Steps to Choose the Right Dentist Near Me

Oral health is an important aspect to keep your  body healthy. That is why regular brushing and flossing are highly emphasized by health professionals, and you should also see a dentist at least twice a year for professional cleaning. If you have recently moved to a new place, you might want to look up ‘dentist near me’ so you do not have to travel far for cleanings, check-ups, or treatments you might need down the line.

A good local dentist will be your oral care partner to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy. Follow these steps to make sure that you are selecting the right Dentist when exploring the results for ‘dentist near me’:

Verify the location

Choose a dental office that is easy to commute, drive, or bike from your home or workplace. That way, it will be easy for you to arrive timely on your appointments without worrying about traffic or distance. And speaking of appointments, check for the clinic hours and determine if they can accommodate dental emergencies.

Know their professional experience

The right dentist is someone who is not just experienced in dentistry and their specializations, but also in establishing good rapport with their patients. Remember that they will be your partner in maintaining your oral health, so it is important to choose a ‘dentist near me’ who you can get along with and can be comfortable with.

Check if they accept your dental insurance

If you have dental insurance, make sure that the dentist you choose accepts it. Most reputable dentists take insurance from established companies. If you don’t have one, check with them for prepaid memberships and payment plans.

Find out what others are saying about the dentist

Read reviews or testimonials to get some insights on the dentist and their team’s quality of patient care. Just remember to take the feedback with a grain of salt.

Take a virtual tour or visit the clinic

Verify that the ‘dentist near me’ has a well-equipped office and state-of-the-art technology and materials.

3 Facts That You Should Know About the Dental Implants

Most people think there is nothing wrong about missing a tooth. However, besides affecting one’s self-esteem, appearance, and ability to chew and smile confidently, it can actually cause a lot of dental problems down the line! Without that tooth, remaining teeth could shift, bone loss could occur, and jaw problems can develop. That is why you should immediately seek treatment from a dentist for a replacement, such as a dental implant. In that case, you should look for a dental implant dentist who has extensive experience in performing this procedure.

 If you are new to dental implants, you might be wondering how they can be beneficial and how they differ from the usual dentures. Here are three facts that can give you some basic knowledge about them:

 1. They are permanent replacements

 Unlike dentures, which are removable, dental implants are meant to be effective and permanent replacements to missing teeth. The implant is made of biocompatible material like titanium and it will be surgically implanted into the jaw where the missing tooth is. That way, it will serve as a root, and once it fuses with your gum tissue and jaw bone, the custom crown can be placed.

 2. They act like natural teeth

 A dental implant dentist customizes the treatment as per patient to make sure that the implant-supported restoration can look and feel like natural teeth. This way, you can continue your regular oral hygiene routine (i.e., brush and floss as usual) and enjoy your favorite foods. Moreover, you do not have to worry about the false teeth sticking out or looking obvious.

 3. Dental implants are not for everyone

 Only a dental implant dentist can determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. They will conduct a thorough dental exam to assess your jaw bone and verify that it is healthy enough for the implant. Otherwise, a more extensive procedure that involves bone grafting may be necessary. Generally, patients with gum disease, those who smoke, people with immature bones, have chronic medical conditions or take certain medications, and pregnant women may not be the best candidates for dental implants.

You can learn more about dental implants from a reputable dental implant dentist near you. Be sure to make an appointment for an assessment, so you know if it is the best treatment for you!

Don’t Fear the Dentist – Beat Your Dental Anxiety

Is an upcoming dental appointment making you feel anxious? You are not alone in this! A lot of people fear the dentist because of negative perceptions and experiences from previous visits. In some cases, they may have developed some trauma from a procedure they had. Because of that, they may put off getting treated or avoid regular check-ups and cleanings with a dentist in Lynnwood WA. It can be challenging to overcome your dental anxiety. Below are few tips you can follow to let go of this fear:

• Consider finding a better dentist – Is your current dentist making you feel uncomfortable and anxious? That may be your cue to find another dental practice, preferably one with a dentist who is known to be nice and friendly to people who have a phobia or anxiety. Ask them about their procedures to help relieve their patients’ anxiety, such as sedation options.
  
  
• Get to know the clinic - Consider a dentist in Lynnwood WA that has modern technology and equipment in their clinic. Make sure their office is modern, clean, and feels comfortable. Some dentists also have television and music players, offer Wi-Fi, and provide drinks to their patients to keep them comfortable.
  
  
• Visiting for the first time? Don’t go alone – You may feel more at ease when you know that a loved one is with you and waiting for you.
  
  
• Be there on time – If you are anxious about dental appointments, try to arrive on time so that you do not have to wait too long for your turn.
  
  
• Be honest and ask questions – Do not hesitate to ask the dentist in Lynnwood WA about your procedure. They will be more than happy to explain what they are doing as they treat you. If you feel any pain or discomfort, let them know.

 

Reputable dentists in Lynwood have welcoming offices with modern technologies and a friendly team to help ensure that you are getting the best treatment possible. Let them know about your dental anxiety and they will do their best to accommodate you! 

Dental Deep Cleaning – Know Its Importance and About Its Procedure

Regular professional cleaning is essential to prevent gum diseases. However, your dentist may tell you that they want to perform a dental deep cleaning after thoroughly examining your mouth and realizing that your gums need it. After taking x-rays and visually examining your gums, the dentist can make a diagnosis. Also known as scaling and root panning, deep cleaning may be recommended based on the current condition of the gums, the stage of your periodontitis, the depth of the pockets, and the amount of tartar.

 Why is it necessary

 The goal of dental deep cleaning is to remove tartar and dental plaque that causes inflammation to the gum (gingival tissue) and the surrounding bone. Conventional cleanings can remove tartar and plaque, but these are effective only when you have minimal to moderate gingivitis.

 In general, dentists may recommend it for the following reasons:

 

• Disease prevention – Bacteria that causes periodontal infections can go to your bloodstream and affect other parts of your body to cause other health issues.
• Protect the tooth – Gum pockets that go beyond 3mm in depth are at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease. That’s because bacteria tend to accumulate in deeper pockets and that can lead to tooth loss.
• Improve your breath – Halitosis or bad breath is a common sign of gum disease.
• Aesthetic benefits – Dental deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and the teeth.

Understanding the procedure

Scaling is done using special dental instruments in addition to an ultrasonic scaling tool to remove plaque and calculus from the root surfaces and the surface of the crown. In most cases, the tool can perform irrigation to provide an antimicrobial agent beneath the gums to reduce oral bacteria.

 Root planing is another aspect of the dental deep cleaning procedure and it aims to remove surface dentin and cementum that have embedded with tartar, toxins, and bacteria. By removing those harmful elements, proper healing may take place.