Dr. Johnson’s Dental Blog

Excellence In Dentistry specializes in local dentistry to provide that special, local dental care to our Anchorage, Alaska dental patients.

Excellence In Dentistry provides local dentistry and cosmetic dentistry to the city of Anchorage in the state of Alaska. We also provide local dentistry services to our neighboring areas including Wasilla and Palmer.

Our most popular local dentistry procedure is restoring smiles, however we also perform several dental implants.

You can contact Excellence In Dentistry about restoring smiles or placing dental implants, or any other local dentistry service by calling us at 907-349-0022.

If you live in the 99515 zip code area, and are looking for a ‘home town dentist’ who provides local dentistry to the Anchorage, Alaska area, click on any of the links on this page, give us a call at 907-349-0022, or stop by and visit. You can find us at 1000 East O’Malley, Suite 101 in Anchorage, Alaska.

For your health, beauty and well-being

As your local Eagle River dentist, one of my roles is to help you take care of your mouth. Sometimes mouth sores can be an issue, and while Eagle River dentists often defer to an oral surgeon for extreme cases, we can help you make an assessment.

If you live in the Eagle River area and have a mouth sore that lasts more than a week or two; come and see me. Mouth sores can be an indicator of disease, and an early assessment is the best bet. A better understanding of your mouth sores can lead quickly to comfort and a resolution. If necessary, treatment and pain relief can be offered.

There are two common types of mouth sores that are common in the Eagle River area; canker sores and cold sores.

Canker sores are small ulcer-like sores with a white or gray base and a red border. They are found on the inside of the mouth and while they are not contagious, they can be painful. Typically a canker sore heals in a week or two. Antimicrobal mouth-rinses, over-the-counter topical anesthetics, and avoiding spicy and acidic foods may offer you temporary relief while your sore is healing.

The cause of a canker sores is not certain. Possible explanations range from a cut on the inside the mouth, and reactions to extreme temperatures or acids from food or drink, to fatigue, stress, and allergies. Some studies point to bacteria or viruses, or combinations of all these factors.

Cold sores, also called fever blisters or Herpes Simplex, are groups of fluid-filled blisters that often appear around the lips, sometimes appearing under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores are contagious and painful, but usually heal in about a week. Some over-the-counter anesthetics may provide relief. There are some antiviral drugs on the market that have shown promise in reducing outbreaks, but there is currently no known cure. The initial infection, known as primary herpes, often occurs before adulthood. Once the virus infects you, it may stay in your body and remain inactive or cause occasional cold sore outbreaks. Outbreaks may be triggered by a fever, sunburn, skin abrasions, stress, or exposure to extremes in temperature.

As your Eagle River dentist, I can’t do much to stop canker sores or cold sores in your mouth. I can discuss the health of your mouth, and examine any causes that make your mouth sore. In some cases a change in the way you care for your mouth can reduce the chances of getting mouth sores. If you are in the Anchorage, and would like to speak with a dental professional about mouth sores, area give us a call at Excellence In Dentistry.

Our number is 907-349-0022.

I’m Dr. Kirk Johnson DDS of Excellence In Dentistry in Anchorage. My Eagle River dentistry clients often ask me if chewing xylitol gum is an effective substitute for tooth brushing and regular Anchorage dental exams.

Before I answer that question, let me tell you a little bit about xylitol:

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first discovered in birch tree bark but is also found in many fruits and vegetables. Unlike most other sweeteners (natural or synthetic), xylitol is actually good for your teeth. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that xylitol prevents the growth of the bacteria that initiates decay. It also reduces plaque and strengthens tooth enamel.

Xylitol has other benefits, as well. Because it is low on the glycemic index, many of my Wasilla diabetic patients enjoy it as a healthy alternative to sugar. If my Southern Alaska cosmetic dentistry patients complain about frequent dry mouth, I recommend Xylitol gum or mints to stimulate saliva production without promoting tooth decay.

Now, back to the golden question. Is xylitol gum just as effective as brushing your teeth and seeing your Eagle River family dentist regularly? Absolutely not! If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, chewing xylitol gum for five or ten minutes is probably a good idea. However, you should still brush your teeth thoroughly (with a soft brush) after meals and get twice-yearly exams and oral dentistry deep cleanings at your Anchorage dentistry clinic.

