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Dental X-Ray

Dental x-rays are commonly used when you visit your dentist. Many patients wonder if dental x-rays are safe and if they should worry about radiation exposure. Expressing concerns about your health and safety is normal, and the good news is that dental x-rays are extremely safe. You may notice your hygienist covers you with protective equipment and leaves the room during the x-ray. This is to avoid repeated exposure because hygienists perform x-rays daily as part of their cleaning and exam routines. The protective equipment placed on the patient helps to further protect your body and organs that are more sensitive to radiation exposure.

Every day we are exposed to levels of radiation naturally in the environment, and dental x-rays only make up a small fraction of the average daily dose of radiation each day. Patients do not need to worry about exposure, as the amount is so low there is nothing to be concerned about.

Are Dental X-Ray’s Safe?

Dental x-rays do not require much radiation to produce images. With the new technology used today x-rays use 90% less radiation exposure and are safe for patients. Diagnostic imaging gives our team the ability to see inside your teeth and this allows the detection of decay, bone loss, or oral cancer. X-rays can help prevent future issues by diagnosing and treating anything we see promptly.

Benefits of Dental X-Ray’s

  • Detect decay, fillings, gum disease, and oral cancer.
  • Detect changes in soft or hard tissues.
  • Show jawbone development
  • Detect bone loss

Interested in Learning More About How Dental X-rays Can Benefit You?

If you are interested in learning how dental x-rays can benefit you, or you are due for your regular dental exam and cleaning, contact Dentist X. We provide the highest level of service and use the latest technology and equipment. Let our team help you care for your smile, and prevent unnecessary visits to the dentist. Our doctors have years of experience and love to help patients care for their teeth and gums. Oral health is extremely important and is directly linked to our overall health. Attending your regular dental visits can help to detect issues and keep your smile looking and feeling great.

To schedule an appointment with us contact Art of Pediatric Dentistry, and our staff will be happy to assist you.

Electric Toothbrush

Your toothbrush is an important part of your daily oral care routine. Choosing the right toothbrush can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Today, there are many options available, and electric toothbrushes are very popular. Both manual and electric toothbrushes are made to remove plaque, bacteria, and prevent cavities. Knowing the benefits of an electric toothbrush can help you decide if they are right for you.

What Are the Benefits of an Electric Tooth Brush?

Power

An electric toothbrush is battery powered and does not require you to manually brush for at least two minutes. They do the work for you, and can really reach areas that a manual brush cannot. Some models even include a timer so you know exactly how long to brush. Electric toothbrushes can cover areas quicker and easier compared to a manual brush.

Effort

Less effort is required with an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes clear away bacteria faster and easier compared to a manual tooth brush.

Plaque and Bacteria

Electric toothbrushes can remove bacteria and plaque easier and faster compared to a manual toothbrush. This makes brushing easier, and studies have found that those that use an electric toothbrush have less plaque and bacteria buildup over time. The bristles of an electric toothbrush gently remove plaque and bacteria without wearing down your gums or enamel.

Easy To Use

Electric toothbrushes are really easy to use, and can help people who have a hard time brushing or moving their hands. When brushing you simply move the brush from tooth to tooth, and this makes the process quick and efficient without having to manually brush each tooth.

Help Children Keep Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Electric toothbrushes also help children keep their teeth clean and free of plaque. There are electric brushes that are smaller and designed specifically for children. They make sounds, and come with a timer to make brushing fun and easy.

Is an Electric Toothbrush Right for Me?

Electric toothbrushes are a great tool that help to remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth. They are a great alternative to manual toothbrushes, and can make your oral care routine easier. Electric toothbrushes do cost a bit more, but many people say they are worth the investment. Whatever brush you choose, it is always important to brush and floss daily to keep your teeth and mouth looking and feeling great.

Interested in Finding Out More?

If you are interested in finding out if an electric toothbrush is right for you, contact Art of Pediatric Dentistry. Our staff is happy to discuss the benefits of an electric toothbrush, and review which brands we recommend. Your oral health is important, and using the right tools at home can help you keep your teeth and mouth healthy.

To schedule your appointment with us contact contact Art of Pediatric Dentistry, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!

Brush or Floss

Creating an oral hygiene routine at home is important to help maintain your oral health and keep your teeth and gums feeling great. Brushing and flossing each day is extremely important, and the order in which you do these two items is a common question. Many wonder which way gives the most benefit.

Is Brushing First Better?

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is a key part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Brushing cleans your teeth and removes plaque, as well as prevents cavities from developing. Brushing is not the only thing you need to do to keep your oral hygiene in check. Flossing is another integral part of oral hygiene. The order in which you do these two items is a popular discussion.

