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Posted June 14, 2017

When you hear the word “Dentist”, what is your first thought? Do you think of pearly white teeth and getting treasure chest toys growing up? Or, does it bring you back to a terrible experience you had as a child, which makes you cringe and start sweating by just hearing the word “Dentist”? If you associate this word with a traumatic experience, you are not alone! You are one of 40 million people who are afflicted by dental anxiety!

Growing up, I looked forward to going to the dentist. I loved leaving with sparkling clean teeth, and getting to choose a prize! I thought everyone loved going to the dentist just as much as I did. As an adult, I’ve come to learn that this is not always the case! A lot of people come in with some of the most bizarre stories about what has happened to them during dental procedures, leaving them extremely hesitant to visit a dentist again. Many stories include childhood dentists ignoring patients and telling them to “be quiet and hold still!”
Here at Chaffin Dental Care we listen. We want to make sure every time you visit that you leave happy and pleased with everything you had done at your appointment. The moment you walk into our office you will arrive to a smile, rain or shine. The mere fact that you’ve made it to the office means that you are winning the war against the dental anxiety monster! At your first appointment, we will chat with you about what your desires, needs and goals are. We also want to know about which dental demons haunt you and how we can help defeat them!

As your dental home, we give you all the love without all the headaches of family. We understand sometimes love isn’t enough, this is why we offer different levels of comfort and sedation to help you get through your appointments with ease and peace. We have pillows and blankets, movies and music, local anesthetic, nitrous oxide and even oral conscious sedation! The best part about conscious sedation is that you remember the beginning and the end, and very little in-between!

Whether it be that the dental office is your absolute favorite semi-annual appointment to come to, or you dread it due to past experiences, we want to hear your story! We want to know you and what you expect from your dentist and dental visits. If you feel anxious, worried or even terrified when it comes to dental procedures, just remember, you are not alone! We see several patients that are terrified to come to the office that we help to leave their appointments smiling and laughing. Seeing how happy they are when they leave, you would never guess they had hesitations about going to the dentist. If you are thinking about coming in, give us a call! We can help put your mind at ease by answering any questions or concerns you may have. Call or text us today at 509-467-6128!

Published by: Sarah Steele

Dental Office Gone Beach Party, All for Charity

Posted June 5, 2017

Do you ever have those days at the office where you can’t stop day dreaming about being on the beach? Me too! This is where we got inspiration for our new Smiles for Life music video. From March to June, we are offering in-office and at-home whitening for a discounted price, plus, the best part is 100% of the proceeds goes to charity and all of it is tax deductible! Yes, you read that right, 100%! Each year we donate half the proceeds to the Smiles for Life Foundation (an amazing children’s charity), and we donate the other half to a local charity. This year is especially close to our hearts because it will be donated to a close Chaffin Dental Care family friend, Mackenzie Madsen. She even graduated from Mount Spokane High School with Dr Topher! Mackenzie has Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease (PVOD) where she has to be on oxygen twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Only one in six million are diagnosed with this. She currently lives in San Francisco where she is waiting for a double lung transplant. Although Mackenzie is going through this hardship, she still stays positive, strong in her faith and is hopeful for what is to come. Her attitude is as bright as the San Francisco sunshine.

This year I was thinking, how can we bring attention to our Smiles for Life campaign? So we started brainstorming… we thought what better way than to do a lip sync music video and fill it with sunshine? To bring the beach warmth to us, we had everything from beach attire and a cooler with lemonade in it to a blow up palm tree and an actual sand castle! Believe it or not, gathering the props was the easy part, the hard part was the actual filming. We all had to step out of our shells to successfully turn our dental office into a fun and festive beach party.

For your entertainment, Dr. “Count” Chaffin has a guitar solo, Dr. Topher dances on a chair and Mary teaches us how to hula dance! Just to name a few of the fun skits you can look forward to watching. Luci was the architect behind the gorgeous sand castle in our video! She decked it out with a sand bucket, shovels and a starfish. You had better watch closely to see all the detail she put into that amazing castle! Images leading up to the video are showcased on our Instagram page. We had such a great time bonding as a team to create this fun video for you to watch. We hope it gives you many laughs and that you watch it over and over again. Make sure to call our office before the end of June to ensure your payment goes to charity and that you receive the discounted prices. Let me know what you think of our video after you check it out! Should we have more in the future?

Published By: Sarah Steele

A Fluoride Treatment Can Improve the Health and Strength of Your Tooth Enamel

Posted March 20, 2017

Tooth enamel is the very hard biological substance that gives your teeth the strength to chew and profess the foods you eat. Its mineral density prevents bacterial decay from developing within the tooth enamel, thus preserving your oral health and function.

