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7 Most Popular Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

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Cosmetic dentistry is becoming increasingly popular, with more and more people wanting to improve their smile and the overall appearance of their teeth. Cosmetic dentistry is a combination of science and art and can work wonders in improving a person’s appearance, smile, and self-confidence.

Cosmetic dentistry has improved and advanced rapidly in recent years, with cosmetic dentists adopting the very latest in technology in their field. Many people suffer from chipped, stained, broken, or crooked teeth, and need cosmetic dentistry to set things right. In this article, we’ll outline and describe the 7 most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments.

1)  Porcelain Veneers: These are customized for each patient and are porcelain shells that fit over a prepared tooth. These are used to fix dental abnormalities and can last several years if well taken care of. These are an alternative to teeth whitening and are beneficial for those patients having an uneven gum line. Porcelains veneers can make teeth look neater and more orderly. Veneers can also make chipped and discolored teeth look natural again.

2)   Teeth Whitening: This is a non-invasive cosmetic dentistry procedure, which is a convenient and affordable treatment. It can restore your smile without complicated surgeries. If you want healthy and sparkling teeth, a professional teeth whitening procedure by your dentist is a great option. Laser treatment and deep bleaching are now a part of the teeth whitening procedure.

3)   Dental Bridges: These consist of artificial teeth fused to a frame. These can be used to replace several missing teeth. Dental bridges help restore your bite and also help retain the shape of your face. They also enable proper speaking and chewing and stop the remaining teeth from shifting out of position.

4)   Porcelain Crowns: These porcelain crowns or “caps” help restore damaged teeth to their natural state. Porcelain crowns are durable, agile, and look natural. They are used to protect a weak tooth or restore an already broken tooth. Porcelain crowns are also used to hold a dental bridge in place and to cover a dental implant.

5)   Dental Bonding: This is an alternative to veneers. A tooth-colored, composite, plastic resin is bonded to the surface of the tooth using a laser or ultraviolet light. Dental bonding can be used to repair decayed teeth. This is one of the simplest cosmetic dentistry procedures and can be completed in a single visit to your dentist. However, these don’t last as long as veneers do.

6)   Invisalign: These are invisible braces that are a very real alternative to wires and bracket braces. If you are looking for a procedure to straighten your teeth, you should consider Invisalign. There are several different types of invisible braces, such as ceramic, tooth-colored brackets, inside braces, or clear aligners. You should consult with your dentist to understand the best option for your teeth.

7)   3D Tooth Printing: 3D Printers are revolutionizing tooth creation by fabricating teeth from scratch. 3D printers create teeth that are natural looking and perfectly made for you. This technology is being continuously perfected and will be available quickly and at a lower cost soon.

These are just some ways to restore your smile. The field of cosmetic dentistry is evolving very rapidly and soon technology combined with artistry will offer patients advanced procedures that they can only dream of today.

At Bellevue Dental Health, Dr. Libbi Finnessy has perfected the art and science of cosmetic dentistry and offers her patients only the very best of treatments at an affordable cost. Dr. Finnessy practices a full scope of general and cosmetic dentistry, with expertise ranging from porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, and oral surgery. Dr. Finnessy can correct a wide variety of cosmetic dental problems and can help redesign your smile.

So, the next time you need to have a cosmetic dental procedure done, look no farther than Dr. Libbi Finnessy at Bellevue Dental Health. Get the right procedure done and enjoy your new million-dollar smile!

For more information about different cosmetic dentistry procedures, contact Dr. Libbi Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at contact@bellevuedentalhealth.com or visit our website at www.bellevuedentalhealth.com.

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What causes bad breath and how to prevent it?

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Bad breath, also known as halitosis or malodor, can be embarrassing at best and crippling at worst. It can even ruin relationships. While most of us have bad breath at certain times, like when we get up in the mornings. Persistent bad breath is caused by a build-up of bacteria in your mouth throughout the day, leading to inflammation. This releases bad odors or gases that smell like sulfur or rotten eggs, or worse! In this article, we’ll talk about what causes bad breath and how to prevent it…

Causes of Bad Breath

While there are no statistics on what percentage of the population has bad breath, a considerable portion of the population has or will have bad breath at some time in their lives. The best way to find out if you have bad breath is too. Ask your friends or family members for feedback. This will help make you aware of the problem so you can figure out how best to address the problem.

