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.

Avoid Cavities from Holiday Candy

With the holidays coming up and all the tempting holiday candy, you may be worried about the health of your teeth and possibly getting cavities. It's not only kids who love to snack on holiday candy, as plenty of adults do it as well. It seems to all start on Halloween with all the trick-or-treat candy and go straight into Christmas with the candy canes. If you want to avoid cavities this holiday season but still enjoy your holiday candy, here are some tips to remember.

It may sound silly, but brushing your teeth right after eating holiday candy or cookies is the best way to avoid cavities. This may involve bringing a toothbrush with you to a holiday party, but it is surely the best way to prevent cavities. The longer you wait to brush your teeth after consuming the sugar in candy, the more damage that the sugar is doing to your teeth. When you are able to brush them right after eating the candy or cookies, you can get rid of the sugar and not have it eating away at your teeth all day or night. Store a toothbrush at your desk at work, in your purse, or even in your car if you have to.

Use a mouthwash to wash away the sugar from the holiday candy as well. If you can't brush your teeth, then the next best thing is fluoride mouthwashes that can help get rid of the sugar. You can easily store a small travel size bottle with you when you go to parties, work, or other places.

Avoid Cavities from Holiday Candy

With the holidays coming up and all the tempting holiday candy, you may be worried about the health of your teeth and possibly getting cavities. It's not only kids who love to snack on holiday candy, as plenty of adults do it as well. It seems to all start on Halloween with all the trick-or-treat candy and go straight into Christmas with the candy canes. If you want to avoid cavities this holiday season but still enjoy your holiday candy, here are some tips to remember.

It may sound silly, but brushing your teeth right after eating holiday candy or cookies is the best way to avoid cavities. This may involve bringing a toothbrush with you to a holiday party, but it is surely the best way to prevent cavities. The longer you wait to brush your teeth after consuming the sugar in candy, the more damage that the sugar is doing to your teeth. When you are able to brush them right after eating the candy or cookies, you can get rid of the sugar and not have it eating away at your teeth all day or night. Store a toothbrush at your desk at work, in your purse, or even in your car if you have to.

Use a mouthwash to wash away the sugar from the holiday candy as well. If you can't brush your teeth, then the next best thing is fluoride mouthwashes that can help get rid of the sugar. You can easily store a small travel size bottle with you when you go to parties, work, or other places.

We now offer UA Performance Mouthwear!

Brought to you by the brand that makes you better, the ArmourBite® Mouthguard is your new game-time essential. When you compete, your natural response is to clench your jaw and grit your teeth. But all that gnashing triggers the release of cortisol—a performance-sapping hormone that causes excess fatigue, stress, and loss of concentration. Not the best formula for success. But you can get your head (and jaw) back in the game with the ArmourBite® Mouthguard. It not only protects you from earth-shaking hits, it also reduces those nasty clenching side effects by pivoting your jaw to the optimal positioning with its patented ArmourBite® Power Wedges™. The result is a marked increase in strength, endurance, and reaction time. So unlock your power and unleash a better athlete with this game-changing mouthguard from Under Armour®.

Performance DNA:

Built for full-contact sports like Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, Rugby & Boxing.

Comfortable form-fitting EVA around double-shot ArmourBite® Power Wedges™.

Reduces the effects of cortisol - a performance-sapping hormone that's released when under stress.

Reduces G-force impact to the jaw by 20%.

Improves strength, endurance, and reaction time.

Cushions and protects teeth.
Patented ArchFit System delivers optimal fit and comfort.

Patented retention polymer shrinks for secure, locked-in fit.

Patented anti-microbulent secretes to help prevent the growth of germs.
Scientifically proven in independent, peer-reviewed studies.

Medium fits most youth athletes.

Spirit Day

Third Annual Football Spirit Day, September 14, 2011. We are sports fanatics here at Bellevue Dental Care and this is our way of welcoming the football season and the coming of school and fall. Patients enjoy our spirit supporting favorite teams. Lots of fun for everyone.