Keep your teeth safe this summer: Avoid dental injuries when playing sports

Summer is the time for enjoying the great outdoors. However, some popular summer sports – such as swimming and softball – can expose your teeth to danger. Here are several seasonal activities that could lead to dental injuries and ways to keep your smile safe:

 

 

Swimming

 

Frequent swimmers may be at risk for developing yellowish-brown or dark brown stains on their teeth.

 

Those who swim more than six hours a week continually expose their teeth to chemically treated water. Pool water contains chemical additives, which give the water a higher pH than saliva. As a result, salivary proteins break down quickly and form organic deposits on teeth. These hard, brown deposits, known as "swimmers' calculus," appear most frequently on the front teeth.

Swimmers' calculus can normally be removed by a professional dental cleaning.

  

Diving

 

Scuba diving, a sport enjoyed by more than 4 million people in the U.S., can lead to jaw joint pain, gum tissue problems or "tooth squeeze" – pain in the center of the tooth.

All of these symptoms add up to what's called "diver's mouth syndrome" (also called barodontalgia), a condition caused by the air pressure change involved in scuba diving and by divers biting too hard on their scuba air regulators. Tooth squeeze is caused by the change in air pressure, particularly if a diver has a big cavity, a temporary filling, gum disease, periodontal abscess or incomplete root canal therapy.

 

The best way to avoid these problems is to visit your dentist before scuba diving and make sure your dental health is tip-top. Ask your dentist's advice about fitting the mouthpiece of an air regulator. Sometimes dentures can be inadvertently swallowed during a dive, so denture-wearers should consult with dentists before diving to discuss any potential problems.

  

Contact sports (soccer, softball, basketball, etc.)

 

According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), soccer players are more likely than football players to sustain a dental-related injury – and these statistics do not include people playing pick-up games with friends.

 

Soccer is a sport where mouthguards and face masks are not mandatory, upping the odds for mouth and face injuries. Softball, basketball and pick-up games of touch football involve similar risks. In addition to causing injuries during contact, these sports also may be costly for people who have had extensive dental work, especially people who wear braces.

 

When participating in such sports, a mouthguard is your best ally. The AGD estimates that mouthguards prevent more than 200,000 injuries each year. Using a mouthguard can prevent damage to braces or other orthodontic work, as well as prevent mouth cuts, jaw injuries and tooth damage.

 

There are several types of mouthguards. Ask your dentist for advice about which mouthguard solution is best for you.

 

• Stock mouthguard: The lowest cost option is an item that can be bought "off the shelf" from a drug or sporting goods store. This type of mouthguard offers the least protection because the fit adjustment is limited. While better than nothing, a stock mouthguard is not considered acceptable as a facial protective device. 
• Mouth-formed protectors: These mouthguards come as a shell-liner and "boil-and-bite" product from sporting goods stores. The shell is lined with acrylic or rubber. When placed in an athlete's mouth, the protector's lining material molds to the teeth and is allowed to set. 
• Custom-made mouth protectors: The best choice is a customized mouthguard made by your dentist. This is the most expensive option (and may not be covered by your dental plan – check your Evidence of Coverage booklet), but a custom mouthguard offers the best protection, fit and comfort level because it is made from a cast to fit your teeth.

 

Some information courtesy of the Academy of General Dentistry.
Some information courtesy of the American Dental Association.

One-visit crown? YES- It's true!!

What is CEREC?




Here at Bellevue Dental Care, Dr. Minnoch can create and place a brand new porcelain crown during a single visit. This is what CEREC technology has made possible. 


CEREC is a revolutionary system that enables your dentist to design, fabricate and fit a new crown, veneer, onlay or inlay in a single visit, a procedure that would normally take at least two weeks, if not more!


To understand CEREC crowns and their pros and cons, you need a little background in the construction of a crown:

HOW CROWNS ARE MADE - Usually a crown takes two visits: on the first visit, the tooth is prepared by being shaved down somewhat. An impression is taken of your teeth, and this impression is sent to a laboratory where your crown will be made. Meanwhile, you wear a temporary crown made with some type of plastic material. On your second appointment, the temporary is removed and the durable crown is placed on your tooth.

This diagram shows the concept of a dental crown.
The tooth is reduced in size to allow for complete coverage by the ceramic crown material. The cut-away ceramic covers the entire tooth, all the way around, usually down to the gumline.

