Welcome to Mountain View Dental

Can Smiling Make You Healthier?

A recent study proved that smiling could actually help improve your health. Of course you know it can make you feel happier, but did you know smiling could make you healthier too? Now that is something to smile about.

Here are Mountain View Dental we care about your health and happiness. That is why  Dr. Crusan put together this list of top reasons to smile.

Smiling will reduce stress

It is known that smiling can reduce stress. There have been many documented cases of people who smile is happier and less stressed out. Stress directly relates to your mood. People who smile often, usually experience less stress in their life over those that are depressed and don’t smile.

Smiling improves your emotions

Smiling can help you feel better instantly. By just curving the corners of your mouth up, you begin to feel better.  We find the more we smile the better we feel. When you practice good oral health habits you tend to smile more as well. People who are proud of their teeth are not afraid to smile. Where as we have some patients who are scared to smile because of chronic bad breath, tooth decay or stained teeth. We can help with all of your concerns.

Smiling can give you more opportunities

People who smile often are more approachable and will receive more opportunities than people who do not smile. Smiling will increase your likability. Psychologists have published many reports about body language and how it can contribute to an overall sense of self-esteem and likability.

Your facial expressions are important and will make a difference in attracting a mate, a potential job employer, or even resolving a conflict at home. Smile your way to a happier state of mind.

Smiling can help build relationships

When we smile we are able to connect with other people. Smiling is the one universal truth spoken in any language, across the world. No matter where you are, a smile is the same in every language. Smiling can connect us from our differences. If you are uncomfortable with smiling and you get more complaints, you can visit your dentist to help ease the discomfort. You could get your teeth whitened and both of these can help you feel better with your smile.

 

 

Easter Coloring Contest

Easter is early this year! We are celebrating with a COLORING CONTEST! Just have your little artiste choose from the two cute, cuddly Easter creations below. We will have five age groups: 1-2 yrs, 3-4 yrs, 5-6 yrs, 7-8 yrs, and 9-10 yrs. The winner in each group will get $10 gift cards to Kids Club in Salmon Creek! Let’s see what your little artists can do!

Good Dental Hygiene Keeps More Than Your Mouth Healthy

Failure to take proper care of your teeth can cause more than just cavities. Many people view dental health as a last priority when it comes to overall well-being, but that’s a mistake. Aside from unsightly, and unhealthy teeth, not following recommended dental hygiene procedures can lead to an array of other health problems you may not expect. Daily flossing, brushing, and bi-annual trips to the dentist aren’t just important for your dental health – they’re essential in keeping your whole body healthy.

So what are the unseen benefits of proper oral health? The most important thing proper dental hygiene does is avoid a host of other health issues. Inflammation caused by bacteria build-up in your gums, can cause many health-related problems all over your body. Inflammation is your body’s response to fighting off unwanted bacteria. If your gums are forced to do this too often, then you’ll be left with chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s. Not to say inflammation causes these issues, but at the very least, chronic inflammation is an indication that someone may be at risk for these problems.

Another health risk associated with poor dental care is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is indicated by gums that bleed easily from brushing, swollen sensitive gums, receding gums, chronic halitosis, teeth that move easily and/or a bite that shifts. Gingivitis is a precursor to periodontal disease. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), titled “Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010,” an estimated 64.7 million American adults, or nearly half of adults over 30, have some form of periodontitis. Long-term periodontitis can cause tooth loss.

So for those of you on the fence about dental care, take it from a dentist – it’s about more than just keeping a nice-looking smile. Proper dental care can help keep more than your mouth healthy. No one wants a toothless smile, so brush, floss, and see your dentist twice a year to avoid all the pitfalls of an unhealthy mouth.

Let Dentures Help Restore Your Smile

At Mountain View Family Dental, the health of the patient’s smile is our number one priority. As an experienced denturist Dr. Crusan understands the individual needs of patients who require dentures, and can help them once again achieve a healthy and functional smile.

Dentures can replace some or all missing teeth.  Depending on your personal needs, there are different types to choose from.

Traditional Complete Dentures – This type of denture replaces all of the upper and/or lower teeth.  They are held in place by the natural anatomy of the mouth.

Overdentures – Giving dentures more stability and better fit, an overdenture is a type of denture that is placed over dental implants and typically “snaps” onto the implants.

Partial Dentures – A removable partial denture attaches to your natural teeth with clasps that keep them in place, completing your smile by filling out the spaces created by missing teeth. Partial dentures are constructed of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases connected by a metal framework. Your natural teeth are used as stable supports for removable partial dentures instead of dental implants.

