Dental Info

A hole in your smile is never a positive thing. It negatively affects physical appearance, eating, speaking, and your overall sense of confidence and well-being. Let AJ Gollofon, DDS bridge the gap between where you are with your smile and where you want to be! A missing tooth or teeth can also cause jaw pain and bite misalignment. Without a full set of teeth, your other teeth tend to move into the empty space, causing unnatural alignment in your bite and jaw—which can be very uncomfortable and can lead to bigger headaches and TMJ/TMD problems. Dr. Gollofon shares how each tooth plays an important role in your health and everyday life, and how dental bridges can restore your smile and the function of your teeth. Types of Bridges Depending on your needs, there are three common kinds of dental bridges that your dentist may recommend. The difference between each type of bridge is how they are installed and secured. The core of every bridge is the false tooth or teeth that replace ...

Good News for Grown-Ups “Adulting” can be hard. Between rent, bills, kids, a career, and other responsibilities, it can be tough to make time for yourself. But independence, parenting, fulfilling work, and the wisdom that comes with age can be pretty fantastic, too. So how does your oral healthcare fit into a grown-up lifestyle? AJ Gollofon, DDS serves adults from all over Seattle. Read more for our tips on how to care for your oral health at this particular stage in life. Priorities : You manage a lot on any given day. Brushing your teeth and making a dental appointment may not feel like the most pressing of matters, but you know they are important in the long run—so you do it. Family Life : Many people are more motivated to take care of themselves when good habits easily fit in with family life, and others are looking to you to set a positive example. Whether you are caring for children or aging parents, preventative oral healthcare is more likely to happen when done together a...

There is a law of nature that states: “function follows form.” This saying means that how something appears determines how it works. For example, you may own many screwdrivers of different sizes and shapes (form) to loosen all different kinds of screws (function). Think of a watering can with a long spout that’s perfect for pouring water right where you want it, versus one with a broad spout meant to cover large areas more quickly. When you think about it, this principle also applies to your smile. A mouth with missing teeth isn’t nearly as functional as a mouth with a full set of chompers. Enter: cosmetic dentistry. While the word “cosmetic” makes these treatments sound optional, many times they are necessary to improve physical function or mental and emotional well-being. Read more from Dr. Gollofon to learn about cosmetic dentistry and the positive impact it can have on your life. Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Whitening — an absolute favorite when it comes to confidence-boosting...

Fresh breath sets the tone for every moment of your day: first thing in the morning, before an important meeting, after working out, or just before bed. Whether you prefer cool mint, invigorating cinnamon, or herbal anise, it’s your favorite trusty toothpaste that delivers that fresh, clean feeling. So, what’s the scoop on toothpaste? What knowledge is essential to get the most out of your toothpaste? You might be surprised as you learn more about this common product. Dr. Gollofon in Seattle gives you the full story on toothpaste to empower you to take oral health into your own hands. What is Toothpaste? Toothpaste is an important preventative product. It can prevent tartar (hardened plaque) and gum disease if used regularly. Toothpaste comes in a variety of forms – paste, gels, powders. But all toothpaste has similar ingredients that allow it to work, and work well. Abrasives — The most important thing toothpaste does is remove unwanted stuff from the surface of your teeth. Lon...

Your mouth is an intelligent system made to work with every piece doing its part. When you’re missing a tooth, the empty spaces are more than unsightly; they can be dangerous. Your other teeth, your gums, and even the bones in your face rely on you having a full smile. Enter: dental implants . Thanks to improved technology, you can replace a single tooth or a whole row of teeth quickly and effectively. Dental implants can improve your overall oral health and are now considered the gold standard in tooth replacement technology. Dr. Gollofon at AJ Gollofon, DDS in Seattle offers professional placement and restoration of dental implants, so let us tell you more about them and how they can help protect your greatest asset and secure your smile! How Do Dental Implants Work? Teeth have even more going on under the surface of your gums than above. What you see when you look at your teeth is the hard, white crown. (See, you knew you must be royalty!) Then, like a plant, each tooth has a ...

A few things are equally important for your oral health, no matter what your age or stage of life. Good nutrition, brushing and flossing habits, visiting the dentist and a little fluoride are always ( always ) the essentials – you won’t ever hear us say otherwise.  However, your dental hygiene routine requires unique considerations for each new season of growth and maturity. Read below as Dr. Gollofon of AJ Gollofon, DDS shares what is especially important knowledge to maintain your oral health throughout your life. You may be surprised at what we have to say! Babies From the moment your child enters the world, they are equipped with not one, but two sets of teeth to last their lifetime—even if you can’t quite see said teeth yet. Oral health and dental care are as important at this time as every other. Don’t wait to set the stage for good habits that will ensure a healthy, functioning smile for your newest family member. Baby bottle tooth decay is a serious side effect of over...

When to Straighten Your Teeth There are a lot of reasons to straighten your teeth, and there are a lot of ways to do it . But you may not know that there are many unique times in your life when it might be best to straighten your teeth. In general, dentists begin considering the potential need to straighten a patient’s teeth around 8-10 years of age. People of any age can have their teeth straightened-there is never a bad time-but there are certain times when it makes more sense. Seattle dentist, Dr. Gollofon is a local provider of professional orthodontics and teeth straightening treatments. Read below to learn tips for deciding if it’s time to straighten your teeth. Time for Aesthetic Teeth Straightening If you’re self-conscious about your smile at all, it’s time. If you cover your mouth when you laugh, or if you avoid social situations because you’re not confident, correcting your smile is a worthwhile investment. Your smile is your own personal accessory and it’s the first thi...

There’s a lot of hair and makeup that goes into making your favorite stars sparkle on the screen. And while we can’t all hire a professional artist to make us look perfect every day, there is a lasting solution to giving you that perfect Hollywood smile – veneers! Dr. Gollofon in Seattle is an experienced and trusted provider of veneer treatments. What are Veneers? Veneers are a very strong, paper-thin cover over your teeth. They look just like real teeth, but even better. Veneers are often used to improve the look of teeth with spacing and alignment issues or staining problems . They can be applied wherever needed, on one tooth or a whole set. Which Celebrities Have Veneers? Veneers are a popular option for celebrities who spend their life (personal and professional) in front of the camera. When your smile determines your income, it just makes sense to invest in those pearly whites. So which stars have gotten veneers? Zac Efron George Clooney Tom Cruise Demi Moore Ben Aff...

Your Mouth: A Picture of Health Did you know that when a dentist looks at your mouth, they can tell a lot more than just how often you’re brushing? It’s true—your oral health is like a window into your lifestyle and habits. Dr. Gollofon at A.J. Gollofon, DDS should know. We’ve seen mouths from all over Seattle in our office! If you’re not taking care of the rest of your body, your gums will give it away. Hormones, sickness, stress, diet, smoking, prescription medicine, and more can all affect your gum health, and that goes both ways. If you don’t take care of your gums, the consequences will stretch beyond just your mouth. Unhealthy gums can lead to an unhealthy heart, diabetes, pregnancy complications, memory problems, tooth decay, and more. Your mouth is naturally good at washing away and fighting germs. But without proper oral hygiene, those bacteria can lead to gum disease. When it comes to your oral health, it’s more than just pearly white teeth you want. Healthy gums play an...

Dentistry is serious medicine, and daily oral hygiene is a top priority. But teeth can be pretty fun, too—not to mention fascinating. For starters, have you ever seen the full sets of baby teeth and adult teeth present in a child’s head x-ray? Go ahead, look it up. There are tons of interesting dental facts out there! A.J. Gollofon, DDS in Seattle treats our patients professionally and joyfully—our team thinks teeth are cool. Take Dr. Gollofon ’s word for it, there’s much to learn and admire about even the most average set of teeth. Facts About People & Teeth According to a survey by Time magazine, 59% of people would rather visit the dentist than listen to one end of a cell-phone conversation. By age 17, 78% of Americans have had at least 1 cavity. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for people over the age of 35. Tooth prints are as unique as fingerprints. About 5 million teeth per year fall out due to sports-related accidents. Babies have 20 teeth but a fu...

When he became the first president of the United States, George Washington had only one real tooth left! You heard right—just ONE. Everyone has heard something about this great man and his dental history, but if you heard that Washington had wooden teeth, then you heard wrong.  This myth is totally false—and Dr. Gollofon at A.J. Gollofon, DDS is here to tell you the truth. Dental Care in Colonial Times It was a combination of bad genes and even worse medical practices that led George Washington down the path to becoming toothless. Washington experienced many health problems throughout his life, and he was often treated with “calomel,” a common medicine of his time. Calomel contained mercury, which ruined teeth. The toothpaste of that era was also made from very abrasive materials like tree bark and brick dust, which likely continued to break down Washington’s natural teeth. Many people in Washington’s era had fake teeth, but none were made of wood. As disgusting as it sounds to...

If we told you that your mouth is the site of a constant battle between teeth and bacteria, would you believe us? Alright, maybe it’s not that dramatic, but the fact that Seattle teeth are always at risk of developing dental caries is no exaggeration. In case you’ve never heard about caries, Dr. Gollofon is going to take this opportunity to shed some light on what it is, how to stop it, and what A.J. Gollofon, DDS can do to help. Dental Caries, Tooth Decay & Cavities What do dental caries and tooth decay have in common? A lot – actually, they are the exact same thing. When bacteria interact with carbohydrates as they are broken down in the mouth, they ferment and produce lactic acid, which eats away at the structures of the teeth. Considered the most prevalent chronic disease among adults and children, this condition is called dental caries, or tooth decay. Without proper care and regular dental appointments, the acid from bacteria will eat away the surface layer of the tooth, ...

It’s common to see people wearing mouth guards in Seattle for protection during all kinds of sports, such as football, basketball, and boxing, but did you know that lots of folks wear mouth guards at night for their dental health? People who grind their teeth (bruxism) and people with sleep apnea can get relief from their symptoms simply by wearing a specially-designed mouth guard at night. Dr. Gollofon has helped many Seattle residents improve their quality of life with nightguards. Our team at AJ Gollofon, DDS invites you to come visit us today to find out more. Nightguards for Bruxism Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a very common condition. Everyone grinds their teeth at some point, but some Seattle folks do it so much (especially during the night) that it causes severe damage to their teeth, headaches, jaw aches, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) issues and more. The problem is that most bruxism sufferers don’t know that they are actually clenching and grinding their teeth....

Every parent remembers seeing their baby’s first teeth emerge, watching the rest pop up, and finally cheering as their child loses their first baby tooth, all in the blink of an eye! In fact, baby teeth come and go so quickly that some people are led to believe they don’t have an impact on a child’s dental health later in life. AJ Gollofon, DDS wants you to know that that couldn’t be further from the truth! Your Seattle dentist is committed to giving our community access to reliable information on dental care, so here are the facts about why baby teeth matter. A Guide to Baby Teeth Baby teeth, also known as deciduous, primary, milk, or lacteal teeth, are a set of 20 teeth that will be in your child’s mouth for most of their childhood. Although baby teeth usually emerge at around 6 months, they begin forming in the womb as early as 16 weeks. By age 3, children should have all 20 of their baby teeth. By age 13, all their permanent teeth (except for wisdom teeth) will have come in. ...

Oral hygiene is the foundation of good dental health. Brushing and flossing regularly is the best way to keep your Seattle smile healthy and clean. Consider this your personal tutorial on the art of dental hygiene, instructed by Dr. Gollofon and the expert hygienists at A.J. Gollofon, DDS. Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss & Mouthwash Before we talk technique, we need to make sure you have the right tools for the job. You’re going to need a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and floss. Pick whatever floss is most comfortable for you and any toothpaste that you like, provided it has fluoride. Mouthwash is not required, but some Seattle residents really like the extra health boost you get from a good swish and gargle. How do you pick a good toothbrush? Always go with soft bristles. Medium or hard bristles can damage enamel. Choose a brush that fits your mouth. The head of the brush should be small enough to reach all the way behind your back teeth and fit comfortably in your mout...

You may think being exhausted simply comes with the territory of being a parent (and it does), but there may also be a serious medical condition causing your child to wake up often throughout the night—sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is most commonly found in adults, but in rare cases can also affect children. Dr. Gollofon , dentist at AJ Gollofon, DDS in Seattle cares about treating your little ones. Read below to learn more about how dentists can treat sleep apnea. Sleep Apnea & Its Effects Sleep apnea occurs when breathing becomes shallow or pauses completely while you’re asleep. It can be caused by your tongue or tonsils being too large and blocking your airway, the collapse of soft tissues in the back of the throat, or by your brain not sending the proper signals to keep breathing while you sleep. Sleep apnea causes a lot of problems for children, the most obvious being restless sleep. Other problems can include failure to thrive, slower developmental milestones, excessive sleepin...

We all know someone who asks for extra ice just so they can chew on it. And we’ve probably all heard that chewing ice is not healthy for your teeth. So what’s the truth? Is it best to put a stop to ice chewing? Absolutely, and for more reasons than most people are aware of. Dr. Gollofon wants all Seattle residents to know why chewing ice is a bad habit, so please read on for the facts!  Why should I stop chewing ice? Ice is hard. So hard, in fact, that pitting it against your teeth regularly will most certainly result in damage to your enamel. If you have pagophagia (the fancy name for ice cravings), it’s likely that Dr. Gollofon will need to perform enamel restoration treatments, which are pricey and can be quite uncomfortable. However, that is not the most pressing reason to be aware of an ice chewing habit. Recent research indicates that pagophagia may actually be a sign of anemia (a lack of iron in the blood), which can lead to serious health complications if left untreate...

Your Seattle dentist, Dr. Gollofon at A.J. Gollofon, DDS knows that no two patients are alike. Everyone deserves a personalized approach to oral health – but what is something no patient (or even human) can live without? Air—or more specifically, oxygen. The Power of Ozone in Dentistry Oxygen is essential for your cellular health and has an overall positive effect on your body. For that reason, it can be utilized to improve your dental experience. Some dental offices use oxygen therapy to create a calm environment during treatment of acute dental issues or even preventative visits. Oxygen therapy delivers 100% pure, medical-grade oxygen. When three atoms of oxygen bind together, they form ozone, the same matter that protects and nourishes our environment. Oxygen can be applied as ozone gas, ozonated water, or ozonated olive oil. This completely painless treatment works with your body’s natural functions to achieve a multitude of benefits. Increased exposure to pure oxygen has been...

We’ve all got our reasons. Money. Time. The fear of pain. Juggling insurance. Facing one more reminder that we really should be flossing more. Any of these might cause us to avoid and put off regular visits to the dentist. Has it been so long since your last dental appointment that you’re not even sure how to find a dentist you can trust? Or perhaps you know and love your dentist but you dread the idea of trying to catch up on life with the hygienist while your mouth is being propped open by a tiny plastic jack. (Yes, we think about that too!) Seattle dentist, Dr. Gollofon , and our staff are happy to help you prioritize your dental health, which is why we go to great lengths to remove any barrier that might keep you from stepping through our doors. Sedation options, flexible payment plans , plentiful office hours, and a skilled dental team can help you achieve your best smile. Our relaxed office is comfortable from the waiting room to the dentist chair. A.J. Gollofon, D.D.S. is com...

Your smile is more powerful than you may know. Scientists have studied many aspects of smiling, such as how it affects your brain, your health, and your overall experience of life. Even the situation you’re in and the people around you are influenced by your smile. The findings may surprise you. Or, if you’re someone who smiles often, they may just confirm what you already know. Dr. Gollofon in Seattle loves a good smile and wants to help you smile more—to let us convince you to smile more and to maintain that smile with a healthy dental routine, keep reading! Smiling & Your Health The physical act of a smile can benefit both your mental health and your physical health. Experiencing an emotion connects all the parts of yourself: body, mind, and spirit, so the physical act of smiling can improve your overall experience of life. Studies show that smiling makes your brain function better to fight stress and to prevent stress from building in the first place. Smiling also increase...