Brushing does allow the toothpaste with fluoride to get in-between the teeth and help lift residual plaque when you floss after brushing. Studies show that flossing first is better, and is a more efficient way to keep up with your oral health. Flossing last also leaves particles in your mouth if you do not remember to rinse afterwards.

What About Flossing First?

Flossing first has many benefits, and recent studies now recommend that you should floss first before you brush. Flossing first helps to loosen that plaque buildup, as well as increase fluoride concentration between your teeth. When you brush after flossing the brushing then helps to remove those particles that are released from flossing. This helps to reduce plaque in your mouth, and lowers your risk of developing gum disease. Brushing after you floss helps the toothpaste to really do its job to protect your teeth from decay.

What About Flossing First?

Flossing first has many benefits, and recent studies now recommend that you should floss first before you brush. Flossing first helps to loosen that plaque buildup, as well as increase fluoride concentration between your teeth. When you brush after flossing the brushing then helps to remove those particles that are released from flossing. This helps to reduce plaque in your mouth, and lowers your risk of developing gum disease. Brushing after you floss helps the toothpaste to really do its job to protect your teeth from decay.

Benefits of Flossing and Brushing

  • Prevents gum disease that is caused by poor dental hygiene or not brushing and flossing properly. Routine dental cleanings in our office are important and we recommend dental cleanings at least twice a year.
  • Removes plaque that is the leading cause of gum disease. If you floss and brush your teeth regularly plaque does not have the chance to harden on your teeth.
  • Prevents decay and costly dental procedures. If you take care of your oral health you can avoid serious complications or dental procedures in the future.

Overall, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy by practicing good oral hygiene habits. Cavities and gum disease are preventable, and remembering to floss and brush each day will help keep your mouth feeling great. Visiting our office regularly for your cleaning and exam is another way to stay on top of your oral health.

During your dental exam our team will discuss any hygiene recommendations, and review how to keep up with your oral hygiene care at home. Taking care of your oral health is important, and your health is our priority.

If you are interested in finding out more about how to improve your oral hygiene routine at home, or to schedule your next dental exam, contact our office and our staff will be happy to assist you.

Many children can be worried or scared if they are told that they need to get dental fillings due to having cavities. Parents as a result, may second-guess themselves on if they truly need the procedure done. Although no parent wants their child to have to undergo any dental procedure that might frighten them or cause discomfort, leaving a small cavity persist can mean more extensive dental work later. This delay also can increase both the time to correct the issue and drive up overall costs.

However, going to a compassionate and highly trained pediatric dentist can alleviate anxieties for both parent and child, especially if can get an outline on what exactly goes on in treatment. In this article, our pediatric dentist in Bellvue, WA provides a general outline for what parents can expect for a child needing pediatric dental fillings. 

What Type of Medication Will Be Used for Fillings?

Typically pediatric dentists will apply numbing topical medication and deeper numbing injections to prevent discomfort and pain. If needed, your pediatric dentist will also administer oral/conscious sedation via a gas that is inhaled through a simple oxygen mask. The combination of both relaxes the child and helps  ease any fears. However, it is first important to discuss your child’s particular circumstances to your dentist so that a solid plan can be formed for your child’s circumstances.

At Art of Pediatric Dentistry in Bellevue, WA, Dr. Yu Ong has years of experience in dealing with younger children and teens. Dr. Ong will ensure that your child gets the time and necessary attention that they need to feel comfortable about the process prior to the start of the procedure and that their treatment plan is right for them. 

What Type of Filling Will My Child Get?

A dental filling is typically crafted out of a composite resin material. This is usually shaded to match the color of a childs natural teeth making the filling less noticeable. In the past, fillings for back teeth were often made from stronger and harder metal materials that were more noticeable. Due to recent advances in dental care, the newer dental filling composites are stronger and can be just as effective than the less desirable older filling materials. 

What Happens When a Child Gets a Filling?

Once it is determined that pediatric fillings are needed, your dentist will first providing your child with a local anesthetic so that the procedure is comfortable and stress-free. The decay is then removed from the tooth using a slower speed drill. Once all the decay is removed, the small hole that was created in the tooth is prepped for the filling material. The composite resin is both placed and poured into the small hole and smoothed. The filling is then cured with a specialized curing light The entire process generally takes 1 visit, so your child can go home and enjoy the rest of their day!

At Art of Pediatric Dentistry, we also believe in the importance of preventative care. Dr. Yu Ong will also take the time to explain to both parents and children some considerations and tips to prevent cavities. By doing this, children will be less likely to need to get more fillings in the future!

Looking for a Pediatric Dentist Near You?

