Most patients who complain about stains can be successfully treated with bleaching procedures like ZOOM! whitening. ZOOM! uses a special peroxide gel that lifts superficial stains and yellowing. But bleaching only works on extrinsic stains, or discoloration of the tooth enamel. Extrinsic stains are generally caused by things you put in your mouth: cigarettes, chewing tobacco, coffee, blueberries, and so on.
However, teeth can also suffer from intrinsic stains, or discoloration of the dentin (inner structure of the tooth). These stains are caused by internal processes, and do not respond to bleach. One of the most common causes is tooth trauma. When a tooth is hit really hard, it often turns gray. The color of the tooth enamel hasn’t changed; it’s the underlying tissue that’s the problem.
Other intrinsic stains happen as a side effect of medications; most commonly, the antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline and certain chemotherapy drugs. Again, the enamel is fine; it’s the dentin which has discolored.
Fortunately, intrinsic stains are fairly rare. In the case of damage, the staining usually affects just one or two teeth. Though bleaching isn’t an option, treatments like veneers and porcelain crowns can give you the white smile you want.
Dentistry is both an art and a science. And while you know a beautiful smile when you see it, dentists evaluate smiles a little differently. One popular method is what some call the “Four S’s” – shade, shape, symmetry, and strength. An ideal smile will exhibit all of these essential attributes. With cosmetic and restorative dentistry we can design a smile that’s technically perfect, and looks perfectly natural.
Shade: This refers to the color of the teeth. An ideal smile will be dazzling white, but not so bright as to appear unnatural. For most patients, ZOOM! in-office whitening can achieve the desired shade in approximately two hours. However, certain stains and discoloration cannot be bleached away, and in these cases we might recommend veneers or crowns to create a pleasing shade.
Shape: Teeth that are too short, too long, crooked or gapped can detract from an otherwise beautiful smile. Fortunately, we have many treatments for poorly-shaped teeth. Invisalign® orthodontics is a popular option, as are porcelain veneers, crowns, and bonding.
Symmetry: A sign of health as well as beauty, smile symmetry refers to the evenness of the teeth and gum line. Depending on your case, we may recommend veneers, Invisalign, and especially laser gum contouring to make your smile look more symmetrical.
Strength: Even if your smile looks great, it needs to be healthy. If you have weak or sensitive teeth or wear ill-fitting dentures, you may experience discomfort that can affect your quality of life, and destroy your confidence. Strong, healthy teeth allow you to eat, speak, and smile naturally, and can help preserve the structure of your jaw and face. We often recommend porcelain crowns and modern tooth-colored fillings to restore strength to damaged or weakened teeth. Implants and implant-supported dentures are also great options for those missing teeth, or who have traditional dentures or bridgework.
If your smile is lacking one or more of the “S’s,” why not make this the season you do something about it? Summer parties, weddings, graduations, reunions, and vacations are right around the corner. Call us at 425-885-0008 to make an appointment for a free consultation, and get your smile picture-perfect for any occasion.
Dr. Jeff Files, in practice since 1986, recently announced the opening of his new office in Redmond Town Center. Boasting over 100 shops and restaurants, it’s a convenient location for his general, cosmetic, restorative, and sleep apnea patients.
Renowned general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist Dr. Jeff Files announces his new office in Redmond Town Center, a bustling retail and entertainment destination offering free parking and a convenient location for dental patients in Redmond and on the Eastside.
Redmond Town Center – Dr. Jeff Files Opens new State of the Art Dental Office.
We truly care about every one of our patients, and it’s gratifying to see their lives change when we craft and maintain their smiles. We offer exhilarating services that has earned the respect and confidence from all of our patients.
We love the community and want to help others achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. And, we need your help to spread the word. One of the key ways to let the community hear about our practice is through online reviews.
We Would Love to Hear From You
Writing online reviews is the number one way for people to trust in our services and patient-care. Additionally, we are always looking for ways to improve all of our patients’ experience at our practice, and only your reviews can help us.
If you go to our Google+ page, you can write about your experience at our practice. This can help us know how we are doing to care for your needs, and it can help spread the word in the Redmond community.
