Even though the answer to this question may seem simple enough, did you know that most American children don’t have their first dental appointment until they’re more than 2 years old? Whether we’re talking about a baby whose first teeth are just starting to cut through, or a 6 year old that’s finally losing their primary teeth, the need for consistent dental checkups doesn’t change. So, to help answer the many questions that parents have regarding their children’s oral health, we’ve decided to take an in-depth look at why pediatric dentistry is so important. In this article, we’ll be covering all of the most common concerns, as well as some questions you may not have even considered. 1. Baby Teeth Are More Important Than You Think Because your child’s first set of teeth eventually fall out anyway, it’s easy to think they’re not all that important. However, most parents are surprised to learn just how integral baby teeth are to the future development of their child’s oral health. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), keeping your child’s baby teeth in place until they fall out naturally is important for the following reasons: - Normal speech development -...

We understand that finding the right dentist can be hard - but it doesn’t have to be, and shouldn’t be! With more than 80 years of combined dental experience in the beautiful city of Walla Walla, we know what our patients are looking for and deliver nothing less than a comfortable, pleasurable experience with each and every visit. So, whether you’re searching for a Walla Walla dentist to start your journey with, or happen to be switching from another office, sit back, relax, and let us show you how our team at Inland Family Dentistry has been working to make visiting the dentist a great experience for our patients. We Focus on Building Relationships We focus our practice around building genuine relationships with each and every patient. Rather than booking you right into a cleaning or treatment, we take the time to get to know you and your oral health journey. On your first visit, you’ll meet with one of our super-friendly dentists and go over any concerns or anxiety you might have about the dentist as well as any specific problems you might want to address. That’s right, instead of telling you what’s wrong, we like to listen first...

Also known as halitosis, bad breath is that embarrassing odor that emanates from your mouth at seemingly the worst of times. Whether suffering from a daily case of morning breath, which affects nearly everyone, or a more persistent problem that you can’t seem to shake, bad breath can be caused by a number of different factors. Studies have estimated that around 80 million Americans suffer from chronic bad breath, so don’t feel alone on this. In fact, bad breath is the third most common reason that people visit the dentist for. In this article, we’re going to cover the various causes of bad breath as well as different treatment options so you can get back to enjoying life with minty fresh breath. What Causes Bad Breath Unfortunately, while it’s easy to diagnose halitosis, things get a little tricky when trying to pinpoint the exact cause. Below, we’ve covered some of the most common (and not so common) causes of bad breath so you can get a better idea of the culprit in your case. 1. Poor Dental Hygiene The most common cause of bad breath is the breakdown of food particles that are leftover in the mouth due to poor...

As a parent, it’s only natural to want to do everything for your kids, including brushing their teeth. While this is necessary during the early years, at some point, they have to learn how to do it all on their own. Don’t worry, it’s a lot easier than it sounds. If your kids are like most, they probably don’t enjoy brushing their teeth too much or try to rush through it so they can get back to having fun. To help out, in this article, we’ve outlined a few simple tips for teaching your kids how to brush their teeth the right way. 1. Lead By Example It’s no secret that kids love to mimic their parents, so this tip is going to be taking advantage of that. One of the best ways to begin teaching your kids how to brush their teeth is by letting them watch as you demonstrate with good technique. Once you’ve finished brushing your teeth, apply a small amount of toothpaste to their brush and guide them through the motions and different areas of the mouth. After a few lessons, they should begin picking it up on their own, allowing you to take a more...

Many of you who have lived in the area for a number of years might have picked up pizza or had your hair done at the very location you now visit the dentist. Our building, located just inside the historic downtown Walla Walla boundary, actually has a rich history behind it that dates all the way back to the 1840’s! We wanted to share the building’s interesting history and how Inland Family Dentistry came to be more than 15 years ago. Starting from the beginning, Walla Walla County first came into existence all the way back in 1854 when new legislation was passed after the creation of the Washington Territory. From there, it would take almost ten years before Walla Walla became an official city, spanning the impressive distance of one-quarter mile in the shape of a square! Fast forward a bit more and we get to the part where our building became known as the “Alheit Building” after John and Rose Alheit purchased it along with a neighboring property in 1875 for $1,000. By trade, John Alheit was a baker and grocer with his own store while also having four children to keep him busy. Two of his sons,...

