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We love Eagle. We love working here and we love living here. There are countless things that we could go on and on about as to why we love Eagle, Idaho. But first, here are some facts about our wonderful community:

The view from beautiful Mores Mountain just NW of Eagle, Idaho

We could continue to bend your ear with fun facts and interesting tidbits as to why we love our hometown of Eagle, Idaho so much. However, we think it would be best if you came and checked it out for yourself.

Sure, we’re probably a little biased, but it’s hard not to be. While we believe that we offer the premier dental services in the area, we equally believe that Eagle is home to the most premier people around. Here in Eagle, we take care of each other. We look out for one another. And perhaps most important, we take pride in our community. Folks here are always striving to make it a better place to live, even though it’s already fantastic.

If you just moved here or if you’re just looking for a new dentist, we’d like to throw our hat in the ring. We’re invested in this community and our roots are deep. Learn more about Dr. Chris Thomason or take a quick tour of our office to see if we might be a good fit for you and your family.

Cosmetic Dentistry at Eagle Dental Care

At Eagle Dental Care, we are passionate about giving our patients reasons to love their smiles. Our team is constantly taking continuing education courses to ensure that our patients receive the latest and greatest treatments available. One area where we’ve seen big advances is in the field of cosmetic dentistry.

If you’re not familiar with term, cosmetic dentistry employs a number of techniques to improve the overall look of your teeth. While these procedures are labeled “cosmetic,” their impact extends beyond looks alone. Fixing the alignment of your teeth can inhibit bacterial growth and improve your self-confidence. Nobody should have to live with a smile they’d prefer to hide. Luckily, with today’s cosmetic dentistry procedures, you don’t have to.

Patients with discolored, chipped, misshapen, or missing teeth have more options at their disposal than ever before. Dr. Thomason can reshape your teeth, close gaps, restore worn teeth, and even alter the lengths of your teeth. Bleaching, bonding, crowns, veneers, and contouring are a few of the cosmetic techniques we employ. Every smile is different, so we tailor treatment plans to give you the results you desire.

Undertaking a cosmetic dentistry program begins with consulting Dr. Thomason. He’ll assess the areas you want to brighten up and explain your treatment options to you. From there, you’ll work together to decide the proper course of action. It is worth noting that achieving optimal results may require multiple treatment sessions. Of course, we’ll provide the same great care and environment we do for all of our services.

Replacing and enhancing teeth no longer requires dealing with unsightly, fake-looking crowns and veneers. Cosmetic dentistry allows for you to improve the appearance of your teeth without sacrificing structural integrity. If you’ve always thought a perfect smile was unattainable, it’s time to think again. Call us today to find out if cosmetic dentistry treatment is right for you.

Maybe it’s because we’ve always gone to the doctor and dentist separately, but many people think of oral hygiene and overall health as separate concerns. While I understand the reason for this misconception, it’s important to remember that your mouth and teeth are parts of your body and just as connected to your systemic health as anything else. In recent years, an increasing body of research has demonstrated just how important solid oral care is to your overall wellness.

Much work has been done exploring the link between oral health and two major diseases: diabetes and heart disease. Diabetes and gum disease have a reciprocal relationship. According to WebMD, “people with poor blood sugar control get gum disease more often and mo re severely, and they lose more teeth.” On the flip side, periodontal issues like gum disease can cause glucose spikes, which presents a serious issue for patients with diabetes.

The studies involving heart disease are just as revealing. The bacteria that causes gum disease travels through your blood stream, where it comes in contact with your heart and circulatory system. During heart surgeries, doctors have found the same species of bacteria in clogged arteries that are common in gum diseases. Needless to say, those pesky organisms in your mouth can end up affecting your entire body.

The connection between oral hygiene and your health is why it’s so important for us to know about any conditions you have or medications you take. We want you to have a beautiful smile, but it’s just as important to promote a healthy environment in your mouth. It’s not just a cosmetic issue; it’s a part of your overall wellness.

Your dentist and doctor may be in separate offices, but the work they do is intertwined. Or to put it another way, you can’t get a full picture of your health without taking a look inside your mouth.