Bad breath can occur due to several reasons. Studies show that 80% of bad breath comes from an oral source, that is, from something within your mouth and teeth. For instance, cavities or gum disease can lead to bad breath, as well as trapped food particles, cracked fillings, and unclean dentures.

Other medical reasons for bad breath include diabetes, liver disease, chronic bronchitis, and respiratory tract infections. Other causes also include acid reflux, postnasal drip, and chronic dry mouth.

How to prevent bad breath

There are several ways you can prevent bad breath. If you have medical reasons for your bad breath you should promptly treat those. However, if your bad breath is due to oral causes, here are a few things you can do…

1)   Visit your dentist regularly: Keep your scheduled dental appointment once in six months, or at least, once a year. Good oral hygiene is key to fighting bad breath. Dentists recommend that you brush and floss at least twice daily to reduce the odor-causing bacteria in your mouth. Dentists may also recommend using an electric toothbrush since most electric toothbrushes have timers, which helps ensure that you brush your teeth for the right length of time. You can also use certain mouthwashes and mouth rinses that help fight cavities, remove plaque, and prevent bad breath. Additionally, you should use an antibacterial mouth rinse that kills bacteria, rather than simply using a cosmetic mouthwash that just focuses on freshening your breath.

2)   Watch what you eat: What you eat affects your breath. This is because as your food is digested, it is absorbed into your bloodstream and is then expelled by your lungs when you breathe. You should concentrate on eating a healthy diet and balanced meals. Extreme fasting or very low-carb diets can trigger you bad breath as well. Raw carrots, celery, and apple slices are good to have, while odor-causing garlic and onions should be eaten in modest quantities.

3)   Drink a lot of water: Drinking a lot of water can clean the debris in your mouth or between your teeth. Drinking a lot of milk can also reduce bad breath. You should, however, avoid sugary and carbonated drinks.

4)   Don’t drink too much coffee: While coffee can be a great pick-me-up, its smell can be difficult to get out of your mouth. Instead of coffee, consider drinking herbal or green teas. However, the tannin in tea is also known to stain teeth, so its best to drink both coffee and tea in moderation.

5)   Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products: Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and snuff can cause terrible bad breath. And this lasts for hours, sometimes even continually. In some people, it is worse than in others.

6)   Cut back on alcohol Intake: Alcohol can lead to a dry mouth, also called xerostomia. This is one of the causes of bad breath. Too much wine, beer, and hard liquor can cause bad breath for eight to ten hours after you finish drinking.

7)   Chew sugarless gum: Chewing sugarless gum about 20 minutes after a meal can increase the flow of saliva in your mouth, thereby helping to clean debris, bacteria, and plaque, all of which cause bad breath. Not only is this cleansing, but it can also fight cavities.

8)   Use breath mints carefully: Sugar-free mints are great for a quick fix, but they mask bad breath and do nothing to remove harmful bacteria. In fact, if you eat breath mints regularly, the sugar in the mints can remain in your mouth and teeth, and worsen your bad breath.

These are some of the causes of bad breath and ways treat it. At Bellevue Dental Health, we can advise patients on how to prevent bad breath and also how to treat it effectively. With regular dental visits, and good oral care you can nip the problem of bad breath in the bud and prevent it from getting out of hand.

The team at Bellevue Dental Health takes the time to understand your oral health concerns and will treat you holistically with personalized care. So, the next time you think you need a professional dental cleaning or treatment, visit Dr. Libbi Finnessy at Bellevue Dental Health for the best and most caring treatment for your teeth.

For more information about preventing and treating bad breath, contact Dr. Libbi Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at contact@bellevuedentalhealth.com or visit our website at www.bellevuedentalhealth.com.

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Best Dental Implants in Bellevue

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If you live in Bellevue, on the Eastside, or even in Seattle, it helps to know which dentists can best help restore your smile… if need be.

If you need dental treatment, especially dental implants, it is important that you choose the right dentist in Bellevue. Dr. Libbi Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health is one premier dentist performing dental implants on the Eastside. She can work with you to restore lost teeth with dental implants. She also practices a full range of smile-enhancing general and cosmetic dentistry.

Dental implants are often the “go to” option if you have lost teeth due to injury, periodontal disease, or other reasons. At Bellevue Dental Health, Dr. Finnessy can replace your lost teeth through inserting dental implants, so that you can gain fresh confidence and restore normal tooth function.

But what is a dental implant? Well, a dental implant is a cylindrical tapered post made of titanium that works as a substitute for a tooth’s root.

