Many of you who have lived in the area for a number of years might have picked up pizza or had your hair done at the very location you now visit the dentist. Our building, located just inside the historic downtown Walla Walla boundary, actually has a rich history behind it that dates all the way back to the 1840’s! We wanted to share the building’s interesting history and how Inland Family Dentistry came to be more than 15 years ago. Starting from the beginning, Walla Walla County first came into existence all the way back in 1854 when new legislation was passed after the creation of the Washington Territory. From there, it would take almost ten years before Walla Walla became an official city, spanning the impressive distance of one-quarter mile in the shape of a square! Fast forward a bit more and we get to the part where our building became known as the “Alheit Building” after John and Rose Alheit purchased it along with a neighboring property in 1875 for $1,000. By trade, John Alheit was a baker and grocer with his own store while also having four children to keep him busy. Two of his sons,...

Whether visiting Walla Walla on vacation or you’re a local resident, there are countless activities to indulge in year-round. This quaint but beautiful town serves as a great escape from the hustle and bustle of busy city life, offering beautiful scenery and a rich culture that’s just waiting to be explored. From evening and weekend events to full day adventures, below, we’ve covered some of the best activities Walla Walla has to offer. 1. Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival If you happen to find yourself with nothing to do in Walla Walla Valley during the month of June, look no further than the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival. This month-long celebration packs together more than 30 diverse events including things like a concert series, wine tasting, portraits of artists, and plenty more for the whole family to enjoy. There is no better way to indulge in Walla Walla culture and experience beautiful music all in one between a number of free events for the entire community and paid events for a more intimate setting with some of the amazing artists that participate. 2. Check Out Palouse Falls When you have an itch to experience the majesty of nature and make...

I decided to write this letter to help anyone that dreads going to the dentist as much as I did. For a quick background on me, I spent the better part of my life trying to avoid the dentist as much as humanly possible. Simply put, unless my teeth were practically falling out, you wouldn’t catch me dead in a waiting room. For me it all traces back to a few bad memories that were powerful enough to keep me away, despite my less than perfect smile. Fast forward to a few years ago and I can happily say that all of my opinions about the dentist have changed, ultimately inspiring me to share my story with those of you who may be going through something similar. If that sounds like you, I encourage you to read on to learn how Inland Family Dentistry changed the way I feel about going to the dentist and how they can do the same for you. My negative memories and associations about the dentist stemmed from a dentist appointment I went to in my youth. The dentist that my parents took me to see wasn’t friendly and had fingers like sausage links. He...

Scheduling semi-annual checkup appointments is a great way to ensure your dental health is in check, but sometimes symptoms arise that require more immediate attention. In this article, we’re going to talk about the common oral health signs that indicate it’s time for a checkup. 1. Visible Tartar Buildup Have you started to notice some unsightly whitish buildup around your gums that you can’t seem to get rid of? What you’re seeing is known as tartar. Forming when plaque is left on your teeth long enough to interact with the bacteria in your mouth and mineralize, tartar is most commonly found along the gumline at the base of the teeth. This usually occurs because of poor dental hygiene habits, or the lack of brushing around your gums due to sensitivity. Once formed, tartar is extremely difficult to get rid of at home, generally requiring a dentist to effectively and safely remove the buildup. Aside from making you self-conscious about smiling, tartar can also cause gingivitis. If left untreated for a long enough period of time, gingivitis eventually can develop into periodontal disease, a much more serious problem. 2. You Experience Toothache A toothaches can represent a number of different problems...

Even if you stay on top of your dental hygiene, eat a well-rounded, healthy diet, and regularly visit the dentist for checkups and cleanings, if you don’t have the right toothpaste, your teeth might not be getting the kind of care they need. While all toothpaste is formulated to keep your teeth healthy, depending on your specific dental needs, some will be better than others. Since a simple trip to the store for toothpaste can quickly become overwhelming with so many different options, in this guide, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about picking the perfect one for your teeth. Where to Start Your dental health is important, and choosing the right toothpaste is one of the first steps to take when building a healthy routine. Rather than taking a wild guess at what kind of toothpaste you think would be best, scheduling a simple visit to the dentist can point you in the right direction and help you find out if you have any problem areas that need attention. This is especially true if you have sensitive teeth, allergies to certain toothpaste ingredients, or a tartar buildup problem. Looking for the Essentials With so many different...

