Your Local Alexandria Dentist Can Prevent Bad Breath

If you struggle with bad breath a trip to the dentist can help.  This is a common issue that many people deal with.  Unfortunately when bad breath becomes excessive it can ruin a conversation, cause people to become embarrassed, and present an overall impression of bad health.  That impression may not be so far from the truth.  Bad breath can be a sign of an infection, oral or otherwise. 

Statistically 80 percent of bad breath comes from something inside of the mouth. The other 20 percent is likely caused by a respiratory infection.  If you are not feeling well and have constant bad breath you should call your physician to see if you need to be taking medication.  A lingering sinus infection is one of the health issues that can lead to bad breath and it can easily be treated with a course of antibiotics. 

If you are otherwise in good health, your bad breath is caused by an oral health or hygiene issue.  This is something your dentist can directly help you with.  At Old Town Dentistry we recommend that patients have their teeth cleaned at least twice a year.  This allows our dental hygienist to remove lingering bacteria and plaque from on and in between teeth as well as along the gum line.  Bacteria and plaque can create a foul smelling odor, especially when trapped in between teeth.  This is partly why flossing is so important removing bacteria and plaque which will greatly reduce bad breath.  

After your teeth cleaning our dentist will inspect your teeth and gums to determine if there are any infections or tooth decay – both can create bad breath.  These are two major oral health issues that may naturally produce a bad smell because they are a sign of something being infected inside of your mouth.  Just like an infection in the rest of your body can create an odor, this can as well. Treating it will help you to feel better along with reducing these symptoms. 

In addition to regular visits to the dentist there are several things you can do to improve your breath at home including:

• Drinking more water.   Saliva is the body’s natural way of washing away bacteria and food particles.  While it doesn’t work 100 percent of the time, it does make a major impact.  So much so that people with little saliva are diagnosed with a condition called dry mouth.  This creates bad breath and puts people at risk for cavities.  You can prevent it by drinking plenty of water. 
• Brushing after meals.  Carry a soft toothbrush with you and use it after eating.  This will remove bacteria, food particles, and any lingering smells created after eating. Even a quick brush will work wonders and make sure to brush your tongue since smells can become trapped there. 
• Flossing every day.  If you want good breath, flossing every day is not negotiable.  To find out if you are flossing enough, use this simple test.  Wash your hands and floss your teeth.  If your fingers stink afterwards it has probably been too long since you flossed.

Implementing a good oral hygiene routine at home and visiting the dentist twice a year will help you decrease your bad breath.  To learn more schedule an appointment with Old Town Dentistry today.

Teeth Whitening for Your Special Day

Old Town Dentistry provides teeth whitening for your special day or big event.  If you are getting married, going on the trip of a lifetime, graduating, or celebrating a major event, do so with a smile you can be proud of.  Many people are embarrassed about their smile and a common complaint is yellow or stained teeth.  Over time it is easy for teeth to become stained, especially for smokers, coffee, tea, and wine drinkers.  Brushing alone cannot remove stains or restore teeth to their original appearance.  Fortunately, we offer a solution that does. 

There are several ways to whiten your teeth.  Using special toothpaste or buying over the counter strips, are a readily available option.  The challenge with these methods is that they do not make a large difference.  They can typically only whiten teeth by up to two shades and are best as a maintenance step in between professional treatments. 

If you are looking for dramatic results you will need professional teeth whitening.  Old Town Dentistry provides a variety of cosmetic dentistry solutions and this is one of the most popular.  Patients who want to transform their smile should start with this simple procedure because it makes such a large impact in a short amount of time.  We even provide a way for people to whiten their teeth at their own convenience. We can take a mold of a patient’s mouth and create custom whitening trays in our office.  These trays fit perfectly and surround your upper and bottom teeth.  When you are at home, simply insert the professional grade whitening gel into the trays and secure them into place.  They should be worn for a couple of hours for ten days. Afterwards, you will have stunning white teeth. 

At Old Town Dentistry, we understand that our patients are busy. With appointments to run to, meetings to keep, family life, and more, it can be difficult to head to the dentist to whiten your teeth.  By offering an at-home solution we provide a way for our patients to love their smile regardless of where in the world they find themselves.  Simply pack your teeth whitening trays and go. 

For most people a simple teeth whitening treatment will produce the results that they need to feel confident enough to smile for pictures.  This will make your special day more memorable since your teeth will be beautiful in person and in photos.  If after whitening your teeth you still aren’t satisfied with your smile, schedule an appointment to discuss cosmetic procedures. There are several ways that we can create a stunning smile.  For example, dental veneers can be placed on top of your existing teeth to cover dark stains, close gaps, make teeth even, and even straighten them.  Teeth that are severely crooked or need to be replaced may benefit from dental implants.  Implants are a permanent solution for replacing teeth that look perfectly natural and beautiful.  Those who want to straighten all of their teeth should try Invisalign.  These are only a few of the dental procedures we perform on a daily basis.  To learn more or to purchase your custom teeth whitening trays, schedule an appointment with Old Town Dentistry today.