A dental implant is then placed in the jawbone so that it can fuse with your natural bone and become a strong foundation for replacement teeth. Dental implants can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. Dental implants are the closest you can get to natural teeth.

Dental implants are often the best treatment for missing teeth when you are being treated by an experienced dentist, such as Dr. Finnessy. You may be eligible for dental implants if you:

  • Are in good general health;
  • Have one or more missing teeth;
  • Do not suffer from any chronic illness that can interfere with healing;
  • Have a jawbone that will support dental implants – otherwise, bone grafting may be needed in certain cases.

You should consult Dr. Finnessy at her Bellevue dental office. She will work with you based on your dental history, needs and goals, to determine if you are the right candidate for a dental implant. She will also help you determine which type of dental restoration is right for you.

Bellevue Dental Health believes in a treatment philosophy that is incredibly personalized and care-based. Dr. Finnessy is one of the best dental implant specialists in Bellevue. She treats your overall health and listens intently to your needs and concerns. She brings her unique warmth and sense of humor to even the most routine or complicated dental procedure, and dental implants are no exception.

Dr. Libbi Finnessy and her staff employ the latest technology to enhance the quality of your dental care. For example, they use a 3D scanner for making fast, precise digital dental impressions. With a 3D scanner, they can ensure that they insert dental implants that have an exceptionally well-planned and perfectly executed fit and finish.

The experienced team at Bellevue Dental Health have several years of combined experience in the dental field. They don’t just treat you as any other patient, but as a family member and friend. Dr. Finnessy cares for you as a whole person and not just as a number or a patient.

Dr. Libbi ensures that her office is not the typical, sterile space, but is a warm and welcoming environment, where patients feel comfortable, even as they undergo their dental implant procedure. So, if you need the best dental implants in Bellevue or on the Eastside, visit Dr. Finnessy at Bellevue Dental Health for the best treatment possible!

For more information about the best dental implants in Bellevue, contact Dr. Libbi Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at contact@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

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What it takes to be among the Best Dentists in Bellevue

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These days, it takes a lot to be recognized as one of the top dentists in Bellevue, Washington. It takes an uncompromising adherence to quality, a staunch commitment to your patients, and the provisioning of high-quality, caring, dental services every day.

So, why does any dentist rank as one of the best dentists in Bellevue and on the Eastside of Seattle? Well, there are several reasons for this, here are some of them…

  • Great training and qualifications: Top dentists spend years training to practice and hone their craft. They are adept at their profession and continually upgrade their skills and qualifications, learn the latest tools, techniques and procedures to stay current.
  • A warm, supportive, highly-trained,patient-friendly staff and caring office environment: Top dentists in Bellevue and their staff provide patients with a quality of care and warmth that is all-encompassing. All patients are made to feel at ease, not just the first time they visit, but during every single visit. Top dentists truly care about their patients and need to set the tone for their office themselves, with an unparalleled level of patient care and understanding.
  • General and specialized dental services: Top dentists usually provide a full range of general dentistry and cosmetic services, with expertise including porcelain veneers, dental implants, crowns, bridges, and some types of oral surgery. In this high-tech era, top dentists need to use the best and latest equipment to treat your teeth so they can effectively correct a wide range of cosmetic dental problems and improve your smile.
  • Flexible financial options: Top dentists and their team have one mission only – to provide their patients with the best dental care available. They understand that financing your dental care can be difficult, so they help their patients by providing the best dental care at an affordable price. They can also make arrangements for a monthly payment plan in certain instances.
  • A holistic treatment approach: Top dentists take great care of you with every visit. During your first visit, you typically will be introduced to your “dental team”. They will collect and evaluate your medical and dental history, and understand and address your concerns. Your first appointment will typically consist of a comprehensive exam, and any necessary x-rays to understand your oral health needs. Top dentists also take the time to explain some of the latest medical research findings linking proper dental hygiene to superior overall health and wellness.
  • Ongoingengagement with their patients on a continuing basis: Top dentists treat their existing patients with the same degree of care as new patients. They send reminders and remember key details of their patients’lives. Top dentists typically have a large base of loyal patients who continue to visit and get treated for many years. Patients do this because they receive high-quality care and results earn that their trust, and create relationships that last – often for years or even a lifetime.

