Are you a Candidate for In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening?

Happy Leap Day 2016!

Today we are sharing some information from www.yourdentistryguide.com on one of our most popular services, in-office professional teeth whitening. Take a look at the information below to learn a little bit more about this service and contact us today if you want to set up an appointment to have your teeth professionally whitened!

"Some advantages to in-office teeth whitening are:

• No other teeth whitening procedure produces faster results.
• This is the safest form of tooth bleaching.
• Gum and tooth sensitivity (formerly drawbacks to in-office bleaching) are more controllable today due to thicker peroxide gels (that don't soak into the teeth as much as previous gels) and the use of desensitizers such as potassium nitrate and fluoride."

"Some types of stains that are best removed with in-office whitening:

• Aging. Over time, the teeth darken with a yellow, brown, green or grey cast (which may be due to heredity and/or eating habits). Yellowed teeth tend to whiten most readily.
• Consumption of certain foods (notably coffee, red wine, sodas and dark-colored vegetables and fruits).
• Tobacco use."

So, are you a candidate for in-office teeth whitening? "This procedure is not suitable for those with the following conditions:

• Tooth and gum hypersensitivity. To avoid a hypersensitive reaction, your dentist is likely to recommend take-home bleaching trays with a low concentration of carbamide peroxide – which is not as potent as hydrogen peroxide.
• Deep and intractable staining. Some stains are resistant to high-concentration in-office bleaches. In such cases, dentists may recommend a supervised regimen of intensive take-home bleaching or alternatives to peroxide bleaching such as bonding, crowns or porcelain veneers.
• Teeth that have become transparent with age. This is particularly true of the front teeth, which are thin to begin with."

If professional, in-office teeth whitening is something that you are interested in, please contact us today at: http://germantowndentalcare.com/ to schedule your initial consultation and whitening visit! We would be more than happy to help! 

How often should I have my teeth cleaned? Sharing an article from The Dental Wellness Institute

Today we are sharing a brief article from The Dental Wellness Institute on how often you should have your teeth professionally cleaned by your dentist.

How often should I have my teeth cleaned?

Article #QA100, February, 2005

Question:
“My hygienist keeps telling me I should have my teeth cleaned every two months. But for years I’ve heard that you should go to the dentist every 6 months. What should I believe?” D. Kinsley, Los Angeles, CA.

Answer:
This is a very good question and one, with variations, that I’ve been asked hundreds of times. The simple answer is that you should have your teeth cleaned as often as your hygienist or dentist recommends. The more detailed answer is that it depends on the health of your gums and how committed you are to your oral hygiene program.

For example, if your gums are healthy and you follow a sound oral hygiene program, you may not need to have to have your teeth cleaned every six months, or even every year. I’ve had patients who take such good care of their gums and teeth that they could go two years or more without needing a cleaning. Admittedly, because gum disease is so prevalent, this is an exception. But it is possible. (Even if your teeth do not need cleaning every 6 months, I strongly recommend that everyone go twice a year to be checked for oral cancer and signs of other diseases whose symptoms first appear in the mouth.

Teeth Cleaning Every Month?

On the other hand, if someone has moderate to advanced gum disease and isn’t willing to actively participate in a oral hygiene program, it may be necessary—if he wants any hope of keeping his teeth—to have them cleaned every month. And if he refuses to spend any time taking care of them at home, even having them cleaned every month will not be enough.

There is another scenario that will dictate how often you should have your teeth cleaned—when you’ve discovered that you have gum disease, have made the decision to have it treated, and have committed to a sound home prevention program. In this case, your hygienist may recommend having your teeth cleaned every month or so for the first 3 to 6 months. The actual frequency will depend on the severity of your gum infection and how effective you are at doing your part. There is a big difference between you and the person who is unwilling to commit to home care. In your case, once the gums have healed and the hygienist has determined that you are able to keep your gums healthy, she will recommend that you extend your cleaning appointments to every 3 months or even longer.

How Often Should I Have My Teeth Cleaned: Listen to Your Dental Hygienist

In summary, there are many factors that determine how often you should have your teeth cleaned. As long as long as you have gum disease, there is no doubt that the hygienist is the one best suited to determine how often. She knows how to evaluate the health of your gums and after a few appointments can determine how committed you are to taking care of your oral health.

So while I strongly urge you to let your hygienist be the judge, you should know that how often she will recommend having your teeth cleaned will ultimately be up to you and you alone! Your hygienist can only support you while you are in the dental office. She won’t be following you home and taking care of your gums and teeth between visits—that’s your responsibility. It’s important to remember that treatment is what is done to you; prevention is something that is done by you!

In Health,

Dr. Tom
To view the original article source click here. 

Common Dental Health Troublemakers

Good afternoon!

Today we are sharing an article from everydayhealth.com on 10 bad habits that can ruin your teeth.

'Are you wrecking your teeth without even knowing it? If you suck your thumb or suck on lemons, you’re doing your pearly whites wrong. And did you know that biting your nails is not only bad for your fingers, it can actually hurt your teeth, too?

While some of these dental health “don’ts” can do immediate damage to your teeth (by cracking or breaking them), the effects of others may add up over time, harming your dental health in the long run. So put all 10 of these bad habits to rest — for your teeth’s sake.'

Follow the link to read the article and see what 10 things you can do now to improve your general tooth health: http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health-pictures/bad-habits-that-can-harm-your-teeth.aspx#01

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

If you have trouble with your teeth and think that some of these things could have caused damage to your mouth, please come see us! We can help you to have a pleasant and relaxing experience without overwhelming you.  Dr. Mansfield also takes your comfort seriously. He knows that not everyone’s idea of a perfect day is sitting in the dentist chair and that many people fear the possibility of pain or discomfort related to dental procedures. Schedule your appointment today at our Germantown, Maryland office by visiting: http://germantowndentalcare.com/

Signs/Symptoms You May Have a Cavity (And need to go see your dentist!)

Good afternoon,

Today we are sharing an article from the Colgate Oral Health Care Center talking about one of the most common dental problems that we see arise...cavities! Have you ever wondered what exactly are cavities? According to the site, 'Cavities refer to tooth decay, which occurs when specific types of bacteria produce acid that destroys the tooth’s enamel and its underlying layer, the dentin.'

Here are some common symptoms and signs that you may have a cavity:

• Toothache
• Sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold foods or drinks
• Pain when chewing

To continue reading more about cavities and what you and your dentist can do about them, click:

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/cavities/article/dental-caries-cavities

*If you have any of the above symptoms and suspect that you may have a cavity, please come see us! We can help you to have a pleasant and relaxing experience without overwhelming you.  Dr. Mansfield also takes your comfort seriously. He knows that not everyone’s idea of a perfect day is sitting in the dentist chair and that many people fear the possibility of pain or discomfort related to dental procedures. Schedule your appointment today at our Germantown, Maryland office by visiting: http://germantowndentalcare.com/

'Meet Our Staff' Part 2, Christie!

Good afternoon!

Continuing our 'Meet Our Staff' series, today we want to feature Christiana! Christie, as she prefers to go by, has been with Dr. Mansfield for a little over 2 years and has been an excellent addition to the staff as our main hygienist.  In her spare time she enjoys her animals, music, and playing the flute. We are all very excited for Christie as she is also making plans for her upcoming wedding in 2016.

Christie working on a patient