Ask Smiles by Bond: What’s the deal with mouthwash?

While mouthwash is not an alternative to regular brushing and flossing, it can help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. There are several different types of mouthwashes available, and all of them will help do different things for your smile. The most common types of mouthwashes are:

• Fluoride – fluoride is the most used type of mouthwash available, and is used to strengthen the enamel of the teeth while preventing cavities and tooth decay.

• Antiseptic – an antiseptic mouthwash is used to kill bacteria and germs in the mouth. Most commonly used before and after a dental surgery, antiseptic mouthwashes can also help to fight gum disease, and halitosis (chronic bad breath). Antiseptic mouthwashes can affect your sense of taste and may stain the teeth, so it is recommended that you consult your dentist before using this type of mouthwash.

• Combination – a combination mouthwash is designed to help prevent tooth decay, freshen the breath, and maintain the health of your smile.

• Prescription – for patients with gum disease, or any signs of gum disease, you may need a prescription mouthwash. Prescription mouthwashes, like Peridex of PerioGard, are used to treat gingivitis, and other forms of decay.

There are also many different brands of mouthwash. Some common brands include:

• Scope

• Listerine

• Act

• Crest

• Tom’s of Maine (all-natural)

• Plax (anti-plaque rinse)

• Breath Rx

• Orajel

• Targon (special mouthwash made for smokers)

• Rembrandt (whitening mouthwash)

If you are curious about which kind of mouthwash would work best for you, be sure to ask us at your next appointment. If you have a favorite mouthwash, let us know by posting a comment for others to read!

– Smiles by Bond

The importance of mouth guards, from Smiles By Bond

Summer is here, and our team at Smiles By Bond understands the importance of being outside. The kids are out of school and outdoor activities are a weekly occurrence. Therefore, Dr. Jeffrey Bond and his team would like to remind you about the importance mouth guards, as well as what they are and when to use them. If you have any additional questions, give us a call at Smiles By Bond. We'd love to hear from you!

Q: What are athletic mouth protectors?

A: Athletic mouth protectors, or mouth guards, are made of soft plastic. They are adapted to fit comfortably to the shape of the upper teeth.

Q: Why are mouth guards important?

A: Mouth guards hold top priority as sports equipment. They protect the teeth, as well as the lips, cheeks, and tongue. They also help protect children from head and neck injuries, such as concussions and jaw fractures. Increasingly, organized sports are requiring mouth guards to prevent injury to their athletes. Research shows that most oral injuries occur when athletes are not wearing mouth protection.

Q: When should my child wear a mouth guard?

A: Whenever he or she is in an activity that has a risk of falling or of head contact with other players or equipment. This includes football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding, even gymnastics. We usually think of football and hockey as the most dangerous to the teeth, but nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball.

Q: How do I choose a mouth guard for my child?

A: Any mouth guard works better than no mouth guard. Choose a mouth guard that your child can wear comfortably. If a mouth guard feels bulky or interferes with speech, it should be left in the locker room.

There are several options of mouth guards. First, preformed or "boil-to-fit" mouth guards are found in most sports stores. Different types and brands vary in terms of comfort, protection, and cost. Second, customized mouth guards are provided through your dentist. They cost a bit more, but are more comfortable and more effective in preventing injuries. Dr. Bond can advise you on what type of mouth guard is best for your child.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Visiting Smiles By Bond regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Bond would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

As a dentist, Dr. Bond is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next appointment. Take care of your teeth!

Are you ready for a total smile makeover with Dr. Bond?

Dr. Bond knows that your smile is one of the most important, and most noticed, aspects of your appearance. There is no need to suffer from missing, chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth, when our dental practice can use cutting-edge treatments to give you the smile you've always wanted. Today, we ask, are you ready for your Total Smile Makeover? Before you answer, ask yourself the following questions:

•Do you hesitate when you smile?
•Would you like to increase your self-confidence?
•Do you want to look your best in social or professional situations?
•Are you ready to reverse dental imperfections?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, schedule an appointment today for your cosmetic dentistry consultation with Dr. Bond. We enjoy changing people’s lives by helping them create the smile of their dreams.

Flossing 101 with Dr. Jeffrey Bond

We hope your family is not a part of the 51 percent of Americans who don’t floss every day. And we definitely hope you're not part of the 10 percent who never floss at all. Dr. Bond and our staff at Smiles by Bond will always tell you that proper flossing is just as important for your dental health as brushing regularly. Flossing, you see, cleans food and plaque that build up between teeth and below the gumline, key areas that brushing simply cannot reach.

