Federal Way Dentistry

If you’ve ever had a dentist use amalgam on you, like in a filling, you may have noticed a spot of discoloration in your mouth. This spot might appear as a blue-gray area in your cheek or gums. Our Federal Way dentistry clinic knows these stains as amalgam tattoos.

An amalgam tattoo occurs when a bit of the amalgam used in your treatment seeps into the soft tissues of your mouth, much like tattoo ink. These marks are generally nothing to be concerned about, though they can be removed with a minor surgical procedure if the discoloration is bothersome to you.

What you need to watch out for is any changes in the discoloration area. If the patch gets larger or changes color, chances are that it is not an amalgam tattoo after all. It may in fact be a sign of oral cancer or a similar disease, which you should bring to your dentist as soon as possible.

Are you a swimmer? It’s one of the best forms of exercise, and a great way to stay cool in the summer months. However, our Federal Way dentistry clinic advises that your pool water is not always the friend of your oral health.

In a study, a full 15% of people who swim frequently showed signs of erosion in their tooth enamel. This was opposed to the 3% of people who did not identify as swimmers. The culprit here appears to be the chlorinated water, which can become too acidic if it isn’t properly maintained. In order to avoid unnecessary damage while you swim your laps, check with your pool to see if the water’s pH is routinely checked, and do what you can to keep the pool water out of your mouth.

Are you having trouble remembering important dates and appointments? Our Federal Way dentistry clinic advises that one of the first things you should drill into your memory is your regular dental care routine! Not only is this a good habit to get into for the sake of your teeth and gums, it can also help you to remember the other important things going on in your life.

In a scientific study, loss of memory was linked to gum disease. Adults with swollen or bleeding gums showed poor performance in memory and cognitive skills, like verbal recall and subtraction skills, while subjects with healthy gums performed better. Therefore, if you find yourself struggling with some of your day-to-day mental tasks, it may help to “brush up” on your memory!