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Dear Friends,

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I must relay the news of the passing of my close friend and longtime employee Christina Jefferds. Chris, along with her four–month-old granddaughter, Sanoah , were victims of the massive mudslide near Oso, WA that you may have seen in the news for the last several days. Our team is heartbroken, and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends as they recover from this tragedy.

Chris was the first person I hired after graduating from dental school and starting my dental practice in Marysville almost twenty two years ago. Chris was a kind, gentle, soft-spoken person who loved people and deeply loved her family. She was such a genuine person, without guile. In a time when promises are so easily set aside, her desire to be strictly honest in her dealings with her fellow man was obvious and refreshing. I always knew that my teammates, my clients, and I could trust Chris.

Chris was a beautiful person inside and out. She was so humble, yet so generous in volunteering the time, talents, and resources with which she had been blessed while never drawing attention to herself. For me personally, she was a counselor and a confidante, a steadying and calming force in times of stress, a source of inspiration and beauty, a true friend. With steadfast faith I eagerly look forward to a joyful reunion with my dear friend.

We know that the void she leaves in our office, like the void in our hearts, will be hard to fill. She has left us with a very high bar set as a legacy, and I intend to search for, and fill her position with a person who will do her legacy justice. In the meantime, I would just ask for your patience. We intend to deliver the same high level of service you have come to expect, but despite putting in extra hours it may take us just a little extra time to attend to every need.

Thank you for your understanding. And please do me a favor and tell your loved ones how much they mean to you today and always.

Sincerely,

Kelly Peterson DDS

Cavities are the reason why most people fear going to the dentist. But they’re also the reason you should be visiting Dr. Kelly Peterson on a regular basis.

Specifically, cavities are the breakdown of teeth caused by acid from food, bacteria, and plaque that inhabit the inside of the mouth. While many people simply think that cavities only form on top of a tooth, Dr. Kelly Peterson and our team at Northwest Smile Design want you to know they can actually form on the sides along the gum line and between the teeth, too. This acid will eat away at the tooth, forming a soft hole.

Anybody, either children and adults, can get cavities. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the U.S. alone about 16 percent of all children ages six to 19 have untreated cavities, and about 24 percent of adults 20 to 64 years old have them. This is detrimental to overall oral health, because cavities have a tendency to grow over time, potentially spreading to other teeth and causing increased oral pain, possibly even affecting the nerve.

That's why it's important to ensure that you're visiting Northwest Smile Design at least once every six months, so that cavities can be found and filled before they become too problematic and painful. Typically, they're found by doing a routine teeth cleaning, though X-rays or further examination may be necessary to determine the full extent of a cavity. Cavities are treated by removing the area of the tooth where decay has set in and rebuilding the tooth with a metal filling. If the cavity is too large, however, more extreme measures may be necessary, such as placing a crown or performing a root canal.

As we noted above, cavities are why people dread going to the dentist, but also the reason everyone should see the dentist every six months. Additionally, brushing twice daily, flossing, and cutting down on sugar-packed foods can reduce the risk of developing cavities.

For more information on how to best care for your teeth and why it's important to visit the dentist twice a year, please give us a call at our convenient Marysville, WA office today!

It's been a great week for KimberLee!

KimberLee, one of our Northwest Smile Design Dental Hygienist's, had a birthday on Saturday... but we celebrated in the office on Thursday!

And now we are celebrating KimberLee's 5 Year Anniversary with Northwest Smile Design! And yes, we have a comedian in the house!

We are lucky to have you KimberLee! We hope you had a great week!

Millions of people, around Marysville, WA and beyond, wear green on St. Patrick’s Day so they can show their spirit for the holiday and avoid getting pinched. While it may be easy for you to throw on a green shirt, sport a St. Patrick’s Day button, or wear a pair of emerald-hued shoes, if you’re an avid St. Patty’s Day enthusiast you may want to try something different this year. Dr. Kelly Peterson thought of a few ideas that will help you take your holiday spirit to the next level:

Visit Chicago’s Green River

If you happen to be near the Windy City during St. Patrick’s Day or you’re thinking of planning a trip, don’t miss out on going downtown to watch the large-scale celebration that kicks off when the city dyes the river bright green. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago has been celebrating the holiday with this tradition for more than 50 years, with tens of thousands of people gathering annually to witness the mysterious dying process and the stunning result.

Don Green Face Paint

Just like an avid sports fan on game day, you can use green face paints to showcase your enthusiasm for this holiday. Avoid breakouts or allergic reactions by only using paints that are specifically meant to be applied to the skin. A little bit of face paint can cover a large area, so feel free to get creative and decorate the whole family on St. Patrick’s Day.

Eat Green All Day

Not a fan of green eggs and ham? With the increasing popularity of green smoothies, there’s no better time to get in on this health craze. To create a green smoothie without the aid of food coloring, you can simply blend a generous amount of a leafy green vegetable, such as spinach or kale, with the ingredients that you would typically use to make a smoothie, like fruit, ice, milk, or juice. Keep the trend going throughout the day by using those same vegetables to create a green soup, egg salad, or a batch of bright green pastries. As an added bonus, you’ll get a healthy dose of vitamins without changing the taste of most of these foods.

If your old holiday routine has gotten stale, leave your green T-shirt in the drawer and try one or all of these tips. Don’t be surprised if you have so much fun that you decide to start a new, annual St. Patrick’s Day tradition! Have a happy St. Paddy’s day from Northwest Smile Design!