Top Dentists 2013

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:00:00 -0800

Search our database of top dentists.

To create our 2013 list, Seattle Met partnered with national survey company TopDentists, which sent ballots to all dentists listed online with the American Dental Association and other local dental societies in King, Snohomish, Kitsap, and Pierce counties, asking, “If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?” Presented with the names of nearby practitioners and the opportunity to write in nominations, each general dentist evaluated specialists and each specialist evaluated general dentists whose work she or he is familiar with based on years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies, and of course physical results. Dentists with the highest average ratings were vetted for active licenses and good standing with the Washington State Department of Health before being selected for the final list. Of course there are many fine dentists who are not included in this representative list. It is intended as a sampling of the great body of talent in the field of dentistry in the United States. A dentist’s inclusion on our list is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow dentists. Our dentists self-reported whether or not they provide cosmetic dentistry services. More information about TopDentists’ survey process can be found at usatopdentists.com.

Published: January 2013

Taste Test: Mouthing Off About Toothpaste

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:00:00 -0800

Image: Brandon Hill

Weleda Salt Toothpaste ($8)
Sugarpill Apothecary, sugarpillseattle.com

Andy: Horrible beyond measure. It’s too chemically.
Allecia: Not bad, but it doesn’t feel right to rub a bunch of salt on my teeth and call it dental hygiene.
Warner: Not good at all. It tastes like gum does once you’ve chewed out the sugar.
Abby: It’s really salty.

Image: Brandon Hill

Marvis Cinnamon Toothpaste ($12)
Barneys New York, barneys.com

Andy: This one has a punch to it. It’s intense and lights up your mouth. Kissably clean.
Allecia: Strong! Good if you like cinnamon, I guess.
Warner: This is definitely the best tasting.
Abby: Too spicy.

Image: Brandon Hill

Accoutrements Cupcake Toothpaste ($5)
Archie McPhee, mcphee.com/shop

Andy: I feel like it would eventually give you bad breath.
Allecia: It’s sweet and pleasant to taste, but no way in hell can my dentist think this is okay.
Warner: It tastes like the exact mix of a cupcake and toothpaste.
Abby: This tastes like cupcakes and sprinkles. I really like it. [Takes another taste] Where did you buy it?

Image: Brandon Hill

Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil Toothpaste in Mint ($6)
PCC Natural Markets, pccnaturalmarkets.com

Andy: I would use this; it’s powerful and makes me feel sensual.
Allecia: This tastes like something hippies use to wash their face.
Warner: It tastes thick. But it’s definitely a lot of tea tree taste.
Abby: It just tastes like mint.

Image: Brandon Hill

Jason Nutrismile Orange, Cinnamon, and Mint Toothpaste ($6)
PCC Natural Markets, pccnaturalmarkets.com

Andy: It’s not kissable and wouldn’t last long enough for a makeout session.
Allecia: Holiday appropriate.
Warner: It’s like orange tea, and it really feels like fall. I’d brush with it in the fall or at least have it in my bathroom to smell it.
Abby: After you rinse out with water, it tastes really sweet.

Image: Brandon Hill

Accoutrements Bacon Toothpaste ($5)
Archie McPhee, mcphee.com/shop

Andy: It’s kind of just pasty.
Allecia: I don’t taste bacon. I don’t taste anything.
Warner: It’s actually not bad. It smells smoky, but I was expecting it to taste more like bacon—if you didn’t tell me this was bacon toothpaste, I wouldn’t know.
Abby: I don’t taste it. It smells like bacon though...kind of strange.

Image: Brandon Hill

Tom’s Propolis and Myrrh Gingermint Toothpaste ($5)
PCC Natural Markets, pccnaturalmarkets.com

Andy: Disgusting. It’s like when I put too much ginger in my juicer.
Allecia: Weird. It’s like something you would use to clean the sink.
Warner: It’s not bad, but that ginger is definitely strong.
Abby: Like gingerbread cookies but a little spicier, like that pickled ginger at the sushi restaurants.

