Family Dentist & Cosmetic Dentist - Olympia Dental Group - Thinh Ho DDS - Olympia Dentist, Lacey, & Tumwater WA - Free Bleaching For Life

Your teeth are an important part of your body and keeping them clean helps keep your mouth and your body healthy. By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet, and visiting the dentist regularly, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.

Why is good oral health important to me?
Researchers have found that periodontits (the advanced form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss) is associated with other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. Likewise, pregnant women who have periodontitis may be at increased risk for delivering pre-term and/or low birth weight babyes. Given the potential link between periodontitis and systemic health problems, prevention of periodontits may turn out to be an important step in maintaining overall health. in most cases, good oral health can be maintained with good daily oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and regular professional care.

How often should I visit the dentist?
Most people find that it is valuable to have a routine checkup at least once every six months.

What happens when I visit the dentist?
At your checkup, you will receive a thorough cleaning, exam, and oral screening by the dentist. During the oral exam, the dentist checks the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. At each visit, the dentist also checks old fillings and restorations because constant pressure from chewing, grinding, or clenching can cause them to wear away, chip or crack.

My teeth feel fine, should I still visit my dentist?
Okay, are you happy with the way they look? A smile can be the most eye-catching feature of a face. With dentistry's many advances, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, missing, or malformed teeth. Along with the regular oral care and checkups, Dr. Ho and his wonderful team offer many choices that can help you smile with confidence, including:

• Professional teeth whitening
• Fillings that mimic the apperance of natural teeth
• Crowns that look like natural teeth
• Dental implants that feel like natural teeth

What should I look for when choosing a dentist?
you may wish to consider several dentists before making your decision. During your first visit, you should be able to determine if this is the right dentist for you. Consider the following:

• Is the appointment schedule convenient?
• Is the office staff willing to do whatever it takes to help you?
• Does the office appear to be clean and orderly?
• Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?
• Does the dentist and staff explain techniques for good oral health?
• Are treatment plan presented to you before treatment is scheduled?
• Is your dentist a member of the ADA (American Dental Association)?