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Sore Jaw? Here are 4 Reasons Why... If you wake up with a sore jaw, have chronic headaches or even have fractured teeth, you might be grinding your teeth without even realizing it. Most people are not aware of the fact that they grind (or brux) their teeth until they see their dentist who can pinpoint the symptoms. If you have been told that you are grinding your teeth, you might find yourself wondering why. Of course every case is different, but there are a few reasons that commonly occur.
Read more... Preventive Dental Care for Dental Healthy Month! All too often, many assume that a dental appointment is not needed because there are no real dental issues going on at the moment. Contrary to popular belief, your dentist is there for more than knocked out teeth and toothaches. The right dentist can help with proper preventive care to help keep your mouth healthy and to help prevent more serious issues from occurring. Every 6 Months At the very least, you should be visiting Dr. Travis Coulter and our team every 6 months. This allows them to fully inspect your teeth and gums to ensure that there are no issues that you are not aware of yet. When you let conditions with your teeth get out of hand, the resolution can be rather invasive. By keeping your twice yearly appointments, you can keep your mouth healthy and your pain to a minimum. [Read more...] Happy "Tooth" Thousand Fourteen! At Coulter Family Dentistry, we're ringing in the New Year in style. We invite you to come by our offices and see the difference that our patients are talking about! From comprehensive family dental care, to complex cosmetic makeovers and sleep apnea therapies, the Spokane Valley dental team at Coulter Family Dentistry offers only the best. [Read more...] Dentistry Without Fear! If you are preparing for a filling, root canal, crown, tooth extraction, or other dental procedure, you now have an option to relieve your dental anxiety. At Coulter Family Dentistry in Spokane Valley, WA, there are several options available to our patients for relief of pain and anxiety during routine dental visits. Conscious, or moderate sedation, allows patients to remain awake during dental procedures. Patients are able to interact with their dentists but do not feel any discomfort or pain. Moderate sedation can also help patients avoid more severe side effects of general anesthesia such as nausea, headache, vertigo and long-term drowsiness. This form of sedation generally causes the patient to not remember anything about their dental appointment other than a pleasant experience. [Read more...] Affordable Dental Implants Are Just A Visit Away! July 24, 2013 In contemporary society, it might be shocking to know that "69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, a failed root canal or tooth decay." By the time most adults reach their seventies, 26% have few if any of their original teeth left. With so many people losing teeth and with our current dip in the economy, many people cannot afford the cost of implants and so go either without their teeth or with the less favorable option of bridges or dentures. Yet dental implants are the most desirable of all teeth-replacement options: they look natural, last virtually forever, do not cause pain, discomfort and bad breath and are permanent. Unlike dentures and bridges, implants do not sit on top of the gums or adhere to adjacent teeth. Instead, your dental implant experts, Dr. Travis Coulter and our team, places them inside the jawbone, making them a natural, long-term replacement for teeth. [Read more...] The Sugar Remains! June 2, 2013  If you believe that frozen yogurt is better for your health than ice-cream, you may want to think again! While frozen yogurt may be healthier for your diet, it is not good for your teeth. Frozen yogurt contains a variety of sugars that can lead to tooth decay.Contained within the ingredients of frozen yogurt resides evaporated cane juice. Evaporated cane juice is another form of sugar, and should never be referred to as a "healthy" sugar. Both contain molasses, but evaporated cane juice has a somewhat lower percentage. Regardless of the types of sugar you eat, when you consume food containing sugar you are putting yourself at risk of getting cavities. Sugar is a leading contributor to dental decay which can lead to other dental diseases. Don't feel like you need to eliminate frozen yogurt all together, but realize that the "health benefits" of frozen yogurt also include risks to your dental health. Have you scheduled your next dental cleaning? Visit our exceptional dental office in Spokane Valley, WA. Call us at 509-924-1314 today and visit Dr. Travis Coulter and our team, your cosmetic dental experts. Will The Best Toothbrush Please Stand Up? May 25, 2013  Everyone knows that choosing a dentist is important, but dental care outside of a dentist's office is equally important. If you put a lot of thought into your teeth, finding the best toothbrush is just as important as finding the best dentist. Both will have a huge impact on your smile, so it is best to get it right.The days of the simple nylon bristled toothbrushes have long gone, and now we have electrical powered toothbrushes, in addition to disposable toothbrushes. Size matters when you are choosing a toothbrush. You need to find a toothbrush head that is one-inch tall, and half an inch wide. Next you will need to browse the bristle varieties. Soft bristles are more popular, because they are comfortable. If you are a heavy brusher, you will want to avoid hard or medium bristle brushes, because the heavy brushing can cause damage to your mouth. Heavy brushers who use a medium or hard bristle brush are more likely to damage their: • Protective Tooth Enamel • Gums • Root Surface Parents should purchase a soft bristle brush with a small head for children. Suffering From Dental Pain? May 10, 2013  When you suffer from a tooth abscess, you suffer from more than tooth pain. The pain from the bacteria infection can keep you from getting a good night's sleep, in addition to stopping you from completing work at the office during the day. You could fall victim to a tooth abscess at any time, so it is best to be