If you routinely struggle to maintain good oral hygiene habits, or if you consume acidic products on a regular basis, it could deplete the mineral strength of your teeth. This will significantly increase your chances of developing cavities and tooth sensitivity complications.

One easy and effective way to strengthen tooth enamel and maintain healthy teeth is to have Dr. Chaffin administer a basic fluoride treatment. This will help bolster the mineral density of your teeth to help restore their overall strength.

To do this, Dr. Chaffin will pour a concentrated fluoride gel into a tray that is inserted in your mouth and held there for a few minutes. You should avoid eating or drinking for at least a half an hour to allow the fluoride to deeply penetrate the enamel of your teeth.

Going forward, you might want to consider cutting back on acidic foods and beverages. Brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste will also be helpful.

If you live in the Spokane, WA, area and you have concerns about the health and strength of your teeth, you should call 509-467-6128 to schedule a checkup with fluoride treatment at Chaffin Dental Care.

Zap Away Tooth Decay with Laser Dentistry

Posted March 7, 2017

Zap away tooth decay with laser dentistry. With lasers, precision oral health treatments can be given safely and accurately to improve and enhance your smile. Lasers have been around since 1994, but have been experiencing a surge of popularity in the dental community, specifically for teeth whiteners, which have boomed in recent years.

Teeth whitening treatments can be found everywhere these days, including your local grocery store. However, many of these products go unregulated and thus may contain ineffective ingredients, or potentially harmful ones capable of destroying tooth enamel or bleaching your gums. With professional teeth whiteners, you can have a treatment applied directly from the hands of an experienced dentist. Lasers are often used in professional whiteners to activate the gels on your teeth safely and effectively.

Lasers are also used to prepare teeth for dental fillings and root canal therapies. If any tissue or bacteria needs to be removed or zapped away, lasers can do the job effectively. If gum tissue needs to be removed and used for a cancer biopsy, one of the easiest ways to accomplish this is with the use of a laser.

If you would like to learn more about laser dentistry or to book a professional cleaning or oral exam with Chaffin Dental Care, contact us at our dentist office in Spokane, WA. Our number is 509-467-6128. Dr. Chaffin, Dr. Topher, and our entire team look forward to seeing you soon.

Your Teeth and Dental Implants Will Get Along Perfectly

Posted February 28, 2017

Your teeth and dental implants will get along perfectly. Despite the unlikely marriage of artificial and natural teeth, it is possible to blend them seamlessly by customizing dental implants to your tooth color, shape, and structure. With a small tweak or two, we can ensure not only will you have a wonderfully new functional implant that will be as effective in its functions as a natural tooth can be, but it will also look natural too. Look below to see some other benefits that implants can provide:

– Dental implants are much more form-fitting and are considered by many patients to be much more comfortable than dentures.
– Some tough to chew foods such as steak can easily make dentures slide within your mouth, but dental implants hold fast, making these foods much more enjoyable and easier to eat.
– Due to a method called Osseointegration, the bone-implant integration can grow to support and hold the implant tight.
– Dental implants can fill out the natural shape and structure to your face lost by missing teeth.
– Without teeth or implants held in place, your jawbone can weaken and deteriorate over time.
– Your gums that hold teeth in place can cause shifting and movement to neighboring teeth when a gap is not occupied from a lost or missing tooth.
– A full-toothed smile is much better received in most social settings, which will also enhance your self-esteem and boost your self-image.

If you would like to learn if dental implants are right for you, you are welcome to schedule an oral exam with Dr. Chaffin, Dr. Topher, and our team at Chaffin Dental Care. Our dentist office is located in Spokane, WA, and we can be reached by calling us at 509-467-6128. Thanks for visiting with a smile!

The Benefits of Flossing

Posted February 25, 2017

When you think about keeping your pearly whites strong and healthy, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? If you thought of flossing or brushing, you’re not alone. Still, would you be surprised to learn that inadequate flossing may have a bad effect on your teeth and on your overall health?

As you may know, removing plaque and bad bacteria from your enamel and your gum line is vital to your dental health. If you do not remove plaque, it will eventually harden into tartar. Sadly, trying to remove tartar at home can be dangerous to your teeth. To avoid this issue, you should try to clean below your gum line with floss since a toothbrush can’t reach that area. If you fail to remove this harmful plaque from your gum line, you could ultimately end up with gum disease. Gum disease, if not treated, will damage your jaw bone and the tissue that holds your pearly whites in place.

Similarly, if you don’t keep your gums clean, they could inflame. If you are suffering from gum disease, your gums could pull away from your teeth and expose their roots. Unfortunately, this means bad bacteria and germs from your teeth and gums can affect the health of your entire body. If this does happen to you, you will be more susceptible to diseases such as heart disease, respiratory issues, and even dementia.

