Category Archives: General Dentistry

This post from Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise examines the complexity of human saliva. Saliva has a way of making some people squeamish, but it is important to your dental health.

Saliva is, in fact, a finely balanced body fluid that helps to maintain dental health, and also aids in digestion. So, without further ado, here are its main components.

1. Water. No surprise here! You saliva consists mostly of water.

2. Enzymes. Enzymes are vital biological catalysts that speed chemical reactions. The enzymes in saliva begin the process of digestion.

3. Immunoproteins. These are effective cells that fight cellular invaders, such as bacteria. Those in saliva inhibit the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth. This is essential to avoiding gingivitis and keeping a healthy pH balance in the mouth.

4. Minerals. Saliva minerals assist in maintaining the protective enamel surface of the teeth.

Most people produce enough saliva, but some suffer from dry mouth, which is a lack of saliva. This is a serious condition, because it causes the gums and tongue to get swollen, and can even accelerate tooth decay. If you’re coping with dry mouth, don’t wait until your next appointment, let us know right away.

Your body makes up to four pints of saliva every single day. Sound like a lot? It’s perfectly normal, and just what you need for ideal dental health. Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise provides general and family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and sedation dentistry. Make an appointment with us today!

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

So you’ve lost some teeth, and hesitate to smile because of the gaps. If only you could go back in time and regain that full-toothed smile you once had. Guess what? With dental implants from Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise, you can!

For most patients, a dental implant is an ideal replacement for a missing tooth. The implant itself is a titanium post that is surgically implanted in your jaw. An artificial (restoration) goes on top of that.

The feel and function of dental implants is so genuine that many recipients forget that they’re even there. Since the implant is anchored to the jawbone, it is solidly in place. And because they fill the space where the tooth root once was, they protect healthy bone and prevent bone recession.

For those patients missing most or all of their teeth, dental implants can be used to anchor dentures in place. They are much firmer in the jaw, and most patients say they’re a lot more comfortable than traditional dentures.

Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise provides dental implants, and much more. We offer general and family dentistry, and a range of cosmetic dentistry procedures. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

One of the most important aspects of good dental health is daily brushing with an effective toothpaste. In this post from Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise, we’ll discuss toothpaste – and maybe tell you more about it than you ever thought you would know.

Toothpaste as we know it has only been in existence since the late 1800s. The earliest evidence of toothpaste or dental cream dates back to 3000-5000 BC. The Ancient Egyptians pulverized oxen hooves, egg shells, pumice, myrrh, and water creating one of the earliest forms of toothpaste.

The Greeks and Romans began adding crushed bones and bark to the mix. The idea, presumably, was to make it more abrasive. No minty fresh breath in those days! The taste, most likely, was hard to take. During this same time the people of China and India were using a similar paste, but adding flavorings, like Ginseng and herbal mints making it a bit more palatable.

Modern toothpastes began in the 1800s. The earliest toothpastes weren’t much like what we know today: most were powders, and some had soap and chalk in them. A description of toothpaste from the 1860s mentions charcoal.

Toothpaste first appeared in a tube in the 1980s. By 1914, fluoride was added. These pastes were much like what we know today.

This ends our brief history of toothpaste. At Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise, we want to help our patients have excellent dental health and bright smiles. We provide general and family dentistry, professional teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry, and sedation dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

Dental crowns have been around for thousands of years and are still used to restore smiles today. Ancient dentists used ivory, bone, and seashells to make crowns for teeth. At Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise, our procedures and materials have kept up with the times.

A dental crown procedure consists of numerous steps:

Tooth Preparation
We anesthetize the tooth to be crowned and then prepare it. All decay is removed and what remains is shaped. Sometimes, the tooth is too small; in that case, we build up the core of the tooth with filling material to create a heavy-duty base for the crown.

Creating a Good Impression
A putty-like substance is used to create an impression of the tooth and surrounding teeth. An impression will also be made of the teeth that oppose the crown. This ensures a proper bite.

The Temporary Crown
As the permanent crown is made in a lab, a temporary crown is used to protect the tooth and make sure it doesn’t move in the mouth. Patients need to be careful with their temporary crown. It is not as strong as the permanent crown and is attached only with temporary cement. Avoid chewing gum and eating sticky foods. The tooth may be sensitive to hot and cold.

Choosing a Color
We’ll use a shade guide to settle upon a shade for the crown. Most people don’t have teeth the exact same color. You will need to ascertain the best shade to blend in with the surrounding teeth.

Your Crown Is Put In Place
When the new crown is ready, we place it in your mouth and make any necessary adjustments for fit. This process shouldn’t be rushed. Sometimes less than a millimeter of drilling can make the difference between an ill-fitting crown one that is just right.

Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise has long experience with dental crowns. We also provide popular cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening, and much more.

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

Dental technology has expanded in Boise and across the United States in recent years. There are options now that were undreamed of, just a few decades ago.

