An Implant Dentist Helps Seniors

As a local Implant Dentist, we help senior citizens to maintain their oral health and the full functionality of their teeth.  Over seventy percent of U.S. adults will lose some or all of their teeth.  This is a staggering number that demonstrates the importance of ongoing dental care.  By visiting the dentist twice a year and practicing good at home care, you may be able to prevent tooth loss.

Fortunately, modern dental technology has made it possible for seniors to maintain the full functionality of their teeth.  In the past, tooth loss meant that you had two options – dentures or having a missing tooth.  Seniors that could afford it would typically choose to wear dentures, however, they can be uncomfortable. Even modern dentures can pop out or float in your mouth while eating or speaking.  Implant technology solves this problem.

As an Implant Dentist, we offer a variety of ways for seniors to replace the teeth they have lost.  Here are some popular options.

Full Dental Implants

This procedure replaces each missing tooth, and its root system, individually.  We implant a metal piece underneath the gum line and secure it to your jaw bone.  The metal piece and jaw bone fuse together, creating an extremely strong synthetic root.  Once healed, a second metal piece is attached to the first at the surface of your gum line, and a new synthetic tooth is attached to it.  This is ideal for patients that are missing teeth in random areas throughout their mouth.  It can be used to replace all of your teeth or specific teeth and new ones can be added at any time.  Once in place you care for them like a normal tooth and can eat all of your favorite foods.

Implants and Dentures

One of the common complaints with dentures is that they pop out.  Simultaneously, replacing each tooth individually takes more time.  We can replace entire sections of your teeth using a combination of the two technologies.  Dentures are created in a lab and instead of popping them in and out at night, they can be permanently secured to your jaw bone.   Using a metal implant, they can be either screwed into your jaw bone so that they stay in place permanently, or the dentures can attach to a metal implant, allowing you to remove them when you want to.  Both options are more stable and secure than traditional dentures and allow you to eat, drink, and speak, without fear of their coming out.

During your initial consultation, we will evaluate the health of your gums and discuss the various ways to replace your missing teeth.  We will make recommendations based on your lifestyle and timeframe for when you want the procedure to be completed.  As an Implant Dentist we pride ourselves in providing solutions for patients.  There is no one size fits all answer.  Instead, our recommendations are based on our patient’s needs and wishes.  By working together, we can create a treatment plan with extraordinary results. 

Visiting the Dentist While Pregnant

You should visit the dentist twice during your pregnancy to have your teeth examined and cleaned.  When you are pregnant, the hormonal changes put you at greater risk of developing gum disease and cavities.  This can be prevented by having your dental office remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gum line.  Your body is working hard to create a child, untreated oral health issues are an unnecessary complication.

Many medical professionals believe that the healthier you are during pregnancy; the healthier your baby will be when they are born and throughout early life.  There are steps you can take to be as healthy as possible including visiting your medical doctor regularly and having your teeth cleaned.  We also recommend that you eat and drink the additional nutrients you need to stay in good health.  This includes loading up on calcium, water, green leafy vegetables, fruits, protein, and more. You should also take a calcium supplement along with your prenatal vitamins to keep your teeth and bones strong both during and after pregnancy.

As a dentist, we get calls from pregnant women wondering if seeing the dentist is safe during pregnancy. It is absolutely safe.  We do ask that patients inform us of their pregnancy so that we can make appropriate adjustments to their treatment plan.  We will not use anything or do anything that could be harmful to your or your child.  Instead, teeth cleanings will actually help you and your child to be in better health.  Our office is safe, family friendly, and comfortable.  Our staff will walk you through the process and answer any questions that you may have so that you can feel relaxed during your dental treatments.

We recommend that during your pregnancy you pay extra attention to your oral healthy by brushing after every meal and flossing daily. This will remove most of the bacteria and plaque that tries to form in your mouth.  As an additional precaution, you should rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash daily.  This will kill much of the bacteria that remains.  As a final precaution, having your teeth cleaned will remove plaque and tartar that you were unable to remove on your own.  These steps will help to prevent cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease from forming.

After Your Baby is Born

We also treat children.  When your baby is born, we can become the dental care provider that your entire family sees.  This is both convenient and provides continuity of care that can help your family to stay healthy throughout the years.

