March is National Nutrition Month!

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. Every March, Dr. Jeffrey  Bond and thousands of dentists and hygienists celebrate this occasion, and this year is no different. This March, we want you to think about diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.

Small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and vegetables: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods in our city.

• Make each and every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.
• It’s tempting, but…: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call!

Smoke screen

Everybody knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but did you also know that smokers and tobacco users are susceptible to a variety of oral health problems at a faster rate than non-smokers?

                   

It’s true!  Smoking is responsible for almost 75 percent of gum disease in adults; and, similar to smokers, adults who smoke pipes and cigars, as well as those using smokeless tobacco, are just as susceptible to gum disease and other tobacco related health problems. 

As soon as you use tobacco products, you become more likely to experience any of these oral health problems:

·         Oral cancer

·         Gum disease

·         Tooth loss

·         Loss of bone in the jaw

·         Gum recession

·         Delayed/impaired healing process after oral surgery or any other treatment

·         Decreased success rate of dental implant (tooth replacement) procedures

·         Mouth sores

·         Loss of your sense of taste and smell

·         Bad breath

·         Tooth and tongue stains

If you are interested in protecting your oral health, we strongly recommend you quit using tobacco products!  The following steps are recommended by the Surgeon General to help you quit smoking and using tobacco:

·         Get ready – set a quitting date and remove all materials from your home, car and office

·         Get support

·         Learn new skills and behaviors

·         Get medication and use it correctly

·         Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations

For support, start with Smiles by Bond!  We can help by recommending different options to help you quit, and above all we will support you throughout the quitting process.  We are dedicated to helping you protect your oral health – and quitting smoking is significant step in the right direction.

Cavities – Not Just Kids’ Stuff

Cavities occur as a result of the destruction of tooth structure, called tooth decay. Tooth decay can affect both the enamel (the outer coating of the tooth) and the dentin (the inner layer of the tooth). While it is very important to brush and floss every day to remove food particles and plaque, regular cleanings and checkups at Smiles by Bond is the best way to help avoid cavities.

Dr. Bond can discover cavities during your regular dental checkup. The tooth surface feels soft when probed with a dental instrument. X-rays can also show cavities before they become visible to the eye. In advanced stages of tooth decay, you might experience a toothache, especially after consuming sweet, hot, or cold foods or drinks. Other signs of tooth decay are visible pits or holes in the teeth.

Don’t wait for a toothache!

Remember, the longer you wait to treat a cavity, the more extensive your treatment will be. A small cavity can be treated with a filling, while a large cavity that weakens the structure of your tooth may require a crown. If the decay is so bad that it causes the nerve or pulp of the tooth to die, a root canal or tooth removal may be your only options. If you think you may have a cavity, contact us and schedule an appointment. We’ll make sure you leave with a healthy, pain-free smile!

Presidents' Day Fun Facts!

Monday, Feb. 20 marks Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating of both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined Birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents' Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of our patients at Smiles By Bond.


Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents:

*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.

*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.

*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called "20-year curse," in which every president elected in a year ending in zero died in office.

*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents, measuring 6’ 4” tall.

*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.

*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

For the past 62 Februaries, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland clinic. In 1981, however, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February thousands of dental professionals focus on the preventive oral care of America's children. Dr. Jeffrey Bond and our staff want you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited Smiles by Bond in the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

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

Ask Dr. Bond: If I have braces, do I still need a dental checkup every 6 months?

Thanks for the question! Yes! In fact, it's even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly. When you're wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can't reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Our staff at Smiles by Bond will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you're undergoing orthodontic treatment. If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our West Seattle office, please give us a call! We look forward to your next visit!