At Excellence In Dentistry, our goal is to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life by preventing dental problems before they start. If you postpone Palmer dental visits until you feel pain, you risk losing teeth and most certainly will require more extensive treatment than if the problem was caught earlier. Is it time for a dental exam? Call us at 907-349-0022 to book an appointment. Our caring is waiting to take care of all your dental needs.

Patients often come into our Anchorage Alaska dental practice and complain about ‘a toothache the size of Eagle River’. I understand this kind of pain, and realize that when you describe it like that, it really hurts. I can help.

Tooth ache pain for anyone in Anchorage can be unbearable. At the very least, toothache pain can cause you to avoid eating certain foods, certain temperatures, and even talking. Severe toothache pain can be downright debilitating, forcing patients to go to extreme measures to alleviate the pain.

Around Anchorage, the most common causes of a tooth ache include tooth infection, decay, injury, and loss of a tooth. Tooth pain can also occur after a tooth has been extracted, or after an oral surgery involving anything from a tooth or your jawbone.

I can help you better understand the source of your tooth ache pain, and in most cases can provide a nearly immediate remedy. In severe cases, we are equipped to council you on a variety of resolutions.

Of course, the best way to avoid tooth ache pain is to visit your Anchorage dentist often, and to care properly for your teeth including the regular regimen of brushing and flossing.

If you are experiencing tooth ache pain, and just can’t stand it any more, please give me a call; I am standing by to help.

-Dr. Kirk Johnson, DDS

907-349-0022

Alaska is known for its beautiful smiles, and our local Anchorage community is no exception. Keeping your teeth clean is an important factor in maintaining your beautiful Anchorage smile. One of the benefits of regularly visiting your local Anchorage Alaska dentist is a thorough teeth cleaning and a review of your brushing habits.

Our Anchorage dental hygienist helps you keep your teeth clean by assessing the condition of your teeth, and recommending improvements to your daily teeth cleaning habits. Our Anchorage oral hygienist can also professionally clean and polish your teeth at your regular Anchorage dental check up. You should schedule a regular dental check up every six months.

I am a general and cosmetic dentist and I work at Excellence In Dentistry located in the state of Alaska. We specialize in cosmetic dentistry in the Anchorage Alaska community, including the surrounding areas of Wasilla and Palmer.

Cleaning your teeth in Alaska is the simple task of removing plaque (a sticky deposit that gets left on teeth in which bacteria thrives) and tartar (a calcium deposit that forms on teeth and aids in tooth decay). This is done by brushing regularly with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and flossing. Brushing and flossing at least twice each day can keep plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth and results in cleaner, healthier teeth. A regular visit to your local Anchorage dental hygienist will help you stay on top of problems that can go unseen.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting your local Anchorage, Alaska dentist at least once every 6 months for a regular dental check up and teeth cleaning. These regular visits to your Alaska dentist potentially prevent the undetected development of problems that can occur from neglecting to clean your teeth.
To keep that beautiful Anchorage Alaska smile in good shape, come in for a dental check up and teeth cleaning.
Call Excellence In Dentistry in Anchorage Alaska to make an appointment. You can reach us right now at 907-349-0022.
Kirk Johnson DDS

We’re Excellence In Dentistry, and we practice family dentistry in Alaska.

If you are looking for a new Alaska family dentistry experience, Excellence In Dentistry is here for you.

I would like to invite you to bring your Alaska family in to our office and see for yourself. You can find us at 1000 East O’Malley, Suite 101, in Anchorage, AK. We serve the Alaska community including the 99515 zip code area.

Or just give us a call at 907-349-0022.

I look forward to seeing you.

-Dr. Kirk Johnson, dentist

Are you one of the fortunate Anchorage people with healthy teeth? Would you like to keep them healthy for the rest of your life? Many Anchorage dental clients believe that keeping their teeth healthy into the golden years is unlikely if not impossible.

At Excellence In Dentistry, we are happy to assure you that this is a myth. With proper dental hygiene, regular dental exams and cleanings, and a healthy lifestyle, your teeth can serve you throughout your life.

At Excellence In Dentistry, we help clients of all ages, including those in their seventies and eighties, maintain their beautiful smiles. Dentures are not inevitable. Even if you already wear dentures, don’t give up.

