Yes. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, and it is fully reversible. Because it affects only the gums and not the bone underneath, better daily brushing and flossing plus a professional cleaning can return your gums to health, often within a couple of weeks. The key is catching it early. I talk about gingivitis almost every day, and it is one of the more pleasant conversations I get to have in the chair. Not many diagnoses come with "we can completely undo this" att

Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are almost always a sign of inflammation, usually the early stage of gum disease called gingivitis. The good news is that at this stage it is reversible. Bleeding is your body's early warning, not a lost cause, and catching it now means simpler treatment and a much easier road than waiting. Why Are My Gums Bleeding? Plaque, nearly every time. Plaque is the soft film of bacteria that builds up along the gumline every day. When it sits th

It depends on the tooth. Sealants are one of the simplest, most conservative ways to keep a cavity from ever starting in a molar with deep grooves. But not every molar has deep grooves, and not every kid is at the same risk. We look at the actual tooth and tell you honestly whether it makes sense. I'll be upfront about how I think about this. My whole approach to dentistry is to prevent rather than intervene, treat each tooth as its own case, and be honest about when somethin

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Your child should see a dentist by their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth coming in, whichever comes first. That sounds early to most parents. The first visit is mostly a look around and a conversation, and starting young is what makes dental visits easy for the rest of their life. Babies use their mouths all day long, so it is worth taking care of them early. Why So Early? My Child Only Has a Few Teeth A one year old with fou

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and you're always allowed to ask. A crown is the right call when a tooth is cracked or too broken down for a filling to hold. But not every tooth needs one, and a second opinion is reasonable any time a treatment plan surprises you. Here's how to tell the difference, what to ask, and when a second look is worth your time. I'm a dentist telling you it's okay to question your dentist. I mean it, so let's get into it. When do

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS An infected tooth won't heal on its own. Left untreated, the infection spreads: the nerve dies, an abscess forms, and it can move into the surrounding bone and nearby tissues. You'll most likely lose the tooth, face more complex and expensive treatment, and in rare cases a dental infection can turn serious. A root canal stops all of that while the tooth can still be saved. Nobody's excited to hear they need a root canal, and "just wait and see" is tem

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS A root canal removes the infected or inflamed tissue from inside your tooth, disinfects the hollow canals where that tissue lived, and seals them, so we can save the natural tooth instead of pulling it. Despite the reputation, a modern root canal feels a lot like getting a filling. The procedure relieves typically relieves the pain; it doesn't cause it. There are exeptions but most patients who are expereincing discomfort often feel better after the p

A CEREC crown is designed, milled, and bonded in our office in a single visit. A digital scan replaces the goopy impression, the mill carves your crown from a solid ceramic block while you wait, and you leave with the finished crown. No temporary, no second appointment.

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS For most teeth, yes. Same-day crowns are milled from the same ceramics dental labs use, lithium disilicate and zirconia. Long-term studies show comparable fit and durability. They're also bonded the same day the tooth is shaped, which means less sensitivity. A few cases still call for a lab, and we'll tell you when yours is one. If you're asking this question, you're probably wondering whether "one visit" is code for "cutting corners." Fair. Let's tak

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Our in-office SprintRay MIDAS 3D printer Our in-office 3D printer builds precise dental appliances layer by layer from a digital scan of your mouth: implant surgical guides, night guards, models, and temporary restorations, with printed permanent restorations arriving fast. For you, that means fewer visits, better-fitting appliances, and implant placement planned to a fraction of a millimeter. Most people hear "3D printing at the dentist" and picture

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Dental veneers are thin custom shells, usually made of porcelain, composite, or advanced 3D-printed ceramic, that are bonded to the front of teeth to improve their color, shape, size, or alignment. They can dramatically improve a smile, but the right approach depends on the individual: the condition of the teeth, the bite, the gums, and what you actually want to change. If you've been researching veneers after seeing them on TV, on Instagram, or in a

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Diet is one of the biggest factors in cavity risk. Cavities are caused by acid produced when bacteria in the mouth digest sugar and refined carbs, producing acid which dissolves the enamel. The frequency of exposure matters more than the total amount eaten. What you eat and how often you eat it has a bigger impact than most people realize, and processed foods are especially hard on teeth because of hidden sugars and how often they're snacked on. Often

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS A child should have their first dental visit by age 1, or within six months of their first tooth coming in. The first visit is short, gentle, and focused on helping the child feel comfortable at the dentist. Both the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend this timing, and here at Family Dental Care of Bellevue, we're always happy to welcome your little one. A child's first dental visit is short, gen

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Fluoride used to be the most boring topic in dentistry. Then it started making national headlines, states removing it from drinking water, federal agencies launching new reviews, and a lot of worried conversation online. If you've found yourself standing in the toothpaste aisle wondering whether you should switch to the fluoride-free stuff, you're not alone. Parents ask us about this almost every week now. It's a fair question, and it deserves a strai

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS You're reclined in the chair, and you hear numbers like your hygienist is calling out lottery results: "Three, two, three. Four, three, four." Most patients have no idea what's happening. Some assume it's a grade. (It's not, nobody's failing.) It's called periodontal charting, or perio charting, and it's one of the most useful few minutes of your entire visit. Here's what we're actually doing. What is perio charting? Your gums don't attach to your tee

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS A modern root canal is not painful. With current anesthesia and techniques, most patients describe the procedure as feeling similar to getting a filling. The pain associated with root canals is usually caused by the infected tooth before treatment, not by the procedure itself. If you have been told you may need a root canal, it is completely understandable to feel nervous. The words carry decades of cultural baggage. But the reality of a modern root c

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS If you wake up with a sore jaw, hear clicking or popping when you chew, or get frequent tension headaches, the cause may be your jaw joint, the TMJ. At our Bellevue office, Dr. Bauer treats TMJ disorders with a conservative, step-by-step approach, and for the right patients, therapeutic Xeomin can be a remarkably effective way to relieve the muscle tension behind the pain. Here's how we think about jaw pain and where Xeomin fits in. Dr. Bauer uses the

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Here's a fun fact to chew on this Fourth of July: George Washington's famous dentures were never made of wood. The real story is stranger, and a lot grosser, than the legend, and it's a great reminder of just how far dentistry has come in 250 years. So as the country celebrates its founding, let's take a quick, slightly squeamish look at the mouth of the Father of Our Country. So What Were Washington's Dentures Actually Made Of? Forget wood. Washingto

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Curodont is a drill-free, needle-free treatment that uses a biomimetic peptide to regenerate tooth enamel damaged by early-stage decay. Instead of removing tooth structure with a drill, it works with your body to rebuild the minerals a cavity has started to take away. For patients in Bellevue looking for a non-invasive way to treat early cavities, it offers a gentle alternative to the traditional drill and fill. At our office, this fits a question we

By Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Dental x-rays are imaging tools that allow dentists to see areas of the teeth, gums, and jaw that aren't visible during a regular exam. They're essential for diagnosing cavities, infections, bone loss, and planning treatment. We hear this question often, and it's a fair one. X-rays let us see what's happening between, around, and below your teeth, areas that simply can't be evaluated with a visual exam or mirror alone. They're how we catch problems wh