The alignment of your jaw will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges shrink due to teeth extraction. All types of dentures will experience wear over time, and will need to be replaced or realigned in order to maintain proper jaw alignment. Regular dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for any changes or potential gum disease.

Schedule your next denturist appointment with Dr. Crusan, and we’ll happily answer any questions you may have about the denture process.

Win a Day at the Spa!

As I’ve gotten older, my idea of the perfect gift has changed. Of course, when I was a child, it was all about the toys. As I moved into my teen years, I was focused on gadgets – and they were usually expensive! Sorry, mom and dad. In my young adulthood, I went through a phase where I wanted a LOT of packages to unwrap. It didn’t really matter what was IN the packages; I just wanted a LOT to open. I remember one friend, who knew this about me, got 30 gifts for me for my 30th birthday. That was fun! At the same time, that marked the moment where it seemed to be getting a wee bit excessive. Grin.

Now that I’m a full-fledged adult, my priorities have shifted. I’m more about watching others open the gift they’ve been pining after. If someone wants to give me a gift and asks for suggestions, I’m more likely now to say things that are event-based. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to the coast for the weekend, right? Or check out the latest restaurant? Or get a massage? Anything that is relaxing, fun, and provides a great memory – that sounds like the perfect gift.

With all the gift-giving you’ve done this past month, we’d like to start the new year out by giving YOU a gift!

Make and keep an appointment during the month and mention the words “New Year’s Resolution” or say that you’re participating in the contest to gain an entry to win a $100 gift card to Spa Finder. And remember to LIKE US on FACEBOOK if you haven’t already. Happy New Year from all of us at Mountain View Dental!

Seven Tips for a Healthy Mouth

At Mountain View Family Dental, the health of the patient’s smile is our number one priority. Dr. Crusan understands that not all of his patients enjoy visiting the dentist, as millions of Americans suffer from dental anxiety. However, in order to enjoy quality oral health, patients must not only brush and floss daily, they must also schedule regular checkups to see Dr. Crusan so he can remove harmful plaque from teeth and check for cavities.

We also understand that not every patient is familiar with what it takes to maintain beautiful teeth and healthy gums. So here are 10 tips that can help you enjoy a lifetime of quality oral health.

Ax the Anxiety

As we already mentioned, scheduling regular visits to see Dr. Crusan allows him to perform routine checkups and cleanings on your teeth, and is a vital part in maintaining your oral health. If you’re one of the 50 million Americans who deal with dental anxiety, Dr. Crusan understands how difficult it can be to sit down in the dentist’s chair. In order to help yourself relax, try bringing an iPod and some headphones to your next visit. Listening to relaxing music can help ease the tension you feel during an exam. Also, make sure to communicate any feelings of anxiety you may feel to Dr. Crusan so he can address any concerns you have.

Floss than Brush

Along with visiting the dentist, brushing and flossing daily will help you enjoy a lifetime of strong teeth and healthy gums. The best time to floss is right before you brush your teeth. Flossing first allows you to dislodge any food particles that remained trapped between your teeth after eating. Once dislodged, brushing will clear those food particles away, while also helping to remove excess plaque that has built up on your teeth.

Take it Easy with Toothpicks

It’s important to remove any food particles that get trapped between your teeth after eating. However, if you don’t have the time or opportunity to floss, a toothpick serves as an able substitute. When using a toothpick, make sure you don’t dig too deeply into the tissue along the gum line. Pressing too hard runs the risk of having the toothpick break off while lodged below the gum line. While a toothpick will do in a pinch, you shouldn’t consider it a satisfactory long term replacement for floss.

Replace Your Brush

A toothbrush is your primary tool when it comes to preventing tooth decay and gum disease. However, even the best tools eventually wear out. The American Dental Association recommending that people replace their toothbrush every three months, or whenever the brush begins to show wear. Frayed or flattened bristles are a good indication that your brush might need replacing.

Stain Remover

If you’re a lover of coffee, tea, red wine, or any other type of teeth-staining food or drink, try brushing your teeth twice a month with baking soda. Use the baking soda just like you would toothpaste, then rinse away to help improve the color of those pearly whites. For a daily and less concentrated treatment, try using toothpaste that contains baking soda, instead.

Don’t Forget the Tongue

Your tongue can be an unlikely culprit when it comes to giving you bad breath. To help eliminate bad breath, take some time to scrape your tongue each time you brush. Foul smelling bacteria can buildup on your tongue, so giving it a through scrubbing can help to reduce any unwanted odors.

