievable if you seek the professional help of a downtown Seattle dentist near you. The sooner you seek assistance, the better.

Where would we all be without a beautiful smile to grace the world with? A world where everyone goes around looking gloomy and sad would definitely taint it. White teeth are a natural gift, but our daily routine sometimes interferes with the plan, giving way to dental problems. Unless there is a serious underlying issue with a child, teeth naturally sprout white and well spaced. This is exactly how we are supposed to maintain them and it is possible through proper oral care.

Dentistry for the Prevention of Tooth Decay and Other Dental Complications

There are certain instances whereby dental complications occur. These include; teeth decay, bleeding, and swollen gums, bad breath, and even mouth ulcers. However, these do not spell doom. They can easily be fixed if only you seek medical attention in good time. Your dentist will look for underlying problems and work towards solving them first. Thereafter, they will proceed with treating the symptoms which are more likely to cause you discomfort, embarrassment or even pain.

After the healing process, your dentist will recommend follow-up appointments whereby they will advise on the best methods to prevent the problem from recurring in the future. It is wise to observe frequent dental check ups to maintain healthy teeth. If you have a family, it is best to introduce them to this practice early enough. It will give your children the opportunity to grow with healthy teeth and gums and possibly avoid unnecessary aches such as tooth extractions, filling and root canals.

Your Family Dentist for the Long Run

Hiring a family dentist to walk you through proper dental health is highly advisable. It will give you the opportunity to get underlying dental problems fixed as soon as they crop up. However, if you never got this opportunity growing up, it’s never too late. You can start your own culture right away.

Some dental issues emerge as a result of poor lifestyle choices such as cigarette smoking. Although this can harm your gums and discolor your teeth, your dentist may be able to clean them and restore them to their initial color. If you hire a dentist for your family, your children will learn the importance of brushing their teeth twice a day at a tender age. They will also learn about the harmful effects of eating too much candy which may help them refrain. This may be all that is needed to get them keen on oral health.

Hiring the services of a dentist is a smart choice that will maintain a beautiful healthy smile long term. Ensure that they are qualified and certified. Although there are many dentists in Seattle, choose one that fits your budget and requirements. A dentist that will create adequate time for you during appointments is the best choice.

Perks of Having a Downtown Dentist

Even if you don’t work in downtown Seattle, having a dentist there is ideal because it gives you the opportunity to explore the nearby commercial district. If you’re hungry after your appointment, stop by MOD Pizza on 6th and University. And if you want to extend the evening’s festivities, invite some friend to meet you later at Purple Wine Bar on 4th Avenue.

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Chiropractic Care for Repetitive Strain Injuries

Chiropractic Care

ChiropractorChiropractors depend on their ability help those who suffer from injuries. These chiropractic care services can be both preventative and curing. Though major injuries often occur from a single action, there is a whole range of actions that can lead to a chiropractic trip for care. This type of injury occurs in a wide variety of settings, from sports players to office and construction workers. These are what’s known as repetitive stress injuries, and they can become a major problem over time.

Construction and manufacturing jobs are prevalent in the Puyallup area, with companies like Fastenal and Pro Sales employing many local residents. And while manufacturing jobs are good for the economy, they are bad for workers’ bodies. Back injuries, repetitive motion pain, and neck problems develop despite these companies’ efforts to mitigate them.

What is a repetitive strain injury?

There are wide range of injury types that fall into the repetitive stress injury category. These are typically caused by repetitive motions, poor positioning, mechanical devices, exertions, and vibrations that affect a specific part of the body. Just some of the injuries that fall under this label include:

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Edema
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Radial Tunnel Syndrome
  • Intersection Syndrome
  • Golfer’s Elbow
  • Tendinosis
  • Focal Dystonia
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

How do repetitive stress injuries affect the body?

Depending on the type of injury the affect that occurs may vary. The most common injury types are inflammation like tendonitis and the condition known as bursitis. These are both similar in nature but where tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons (connective tissue that allows for movement), bursitis is the inflammation of cushioning sacs that help lubricate areas between bones and tendons. This is part of the reason so many individuals suffer arthritis of the joints. Bursae are often found at these joining intersections in order to help the body cushion these often moved areas.

