Spokane Dental Blog

Missing teeth are more than just a cosmetic issue. When a tooth is lost—whether due to advanced periodontitis, injury, or natural wear—it affects the entire mouth. Over time, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate, nearby teeth may shift, and facial structure can change. These effects impact chewing, speech, and overall oral health.

Dental implants offer a powerful solution. While bridges and dentures replace only the visible portion of a tooth, implants act like natural roots, stimulating the bone and preventing long-term deterioration. Spokane Dental emphasizes that implants provide functional and biological benefits that traditional prosthetics cannot match.

It often begins with a tooth that is badly decayed, heavily filled, or fractured. It may still function, but it is no longer structurally strong. Over time, this weakness can lead to pain, infection, or even tooth loss. In such cases, a dental crown is more than a cosmetic enhancement—it is a long-term solution to protect and restore oral health.

Crowns, or “custom-made caps that fully encase a tooth,” strengthen weakened teeth and restore their natural shape. They are essential in modern dentistry because they enhance aesthetics while also preventing additional damage.

It happens gradually—most don’t notice it at first. The shift from white to off-white isn’t about decay or poor hygiene. Life leaves marks from coffee, wine, medications, or simply aging. Modern whitening addresses these changes with precision and care, protecting enamel and gums while improving a smile.

What Whitening Can—and Can’t—Do

Not all stains respond the same way:

• Superficial stains: Caused by drinks, sauces, or tobacco, usually respond well to peroxide-based whitening.
• Deep stains: From medications, trauma, fluoride, or aging may resist whitening or respond partially.

Professional assessment ensures safe, effective treatment and identifies which smiles are candidates.

By the time most children lose their first tooth, their dental story has already begun—shaped by habits, nutrition, and often, silence around oral care. One of the most persistent myths in pediatric dentistry is that baby teeth don’t matter because they’re temporary. In truth, these first teeth play an outsized role in a child’s development. They influence how the jaw forms, how a child speaks and eats, and whether adult teeth have the space and guidance they need to emerge without complication.

When cavities strike early, the consequences can extend well beyond the tooth itself. Pain, infection, and interrupted sleep are only the beginning. If left untreated, even small problems can alter the path of oral development in ways that echo for decades.

Cavities don’t usually announce themselves. For many people, it starts with a little sensitivity to cold or sweets—easy to ignore at first. But that discomfort signals a process that, if left untreated, can damage the structure of a tooth. One of the simplest and most effective ways to stop that progression is with a dental filling.

A well-placed filling does more than patch a tooth. It strengthens it, prevents further decay, and helps preserve long-term oral health.

Most people don’t think about their gums until something feels off—bleeding when brushing, a bit of swelling, maybe tenderness along the gumline. These symptoms are easy to dismiss. But they can be signs of an early stage of periodontal disease, which is both very common and very underappreciated.

At its worst, this condition doesn't just make your breath smell bad or hurt a little; it also weakens the structures that hold your teeth in place. If you don't take care of it, it can cause bone loss, tooth movement, and eventually tooth loss. Things that start out quietly below the surface can be hard to change back without help.

Losing a tooth can be unsettling. Beyond the visible gap in your smile, it may change how you chew, speak, or even how you carry yourself around others. While dentures and bridges have been relied upon for decades, dental implants have become the go-to option for many people looking for a long-term, natural-looking solution. If you’ve been thinking about replacing a missing tooth, this guide will walk you through what implants are, how they work, and what to expect before getting one.

Hearing the words “oral surgery” can feel intimidating, but in reality, many of these procedures are straightforward, highly effective, and designed to improve your health and comfort. From wisdom teeth extractions to dental implants, oral surgery covers a wide range of treatments that go beyond routine dental care.

You probably have questions if your dentist has told you to get oral surgery. What does the treatment entail? What should you do to get ready? What is recuperation like? This article will help you get ready for your visit by going over the basics.

People often get anxious when they hear the words "root canal," but they shouldn't anymore. The scary stories you might have heard about root canals in the past are not true at all. It's a simple surgery that will help your teeth and keep you from having a lot of pain in the future.

This tutorial will explain what to expect and why a root canal is frequently the best option whether you've been advised you need one or are just interested about how it works.

We often think about brushing and whitening our teeth, but it's just as important to take care of our gums. Your gums are what hold your teeth in place. If they start to fail, it can cause serious dental problems.

It's time to see a specialist if you've noticed that your gums feel or look different. A periodontist's job is to fix problems with the bone and gum tissue around your teeth. When regular cleanings aren't enough, think of them as your go-to expert.