CEREC ONE-VISIT CROWNS - A recent innovation available in the offices of some cosmetic dentists is the "Computer-assisted design-Computer-assisted manufacture" crown, or "CAD-CAM." The company that is foremost in this technology is CEREC. This crown is milled by a computer to fit your tooth precisely, thus eliminating the laboratory step in manufacturing the crown.

With CEREC'S CAD-CAM technology, the crown is made by a computer while you wait, thus eliminating the second appointment and the temporary crown. These CEREC crowns are milled out of pure ceramic.


CEREC technology can also be used to manufacture porcelain fillings. There are some very skilled cosmetic dentists who are also able to create CEREC porcelain veneers. Doing these well requires an exceptional amount of skill. Remember that CEREC crowns are milled out of a single block of porcelain. This creates an esthetic problem because natural teeth have a gradation of color from the gumline to the biting edge. However, there are some cosmetic dentists who have developed the technology to create beautiful life-like porcelain restorations for front teeth with the CEREC system, with color gradations in the teeth and a beautiful polish.
Advantages:

• CEREC crowns are made in one visit, saving considerable time for the patient.


• With CEREC, there is no need for a temporary crown, which eliminates a significant potential discomfort for the patient.


• CEREC crowns have no metal in them, and thus are reasonably esthetic.


• CEREC material and technology can also be used for fillings. Since they are made out of porcelain, they are more durable than white composite fillings.


Before and after photographs of CEREC crowns and veneers:

Before



After





After



Before



What Is Sleep Apnea and How Can an Oral Appliance Help?

Sleep apnea is a condition in which insufficient air reaches the lungs during sleep. In most cases, sleep apnea results because a person’s tongue is blocking the flow of air. This can cause blood oxygen levels to drop, causing sufferers to snort or choke awake. Sleep apnea can interrupt daily life by causing excessive daytime sleepiness, and it can also cause cardiovascular problems, so ask your dentist to prescribe an oral appliance if you believe you are suffering from sleep apnea.


•Keeps Your Airway Open

Most sleep apnea sufferers sleep on their backs. In this position, the tongue rests on the back of the throat, restricting air flow. An oral appliance, which is similar to a night guard, keeps the tongue from relaxing and blocking the flow of oxygen.

•Provides a Cost-Effective Solution

There are a variety of oral surgeries available that can help resolve sleep apnea. However, you can easily avoid undergoing costly oral surgery while still getting relief by using an oral appliance. This affordable device can halt snoring, poor sleep quality, and other sleep apnea symptoms.

•Prevents Sleep Interruptions

Sleep apnea can lead to major health side effects, such as heart problems, depression, and memory loss. Sleep apnea sufferers easily tire, have a hard time focusing on work or school, and often feel irritable. Using an oral appliance while you sleep can ensure that you get a full night’s rest so that you can have easier, happier days. You’ll stop tossing and turning, waking up your partner, and constantly feeling exhausted.

If you’re tired of living with sleep apnea, contact Dr. Minnoch's office today. We can provide the oral appliances needed to help you get a better night’s sleep. We also offer dental treatments and services for the whole family, including preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental care.
To learn more, call us at (425)709-7171

There's an app for that!

You know that your dentist wants you to brush your teeth twice a day—but did you know that it’s also important to brush your teeth for the proper amount of time as well? If you need help brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes, check out the Toothbrush Timer iPhone app.



With this application, your whole family can be sure that they are brushing for the right amount of time. The easy-to-use timer will also help you to remember to switch quadrants of your mouth so you don't neglect any particular area. It even has handy reminder to change your toothbrush quarterly!


Come to Bellevue Dental Care in Bellevue for all of your general dentistry needs. Call 425-709-7171 for an appointment with Dr. Minnoch.