What are the symptoms of repetitive stress injury?

Chiropractic Treatment
Pain typically occurs at the site and you may suffer from pain as you are performing a specific action. For instance, when pain is sports related like tennis or golfer’s elbow, pain occurs during a specific motion that extends and flexes an area that is inflamed. Tennis players may suffer from this when they are bringing the racket back and tilting their wrist backwards. Golfer’s may suffer from this as they hit the golf ball, feeling pain in both the elbow and wrist. The area may also be warm to the touch, and sufferers frequently experience swelling, pain, and redness. Putting additional weight or strain on the area can cause it to hurt even more.

When should you seek help?

If the pain occurs with movement, tenderness doesn’t go away, or your regular activities are interrupted you should seek medical help. Medical practitioners can diagnose your problem and many of the stress injury related chiropractors receive are due to referrals. That’s because when it comes to injuries, chiropractic and traditional medical practitioners work in tandem for the betterment of the patient, and chiropractic care can do more for your stress injuries than you may have even realized.

Chiropractic Treatment for your Stress Injury.

With so many different stress related injuries chiropractors have to be able to adapt their treatment to the patient. One of the first things you and your chiropractor will discuss is the location of your pain, when it occurs, and what you believe has caused it. Establishing this helps determine the nature of the injury before diagnostic imaging is taken. Chiropractors use a number of different measurements to determine the extent of the injury, and how to go about treating it.

One of the things you’ll get with chiropractic care that traditional medicine doesn’t always offer is individualized care. There is no one size fits all option a chiropractor can use across multiple patients. That’s why recovery, treatment, and therapy efforts are based around the individual needs of the patient. Your chiropractor will likely take extensive notes and test for a number of things like blood flow to the area, flexibility, where and when pain occurs, and what range of motion can be safely executed without the fear of pain.

Specific treatments available from your chiropractor.

  • Adjustments – This is what most people think of when they think of chiropractic care. When nerve endings are compressed by incorrect spinal alignment it can cause symptoms throughout the body. This can result in inflammation and pain and may directly contribute to or mimic repetitive stress conditions. With proper adjustments these can be fixed over time resulting in partial or complete recovery though ongoing treatment may be necessary.
  • Decompression Techniques – Decompression methods involve stretching out certain parts of the body in order to separate the joint surfaces. Since many stress ailments occur around joints or are joint related, this can be used to great effect. It may be combined with ongoing stretching at home in order to help limber the affected area and restore a more complete range of motion when mobility is affected.
  • Massage Therapy – Many chiropractic offices also have a massage therapist on hand. Massage therapy has been a long running treatment practice for many ailments related to stress including those caused by repetitive actions. Tightening muscles can cause a number of different problems from chronic pain to inflammation. Massage is an excellent way to work out the affected areas and help muscles that won’t relax on their own.
  • Acupuncture – Though acupuncture can’t be found at every chiropractic clinic, it can help a wide variety of conditions. Acupuncture works by stimulating certain nerve endings. These meridian points reach all across the body, and when certain points are hit it can reduce pain in other areas. This is great for repetitive problems like arthritis and extended motion pain as well as pain caused by office jobs where employees are forced to sit in the same position for long periods of time.

Finding the right Chiropractor for your needs.

Now that you know what services to look for it’s time to identify the right chiropractor for your stress injury treatment. There are some important questions you can ask your potential chiropractic clinic in order to determine whether or not they are right for you.

Ask your chiropractor:

  • How long have you been in business and where did you go to school? This will allow you to check the credentials of the University if you desire.
  • What services do you offer? Determining the scope of service and whether or not any additional practitioners operate out of the same building can help you find a chiropractic center that offers all of the services you need in one place.
  • Have you ever had any complaints? Finding out whether or not there are any complaints lodged against your chiropractic office of choice can help you weed out poor practitioners. Just like other medical fields the quality of the services can vary. When poor service can result in greater problems, you want to take the time to vet your chiropractor.
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Dentist Services In Seattle Changes Your Life With a Smile Makeover

Cosmetic Dentistry for Beautiful Teeth

Do you feel that your teeth are ugly and that they ruin your appearance? Thankfully, a talented dentist can easily sort this problem out for you. A smile makeover can totally change the way you look, and with that, the way you feel about yourself. Dentist Seattle today have plenty of new techniques at their disposal, and they can use them to bring about a transformation in your looks. You can get a lot from Dental Services in Seattle.

