Coffee or Tea? Which is better for your dental health?

Good morning,

It's Monday again and like most of us, you might be dragging from the weekend. Not too mention this dreary spring weather we are experiencing today in Maryland. If you are like most of Americans you start your Monday off with a big cup of coffee or tea. However, when you go to take those first sips do you ever think about your oral health?

Some people might think that coffee is worse for your teeth and tends to stain them more. But actually "tea might be even more likely to stain your teeth than coffee due to its higher tannin content."

Photo credit: KidneyBuzz.com

We know that life is busy and so "ff you don't want to give up drinking coffee or tea, it is important to look after your teeth in order to keep staining to a minimum." According to care2.com, here are some things you can do to help prevent staining:

1.) Use a straw.
2.) Add something milky.
3.) Rinse or brush immediately after.
4.) Floss and brush routinely.
5.) Brush with baking soda.
6.) Chew sugar-free gum afterwards.
7.) Natural whitening toothpastes can help remove surface stains.

If you are still looking for help with your teeth and staining, come see us today to ask about our professional in-house whitening services! http://germantowndentalcare.com/

When Should You Replace Your Toothbrush?

Good morning!

We hope that everyone had a Happy Easter and enjoyed the beautiful weather we had in Maryland this past weekend. Today we want to talk a little bit about toothbrushes. For those of you who still prefer to use manual brushes, did you know that "the ADA recommends that consumers replace toothbrushes approximately every 3–4 months or sooner if the bristles become frayed with use?" A lot of patients aren't aware that their toothbrushes are ready for replacement, but this is extremely important!

Just as important as timely replacement, storage and care for your toothbrush are essential for keeping it clean and able to properly do it's job.  Besides the obvious things such as not sharing toothbrushes, did you know that it's best to not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers?

To learn more helpful tips about properly caring for your toothbrush visit the ADA site here:
http://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/ada-positions-policies-and-statements/statement-on-toothbrush-care-cleaning-storage-and-

If you or someone you  know wants to schedule an oral checkup or cleaning, we would love to have you! Visit us online at: http://germantowndentalcare.com/

All About Mouthguards!

Good morning,

Today we want to talk a little bit about something all athletes or people in high contact sports should consider wearing... mouthguards! "When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age.

While collision and contact sports, such as boxing, are higher-risk sports for the mouth, any athlete may experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating."

Mouthguards aren't just for patients who want to protect their braces or implants, and are equally as important for all of our patients who play athletic sports.

If you want to learn more about this invaluable piece of equipment, and how we can help you figure out which type of mouthguard is best for you... visit us today at: www.germantowndentalcare.com.

Dr. Mansfield and one of his younger patients

To read more of the article from mouthhealthy.org and some other types of mouthguards, visit the article link here.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month!

Good afternoon!

Did you know that April is 'Oral Cancer Awareness Month?' That means that today we want to share an article which talks about the top 7 risk factors for oral cancer. It's important to know if you potentially have any of these risk factors so you can talk with your dentist today to prevent oral cancer! Here at Germantown Dental Care, we care about each and every patient and want to make sure we are helping them maintain the best oral health possible. (Without judgement!!)

Top 7 Risk Factors for Oral Cancer 

Take a look at the article link here to learn more!

Contact us today at (301) 540-5195 to talk about keeping your smile healthy! 

www.germantowndentalcare.com 

Learning About Porcelain Veneers

Good morning,

Today we are sharing some information on a topic some patients bring up, porcelain veneers. You might have already heard about them but are unsure of what they really are, or what type of patients are good candidates for veneers.

"Porcelain veneers are thin shells of medical-grade ceramic that are attached to the front surfaces of teeth for an immediate smile transformation. Individually crafted for each patient, these cosmetic enhancements are made from advanced material that closely resembles the appearance of natural dental enamel. Dentists can use veneers for an impressive number of cosmetic corrections, ranging from teeth whitening to orthodontic adjustments." 

Who might be a good candidate for porcelain veneers?

"Patients who are considering porcelain veneers are typically looking to address multiple structural or cosmetic issues with their teeth, such as:
-Chips
-Cracks
-Gaps between teeth
-Minor misalignment
-Discoloration



In order to have porcelain veneers placed, patients should:
-Have good periodontal and overall oral health
-Be committed to proper oral care and hygiene
-Have specific cosmetic goals, which they can articulate to their dentists at their initial consultations, as well as realistic expectations
-Have a sufficient amount of healthy enamel, as dentists usually remove a thin layer of enamel before placing veneers"

Of course we encourage everyone to strive for good oral health from the start, so the cost and procedure of porcelain veneers isn't needed, but of course each patient's health and needs are unique to their own selves so it's important to talk to your dentist before making a decision. Contact us today to discuss your oral health and some options you might have by visiting: http://germantowndentalcare.com/

To learn more about the veneers you can visit the article link here.

6 Smart Actions for Your Dental Health

Good morning,

Today is World Oral Health Day!! We love all of our patients and love to keep them as informed as possible. After all, the best way to keep a healthy mouth is to take preventative action! This article shared from mouthhealthy.org talks about six actions you can take for good dental health.  Besides visiting your dentist regularly and brushing/flossing daily, there might be a few tips on here you may not have previously known, or have forgotten!

Visit the link below to learn more:

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/world-oral-health-day-slideshow?source=promospots&content=rotator&medium=world_oral_health_day







To schedule an appointment or checkup with us today, visit: http://germantowndentalcare.com/

Lack of Sleep Can Affect Your Oral Health Too!

Good afternoon!

With this being the end of National Sleep Awareness Week, we thought it would be appropriate to share an article on how sleep, or lack thereof, can affect your oral health. It seems to be common knowledge to most people that a chronic lack of sleep can damage your overall health and increase your risks for things like heart attack and stroke. You may have also experienced firsthand how it affects your ability to make clear decisions and focus. But what most people aren't aware of is that a chronic lack of sleep can also change your oral health.. for the worse!

"Chronic sleep deprivation can also raise your risk of gum disease – or make existing perio problems worse. In fact, research suggests that it’s more damaging than either chronic stress or daily alcohol use. Only smoking – the number one risk factor for gum disease – has a bigger impact.

In general, the risk goes up for those who sleep 6 hours a night or less – a figure in line with the latest guidelines released by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. They recommend 7 to 8 hours minimum for healthy adults to keep their risk low of any health problems associated with chronic sleep debt – and give no upper limit for sleep."

So, are you getting enough zzzs each night?

Learn more by reading the entire article here.


If you are concerned about your sleep patterns and the health of your gums... come visit us for a friendly, non-judgmental checkup. www.germantowndentalcare.com