Family Dentistry Questions Article

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Family Dentistry Questions

Quality dental care is not possible without up-to-date x-rays. You should have x-rays taken during every cleaning, which is recommended twice annually. X-rays allow your dental professional to see areas of decay that are not visible to the naked eye.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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A highly trained dentist can also see tooth decay in its very preliminary stages, so it can be addressed with the most minimally invasive, cost-effective procedure like a fluoride treatment or tooth-colored filling. When decay is left untreated, you may need to have a more expensive dental crown placed or undergo an invasive root canal.

If my gums bleed after I brush or floss, what does that mean?

Bleeding gums are a telltale of gum disease. Research indicates that nearly 70 percent of American adults have some sign of gum disease. Periodontal or gum disease can contribute to other health issues such as stroke, low infant birth weight, heart disease and difficulty controlling diabetes. Regularly scheduled dental visits can help prevent and identify disease. When present, periodontal therapy can be performed to remove the infected tissue and restore your oral health.

How can I maintain a healthy, attractive smile?

The secret to a stunning, healthy smile is regular, professional cleanings and proper at-home care. If you keep up with your routine exams every six months, your family dentist will be able to detect any problems with your oral health. When caught early, any dental abnormality can be corrected before it worsens. However, if you have poor dental hygiene at home, you will undoubtedly have issues in the future. Be sure to brush at least twice a day and carefully floss between all of your teeth. If you eat sweet foods or beverages, drink water afterward to wash the sugar off your teeth. If you want to maintain a white smile, keep staining influences like red wine, dark cola, berries and coffee to a minimum.

I fear the dentist. What can be done?

If you fear the dentist, you are not alone. Oral sedation is a great way to decrease your anxiety before a dental procedure. An oral medication will be administered when you arrive at your family dentist. Once it begins to take effect, you will fee drowsy, but will still be able to respond to questions and commands.

There are also other options in sedation dentistry, such as nitrous oxide. This “laughing gas” is administered through a mask and produces a light, worry-free feeling. Nitrous oxide wears off within minutes, so you will be able to drive yourself home. Oral sedatives take longer to wear off, so you will need someone to drive your vehicle after your appointment. Sedation dentistry will allow your family dentist to complete your treatment more quickly, and to perform multiple procedures in a single visit, so you can spend less time in the dentist’s chair.

What are my options if my tooth is chipped or cracked?
If you have teeth that are mildly chipped or cracked, you can undergo a dental bonding procedure. In this treatment, a tooth-colored composite resin is applied to your tooth and hardened with a curing light to fix minor defects. For severe cracks or chips, porcelain inlays or onlays can be applied inside your tooth’s cusps and over the top of them to restore your smile. If your front or visible teeth are damaged, porcelain veneers can be placed over your natural teeth to create a picture-perfect smile.

What are my options for crooked or misaligned teeth?
If your teeth are only slightly crooked, dental bonding can be used to change the shape of your teeth. Porcelain veneers are a quick fix if your teeth are more crooked than bonding can correct, or if you desire a more realistic appearance that is stain resistant. Another option Invisalign, which moves your tooth roots into their proper position through a series of clear aligners. If your teeth are severely crooked or you are an adolescent, your teeth can best be straightened with traditional orthodontics.

If you live in northern Virginia and are looking for a qualified family dentist, please visit the website for Softouch Dental Care of northern Virginia to learn more about the services offered.

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If you live in northern Virginia and are looking for a qualified family dentist, please visit the website for Softouch Dental Care of northern Virginia to learn more about the services offered.

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