Fluoride is a controversial topic in the dental field, which is why we’ve chosen to discuss it this month. Numerous studies show that when used as directed or when added to community water in the correct amounts, fluoride significantly reduces the incidence of cavities. A frequent misconception surrounding fluoride (which is perpetuated by insurance companies) is that only children will benefit from fluoride. Each individual regardless of age, has unique risk factors for developing cavities. Our dental hygienists are trained to identify your risk for developing cavities, and evaluate this at each hygiene appointment. By determining this, we are able … Read More

As many of you know a few of our staff members recently took part in a service trip to Guatemala. They had an amazing impact there and were able to serve 140 patients! Dr. Cramer and Stefani were kind enough to share a bit about their experience below! Dr. Cramer: “Being able to serve the people of Guatemala with dental care was a tremendous blessing for me.  We traveled to the rural mountain villages and were able to serve mostly women and children who were in severe pain and discomfort, but the real highlight of the trip was connecting with each … Read More

  As many of you know, here at Cramer and Bond Dentistry 6 of our staff members were pregnant over the last year. They all delivered healthy, happy babies and moms are doing well; ask about them at your next visit, we love talking about our little ones! This seems like the perfect time to address oral care during pregnancy. There are a few misconceptions out there to clear up and we’ll discuss how and why good home care is especially important during pregnancy. One of the biggest misconceptions involved with dental care during pregnancy is that restorative treatment and … Read More

  April is Oral Cancer Awareness month, so it only seems fitting that we discuss the increased risk tobacco users face of developing oral cancer. Both cigarettes and chewing tobacco greatly increase an individual’s chance of developing oral or throat cancer. Studies have shown that smokers are 3 times more likely to develop mouth cancer and 7 times more likely to develop throat cancer than non-smokers. Each year, The Oral Cancer Foundation approximates 48,250 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed and that 9,575 people die each year due to these forms of cancer. Tobacco use combined with excess consumption … Read More

  In the last few years “Vaping” or “E-Cigarettes” have become very popular.  6 million people in the U.S. have tried or used e-cigarettes, and new “Vape” shops are opening on every street corner. Although most people vape to quit or decrease smoking or to prevent relapse, there has been a rise in the use of these devices among teenagers and college-aged adults. They are more popular for younger users as they don’t leave the distinct smell of a smoker, and come in a variety of flavor choices. The reality though, is that there hasn’t been enough research done to … Read More

  In honor of Children’s Dental Health month, we’ve chosen to highlight the childhood disease of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) or baby bottle decay.  ECC is an infectious disease that can affect any child and can begin as early as the eruption of your child’s first tooth (around 6 months old). The disease process begins with bacteria. As foods enter the oral cavity bacteria break down carbohydrates and sugars and secrete acid on the teeth. The acid drains teeth of the minerals that keep them strong, and if left to continue will cause tooth decay. ECC is the most common … Read More

Wisdom teeth or third molars are the final set of molars that can begin to erupt around age 17.  Some people have wisdom teeth that don’t ever erupt and some are lucky to only have one or two wisdom teeth, not all four. Continue reading to learn the answers to the Top 5 questions we receive regarding wisdom teeth. 1.) When should I get my wisdom teeth removed? 3rd molars typically erupt between ages 17 and 21. This is usually an ideal time to have your wisdom teeth extracted, whether they are erupting or not. Removing them at this point … Read More

Lasers have been in the dental field for some time now, but over the last couple of years have really become a popular topic. More dental offices are starting to see the benefits lasers can provide to their patients and instead of a cool tech fad, they are slowly becoming the standard of care. Patients are usually unsure of what services lasers can provide, and it is our job to inform you. Lasers can be utilized by both dentists and dental hygienists to bring the best care to our patients. Below we’ve outlined a few of the main functions of laser dentistry.

  Ever wonder why your teeth are sensitive when you eat ice cream? Tooth sensitivity affects millions of adults in the United States. The most common cause of sensitivity is called dentinal hypersensitivity. The crown of a tooth is covered in enamel and the root is covered in cementum. Beneath both the enamel and the cementum is the dentin. If the enamel or cementum is worn away or eroded, the dentin becomes exposed. It is the dentin that transmits the pain signal to the nerve of the tooth. Gum recession can often expose the root surface of teeth leading to … Read More

Fall is a beautiful season here in the Pacific Northwest. The temperatures drop, the fog rolls in and the leaves start changing. The change in season also paints some pretty incredible sunrises and sunsets. Below you will find some of our staff members favorite fall activities in the area.