Where else can you combine a dental visit with a mani/pedi, a little clothes shopping, or perhaps dinner and a movie? At our beautiful new location at Redmond Town Center, you can enjoy everything this fabulous retail center has to offer while keeping up on your oral hygiene.
Even if you never leave the office, you’ll appreciate our spacious new quarters and luxurious waiting area. We’re all excited to be here, and when you come see us, you’ll surely notice the happy smiles on our faces. We invite you to drop by the next time you visit Redmond Town Center, to make an appointment or just take a tour. Hope to see you soon!
Oral cancer kills over 8,000 Americans a year, and leaves many more unable to talk, eat, or even swallow. Its main cause is a common virus. And unlike most cancers, it’s typically diagnosed by a dentist.
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, a time when dentists like myself work to spread the word about this deadly disease and the importance of early detection.
Oral cancer signs and symptoms.
The reason oral cancer is so dangerous is because it usually goes undiagnosed until it has spread to other parts of the body. In later stages, patients may notice symptoms such as red or white patches on the tongue or mouth, persistent sore throat, a painless lump in the neck, or mouth sores which don’t heal. But, many early stage patients have no noticeable symptoms.
In the past, oral cancer was typically found in older patients with a history of excessive alcohol and tobacco use. But in the past 10 years, not only have oral cancer diagnoses shot up by 500%, they’re now typically affecting younger patients who use tobacco or abuse alcohol.
The human papilloma virus (HPV) connection.
It’s now known that HPV, the virus best known for causing cervical cancer, is to blame for the rise in oral cancer in young patients. Though the HPV vaccine can theoretically prevent the disease, it’s likely that many adults have already been exposed to the virus–and an increased risk of oral cancer. At our practice, we perform an extensive six-step screening with every checkup. The screening includes these areas:
1. Tongue: HPV-related oral cancer often shows up here first, so we make sure to examine all areas of the tongue for lumps and tissue abnormalities.
2. Lips and cheeks: We also feel around the inside and outside of your mouth, looking for lumps, bumps, and changes in tissue color and texture.
3. Gumline, roof, and floor of the mouth: Cancerous lesions can appear on any soft tissue, so we carefully examine all areas in and around the mouth for oral cancer.
4. Hard palate: Here, we check for soft areas, which could signal something unusual, as well as white or red patches of tissue.
5. Neck: Enlarged lymph nodes can signal an infection or other problem, so we thoroughly feel the neck area for any lumps.
6. Tonsils: We ask you to say “ahhh,” then examine your tonsils with a dental mirror for signs of cancer.
We take careful notes during the examination, and then refer you on for further testing if we see anything unusual. We also keep a record of your screening in your chart so we can compare your results from year to year.
Are you due for a checkup? Come see us at our beautiful new office! Call 425-885-0008 to set up your exam today.
PSA VIDEO:
Actor Michael Douglas talks about the common virus responsible for the rapid rise in oral cancers among younger, non-tobacco-using patients.
Chewing gum has been around in various form since ancient times and has greatly increased in its popularity in our modern era. In fact, statistics report that annual U.S chewing gum sales are around a staggering $2 billion.
For the modern consumer, chewing gums are available in an abundant variety of brands, flavors, and ingredients. What can you do to ensure your gum choices and habits are doing more good than harm? Consider the following tips for you to chew on.
Picking the Right Kind of Gum
Not all chewing gums are created equal when it comes to promoting good oral health. It is therefore imperative to keep an eye on the ingredient list. Gum with a high sugar content may taste good, but it can actually provide an environment for bacteria and tooth decay to thrive.
Therefore, make sure your chewing gum of choice is sugar-free. Gums that contains the ingredients xylitol (a natural sweetener) and calcium lactate are also believed to aid tooth enamel, and help in the reduction of cavities and plaque.
Does It Pass the Test?
Gum manufacturers will use advertising gimmicks or make an endless variety of claims regarding their particular product, all in an effort to encourage you to buy from them. The best choices are the sugarless gums that possess the stamp of approval from the American Dental Association (ADA). This signifies that the manufacturer has provided the results of both laboratory studies and clinical studies in humans, and the gum has been deemed acceptable.