prepared in case it happens.When you have a tooth cavity, it can cause an infection, known as an abscess. When bacteria grows a pus pocket will form. There is no specific region where an abscess can occur. There are various symptoms that can alert you that a tooth abscess has arrived. Some of those signs include: • Red Face and Mouth • Swelling • Tenderness • Gum Inflammation • Pus Drainage • Pain You can rinse your mouth out with warm water if you are suffering from a dental abscess. To treat the pain, you can purchase naproxen or ibuprofen, but these anti-inflammatory medicines will provide a small – if any – amount of relief. The pain may stop temporarily, but the infection is still alive and well. You will need to consult with a dentist as soon as possible to treat your infection, and get you back to work, and resting without issue during the night. Keep in mind that if a tooth abscess goes untreated, it could lead to a more severe dental issue. This condition can spread, and cause you to become extremely ill. Some individuals who do not treat their tooth abscess have had to be hospitalized. Need Emergency Care? At Coulter Family Dentistry, your dental care is our top concern. We are available to treat your emergencies, so call us at 509-924-1314 today. Best Wishes! March 14, 2013 "Thank you Nikki for your many years of service to this practice! We will greatly miss you and wish you all the best in your new career opportunity!" The Team at Coulter Family Dentistry Dental Implants - The Art & Science of Dentistry Implant dentistry merges art and experience with science to create naturally functioning replacement teeth. A dental implant serves as a replacement for the root or roots of a tooth. Like tooth roots, dental implants are secured in the jawbone and are not visible once placed. Implants are made of titanium, which has a special property of fusing to bone. This fusion is called "osseointegration" and is the basis of dental implant success. Dental implants have the highest success rate of any implanted surgical device. Learn more... When teeth are lost, the bone that supported those roots is lost too. Placing implants stabilizes this bone, and prevents bone loss. Implants help maintain the jawbone's shape, and supports the overal facial structure of the skeleton. Dental implants help you eat, chew, talk; all in a completely natural fashion. At Coulter Family Dentistry in Spokane Valley, WA, our dentists use their extensive restorative experience to not only place the implant in their office, but also work with you to place the restorative crown after the implant site is healed and ready for a natural looking tooth. Dr. Travis Coulter and our team also offer a variety of options for sedation dentistry to make the experience of replacing your missing tooth as comfortable as possible. To learn more about our dental implant options and whether they are the right fit for your needs, call us at (509) 924-1314 to schedule your personalized consultation. November is National Diabetes Awareness Month November 28, 2012 Since people with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing some oral health problems, this is a good reminder of the importance of staying. Some of the common oral health problems associated with diabetes are: gum disease, fungal infections, infections and delayed healing. Periodontal (gum disease) is no laughing matter; it's also connected to heart disease and other health-related issues. Our friends at www.perio.org tell us: Diabetic patients are more likely to develop periodontal disease, which in turn can increase blood sugar and diabetic complications. People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes, probably because people with diabetes are more susceptible to contracting infections. In fact, periodontal disease is often considered a complication of diabetes. Those people who don't have their diabetes under control are especially at risk. Research has suggested that the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes goes both ways - periodontal disease may make it more difficult for people who have diabetes to control their blood sugar. Severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, contributing to increased periods of time when the body functions with a high blood sugar. This puts people with diabetes at increased risk for diabetic complications. For more information and to watch a video on how diabetes can impact your oral health, visit the MouthHealthy A-Z page on Diabetes. A Season of Thanksgiving November 21, 2012 As we approach Thanksgiving and live in this season of thankfulness, we want to send our thanks and appreciation to our patients and community. Without your patronage and service, we would not exist! Dr. Travis Coulter, our team, and the staff at Coulter Family Dentistry in Spokane Valley, WA strive for meeting your individual needs; not seeing people in terms of their teeth, but treating the whole person and helping them on a road to longer living in a healthy way. We also thank the military personnel that have served in the past for our country and those that are serving now, away from family and friends. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday - to you and yours! The Staff of Coulter Family Dentistry Use Your Dental Insurance Benefits! November 7, 2012 Toward the end of the year, our office typically gets an increase in phone calls from patients looking to schedule an end of year cleaning or restorative appointment and use their insurance benefits before they lapse December 31st. Many patients sometimes don't realize that they can't carry over benefit maximums from year to year (with limited exceptions - check with your plan administrator to see if your plan qualifies for a rollover.) With premiums increasing in cost from year to year, it's important that you use the monies that you've been allotted - otherwise you've just given the insurance company back a chunk of free cash. Why Should You Use Your Benefits Now? 1. Yearly Maximum: Most insurances have a year maximum of around $1,000. Unused benefits do not roll over at the end of the year. 2. Deductible: Deductibles vary but usually are around $50 per year. This decutible may reset at the beginning