Dental Treatment
South Sound Dental Care provides a wide range of dental services. We are able to provide every type of dental service typically. It is rare to have to refer you to other specialties. Our focus is on total preventative care for our patients. This includes regular teeth cleaning appointments, check-ups, and at home oral health routines.
We also offer services to restore mouths that have been damaged by dental disease, injury, and common problems that require cosmetic dentistry. With the advanced techniques and technologies we use, along with regularly scheduled dental exams, our patients are able to achieve optimum oral health.
TEETH CLEANING
TOOTH FILLING
CROWNS
DENTAL BRIDGES
ROOT CANALS
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
DENTURES AND PARTIAL DENTURES
SEDATION DENTISTRY
GUM DISEASE
INVISALIGN BRACES
Don’t Wait To Take Care Of Your Teeth!
Healthcare Options
It’s tempting to put off taking care of yourself due to a lack of funding. But as we’ve seen too many times, the end result is much worse than it ever needed to be. We want you to know about a couple of options that make taking care of your oral health easy and affordable.
CareCredit
CareCredit is a great option for taking care of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and you’d be surprised at how many places you can use the card! It can be used for dental care, cosmetic treatments (see Botox® Cosmetic), and for your pet at the vet!
It’s easy to apply and you will have an answer almost immediately. The whole goal is to get you the care you need right away. If you’re approved there is no interest if paid in full within 6 or 12 months.
You can apply when you come in, online at www.carecredit.com or call 800-365-8295.
What Happens When You Don’t Brush Your Teeth?
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Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily.
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Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
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Make sure to use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
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Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
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Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
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To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
How Important is Fluoride For Your Teeth?
Fluoride is a mineral that is in many foods and water. In the 1930s, scientists discovered that people who were raised in areas where fluoride was naturally found in the water supply had up to two-thirds fewer cavities compared to people who lived in other areas without naturally fluoridated water. Fluoride has since been added to tap water by water authorities.
Our teeth are constantly losing minerals and gaining minerals. Minerals are lost because of acids (formed from plaque bacteria and sugars) attacking our teeth’s enamel. Minerals, such as fluoride and calcium are added back from the food and water we consume.
Fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay by altering the structure of developing enamel so that it becomes more resistant to acids. This is why fluoride is very important for children, especially those younger than seven years old.
Fluoride also reduces bacteria’s (plaque) capacity for producing the acids that cause cavities.
It’s not just children that need fluoride, however. Children need it to protect their permanent teeth as they are being formed and adults need it to protect their teeth from decay.
Fluoride Treatment for Teeth
If you are among those that have a higher risk of tooth decay you may want to talk to the dentist about fluoride treatment. If the list below applies to you, you are likely at a high risk for decay:
- Poor oral hygiene habits
- Limited access to a dentist for regular care
- A habit of snacking
- A diet with a lot of sugar and carbohydrates
- A history of cavities
- Restoration procedures such as crowns, bridges, and braces
Fluoride is found in food and water but if additional fluoride is recommended you can find it in toothpaste and mouthwashes. There are over-the-counter options as well as stronger concentrations that are available with a prescription from the dentist.
If you’re uncertain about your coverage simply call our office, Nicole or Kasia will be happy to look into your dental benefits for you! You can also fill out the convenient online form and put insurance questions in the subject line.
Some insurance providers that we accept are Delta Dental, Washington Dental, Metlife, Cigna, Premera and more. See more of the insurance providers we work with here.
Should I Get Dental Sealants?
What is a Dental Sealant?
Adental sealant is a thin plastic coating that is painted on the chewing surface of teeth, most commonly on hard to reach molars. The sealant is used as an extra layer of protection against tooth decay or cavities.
Brushing and flossing regularly is the main key in cavity prevention and always will be. But brushing and flossing alone does not always remove all the food particles that get lodged in the nooks and crannies of teeth. This is why some who are prone to decay choose to use dental sealants on top of their regular oral care regimen.
Have a cavity? Get it fixed before more serious problems occur. Children and teens are often advised to get sealants because of the likelihood of developing decay in molars and premolars. Sealants will protect molars during children’s cavity-prone years. This is if children get sealants put on their molars and premolars as soon as the teeth come in.
