One of the most prevalent ailments we treat in our office is periodontal disease. Since this sickness can do so much damage to your teeth and gums, you should know what causes it and how to thwart it. Gum disease, also known as pyorrhea and periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums that causes damage to and threatens your... read more »

When you are missing teeth, not only do you feel self-conscious about your appearance, but you run the risk of doing further damage to your mouth. When you have empty spaces in your smile, your other teeth have room to drift out of their proper alignment. They could then strike each other at improper angles, wearing down your tooth enamel.... read more »

That toothbrush hanging in your bathroom is an important tool in the fight against tooth decay, plaque and gum disease. Properly brushing at least twice a day, and thirty minutes after meals when possible, is a big part of keeping your teeth and mouth healthy. But choosing the right toothbrush and taking care of it are equally important. First, a... read more »

Everyone loves a healthy, white smile. Aging, tobacco use, the foods you eat, and your oral health care habits can darken your teeth over time. There are plenty of options on the market for whitening teeth. There are toothpastes and mouthwashes that tout the ability to brighten your smile, and the are many kits on the store shelves advertising their... read more »

As soon as your child’s first tooth breaks the gum line, it is visible to the dangers of the world, including dangerous bacteria and harmful acids. As soon as that first erupts, you should begin practicing effective oral hygiene habits including brushing your child’s tooth and keeping potentially harmful substances at bay. Furthermore, don’t risk your child’s teeth by subjecting... read more »

The American Dental Association recommends having a routine dental checkup and cleaning performed twice each year. At Dr. Michael Lemme’s dental office each of these important appointment starts with a dental hygienist performing a thorough dental cleaning. This will remove all plaque and hardened tartar from your teeth. Once this is done they will polish your teeth to remove minor... read more »

Even though school is out for the summer, that doesn’t mean you can stop caring for your smile. In fact, you need to do your best to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape. To help you do so, Dr. Michael Lemme and our dental team have some helpful tips and recommendations for you. The first thing you need... read more »

Are you at risk for sleep apnea? Even with perfect health, your genetic profile could be playing a role in your development of the disorder. Although sleep apnea occurs while you are sleeping, it can be caused by reasons other than just a blocked airway. Another form of sleep apnea is called central sleep apnea and occurs when the signals... read more »

Oral accidents are injuries that can occur from out of nowhere and happen in an instant. This can include damage to your teeth caused by foods you eat or activities you are involved in. No matter how amazing your oral health care is, a single bad accident and destroy your smile, so it is vital to take the time to... read more »

If you are wearing clear aligners to straighten your smile, you are not alone. Many of our patients in Oak Harbor, Washington have successfully used the Invisalign® clear aligner system to align their healthy smiles. Dr. Michael Lemme is pleased to offer this alignment system for our patients who straighter teeth without wearing braces with noticeable brackets and wires. But... read more »