To Chew or Not to Chew
The physical act of chewing helps keep your mouth moist by stimulating the production of saliva. This increase in saliva helps clean the mouth of food debris, as well as neutralize and wash away acids that can damage tooth enamel.
Clinical studies therefore reveal that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay. An acceptable mint-flavored gum can also prove helpful in providing a quick fix in combating bad breath.
Taking Preventative Measures
Excessive gum chewing can create unwanted issues associated with the muscles and joints in the jaw, as well as aggravate pre-existing disorders of the TMJ. Balanced gum chewing habits are therefore the order of the day.
Chewing sugarless gum can be a useful tool in keeping your teeth protected. In no way, though, is it to be viewed as a substitute for brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and regular visits to your dentist. We would be proud to help you maintain a lifetime filled with outstanding teeth and gums. Show your smile some love and contact our office today to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Jeff Files, one of the top dentists in Redmond, WA.
Which chewing gum is your favorite, and why? Share your thoughts through the comment box!
Can you smell the spring aroma? It’s that time of year to set our clocks one hour forward and prepare for our favorite spring-related activities. Whether you’re planning to graduate or participating in your favorite spring sport, we can always help you better your life with our exquisite dentistry options.
Here is how we can help:
Graduation is just around the corner – The day is almost here. You have been studying 4+ years to gain your degree to move on to the next step in your life. You want to capture the moment of your well-deserved degree landing in the palm of your hands.
Having a bright, dazzling smile is the best feature to truly capture the moment that changes your life, and thanks to our cosmetic dentistry, your dream smile can be achieved. We offer exquisite services to truly let your smile shine. As one of the top dentists in Redmond, WA, Dr. Jeff Files offers one-of-a-kind cosmetic dentistry options including:
Porcelain veneers
Teeth whitening
Six Month Smiles
Bonding
Smile proudly during your graduation, and let your smile display your proud achievements!
Taste spring with a healthy run during St. Patrick’s Day – Maintaining healthy habits ensures a quality living. This includes exercising on a regular basis. There are plenty of St. Patrick’s Day races happening across the community, which is the perfect opportunity get a taste of the fresh spring air.
Check out the F5 St. Patrick’s Day Dash happening on March 17 in Downtown Seattle! Run, jog, walk, or crawl with 17,000 others around Downtown Seattle and be part of an amazing cause where the proceeds will go towards four Northwest children’s organizations: Camp Fire USA Puget Sound Council, Seattle Children’s Autism Center, Rise n’ Shine, and the Healing Center.
While you maintain healthy habits, make sure you keep up with your daily oral hygiene. Lack of exercise is not the only factor contributing to serious health risks. Multiple studies have indicated that forms periodontal disease can increase your chances of gaining heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and much more. Our comforting hygiene plans can put you in the right step to prevent periodontal disease and let you live a healthy life.
We are passionate to providing quality dental services so you can be confident with your smile while participating in life’s events. Give us a call today to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Files!
You may be too old for lollipops and juice boxes, but grownup treats could just as bad for your teeth. If you’re in the habit of sipping lattes or coffee with milk, you’re exposing yourself to a type of sugar called lactose.
Similar to the sucrose and fructose found in candy and juice, lactose feeds the same acid-producing oral bacteria that cause tooth decay. And if you’re nursing your latte throughout the day, you’re constantly exposing your teeth to sugar.
So be mindful of your coffee habit. Try to finish your beverage in 15 minutes, and then drink some water to neutralize the acid. Pop some sugar free gum for extra cavity-fighting power, or heck, go ahead and brush your teeth. You can still have your caffeine fix without worrying about cavities later on.
Most patients who complain about stains can be successfully treated with bleaching procedures like ZOOM! whitening. ZOOM! uses a special peroxide gel that lifts superficial stains and yellowing. But bleaching only works on extrinsic stains, or discoloration of the tooth enamel. Extrinsic stains are generally caused by things you put in your mouth: cigarettes, chewing tobacco, coffee, blueberries, and so on.
