Dr. Johnson's Dentistry Blog

When is the last time you had a dental checkup? Most people in the Anchorage area between the ages of 20 and 70 need a dental checkup every six months. If you live in Anchorage and are at higher risk for oral diseases, you should have your teeth checked every four months, or at least three times a year.

Come into our office, located at 1000 East O’Malley, Suite 101, in Anchorage, Alaska, or give us a call to make a dental appointment. You can visit our website at http://www.AnchorageSmiles.com for more information.

Most people in our Anchorage community are in a medium to low risk category. However if you use tobacco or alcohol, eat a lot of sugar in your diet (including lots of soda), or have poor oral hygiene habits, you are likely in a higher risk category and should have your teeth checked right away.

I look at a lot of factors to determine your personal dental hygiene, and your dental outlook for your future. I want you to have the healthiest smile possible so that you can enjoy your teeth for many years without significant problems. If you live in the Anchorage area and are ready to have your teeth checked, please give Excellence In Dentistry a call at (907) 349-0022.

Our caring staff will be ready to get you started with a dental checkup.

Talk to you soon.

�Kirk Johnson DDS, Dental check ups for the Anchorage community

Periodontal disease in Alaska is more common than you might think, and can be cured with varying degrees of treatment depending on the severity.

What is periodontal disease? According to this article on Wikipedia, periodontal disease is ‘the name of a collection of inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth.’

Periodontal disease, more commonly called ‘gum disease’, is an inflammation or infection of the gums. Periodontal disease can be very painful in some extreme conditions, and can limit your ability to eat normally. In some cases, periodontal disease can affect your smile, and can create cosmetic concerns.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause irreversible damage. When caught early and treated, periodontal disease can be little more than an inconvenience. However the best policy is to practice good dental hygiene to keep periodontal disease at bay.

One of the best ways to avoid periodontal disease is to get a regular dental check up at your local Anchorage dentist.

Give us a call at 907-349-0022 to schedule your next dental checkup; we look forward to seeing you.

� Dr. Kirk Johnson

There are a lot of places to look for a dentist, but its not always easy to find a dentist in Anchorage.

It used to be that in Anchorage you could find a dentist just by walking down to the corner of the street. Like many small towns, there would be a dentist on the corner of ‘north and main’, just up from the fire house, and across from the bakery.

Today, finding a dentist around Anchorage can take a little more time, and a little more effort. Our local Anchorage community is spread out a little more, and there is more than one option for finding a local dentist in Anchorage.

Let’s look at a few of the ways to find a local dentist in Anchorage:

The old timers among us still reach for the yellow pages when we look to find a dentist in our local Anchorage community. The yellow pages have been a standard for dentists since the beginning, and are a quick way to get a good list of local Anchorage dentists.

Studies are showing an ever increasing number of Anchorage consumers are turning to their Internet connection to find a dentist. To find a dentist online can mean more than just a name and a phone number; many dentists, like us, have additional information on their website that will help you gain a better understanding of their practice and the services they provide.

Many people find a dentist in the Anchorage community through printed mailers and flyers that come to your door. Anchorage dentists spend a lot of money on these types of flyers, which can often carry a discount opportunity or special promotion.

The most popular method used to find a local dentist? …Word of mouth. Studies have shown that people in Anchorage are more willing to listen to a family member or close friend when it comes to finding a local Anchorage dentist.

We understand this last point, and make it our job to keep our patients happy, healthy, informed and comfortable during their visit to the dentist. We know if you leave happy, your friends and family in the Anchorage area will hear about us, too.

If you are looking for a dentist in Anchorage, please give us a call. You can reach us at 907-349-0022.

If you know a friend who is trying to find a dentist in the Anchorage area, please pass our name along.

We look forward to seeing you both!

PS: Just click on the words ‘find a dentist’ in this article to visit our online dental website.

Do you suspect that you have bad breath? I’m Dr. Kirk Johnson of Excellence In Dentistry, a full-service dental office in Anchorage, Alaska. I help our dental patients diagnose and overcome this unpleasant and potentially embarrassing condition.

Halitosis is caused by the bacteria that live on and around your teeth, gums and tongue. Breath mints and mouthwashes do not cure bad breath, they only mask the symptoms. Proper oral hygiene can cure many cases of bad breath. However, in some cases, bad breath is caused by more serious conditions. Sinus and tonsil infections, acid reflux, ulcers, diabetes, hypoglycemia, kidney malfunction, and eating disorders are just some of the health issues that can cause bad breath.

