Your oral health is important; it might be more important than you even realize. It’s probable that you’ve heard the expression “the eyes are the window to the soul.” While it might be slightly (or a lot) cheesy, there’s also a level of truth to it which is likely why it’s such a popular phrase. Similarly, in the dental world we like to say that “the mouth is the gateway to your gut.” While this one is pretty obvious, what you might not realize is just how your oral health can impact your overall physical health. What’s the Connection? There has long been an indication that a connection exists between overall health and oral health. Dentists, simply by looking at your teeth, can sometimes identify warning signs of underlying health problem. Similarly, primary care doctors know that various health issues like diabetes can impact oral health, and therefore can help create awareness for patients. Connected Health Issues The mouth, which has a variety of bacteria, is also the entry point for both your respiratory and digestive tracts. While most of the bacteria in your mouth is harmless, there remains a connection between the bacteria, the inflammation those bacteria cause, and...

We’ve explored one dental specialty, endodontics, and here we venture into the world of periodontology. Periodontists specialize in the treatment of the structures (primarily the gums and gum tissue) that support your teeth. They also specialize and study the diseases and conditions that might affect these structures. Periodontists, in addition to completing four years of dental school, also complete three additional years of clinical training in periodontology. Severe gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and periodontists are the specialists who can help, making them an important part in some dental journeys and integral to maintaining good oral health. While general dentists are able to handle early onset of gum disease some cases require a more specialized eye. If you ever need to seek treatment for gum health, a periodontist will work directly with your dentist to establish the best treatment plan. Why Do You Need to See a Periodontist? Have you noticed in your dental appointments that your dentist will check your teeth and start assigning numbers that are recorded in your chart? The odds are pretty good that this has happened and you might be wondering what exactly they’re doing. The short and simple...

It’s no secret that having good oral health plays a key role in having good overall health. Part of ensuring that you have good oral health is developing a hygiene routine that is appropriate for your oral health needs. In addition to your daily routine, you should regularly see a dentist for cleanings and checkups. For some, regular cleanings are part of a yearly routine, but for others scheduling a dental appointment sometimes slips off the radar. While the American Dental Association (ADA) doesn’t directly specify the required number of visits, the recommendation is once or twice a year. Regular visits likely include prophylaxis (a dental cleaning) to remove any plaque or tartar buildup and to have a checkup with your dentist. There are issues that might occur in your mouth that aren’t immediately visible to the naked eye. Having a professional check your teeth and mouth can help prevent issues before they arise. We also recommend getting X-Rays done once a year to monitor your oral health from year to year. X-rays are also helpful in detecting the earliest beginnings of oral problems like cavities and gum disease that might not even be visible upon visual examination to your...

As the holidays roll around once again those sneaky sugary treats and acids tend to feature more prominently in many diets. While it’s not a bad thing to enjoy these tasty treats in moderation, it is also a great opportunity to discuss how you can help reduce acidity in your mouth. What is pH When describing the level of acidity in a substance, a scale of 0 to 14 is used. Zero represents the most acidic while 14 represents the most alkaline. The middle of the scale at 7 is the equal balance between the two and is where pure water resides on the scale. Why is pH Important As we touch on in our blog How Acids Impact Your Teeth, the enamel, which is the outer most protective shield for your teeth, can become damaged by too much exposure to acids. Think of it in these terms, when an acidic food or beverage is consumed the pH in your mouth is tipped. This imbalance then creates demineralization of the enamel which can create long-term damage. Types of Foods That Are Highly Acidic Acidity or the pH of a food can vary, and the higher the acid content the worse...

With the holidays in full swing we thought we’d compile our list of the top gifts you can give to your kids that will help encourage good oral health all year long. 1. A New Toothbrush – of course this might seem like an obvious choice, but with the wide variety of fun colors and patterns out there it can be a great way to encourage kids to be excited about their nightly routine. 2. Flavored Toothpaste and Floss – if you have trouble motivating your younger family members, or maybe even your older family members, to floss and brush then invest in some fun flavors. Maybe just the idea of trying something new will make the conversation about twice daily brushing less of a fight. 3. Sugar-free Gum – it seems like candy is available in mass quantities during the last quarter of the year. Between Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the plethora of year end celebrations candy jars appear everywhere. Try offering up gum as an alternative. Gum not only encourages saliva production but it might combat the tendency to grab at the sugary stuff. 4. Brightly color toothbrush case – great for traveling or for sleepovers at Grandma’s house,...

When Dr. Kofler joined our practice almost two years ago, it allowed us to expand our services to include Invisalign or clear braces. If you’ve considered orthodontia as a way to straighten your teeth, close some gaps, or correct a bite and are wondering if you’re a good candidate for clear braces, then check out our website to learn more. When patients are starting to consider Invisalign there are bound to be questions that come up. Our goal is to provide answers to some of the commonly asked questions we hear, so that you can make an informed decision. Of course, never hesitate to ask at your next check-up appointment or give us a call and schedule a consultation. While many are familiar with the traditional metal brackets and regular trips to the orthodontist for bands, wires, etc. the idea that many of the same things can be accomplished with a clear retainer can seem a bit impossible. Invisalign is a great option for anyone who is looking to correct dental issues with a less visible solution. While there is a common misconception that Invisalign can only be used to correct minor issues, and while that was true when it...

It’s no secret that we love dentistry and all that comes with helping patients improve and maintain their overall health by encouraging good oral hygiene practices. However, we recognize that the dental world, and its various specialties, can be a maze for most of the population. That’s only natural since most people might go their entire lives only seeing the dentist twice a year for regular cleanings. While that’s great for the patients who enjoy that level of care, for others there might be additional treatments that become necessary over time. When something outside the normal preventative treatment occurs, your dentist might refer you to a specialist either in the same dental practice as your dentist or perhaps a different office. Depending on your particular treatment plan, you might be referred to either an endodontist or a periodontist. Fear not those fancy words – we’re here to help you better understand what they do and how they’re different than a dentist. What Is an Endodontist? Endodontist is a fancy way of classifying dentists who have at least two additional years of training beyond dental school. Their training is focused primarily on procedures related to the interior treatment of the tooth...

Taking your child for their first dentist appointment can be both an exciting and nerve racking time. That’s why, here at Inland Family Dentistry, we do everything we can to make sure your child has a comfortable, enjoyable experience when they visit our office. Of course, as a parent, we want you to be comfortable and educated about your child’s oral health too! To help with that, in this article, we’re going to be sharing some fun and interesting facts about pediatric dentistry that are sure to make you smile and help your child build a positive relationship with their dentist. 1. Choosing a “Dental Home” for Your Child As silly as that may sound, choosing and sticking with the same dentist for the duration of your child’s oral care is one of the best ways to ensure they have a positive impression of the dentist. Not only will this make it easier when it’s time for a checkup, but having a consistent “Dental Home” will also help your child build a strong oral hygiene routine. Another added benefit of choosing a “Dental Home” for your child is getting to build a relationship with the dentist. Seeing a familiar face...

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...