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3400 Squalicum Pkwy.
Suite 201
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 734-0550
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(360) 734 - 0550
Oral Health Information & Resources
Bellingham Dentist, Robert D. Chester D.D.S is proud to offer the following oral health information and resources.
Modern dentistry has come a long way. Individuals no longer need to accept their stained, broken, chipped, worn, misaligned, or missing teeth. A beautiful smile can make all the difference in the world, including how you feel about yourself and how the world sees you. Dr. Chester will be able to advise you on the advantages and disadvantages of the wide range of modern dental materials that are available.
We make every effort to provide specific answers to your questions about dental problems, conditions, diagnoses, treatments, and fees. We highly recommend being pro-active in your oral health care by getting your teeth examined and maintained professionally on the cycle that Dr. Chester recommends and by taking care of recommended dental treatment early.
Prevention includes effective home care, regular dental office examinations, and periodontal maintenance. Depending on your individual dental needs - x-rays, fluoride treatments, and sealants may also be recommended on a periodic basis that fits your needs.
Diet | Jaw & Joint Problems (TMD) | Clenching & Grinding (Bruxism)
Bad Breath | Smokeless Tobacco | Mouth Piercings
Diet
A healthy and balanced diet will provide the nutrients you need to help your body function. Not only will you lower your risk for heart disease and diabetes, but you will be able to have healthier teeth and gums. If you eat or drink sugary foods and liquids and do not regularly brush and floss, you may run a higher risk of tooth decay, periodontal disease and eventual tooth loss. Making healthy food choices can help you maintain a healthy body and smile.
Your body is like a complex machine. The foods you choose as fuel and how often you “fill up” affect your general health and that of your teeth and gums. Many dentists are concerned that their patients are consuming record numbers of sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snacks that affect their teeth. These items generally have little if any nutritional value and over time they can take a toll on teeth.
Eating patterns and food choices among children and teens are important factors that affect how quickly youngsters may develop tooth decay. When bacteria (plaque) come into contact with sugar in the mouth, acid is produced, which attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more. This can eventually result in tooth decay.
Not sure you're getting the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed by your body (and your teeth and gums)? Check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Website. The USDA oversees the nutritional health of the nation. The agency's dietary recommendations are designed to promote optimal health and to prevent obesity-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancers.
The government's recommendations recognize that people have different dietary needs at various stages of life. They offer guidance for children and adults based on their levels of physical activity. Your physician or a registered dietician can also provide suggestions for your daily food intake.
Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay. Almost all foods, including milk or vegetables, have some type of sugar. However, they shouldn't be removed from our diets because many of them contain important nutrients. And they add pleasure to eating. To help control the amount of sugar you consume, read food labels and choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars. Added sugars often are present in soft drinks, candy, cookies and pastries.
If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection. This may contribute to periodontal (gum) disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Although poor nutrition does not cause periodontal disease directly, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and could be more severe in people with nutrient-poor diets.
What can you do?
• Maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
• Make sure water is readily available.
• Limit the number of between-meal snacks. When you must snack, choose nutritious foods that are low in sugar.
• Brush thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance.
• Floss or use another kind of inter dental cleaner daily to remove plaque (a thin film of bacteria) from under the gums and between teeth.
• Schedule regular dental visits for checkups and cleanings.
Jaw & Joint Problems (TMD)
Temporomandibular Joint disorders are problems that occur in the jaw joints from either acute trauma or bruxism. Common symptoms include popping & clicking joint sounds, joint pain or joint locking when opening the mouth, temporal headaches and/or muscle tension in the neck/jaw area. Treatment of joint problems may include adjustment of the bite, restorations, an orthotic appliance, and/or orthodontics.
Clenching & Grinding (Bruxism)
Whenever clenching or grinding teeth result in damage or pain, it is a disease process called "bruxism". Bruxism is a treatable disease that can damage the teeth, jaw joints, muscles and gums. Signs and symptoms of buxism may include excessive enamel wear, loose teeth, popping and/or clicking in the joint, sore jaw joints, problems chewing, headaches, and temperature sensitivity in teeth. This disease process is not self-correcting and will only worsen over time without corrective treatment.
When bruxism causes jaw and muscle pain it is often misdiagnosed as TMD. It is more correct to note that bruxism is the preliminary disease process that causes damage to the Temporo-mandibular joint.
Dr. Chester has devoted many hours of continued education to this subject and frequently treats individuals with bruxism.
Bad Breath (Halatosis)
Whether you call it bad breath or halitosis, it’s an unpleasant condition that’s cause for embarrassment. Some people with bad breath aren’t even aware there’s a problem. If you’re concerned about bad breath, see your dentist. He or she can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it.
