Faqs

Flossing is essential to oral hygiene, as brushing alone can't remove all the food particles, plaque, and bacteria between teeth and the gumline. It can remove these particles and debris, preventing your teeth and gums from cavities, periodontal disease, and bad breath.

According to the American Dental Association experts, you should floss once daily to ensure sound oral health. Seattle Sound Dental recommends flossing before bedtime to remove the plaque and food particles accumulated during the day.

Fluoride is an important mineral that strengthens the enamel of your teeth and prevents cavities and tooth decay. It helps remineralize the enamel by attracting minerals to the tooth surface and making it stronger and more acid-resistant. Fluoride can also inhibit acid production by bacteria in the mouth, reducing the amount of acid that can damage tooth enamel.

Seattle Sound Dental recommends using fluoridated toothpaste to brush your teeth. We also provide fluoride treatments to reverse early signs of tooth decay.

Both electric and manual toothbrushes do a great job of removing plaque and bacteria. Many choose electric toothbrushes over manual ones.

Electric toothbrushes can provide more thorough cleaning due to high-speed bristle movements and built-in timers that help ensure you brush for two minutes. Additionally, some electric toothbrushes have modes for sensitive teeth or whitening. Manual toothbrushes might not have these advantages, but they are cheap and more portable than electric ones.

Dental cavities often result from a combination of factors, including bacteria in the mouth, a diet high in sugary or starchy foods, and poor oral hygiene. As the bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and starch, they produce acid that erodes the enamel, causing cavities.

Treatment involves the removal of the decayed tissue of the tooth pulp and filling the cavity with a filling. In severe cases, when the infection spreads to the pulp, a root canal treatment is necessary.

The American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist and getting routine dental exams and cleaning once every six months. However, the frequency of dental visits will depend on your oral health and medical history. Some people with a history of dental decay or periodontal disease might need more frequent visits.

Similarly, our dentist might schedule frequent appointments during an orthodontic or restorative procedure. You should always follow our dentist's recommendations on how often you should schedule a dental visit.

Seattle Sound Dental recommends brushing your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste at least twice daily. Ideally, you should brush once when you wake up and once before bedtime, for two minutes each time. Brushing your teeth with a good toothbrush helps to remove bacteria that can cause dental decay and gum disease.

Some individuals may need to brush their teeth more frequently, such as those who consume sugary or acidic foods and drinks, smokers, or people with braces or other dental appliances.

Regular dental appointments are essential for maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile. One of the most significant advantages of regular appointments is that they offer a chance for our dentist to evaluate your oral health and catch any dental issue in its early stages.

Regular appointments can also help eliminate the accumulated plaque and bacteria, leading to cavities, dental decay, and gum disease. Additionally, we can guide you regarding proper oral hygiene practices and recommend preventative measures such as fluoride treatments.

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the aesthetics and functionality of your smile. At Seattle Sound Dental, we provide treatments to correct dental issues, such as stained, discolored, or misshapen teeth, gaps between teeth, and uneven gum lines.

Some standard cosmetic procedures include professional teeth whitening, veneers, crowns and bridges, bonding, and dental implants. Orthodontic treatments like braces and Invisalign® are also a part of cosmetic dentistry. These procedures can help beautify your smile and boost your self-confidence.

Different cosmetic treatments take different times. Some procedures, like teeth whitening or composite bonding, only take one visit and can be completed in an hour at Seattle Sound Dental. However, more complex procedures like dental implants or orthodontic treatments can take longer. You should schedule several appointments throughout the procedure.

Our dentist can provide a detailed timeline and estimated duration for each procedure based on your unique case. It is important to follow recommended aftercare for best results.

Most people who want to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of their smile with good health and healthy teeth and gums can undergo cosmetic dentistry procedures. However, the specific eligibility criteria may vary depending on the type of procedure. For example, individuals with severely misaligned teeth may require orthodontic treatment before undergoing other cosmetic procedures such as veneers.

Patients with gum disease or other dental issues may need treatment to address these underlying issues before cosmetic treatments.

Cosmetic teeth whitening is completely safe when done by dental professionals or when using an FDA-approved whitening kit. However, some people may experience mild side effects, such as temporary tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, or white spots, which resolve within a few days.