If you have bad breath, the first thing to do is make sure you are cleaning your teeth, gums and tongue thoroughly. This does not mean you should brush as long and forcefully as possible. Brushing too vigorously can harm gums and contribute to gum recession. At Excellence In Dentistry, we help patients of all ages learn safe and effective brushing, flossing and tongue cleaning methods.

And don’t forget regular professional cleanings. Our friendly dental hygienist is trained in the latest and most effective deep-cleaning procedures. Your teeth feel so good after being cleaned professionally!

To make an appointment for an exam, cleaning or consultation, call Dr. Kirk Johnson at Excellence in Dentistry at 907-349-0022. Your teeth are too important to neglect.

Dental crowns have been used in dentistry for over 2000 years. There is evidence that the Etruscans experimented with crowns on teeth using ivory and bone as early as 700 B.C. By 200 A.D., they began using gold crowns to construct artificial teeth. Ancient Egyptians fashioned tooth replacements out of seashells and then hammered them into their gums (Oral sedation, anyone?).

Porcelain crowns were first used in the 1800s. With the refining of metal casting methods in the 1900s, crown dentistry advanced significantly.

Today, crowns are strong, comfortable and are made to match your surrounding teeth.

Dental crowns (also called caps) cover the entire visible portion of the tooth and are cemented in place. Crowns are used to strengthen teeth that have been worn down or weakened by decay or injury. Crowns are also used to restore the original shape of a tooth or solely to improve the appearance of a tooth.

The most common types of crowns are:

• All-porcelain (ceramic)
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal
• Gold

The material used is determined by several factors. If you suspect you need a crown, want to replace an old crown, or want to learn about other cosmetic dentistry procedures, call dentist Dr. Kirk Johnson at 907-349-0022. Excellence In Dentistry is located at 1000 East O’Malley, Suite 101, Anchorage, AK in Anchorage. We have been serving clients in the Eagle River area since 1987. We can recommend the best tooth restoration or cosmetic dentistry option for you.

Though most parents know the basics of children’s dental care, Anchorage dentists continue to see cavities in young children.

Caring for your infant’s teeth should begin even before they erupt. To prevent bacteria growth, parents can wash their baby’s gums with a wet washcloth after feedings.

Babies should never be put to bed with a bottle, no matter how tempting it is for tired parents. The sugars in milk or juice that stay in contact with teeth for hours can damage the enamel. When your child gets his first tooth, it is time to brush. Parents should use non-fluoride toothpaste until the child is two years old. Then, use only a tiny dab. Young children often swallow toothpaste while brushing. If a child ingests too much fluoride, teeth can become stained.

When a child is old enough to brush his own teeth, an adult should go over them after the child finishes to make sure they are clean. Most children thoroughly clean the chewing surfaces, but often fail to clean the backsides and gumline. Consult the child-friendly staff at Excellence In Dentistry about dental sealants.

Monitor your child’s meals and snacks. We all know that sugary snacks are not only bad for growing bodies; they are also bad for teeth. Scheduling set times to drink anything other than water during the day can also help prevent cavities.

To schedule a dental pediatric consultation, call Dr. Kirk Johnson at 907-349-0022. I provide Anchorage area dental care for children and families.

• Dr. Kirk Johnson
• Visit our Home Page

Many people will experience at least one tooth emergency in their life. You could break a tooth playing a sport, accidentally dislodge a dental crown, experience sudden pain caused by an abscess or break a wire on your braces. In the case of a dental emergency, see your Anchorage dentist as soon as possible!

Following are some immediate treatments:
Broken Tooth: Save any tooth fragments. Rinse mouth with warm water. If the area is bleeding, apply a piece of gauze. A cold compress held on the cheek can reduce swelling and lessen pain. Visit your Anchorage dentist as soon as you can.

Lost Filling: Save the filling if you can. It can help your dentist determine why it came out. Do not let food get stuck in the hole left by the filling. Do not chew on the tooth. Brush it gently. Call your Anchorage dentist’s office to schedule an emergency appointment right away.

