Davenport Smiles http://www.topspokanedentist.com Spokane Cosmetic Dentist Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:41:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Your Oral Health as You Age http://www.topspokanedentist.com/your-oral-health-as-you-age/ http://www.topspokanedentist.com/your-oral-health-as-you-age/#comments Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:41:15 +0000 admin http://www.topspokanedentist.com/?p=582 During the aging process, the condition of our oral health is even more important. Although the mouth undergoes some change as we age, losing your teeth does not have to be one of them. Teeth can generally be kept for a lifetime with proper maintenance.

Drinking tap water can be beneficial for the teeth no matter what your age; fluoridation is common and helps to slow down tooth decay. Fluoride can also be easily found in most toothpastes as well as mouthwashes.

If you have Diabetes, gum disease can be more common than usual. Receiving regular cleanings at the dentist is recommended to help identify and stop gum and tooth problems. Diabetes and oral health also connect in that treating gum disease can improve the management of blood sugar levels, but Diabetes also means a lower resistance to infection and increased oral healing times.

If you’ve lost your teeth, cleaning your dentures daily is a must for a healthy mouth. Brushing dentures removes plaque from them in the same manner as it does for your normal teeth. Brushing your gums lightly with a soft toothbrush before inserting your dentures is good for increased circulation and removes plaque from surfaces in your mouth.

Having a proper diet can be a major contributing factor in keeping your teeth as you age. Vitamins and minerals from vegetables and fruits are vital as well as drinking a good amount of water. Eating snacks throughout the day can reduce the effectiveness of saliva and lead to tooth decay.

Being older can mean that your gums may recede, and teeth can become yellowed or discolored (brown) with age. Whitening techniques as well as gum and mouth restoration can help combat those aspects of an older mouth.

To schedule a consultation or to get information about your tooth and gum health, call Davenport Smiles at (509) 838-0404.

Davenport Smiles
111 S Post St
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 838-0404

]]> http://www.topspokanedentist.com/your-oral-health-as-you-age/feed/ 0 Tips to avoid Tooth Decay and Cavities http://www.topspokanedentist.com/tips-to-avoid-tooth-decay-and-cavities/ http://www.topspokanedentist.com/tips-to-avoid-tooth-decay-and-cavities/#comments Fri, 29 Jun 2012 21:21:03 +0000 admin http://www.topspokanedentist.com/?p=577 Preventative treatment is very important in the modern dental world. Tooth decay is a commonly seen problem that can be easily prevented with basic knowledge of good oral upkeep.
Many people have gone to the dentist to deal with a cavity, but understanding a few things about the teeth can stop you from having to deal with tooth decay.

This video will show how tooth decay and cavities can affect the teeth:

Quick Tips for avoiding Tooth Decay:

  • Fluoride supplements or fluoridated municipal water can be helpful in maintaining the mineralization of the enamel. Even more quick and simple to use are fluoride rinses and toothpastes, which can be easily worked into a daily dental care routine.
  • Many acidic foods will rapidly damage the tooth when left in the plaque for extended periods of time. Make sure to clean sugary and acidic food off your teeth, especially when sleeping.
  • Brushing your teeth twice daily is essential for your mouth and gum health. Before sleeping, pay special attention to cleaning your teeth well.
  • Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal or snack can be beneficial in removing bits of food and sugars from the surface of your teeth. The physical act of chewing gum after eating stimulates saliva production and scrapes the teeth and gums clean of small food particles.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Virk, call 509-838-0404.

Davenport Smiles
111 S Post St.
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 838-0404

]]> http://www.topspokanedentist.com/tips-to-avoid-tooth-decay-and-cavities/feed/ 0 How smoking affects the mouth http://www.topspokanedentist.com/how-smoking-affects-the-mouth/ http://www.topspokanedentist.com/how-smoking-affects-the-mouth/#comments Tue, 12 Jun 2012 19:50:45 +0000 admin http://www.topspokanedentist.com/?p=575 Smoking causes damage to many parts of the body, but many people do not realize the effect it can have on Oral Health. Smoking can cause periodontal disease, increase the healing time of the mouth, and increases the risk of oral cancer. Additionally, it worsens bad breath, and the stains that accumulate from the tar are usually impossible to remove without help from a dentist.

Watch this video from the ADA about the American Cancer Society’s “Great American Smokeout”:

Smoking can contribute to the following problems with the mouth:

  • Tooth discoloration
  • Irritation and swelling of the gums
  • Increased jaw bone loss
  • Extra buildup of tartar and plaque
  • More risk of gum disease, oral cancer, and periodontal disease

In addition to immediate benefits to your oral health, quitting smoking also reduces your risks high blood pressure, heart disease, and lung cancer. Smokers who quit get to immediately have a whiter smile and better gum health.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Virk and check on the state of your oral health, call 509-838-0404.