When your baby starts to form their first tooth, you should buy a rubber toothbrush and use it on their gums and teeth.  The pressure will provide relief from pain and it will keep their teeth and gums healthy.  As they grow, you can use a child toothbrush and toothpaste.  An electric one will make the job even easier.  Once you baby has turned one year old you should bring them in for their first trip to the dentist.  Practicing good oral health now will help them stay healthy into adulthood. 

Visit a Dentist Instead of Going to the ER for Your Dental Emergencies

Many people think of the ER and not the dentist when they get hurt.  While the emergency room has its place, ER doctors do not treat conditions related to your teeth.  You could end up waiting in the lobby for hours only to be told to call your family dentist to assist with your emergency.

Even though standard office hours end in the early evening, we are happy to help patients in an emergency.  If we don’t answer the phone, leave a message, state your emergency, and we will call you back as quickly as possible.

There are several reasons you may need to see a dentist immediately.  These include:

·         Severe toothache.  If you are in a lot of pain, it is important to give us a call.  This is likely a sign of tooth decay, a cavity, or a massive bacterial infection. These symptoms will not abate on their own because you need to address what is causing them.  We can treat you quickly and help you to enjoy a pain free life.

·         Pus is coming out of your tooth.  When a bacterial infection enters the inner portion of your tooth, known as the dental pulp, and infects your root system, your body could respond by generating pus.  The pus needs somewhere to go so a hole will develop in your tooth and pus will drain out of it.  If you notice anything along these lines you probably need an emergency root canal to prevent the infection from spreading.

·         A tooth falls out.  Whether playing baseball or in an auto accident, it is fairly common for teeth to be knocked out.  When this happens you can try to save the tooth by placing it into a glass of milk.  Bring it with you so that our dentist can try to reattach it.  If that doesn’t work, we can provide you with a dental implant to replace the tooth.

·         Chipped tooth.  If your tooth is bumped into or hit, you could end up with a chipped or broken tooth.  When this is the case, we can correct the problem quickly so that your roots are not left exposed.

·         Auto accident.  If you’re in a car wreck and bump your mouth, it could lead to loose teeth and bleeding.  Visit our office so that we can inspect your tooth and make treatment suggestions.  Your teeth are precious, making it important to maintain them.

You never know when or where a dental emergency will strike.  When it does, it is important to know who to call for fast results.  Old Town Dentistry has an expert staff that welcomes guests with a smile while providing exceptional patient care.  We treat patients of all ages so whether you have a young child that injures a tooth at baseball practice or need emergency care for an elder patients; we have the staff, tools and equipment needed to get the job done right.

There are many reasons to see a dentist.  It is important to visit the right one.  Old Town Dentistry has an excellent reputation for providing excellent care.  Call us today to experience it for yourself!

Teeth Whitening Procedures Will Improve Your Appearance Quickly

For an amazing smile try one of our teeth whitening procedures.  As a dentist, we offer a way to brighten your smile in under an hour. Our in-office treatments produce amazing results that are difficult to achieve, using over the counter treatments.

As people age, their smile becomes dull, and their teeth start to yellow.  This is a natural process that happens in part due to genetics and in part due to what you eat and drink.  There are specific items that will cause your teeth to yellow.  If you want to maintain a whiter smile it is important to avoid smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and soda.  Even apples have been known to discolor teeth.  Cutting out your morning latte may not be an option but visiting our office is a simple one.

It is easy to schedule a teeth whitening procedure.  Our office is accepting new patients and the entire process typically takes less than an hour.  If you have an extended lunch break, you can even get this done during your work day.  Otherwise, we are happy to schedule you for the first or last appointment of the day so that it doesn’t interfere with your busy schedule.  Our staff is very accommodating and will work around your day.

There are ways to whiten your teeth at home, but they are nowhere near as effective.

·         Whitening strips.  You can purchase these from any local drug store.  You wear them daily for a couple of weeks, and the overall result is typically two shades whiter than when you started. Our in-office procedure takes an hours and whitens by eight shades.

·         Whitening toothpaste.  We recommend using this in between treatments.  It will help your teeth to stay bright.  If you use it as your only form of treatment, the impact will be minimal.

