Those of you have known me for all of these years know I am NOT athletically inclined! However, last year my now daughter-in -law and I joined a great running group called Vancouver Fit, in which we trained to complete (notice I did NOT say run) a half marathon in June. Although I walked some, I DID IT...I completed the 13.1 miles without the aid of CPR! This year Heather and I are joined by 6 of our friends in once again training with Vancouver Fit for the Vancouver Half Marathon to be completed on Fathers Day in June. We meet each Sunday morning early, along with over 100 other runners, for seminars, a group run, and to pump each other up. It's very fun...well, not actually ALWAYS fun... those 11 mile training sessions are not so fun, but I feel great doing it, and enjoy improved health and great times with friends! It's not too late for anyone else to sign up that might be interested! If I can do it, anyone can!!

Caren ( the OLD hygienist!)

I love Thanksgiving.  I love the food and the family time.  I love that the focus is on being together. 

My family had a great Thanksgiving this year.  We have a tradition where we invite friends over for "pie night" on the night before Thanksgiving.  We do that because you are always too full to enjoy the pie on Thanksgiving day.  We had a great group of people and an amazing selection of pies this year. 

We spent two nights at our cabin near Swift Reservoir.  My wife Christy and my mother in law made an outstanding meal.  This was the first year for us to try 'brining' the turkey.  I highly recommend it.  We played games and I even beat my girls in Settlers of Catan which hardly ever happens.  We even did some target shooting with .22's.  Here are my top things that I am thankful for:

1.   My wife Christy and three beautiful daughters Alyssa, Avery, and Cassidy.

2.  My parents and  two brothers and two sisters (all of whom live in Idaho).

3.  A great group of people to work with every day.  Caren, Debbie, Shasta, Krista, and Christy.  I hear from our patients all the time what a great group they are and I agree. 

4.  Good health.

5.  Good friends. 

6.  A great group of patients that make it enjoyable to come to work every day. 

7.  I am grateful to be a "general dentist" because it brings so much variety to my day and keeps me sharp.

8. My faith.

9. Good books.  I just finished "The Help" and thought it was excellent.

10.  Cross-Fit.  I need more exercise in my life, and Cross-Fit has been a good motivator over the last two years. 

Sometimes it's good to actually write down the things that you are thankful for so that you can count your blessings and remember the things that are important.

Nathan

At Parkrose Dental Studio, we care about the long term health of our patient's teeth.  Professionally applied flouride has many benefits.  It is an important tool to help in the prevention of cavities.  Check out the article below from the Journal of the American Dental Association.  I have added some highlights.  --Dr. Dustin

Dental caries (tooth decay) is caused by acid-producing bacteria that collect around the teeth and gingivae (gums) in a sticky, clear film called "plaque." Without good daily oral hygiene and regular dental visits, teeth become more vulnerable to caries. Brushing twice a day and cleaning between teeth with floss or another type of inter-dental cleaner help remove plaque. Regular dental examinations and cleanings also are important for keeping teeth healthy.

Another key to good oral health is fluoride, a mineral that helps prevent caries and can repair teeth in the very early, microscopic stages of the disease. Fluoride can be obtained in two forms: topical and systemic.

Topical fluorides are applied directly to the tooth enamel. Some examples include fluoride tooth-pastes and mouthrinses, as well as fluoride treatments in the dental office.

Systemic fluorides are those that are swallowed. Examples include fluoridated water and dietary fluoride supplements. The maximum reduction in dental caries is achieved when fluoride is available both topically and systemically.

Dentists have used in-office fluoride treatments for decades to help protect the oral health of children and adults, especially patients who may be at a higher risk of developing caries. Some factors that may increase a person’s risk of developing caries include the following:

– poor oral hygiene;

– active caries;

– eating disorders;

– drug or alcohol abuse;

– lack of regular professional dental care;

– active orthodontic treatment combined with poor oral hygiene;

– high levels of caries-causing bacteria in the mouth;

– exposed root surfaces of teeth;

– decreased salivary flow, resulting in dry mouth;

– poor diet;

– existing restorations (fillings);

– tooth enamel defects;

– undergoing head and neck radiation therapy.

If you, or a family member, are at a moderate-to-high risk of developing caries, a professional fluoride treatment can help. The fluoride preparation used in the dental office is a much stronger concentration than that in toothpastes or fluoride mouthrinses that may be available in a store or at a pharmacy.

