Category Archives: Dental Care

Why Visiting the Dentist Regularly is a Good Oral Care Habit?

Many folks think they simply need to see the dentist when something is wrong or when they have discomfort, but this is undoubtedly untrue! With routine exams, urgent dental visits can really get avoided.

During a routine examination, your dentist will be able to see early indications of dental decay, gum disease, and sometimes even oral cancer. The greatest method to save you time, money, and maybe future emergency visits are to identify these problems early.

Here are some of the reasons why regular dental visits are a big Yes!

Before Any Discomfort Arises, Your Dentist Can Detect Cavities

The majority of individuals picture painful areas as cavities where germs have worn away at the enamel. However, cavities frequently don’t show any symptoms until they’ve done a lot of serious harm to the tooth.

It’s quite improbable that you’ll be able to detect a cavity if you can’t feel it. “dentist McLean” is all over the Google search results when you are looking for regular dental checkups. Regular dental visits are crucial to help you find cavities or any dental issues.

They Can Detect Early Indications of Gum Disease or Oral Cancer by Routinely Seeing the Dentist

Good oral hygiene is your body’s best line of protection against significant health issues. It has been established that oral bacterial infection-induced gum inflammation contributes to cardiovascular disease. People with diabetes are more likely to lose teeth as a consequence of gum infections since they have less resistance to infections. Regular dental checkups can help identify these illnesses’ early warning symptoms before they get out of control.

Your dentist examines more than simply your teeth during a checkup. Your gums, the area beneath your jaw, the insides of your cheeks and lips, the edges of your tongue, as well as the roof and bottom of your mouth will all get examined. By doing so, the dentist is better able to see any early indications of oral cancer.

It Might Be Frightening to Visit the Dentist, But They Are Here to Assist

The idea of seeing the dentist may be frightening and overwhelming if you’ve never gone or it’s been a while. Don’t get discouraged by uncertainty-related worry! You aren’t the first person to have dental anxiety, and you won’t be the last either. All dentists have dealt with patients who were either nervous or had no idea what to anticipate while visiting the dentist for the first time.

The easiest method to get rid of your worries once you get there is to express them. When you look for “dentist McLean,” they will be pleased to walk you through the procedure and provide you with pointers so that your appointment is as comfortable and stress-free as imaginable.

The dentist will find out about your medical background and any recent changes to your dental health during your visit. Your entire mouth will get examined by the dentist, who will let you know if there are any irregularities.

How to Be at Ease at the Dentist Office

Whether it is the thought of someone being up close and personal in your mouth or its sterile smell and drilling sounds in the background, visiting the dentist office in Springfield VA, can be stress-inducing and unpleasant.

If you have been delaying visiting your dentist due to concerns or fears, then you are not alone. According to a study, 60% of the people surveyed acknowledged that they suffer from dental anxiety.

Dentist anxiety can create many issues for you in the future. If you don’t see your dentist regularly, you will end up having poor dental hygiene. And if you currently have dental problems, it will only worsen if you do not treat them properly.

So, control your fear and your dental hygiene. This article will share several tips to reduce dental fear and anxiety and feel at ease at the dentist’s office.

Schedule A Tour for the Dentist Office in Springfield, VA

If its been a long when you visited your dentist last time, then you might not have a specific dentist to go to. You may see a new dentist office in Springfield, VA you have never visited earlier or revisit an office that you haven’t visited in years.

Either way, you must contact the dentist’s office and request to schedule an office tour.

Visit the office without an appointment, get a feel for the environment and meet the staff and dentist.

If you can meet with everyone before taking your first appointment and see the office, you won’t have much anxiety on the treatment day. If a dentist’s office doesn’t meet all your needs, move on to another dentist until you find the one you’re comfortable with.

Talk to Your Dentist

You can only overcome your fears when you acknowledge them. Take a pen and paper and jot down all of your worries about the dentist.

What worries you the most about your visit to the dentist’s office in Springfield, VA?

Are you scared of pain? Or do you have any other concerns?

Write everything down and discuss your fears with your dentist. Be honest with your dentist, and they will ease your distress. Once your dentist walks you through the process step by step and shares the tools they will use, you won’t have as many concerns running through your mind.

Schedule Early Appointment

Another way to overcome fears is to take up appointments in the early mornings. Scheduling your appointment in the late afternoon may bring more worries throughout the entire day. So rather than wasting your whole day thinking about the appointment, get it over with the first thing in the morning.

You can wake up, brush your teeth, and go. Once you are done with your visit, you then rest the entire day to relax.

Use Your Hands to Give Signals

Your dentist can identify when you need something or you feel uncomfortable. But there could be times when your dentist can’t figure out all of your requirements. Remember, you cannot use many words as soon as your dentist starts working on your teeth.

So, to ensure seamless communication without words, use hand signals. You can review a few hand signals with your dentist before starting with the process. For example, you can request the dentist to share the hand signal for ‘stop.’

You can also request the team at the dentist office in Springfield, VA, to give you earplugs or a blanket if either of these helps ease your anxiety. You can also bring your own if you think that would be helpful for you.