Whether visiting Walla Walla on vacation or you’re a local resident, there are countless activities to indulge in year-round. This quaint but beautiful town serves as a great escape from the hustle and bustle of busy city life, offering beautiful scenery and a rich culture that’s just waiting to be explored. From evening and weekend events to full day adventures, below, we’ve covered some of the best activities Walla Walla has to offer. 1. Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival If you happen to find yourself with nothing to do in Walla Walla Valley during the month of June, look no further than the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival. This month-long celebration packs together more than 30 diverse events including things like a concert series, wine tasting, portraits of artists, and plenty more for the whole family to enjoy. There is no better way to indulge in Walla Walla culture and experience beautiful music all in one between a number of free events for the entire community and paid events for a more intimate setting with some of the amazing artists that participate. 2. Check Out Palouse Falls When you have an itch to experience the majesty of nature and make...

I decided to write this letter to help anyone that dreads going to the dentist as much as I did. For a quick background on me, I spent the better part of my life trying to avoid the dentist as much as humanly possible. Simply put, unless my teeth were practically falling out, you wouldn’t catch me dead in a waiting room. For me it all traces back to a few bad memories that were powerful enough to keep me away, despite my less than perfect smile. Fast forward to a few years ago and I can happily say that all of my opinions about the dentist have changed, ultimately inspiring me to share my story with those of you who may be going through something similar. If that sounds like you, I encourage you to read on to learn how Inland Family Dentistry changed the way I feel about going to the dentist and how they can do the same for you. My negative memories and associations about the dentist stemmed from a dentist appointment I went to in my youth. The dentist that my parents took me to see wasn’t friendly and had fingers like sausage links. He...

Scheduling semi-annual checkup appointments is a great way to ensure your dental health is in check, but sometimes symptoms arise that require more immediate attention. In this article, we’re going to talk about the common oral health signs that indicate it’s time for a checkup. 1. Visible Tartar Buildup Have you started to notice some unsightly whitish buildup around your gums that you can’t seem to get rid of? What you’re seeing is known as tartar. Forming when plaque is left on your teeth long enough to interact with the bacteria in your mouth and mineralize, tartar is most commonly found along the gumline at the base of the teeth. This usually occurs because of poor dental hygiene habits, or the lack of brushing around your gums due to sensitivity. Once formed, tartar is extremely difficult to get rid of at home, generally requiring a dentist to effectively and safely remove the buildup. Aside from making you self-conscious about smiling, tartar can also cause gingivitis. If left untreated for a long enough period of time, gingivitis eventually can develop into periodontal disease, a much more serious problem. 2. You Experience Toothache A toothaches can represent a number of different problems...

Even if you stay on top of your dental hygiene, eat a well-rounded, healthy diet, and regularly visit the dentist for checkups and cleanings, if you don’t have the right toothpaste, your teeth might not be getting the kind of care they need. While all toothpaste is formulated to keep your teeth healthy, depending on your specific dental needs, some will be better than others. Since a simple trip to the store for toothpaste can quickly become overwhelming with so many different options, in this guide, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about picking the perfect one for your teeth. Where to Start Your dental health is important, and choosing the right toothpaste is one of the first steps to take when building a healthy routine. Rather than taking a wild guess at what kind of toothpaste you think would be best, scheduling a simple visit to the dentist can point you in the right direction and help you find out if you have any problem areas that need attention. This is especially true if you have sensitive teeth, allergies to certain toothpaste ingredients, or a tartar buildup problem. Looking for the Essentials With so many different...

Is your dental routine as good as it should be? If not, don’t worry! In this article, we’re going to share with you five simple ways that you can improve your dental routine and reap the rewards of a healthier mouth. With the hustle and bustle of day to day life, it’s easy to let good dental habits fall by the wayside. Thanks to modern technology and an abundance of easy-to-use dental products, it’s never been easier to keep up a good routine. Without further adieu, let’s dive right in and get your dental routine on track! 1. Take Advantage of Smartphone Apps Aside from using smartphone apps for entertainment purposes, they can actually help you develop a healthy dental routine. BrushDJ is a free app for both Android and iOS phones that plays a song selected by the user for 2 minutes during brushing. This is extremely helpful since it’s recommended that you brush your teeth for at least two minutes, and unless you have a timer, it’s hard to know exactly how long you’ve been brushing for. In addition, BrushDJ also reminds you to brush your teeth twice a day, encourages the use of floss and mouthwash, and...