Image: Brandon Hill

Trader Joe’s Antiplaque Toothpaste with Fennel, Propolis, and Myrrh ($2.29)
Trader Joe’s, traderjoes.com

Andy: It doesn’t leave you with a clean mouth feel. It’s not bad, but for date night...not even close.
Allecia: Actually quite pleasant, like a grown-up mint.
Warner: It has the aftertaste of eating a licorice jellybean.
Abby: Ew. It tastes like black licorice, and I only like red.

Published: January 2013

Tooth Tools of the Trade

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:00:00 -0800

Image: Shutterstock/Everett Collection

Baby Banana Brush ($10)
Village Maternity, villagematernity.com
The bendable toothbrush has soft silicone bristles for sensitive baby mouths and banana peel handles for easy gripping.

Oral-B ProfessionalCare SmartSeries 5000 Rechargeable Toothbrush ($160)
Target, target.com
For toothbrush techies, this Cadillac of electric brushes features pressure sensors and a wireless monitor to help improve brushing habits.

Umbra Grassy Organizer ($9)
The Container Store, containerstore.com
Bringing nature into the bathroom, the rubber organizer from Umbra is a whimsical way to store your brushes and toothpastes.

Breakfast Floss ($6)
Archie McPhee, mcphee.com/shop
For all those times you forget to eat breakfast, Archie McPhee has you covered with a three-pack of coffee, waffle, and bacon-flavored dental floss. Yum.

Topland Etiquette Breath Checker ($60)
AC Gears, acgears.com
How bad is your breath, really? This pocket-sized breath analyzer takes a whiff and rates your breath on a scale from irresistible to rotting animal.

Source Recycled Toothbrush by Radius ($7)
Whole Foods, wholefoodsmarket.com/whole-foods-market
The sleek handles are made from 97 percent recycled currency, flax, and wood, and feature replaceable brush heads that help reduce waste.

Philips Sonicare Airfloss ($90)
Amazon.com
The rechargeable Airfloss blasts microdroplets of water and air between teeth to remove plaque and speed up flossing.

Published: January 2013

Food Frenemies

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:00:00 -0800

Image: Shutterstock / Everett Collection

Dr. Donna J. Quinby, of the Eastside Pediatric Dental Group, has a few words for kids (and grown-ups) who like to eat and drink—that is, all of us. “No one food or drink and no single exposure of that food or drink is responsible for the formation of a cavity. The balance between the foods and drinks we consume and our oral hygiene efforts are like the waves of the ocean. The waves come in and the waves go out, bringing with them sand and various items onto the shore and then taking them away. As we go throughout our day, minerals will exit and reenter our teeth. If we can keep that in balance, teeth can remain cavity free.” In other words, remember to brush.

Professional Opinion Dr. Donald C. Ausink (Federal Way): “The top two things we tell our patients to avoid are energy drinks and sodas. The sugars and acids present in these drinks are incredibly damaging to the teeth, especially if they are drunk throughout the day.”	Local Favorites • Golazo All Natural Energy Drink • Jones Soda Co. Blue Bubblegum Soda
Dr. Nicole M. Leiker (West Edge Dental, Seattle): “I rarely discourage people from drinking coffee, tea, and red wine. This is Seattle after all—we need something to help us get through winter. However, these things all stain teeth and make them look dingy and aged.”	• Starbucks Dark Roast Sumatra • Vital Tea Leaf Lychee Black Tea • Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot
Dr. Susan Kim (Factoria Pediatric Dentistry, Bellevue): “Added sugars in refined foods such as cakes and pastries assist plaque to develop and accumulate on teeth.”	• Simply Desserts Chocolate Fudge Cake • Bakery Nouveau Sugar Brioche
Dr. Nikole R. O’Bryan (Seattle): “If you’re prone to pulling fillings out or get cavities often, make caramels a special treat.”	• Fran’s Salted Caramels

Published: January 2013

Search Our Database of Top Dentists

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:00:00 -0800

Search Our Database of Top Dentists

Top Dentists 2013

Top Dentists 2013

Famous Toothache

Television

Taste Test: Mouthing Off About Toothpaste

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Famous Toothaches

Internet

Tooth Tools of the Trade

Famous Toothache

Literature

Food Frenemies

Famous Toothache

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Search Our Database of Top Dentists