What are patients saying about Smiles By Bond?

Dr. Bond and his team love getting patient reviews. And lately, Smiles By Bond, serving West Seattle, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today!

Very professional, friendly, courteous, beautiful smiles throughout the office, and it is very evident Dr. Bond values his staff. Because of that, they take pride in their approach w/ the patient. ~ Jill A.

Having him as dentist for 20 years he knows my teeth better than anybody and has always gave me great service but i wish he could still clean my teeth himself as I've felt the cleaning has not stayed as good as when he did it!!! ~ George C.

Nice, friendly, professional, close to home, nice staff, nice office, nice fish tank, cute halloween and holiday decorations, purse size dental thread at each visit nice bathroom with good smelling soap and lotion. ~ Patricia B.

I really like how Dr. Bond knows his patients and can relate to them. Last time he and I had a conversation about inheritable dental diseases among certain types of people and how he would like to work on figuring out why. Very interesting and kind. ~ Aaron H.

Dr. Bond shows a genuine concern about doing what is best for patient and offers good explanations to questions. ~ John M.

Ask Dr. Bond: Which toothbrush should my child use?

At Smiles By Bond, we will tell you that brushing your teeth is one of the easiest methods of cavity prevention. But which type of toothbrush should your child use? When choosing a toothbrush, look for round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums. Choose one that is specifically designed for a child's smaller mouth and hands. Also, look for large handles that can help children control the toothbrush. Lastly, throw out a toothbrush after three months or sooner if the bristles are fraying. Frayed bristles have the ability to harm your gums, and are not as effective in cleaning teeth.

As far as which toothpaste is best? It doesn't matter as long as it has fluoride in it. However, for small children who tend to swallow toothpaste, do not use fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure to touch each tooth and every side of that tooth. Also, you do need to gently brush on your gums.

To learn more about choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child, we encourage you to read this helpful article from Parenthood.com. Or, you may give us a call and we'll try to answer any question you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

--West Seattle Dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Bond

Dental implants for patients with diabetes - Smiles By Bond Dentistry in West Seattle

At Smiles By Bond, we understand dry mouth, thrush, gum disease, and delayed healing are all special concerns for our patients with diabetes. The key to avoiding these conditions is having your diabetes under control. But what are your options when infection has weakened teeth beyond repair? In many cases, we recommend dental implants as permanent replacements for damaged teeth.

Recent studies of dental implants with diabetic patients indicate success rates of higher than 90 percent. In the rare case that the implant does not fuse properly to the bone, it is removed and the procedure can be repeated. While the process of implantation takes longer than conventional treatments like bridges, the strength and permanence of implants make them an excellent long-term solution for tooth replacement. If you have diabetes and have lost one or more teeth, and your diabetes is controlled, consider implants. However, if your blood sugar is not under control, we recommend putting off any non-emergency dental care – including implants, dentures, and bridgework – until you’ve worked with your specialist to control it.

Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions!

Smile wider, live longer, from Smiles By Bond

Folks with big smiles may live than those who don’t, according to a new study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. We’ve known for a long time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers there used information from the Baseball Register to look at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball before 1950. The players' photos were enlarged, and a rating of their smile intensity was made (big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then corrected their analysis to account for other factors associated with longevity, such as body mass index, career length and, yes, even college attendance.

The researchers found that players who weren't smiling lived to the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting us every six months? If not, give us a call!

-Smiles By Bond

How to care for your Dentures, From West Seattle Dentist Dr. Jeffrey Bond

Dentures, just like natural teeth, require daily maintenance in order to stay clean and keep bacteria from growing inside of your mouth. Here are a few tips on how to keep your dentures clean and healthy:

• When handling your dentures, stand over a clean, folded towel or a sink full of water. This way, if you accidentally drop your dentures, they are less likely to break.

• Your dentures are not immune from plaque and tartar build-up, so it’s important that you brush your dentures every day. To brush your dentures, use a soft-bristled brush and gently brush the surfaces of the dentures being careful not to break or bend the plastic. In between brushings, it’s important to rinse your dentures after each meal.

• Use a gentle cleanser to clean your dentures. Many toothpastes, household cleaners, and mouthwashes can be too hard on your dentures, so it is recommended that you use a mild hand or dish soap to get your dentures clean. Be sure to check for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval to choose products that are safe for your dentures, or ask us about which products may be best for you.

• When you are not wearing your dentures, they need to be kept moist. Dentures that are not kept in a denture cleaning solution or in water can dry out, lose their shape or even crack and break. Certain styles of dentures require certain soaking solutions, so be sure to ask Dr. Bond which solution is best for you.

• Even if you have a full set of dentures, it’s important to keep your gums and tongue clean. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean your gums and tongue every day.

These simple tips will help you keep your dentures clean and your mouth healthy! If by chance your dentures do break, there are special at-home kits that will help you repair them, but it is always best to call Smiles By Bond and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Broken dentures that don’t fit properly can cause irritation to your gums and mouth. Also, remember to continue scheduling regular dental checkups every six months to make sure that your smile stays healthy for many years to come.

-Smiles By Bond, Cosmetic, General and Implant Dentistry in West Seattle, WA