Flossing 3-to-5 minutes each day is recommended, but even 60 seconds of flossing has a great benefit over not flossing at all. Also, make sure to always brush your teeth after you floss, and to rinse with water or mouthwash. When you begin flossing you may experience gum pain or bleeding, but with daily flossing and brushing this should stop within a week or so.

Lastly, has it been at least six months since your last checkup with Dr. Bond? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to schedule an appointment!

How to Freshen Bad Breath

Dr. Bond, your West Seattle dentist, recognizes that many of our patients are concerned about bad breath, or halitosis. While some cases of bad breath are persistent (chronic bad breath), generally bad breath is transient, and can be prevented.

We recently came across this helpful video about bad breath and thought it was worth sharing with our patients. The video explains what might cause bad breath and some ways that it can be avoided. In most instances, bad breath can be prevented by practicing common oral hygiene techniques that you have probably heard us emphasize during a visit to Smiles By Bond, such as brushing and flossing daily. We encourage you to watch this video for additional tips on how to keep bad breath at bay. Enjoy!

Preparing for Cold and Flu Season, from Smiles by Bond

It’s that time of year to start thinking about protecting yourself and your family from the flu. Here are some simple steps you can take to help yourself avoid colds and the flu this season.

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace toothbrush after every cold or flu or every 3-4 months when bristles appear worn
To promote a healthy and clean environment, Dr. Jeffrey Bond and our team give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces.

For the protection of other patients and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Hope this helps and give us a call if you have any questions! Stay healthy!

February is American Heart Month

Did you know February is American Heart Month? It’s a great time to take notice of the health of your heart, says Dr. Bond. Cardiovascular disease remains American's number one killer, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Visiting our office on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. And because people with dental insurance are more likely to visit their dentist when they should, a healthy mouth begins with a visit to Smiles by Bond. In observance of Heart Month, Dr. Bond says it’s also important to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25). If you have any questions about heart health, or about your treatment at Smiles by Bond, please give us a call today.

At Smiles by Bond, a pursuit of excellence

At Smiles by Bond we make every effort to provide you with the best dental care. For us that means achieving consistently great results. There are many things that help our team do just that. Some of them are:

1. Using the most up to date and proven technologies available

2. Spending time and resources on continuing education to stay current and relevant

3. Training our entire team on new techniques

4. Educating our patients about the pursuit of excellence

If you or a family member has been thinking about improving your smile, please give us a call. We look forward to seeing you.

Your pal, fluoride

There are so many ways you protect your teeth. You brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly and protect your mouth from being damaged. But did you know there is another, often forgotten about, way to keep your teeth clean and healthy during your treatment? Fluoride – a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay – can help keep your teeth strong! Fluoride comes in two varieties: topical and systemic. Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth. Topical fluoride includes toothpastes and mouth rinses. Systemic fluorides are swallowed in the form of a dietary supplement.

Fluoride used in the dentist’ office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask your doctor how to purchase professional strength fluoride). A fluoride treatment typically takes just a few minutes. After the treatment patients may be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or doctor’s recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six or 12 months. Your doctor may also prescribe a fluoride product such as mouthwashes, gels or antibacterial rinses for at-home treatment.

When choosing your own fluoride product, be sure to check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and have met the criteria of the ADA for safety and effectiveness.

If you have additional questions about fluoride, you can ask Dr. Bond during your next appointment or you can also call the Smiles by Bond office. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

Your turn! Smiles by Bond wants to hear what you think.

Week after week, Dr. Bond and team try to blog about important topics pertinent to dental care and your well-being, including innovative dental techniques we offer. Today, we thought we’d step back and ask you, our loyal patients and readers: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the field of dentistry? What would you like us to focus on our blog in the coming months? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook fan page!

So… take it away and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have!

West Seattle Dental Care for Children

Smiles by Bond is a family dentistry practice, and as such we see patients of all ages, including children ages 2 and older. Professional dental care is important for children, especially in their early years, to help develop good habits and hygiene. Bringing your child as early as age 2 allows Dr. Bond to determine if there are any issues for parents to address in order to prevent tooth decay and dental disease.

We are able to start teeth cleaning and polishing around age 4-6, and the initial appointment will usually involve x-rays and fluoride treatment as well. Regular check-ups are important to maintaining your child’s oral health throughout their early and teen years, and set a standard for the rest of their life! We always ensure children are comfortable and get to know all the different tools we use and how the treatment works.

Depending on your child’s unique needs, we may recommend other treatments, such as dental sealants to prevent future tooth decay, or refer you to a local orthodontist if needed. Food and plaque can easily develop on and around the braces, so if your child has already begun orthodontic treatment, regular visits to our office are more important than ever!

We also have a variety of prizes and rewards for children who maintain good oral hygiene, the details are all on our web site!