Bring Your Music

You can also keep your mind distracted during the procedure by bringing along your favorite music with you. Rather than using your ears to listen to all the noises, you can relax in your world.

But make sure you inform the dentist office in Springfield, VA, in advance if you want to listen to music during the procedure. You can practice two or three hand signals with your dentist so both of you can communicate without you needing to hear.

However, if you find communicating difficult, then you can always take your earbud out for a moment and put that back in.

So, do you have any questions?

Can Invisalign Help to Treat Periodontal Disease?

We all want a beautiful smile and healthy teeth. However, sometimes misaligned teeth stand in the way.

Improper alignment of teeth not only affects its appearance but also makes it difficult to take proper care of your teeth. The bacteria and plaque buildup can also cause dental issues and can also result in a stained tooth.

People with severely misaligned teeth experience difficulty in chewing and biting food. The food particles get stuck between the crowded teeth and do not get removed with brushing and flossing.

Invisalign treatment at McLean proves to be a boon in such a case. They consist of a series of transparent trays that move your teeth slowly into the desired position.

Apart from other dental issues, misaligned teeth can also cause periodontal diseases. Hence, they need immediate correction with Invisalign treatment.

Can misaligned teeth cause periodontal diseases?

The major issue associated with the misaligned tooth is periodontal disease. Periodontal diseases or gum diseases are severe infections that can affect the soft gum tissues surrounding your teeth. The tissue erosion can cause periodontal pockets.

These pockets are spaces around your teeth under the gumline. They can capture and hold bacteria which causes deepening of these gaps even further. If left unattended, the infection can cause damages to the jaw bone under your teeth.

There could be many reasons for gum diseases, and misaligned teeth are one of them. Hence, improperly arranged teeth are a serious concern that requires treatment with traditional braces or Invisalign treatment to avoid periodontal diseases.

Why is Invisalign treatment more preferable over metal braces in case of periodontal diseases?

Periodontal diseases cannot be treated completely. However, good oral hygiene helps keep the issue in check.

Traditional braces are fixed and removed only by a dentist. Hence, once the treatment begins, you have to wear them throughout the day. This makes certain areas of your teeth difficult to reach.

The small food particles may get attached to the metal wires of the braces. Also, you cannot remove the braces while brushing. This makes it very difficult to clean your teeth and can lead to food and plaque buildup.

Patients with traditional braces usually experience gum inflammation and redness during their treatment.

Invisalign McLean treatment is a better alternative in such a case. The invisible trays can be removed during eating to avoid any food particles from getting trapped in them.

They also do not interfere with your dental cleaning regimen in any way. You can remove them during brushing and flossing to clean your teeth properly. You can also clean the aligners and place them back conveniently.

Hence, proper dental hygiene with regular cleaning of trays can prevent any bacteria buildup and gum infection.

Can you have Invisalign treatment if you have gum disease?

If you have periodontal diseases and misaligned teeth, you can choose to undergo treatment for both simultaneously. Most dentists are equipped to handle gum disease and Invisalign treatment at the same time.

The tray sits well above your gum line and is safe to use if you have periodontal issues. However, this requires prior consultation with your dentist. Your dentist will assess the situation, and in some cases, they may decide to treat the infection before straightening your teeth.

Severe gum infections can cause significant tissue erosion and damages to the jawbone. Since your teeth are socketed to the jawbone, any issues with the jawbone need to be corrected first.

Invisalign treatment moves your misaligned teeth in the desired place by creating pressure on them. If you have a severe infection, such pressure can cause more harm than good.

In such a case, Invisalign treatment or any other orthodontic treatment should be avoided until deemed fit by your dentist.

Hence, Invisalign treatment can help in the treatment of periodontal diseases. However, prior consultation with your dentist regarding your gum diseases is essential before starting the treatment.

Five Oral-Friendly Foods To Eat Before Your Dentist Office Visit

The dentist checks your teeth condition, does a rapid cleaning, or repairs anything that is getting rotten. They also recommend you to brush the teeth daily twice and do the flossing regularly. But even after all this care, we have to visit the dentist regularly. It is okay to eat any oral-friendly food items before visiting your dentist. It will make the appointment with your dentist much more pleasant.

Most people believe a myth that they cannot eat anything before going to a dentist office open near me for a procedure or cleaning. But skipping a meal before walking into the clinic or eating the wrong food item could lead to some problems. So in this write-up, we have shared some food items that will save your gums and teeth for close-up scrutiny by the doctor.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are the oil extraction distilled from the shoots, roots, and leaves of different plants. Some of the most commonly used essential oils are from the plants of anise, clove, lavender, myrrh, rosemary, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and peppermint. You can consume these oils with any snack or drink for a beautiful smell.

They also include antibiotic properties that will kill the bacteria causing stinky breath. Out of all these, myrrh needs to have a special mention as it includes astringent and antiseptic properties that tighten the gums and prevent any bacteria formation in your gums. But always ensure that the oil you will be using should be food grade.