Watch What You Eat

Not only can certain foods stain your teeth, foods high in sugar can also contribute heavy to the development of tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque, the stick bacteria that lives in your mouth, produces acids that eat away at your teeth’s enamel after each time you eat or drink sugar. The more sugar something you eat or drink has, the more fuel plaque has to produce harmful acids. By limiting the amount of sugary foods you eat, not only will your waistline thank you, so will your teeth.

Easy At Home Teeth Cleaning Tips

Here at Mountain View Dental, the office of Benjamin Crusan DDS, a dentist in Ridgefield, WA, we care about your teeth. We are always gathering information on innovative ways to care for your smile. But the reality is that most of the oral care is preventative and should be done at home. The more proactive you are with your oral health the more smooth and fun your dentist visits will be. Here are our favorite easy tips to keep your teeth clean.

 

Brush Twice A Day

The best way to take care of your teeth is to make sure you are brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. The reason brushing is so important is because it can help stimulate the gums, which helps to keep them healthy and prevent gum disease. Brushing and flossing are the most important things that you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

 

Chew Sugar Free Gum

Throughout the day food particles can build up on your teeth. Chewing foods and sugar free gum can be beneficial to your oral health because it helps increase salvia flow. The more saliva that is in your mouth the easier it is to swoosh away the food particles and plaque build up. We could even go as far as saying, that chewing gum can help produce a better smile. Pick your favorite flavor and chew away.

 

Avoid Sugary Drinks and Food

Drinking excess amounts of coffee and dark colored drinks can stain your teeth over time. But drinking dark colored sugary drinks can damage your teeth even more. The sugar tears into the tooth’s enamel, which causes decay, plaque build up, and cavities. Limit, reduce and if you can eliminate sugary drinks, such as colas and fruit juices because they are not healthy for your teeth.

 

Eat Leafy Green Vegetables

Instead of sugary drinks and snacks choose healthy vibrant fiber rich foods such as leafy vegetables. Spinach, Kale, Brussels sprouts are all-great for your teeth. The calcium dense foods help keep your teeth stay strong and the leafy vegetables can act like mini toothbrushes.

 

Drink Water

Drinking water is one of the best ways to keep your teeth clean throughout the day. When you drink water it acts as a mini mouthwash system, by removing food particles and sugars that can stick to teeth.

 

Our New Technology Can Help Us Save Your Life

Dr. Crusan has always made oral cancer evaluation an important part of our examination process here at Mountain View Dental. But now we have a real weapon in the fight against oral cancer, the Sapphire Oral Lesion Detection System. This process is quick and painless. It can be done at your regular check up appointments. We use a specialized light with a specific wave length. By shining this light in your mouth and looking through the viewing scope we can see normal tissue that reflects light and cancerous areas which show up much darker. It is a simple process yet technologically amazing. We are excited to offer this life saving diagnostic tool to our patients. (more…)

The Art of a Smile

Smile Design And The Lumineers Difference

Have you ever thought of your smile as a work of art? Cosmetic dentists often do, as they strive to create the perfect smile. Some people might be thinking, “My smile is far from art.” The truth is, nobody’s smile is perfect, but through skilled smile design with Lumineers, everyone’s smile can be a work of art. (more…)

Straighten Your Teeth with Invisible Braces?

ClearCorrect invisible braces are the clear and simple way to straighten your teeth and make your smile it’s best! With the results and convenience ClearCorrect offers and the advantages it has over other treatment options, it’s an easy decision.

With ClearCorrect you can get the obvious benefits and confidence you’ll enjoy with straight teeth so you too can show off your smile.

What is ClearCorrect?

ClearCorrect is the clear and simple alternative to braces. No wires. No brackets. No reason not to smile. It’s a series of clear, custom, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth as you wear them in order, each aligner moving your teeth just a little bit at a time. (more…)

Crowns in One Hour, Can it Really be Done?

Crowns have been used to restore decayed and broken teeth for over a hundred years. Gold crowns were the best for many years. Then people wanted a restoration that was the color of a tooth. A method was invented to make porcelain (glass) bond to metal. It was used for bath tubs, kitchen sinks and many other things as well. Dentistry applied the technology to making a crown for a tooth; porcelain fused to metal crown.

The crown can now be made to look like a tooth in shape and color and is quite strong. The metal needs to be strong and not flex. If it flexes, the porcelain will fracture off. Also, the metal is dark. It needs to be blocked out by opaque porcelain. (more…)