Old Town Dentist Can Treat Your Dental Abscess

In our comfortable Old Town Dentist offices, we treat patients with a variety of oral health issues, including a dental abscess.  We recommend that patients have their teeth cleaned and a full dental exam twice a year.  This allows us to remove bacteria and plaque that form on the teeth and gums before they have a chance to create a cavity or cause gum disease.   When patients are seen infrequently, it gives bacteria and infections the opportunity to spread and this can eventually lead to the formation of a dental abscess. The smaller the cavity, the easier it is for us to treat before it can expand or lead to additional pain and discomfort.

A dental abscess is a tooth infection that spreads into the gums and bone structure.  It can even spread into the neck.  It is important to understand that an abscess is an infection, which will continue to spread and cause increasing amounts of pain until it either bursts on its own or is treated under the medical supervision of a dentist’s office.

An abscess starts as a small and seemingly insignificant infection, likely a cavity.  If a patient has a dental exam upon feeling the first signs of discomfort, the infection won’t have the opportunity to spread and form an abscess in the first place.  This is the best way to avoid experiencing a lot of pain.

If you have any of these symptoms call Old Town Dentist and schedule an appointment immediately:

• Tooth pain.
• Swollen, painful, or bleeding gums.
• Red swollen face and neck.
• An area of your mouth or jaw that is sensitive to the touch.
• Flu like symptoms that are accompanying mouth pain.
• Puss inside of your mouth.

These can all be signs of a severe tooth infection or dental abscess that require immediate treatment. 

During the dental examination, we will look for the area where the infection is coming from.  This could be deep inside of the tooth, requiring a dental x-ray, or more obvious and close to the surface.  If the abscess is drainable, this is typically the first step in removing the infection.  The spot can be cut open, and puss drained out, then followed up with antibiotics and further dental treatments.  When the infection has settled into the neck or floor of the mouth, dental surgery may need to be performed in order to drain it.  We will prescribe pain medication as needed to help patients feel less discomfort during and after the process.

Once the infection is drained, it is important to identify any other infected areas within the mouth.  Since an abscess starts as a small infection, it is unwise to let even the smallest cavity remain.  Whether in one sitting or a follow up appointment, we will remove any other cavities, perform root canals as necessary, and deep clean the gums in order to remove bacteria and infection.  This is extremely important for a persons’ long term oral health.

At Old Town Dentist, we help patients suffering from oral infections but prefer to help patients avoid them in the first place.  Rather than waiting for an infection to spread and cause pain, we want to remove the infection early so that our patients can live life fully and without interruption.  Call and schedule your dental exam today so that we can keep you on track for good oral health. 

A Dentist Can Identify Early Signs of Oral Cancer

As a local dentist, we help patients to stay in the best possible oral health.  Regular dental examinations and at home preventative care are essential for staying healthy. While, at home, you should brush your teeth after meals, floss, and use an antiseptic mouthwash daily.  When you visit our office we can clean your teeth and gums to remove bacteria and plaque that has built up over time.  This will prevent cavities and gum disease.  We can also look for signs of oral cancer so that if present, you can receive treatments quickly.

Men are at greater risk of oral cancer than women and once a man turns fifty he is at the greatest risk of all.  The American Cancer Society reported that over 35,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year within the United States.  This is a significant number when you consider how little the disease is talked about.  Most people are unaware that this is a common disease and are unsure of what symptoms to watch for.

As a local dentist, we try to educate and inform our patients so that they can watch for signs of oral cancer and schedule appointments quickly if they see something to be concerned about.  There are several signs you can watch for at home including: difficulty swallowing, pain when swallowing, rough patches inside of your mouth, bumps, lumps, sores that won’t heal, and bleeding.  This can all indicate that something is wrong and that you potentially have oral cancer.

A visit to the dentist is the first step in seeing if the symptoms you are experiencing are cancerous or if they are related to other oral health issues such as gum disease.  For example, gum disease can also make your gums bleed and cause pain.  During your dental examination, we will inspect your teeth, gums, and mouth to identify any potential oral health issues that you are experiencing.  If something is identified that appears to be cancerous, you will likely be referred to an oral surgeon so that they can remove a piece of tissue to be tested in the lab.

There are things you can do at home to prevent oral cancer, including:

• Stop chewing tobacco.  Smokeless tobacco products are extremely dangerous for your health.  People that chew tobacco, snuff, or dip are sixty times more likely to get oral cancer.  The increase is staggering.  If you are chewing do whatever you can to quit in order to stay healthy.
• Smoking.  People that smoke cigarettes or cigars have a six times greater chance of being diagnosed with oral cancer.
• Drinking too much.  Drinking alcohol in excess is dangerous for your liver and your mouth.  People that drink too much have a six times greater chance (the same as if they smoked) of getting oral cancer.  Studies are unclear as to what is considered excessive but many doctors agree that over two drinks a day is too much.

If you are worried about your oral health, or want to make sure that you continue to stay healthy, schedule an appointment with our local dentist office.  We will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth to ensure that you are in good health and stay that way. 

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!