Summer is drawing to a close, but there’s still time to make some great memories. Camping trips are a summer staple. Fortunately, you don’t have to drive hours into the mountains to find the perfect campsite. Your backyard is right there waiting for you! Here are a few tips to help your family say farewell to summer with a perfect backyard camping trip.

Pack For an Authentic Experience

Your back door is literally a few yards away, which can be great in the event of an emergency. But if the kids are running in and out of the house all night long, they might end up deciding they’d rather be inside playing video games after only an hour. Be sure to pack everything you would need if you were really going into the woods for the night so no one is tempted to go back inside. This means tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, pajamas, books, binoculars, a compass, water bottles, and a cooler of food with snacks and dinner. Treat this like a “real” camping experience right from the beginning!

Figure Out the Campfire

Don’t have an in-ground fire pit? No worries! You can still enjoy hot dogs and s’mores with a charcoal grill or a store-bought fire pit. If you have enough room in your backyard, you could even try building a bonfire. Just make sure to check your city ordinances and get any necessary permits first. You can find advice for building the perfect campfire at REI.com/ learn/expert-advice/campfire-basics.html.

Remember: It’s Okay to Call It a Night

For kids, the most exciting part of camping in the backyard is getting to sleep in a tent — that is, until they actually have to sleep. After stargazing, some kids will want to stay up all night whispering and giggling in the tent, and that’s great! But other kids might decide they’d rather sleep inside, and that’s okay too. Your camping trip isn’t a failure because everyone spent the night in their own beds. It’s not about where everyone sleeps; it’s about how much fun your family had together before bedtime.

The best part of backyard camping? It doesn’t take a lot of planning. Just grab your gear and your family and hike out into the great backyard.

Same Great Care, Great New Decor

When I arrived at Eagle Dental Care, I had a mental checklist of things I wanted to accomplish. Chief among them was getting to know our wonderful patients and staff. A little further down on the list, you’d find tasks like getting us some high-tech equipment like our new cone-beam CT scanner for imaging. Near the end of that list, but still an important part of it, was sprucing up our decor in the office and putting a personal stamp on the look and feel of the place. I knew that project would come later on, but I’m excited to announce that we’re currently in the process of a makeover.

Now, we’re lucky in that we are not doing any demolition or wall building. The structure of the office will remain the same but will undergo a spruce-up from top to bottom. To ensure that we don’t have to close the office or have patient care suffer during the redesign, we’ve opted to tackle the project in steps. Thus far, we’ve done a complete paint job and are now working on the floors.

Once those are done, we’ll be receiving a shipment of some new furniture for our dental rooms and reception area. One thing I’ve learned during this process is that dental chairs take a long time to ship — sadly, using Amazon Prime two-day shipping isn’t an option. It kind of works out, though, because we won’t have to move a new chair in before the floors are done. In addition to these big alterations, we’ll also be getting some new, quieter dental equipment.

There’s no way I could’ve spearheaded this project on my own, as having an eye for decor isn’t one of my natural talents. We worked with an interior designer to help generate ideas that were both practical and attractive. I’m very glad we did, as she’s brought a ton of great options to the table. I also owe a big thank-you to Julie, our office manager, for taking a lot of initiative on this project. Without her help, I’m sure the results wouldn’t have been as awesome as they’re shaping up to be.

Throughout the process, our goal has been to create an environment that’s reflective of our values as a practice. We hope to create a welcoming, comfortable environment that offers the latest and greatest in dental services and equipment. I might be biased, but I’d say we are well on the way to achieving our goal. I’m very glad we waited a while to get the ball rolling on the project. It feels like perfect timing.

I’m very grateful to our patients for being understanding throughout the makeover. Thankfully, we haven’t had to turn our office into a construction site, but I’m still humbled to see how accommodating our patients have been. If you haven’t stopped in this summer, I urge you to come in, if only to check out our new digs.

We may have missed the window for our new office design to be considered spring cleaning, so let’s call it a summer spruce-up. Come check it out and let us know what you think.