Davenport Smiles
111 S Post St,
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 838-0404

]]> http://www.topspokanedentist.com/how-smoking-affects-the-mouth/feed/ 0 Toothaches and related problems http://www.topspokanedentist.com/toothaches-and-related-problems/ http://www.topspokanedentist.com/toothaches-and-related-problems/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:15:26 +0000 admin http://www.topspokanedentist.com/?p=570 One of the most common dental problems, toothaches, have a wide variety of causes and treatments. Gum, jaw, and tooth pain can be easily confused with each other, and without the help of a professional dentist they can be almost impossible to diagnose. However, in many cases where a tooth is damaged or sensitive to liquids it may be a sign of one of these ailments:

  • Tooth decay: Cavities–caused by bacteria breaking down sugars and making acid that penetrates enamel–will eventually reach low enough in the tooth to cause either direct sensitivity of the nerve, or microcavities in the teeth that are sensitive to heat, cold, and different types of pressure.
  • New teeth coming in: When adult teeth or wisdom teeth are erupting through the gums, the inflammation associated with it can make teeth sore.
  • Fractured tooth: Biting down hard on the wrong thing can create an external or internal fracture or crack in a tooth. Sometimes a broken tooth is extremely painful, other times it may not cause any pain at all. Depending on how the tooth is damaged, it will be more or less sensitive.
  • Losing a filling: Fillings may fall out or be knocked out, resulting in a previously filled and cleaned cavity being opened. Because this part of the tooth may be hard to clean, it generally will degrade faster than the rest of teeth due to buildup of food or acids.
  • Infection of the gums: If there is inflammation, swelling, or other signs of infection, pain in the gums can sometimes feel like pain in the tooth. Infections are important to treat soon because they can quickly damage the mouth or spread beyond it.

Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash are generally good ways to avoid degradation of the teeth and complications leading to tooth damage. Healthy gums are also crucial to maintaining proper overall oral health, and preventing toothaches. There are many other causes of a toothache, and many will vary in terms of sensitivity to temperature, sensitivity to sweets, and pain while applying pressure.

If you have a toothache that lasts longer than a few days, or is painful, call the office of Dr. Virk at 509-838-0404.

Davenport Smiles LLC‎
111 South Post Street
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 838-0404

]]> http://www.topspokanedentist.com/toothaches-and-related-problems/feed/ 0 Bacteria and periconitis http://www.topspokanedentist.com/bacteria-and-periconitis/ http://www.topspokanedentist.com/bacteria-and-periconitis/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:11:50 +0000 admin http://www.topspokanedentist.com/?p=566 Usually found in four groups of three, molars are sometimes joined by up to four wisdom teeth, or extra molars. It is possible to have more than or less than four, but usually there is one wisdom tooth behind each row of molars. Wisdom teeth develop much later in life than other teeth, often becoming ‘impacted’ or coming in at an odd angle, which usually leads to them being removed. Around a third of adults will never develop wisdom teeth.

Typically, impacted wisdom teeth come in a variety of forms:

  • Mesioangular impaction, where the tooth is angled towards the front of the mouth, accounts for half of all impacted wisdom teeth.
  • Vertical impaction is also common, found when the wisdom teeth do not break through the gum line.
  • Distoangular impaction and Horizontal impaction are the least common, being found in only 3-5% of all wisdom teeth. These types of impaction are when the tooth is angled backwards or sideways, respectively.

Because of the plentiful amount of bacteria in the mouth, it commonly leads to pericoronitis, an infection of the gums mostly found in young people. When a tooth partially erupts from the gum, it exposes a flap of gum that can trap bacteria and lead to infection. Brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash is especially important while wisdom teeth are coming in.

Usually, wisdom teeth are removed quickly and easily. For many people, wisdom teeth may be impacted and modify the bite or position of other teeth, and are generally considered to be unneeded. Others may not have wisdom tooth problems, or may not grow the teeth at all.

If you or someone you know is having issues with a wisdom tooth affecting dental work, teeth, or gums, call the office of Dr. Navi Virk, DDS. at (509) 838-0404.

Davenport Smiles LLC
111 S Post St, Spokane, WA 99201-4912
(509) 838-0404 ‎

]]> http://www.topspokanedentist.com/bacteria-and-periconitis/feed/ 0 Tooth health and vitamins http://www.topspokanedentist.com/tooth-health-and-vitamins/ http://www.topspokanedentist.com/tooth-health-and-vitamins/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:14:52 +0000 admin http://www.topspokanedentist.com/?p=562 Keeping your teeth healthy requires basic dental upkeep, but there are many minerals and vitamins that affect your tooth and gum health too. In addition to flossing, brushing, and having regular dental checkups, your diet should be diverse enough to cover the usual nutritional needs of your teeth.

