This month we’re kicking off a new blog series here at Laurel Dental! Every other month through 2019 we will be highlighting a different autoimmune disease and the impacts it has on oral health, and vice versa. Autoimmune diseases are wide ranging diseases that affect many systems of the body. Their commonality though, is that the body begins attacking its own cells wreaking havoc and causing painful and sometimes debilitating symptoms. Over 23.5 million people in the United States alone suffer from at least one autoimmune disease. These diseases are seen more often in women than in men, and it … Read More

Teeth require extraction usually for one of two reasons. Either due to extensive decay or due to bone loss resulting from periodontal disease. Considering nearly half of our adult population struggles with periodontal disease, it is unsurprising that nearly 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Combine this with the fact that about 40 million have no natural teeth at all and that is a significant amount of tooth loss. It used to be that if you were missing teeth your only option for replacement was a full or partial denture or a bridge. That is no longer … Read More

Spring is here and so is BBQ season! We have gathered a few favorite recipes from the office and wanted to share. Please give us feedback if you try any!   RASPBERRY COCONUT ICE CREAM (This recipe taken from Vanessa at Vegan Family Recipes) Ingredients 1 ½ c. frozen raspberries 1 c full fat coconut cream from 1 can of coconut milk (see note) 4 tsp Maple Syrup (Optional) Up to 1/3 of a cup coconut water from the can of coconut milk Instructions       Place frozen raspberries, coconut cream, and maple syrup (if desired) in a high powered blender or food … Read More

  We can hardly go one day without hearing about the rising rates of drug addiction in our country. Or worse hearing the heartbreaking story of a loved one struggling with addiction. Drug addiction has crippling effects on families, communities and individuals. As dental professionals we are trained to look for the oral signs of drug abuse. It is a difficult but necessary conversation to have. We have our patients best interest and overall health always top of mind. If you know someone who is struggling with addiction, please share the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National … Read More

At Laurel Dental Clinic we are advocates for treating your oral health in conjunction with your overall health. A lot of us treat our mouths as a separate entity from the rest of our body and ignore the fact that what goes on here has a large correlation to many other health issues. This month we’re focusing on the link to heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US. It’s estimated that 1 in every 4 deaths is due to heart disease. Periodontal disease affects nearly 50% of individuals with … Read More

It’s that time again! The day where we get to pull out a new calendar has come. It becomes a clear time to evaluate where we are at from last year and where we would like to be by the next. A pretty common goal is that of our physical well being. These typically include, exercising more, losing weight, healthy eating habits and taking a more active approach to health. It’s quite inspiring that so many people have health at the top of their mind, but statistics tell us less than 10% of New Year Resolutions are ever met. We’re … Read More

Pacific Northwest living requires getting used to enjoying these beautiful landscapes in some different ways come winter! We have to get bundled up and always be prepared for rain. 😊 Here’s a few ideas to get outside and appreciate our great outdoors! HIKING Yes, you can still hike in the winter! We have quite a few trails that are not in our snow-covered mountains! The Olympic Discovery Trail and The Spruce Railroad Trail are always a great option if you’re not quite prepared to brave the elements. Striped Peak is a 3.3-mile trail accessed from Salt Creek Recreational Area. This … Read More

  Many of you may have heard about Xylitol. It is most often found in candies and chewing gum in place of sugar. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sourced from corn or birch trees. It has a texture and sweetness both comparable to sugar, but with less ill effects. Xylitol is non-fermentable, meaning our oral bacteria can’t use it to produce cavity causing acids. It also prohibits bacteria from adhering to cellular tissue. This prevents oral bacteria from thriving. Xylitol contains about 40% less calories than regular sugar and has little to no effect on insulin and blood sugar levels. … Read More

Dry mouth (xerostomia) might seem like an annoying thing that happens at night from time to time. But if it occurs regularly, it needs to be treated. Left untreated, it can affect a variety of things, including eating, speaking, and your general oral health. If you do suffer from dry mouth, you are certainly not alone. As many as 400 medications list xerostomia as a side effect. You can check this list, to see if your medication is one of them. Symptoms of persistent dry mouth can include: thick or stringy saliva bad breath changes in your sense of taste … Read More

Every October we want to highlight our hygienists hard work as it’s National Dental Hygiene Month. They are always striving to better serve their patients and October is a time to help us raise awareness about the importance of good oral health. It is also a time to celebrate the important work they do on a daily basis. We are so fortunate to have 4 wonderful hygienists that put our patients at ease and encourage them to work toward a healthier smile. They are continually educating themselves to learn the best ways to improve oral health and to make it … Read More