·         Whitening trays.  These trays can be bought at the drug store, but the liquid is likely to leak out into your mouth since the trays were not customized for you.  We can create trays that fit your mouth if you want to try this procedure at home.  It does work by will not produce as significant a result as our procedure will, plus there is the discomfort of having to wear the trays.

If you are busy, want to improve your appearance, and like things that produce results, our in-office teeth whitening procedure is exactly what you need.  Making your smile bright will automatically improve your appearance.  It will give you a youthful and healthy glow, removing the aging look that yellow teeth can cause. 

Before you consider fixing your appearance through plastic surgery or a cosmetic procedure, start by giving yourself a bright smile. We can remove the damage done to your smile by years of smoking.  It is completely non-invasive so there is no risk to your health, and there is no pain.  This is an excellent complement to anything else you are doing for your appearance.  Everyone notices your smile so make sure it’s a great one. 

Benefits of a Spanish Speaking Dentist

Patients that don’t speak English may find a Spanish speaking dentist easier to visit. It can be intimidating to see a dentist that doesn’t speak the same language as you.  It is important to be able to communicate and tell your dentist what pain you are feeling, when you started to experience it and the type of concerns that you have.  We make it easier for patients to relax and be comfortable during their visit.

This can be especially helpful for families that immigrated to the United States and have now brought older parents to live with them. While the younger generations may speak English, it is difficult for older parents and grandparents to learn a new language.  Instead of having the young ones stand by the patient, translating, they can speak directly with our family dentist.

Our practice provides general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, emergency dentistry, and family dentistry from an English and Spanish speaking dentist.  Our services include:

·         Teeth cleaning and dental checkups.  It is important to have your teeth examined and cleaned at least once per year.  Patients that are at high risk should have them cleaned twice per year.  This includes those with diabetes.

·         Crowns and bridges.  If you are experiencing tooth decay, we can help to correct the problem and use crowns as necessary.

·         Root canals.  When your dental pulp becomes infected a root canal is necessary to correct the problem.

·         Emergency dentist.  This becomes important when someone is injured in a car accident or playing sports.  We can assist with your emergency dental needs so you can get back to living life.

·         Teeth whitening.  A bright white smile will take years off of your appearance, helping you to look youthful and refreshed.  This in office procedure is simple and can be done in under an hour.  Teeth will get up to eight shades whiter.

·         Veneers.  If your teeth are cracked, uneven, chipped, or stained veneers can transform your appearance by giving you uniform bright white teeth.  This cosmetic dentistry procedure is highly recommended.

·         Dental implants.  If you are missing teeth or want to permanently correct the appearance of your teeth, dental implants are an ideal solution for creating the smile you have been looking for.  This procedure is more intensive than veneers and can take months to a year to complete.  The result is a natural looking, perfect smile.  As a Spanish speaking dentist, we can explain this option and its complexity in a way that a native Spanish speaker can understand. 

·         Treating gum disease.  Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and we look for signs of it at every dental visit.  Gum disease can become a serious problem and even cause your teeth to fall out.  By treating it early, we can preserve your oral health.

·         And more!

Our dental practice treats patients of all ages and will help you to stay in good oral health.  Oral health and hygiene can impact all areas of the body and by working with a Spanish speaking dentist, all members of your family can feel comfortable and relaxed during their visit.

Invisalign Dentist Can Straighten Your Teeth the Easy Way

If you want to straighten your teeth, an Invisalign Dentist can transform your smile without pesky wires and brackets.  Traditional braces are extremely effective, but they can be uncomfortable, and an eye soar.  This is especially inconvenient for professionals that don’t want to change their image or appearance.  Invisalign is the modern alternative that can create the perfect smile you have been looking for.

Before deciding the best way to straighten your smile, it is important to schedule a teeth cleaning and examination with our Alexandria dentist office.  We need to first determine if you have any oral health issues that should be fixed.  Things like cavities should be repaired prior to starting any cosmetic dentistry procedures.  If you are missing any teeth, implant dentistry should also be considered as a treatment option.

