Comprehensive Dentistry

Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Most dental plans run on the calendar year. Whatever is left of your annual maximum disappears on December 31, and your deductible starts over in January. If you have treatment you have been putting off, or you are due for a cleaning, November is the month to get it scheduled, because December fills up fast. Unused dental benefits run out with the calendar. Most plans reset on January 1. What is dental insurance actually for? Before any of the details, o

Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS 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. A healthy body begins with a healthy mouth. What Is Gingivitis, Exactly? I talk about gingivitis almost every day, and it is one of the more pleasant conversat

Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS 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 ever

Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS 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 hone

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 four t

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 pr

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, gentle

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 straight

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 teeth

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 hav

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 while

Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS We always choose the most conservative restoration that will give a lasting, predictable result, because once natural tooth structure is gone, it cannot be replaced. An onlay is a custom dental restoration that covers part of a tooth, while a crown covers the entire tooth. A conservative crown is a full crown prepared in a way that preserves as much natural tooth structure as possible. Restorations exist on a spectrum, from small fillings on one end to f

Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS A composite filling is a tooth-colored resin restoration that bonds directly to your tooth. We use composite fillings as the first line of treatment for cavities, to replace older worn-out fillings, and for small cosmetic improvements like direct composite veneers. It's the most conservative way to repair a tooth, we keep as much of your natural tooth as possible and add back only what's needed. If you've been told you need a filling, or you're wondering

Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Understanding the difference between a regular cleaning, a deep cleaning, and periodontal maintenance, and why getting the right one protects your health. Why "Just a Cleaning" Isn't Always the Right Answer Most patients walk into our office expecting "a cleaning", and assume that means the same thing every time. In reality, there are three distinct types of cleanings, and each one is designed to treat a specific condition of your gums and supporting bon