Green Tea

Green tea is an excellent drink for your teeth. It lowers the acidity chances inside the mouth and thus reduces the pace of enamel erosion. Green tea also includes anti-inflammatory characteristics that kill the bacteria present, primarily responsible for bad breath. In short, green tea is a safe and great option for teeth. Try to avoid using sugar in the tea, as it will outweigh its benefits. Based on the types of water you will be using to make the tea, it can also be a great fluoride source.

Milk

Milk contains calcium which is exceptionally helpful for bone formation. According to studies it also shows that calcium might prevent the loss of the bones. It also helps in maintaining the pH level in the mouth to prevent acidity formation. It also assists to protect and maintain the enamel health of the mouth. The milk also helps to put back other minerals which are lost due to the other harmful food items.

Kale

Kale comes with numerous benefits, and you should consume it every day. This green leafy vegetable will strengthen the gums and teeth. It consists of high vitamin K concentration in every portion, which is higher in comparison to any other green vegetable. Spinach and collard greens might also be an outstanding addition to consume before visiting your dentist clinic. So chop some of them, toss them inside a salad, or boil them as a side dish for your lunch or dinner.

Xylitol

If you are diabetic or know someone who is diabetic, you must have known about xylitol before. Xylitol is a plant-based sugar that is a good alternative for sugar if you are more prone to diabetes or hyperglycemia. It is a non-carcinogenic and natural sweetener derived from birch trees.

According to clinical studies, xylitol stops tooth decay. Thus if you are not regularly brushing or flossing the teeth, your teeth might fight the bacteria with ease if you consume xylitol often. Find this sweetener in different types of sugar-free gums or drinks. You can use it as your regular sugar, and your teeth will be good! But remember, if you have not used Xylitol before; take it easy for the first few times before trying it regularly. Our stomach is not habituated to breaking down the chemical like most plant-dependent sugars and can thus cause a slight stomach ache.

How Your Dentist Can Change the Aesthetics of Your Smile?

People generally like the company of those who smile. A smile says a lot about a person. Some people call a smile the mirror of the heart. However, a dental condition can affect a person’s smile.

Your teeth and gums may have suffered a trauma caused by an accident. Also, tooth decay and gum diseases are the major reasons for wearing down a person’s teeth. Regardless of the cause that is affecting your smile, a decent McLean Dentist (mcleanhealthysmiles.com/mclean-dentist) can change the aesthetics of your smile for the better through the following treatments:

Crowns

Crowns are fitted over existing tooth structures. They help to restore the tooth’s natural appearance and function. By repairing or strengthening damaged or discolored teeth, crowns can change your smile for the better.

Crowns are generally made of porcelain or ceramic that is color-matched to the rest of your teeth. This ensures a natural-looking finish. Crowns can also be made up of metals and metal alloys. It normally takes two visits to the dentist to get a crown fitted. This is not counting any other treatment that may be required such as a root canal.

Implants

Missing a tooth can impact your ability to speak and chew, your overall health, and how your smile looks. A dental implant replaces an entire tooth. It is a titanium post placed into your jawbone that acts as an artificial tooth root over which a crown is placed. Dental implants offer a more permanent solution than something like dentures.

Not everybody can have dental implants. If you have a medical condition like diabetes or if you have gum disease, then you are not a suitable candidate. Smoking can also cause complications with implants and affect recovery time.

Bridges

Bridges are false teeth attached between two crowns. Like implants, bridges are a way to replace missing teeth. Though bridges are less permanent than implants, they are a good option if the teeth on either side of the gap have fillings and will need crowns.

Crowns are fitted on either side of the missing tooth and the bridge is cemented into place between them. If you are looking to change your smile by replacing a missing tooth, a good McLean Dentist can advise you if you should go for an implant or a bridge.

Whitening

Teeth whitening treatments include using bleaching gels that help to lift stains and remove discoloration from the surface of the teeth. Though teeth whitening doesn’t have the same functional benefits as some of the other treatments mentioned in this article, it is still very popular.

You can receive the treatment in a dental clinic or your dentist can prepare a take-home kit for you to use over a certain period of time. The take-home kit usually includes a whitening gel and a tray that should be placed over your teeth for a specified time. Results are usually visible after one or two weeks.

Veneers

If you are looking to correct small gaps, chips or cracks, discoloration, or slightly crooked teeth then a dentist might recommend veneers. Dental veneers are thin restorations added to the front of the teeth. They are custom made from thin shells of porcelain or composite resin.

Your dentist can select the veneer color to match with the rest of the teeth. Veneers are an alternative to teeth whitening. Veneers can be a solution for minor crookedness of teeth but if you have serious alignment problems then your dentist may advise orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontics

Braces and Invisalign aligners move your teeth into their desired positions over time. Your dentist will make regular adjustments to the braces or aligners during the course of the treatment. Invisalign aligners are a solution for all those people who want to change their smile without getting noticeable metal braces.

Correcting crooked and misaligned teeth makes it easier for you to clean your teeth and it also reduces the chances of cavities and gum diseases. The length of the treatment will depend upon how much your teeth need to be moved and the kind of braces or aligners you choose.

Do you have any questions about how a McLean Dentist can fix your smile? Please feel free to leave your comments below.