How Dental Health Affects the Rest of the Body

Thanks to your family dentist, you know that having good dental health is important for your teeth and gums—but did you know that your dental health affects more than just your mouth? Oral health has been shown to link to overall health and wellbeing. Here's a quick guide to understanding how your dental health affects the rest of your body:
Spread of Infection When you have a buildup of bacteria in your mouth, it is very easy for it to spread to other parts of your body. You can swallow the bacteria, sending it to your stomach, or it can enter your bloodstream through the tiny vessels in your gums. Having a clean, healthy mouth can prevent bodily infection related to dental bacteria.
Increased Disease Risk
Many diseases and health conditions are linked to poor dental health. The plaque and bacteria that proliferate in an unhealthy mouth can lead to or exacerbate problems with overall health, which is one reason why regular dentist visits are so important. Some of the conditions linked to poor oral health include:

•Pre-term labor and delivery

•Low birth weight

•Infections in the heart, such as endocarditis

•Heart disease

•Stroke

•Clogged arteries

Overall Inflammation
Inflammation in the gums can lead to inflammation in other parts of the body, including the heart, arteries, and brain. Inflammation in the body signals a stressful immune response, so it’s important to prevent gum disease in order to cut down on that particular avenue of inflammation.
Positive Effects
When you have good oral health, your teeth will look good, making you feel happier and more confident. A beautiful smile will encourage you to take advantage of social opportunities, leading to better relationships with others.


If you are looking for a great family dentist in Bellevue, contact Bellevue Dental Care. Dr. Minnoch offers general and cosmetic dentistry services. Call (425) 709-7171 today for an appointment

Symptoms and Treatment Options for TMD

Temporomandibular joint disorder, more commonly known as TMD, is the most common musculoskeletal condition that occurs in the upper body. Although TMJ affects nearly 12% of the population, studies show that one in three sufferers do not seek treatment for their disorder, prolonging their pain and potentially creating long-term consequences. Below, you can explore the symptoms of TMD so that you can talk to your dentist about appropriate treatment options:

Symptoms of TMD

The temporomandibular joint is made up of two bones that rotate and slide during chewing, talking, and yawning, so bone and cartilage wear in this area is common and can result in acute or chronic inflammation. As the joint itself cannot transmit pain, it’s difficult to recognize the symptoms of TMD. The disorder can be characterized by clicking sounds emanating from the area and pain in the surrounding soft tissues. Additionally, because the joint is located in the lower jaw, ear pain can often be an associated sign. General jaw aches and headaches are also common in sufferers of TMD.

Treatment Options

Known as neuromuscular dentistry, treatment for TMD includes a customized plan designed to establish an appropriate jaw alignment, in order to reduce wear on bone and cartilage. Using a mouth guard or orthodontic treatment, a dentist can effectively realign the jaw to ensure its proper positioning. Immediate measures that patients can take at home include avoiding extreme jaw movements and keeping the teeth slightly parted in order to relieve jaw pressure.

Left untreated, TMD may begin to affect oxygen flow, which can reduce energy, stamina, and the ability to balance. To get in touch with Dr. Minnoch, who can develop an appropriate treatment for TMD, contact Bellevue Dental Care, located in the Bellevue, Washington area. Call (425) 709-7171 today to schedule an appointment.

5 Reasons to use Your Dental Insurance Before the End of the Year

Did you know that you could actually save hundreds of dollars by using your dental benefits before the end of the year? While some dental insurance plans run on a fiscal year, most run on a calendar year. If your dental insurance plan is on a calendar year, these 5 reasons will show you why you should make a dental appointment now.


1. Yearly Maximum

The yearly maximum is the most money that the dental insurance plan will pay for your dental work within one full year. This amount varies by insurance company, but the average is around $1,000 per year, per person. The yearly maximum usually renews every year (on January 1 if your plan is on a calendar year). If you have unused benefits, these will not rollover.

2. Deductible


The deductible is the amount of money that you must pay to your dentist out of pocket before your insurance company will pay for any services. This fee varies from one plan to another and could be higher if you choose an out-of-network dentist. However, the average deductible for a dental insurance plan is usually around $50 per year. Your deductible also starts again when your plan rolls over.

3. Premiums

If you are paying your dental insurance premiums every month, you should be using your benefits. Even if you don’t need any dental treatment, you should always have your regular dental cleanings to help prevent and detect any early signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer and other dental problems.

4. Fee Increases

Another reason to use your benefits before the end of the year are possible fee increases. Some dentists raise their rates at the beginning of the year due to the increased cost of living, materials and equipment. A fee increase can also make your copay higher.

5. Dental Problems Can Worsen

By delaying dental treatment, you are risking more extensive and expensive treatment down the road. What may be a simple cavity now, could turn into a root canal later. Call our office today 425-709-7171 and schedule an appointment to use those benefits.