Children’s Dentistry in Centreville VA | How To Make Brushing More Fun!

Centreville, VA Dentist

BRUSHING YOUR TEETH twice a day for two minutes is an important practice that helps keep your smile bright and healthy. But, does it have to be boring? We certainly don’t think so!

Brush For A Full Two Minutes

Using proper brushing technique for at least two minutes is necessary to ensure that all tooth surfaces are properly cleaned.

Sometimes we may be tempted to speed through our morning routine and brush a bit more vigorously to make up the difference. Brushing too aggressively, however, can lead to gum recession, tooth decay, or more serious oral health concerns. So, how do we make brushing for the full two minutes more fun?

Fun Tips To Make The Time Fly By

  • Brush to the beat! Brushing your teeth to your favorite song can help those two minutes fly by.
  • Use an app. The Oral-B™ brushing app, for example, times your brushing for you while letting you scroll through the news.
  • Exercise. (Yes, exercise!) Some people choose to stretch, do calf raises or even squats while they brush.
  • Read, watch television or stream videos. Taking your mind off of watching the clock helps brushing go by more quickly.

What About The Kids?

Making brushing fun for you is one thing, for kids it can be even harder. So, what can we do as parents to help our kids enjoy those two minutes of brushing in their morning and nightly routine?

  • Participation. Having your kids push the button on the timer or put the toothpaste on the toothbrush are small gestures that make it more fun for them.
  • Make it a game! Help your kids use their imagination while brushing.
  • Offer a reward. For example, give your child points every time they brush. When they reach a certain amount of points, they can earn a special prize!
  • Brush with them! Kids love following the example of their parents and if they see you doing it, they will likely want to do it themselves.

We Love Helping You Care For Your Smile

In the end, it’s all about doing something you enjoy while brushing. Whether it’s reading the news, watching your favorite TV show, or listening to music, brushing those teeth can be quick, beneficial and fun!

If you have any questions about ways to make your oral health routine more enjoyable, feel free to ask! We are committed to providing you with all the tools you need to enjoy a lifetime of happy and healthy smiles.

Thank you for reading our blog and being a valued patient and friend!

Top image by Flickr user kerinin used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Preventative Dentistry in Centreville VA | Is Chilly Weather Hurting Your Teeth?

Centreville, VA Dentist

WE MAY FEEL the dropping temperature in our toes, but we shouldn’t be feeling it in our teeth! Some of us experience a shock of pain as we breathe in the crisp air, or sip some hot chocolate. Tooth sensitivity tends to manifest in temperature extremes, so we notice it more during the winter season.

Sensitivity Is A Cry For Help

Tooth sensitivity is fairly common, but that’s no reason to ignore it! Tooth sensitivity could be your mouth’s signal that something is wrong. For the most part, solutions are simple. And, as with most dental problems, sensitivity is best dealt with early on.

Some Causes of Sensitivity Can Lead To More Severe Problems

Healthy teeth are guarded from extreme temperatures by the tooth’s enamel layer, and by your gums. Sensitive teeth may signal receding gums as a result of gum disease or overbrushing. Sensitivity could also be caused by damaged enamel from a cracked tooth, acid erosion, or decay.

We Can Help You Find A Solution

Whatever the cause of your sensitive teeth this season, it’s important to get it checked out by a dental professional. We can help you determine the cause, and find a solution. It may be a simple change in your dental care regime. Other times, a dental procedure can relieve your discomfort.

No One Should Suffer From Tooth Pain

We believe that no one should suffer from dental problems without hope of a solution. Please talk to us if you ever have questions about your dental health. We consider it an honor to be your trusted health partner, and to keep your teeth healthy for life.

Thanks for your trust in our practice. We appreciate you!

Top image by Flickr user Jason Ippolito used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Dentist in 20120 | A Smile To Be Proud Of At Any Age

Centreville, VA Dentist

AGING BRINGS CHANGES. Some of those changes we love, and some drive us crazy. But every change is better when you have a caring professional on your side.

Many believe that lost teeth are inevitable with the progressing years. That’s simply not true! With proper care, your teeth can last a lifetime. And with modern techniques and technology, you can be proud of your smile for just as long.

We’ll Help You Care For Your Aging Smile

Every patient, and especially those over age 50, need to care for their gums! Gum disease, not tooth decay, is the number one cause of missing teeth in adults. As we age, our resistance to infection (including infections that cause gum disease) lowers.

However, daily brushing and flossing, together with close care from our team, will keep your teeth and gums healthy. Some patients may need more frequent cleanings, special tools, or specific procedures like root planing and scaling, in order to maintain or restore gum health.

Understand The True Value Of Your Smile

As we age, we understand the wisdom in taking good care of ourselves. Not just for our own sake, but for our loved ones, as well.

Your smile is integral to your health and happiness. Social interactions, the way we talk and eat, and the way we feel about ourselves are all affected by the state of our smile. A beautiful, cared-for smile is key for looking and feeling healthy as we age.

One more wonderful thing often comes with age: the time and ability to pursue our own interests and passions. Take this opportunity to invest in your smile, and enjoy the positive effect that it will have in all aspects of your life!

It’s Never Too Late For A Beautiful Smile

If you believe that you’ve missed your chance for a beautiful smile, take another look! Recent developments make the dentures of 10 years ago look like ancient history. Even small procedures can subtract years, and add to your health and confidence.

Thanks for your trust in our practice. We love our patients and we love seeing you smile. Let us know what we can do to protect, preserve, and restore your smile.

Thank you for reading and for being our valued patients and friends!

Top image by Flickr user Christopher Michel used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Cosmetic Dentist in Centreville VA | Oral Health And Hearing: Brushing Is Music To Our Ears

Centreville, VA Dentist

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD your favorite music performed live? You likely noticed things that often don’t come across in a low-quality recording—the exact texture of the instruments and richness of the sound, for example. The parts of our auditory system that pick these things up are delicate, and can be dulled by trauma or disease.

What does this have to do with brushing your teeth? A lot, actually! Research is making it clear how far-reaching the benefits of good oral health are, including links to reduced risk of hearing loss.

It All Begins With Bacteria

Our mouths are home to billions of microbes of many different species. Many of them aren’t anything to worry about, but some of the more harmful microbes in dental plaque cause inflammation and tooth decay. If not removed by regular brushing and flossing, these bacteria will work their way into the bloodstream through infected, irritated gums.

Once inside the circulatory system, they inflame and narrow blood vessels in other parts of the body. When blood vessels that feed the auditory system are restricted, the fragile “hairs” that pick up sounds in the inner ear—called stereocilia—can be damaged, leading to hearing loss. And here’s the kicker: stereocilia don’t grow back.

3 Keys to Reduce Risk of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss occurs naturally with age—in fact, it affects about one out of three people by age 65. But there are steps each of us can take to reduce the risk and severity of the problem. Here are three easy-to-remember points:

  1. Maintain good oral hygiene. Twice daily brushing and daily flossing will keep inflammation-causing bacteria from causing problems.
  2. Wear hearing protection like earplugs or earmuffs if you work around constant loud noises.
  3. Turn down your music, especially young people with headphones. If someone can overhear it in your headphones, it’s probably too loud.

Oral Care Improves All Areas of Life

Hearing is just one part of life preserved or enhanced by good hygiene. It’s impossible to ignore how much oral care, or the lack thereof, affects day-to-day living.

We have a “big picture” view of dentistry as an essential component of overall health, so our advice and treatment is focused on making lasting improvements to quality of life!

Thanks for reading! We look forward to talking with you during your next visit.

Top image by Flickr user Will Keightley used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.