You can improve your smile and your life with new implant anchored dentures available in Anchorage at our state-of-the-art dental practice.

These new fixed dentures won’t slip and slide in your mouth, so you can start eating confidently again.

Our office is friendly and relaxed. You don’t need to worry about being embarrassed if your teeth have not seen a dentist or hygienist for a while. We can treat your dental problems and put you on the path for better oral health in the future.

Remember, without dental health, you are never truly healthy.

What is ‘ General Dentistry ‘? Here are a couple definitions, found from around the web:

The World Health Organization defines General Dentistry as “the science and art of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws and mouth”.

According to Wikipedia :

A dentist is a healthcare professional qualified to practice dentistry after graduating with a degree of either Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Bachelor of Dentistry (BDent), Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc), or Bachelor of Dental Surgery/Chirurgiae (BDS) or (BChD) or equivalent.

In most western countries, to become a qualified dentist one must usually complete at least 4 years of postgraduate study. Generally, 2 years of clinical experience working with patients in an educational setting are required.

If you have a need for General Dentistry in the Anchorage area, please give our practice a call. We are Excellence In Dentistry, and our general dentistry office is located at:

1000 East O’Malley, Suite 101
Anchorage, Alaska 99515

Give us a call at 907-349-0022 to schedule a general dentistry appointment in Anchorage, or to ask questions about general dentistry.

For your health, beauty and well-being

Top Ten Reasons To Visit Your Local Anchorage Dentist:

1. Check Up; it’s time, and this is the best way to avoid dental problems.
2. Clean Up; our dental hygienist is ready to give you a super clean smile.
3. Brush Up; if it has been a while since your last dental visit, it’s probably time to come in to learn about the new options we have for dental care.
4. Avoid pain; if you have dental pain and have been putting off a trip to the dentist, come in now. We specialize in relieving dental pain.
5. Fillings; we can find and fill all your dental cavities in almost no time at all. This will help you avoid more painful problems down the road, and helps ease some of those sensitivities to hot and cold.
6. Avoid gum disease; we can assess the health of your gums and suggest treatments or practices that are available to help you improve the health of your gums.
7. Ready for a whiter smile? We can help. We have tooth whitening options available that will brighten your smile and make your teeth whiter.
8. Tooth replacement; If you are missing a tooth, we can help restore your smile with the latest in tooth replacement technology.
9. Cosmetic dentistry is something everyone is considering to make improvements to their smile. We can help you assess the options and learn more about the possibilities of cosmetic dentistry.
10. Confidence: Nothing brings you more confidence than when you know you have a bright and beautifully healthy smile.

I’m Dr. Kirk Johnson, and I am a dentist in the Anchorage, Alaska community. If you are ready for professional dentistry, please give our office a call.

Give us a call at 907-349-0022, or visit us on our website at http://www.AnchorageSmiles.com.

I am a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. http://www.aacd.com

The American Dental Association offers some welcome advice for choosing a dentist in Anchorage. We have already talked about how word of mouth is an important factor in how many people find a dentist. Here are some things you should look for in an Anchorage dentist:

Location is always a factor when choosing a dentist. If you live in the Anchorage Alaska area, there are many options, and most locations are not too far out of the way. While location plays an important role in convenience, many people are willing to drive a little farther for a better experience with their Anchorage dentist.

Relationship is a strong factor. Your Anchorage dentist should be approachable, and should make you feel comfortable when you are in the dentist chair. After all, your Anchorage dentist will be working very close with you to help you achieve a high level of oral hygiene; you most certainly will want to have a good, professional, comfortable relationship with your dentist and the dental office staff.

Specialty is another important factor in choosing a dentist in Anchorage. Some dentists specialize in cosmetic dentistry. Others specialize in corrective dentistry such as braces. Depending on your need, you may select a local Anchorage dentist who can solve your immediate concern. Bare in mind, however, that it is good to have a general dentist who can maintain your dental history and work with you to through the years.

If you are looking for a dentist in Anchorage, please come by and speak with me. I can address your interest in any of these critical areas, and will be happy to introduce you to Excellence In Dentistry.

I look forward to meeting you.

-Dr. Kirk Johnson, DDS

907-349-0022