Once your teeth are determined to be in good health, our dentist will evaluate your teeth to determine the viability of using Invisalign to straighten your smile.  While this is a fantastic option for many patients, it is not the solution for everyone and if that is the case we can suggest other cosmetic dentistry procedures like implants or veneers.

Molds are made of your teeth, and aligners are created for your specific treatment plan.  These aligners are clear and surround your teeth.  You can comfortably wear them all day without looking like you are wearing braces or a retainer.  We suggest that you only take them out for eating and cleaning.  Typically, every six weeks you put on a new aligner until your treatment is complete.  This is done at home, without a trip to the office, making Invisalign a less time consuming treatment than braces.  You will have routine visits to inspect your progress but these are fairly quick and can be scheduled around your busy lifestyle. 

Most of our patients find this procedure to be a lifesaver because they can improve their smile without the embarrassment of braces.  It is also an ideal option for adults that had braces as a child and have had their teeth move over time.  Braces do not set teeth permanently so getting braces more than once is extremely common.  With Invisalign, those small adjustments can be made without disrupting your life of appearance.

Not every dentist offers this procedure, so it is important to work with a local Alexandria dentist office that is experienced.  Our team is friendly, welcoming, and understands the importance a beautiful smile plays in increasing self-confidence and brightening your world.  We will work with you to develop treatment plans that help you to achieve your goals.

You may also want to undergo teeth whitening prior to starting your treatment.  Your bright white smile will shine through your aligners and give you increased confidence to flash those pearly whites. We also recommend a teeth whitening when you are done with your Invisalign treatment so you can unveil the bright new you with gusto. To learn more about our cosmetic dentistry procedures call our Alexandria dentist office at 703-683-0800.

Your Dentist Can Treat TMJ Disorders

If you are suffering from TMJ our family dentist can help.  TMJ can be extremely painful and even in patients with mild symptoms it is at best uncomfortable.  There is no need to live with the pain when you can receive treatment from our highly qualified team.

Temporomandibular joint disorders, commonly known as TMJ, occurs when there is poor function or mobility in the jaw joint or muscles. Light TMJ will cause sharp, stabbing pains through your jaw joint when you bite down hard or are eating crunchy foods.  This is a nuisance that can make it difficult to eat even you favorite foods. Eventually with exercise and changing your eating habits the pain could subside but this is not a guarantee.

More severe TMJ requires medical treatment from an experienced dentist.  It can make even talking painful and eating is especially hard to do.  People with severe TMJ find that it negatively impacts almost all areas of life. 

Do I have TMJ?

There are signs you can watch for to determine if you have the disorder.  These include:

• ·         Jaw locking
• ·         Popping noise in your jaw
• ·         Headache
• ·         Neck ache
• ·         Pain in the jaw or face
• ·         Stiff jaw muscles
• ·         Pain when you chew
• ·         Change in your bite between your upper and lower teeth

The National Institute of Health estimates that TMJ affects over 10 million Americans so if you are experiencing these symptoms, you are not alone. 

There are several ways to treat TMJ.  These include:

• ·         Gently stretching your jaw muscles.
• ·         Apply moist heat or a cold cloth to the painful area.
• ·         Don’t chew gum, yawn, or sing loudly.
• ·         Use pain medication in moderation.
• ·         Muscle relaxers can assist with helping you to not tighten the jaw.

These treatment options will help you to manage the pain but they don’t do enough to prevent TMJ or to reverse the problem in the first place.  That is why you need to seek treatment from a dentist.  A traditional doctor can prescribe muscle relaxers but they won’t be able to treat the root of the problem, which is necessary for a long term solution.  As a family dentist we routinely recommend having a custom mouth guard created.  A large cause of TMJ is the jaw locking or teeth grinding at night.  This can even cause the jaw to slip out of place.  A customized mouth guard will prevent jaw lock and the top and bottom teeth from touching each other.  This simple treatment can make the difference between waking up in agony or being able to go through your day with minimal pain.

Patients may also benefit from teeth straightening like Invisalign but extreme measures like surgery must be weighed with caution and explored as a last result only.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms your first stop needs to be our family dentist office.  We will give you a thorough examination, determine the root cause, and provide treatment solutions.  Contact us today to schedule your dental examination and step onto the road of recovery.