One of the most significant advances is dental implants. Implants consist of an artificial tooth attached to a titanium post that is implanted into the patient’s jaw . It’s the post that is the implant, and it replaces the root of a missing tooth.

The idea of dental implants is not all that new. Anthropologists have discovered evidence of implants being performed by ancient Mayans. By modern standards, they were very crude. And we don’t even want to think about how those implants were inserted into the patients’ jaws.

A modern dental implant provides many important advantages over a dental bridge or dentures:

• Longevity – Dental implants are tough and permanent, meaning with proper care they can last ten years or more.
• Seamless – Fabricated to have the same shape, size and color of the original tooth, the implant will blend seamlessly with all the other teeth. If the original tooth had aesthetic issues, these can frequently be fixed with the implant crown.
• Function – A dental implant functions like a natural tooth allowing for normal eating and speaking.
• Convenience – Unlike dentures, no adhesives, rinsing, or removal is necessary.
• Independent – Like the missing tooth, the dental implant is treated individually. No damaging of adjacent teeth is required, as with dental bridges. This independence allows nearby teeth to remain intact. Cleaning is easier than with most dental bridges which can require the threading of floss under and around the artificial tooth.

If you are interested in a dental implant, call Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise to schedule a  consultation. If you are a good candidate for the procedure, the process can begin. We also provide family and general dentistry, and look forward to meeting you!

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

Teeth whitening has become one of the easiest ways to upgrade your smile. And with cosmetic dentistry from Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise, there is little effort and no pain.

Blaisdell Family Dentistry can help you understand your options for teeth whitening and the results you can expect from the procedures we offer.

Over-the-counter whitening systems can give pretty good results, but many users aren’t satisfied with what they get. The simple truth is that the results you get from professional whitening far surpasses anything that comes from a tube.

Blaisdell Family Dentistry can help you whiten your teeth effectively and get spectacular results. We provide Zoom! teeth whitening, which can transform your teeth in a single visit to our office.

Zoom! whitening incorporates dental-grade hydrogen peroxide activated LED lamps. The treatments penetrate deep into the enamel of your teeth to bleach away deep stains and other discolorations.

Our friendly staff would love to answer any questions you have about Zoom! teeth whitening. Blaisdell Family Dentistry also offers Boise residents porcelain veneers, and general and family dentistry. Visit our smile gallery to see the possibilities. And then give us a call to schedule an appointment.

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

Do you get sweaty palms when you go to the dentist? A pounding heart, at the mere thought of having a cavity filled? Dental anxiety is brutal – but with sedation dentistry in Boise, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Many people who fret about the dentist over issues large and small have chosen sedation dentistry. Though the terms ‘sleep dentistry’ and ‘oral conscious sedation’ are frequently used interchangeably, they are not identical. Let’s consider the main types of sedation.

Nitrous Oxide
The first level uses nitrous oxide, or ‘laughing gas’ as it is commonly called. Nitrous oxide is safe and effective, and has been used in dentistry for many years. It goes to work at the first inhalation, relaxes the patient during the treatment, and wears off quickly. If you need a little help to get through dental services, but don’t want to be knocked out cold, nitrous may be a good option.

Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation doesn’t work as rapidly as nitrous oxide, but it helps most patients achieve a deeper level of tranquility. These medications, however, do not usually lead to complete unconsciousness. Thus, oral sedatives and nitrous oxide are considered ‘conscious’ sedation.

IV Sedation
IV sedation uses medications similar to those used in surgery and results in a state of deep relaxation. Most patients are unaware to what is going on in their mouths. IV sedation is often used for root canals, wisdom teeth extractions, and multi-procedure smile redesigns. Patients will require a ride home afterward.

General Anesthesia
With general anesthesia, we use a licensed anesthesiologist. General anesthesia makes the patient fully asleep. It is used for complex dental treatment, and sometimes for children and adults with extreme dental anxiety.

For more information about sedation dentistry, and procedures like dental implants, call us at Blaisdell Family Dentistry. We also provide general and family dentistry.

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

New Boise parents may be surprised by the latest in family dentistry and infant oral care. Parents are advised to begin brushing their baby’s teeth as soon as the first teeth emerge.

Brand-new teeth, the American Dental Association reminds us all, are just as vulnerable to cavities as older teeth. ADA guidelines are to use a cloth and a smidgen of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) to wipe each tooth. As more teeth come in, it becomes more important for them to be brushed at least twice a day.

As your baby grows into toddler-hood, it is vital to select the proper toothbrush. A soft-bristled brush, using a small amount of toothpaste, is best. Infant and toddler-sized toothbrushes with a small head of bristles are ideal. Some brushes are circle and triangular-shaped, reducing the chance of injury in case of a fall.

If the toothpaste is causing an unpleasant struggle, brush without it. The goal is to remove food bits that will create bacteria, followed by plaque and then cavities.

