Blog, Dental Information, Dental Topics 2
In many households, the bedtime routine is no fun. One of the trickiest parts for some parents is getting their kids to brush their teeth. However, it’s not a part of your child’s routine that should be skipped. To help make taking care of their teeth fun for children, here are some ideas for parents.
Toothbrushes:
Provide your kids with fun toothbrushes! By choosing a brush decorated with their favorite character or color, your children will think of their toothbrush more like a toy than a dental tool. Consider getting more than one toothbrush, so each night they can choose the one they want to “play” with at the time.
Toothpaste:
Children are picky about their toothpaste flavors just like their foods. Select toothpaste that you know your kids will like. Some of the flavor options include bubble gum and fruits, as well as the standby mint.
Floss:
If they start flossing at a young age, your kids will likely view it as part of their oral hygiene routine all of their life. Try using some of the fun flossing tools on the market today, because they may help get your child interested in flossing. There are many colors and shapes to choose from, so keep trying until you find one that motivates your child.
Rewards:
Enticing your children with rewards is often an easy way to encourage them to perform a task without arguing. Consider making a rewards chart and giving them a sticker each time they brush and floss. By the end of a week filled with good dental hygiene, a special reward will await them!
We treat patients from Gaithersburg and the surrounding area
Blog, Dental Topics 2, Family Dentistry
Do you have children? Are you exhausted from driving all over town for clubs and meetings and appointments for your family? If you are finding yourself occasionally overwhelmed by the needs of your family, a family dentist can help you simplify one area of your life. A family dentist can see each member of your family, from the youngest to the oldest, sometimes on the same day in the same block of time!
Because of the rising popularity of family dental practices, you have more choices than ever to address the oral health needs of your entire family. Choosing the right one can be difficult and confusing. If you’re looking for a new family dentist, here are some factors you can consider when you’re choosing which family dental practice in your area is for you:
- How much training does this dentist have? How long has he or she been in business? All dentists must graduate from dental college, but a truly exceptional dentist will pursue continuing education courses in an effort to stay abreast of the latest methods and technology in their field. Ask what current certifications the dentist holds. How experienced is their staff?
- Are the employees and the dentist good with children? When you visit their offices, do you see an environment that’s inviting and warm? Are there games or activities for children of all ages? Are the magazines you see appropriate for all ages? Do the patients in the waiting area seem comfortable and relaxed? Does everyone you see seem happy? Did the front office staff greet you in a friendly manner? If any of the answers is no, then you should look at the practice more closely before you make an appointment.
- How modern is the office? A good family dentist will have current technology and sedation dentistry options to ensure a pleasant visit for all.
Choosing a family dentist is an important step. Don’t rush into it; do some research before you decide, and you can ensure that you make the best choice for your family.
We treat patients from Gaithersburg and the surrounding area
Blog, Dental Topics 2, Family Dentistry
You might wonder what the difference is between general dentistry and family dentistry. They are quite similar but have a few key distinctions. Finding the right dental health professional for you and your family is very important, and maintaining checkups and treatment is part of the process.
One major element of family dentistry is that these professionals accepts patients of all ages, from babies to senior adults. Every member of your family can visit the same office and receive consistent quality care that you expect from your chosen dentist. Each age group has unique needs that can be addressed by a family dentist who is trained and experienced in handling those concerns.
Family dentists provide treatment to both repair existing problems. Diagnosing oral health issues and then performing procedures such as fillings are common parts of the job. Your family dentist may recommend that some services be treated by a specialist, like oral surgeons for dental implants, endodontists for root canal therapy, or orthodontists for braces. However some family dentists perform those types of procedures, so it depends your service provider.
Family dentists also perform treatments to help avoid future oral health problems. Things like cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealant application are all routine tasks. It is vital to schedule dental checkups every six months to catch and treat problems before they have a chance to advance. Some offices provide teeth whitening, and all family dentists are well-versed in training your family members in the best techniques for home dental hygiene.
To increase the likelihood of you and your loved ones keeping appointments, choose a family dentist with a convenient office location. Also, find a practice that is comfortable and appealing to family members. Younger children may benefit from distraction items such as television or video games. If dental anxiety is an issue for anyone, a practice that offers sedation dentistry may be a good choice.
Ask coworkers, friends, and neighbors for recommendations for a good family dentist in your area. Visit the practice to ensure it is right for you, and then make and keep appointments for everyone in your family.
We treat patients from Gaithersburg and the surrounding area
Blog, Dental Topics 2, Veneers
For people who don’t feel confident about showing their teeth when smiling, dental veneers provide a great way to restore self-esteem and quickly create beautiful smiles. No longer only for the rich and famous, the secret of transforming smiles with veneers is out for everyone to enjoy the benefits.