If you’re interested in hearing more about the care we can provide or would like to learn more about flossing in Spokane, WA, please feel free to contact Chaffin Dental Care at 509-467-6128. Our dentists, Dr. Chaffin, Dr. Topher,, and the rest of our team will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have. We’re excited to hear from you.

Pregnancy Can Affect Your Oral Health

Posted January 28, 2017

If you’re pregnant—especially if you’re pregnant for the first time—you may be both excited and nervous. You probably understand that there are several things you’ll need to do to get ready. You also know that your body will change to accommodate your little one, but did you know that your mouth will change as well?

For example, you’ll have more fluid in your body while you’re pregnant, which can lead to problems in your oral cavity. Your hormones can also be elevated, which can cause swelling in your gums. Sadly, this leaves pregnant women more vulnerable to gingivitis. If your gingivitis isn’t treated, it could become worse and ultimately lead to a number of serious problems.

Sadly, because gum disease can let bad plaque and bacteria into your bloodstream, your overall health could suffer. Sadly, this problem can also affect your little one. In fact, if your gum disease isn’t addressed, you could be more likely to have gum disease, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and even heart disease.

We also recommend scheduling regular appointments with our dentists, Dr. Chaffin and Dr. Topher, regularly. If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Chaffin Dental Care at 509-467-6128. We look forward to receiving your call soon.

Stopping Gum Disease

Posted January 5, 2017

More adults deal with gum disease than you may think. It’s actually a very serious health problem in America, and the saddest part is that it’s entirely preventable. To help you stop gum disease and hopefully never have to deal with it, our team at Chaffin Dental Care in Spokane, WA, put this together to help you stop gum disease in its tracks.

Stopping gum disease

Every oral health tip is designed to help you fight off the possibility of contracting gum disease. For those of you who don’t know, gum disease is a significantly large problem for many adults. It causes tooth loss, deterioration of the jaw bone, and can even lead to oral cancer.

You don’t have time for those problems, and you certainly don’t want to deal with the side effects of gum disease. So use these tips to stop it from happening.

Great oral health routine

The number-one thing you can do to help your mouth stay as healthy as possible is to keep your oral health in great shape. You win because you’ll always have a great, shining smile that you’ll want to show off whenever possible. And, your mouth is healthy and at almost no risk for contracting gum disease!

Call today to schedule an appointment. We can be reached at 509-467-6128.

Dental Implants to Replace a Tooth

Posted December 15, 2016

Tooth loss, regardless of the cause, is a serious cause for concern. If the missing tooth isn’t replaced by a dental implant, it can cause the surrounding teeth to shift their alignment. This can cause additional problems, like chips and fractures on the corresponding teeth in your bite.

A dental implant is essentially a titanium abutment that is inserted into the underlying bone in your jaw. The dental implant acts as the root of the tooth, providing a solid foundation and jaw structure, while the crown, which goes on top of it, acts as the replaced tooth.

Your dentist, will first assess your jaw structure to make sure you have enough bone material to secure a dental implant. The implant is placed surgically into your gums.

Titanium is the ideal substance for the abutment as it is biologically safe. In time, it will become one with your natural bone in a process known as osseointegration.

Once your gums have healed and the titanium implant has been fully integrated into the surrounding bone tissues, a crown will then be placed over it, restoring your smile and missing tooth.

If you have had a tooth extracted and you’re interested in having it restored, you should call Chaffin Dental Care at 509-467-6128 to discuss dental implants in Spokane, WA. We are always happy to take your call.

Why Choose Invisalign®?

Posted December 9, 2016

Have you ever wondered which way was the best way to improve your smile discreetly? If so, you are not alone. Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, there are many different options when it comes to improving your smile. Invisalign® is a way to align your smile discreetly, moving your teeth into the ideal alignment position for positive oral health. Our team here at Chaffin Dental Care in Spokane, WA, is happy to give you information on Invisalign, and why they are a popular option when it comes to improving your smile.

Invisalign is a series of thin, clear, custom-made aligners that fit tightly over your teeth. They snap on and off your teeth, making them easy to remove as you eat, brush, and floss your teeth each day. The aligners are clear, which makes them hard to be seen by others as you receive treatment. Approximately every two weeks, you switch out your aligner for a new one, which gives your teeth the gentle push into the ideal alignment.

Invisalign can correct a number of different alignment issues. Some of these issues include underbites, overbites, crossbites, or spacing problems, along with any other oral health alignment needs your dentist can see. However, Invisalign is not for everyone. Your dentists Dr. Chaffin and Dr. Topher will be able to determine if Invisalign is the right fit for you.

As you can see, Invisalign is a great way to align your smile into ideal alignment without the metal wires and brackets. If you still have questions, or would like to speak to a member of our professional staff, call us today at 509-467-6128 and set up an appointment. Our team is happy to give you any information on Invisalign and assist with your oral care needs.

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