Overusing whitening products or using products that contain high concentrations of bleaching agents can cause more severe side effects, such as tooth sensitivity or even enamel damage. Visit Seattle Sound Dental for a safe and effective whitening procedure.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures can help you get the smile of your dreams and can also help improve the functionality of your smile. However, the cost of getting these procedures can be a limiting factor. Cosmetic dentistry procedures costs can vary greatly depending on the type of procedure, among other factors.

Additionally, your dental insurance might not cover the procedure, making it a significant investment. Before committing to a cosmetic procedure, consider the cost, benefits, and potential risks carefully.

The cost of cosmetic dentistry procedures can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the procedure. For example, simple procedures like teeth whitening or dental bonding might cost a few hundred dollars, while more complex procedures like implants can cost several thousand dollars.

As most cosmetic dental procedures are elective, they might not be covered under your dental plan, making them even more costly. At Seattle Sound Dental, we can help you estimate costs and discuss payment options and financing plans.

It is possible to restore your smile even if you have several chipped, broken, or decayed teeth at Seattle Sound Dental. We use a combination of restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures to help you get a beautiful, functional smile.

Depending on the extent of the damage, our experienced dentist might recommend procedures like fillings, crowns, or veneers. Our dentist might recommend tooth extraction and dental implants to restore your smile in severe cases.

Dental implants are placed in several stages, which might take several months to complete. The first stage involves our dentist surgically placing a titanium post in your jawbone. The implant can take several weeks to months to fuse with your jawbone in osseointegration.

Once the implant fully integrates with the jawbone, the dentist will place an abutment, followed by a custom-made dental crown.

Dental implants are made using high-grade titanium and other biocompatible materials, making them very safe. Modern implants have a success rate of over 95% over ten years, making them one of the most successful cosmetic procedures.

That said, as placing an implant involves oral surgery, there is an inherent risk, such as infection and damage to surrounding tissue. However, at Seattle Sound Dental, our experienced dentist can help you minimize the risk and have a successful outcome.

Root canal treatment is done when the infection has reached the pulp or the living part of your tooth. When the infection reaches the pulp, it can cause severe pain and increase the risk of spreading to other body parts through the bloodstream.

A root canal treatment involves scraping off the infected pulp and filling the cavity with a dental sealant. During the next step, our dentist will place a dental crown on the treated tooth to strengthen it and prevent further infection.

Root canal treatment is warranted when a bacterial infection reaches the living tissue of your tooth called the pulp. Root canals have a high success rate, with studies showing they are successful in up to 95% of cases.

The success of a root canal treatment depends on several factors, from the severity of the infection to your oral hygiene after the procedure. If you take good care of your treated tooth, you should expect a speedy recovery.

Invisalign clear aligners are an excellent option for traditional braces thanks to their discreet look and comfort. Unlike conventional braces, Invisalign is removable, and you can remove them when you eat or brush your teeth.

At Seattle Sound Dental, our experienced orthodontist recommends wearing the Invisalign clear braces at least 22 hours daily for optimal results. Wearing the aligners for enough time can shift the teeth to their incorrect position and set you back several weeks.

According to the American Association of Orthodontics, every child should have their first orthodontic assessment by age seven. At this stage, your child has a mix of baby and permanent teeth, and the orthodontist can identify any potential alignment issue.

Early detection and treatment of orthodontic issues can prevent more severe problems from developing later in life, often resulting in a shorter treatment time. That said, many adults can also improve the aesthetics and functionality of their smile using orthodontic procedures.

Clear braces like Invisalign can correct issues like overbite and underbite. As Invisalign combines orthodontics with state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology, our dentist can design comfortable aligners that gradually fix your overbite and give you a beautiful, symmetric smile. You should remember that Invisalign is not for everyone, especially in case of severe dental alignment issues.

Please visit Seattle Sound Dental to know whether Invisalign clear braces are an excellent option to correct your bite issues.

Clear aligners are made from a transparent BPA-free plastic material that is comfortable and almost invisible in your mouth. It is simple to clean your braces. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, mild soap, or an aligner cleaning solution to clean your aligners once daily, preferably when brushing your teeth.

Avoid using toothpaste and hard-bristled brush as they can create marks on the aligners making them more noticeable. Cleaning them prevents bacteria buildup, which can cause bad breath.