What you eat affects the air you exhale. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.
If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor.
Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Dry mouth may be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe an artificial saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy and increasing your fluid intake.
Tobacco products cause bad breath. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause of bad breath.
Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath. Schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup. If you think you have constant bad breath, keep a log of the foods you eat and make a list of medications you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors. Let your dentist know if you've had any surgery or illness since your last appointment.
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your tongue, too. Once a day, use floss or an inter dental cleaner to clean between teeth.
Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. If you must constantly use a breath freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor, see your dentist. If you need extra help in controlling plaque, your dentist may recommend using a special antimicrobial mouth rinse. A fluoride mouth rinse, used along with brushing and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay.
Smokeless Tobacco
Like cigarettes, smokeless tobacco products contain a variety of toxins associated with cancer. Smokeless tobacco is known to cause cancers of the mouth, lip, tongue, and pancreas. Users also may be at risk for cancer of the voice box, esophagus, colon and bladder, because they swallow some of the toxins in the juice created by using smokeless tobacco. Smokeless tobacco can irritate your gum tissue, causing periodontal (gum) disease. Sugar is often added to enhance the flavor of smokeless tobacco, increasing the risk for tooth decay. Smokeless tobacco also typically contains sand and grit, which can wear down your teeth.
Mouth Piercings
Pierced lips and tongues may be fashionable; however they can lead to mouth sores, infections, chipped or cracked teeth, or choking. Mouth piercing can not only cause pain, but your tongue may swell up large enough to risk closing off your airway. Piercing can also cause nerve damage, uncontrollable bleeding and cracked teeth if you bite down on the jewelry.
Periodontal Disease
If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you may have periodontal disease;
1. Gums that bleed easily.
2. Red, swollen, or tender gums.
3. Gums that have pulled away from your teeth.
4. Persistent bad breath.
5. Pus between the teeth and gums.
6. Loose or separating teeth.
7. A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
8. A change in the fit of your partial dentures.
Periodontal disease is caused by a sticky, colorless film of bacteria called "plaque" that continually attacks your gums and teeth. Plaque reestablishes itself within about 36 hours to anywhere that has not been effectively cleaned. Over time, plaque hardens to form bacterial colonies called "tartar" that cannot be removed with toothbrushes or floss.
Case Type I
This early stage, called gingivitis, is present when the gums are red, swollen, tender, and/or bleed easily. With effective home-care and professional dental care, this stage of periodontal disease is reversible.
Case Type II
This more advanced condition is present when bone loss has started to occur around one or more of the teeth. This results in deeper spaces called "pockets" that make it more and more difficult to keep the teeth clean. This stage of disease requires therapeutic treatment and more frequent dental visits to maintain a healthy mouth.
Case Type III
At this stage of disease, the increasing depth of the pockets and the extent of the bone loss has a very guarded prognosis. Successful treatment often includes periodontal surgery. Appropriate periodontal maintenance visits are the most important factor in preventing the return of active disease.
Case Type IV
When periodontal disease has progressed to this stage, the remaining teeth are prone to abscess. Ongoing bone loss is nearly impossible to control, and replacing missing teeth may become very complex.
In general, the more damage periodontal disease causes, the greater the challenge to bring it under control.
Restorative Materials | CEREC® | Root Canals | Implants | Crowns & Bridges | Dentures
Restorations
Fillings are often used to restore the damage caused by tooth decay. Decay occurs in the pits and grooves of your teeth, on the smooth surfaces between the teeth, or under the edges of existing restorations such as fillings, crowns, and bridges. The closer decay is to the nerve inside a tooth the higher the probability of an infection. Many, but not all teeth will give some type of painful warning when the health of its nerve is being challenged by decay. Once a tooth has become infected it requires root canal therapy in order to save it.
Dentistry now offers a wide range of modern materials for different circumstances. Dr. Chester will be able to advise you on the advantages and disadvantages of composites, CERECs, porcelains, cast gold alloys and base metal alloys. Some factors in the decision making process are: esthetics, durability, accessibility, biocompatibility, sensitivity, and expense. Dr. Chester will assist you in making the right decision for your specific needs.
CEREC® - Let us Design your Crown in One Appointment
We are pleased to be able to offer our patients CEREC top quality restorations in one visit. This superior method of creating precisely-designed, color matched, and highly durable ceramic restorations will deliver the results you need in a single appointment. The preparation for the tooth is similar to most treatment methods. The prepared tooth is coated with a safe, tasteless powder and then we use a state-of-the –art digital 3D camera to create an optical impression.