These are just some of the reasons why top dentists stand out from others. Dr. Libbi Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health is recognized as one of the top dentists in Bellevue. She exemplifies a commitment to caring for her patients that is truly unparalleled.

So, if you are in a quandary as to which dentist to choose in Bellevue or on the Eastside of Seattle, choose one of the best…opt for Bellevue Dental Health…and know that your dental health and your smile will be in the best hands…

For more information on the different dental services on offer, consult Dr. Libbi Finnessy at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com or go to our website www.bellevuedentalhealth.com for more information.

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How does gum disease affect systemic health?

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For several decades, medical specialists have concentrated on treating diseases affecting their respective specialities. Similarly, dentists have treated gum disease to augment oral health. However, recent research shows that oral health significantly impacts systemic health. Which simply means that gum disease causes other diseases ranging from heart disease to rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The evidence for this link between gum disease and systemic disease is so strong that increasingly, cardiologists are asking their patients about oral health and dentists are asking their patients about systemic health.

Chronic inflammatory dental conditions, such as gingivitis and periodontal disease can adversely affect systemic health. It was previously thought that this was due to bacteria entering the bloodstream and damaging major organs. However, it is now thought that chronic inflammation of the gums can cause inflammation in varied, different parts of the body. Given below are some systemic diseases that can be caused by gum disease and vice versa.

1)   Gum Disease and Heart Disease: Over the years, it has been found that people with poor gum health have been known to have poor heart health, including greater risk of heart attacks. Scientists have found that inflammation caused by periodontal disease may be responsible for the increased risk of heart disease. Periodontal disease can also worsen existing heart conditions, such as infective endocarditis.

2)   Gum Disease and Diabetes: If you have diabetes, you are more likely to have gum disease, and vice versa. Periodontal disease is often considered to be a side effect of diabetes. Also, severe periodontal disease can cause a significant increase in blood sugar.

3)   Gum Disease and Dementia: Gum disease also raises the risk of dementia later in life. Researchers have also found that gum disease may be associated with mild cognitive impairment, such as memory problems, making daily activities more difficult. A recent study found that patients with severe periodontal disease scored very low on memory tests and calculations.

4)   Gum Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): RA is an autoimmune disease, marked by inflammation and painful joints. People with RA are more likely to have periodontal disease, as chronic inflammation is common to both conditions. Although scientists have not found evidence that one causes the other, a 2009 study found that patients with a severe form of RA had less pain, swelling, and morning stiffness after their periodontal disease was treated. Also, people with RA are more likely to have periodontal disease with more missing teeth than patients without RA.

5)   Gum Disease and Premature Birth: Studies that have attempted to link gum disease and premature birth have had conflicting results. Some show that women with gum disease are more likely to deliver a preterm baby, whereas other studies do not show a definite link. Research is still ongoing. However, other research has also shown that treating gum disease in pregnant women helps them carry their infants to term. Also, one recent study showed that pregnant women who completed periodontal treatment before the 35th week were more likely to carry their babies to term.

6)   Gum Disease and Respiratory Problems: Bacteria that are present in the oral cavity may be aspirated into the lungs, causing pneumonia. Also, patients with poor oral health were more likely to suffer from other respiratory problems than those with optimum oral health.

7)   Gum Disease and Stroke: There is also a possible link between gum disease and stroke. Patients diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular ischemia were more likely to have an oral infection when compared to patients in a control group.

8) Gum Disease and Osteoporosis: Bone loss is a feature that occurs in both periodontal disease as well as osteoporosis. Also, many studies have found a strong link between periodontal disease and estrogen deficiency. The latter is one of the main causes of osteoporosis.

9) Gum Disease and Cancer: While the link between gum disease and cancer is still unclear, researchers found that men with gum disease were 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer. They were also 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, and 30% more like to develop blood cancer.

At Bellevue Dental Health, we pride ourselves on caring for your oral health. If you suspect that you have gum disease, you should visit us for a detailed consult. If needed, we can treat gum disease, as well as educate you regarding potential treatment options and risks.

Check-ups with a qualified dentist, such as those at Bellevue Dental Health, should be undertaken on a regular basis, to help prevent gum disease and the risk of other systemic diseases.

For more information on gum disease, and its prevention and treatment, consult Dr. Libbi Finnessy at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.comor go to our website https://www.bellevuedentalhealth.com for more information.