Displaced Crowns: If there is pain, you may apply a dab of clove oil with a Q-tip to the affected tooth (a common home remedy that may reduce pain). Save the crown. If you can’t see your Anchorage dentist immediately, you can apply dental cement (available at drugstores) or denture adhesive to temporarily re-attach the crown until you can get to your Anchorage dentist. Do not use other types of glue or adhesive.

By visiting your Anchorage dentist as soon as possible, you avoid pain, infection and possible further tooth damage. If you delay treatment, even for a few days, you risk needing more extensive treatment later.

For dental emergencies in and around Eagle River, call Dr. Kirk Johnson at Excellence In Dentistry. Our phone number is 907-349-0022.

For your health, beauty and well-being.

Wisdom teeth are the last of the molars (grinding teeth) to erupt from the gum. They usually appear in the late teens and early twenties. Not all people develop these teeth while others have from one to four.

Though some people never experience any problems with these extra molars, many times Wisdom teeth can create serious dental complications. If the wisdom teeth do not have the room to develop and erupt normally, they are referred to as impacted wisdom teeth. An impacted tooth may never emerge from the bone and gum, emerge only partially, or come in sideways.

Impacted teeth can damage the adjacent molar, cause infection or trigger gum disease. Sometimes these problems cause no noticeable symptoms for a period of time. To prevent these serious complications, wisdom teeth are often removed.

Wisdom teeth symptoms include pain when opening mouth, gum swelling, bad breath, and pain when chewing. These indicators can be constant or intermittent.

To learn more about wisdom teeth extraction, call 907-349-0022 to schedule an exam at Excellence In Dentistry. Our caring dental team can recommend the best course of treatment.

Excellence In Dentistry

Providing comprehensive dental care for Anchorage and Eagle River area families since 1987.

When the upper part of the jaw and the lower part of the jaw are not the same size, bite problems can occur. When the lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw, it is called an overbite. When the reverse is true, it is called an underbite. Another related alignment disorder is called a crossbite. Crossbites occur when lower teeth are in the wrong position. They may be incorrectly positioned sideways, forward or backward.

Malocclusion (literally ‘bad bite’) is the term used for all types of bite problems including overbites, underbites and crossbites. Jaw alignment disorders can cause a range of problems and often prohibit proper chewing and/or swallowing. Teeth can shift around in the mouth, causing even more discomfort or difficulty. Gum disease and tooth decay are also harder to prevent because proper oral hygiene can be difficult with a malocclusion. TMJ disorder can develop over time. Distorted facial shape and unattractive teeth are often the most noticeable and troubling issues for those affected.

Fortunately, there are a variety of effective treatments for bite problems. If you suspect your child has a bite misalignment, it is especially important to have them examined as early as possible. By starting early, you can make sure they avoid years of pain and self-consciousness.

Call Excellence In Dentistry at 907-349-0022. Dentist Dr. Kirk Johnson, DDS is experienced in diagnosing bite disorders in patients of all ages. We can create a successful treatment plan for you. We also perform restoring smiles and placing dental implants for Eagle River area dental clients.

-Excellence In Dentistry

Some people experience severe anxiety when undergoing dental treatment. With oral conscious sedation, it is possible to relax during dental procedures instead of being tense and fearful. Oral sedation dentistry, relaxation dentistry, conscious sedation and anxiety-free dentistry are all terms used to describe this type of treatment. In addition to alleviating anxiety, oral conscious sedation can help patients with a variety of conditions.

You may want to consider oral conscious sedation if you have any of the following issues:

• Strong gag reflex
• Fear of needles
• Sensitive teeth
• Fear and anxiety associated with dental treatment
• Difficulty getting numb
• A history of negative dental experiences
• Trouble controlling body movement due to Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy or related condition
• Need extensive dental treatment requiring lengthy dental visits

If you have avoided dental treatment due to any of these factors, give us a call at 907-349-0022. We can give you more information about sedation options and help you determine which one is right for you. At Excellence In Dentistry we do all we can to make your visit as comfortable as possible. We look forward to discussing your oral health and dental goals.

• Dr. Kirk Johnson, DDS
• http://www.anchoragesmiles.com/services/sedation.htm
• Excellence In Dentistry
• 1000 East O’Malley, Suite 101, Anchorage, AK
• Anchorage, Alaska 99515
• 907-349-0022

Serving Anchorage dental patients since 1987.

for your health, beauty and well-being