Professional fluoride treatments generally take just a few minutes. The fluoride may be in the form of a solution, gel, foam or varnish. Typically, it is applied with a cotton swab or brush, or it is used as a rinse or placed in a tray that is held in the mouth for several minutes.

After the treatment, you may be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride and help repair microscopic carious areas.

Depending on your oral health status, fluoride treatments may be recommended every three, six or 12 months. Your dentist also may recommend additional preventive measures if you are at a moderate or high risk of developing caries. These measures may include over-the-counter or prescription therapeutic products such as fluoride mouthrinses, gels or antibacterial mouthrinses.

Look for products with the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. Products displaying the ADA Seal have been examined carefully by the ADA’s Council on Scientific Affairs and have met its criteria for safety and effectiveness.  

Invisalign straightens your teeth invisibly right before your eyes.  More and more adults are choosing to have their teeth straightened.  Invisalign can accomplish this without the discomforts of metal brackets.  Our patients tell us that they appreciate having this service available to them in our office. Dr. Dustin has received advanced training in the use of Aligners to straigten teeth.  Our office is proud of the smiles we have been able to improve through the use of Invisalign.  There are several advantages to Invisalign over traditional braces.

• Invisalign is clear.  You can get the straight, beautuful smile you want without anyone knowing.

• Invisalign is removable.  You can take out the Aligners to brush your teeth and there are no restrictions on what you can eat.

• Invisalign promotes good oral health.  Straghter teeth are easier to brush and floss than crooked teeth.

• Invisalign is comfortable.  There are no sharp wires or metal brackets, just a smooth clear Aligner that moves your teeth gently.

• Invisalign saves time.  The aligners are constructed using 3D imaging technology making the results very predictable.  Most cases are finished with 1 year.     

Invisalign is truly an exciting part of our practice.  We enjoy seeing our patients get the "smile of their dreams". 

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE INVISALIGN EVALUATION TODAY!

Today’s dentistry is a far cry from years past. Patients today need not settle for obvious silver fillings because there are treatment options available that look just as beautiful as—if not better than—their own natural teeth. What’s more, many patients can be treated today without metal, and more and more tooth structure can be conserved, thanks to minimally-invasive techniques designed to help preserve natural dentin—an important part of healthy, strong teeth.

What many people might not know is that the same innovations that are revolutionizing business and technology are being clinically proven to enhance the precision and longevity of modern dental treatment options. Also, such technologies are making today’s modern dentistry more convenient, less time consuming, and more patient-friendly.

Introducing the E4D Dentist™ system—Modern Dentistry that Fits Your Lifestyle

For example, with the E4D Dentist system, instead of using traditionally inconvenient and messy impression materials, dentists can obtain clean, fast digital impressions in a few minutes using a laser scanner in the mouth. This laser scanning technology is not only extremely precise when “capturing” all of the details of a patient’s smile, but is also as safe as the check-out scanner at a grocery store. But, best of all, there is no need for a patient to hold unpleasant, possibly distasteful material in his or her mouth.

Then, while the patient watches, a dental professional custom-designs a crown, veneer, or filling perfectly suited for the patient based on his or her condition using the chairside, computer-based design center. From there, the information about the restoration is transferred to the in-office milling unit, where the patient’s crown, veneer, or filling is made. Shortly thereafter, it’s permanently seated in his or her mouth.

Benefits of Same Day Dentistry

With modern, state-of-the-art E4D Dentistry, patients don’t need to suffer through traditional impressions. They don’t need temporaries. And they don’t need to wait days—or more likely weeks—for their permanent restorations. That also means that they won’t have to be inconvenienced with the back-and-forth typically associated with crowns, veneers, and some types of fillings.

Rather, when E4D Dentistry is right for them, patients can be in and out of the dental office with their permanent, natural-looking and metal-free restorations in a single visit. E4D restorations are perfect for situations like chipped, worn or cracked teeth; teeth that are discolored or have gaps and spaces between them; teeth that have decay and/or old, worn fillings.

E4D—Right Around the Corner

You don’t have to travel far to experience the convenience and precision of E4D Dentistry. We’ve already invested in this innovative technology because we believe our patients deserve modern dentistry that fits their lifestyles. Simply call us at 503-255-5700 and we’ll be happy to answer your questions about E4D Dentistry.