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Achieve a Beautiful Smile with Dental Veneers

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Everyone wants a beautiful smile. To have a beautiful smile, you need beautiful teeth. This is where dental veneers help. A dental veneer may be the reason you can have a dazzling smile. So, what is a dental veneer? Well, a dental veneer is a wafer-thin, custom-made shell of tooth colored material designed to cover the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance.

These tooth like shells are bonded to the front of your teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length. Dental veneers are typically made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and reflect light off of your teeth better. In this article, we’ll talk at length about dental veneers and how they can help you achieve that million-dollar smile!

Dental veneers can fix a variety of problems. Some of them are:

  • Teeth that are discolored
  • Teeth that are worn down
  • Teeth that are chipped or broken
  • Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped
  • Teeth with gaps between them

Dental veneers offer a minimally invasive and straightforward technique to make your smile look more bright, natural, and healthy looking. If you are self-conscious or embarrassed about your teeth, you can take advantage of a dental veneer for that beautiful smile. However, dental veneers are strictly cosmetic procedures that restore your smile but do not affect the function and strength of your teeth.

Dental veneers can restore your smile without the need for any surgical procedures. This means that you do not need to resort to expensive, time-consuming, and invasive procedures while eliminating any associated risks or pain. Your veneers will look like real teeth enamel and will mimic their shine and translucent quality. These veneers have high stain-resistant properties as stain-causing substances slide off the smooth surface of the ceramic material.

Dental veneers require some caution but are durable are durable enough to last for years. They generally last from 7 to 15 years, after which they may need to be replaced. Dental veneers do not require any special care. You should continue to follow good oral hygiene practices, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash as you normally would.

The dental veneer procedure can be completed in about two visits to your dentist, over the course of about six weeks. The visits are comprehensive and may require several hours of examination and tooth preparation. Your dentist will typically administer a local anesthetic to make you comfortable. Your dentist will then prepare your natural tooth by minimally shaping it with a small, handheld rotational cutting device called a bur.

If your treatment involves direct composite resin veneers, your dentist will apply the appropriately shaded composite to your teeth, shape the material, and then harden it using a high intensity light. Your dentist may also apply additional layers of composite to build the veneer so that it is the correct shape, length, and form for your smile. When all composite is placed, the veneers will be finished and polished using burs and polishers to create a dazzling smile.

If your treatment involves porcelain veneers, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth from which a mold of your mouth will be made. This impression may then be sent to a dental laboratory where the veneers will be professionally fabricated.

At Bellevue Dental Health, we specialize in dental veneers. We work with each individual patient and create top-quality veneers that will suit their mouth and teeth. You can consult us for any questions or concerns you may have regarding dental veneers. We help restore your smile with carefully crafted dental veneers. So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us and restore your million-dollar smile…today!

For more information about dental veneers, contact Dr. Libbi Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

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How Smoking Effects Your Teeth

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We’ve all heard about the detrimental effects of smoking on your health. However, did you know that smoking also adversely affects your oral health? Well, it’s true! Smoking causes many oral health problems and the longer you smoke the more severe these problems become.

With there being about 36 million smokers in the United States, (according to the Centers for Disease Control), this amounts to about 15% of the population. That’s a huge number of people risking their oral health by smoking. So, how exactly does smoking affect your teeth? That’s what we’ll talk about in this article…

  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for oral cancer: Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause cancers of your mouth, tongue, lips, gums, and throat. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, about 50,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. An estimated 80% of them are smokers. If you are a smoker as well as a heavy drinker, your risk for oral cancer substantially increases. I screen all of my patients at their dental appointments for oral cancer. It often begins as a white or red patch in the mouth and is not symptomatic. It later can be accompanied by difficulty chewing or swallowing, numbness in the jaw, and pain in the ear. If you have these symptoms for more than two weeks, visit your dentist, as the earlier oral cancer is detected, the more effective will its treatment be.
  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for gum disease: Smoking adversely affects your gums in two ways. If you smoke you are more likely to produce more bacterial plaque in your mouth, which puts your gums under steady attack. Second, smokers have lower oxygen levels in their blood, therefore delaying healing. This means that when your gums become infected, your body is less likely to be able to deal with it. Gum disease progresses at a very rapid rate in people who smoke. Losing teeth is a very real consequence in people who are heavy smokers.
  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for cavities: Due to the plaque and gum problems caused by smoking, smokers are at higher risk for tooth decay. If you smoke, you’re putting your mouth at risk for cavities three times more than non-smokers.
  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for bad breath: Smokers have a greater incidence of halitosis or bad breath. This is because about 4000 chemicals pass through your oral cavity every time you smoke. Many of these end up collecting on the surfaces inside your mouth. Smoking also contributes to bad breath by drying out your mouth. This can trigger gum infection and can irritate your sinuses, resulting in post-nasal drip.
  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for stained teeth: Smokers typically have stained teeth, with unattractive yellow stains that tar and nicotine leave on your teeth. Over time, this discoloration can leak into tiny cracks in your tooth enamel, leading to permanent discoloration and staining.
  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for delayed healing: Smoking results in the increased possibility of tooth extraction and oral surgery. However, at the same time, it results in delayed healing and slows your body’s ability to recover from these procedures. It also lowers the rate of successful dental implant procedures. The more you smoke, the more vulnerable you are to developing further complications.
  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for altered taste and smell: Smoking results in an altered sense of taste and smell. This interferes with your enjoyment of food and is also likely to make you add more salt or sugar to your food to make the taste stronger. Research shows that about one in five smokers have a less precise sense of taste and smell. However, this can be reversed if you stop smoking.