If you are troubled by your discolored, broken or chipped teeth or by gaps in between them, then you can easily get the problem sorted out. Similarly, an unattractive gummy smile can rectify to show more teeth and less gum.

Some of the popular treatments that cosmetic dentists offer include:

Tooth Whitening

This is probably the most popular cosmetic dental procedure because it gives instant and dramatic results. You will look considerably younger if your teeth become a few shades lighter than they currently are.

Cosmetic bonding

A dental practitioner uses composite resin to replace or cover up parts of the tooth that are discolored or broken. The bonded material sticks to the tooth, and it gives it a very natural appearance. Your tooth will stay intact for a very long time as long as you do not bite hard on anything.

Porcelain crowns

Made of a very durable substance and fitted onto the damaged tooth just like a cap, a crown can give the tooth its original size and shape. This helps fill out a gap in the teeth caused due to decay or fracture. They look and feel just like actual teeth and are incredibly strong and long-lasting.

Dental Bridges

They are used to fill a gap caused by a missing tooth. The artificial tooth is kept in place by the bridge that is anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap. A missing tooth can make you look older than you are since it gives you a sunken-cheeked look.

Porcelain Veneers

Comprised of thin shells of porcelain, they are used to cover teeth that are discolored. They are preferred over other alternatives because they involve petite damage to the existing teeth.

Be sure to have a detailed discussion with your Seattle dentist regarding the different options available to you. You’ll love the way your smile is transformed once the dental surgeon offers the right treatment. Do note that you’ll have to work out a suitable payment schedule because some of these treatments can be expensive.

Once the dentist has finished, you have the benefit of having a confident smile with near best teeth.

A dentist can show you the difference between healthy and unhealthy gums and can also advise you about the ways to keep your oral health right and prevent dental problems. Oral hygiene is crucial for everyone, and safe and healthy teeth can boost your confidence, and also you can smile freely. All you need to do is to visit a professional dentist for regular checkups.

Places to Visit After Your Appointment

It’s always nice to treat yourself after a hard day at the dentist. Fortunately, if your dentist is located in Seattle, you have lots of options for dining and entertainment after your appointment. Just four blocks down University Street and 3rd is Gelatiamo – a cafe with house-made, small-batch gelato and sorbet.

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Preventive Dental Care 101

Many dentist offices offer preventive care to keep patients from developing gum and tooth conditions that cause pain and can lead to the loss of teeth and/or infection. These conditions are often preventable with proper oral hygiene. If you are able to keep up with oral care, you will most likely be able to keep concerns like gum disease and tooth decay down to a minimum. If you do end up with a problem with your teeth or gums, make sure to check in with your trusted dentist in Seattle to ensure that your teeth can be restored to their natural beauty and you can have a strong bite. The following article has a two-part focus: the first includes tips you can enact to prevent dental disease and decay, the second section will focus on general first aid for teeth in the case of an accident.

Dental Care: Prevention 101

Preventing Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a common occurrence for many people, especially children. There may also be and increased risk in people who have very deep grooves in their teeth, to the point that even brushing everyday has no effect. For people with these issues or who have a genetic disposition for tooth decay, there are ways of reducing the risk.