Vitamins A, C, and D are very important to the health of your teeth, both for protecting and building them.
Vitamins A and D help to maintain and develop strong and healthy teeth. The antioxidant vitamin C helps to keep connective tissues and the gums healthy, helping the healing process of scapes or cuts in the mouth. Calcium is also important for the teeth, creating a strong jawbone and foundation for the teeth. In order to keep up your oral health, make certain that your diet has some sources of these vitamins, or foods that contain them.

The following is a list of common sources of vitamins A, C, and D:

  • Vitamin A: Find it in dark green vegetables, eggs, liver, and fortified dairy products. Also sweet potatoes, cheddar cheese, pumpkin, cantaloupe melon, apricot, and papaya.
  • Vitamin C: Find it in oranges, spinach, raspberries, gooseberries, plums, kale, garlic, and raw cabbage. Animal sources include raw liver, raw oysters, and cod roe. Vitamin C supplements are also an easy option.
  • Vitamin D: Find it in catfish, mackeral, tuna, eggs, and fish or vegetable vitamin D supplements. It is also added to many calcium supplements, as these vitamins are harder to find in common foods than vitamins C and A.
  • Calcium: Found in milk, soymilk (when calcium is added), nuts such as almonds, and sesame seeds. Because dairy is the most common calcium and vitamin D source, vegans or those who avoid dairy due to lactose intolerance may need to include blackstrap molasses, beans, figs, quinoa, collard greens, or okra.

Additionally, foods containing lots of sugar are usually not great for the teeth. Sticky substances like chocolates or caramels easily get stuck to tooth surfaces for extended periods of time, breaking down the tooth surface and causing cavities.

For more information, or to schedule a consultation, call the dental office of Dr. Virk at 509-838-0404.

Davenport Smiles LLC‎
111 S Post St # 2260
Spokane, WA 99201-4912
(509) 838-0404

]]> http://www.topspokanedentist.com/tooth-health-and-vitamins/feed/ 0 Plaque, cavities, and tartar http://www.topspokanedentist.com/plaque-cavities-and-tartar/ http://www.topspokanedentist.com/plaque-cavities-and-tartar/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:05:49 +0000 admin http://www.topspokanedentist.com/?p=560 Covering the entire surface of the teeth there exists a complicated, harmless biosphere of various bacteria called a biofilm, or plaque. This biofilm is a diverse collection of bacteria colonies, which are drawn to the smooth texture of the tooth. Unlike mostly all other cells in the body, the teeth do not shed and replace their cells, only shedding once as baby teeth. Around 25, 000 bacteria species may be present in the biofilm; it is speculated that the body allows plaque to build as a way of stopping large amounts of dangerous bacteria from building up on the same surface.

However, dental plaque doesn’t stay harmless for long. At first, the plaque is soft enough to scrape or brush off, but past 10 days on the teeth, plaque becomes calculus, or tartar. Tartar is brittle and hard to remove, and while tartar and plaque are on the tooth, various fermentations and reactions caused by the bacteria produce acid that can cause cavities. Cavities are the primary danger of plaque and tartar buildup.
Saliva makes for a perfect environment for bacteria to grow in, acting as a pH buffer and maintaining a pH of around 7. Nutrients are also provided in saliva, giving the bacteria a food source. In order to prevent cavities and damage from plaque buildup, brushing your teeth is essential- saliva cannot penetrate the surface of the biofilm to balance the acid level on teeth.

Here is a short list of oral hygiene habits to reduce acidic buildup, plaque, tartar, and cavities:

  • Brushing your teeth (plaque removal)
  • Flossing
  • Tongue cleaning
  • Gum care
  • Foods that contain beneficial nutrients, such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate.
  • Sugar-free gum chewing after a meal.

Regular teeth cleanings and checkups will remove tartar and plaque buildup better than you can at home. Getting a professional cleaning twice a year is recommended to properly remove built up tartar. The application of a fluoride treatment is another common dental post-cleaning treatment that will help strengthen the teeth.

If you think you may have a cavity or want to ask about tooth cleanings, call Dr. Virk’s office at 509-838-0404 today and schedule an appointment.