Dental sealants take very little time to apply and the process is painless. Once on, they will protect your teeth for about 10 years. But, the dentist will check them for chipping during your regular dental check-ups. Talk to the dentist if you’d like to learn more about dental sealants and to see if they are good option for you. Many insurance companies cover the cost of sealants so it very well may be an excellent and easy choice for you if you are prone to decay.
Advancements In Dental Technology
Advancements in dental technology have made getting dental procedures done to solve oral hygiene problems easier and faster than ever before. Not only have they cut down on the number of visits we need to make to the dentist but they have made our visits much more comfortable. While many of us do not think of the dentist as a pleasant experience, it definitely is not the painful experience that we sometimes imagine.
These advanced technologies allow for a high standard of care. The following are some advanced technologies offered at South Sound Dental Care:
Oral Sedation: Oral sedation dentistry has become more popular and prevalent because it is safe and doesn’t require the use of needles. Patients are able to stay conscious and interact with the dental staff. Or perhaps other sedation techniques will work better for you?
Dental Implant Crowns: Dental Implant or crowns are great for people who have missing teeth that need replaced. The crown replaces the tooth and is attached to the implant providing a permanent solution for missing teeth.
Digital X-rays: Digital X-rays are conveniently used on the computer and also reduce the amount of radiation that we’re exposed to.
Intra-Oral Video Camera: These cameras are used in the patient’s mouth and provide high quality images that are very helpful in detecting oral health issues.
Composite Resins: Composite resins have largely replaced gold or amalgam for bonding. They better resemble natural teeth, are easy to apply, and are very durable.
Teeth Whitening: More than ever, there are many different teeth whitening products on the market. These products break down the components that have stained your teeth. Safe and effective, you can have your dentist apply, or take home to do yourself.
NTI Devices: An NTI device is an anterior bite stop that is used for problems associated with Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) discomforts and migraine headaches.
Soft tissue Laser Dentistry: Laser dentistry is a less invasive alternative to many procedures involving cutting or contouring soft tissue. Soft tissue laser in dentistry allows for precision cuts while eliminating bleeding and healing time.
Full Mouth Cosmetic Dentistry: Full mouth reconstruction gives back the function, form, and beauty to a mouth that has been damaged by an accident or loss of teeth due to decay or trauma.
Budgeting For Your Dental Care
Let’s face it; most of us don’t relish the idea of spending money on dental care. But, it’s definitely not something that should be put off because a healthy mouth will contribute to a healthy wallet, not to mention a healthy smile.
Instead of reacting to the dental bill after the fact, we recommend taking the time to budget your oral care costs in advance. In the long run, you’ll also discover that being proactive with your care will keep dental costs down by a significant amount. This is because the longer you wait to care for your teeth, the more they deteriorate and that’s when your dental costs begin to skyrocket.
Steps for Budgeting Your Dental Care:
- The first thing you should do is to check into your dental insurance if you have it to understand the details of your coverage.
- Next, call your dentist’s office to find out the dental care costs for the services that you’ll be receiving or expect to receive in the coming year. For example, you’ll definitely want to know the cost of your twice-yearly cleaning and your X-rays.
- Calculate what the annual cost will be for you and your family based on the information you gather after step two. Compare that with the information you gathered about your dental coverage.
- Divide the end amount by 12 average dental care per month and set aside that amount every month. Once you have the funds set aside, schedule your appointment(s). This way the money is there and ready.
Keep in mind that if you have an immediate need that was not considered when budgeting that you should NOT wait to see the dentist. Call the office and discuss payment options that may be available to help with dental care costs.
Are You Taking Advantage of Your Dental Insurance Benefits?
If you have dental insurance, more likely than not your plan covers your regular exams, cleanings, and X-rays. It’s also likely that your coverage is at 100% for these prevention-based visits, this means no out of pocket expense to you! Even though there are probably many other things you’d rather do than go to the dentist, keeping your teeth and gums healthy is actually a big part of your overall health.
Dental insurance is not just for toothaches and emergency situations. Staying on top of your oral health with regular exams means preventing those visits to the dentist later for more serious issues. You will save money and the pain associated with preventable toothaches.