Using state-of-the-art CAD software allows Dr. Chester to design a very precise detail of your restoration. The software allows Dr. Chester to customize the shape of the restoration to exactly fit your specific tooth. The digital image is then sent to our on-site milling machine to create your restoration. In approximately 30 minutes, your all ceramic, color-matched restoration is ready for placement. It is then fitted, polished and bonded for permanence. Your tooth is then restored back to its natural form, function, and beauty.
Root Canals
When the nerve of a tooth is diseased or injured, it may die and become infected. Years ago, the only choice was to remove an infected tooth. Today, teeth are often saved by cleaning the canal and sealing the tooth. A crown is then placed to give it more strength and protection from future fracture.
Implants
Dental implants often provide an excellent way to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Implants require surgery to place a post into healthy bone. Implants can hold or anchor individual or multiple teeth, replacement teeth, bridges, or dentures. The most important decision in placing an implant is the quality and extent of the bone that will support it.
Crowns & Bridges
Crowns cover and support a tooth when there is not enough tooth structure to retain and support a filling. A crown covers a compromised tooth and actually strengthens it. Crowns can also be used to protect a tooth that is about to break, attach a bridge, strengthen and protect a root canal treated tooth, or be attached to an implant.
A bridge replaces missing teeth by attaching crowns to the surrounding teeth. Fixed bridges are attached directly to the adjacent teeth. Removable bridges are used to replace many missing teeth in one arch. Implant bridges attach directly to dental implants that have been surgically placed in the jaw bone, under the gum tissue. The longevity of the bridge depends upon its foundation, effective home care, regular check-ups, and maintenance.
Dentistry has a remarkable history of successful repair and replacement of teeth. Although many crowns & bridges have an excellent long-term prognosis, nothing can truly replace your original teeth.
Dentures
Dentures are factory made teeth supported in a resin-based mold that has been customized to fit your mouth and facial features. Full dentures provide the most common solution for the replacement of all the teeth in one arch.
Proper maintenance of full dentures includes removing the plaque in your mouth and your dentures. It is also very important to schedule regular check ups with your dentist to make sure your dentures continue to fit correctly. Loose fitting dentures not only make chewing more difficult, but will accelerate the loss of the bone that supports the dentures.
Growth & Development | Wisdom Teeth
Growth & Development
Early childhood tooth decay can be prevented by effective home care and regular dental office visits starting at age one. We encourage you to bring your children in for a "happy visit". If it is their first visit, we recommend meeting Dr. Chester and our staff. One of our staff members will take you and your child on a tour of the office. Sometimes young children are ready and willing to have their teeth cleaned and polished. We have found that early non-emergency dental visits contribute to positive attitudes and lay the foundation for a lifetime of optimal oral health.
Healthy baby teeth play a crucial role in the proper growth and development of your child's mouth. You can assist your child in moving towards a lifetime of optimal oral health by appropriate supervision of home-care as they grow and mature. Periodic dental examinations, sealants, fluoride supplements, and topical applications of fluoride all have an important role in the prevention of childhood tooth decay.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned. Often, however, problems develop that require their removal. When the jaw isn't large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can become impacted (unable to come in or misaligned). Wisdom teeth may grow sideways, emerge only part way from the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.
Extraction of wisdom teeth is generally recommended when:
• Wisdom teeth only partially erupt. This leaves an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause an infection. Pain, swelling, jaw stiffness and general illness can result.
• There is a chance that poorly aligned wisdom teeth will damage adjacent teeth.
• A cyst (fluid-filled sac) forms, destroying surrounding structures such as bone or tooth roots.
Patients should ask the dentist about the health and positioning of their wisdom teeth. The dentist may make a recommendation for removal or send the patient to an oral surgeon for further evaluation.
Cosmetic Dentistry improves the esthetics of poorly positioned, misshapen, or discolored teeth by using the least invasive procedures and materials to create the most beautiful and durable result that meets your needs.
Tooth whitening is a safe and effective means to whiten and brighten your smile. Most, but not all individuals are good candidates to enjoy the benefits of this predictable procedure. The technology of teeth whitening continues to rapidly improve. Please be sure to ask Dr. Chester what method will work best for you.
It's often best to share your anxiety about dentistry. If you're tense or anxious, for any reason please let our front desk staff know when you are making an appointment. Getting your fears out in the open will let Dr. Chester address your concerns and assist in making your visit as stress free as possible.
If the sound of the drill bothers you, bring a portable audio player and headset so you can listen to your favorite music. During the dental visit you might try visualizing yourself relaxing on a warm beach or doing your favorite activity.