If you are looking for a compassionate and experienced pediatric dentist near you, consider scheduling with Art of Pediatric Dentistry! Our pediatric dental office in Bellvue, WA is experienced in providing exceptional and gentle dental care for children throughout King County and the surrounding neighborhoods. Dr. Yu Ong is committed to making sure that your child not only gets the treatment that they need but that they also thrive after their appointment. We take the time to explain to children and parents on ways to maximize their oral health. 

Schedule your next appointment by calling our friendly staff at (425) 401-1147!

You may also reach us by using our online form or swinging by our office. We are located near Stevenson Elementary School and the Los Chilangos restaurant. We are also open from Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm and take appointments on Friday.

For some children, a trip to the dentist can cause a lot of anxiety. Even getting your teeth cleaned or a small cavity filled can be a source of stress. People also avoid the dentist because they fear of pain. In fact, some people will avoid having a cavity filled because they think it’s going to hurt without sedation.

Read on learn how dental fillings can be done without sedation.

What Are Dental Fillings?

Fillings are used to help ease the pain and significantly slow the progression of tooth decay. Cavities are a minor form of tooth decay, but get progressively worse overtime. If left untreated, tooth decay can affect deeper levels within the tooth and possibly affect the nerve. The filling essentially gets rid of the cavity to preserve the tooth and mouth healthy.

How Does a Dentist Fill a Cavity?

The process of filling a cavity depends on deep it is. If the cavity only affects the superficial layer of the tooth, it’s usually a quick fix. However, if the cavity is deep and spread across multiple teeth, filling them does take longer. However, that doesn’t mean it will be painful!

Do Fillings Hurt Without Sedation?

Although most dentists do use needles to inject anesthetic, it’s important to note that the injections are virtually painless. Needles are now much thinner, almost as thin as a piece of thread. This allows for painless injections and reduces the need to sedation

Because your child’s teeth have roots and nerve endings in the gums, it’s important to anesthetize both the affected tooth and surrounding gum to help keep your child comfortable during treatment. However, with so many different types of topical and injectable numbing agents available, the need for sedation only arises in specific situations

However, it’s important to note that everyone is different and has varying pain thresholds. For this reason, your child may need more or less anesthetic to have a cavity filled. Our pediatric dentist in Bellevue, WA, Dr. Yu Ong,  will work alongside your family to determine the best course for your child based on their particular circumstances and needs. 

Looking for a Pediatric Dentist Near You?

If you are interested in scheduling your child for a dental exam or a dental filling we are here to help! Don’t hesitate to contact our pediatric dental office in Bellevue, WA! Our team is committed to providing gentle and experienced care for children throughout Bellevue, WA. We look forward to helping you!

Ice cream is a treat that most people enjoy, especially on hot summer days. It even contains calcium and protein, which are essential for your health! However, if you’re an ice cream fan, you should be aware of the effects the dessert can have on your oral health.

Ice Cream Contains Sugar

A mere half cup of vanilla ice cream contains approximately 14 grams of sugar. This is over half of the recommended amount of sugar that adults should consume in a day. Other flavors may have even higher amounts of sugar, and toppings can send the sugar content over the top.

Sugar can eat away at your teeth’s enamel and cause cavities. It does so by contributing to acid production in your mouth. The more sugar you allow to coat your teeth, the faster the cavities will progress.

While you can find sugar-free ice cream, it shouldn’t give you a false sense of security for your teeth. When you combine sugar-free ice cream with a cone or syrup, tooth-decaying acid will still be a problem.

Ice Cream Can Make Your Teeth Hurt

People that have a sensitivity to cold will find eating ice cream to be an uncomfortable experience. This sensitivity can be a sign of worn tooth enamel, tooth decay, or an exposed nerve. If you live in find that consuming ice cream is a painful experience, you should contact our dental office.

If your children are fans of ice cream but are experiencing problems with their teeth, you can schedule an appointment for them at the premier pediatric dental office in Bellevue, WA. At Art of Pediatric Dentistry, we truly believe that pediatric dentistry is an art and Dr. Yu Ong will work alongside you to provide a personalized treatment plan with your child!

Reducing the Negative Effects

Besides making an appointment with a pediatric dentist, there are a couple of things you can do to mitigate the effects of ice cream on your teeth. Try to enjoy sugar-free ice cream to avoid the acid build-up in your mouth. If you can’t go without your sugary summer treat, try eating it with a meal and in moderation. You can also remove excess sugar from your mouth by chewing on some sugar-free gum or rinsing your mouth with some water.

Looking for a Pediatric Dentist Near You?

If you think you need a dental exam, or would like to inquire more about this procedure, don’t hesitate to call our pediatric dental practice in Bellevue, WA! You can reach our friendly team at (425) 401-1147. Alternatively, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Yu Ong online using our contact form. The Art of Pediatric Dentistry team will be happy to assist you and answer any questions you have!

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