Veneers are thin shells that go over the front surfaces of your teeth to hide imperfections. They are customized just for you so that they look very natural and appealing. Veneers cover problems like stained, chipped, crooked, or misshapen teeth. The most common materials that veneers are made from are composite or porcelain. Here are the details about each of these types of veneers.
Composite
- Has an opaque finish, but it’s difficult to match the color of your existing tooth enamel color
- Lifespan is usually two years or less
- Susceptible to staining because of its porous characteristics
- Requires careful and consistent maintenance to keep them looking good as long as possible
- Typically lower in cost than other types of veneers
Porcelain
- Has an opaque finish that appears natural and coordinates well with the color and texture of existing teeth
- Lifespan is usually from five to ten years
- Does not stain
- Requires good dental hygiene for the best results
Whichever type of dental veneers you might select, chances are good that you will be glad you chose to restore your smile in this way. People won’t even realize that underneath the veneers you have crooked, discolored, uneven, or chipped teeth. Your secret will be safe, thanks to the technology of dental veneers.
We look forward to seeing you in our Gaithersburg dental office
Blog, Dental Topics 2, Veneers
If your desire is to transform your smile quickly and easily, dental veneers may be the way to go. They hide cosmetic problems that range from minor issues to very noticeable ones. Veneers are customized so that they give you the exact look you want for your new beautiful smile. These restorations, often made of porcelain, offer a variety of benefits to meet many needs.
Straightening:
Crooked, misaligned, or uneven teeth can be hidden with veneers. An impression will be taken of your teeth, which will be sent to a lab so that veneers can be created specifically for you. Once the veneers are finished, the dentist will attach them to your teeth to give you a perfectly straight smile without having to wear braces.
Strengthening:
If you have cracked or otherwise weakened teeth, you do not have to replace them in order to get dental veneers. Once the teeth are stabilized, veneers can be applied and actually act like a splint for your teeth. Veneers create a strong bond with your teeth and can even protect against tooth decay.
Durability:
Another benefit of veneers is their durability, as they can last up to 20 years. Caring for them just means proper brushing and flossing, and regular checkups. No changes to your diet are necessary, and porcelain veneers are stain resistant so they maintain their bright appearance.
Easy procedure:
Getting dental veneers is a painless process, and quicker than many other cosmetic procedures. You can get your new smile in just two or three appointments.
Natural:
Veneers are one of the most natural-looking ways to improve your smile. They look similar to real teeth because they reflect light naturally, and the thin material fits snugly to your teeth.
Versatility:
Veneers correct a variety of cosmetic dental problems. Examples include discolorations, stains, breaks, misalignment, overcrowding, and unevenness. Just about any aesthetic flaw you have with your teeth can be covered with veneers, giving you a brand new beautiful smile.
We look forward to seeing you in our Gaithersburg dental office
Blog, Dental Topics 2, Veneers
Porcelain dental veneers are among the most popular for making over your smile. Dental veneers can achieve dramatic and stunning results, not only in the aesthetic appearance of your smile, but also in the way you feel about yourself. Years of self-conscious behavior related to smile insecurities will begin to fall away, leaving you smiling, talking and eating in public with confidence.
Dental veneers are typically used on the most visible of your teeth, the front teeth. A very small amount of the natural tooth is ground away to make room for the veneers – so they will not appear “puffy.” A dental lab will then fabricate custom veneers from molds, using special techniques to craft the most realistic veneers in the desired tooth shade. Once these veneers are placed, they are designed to look as though they are natural, beautiful, white teeth, resulting in your best, most vibrant and confident smile.
Porcelain veneers are a relatively simple and risk-free way to correct chipped, gapped, crooked or stained teeth. Short teeth can be lengthened, and “gummy” smiles can be corrected. Some patients have suffered for years in embarrassment or discomfort with dental issues they thought would require major dental work to correct. Many times, these issues can be corrected quickly and easily with porcelain dental veneers.
If you are considering a smile makeover, it’s important to look around. Because cosmetic dentistry isn’t a legally separate specialty of dentistry, many dentists call themselves cosmetic dentists without fully appreciating the level of artistry and passion for beauty necessary to create a beautiful new smile design.
Ask any dentist for photographs of before and after patient results done personally by that dentist. Talk to your friends to see if someone has a personal recommendation. You might be surprised at how many people you think just have gorgeous natural smiles actually have had a smile makeover and now utilize dental veneers.
Don’t wait to start experiencing the benefits of dental veneers and a smile makeover. Talk to your cosmetic dentist today to see what options are available to you to meet your own smile goals.
We treat patients from Gaithersburg and the surrounding area