So, now you know how smoking can adversely affect your teeth. At Bellevue Dental Health we can help you manage the effects of smoking on your teeth. We work individually with each patient and take a detailed patient history to determine what treatment options each patient has.

If you are a smoker be sure to have regular dental care and a regular exam. As always, we are here to help at Bellevue Dental Health!

For more information about a dental consultation and different dental procedures,
contact Dr. Libby Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

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Pros And Cons Of Dental Veneers

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If you’ve admired your favorite celebrity’s smile, chances are it’s because of a dental veneer. So, what is a dental veneer? Well, veneers are thin pieces of porcelain, resins, and other composite materials that are molded to fit your teeth, and which attach to the front of the tooth in order to improve its appearance. The goal of a dental veneer is to change the size, color, and possibly the shape of your tooth.

Dental veneers are typically used if teeth are discolored from root canals, fillings, or other procedures; if teeth are chipped or broken; if teeth are irregularly shaped; if teeth have gaps between them, and for any dental issue that results in a loss of self-confidence. Veneers typically last for about 5 to 7 years and the cost can vary but are more economical than most crowns.

There are four main types of dental veneers. These are porcelain veneers, composite veneers, instant veneers, and removable veneers. While dental veneers are increasingly popular, there are certain pros and cons of dental veneers.

It is important that patients make an informed decision about whether to go in for a dental veneer and consult their dentist after knowing all the facts. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of dental veneers…

Pros of Dental Veneers

Here are some of the pros of dental veneers:

Pro #1: Great effect on your smile: Dental veneers can have a transformative effect on your smile. They can also improve the color and appearance of your teeth and can fill in any gaps and crooked teeth.

Pro # 2: Resistant to stains: Dental veneers, especially porcelain veneers are highly stain resistant and will remain as white as when they were new.

Pro #3: Long-lasting: If cared for properly, porcelain veneers can last as long as 20 years. Other veneers, such as composites can last for as long as 10 years.

Pro #4: Easy to maintain: You should look after your veneers the way you look after your regular teeth. Regular brushing and flossing with scheduled dental visits should keep your veneers in fantastic shape.

Pro #5: Rapid results: Orthodontic treatments like Invisalign can take months to correct slightly misaligned teeth. However, dental veneers are effective as soon as the treatment is complete.

Cons of Dental Veneers

There are some cons of dental veneers too. Here are some of them:

Con #1: High cost: Porcelain veneers along with dental implants are some of the most expensive cosmetic dental treatments. Also, they may not be covered with your dental insurance as it is considered to be a cosmetic procedure. However, if you find porcelain veneers too expensive, you can opt for composite veneers or then, instant veneers.

Con #2: Does not suit everyone: Most people can have dental veneers fitted over their teeth. However, some patients cannot have veneers fitted. These include those with weakened or decayed teeth, those who regularly grind their teeth, those with severe cases of periodontal disease, and those with bad tooth enamel. Also, dental veneers can cause heightened tooth sensitivity to extreme hot and cold temperatures. However, this goes away after some time.

Con #3: Expensive to repair: If a porcelain veneer is chipped or cracked, it needs to be fully replaced. However, composite veneers can often be repaired or patched up. With proper care, dental veneers are extremely durable, but if looked after poorly, or if they are accidentally broken, they are expensive to fix.

