K. Cheyn Gunnerson D.M.D.

Summer is on upon us and that means there will be more asking for soda and popsicles from the kids.   Be careful how much sugar intake they get this summer and always remember to brush and floss.  Sometimes when we get out of our normal routines simple things like brushing and flossing can be forgotten especially while camping and on vacation.  For vacations I always like to keep a small sample tooth paste in my bag so I don't have to remember to pack it before I leave.  If you would like a small sample tube of toothpaste, stop by our office and pick one up for free.

 

Also, summer is when the kids get more involved in sports.  For information concerning sports/dental injuries visit our website under emergency dental care.  Our office can fabricate and provide your kids with mouth guards which will give them added protection against any possible dangers.  We always seem to get more appointments with chipped teeth in the summer.  Remember that prevention is always the best step towards keeping our teeth healthy.  However, if you do get hurt, we are available to help.  Your oral health is our greatest concern.

 

Have a healthy and safe summer from all of us!

The goal in our office has always been quality dental work and concern and care of our patients.  We care, that is why we do what we do.  A healthy mouth and keeping your teeth for the rest of your life is what we strive for.  It is better to remove the bacteria that causes tooth decay and preserve as much tooth structure as possible by removing decay no matter what size.  It can be compared to a visit to the dermatologist.  If he was to find a lesion that was suspicious or could possibly become cancerous it is better to remove it than to let it become a large cancerous lesion before it is removed.

 

 We want the greatest success in what we do for our patients.  Decay can spread rapidly in a tooth and to other adjacent teeth, I don't think any dentist could argue that point.  It is important that all sizes of decay be removed to promote a healthy mouth and to help our patients keep their teeth for a lifetime.  Waiting until decay becomes large or the tooth becomes sensitive requires the removal of more tooth structure to repair it.  This leads to increased sensitivity following the dental visit and will lead to greater cost to the patient in the future as as the teeth will require root canals and crowns.  It can also lead to the eventual loss of the tooth.

 

We love our patients and want the best for them.  It can be seen in the friendliness of our staff, the treatment of our patients and the concern we have in keeping up with the latest technology to provide the greatest quality dentistry available.  We help you understand the treatment that is needed, including any options available, and answer all questions, including costs, before we begin treatment.  You will recieve the best dentistry available at an affordable price.

Fall is a wonderful time of the year.  The leaves have been changing outside and this year seems to top all the others in the amount of color that we are seeing.  This is the time of year when we think of all the family gatherings that are coming up with the holidays.  I frequently get asked during this season about tooth whitening.  What works the best?  What systems are available?  Do the home products that you can buy at the store really work?

 

It has been my experience in the past that, yes, the store products do in fact work.  However, in order for them to be available to the general public, the concentrations of the solutions have to be a lot lower than what you get when you have your teeth professionally whitened.  This means that it requires more applications and a longer period of time for you to achieve the look that you want.  This can quickly add up in cost due to the necessity of purchasing multiple whitening systems from the stores.

 

Recently we have adapted a new in-office technique for a brighter, whiter smile.  It utilizes a special lighting system along with gel solutions to create a whiter smile in just 30 minutes.  Of course, depending on the discoloration in your teeth, it may require more than one treatment.  We have found this technique to be highly successful in creating a bright white smile with minimal sensitivity.  Many of our patients have enjoyed the results so far and would recommend it to others.

 

We still do offer whitening trays with gel for those who would rather do their whitening on their own time at home.  This just simply requires that we take an impression of both the upper and lower teeth and then the fabrication of trays.  Usually this only takes about 15 minutes in the office to complete.

 

With so many family gatherings coming up and the opportunity to show off your smile, now is the time to get your teeth whitened!