Monday, November 30, 2015

Sleep Tight, Pearly White


Many good things happen when we sleep. Our bodies recharge as our brains rest, helping us to stay healthy and productive. But for our mouths, nighttime can be a dangerous time of day. That’s because we swallow less when we sleep, and less saliva moving through the oral cavity means a greater opportunity for bacteria to grow and thrive. Because bacteria cause tooth decay and gum disease, eliminating them is essential to your dental health.
How do you guard against dental disease? Proper nighttime oral hygiene. By following these easy steps, you can help your mouth stay healthy:
1. Brush away the day. For those more susceptible to decay, brush your teeth immediately after dinner, and then again right before bed. Lower-risk individuals can simply brush once before they go to sleep. (Ask us which category you’re in.) Make sure you use a good brushing technique, cleaning all the surfaces of your teeth with gentle, short strokes. And remember―don’t eat or drink anything except water after you brush, or you’ll need to brush all over again.
2. Don’t forget to floss. Even if you’re a champion brusher, flossing needs to be part of your nightly routine. Plaque builds up between your teeth, and it must be removed before it hardens. Little particles of food can also become wedged in there, and a toothbrush can’t always get rid of them. Without flossing, these particles act as a breeding ground for bacteria all through the night.
3. Consider using mouthwash. While not as important as brushing and flossing, specific mouthwashes can help strengthen teeth, prevent dry mouth and freshen breath. The additional rinse also helps ensure that anything brushing and flossing loosened up gets washed completely out of your mouth.
Perform all three of these steps every evening, and your mouth will thank you for it. After all, the rest of your body loves sleeping―shouldn’t your teeth enjoy a healthy night’s slumber as well?

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Choosing Toothpaste

Brushing your teeth is part of an oral hygiene routine that keeps your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime. With such an important job, it is important that the right toothpaste is used. There are many different types of toothpaste to use, which is why we want our patients to know what to look for in the right toothpaste.


Toothpaste can come in different varieties, and choosing one depends on what you would like it do to. However, the most important quality is fluoride. Fluoride is the anti-cavity property that protects teeth from decay. It has been around for many years and has greatly reduced the amount of cavities Americans have.

When looking for toothpaste that also whitens your teeth, look for toothpaste that is also approved by the American Dental Association. Many whitening toothpastes work by including abrasives to polish away surface stains. While these abrasives are good for removing stains and plaque, too much of it can harm teeth. Choosing toothpaste with the ADA seal will ensure safe levels of abrasives.

For sensitive teeth, toothpastes with potassium nitrate or strontium chloride are great for blocking nerve pathways. Theses toothpastes need to be used for at least a month to see the best results.

Choosing toothpaste recommended by the ADA is deemed safe and effective; so you can feel secure choosing one of those. However, as with any health product, be on the lookout for any recalls or bad news.

For more info on oral care or to schedule an appointment, contact us by calling (703) 532-7858 or visiting our website, www.katherinedangdds.com.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Intraoral Camera for Accurate and Efficient Treatment

Advanced technology allows us to provide our patients with safe, effective, and accurate treatment. This is why we choose to utilize the intraoral camera in our practice.


The intraoral camera is a device that allows us to take a deeper look inside of the mouth. We are able to zoom in and observe the mouth like never before. The intraoral camera is like a pen that we can move around inside of your mouth. The camera allows us to take still shots so that we can reference them in the future instead of relying on memory. It also allows us to display video instantly onto a monitor for a never-before seen observation. This allows our patients to see what we see for the first time.

Being able to store photos of the mouth, we can keep track of conditions and allow our patients to take home photos so they can keep track, as well. This allows for a more efficient treatment plan and cuts down on appointment times. Saving time and money is always a plus! These photos can also be sent to other doctors or insurance companies instantly.

Keeping our dental office updated with new technology allows us to provide our patients with the best care. To learn more about the technology we use in our dental office, call us at (703) 532 7858 or visit our website @ www.katherinedangdds.com

Friday, November 13, 2015

How to Cure Bad Breath

Bad breath is embarrassing and it can it be frustrating to deal with. Here at our office, we know how stubborn bad breath can be and want to offer our patients advice on how to get rid of bad breath and how to keep it away.


Bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth. In order to fight the odor, you need to fight the bacteria. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to brush and floss. In addition, while brushing your teeth, brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth. Replace your toothbrush every two or three months so you are not introducing bacteria into the mouth.

Keep your mouth hydrated. Bacteria thrive in dry mouth conditions. Therefore, drink plenty of water to make sure you are hydrated. Avoid alcoholic drinks and caffeinated drinks, as these dry out your mouth. If you need an energy boost, try green tea. The properties of green tea actually fight odor causing bacteria, so it keeps you hydrated and fresh. Also try using a mouthwash without alcohol in it.

If you have a dry mouth or sense bad breath, chewing mint leaves, parsley, or lemon rinds. The greens neutralize odors and the citrus in lemons stimulates saliva.

Fighting bad breath is not only good news for your nose, but eliminating the bacteria is also good for teeth and gums! To learn more about oral health, give us a call (703) 532-7858 

Thursday, November 12, 2015

REFER TODAY!


WOOHOO!! Check it out!   You could win this HEALTHY NutriBullet PLUS a $200 GIFT CARD to Whole Foods so you can get fresh, organic fruits and veggies!! The more patients you refer, the more chances you have to win!! REFER TODAY!! We will draw the winner on December 17, 2015.

Limited Time Offer!

 Refer a friend, and receive a $25 Visa card AND your friend gets $100 off their services! HURRY offer expires 12/31/15!

Thankful


For the month of November our patients will receive our "thankful" mug!  Our way of expressing our sincere appreciation for allowing us to serve you. We love our patients! More importantly, we hope that your experience with us surpasses all expectations and that you are always pleased with our service! Thanks for choosing us!

Pocket Reduction


When gum disease advances, it can create deep pockets in the gums that harbor bacteria and perpetuate the cycle of gum disease. When these pockets are too large to heal on their own, a pocket reduction procedure is necessary. We can provide pocket reduction for gums so they can heal healthy and disease-free.

In order to clear up gum disease, the bacteria within the gums need to be removed. This is done through a scaling and planing. During this process, the bacteria are removed and the tooth is smoothed down to remove rough spots where bacteria could be hiding. After this is complete, the gums may not go back to normal. Sometimes the deep pockets that were created stick around; which will allow more bacteria to take up residence and continue to disease the gums.

To begin pocket reduction, your dentist will lift the gums up and away so that the deepest bacteria can be reached and removed. After the bacteria are cleared out from the gums and teeth, your dentist will replace the gum tissue so that it is tight against your teeth.

The goal of this procedure is to create a gum line that is natural. It should be loose enough for normal at-home cleaning but tight enough so that bacteria cannot reach deep down.

If you are experiencing red, irritated, painful gums or tooth sensitivity, you may want to schedule an examination. To learn more about gum disease and treatments, call us today! 703-532-7858

Gentle Caring Dentistry

We are a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long lasting smiles!