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Did you know the average strength of a human jaw can produce a bite of 162 pounds per square inch (psi)? This is enough to scratch pure iron, but it’s nothing compared to the power of some bites in the animal kingdom. The strongest bite on Earth belongs to the Nile crocodile of sub-Saharan Africa, at 5,000 psi. You definitely don’t want to get on this croc’s bad side.

Our jaw is designed to help us bite and tear food, but some meals are a little tougher on your jaw than others. Some of the most difficult foods to eat, in terms of jaw pressure, are things like nuts (especially walnuts), popcorn (due to the kernels), and raw fruits or vegetables, which put extra pressure on the incisors. Even softer foods can wear out your jaw. Welldone steak and caramel candy require extra chewing, and therefore extra jaw pressure.

Eating a lot of food that’s hard on your jaw can lead to pain, but if you experience chronic jaw pain, it might not be caused by your diet. Jaw pain can be brought on by a number of problems, including the following:

Teeth Grinding

A lot of people grind their teeth due to stress, but you can also grind your teeth in your sleep without realizing it. Grinding in your sleep is often a sign of a sleep disorder like sleep apnea.

Untreated Cavity

If you fail to get a cavity treated right away, the damage can work its way beneath your enamel and down the pulp of your tooth. Most people with major cavities aren’t able to determine which tooth is the problem because the pain radiates throughout their jaw.

Bad Bite

If your teeth aren’t lined up right, you can end up with an overbite or an underbite. A bad bite can get in the way of your ability to chew, wearing out your jaw muscles and leading to pain.

A lot of the time, your dentist can help you determine the cause of your jaw pain. If you suffer from an aching jaw, be sure to mention it during your next appointment. We’d be happy to help you find the reason and the solution for your pain.

For whatever reason, summer is the season when we receive the most questions about whitening options. As the number of methods and tools to whiten teeth has increased, it’s become harder for patients to decide which treatment is right for them. Hopefully, I’ll be able to provide a little insight on how whitening works and how you can get safe, longlasting results.

Despite the dozens of whitening products available on store shelves and online, there are really only two fundamental ways to treat stains. The first is to treat surface level stains with over-the-counter whitening strips or toothpaste. While these methods are less intensive than other treatments, you still need to be mindful of using them correctly to avoid damaging your enamel. Whitening toothpastes, including the increasingly popular charcoal options, contain microabrasives. Too much exposure to these compounds can wear down tooth enamel, so it’s important to use them only as directed. A whitening toothpaste shouldn’t be used for every brushing session.

The second way to whiten is from the inside out. It’s more comprehensive and longer-lasting than surface-level treatments. At Eagle Dental Care, we can create custom trays for you to use during your whitening program. We’ll also provide instructions on how to get the best results from your treatment.

Many patients experience sensitivity during and after whitening treatments. Brushing with fluoridated toothpaste is a great way to limit the intensity and duration of any sensitivity. We recommend you use it during your whitening, no matter which method you choose.

Of course, preventing stains is crucial when you’ve just completed a whitening program. Dark beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine are often the major culprits for stains. Limiting your consumption of these drinks or enjoying them through a straw is a great way to keep your smile sparkling.

Here’s to a bright, shiny summer.

Every summer, parents across the country have to deal with the same delicate problem. They want to make sure their kids continue to learn without feeling like they’re being assigned tasks. After all, summer homework is every child’s worst nightmare. Luckily, you don’t have to rely on math problems and book reports to keep your child’s development from taking a two-month vacation. Here are a few mentally stimulating activities that are as educational as they are fun.

For Little Ones: Homemade Bubbles

Bubbles fascinate young children, so why not spend a day making your own solution and experimenting by blowing different types of bubbles? The formula is simple: 1 part dish soap (Dawn or Joy work best) to 10 parts water. Optionally, you can also include 1/4 part glycerin. The process of making the solution will teach ratios, and finding creative ways to blow bubbles fosters problem-solving skills and creative thinking.

For Teenagers: Family Dinner Party

Cooking teaches so many important skills: math, science, nutrition, concentration, cultural understanding, following directions, creativity, time management, and more. Even better, it doesn’t feel like learning; it feels like fun. Encourage your older children to take the reins for preparing regular meals throughout the summer. You can pick guiding themes, like “a trip to Mexico” or “pasta party,” but let them choose the recipes and prep the meals on their own.