of the year. 3. Premiums: If you are paying monthly premiums you should be using your dental benefits. Regular cleanings can help prevent more serious treatments later. Read More... No More Dental Fear! October 24, 2012 At Coulter Family Dentistry, we want you to have a comfortable experience. We offer several levels of sedation for anxious or fearful patients Nitrous Oxide - laughing gas helps patients feel less anxiety and less discomfort in their mouths during procedures. The effects of the gas wear off within a few minutes of breathing oxygen. Oral Conscious Sedation - Patients are prescribed an pill to take before coming to their appointment. The medication relieves anxiety and often can be combined with the effects of nitrous oxide once the patient is in our office. IV Conscious Sedation - For these patients a medication is administered to take them to a deeper level of sedation than can be safely accomplished with pills. Patients undergoing this type of sedation usually do not recall anything from their procedures. In order to be licensed to perform this type of sedation our Spokane Valley, WA dentists have received extensive training in a dental residency including a rotation in the operating room of a hospital to administer general anesthesia to patients. Patients are carefully monitored to ensure their safety and comfort. We are currently accepting new patients in the Spokane Valley, WA areas; call us today at (509) 924-1314 to make an appointment for an exam. Dr. Travis Coulter and our team invite you to learn more about our Dental Services and Team Members. If you are having pain or have broken a tooth we would be happy to get you in to address your problem today. We look forward to serving you and meeting your family! Why Do I Need A "Deep Cleaning"? October 16, 2012 Some patients will need more than a professional cleaning (prophy) for their dental care. Patients with signs of gum disease (periodontal disease) may require more therapeutic types of cleanings to remove harmful plaque and bacteria from below the gumline and on the roots. Your doctor and hygienist will work together to properly diagnose the extremity of your Periodontal Disease and recommend a proper course of treatment. Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease) The American Association of Periodontists state that gum disease accounts for approximately 70% of all tooth loss in adults. Early signs of gum disease include bleeding gums when flossing or brushing and gums that are red, inflamed, or swollen. Gum disease and tooth decay are caused by the same bacteria. These bacteria form plaque beneath the gum-line, which eats away at the bond between tooth and gum. If deterioration is allowed to continue, "pockets" form in between the teeth and the gums. Pockets deeper than 3ml may require special treatment to remove the bacteria and plaque. Without treatment and continuous maintenance, gum disease will eventually weaken the bonds that hold the teeth in place. There is no permanent treatment for gum disease. However, it can be kept under control with proper personal hygiene and regular visits to a trained dentist or hygienist. For more information on whether you need a deep cleaning, or to schedule your next cleaning appointment with our Spokane Valley, WA dentists, or give us a call today! Brilliant, Natural Smiles with Cosmetic Dentistry October 9, 2012 At Coulter Family Dentistry, a healthy, beautiful smile is our primary goal. Our dentists are well-trained in the art of creating a brilliant, natural smile with some of the latest advances in cosmetic dentistry. Below are a few of the ways we can give our Spokane Valley, WA patients the smile makeover they've dreamed of! Veneers Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells of tooth colored porcelain or resin material precisely designed to cover the front surfaces of teeth. They can dramatically improve the appearance of teeth by altering the shape, color, size and or length. Dental veneers are intended to achieve optimal esthetics and function through minimal tooth preparation. Teeth Whitening Stains caused by coffee, smoking, and medications can often be removed through whitening procedures. In-office and at-home whitening kits are available. Read More... Study Linking Dental X-rays to Brain Tumor An article was published today in Cancer, a scientific journal of the American Cancer Society, regarding a link between dental x-rays and brain tumors. Check out both links below. Cancer article American Dental Association April 10 2012 Press Release Dental Implants If you have lost a tooth or know that you will soon lose a tooth, a dental implant can be considered as a possible replacement. The long term success of dental implants is proven and they are often an excellent choice for treatment of tooth loss. Conveniently located in the Spokane Valley, just minutes from the freeway, Coulter Family Dentistry can assist you throughout the entire process, from implant placement to final crown restoration. Welcome to Coulter Family Dentistry! September 17, 2012 The dental team at Coulter Family Dentistry is excited to start this blog, dedicated to patient education and oral health. Conveniently located in the Spokane Valley, Coulter Family Dentistry welcomes patients of all ages. Dr. Travis Coulter, our team and our dental team are committed to excellence and education with regards to patient care. Using state of the art technology allows our practice to perform a wider range of diagnoses and treatments in the office, helping to reduce multiple visits and rescheduling, saving our patients time and money. We've compiled a range of information within our website to help our patient community learn about the services we provide, and get a glimpse into our philosophy of dentistry. Dr. Travis Coulter and our team believe in treating the whole individual, and in taking the time necessary to help you understand treatment options for a healthy, beautiful smile. For more information, call our office today or request your appointment through our online system. We can't wait to showcase Coulter Family Dentistry to you and your family! Subscribe to our blog by email!
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