  • A dental sealant is a permanent protective layer that your dentist in Seattle can apply over your teeth. The sealant acts as a shield for the tooth that keeps harmful bacteria from weakening and eating away at the natural enamel. Dental sealant can help you avoid tooth decay if you have very deep grooves in your teeth. It is also a solution for people with weak or receding enamel.
  • Eating right for your teeth is another way of reducing the risk of tooth decay. Keep sugary foods to a minimum in your diet or cut them out altogether. Sugar is a favorite of bacteria. Frequent consumption of sugary foods and beverages will increase bacteria activity, leading to a higher occurrence of tooth decay.
  • Good oral hygiene is, of course, a great way to prevent tooth decay. Make sure you brush twice a day for at least two minute, focusing on getting at each tooth and every angle. Brush in the morning and also before going to bed, and do not eat anything after that last brushing for the night. Also floss at least once a day to remove additional bacteria and tartar that has been missed with brushing. Tooth decay develops over time, so keeping up with your hygiene can save you from problems later on.
  • Regular dental cleaning is a big part of staying on top of your oral health care. A dentist will be able to diagnose any conditions that are taking hold, like tooth decay, and prevent them from getting worse. They also remove plaque and tartar build up, keeping your teeth clean to help avoid decay.

Preventing Gum Disease

Dentist Seattle
Besides tooth decay, you also have to worry about other oral diseases such as gum disease. Gum disease begins as gingivitis and progresses to become periodontitis, and eventually chronic periodontitis. In the early stages it is reversible, however, once the progressions goes too far, it can only be maintained with vigilant oral care and regular visits to the dentist. Most of the preventative steps to take for gum disease are the same ones you apply to avoiding tooth decay.

  • Good oral hygiene is a given in preventing most conditions that negatively impact the teeth and gums. Regular flossing and brushing are absolutely necessary.
  • Fluoride can be used as an additional preventative guard against gum disease. Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that is used to prevent oral diseases, especially in those who do not get it in their drinking water. Fluoride has been shown to strengthen teeth by making them more resistance to bacteria. It is particularly useful in reversing the early stages of tooth gum disease. You can set up a program for fluoride treatment with your regular dentist.
  • Mouth rinse, also called mouth wash, carries benefit in the prevention of gum disease. Using and ADA approved mouth wash after a meal, especially when you are not able to brush for a while or when you have eaten a particularly sugary or acidic meal, will help remove pockets of food debris clinging to the teeth or caught in the grooves.
  • Smoking cessation is a must for a healthy mouth. Not only does smoking exacerbate the conditions that lead to gum disease, it also increases the risk of cancer of the gum and mouth.

First Aid for your Teeth

There are many activities which pose particular peril to your teeth: playing sports, exercising, and some just everyday experiences. When your mouth is hit by a ball or you step off a sidewalk too hard and jar your jaw, causing a tooth to chip or break, there are some steps you can take to ease the reduce pain and damage.

Broken or Chipped Tooth

If you break off a piece of tooth keep the fragment if you can. Stay away from eating or drinking hot or cold substances until you can get into the dentist. The dentist may be able to bond the fragment back on with color-matching technology.

Tooth Knocked Out

Seattle Dentist
When a tooth has been entirely knocked out, it can actually be possible to replant it. This generally only works if it is done immediately. Quickly rinse off the tooth and make sure it is free of debris and so is the pocket in your gum line. Holding only the crown section of the tooth, and avoiding touching the roots, place the tooth back down into the socket in the same direction and angle it had been in. Once you feel the tooth is firmly in place, place gentle pressure from the top, pressing down to hold it.

As soon as possible, get in to see the dentist, especially if the replanting does not take.

Tooth Displacement

A displacement is when a tooth has suddenly been pushed down further into the socket or has been pushed sideways into a different location. Either of these situations is not something that should be handled on your own. If you have teeth that have been jarred out of position, get to a dentist right away. A dentist can anchor the tooth/teeth to surrounding stable teeth, keeping it from falling out and slowly migrating it back into place.

Cracked or Fractured Tooth

Cracked teeth are different from those that have had a section that has chipped off. While the tooth may still be fully rotted in the socket, it has a crack line going through it. If you are aware that this has happened (or if you have bit down hard on an object, like an unexpected bone in your food) you may have exposed pulp. This is an avenue where bacteria and infection can get inside the tooth. It may be possible to seal up, but it may also need to be pulled. Either way, it needs to be seen by a dentist in order to avoid it turning into an infection.

If you have any questions about these concerns or need to schedule an appointment for preventative dental care, call Timothy J. Butson, DMD, MSD, a preferred dentist in Seattle. The office is located in bustling Downtown Seattle just off University Avenue and 7th near the Hilton.

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