Keeping Your Child's Teeth Healthy

Good afternoon,

Today we are talking about how to care for your children's teeth! As a parent, we know that you have so much to think about, so much to do, and so much to worry about when it comes to raising children and we want to make sure that your child's dental healthcare isn't something to stress about!

When should you start caring for your child's teeth? The answer is, the sooner the better! Many people don't realize that parents can start cleaning their infant’s mouth and gums with a wet washcloth before their teeth seven tart to appear. Then, as soon as your child develops his or her first tooth, which usually happens in the 5-10-month range, you should start brushing with a small, very soft toothbrush or one of the custom finger toothbrushes designed for children.

The following information from kidshealth.org shows even more how you can help your children from the start!

"Good dental care begins before a baby's first tooth appears. Just because you can't see the teeth doesn't mean they aren't there. Teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. At birth, your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are fully developed in the jaw.

Here's when and how to care for those little choppers:

Even before your baby starts teething, run a clean, damp washcloth over the gums to clear away harmful bacteria.

Once your baby gets teeth, brush them with an infant toothbrush. Use water and a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice). Use fluoride toothpaste that carries the American Dental Association's (ADA) seal of acceptance. (If you are using baby toothpaste without the fluoride, keep it to the same amount because you still want to minimize any toothpaste that is swallowed.)

Once your baby's teeth touch, you can begin flossing in between them.

Around age 2, your child should learn to spit while brushing. Avoid giving your child water to swish and spit because this might make swallowing toothpaste more likely.

Kids ages 3 and up should use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Always supervise kids younger than 6 while brushing, as they are more likely to swallow toothpaste." 
(http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/healthy.html) 

To schedule your child's first dental visit with us at Germantown Dental Care, please visit our website at: http://germantowndentalcare.com/ or call us at, (301) 540-5195.

Photograph Credit: Alamy. Shared from The Guardian.com

Talking About Gingivitis!

Good morning,

Today we are talking about something that we see which many patients don't realize they have or recognize the beginning stages of...Gingivitis. According to The Mayo Clinic, "Gingivitis — an inflammation of the gums — is the initial stage of gum disease and the easiest to treat. The direct cause of gingivitis is plaque - the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on the teeth and gums. If the plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins (poisons) that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected. Left untreated, however, gingivitis can become periodontitis and cause permanent damage to your teeth and jaw."

If you are wondering, what are the signs of Gingivitis and how can I recognize it, you are in luck! "Classic signs and symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen, tender gums that may bleed when you brush. Another sign of gum disease is gums that have receded or pulled away from your teeth, giving your teeth an elongated appearance. Gum disease can cause pockets to form between the teeth and gums, where plaque and food debris collect. Some people may experience recurring bad breath or a bad taste in their mouth, even if the disease is not advanced."

This may seem overwhelming at first but the good news is that Gingivitis is totally preventable! That's right!  You can help stop gingivitis before it develops by:

• Proper brushing and flossing to remove plaque and debris and control tartar buildup
• Eating right to ensure proper nutrition for your jawbone and teeth
• Avoiding cigarettes and other forms of tobacco
• And of course, scheduling regular checkups with your dentist!

Here at Germantown Dental Care we can help you keep your teeth and gums plaque-free and come up with a plan to stop Gingivitis before it fully develops.  To schedule your appointment today and have your gums looked at, visit: http://germantowndentalcare.com/

©1998-2016 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. Photo shared from Google.com/images 

Yellow, Brown, or Dead—Will They Whiten? More about tooth discoloring and staining

Good morning,

One of the many services we offer here at Germantown Dental Care is in-office tooth whitening. Many times, clients ask us what causes tooth discoloring and staining? Well, there are many reasons and factors why teeth are not as white as our patients would like. Keep reading below and follow the link to an article which goes into more detail on why teeth get discolored and what you can do about it!
"When it comes to teeth whitening, it's important for you to understand the causes behind discoloration or staining so you and your dentist can choose the whitening treatment that will provide the best results."
https://www.opalescence.com/en-us/pages/press-room.aspx?article-name=Yellow%2C+Brown%2C+or+Dead%E2%80%94Will+They+Whiten%3F

If you want to have a consultation for an in-office tooth whitening session you can contact us at: http://germantowndentalcare.com/

It's never too late for a visit to your dentist!

Whether it's your first time or your first time in the last thirty years, it's never too late to make a difference in your oral healthcare and visit the dentist! Here at Germantown Dental Care we offer a full array of dental services to help you maintain healthy teeth. We can also help you come up with a plan to get back on the right track, at your pace. Here are just a few of the services we provide:

• Bonding
• Cosmetic Contouring
• Crowns and Bridges
• Specialty Dentures
• Cosmetic Fillings
• Porcelain Veneers
• Teeth Whitening
• Sealants
• Root Canal Therapy
• Extractions
• Scaling and Root Planing
• Dentures
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Crowns & Bridges
• Dental Implants

To come visit us, or set up your next appointment please call: (301) 540-5195 today! Our friendly and patient staff are ready to help you today! Visit us online at: http://germantowndentalcare.com/

5 Reasons Why Flossing is Extremely Important

Good afternoon!

Today we would like to share with you an article from www.howstuffworks.com on most patients least favorite topic, flossing! "If you're like a lot of people, your first response to your dentist's flossing recommendation may be "I brush my teeth, so I'm fine." While brushing your teeth twice a day will go a long way toward maintaining oral health, you're not getting the optimal cleaning if you leave the floss unused in the back of your medicine cabinet."

Here are five reasons why flossing is essential to your overall health:

1. Flossing Prevents Tartar Buildup
2. Flossing and Brushing Are More Effective Than Brushing Alone
3. Flossing Protects Your Gums, Too
4. Flossing Can Save You Money  (yes, that's right!) 
5. Flossing Helps Prevent Other Diseases

To read in-depth about each one of these important reasons to floss, visit: http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care/products/5-reasons-flossing-is-important.htm

We suspect that this lady is imagining all the health and cost benefits she'll reap from flossing daily.

HERBERT/STRINGER/ARCHIVE PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES