Psoriasis is one of the most well-known autoimmune diseases. Symptoms of the disease include red, thickened and scaly patches on the skin. Leaving a visible mark on those affected. This is the result of skin cells reproducing too quickly as a result of the immune response. The body is not able to shed these cells as they produce, resulting in the commonly seen Psoriasis symptoms. More than 8 million Americans and 125 million individuals worldwide have been diagnosed.  It has been found that psoriasis is a genetic autoimmune disorder but is worsened by illness, stress, alcohol and other potential factors. … Read More

  With summer right around the corner, many people start thinking about whitening their teeth. Although there are certain considerations to be made, almost anyone can whiten their teeth! This month we’ll discuss the safety of tooth whitening as well as the options we provide for our patients. Is it safe to whiten my teeth? One of the most frequent questions regarding whitening we receive is, “Is it safe?” When used as directed,  both over the counter products and in-office procedures are safe for your teeth. Enamel Damage may occur when these products are overused, but if you’re able to … Read More

  We are in full bloom here at Dental Care of Vashon! If you’ve passed us on the highway you’ve probably noticed how beautiful our yard is; with purple, pink, red and white flowers, we are truly blessed to have such a nice space. The hummingbirds seem to agree, as they visit us throughout the day to collect nectar from the budding flowers.  This time of year, island living is easy and we want to share some of our favorite summer activities and traditions with you. This time of year the island starts to glow with nature’s beauty. The trees … Read More

We are excited to kick off a new blog series this month! 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 boundless diseases that affect many systems of the body. There are multiple different types of autoimmune diseases, though they all share one common factor; 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. Women tend to carry … Read More

Did you know that 1 in 3 American adults are missing at least one tooth? That’s 178 million people! Nearly 40 million Americans have no natural teeth at all.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 to see tooth loss at this level. It used to be that if you were missing teeth your only option for replacement was a full or partial denture or a bridge. Technology has come such … Read More

The New Year is off to a full sprint here at Dental Care of Vashon! With most insurance benefits resetting in January our team has been working harder than ever. Our number one goal is to provide our patients with the highest quality care. With many helpful hands, we make quick work of a busy schedule. From our front desk staff to our assistants, hygienists and doctors, we want to be an inspiration to other dental teams. This year we are focusing on building our team even more. Despite spending 8 hours a day with each other, it can be … Read More

The rising rates of drug addiction in the US are well known. With local news stations taking a hard look at our country’s epidemic, Americans are more aware than ever. All too often we hear heartbreaking stories of loved ones struggling with addiction.  Drug addiction has debilitating effects on families, communities and individuals. As dental professionals, we are trained to look for oral signs of drug abuse. It is a difficult but necessary conversation to have.  Our patient’s overall health is our main concern. If you know someone who is struggling with addiction, please share the Substance Abuse and Mental … Read More

  As dental providers of course we are focused on your oral hygiene, but we also care about your overall health. All too often we see patients who take great care of their bodies, but still have poor oral hygiene, why is this? Most individuals treat their mouths as a separate entity from the rest of their body, not realizing that there is a strong link to many other health issues. This blog will focus on oral hygiene and its correlation to heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US. … Read More

Improved Oral Health in 2019 As we welcome 2019 many of us have our New Year resolutions fresh in our minds. Year after year “Health” resolutions are at the top of almost everyone’s list for improvement. Most commonly these goals include losing weight, eating a healthier diet and being more physically active. Putting your health at the top of your list is great, but statistics tell us less than 10% of New Year Resolutions are ever met. Below we are sharing some helpful tips to improve your oral health and ultimately your overall health. Here are some goals you can … Read More

We have watched the rain fall, the puddles grow and the ground turn to colors of red and yellow leaves. Vashon can truly be a beautiful place to be during the fall season as long as you can enjoy the rainy weather. For most locals the rain doesn’t slow them down a bit. Our team here wants to share some of our favorite things to do to beat the rainy-day blues. During this time of year our assistant Christina uses the extra time indoors to relax and practice some meditation. Our hygienist Cheryl is turning the rock music up to … Read More