Con #4: Long fitting process: While fitting veneers is fairly straightforward, it will require multiple visits to the dentist. The visits will require an initial consultation, doing the prep work, having a temporary veneer fitted, and then, the final fitting itself.

Con #5: Non-reversible process: Veneers are more or less permanent, because your dentist changes the structure of your natural teeth to properly place them. In such cases, the outer layer of your enamel may be removed to make room.

So, now you know a bit more about dental veneers. Consider making an appointment with your dentist to find out if dental veneers are the right choice for you. At Bellevue Dental Health, we place dental veneers after a thorough consultation and I love the difference it makes in my patient’s smile. If you have fractured or broken teeth, discolored teeth, gaps between your teeth and more, you can schedule an appointment to know your options.

For more information on dental veneers and whether they are right for you, contact Dr. Libby Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

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The Benefits of a Custom Fitted Mouthguard

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If you are an athlete or parent of one, you’ve probably heard of a mouthguard. If you haven’t, you should have! A mouthguard is a mouth protector, and is a flexible device worn over the teeth during athletic and recreational activities to protect them from damage.

If you play ice hockey, lacrosse, field hockey, and football, you absolutely need to wear a mouthguard, as mandated by the U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association. However, besides these sports, the American Dental Association recommends the use of a mouthguard for 29 different sports and activities.

Some of these include the ones mentioned above, as well as acrobatics, basketball, boxing, gymnastics, volleyball, squash, wrestling, weightlifting, and many others. Whenever there is a chance of contact with other players or contact with a hard surface, wearing a mouthguard makes sense.

There are three different types of mouthguards:

  • Pre-formed mouthguards: These can be bought in sporting goods stores and drugstores and are pre-formed and ready to wear.
  • Mouth-formed mouthguards: These can be either a shell liner, or then a boil-and-bite kind. Both these types mold themselves to the contours of the teeth, using the fingers, lips, tongue, and biting pressure.
  • Custom fit mouthguards: These provide the greatest degree of comfort, fit, and protection, because they are made from a custom model to precisely fit over your teeth. Your dentist creates an impression of your teeth, and a dental laboratory technician then uses the impression as a mold to create the custom-fitted mouthguard.

 

While all of these mouthguards have their own uses, custom fitted mouthguards are the most efficacious when it comes to protecting your teeth. Custom fitted mouthguards are better than off-the-shelf mouthguards at preventing injury, such as concussions or brain damage, jaw dislocation/fracture, fractured or lost teeth, cuts or bruises to the mouth and face, and stress to the neck. In this article, we’ll talk a bit more about the benefits of custom fitted mouthguards. Some of them are:

  1. Customization and proper fit: A poorly fitting mouthguard can do more damage than good. A custom fitted mouthguard is made to properly fit over your teeth, however irregular they may be. Custom fitted mouthguards are designed with your dental history in mind, as well as the sport you are playing. This means that any braces or appliances you have, will be protected as well!
  2. More comfortable than other mouthguards: A custom fitted mouthguard is made from a direct impression of your mouth, so there isn’t any unwanted or unnecessary bulky material left over. This type of mouthguard is more comfortable than other off-the-shelf mouthguards. This makes breathing, talking, and swallowing a lot easier.
  3. Increased protection: A custom fitted mouthguard will cover and protect all your teeth. If impact takes place, this mouthguard will absorb the shock and distribute the impact properly. Custom fitted mouthguards also prevent concussion and other brain injuries.
  4. Correct thickness depending on the sport: If you are planning on playing heavy contact sports, such as boxing, hockey, and football, your dentist will design a custom fitted mouthguard that will have the appropriate thickness to handle the impact and absorb the shock. For low contact sports, such as tennis and racquetball, the custom fitted mouthguard can be thinner.
  5. Available at the right cost: As with more injuries, prevention is key. Wearing a custom fitted mouthguard is better than going in for dental reconstructive surgery after a sports injury to your teeth and mouth. Rather than opting for an off-the-shelf mouthguard, do consider a custom fitted one, as the latter will protect not only your teeth and mouth, but also appliances you may have, such as dental implants and braces. Moreover, this will turn out to be less expensive in the long run.

 

So, these are some of the benefits of custom fitted mouthguards. Consult your dentist and consider getting a custom fitted mouthguard if you need to do so. At Bellevue Dental Health, we design custom-fitted mouthguards for athletes and others, depending on their need and the sport they play. Play hard but play safe!