Is your dental routine as good as it should be? If not, don’t worry! In this article, we’re going to share with you five simple ways that you can improve your dental routine and reap the rewards of a healthier mouth. With the hustle and bustle of day to day life, it’s easy to let good dental habits fall by the wayside. Thanks to modern technology and an abundance of easy-to-use dental products, it’s never been easier to keep up a good routine. Without further adieu, let’s dive right in and get your dental routine on track! 1. Take Advantage of Smartphone Apps Aside from using smartphone apps for entertainment purposes, they can actually help you develop a healthy dental routine. BrushDJ is a free app for both Android and iOS phones that plays a song selected by the user for 2 minutes during brushing. This is extremely helpful since it’s recommended that you brush your teeth for at least two minutes, and unless you have a timer, it’s hard to know exactly how long you’ve been brushing for. In addition, BrushDJ also reminds you to brush your teeth twice a day, encourages the use of floss and mouthwash, and...

When buying food for the house, if you’re not paying attention to the products and beverages you’re purchasing, a simple trip to the grocery store could lead to a pantry stocked with acidic foods that can be harmful for your teeth. As great as candies, sodas, and citric fruits taste, they can actually end up doing your mouth more harm than good. In this article, we’re going to explore the damaging effects acids have on enamel and how to protect the dental health of your whole family with a few simple steps. What is Enamel and How Does Acid Affect It? Enamel is the outermost protective shell that covers your teeth and it’s the hardest most highly mineralized substance in the body (even more so than bones!). The role that enamel plays in the mouth is to protect the inner layers of teeth from damaging effects caused by acids and plaque. As an added protective measure to prevent enamel from becoming damaged, dentists also apply sealant around the chewing surfaces, although it doesn’t protect areas of the tooth that sealant won’t reach, allowing sodas and sticky candies to cause decay. When left on the teeth, acids can cause erosion which...

Finding the right dentist is an important part of making sure your dental health is where it needs to be, year after year. During the search, you may have noticed that some dentists have a DMD title, and others have a DDS title. If you’re like most, you’re probably wondering what the difference is and whether or not it should impact your selection. To help ease your mind, in this article, we’re going to clear up the confusion between these two degrees and explore the interesting history between them. To start, let’s first look at what they stand for and how they’re obtained. Solving the DDS and DMD Confusion Because they have different abbreviations and titles, many patients assume that each degree falls under a different specialty. While DDS stands for “Doctor of Dental Surgery”, DMD stands for “Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry”. To get either, dentists must go through three or more years of undergraduate college, four years of dental school, and then pass both a written national exam and a state or regional licensing exam. As it turns out, the American Dental Association says that there is no difference between the two degrees. Each simply means the doctor...

For both parents and children, a trip to the dentist can be a little intimidating. At Inland Family Dentistry, we understand this common problem and we're here to help you face it head on. From the initial meet and greet, we strive to create a comfortable experience for children that inspires excitement and laughter rather than tears and fears. From the adult side of things, we work to educate loving parents about the importance of dental hygiene and routine visits for their kids, creating a solid foundation for a future full of healthy smiles. The Importance of Dental Hygiene As a parent, it's important that you instill lifelong dental hygiene habits in your children. When babies are born, they already have their full set of 20 primary teeth that don't begin to show until they're between 6 months and 1 year, fully coming in by age 3. During this time, being proactive about your child's dental health is the best way to ensure everything is on track so they don't experience any developmental problems later on. This includes making sure their gums are healthy before the first teeth even begin coming in, and taking proper care of their oral health...

Happy holidays everyone! Just a short post to wish everyone well over the holidays and best of luck in the new year. We will be out of the office December 22 and will return January 2. We are periodically checking messages. If you are a patient of Dr. Goyer or Dr. Coe and experiencing a dental emergency, please call (509) 525-7250 and select option 2 and one of the doctors will return your call as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing everyone in the new year. Remember, the new year also brings insurance changes, so please keep us updated as benefits may change in the new year. We do our best to research your coverage prior to your appointment. Safe travels. Be merry!