A couple of months ago we began implementing a new salivary test for oral human papillomavirus infection (HPV). Now you might be wondering: “Why is my dentist concerned if I have HPV?” Or you might be thinking: “It’s none of your business if I have HPV.” These are valid concerns, as this is a new screening protocol that is likely to stir up many questions. To help allay any fears or concerns around our new screening, we’ve put together some information below, that further explains our role as dental professionals. We’ve all heard that contracting HPV can increase a … Read More

  Earlier this month, several of our staff members participated in the 9th annual Run for Rett Syndrome 5k Run/Walk. The run begins at Tumwater Historical Park and follows a beautiful path winding around Capitol Lake. This event supports the Northwest Rett Syndrome Foundation, a local organization which assists families of children with Rett Syndrome. Cramer and Bond Dentistry is a proud sponsor of this event, which is orchestrated by the hard work of Lauren Cramer. She works tirelessly every year to make this event a success. As many of you may know, Lauren and Dr. Adam Cramer’s oldest daughter … Read More

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.