For more information on custom fitted mouthguards as well as other dental questions, contact Dr. Libbi Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

healthy-cooking-sweet-tooth

Healthy Cooking for the Sweet Tooth

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Most of us have a sweet tooth that shows up, more often then we like. We, as dentists, are often asked by our patients what would be considered healthy foods that they can eat while occasionally indulging our sweet tooth. While we are often told that indulging that sweet tooth is most often a no-no, there are foods that we can eat that are healthy, even as they satisfy your sugar cravings. In this article, we’ll talk about some of these foods.

  • Dark chocolate: You can whip up several recipes with dark chocolate. This is not as bad as you may think and some consider it good for the teeth even effective at fighting cavities, plaque, and tooth decay in the mouth. Compounds in dark chocolate may even be effective at fighting cavities. Some of the more popular recipes that you can whip up using dark chocolate include chocolate milk, Café mocha, and peanut butter and chocolate pretzels. You can even create a healthy and delicious chocolate pudding in a jiffy and so also, a satisfying hot chocolate drink. You can even create a trail mix, which is a healthy mix of nuts like almonds and pistachios, with a dark chocolate pieces. If you want to be even more creative, you can make Choco-nut popcorn, with 1 tablespoon melted peanut butter or Nutella, and a dusting of shaved chocolate or a sprinkling of cocoa powder.
  • Fresh fruit and other fruit dishes: This is one of the simplest offerings to satisfy your sweet tooth. Fresh fruit offers natural sugar to satisfy your cravings and also provides nutrients and fiber. You can also create other recipes using fresh fruit, such as chocolate-dipped strawberries, frozen chocolate banana, an all-fruit popsicle, banana ice cream, sorbet, and baked apple.
  • Yogurt Parfait and other yogurt recipes: Yogurt is one of the healthiest dishes you can eat and is also very good at satisfying those sweet cravings without hurting your teeth. Some yogurt recipes you can whip up include yogurt parfait, which is plain Greek yogurt with your choice of topping. The latter could include granola, nuts, and fruit with a sprinkling of dark chocolate shavings to boot. Other yogurt recipes include Nutella yogurt dip with fruit. This is a healthier take on chocolate fondue. You need to mix Nutella with Greek yogurt and use it as a dip with fresh fruit or with low-sugar cookies or crackers. You can also make and eat Frozen Greek Yogurt Drops. This consists of combining non-fat plain Greek yogurt with half a cup of frozen berries and stirring it until the fruit has broken down and the mixture has an even consistency. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drop a bit of the mixture onto the sheet, leaving space between the drops. Freeze for a few hours and then store till you are ready to eat.
  • Smoothies: These are easy to make and taste even better, whether they are for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Some smoothies include recipes such as Oaty Banana, Peachy Oat Smoothie, Banana Java, Strawberry Banana, Orange Crush, and so on. As you can imagine, you can create any number of recipes for smoothies, by combining ingredients in a creative way.
  • Peanut butter and jelly sandwich and other bread recipes: A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a classic recipe that satisfies many a sweet tooth in a healthy way. Take a slice of whole wheat bread and spread peanut butter as well as any fruit jelly you like, such as grape or strawberry. This not only provides sweetness, but also protein and a bit of fiber to boost. You can also make and eat Cinnamon Toast by toasting up a slice of whole-grain bread, adding a half teaspoon of butter, a quarter teaspoon of sugar, and as much cinnamon powder as you want.
  • Cereal and milk: Opt for a healthy, high-fiber, whole-grain cereal and sweeten with a little honey or cinnamon. Again, you can create as many recipes as you like by being creative. You can also combine chocolate with cereal and milk for a sweet but healthy treat. Kick-start your day with cereal and milk and satisfy that sweet craving.
  • Pudding: You can create a pudding with any flavor you desire, such as chocolate, vanilla, pistachio and the like. You can add these flavors with skim milk and then top with berries or other fruit, for added fiber. You can also create Fruit and Cottage Cheese pudding. You can do so by mixing fruit and cottage cheese and then mixing in a teaspoon of chocolate or cocoa powder and a drizzling of honey.

 

These are some easy-to-make recipes for healthy dishes that will help satisfy your sweet tooth, without hurting your teeth. Whip these up and enjoy, content that your teeth are in good shape with these recipes.

For more information on healthy foods as well as other dental questions, contact Dr. Libby Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

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