111 South Post Street
Suite 2260
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 590-2403

]]> http://www.topspokanedentist.com/plaque-cavities-and-tartar/feed/ 0 Do you grind your teeth at night? http://www.topspokanedentist.com/do-you-grind-your-teeth-at-night/ http://www.topspokanedentist.com/do-you-grind-your-teeth-at-night/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:00:50 +0000 admin http://www.topspokanedentist.com/?p=555 Teeth grinding, or Bruxism, is the clenching, grinding, or biting of your teeth. It can take place during the day or night, on purpose or more involuntarily. Commonly found in children, nighttime grinding and chewing on the teeth can cause sensitivity and wear on baby teeth; when adults grind their teeth, the damage is more serious. The causes of teeth grinding are not clear, but daily stress, sleeping habits, and tooth alignment can play a factor.

Grinding your teeth may produce the following symptoms:

    A constant, pounding headache
    Tooth damage, cracks in the tooth
    Fractured or loosened teeth
    Soreness of the gums, teeth, or jaws

As it is tough to stop teeth grinding while sleeping other issues may arise.
Symptoms can lead to temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ) after they affect the muscles and other structures around the jaw. Symptoms can also lead to worn down teeth, a misaligned bite, or any of a large list of jaw-related problems.

Treatments for teeth grinding seek to reduce pain, prevent damage to the teeth, and reduce the time spent grinding or clenching the teeth. Mouth guards or appliances, such as splints, are recommended for the prevention of permanent damage to the teeth.

If you are bothered by any of the indications of Bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching), call Dr. Virk at 509-838-0404 immediately and schedule an appointment. There are many options offered to resolve the issue, both for prevention and repair. Mouthguards can aid in preventing nighttime tooth gnashing, while surgery for crowns or bridges may be needed for teeth that have been severely weakened.

While you’re waiting for your appointment, immediate fixes to ease pain include restricting alcohol and caffeine, applying ice or warm water to reduce soreness, relaxing and avoiding stress, and warming your face (with a warm washcloth or steam) to relax the jaw muscles before sleeping.

Davenport Smiles LLC‎
111 S Post St # 2260
Spokane, WA 99201-4912
(509) 838-0404

]]> http://www.topspokanedentist.com/do-you-grind-your-teeth-at-night/feed/ 0 Do you live in a remote area or out of town? http://www.topspokanedentist.com/do-you-live-in-a-remote-area-or-out-of-town/ http://www.topspokanedentist.com/do-you-live-in-a-remote-area-or-out-of-town/#comments Mon, 16 May 2011 16:29:15 +0000 keegan http://www.topspokanedentist.com/?p=446 Not having the right type of dentist in your hometown can pose a challenge. What if you live in a remote area? Can you still get the kind of dental care that you need? This is an important question that we will explore in this next video. Take a look.

Fortunately, modern medicine has made a number of significant advances in the past few decades. As a result of this, for most conditions, a patient can come to a dental office and not require extensive follow-up treatments. This makes it possible, under normal circumstances, for people to get what ever kind of care they need, no matter where they live.

It does get a little complicated, if you need very specialized treatment, particularly the kind of treatment that may require a number of visits. Still, things are not what they used to be and the technological advancements are so significant that all but the most difficult cases can be resolved. Sit down for a full consultation with your dentist, even if the consultation needs to happen by phone. Ask every question you need answered and don’t stop asking until you feel completely satisfied.

We believe that life is better with great teeth and that you deserve a great smile. To that end, we will do everything we can to help you get that.

All the best,

Dr. Navi S. Virk
“Life is Better with Great Teeth.”

Dr. Virk is a leading dentist in the Spokane, WA area. Call his dental office at 509-838-0404 to schedule your appointment.

]]> http://www.topspokanedentist.com/do-you-live-in-a-remote-area-or-out-of-town/feed/ 0 Explore your options for fillings. Are you a gold person? http://www.topspokanedentist.com/explore-your-options-for-fillings-are-you-a-gold-person/ http://www.topspokanedentist.com/explore-your-options-for-fillings-are-you-a-gold-person/#comments Mon, 16 May 2011 16:17:46 +0000 keegan http://www.topspokanedentist.com/?p=444 Many people truly love gold fillings. Others simply don’t. What about you? Is there a time when you should spend that money and fill your mouth full of gold? In this video we will explore that very question. Take a look.

The reality of it is that there are many options when it comes to what you put into your mouth. The choices are extremely personal and where one person might want a gold filling, the next one might opt for a porcelain veneer. The first person to explore both the question and your options is yourself. What do you want? What would make you feel great?

With the wide variety of options from silver fillings to those made of gold, from porcelain veneers and perfectly matched crowns, you have many choices. Remember that your mouth is very personal to you and at the end of the day you are the person that has to live with it all the time. Carefully explore what your options are as well as your preferences and ask your dentist for their opinion as well. Good luck with your decision!

All the best,

Dr. Navi S. Virk
“Life is Better with Great Teeth.”

Dr. Virk is a leading dentist in the Spokane, WA area. Call his dental office at 509-838-0404 to schedule your appointment.

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