When two teeth touch, it’s time to begin flossing. It’s important to make sure no food is lodged between the teeth. Proper flossing requires fine motor skills, which most toddlers don’t have yet. Parents need to assist with flossing until they are sure their child can do it effectively.

Until the child is old enough to properly brush, they should receive adult supervision and guidance. Instilling the proper brushing and flossing procedures will reap lifelong benefits. While it may seem that supervising them is time-consuming, remember that it’s forming a daily habit that will protect their health.

Your child’s first dental visit should be within six months of the first tooth appearing and no later than their first birthday. It may seem early, but most parents bring their child to the pediatrician early. You can trust your dentist to look out for potential troubles and advise you about how to help your child keep a healthy smile.

Ask about sealants, x-ray safety, and fluoride supplements. A dentist can also advise parents with older children about teeth protection for athletics, and orthodontics.

If you live in the Boise area and don’t yet have a trusted family dentist, call Blaisdell Family Dentistry to schedule your child’s dental appointment. By starting young, your child will become familiar with our dental practice and our friendly staff, ensuring that he or she never develops a fear of the dentist.

We provide complete dental services, including cosmetic dentistry and dental implants.

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

In today’s Blaisdell Family Dentistry post, we share some fun facts about general dentistry. Enjoy!

• Many dental patients are aware that before there was formal dental training and licensing, barbers often performed dental procedures. But did you know that blacksmiths also moonlighted as dentists?¹ How would you like your dental visit to involve tools used to hammer hot metal?
• The Mayans were accomplished cosmetic dentists. One smile style in Mayan culture was bejeweled teeth – a procedure that involved the drilling of holes to embed precious gems. That’s a grill with major bling! ¹
• The average human produces 25,000 quarts of saliva in a lifetime. That is enough to fill up two swimming pools.² (Not a very pleasant image, right?)
• Nylon toothbrush bristles weren’t introduced until 1938. Prior to that, pig hair was a common bristle material.³ (“Mom, my toothbrush smells like bacon!”)
• A popular toothache treatment in medieval Germany was to kiss a donkey.³ There is no evidence that it actually worked and it is unknown if the same remedy was used by donkeys.
• Every person’s tongue is unique – just like a fingerprint.⁴
• In medieval Japan, black teeth were considered appealing. Style-conscious women used roots to stain their teeth.³

At Blaisdell Family Dentistry, you won’t find pig hair, donkeys, or anvils. You will find unmatched dental care and our friendly team of cosmetic dentistry professionals. Our menu of services includes: porcelain veneers, prepless veneers, and teeth whitening. Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry today at 208-922-6902 to schedule an informative consultation.

¹Gregory Myers,”10 Weird Facts About Teeth,” ListVerse, January 27, 2014, http://listverse.com/2014/01/27/10-weird-facts-about-teeth/, accessed on November 14, 2014
²“Mouth Matters,” Visual.ly, August 28, 2012, http://visual.ly/your-mouth-matters-fun-dental-facts, accessed on November 14, 2014
³“Chew on This, Fun Tooth Facts for a Healthy Mouth,” Delta Dental, http://www.deltadentalnc.org/MediaLibraries/Global/documents/Delta-Dental-Tooth-Tips-BF.pdf, accessed on November 12, 2014
⁴“New oral features can be considered unique as a fingerprint,” DentistryiQ, http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2014/01/new-oral-features-can-be-considered-unique-as-a-fingerprint.html, accessed on November 14, 2014

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709

Brush. Floss. Get regular checkups. It will sound so simple when you have dentures.

How many times have you said, “If only!” “If only I had changed my oil,” “If only I had stayed in college,” ‘If only I had worn sunscreen.”

We hope you don’t ever say, “If only I had taken care of my teeth!” If you have neglected your teeth, we invite you to let us help you get back on track to oral health. At Blaisdell Family Dentistry, we are enthusiastic about helping patients establish and maintain dental health. We help all of our patients feel relaxed and comfortable in a friendly, non-judgmental atmosphere.

We have treated countless Boise area patients who avoided the dentist in years past but have recommitted themselves to healthy oral habits. We can promise you that your overall physical health and happiness will increase if you start taking care of your teeth today.

We have an extensive menu of effective treatments for any dental problems you may currently have: cavities, stained teeth, chipped teeth, gum disease, broken crowns, old unsightly fillings, and even missing teeth.

Professional dental treatment is an important investment in your most precious possession – your health. If you are worried about the cost of dental treatment, talk to us about dental financing. If you need extensive dental work, we can develop a treatment plan to get the work done over time and schedule it to fit your budget.

Whatever concerns have kept you from seeing a dentist – fear, finances, or the fact that you are just too busy – we hope you will recommit to your smile. We are here to help.

Call Blaisdell Family Dentistry today at 208-922-6902!

Excellence in Dentistry

Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:

208-922-6902

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709