For the Entire Family: An Educational Field Trip

Field trips always inspire excitement in students, and you’ll find the same goes for your family members. You can tailor your destination to the interests of your kids for maximum engagement. If you have a family of art lovers, head to a museum for some inspiration and discussion. Kids who prefer the outdoors will enjoy a nature walk or hike. You can bring along a field guide to identify flora and fauna. These trips may not pack the thrill of a water park, but they’re fun in an entirely different way.

Camping, Biking, and Exploring the Wilds of Idaho

I’ve always wanted a camper. As you may know, I’m a huge nature lover, and spending time in remote places is one of my favorite ways to relax. Tent camping is a ton of fun, but as I’ve learned from experience, it’s not always the best when you’re camping with young children. I figured the arrival of summer was the perfect impetus to step the Thomason family camping game up a notch.

The first decision we had to make was which type of camper would make the most sense for us. We don’t have the space for a fullsized RV at the house, and I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of paying a chunk of change every month to store the RV in some far-flung lot miles away from our house. After doing plenty of research, we came to the conclusion that a pop-up camper we could fit in the garage was our best option. So far, I’d say we made the right call.

To test out and fiddle with the camper, we took the kids to Roystone Hot Springs in Sweet. It may not be anyone’s idea of off the grid, but we wanted our maiden voyage to give us the chance to make any adjustments before heading off to wilder surroundings. As a bonus, it was a ton of fun. Now that we’ve ironed out the kinks, I’m looking forward to spending a good portion of the summer exploring some remote places.

In my excitement to get going, I’ve already booked a few places to visit, including a trip to Deadwood. I’m also trying to pressure my brothers into camping in Copper Basin with me. If you know of any spots worth checking out, I’m open to recommendations. The more secluded and farther off the beaten path, the better.

More than anything, I’m looking forward to introducing my kids to the wonders of camping. In our daily lives, we are constantly connected to an endless stream of stimulation and information. Our phones buzz with alerts throughout the day, and emails seem to arrive every second. For me, taking some time to disconnect is the perfect remedy. There’s nothing quite like being in a place where you can’t go online even if you want to. My hope is that the pop-up camper will provide just enough comfort to get the kids excited about camping without making it feel like just another trip.

When I think of getting away from it all, I don’t want to imply that I spend my camping trips in quiet contemplation. There’s certainly some of that, but I also enjoy firing up the dirt bike and tackling some terrain. That’s another thing I hope to get the kids into this summer. I was lucky enough to receive the “brother discount” on a 50cc Honda, which will be the perfect introductory bike for Avy and Jett. Given that Max just turned 1, I think I’ll wait a little while before I get him behind the handlebars.

Like a kid with a new toy, I’m looking forward to spending as much time as possible with my camper this summer. Fingers crossed that, by the end of it, my family doesn’t think I secretly want to become a reclusive mountain man.

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The Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Disease

Most people know that poor dental health can lead to cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. But did you know that neglecting your brushing routine could put you at risk of a heart attack or stroke?

Poor dental hygiene causes gum disease, which can lead to other health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and even dementia. One of the most common warning signs of gum disease is inflammation. Gingivitis, a condition in which your gums become inflamed, occurs when there is a buildup of plaque on your teeth. Swollen, tender gums that bleed easily are a sign of gingivitis.

Not treated properly, this condition can escalate to periodontitis. When this happens, the gum tissue begins to pull away from the teeth, allowing harmful bacteria to form pockets beneath the gumline, attack the bone, and enter the bloodstream.

Any bacteria that slips into your bloodstream through the network of blood vessels in your mouth can be carried to your heart. The bacteria can cause inflammation and arterial plaque, which restricts the amount of blood that’s able to flow to your heart and puts you at a higher risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Once you develop periodontitis, no amount of brushing and flossing will be sufficient, and a professional cleaning at a dentist’s office is necessary. The best defense against gum disease is a proper brushing and flossing routine. If your gum problems persist, speak to your dentist as soon as you can. Periodontitis is treatable through deep cleaning and antibiotics. You’ll immediately feel better, and you’ll lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.

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