New School Year? Time for Your Child to See the Dentist!

Summer is halfway over and before you know it, the kids will be back in school. It seems like a little while ago you were just getting used pool time and relaxed schedules, but now it’s full speed ahead to get your child organized for the first day of school in a couple of weeks. While you’re picking up their school supplies and buying new clothes, it’s also a great idea to schedule an appointment with your family dentist.

"Before you know it, your child will be laden with homework, after school activities, friends, and all sorts of things that will eat up all of their time. That’s why now, at the beginning of the school year, it’s the best time to schedule a dental appointment for them. You and your child still have the time to come in before things get really busy, and this will make things much less stressful for both of you.

Plus, by getting a checkup and cleaning now, you’ll be doing a tremendous amount of good making sure they have a positive experience at school (DP General Dentistry)."

Schedule your child's dental appointment with us in the next couple of weeks!

 Learn more about us at www.germantowndentalcare.com!

Summer Teeth Quiz Fun!

Today we are sharing a fun (and interactive) quiz from our friends over at Mouth Healthy about some summer teeth issues. Test your knowledge on whether it's fact or fiction on topics like chewing ice, mouth guard usage and more! 

  Click here to begin the quiz!  And visit us at www.germantowndentalcare.com to set up your summer dental checkup! 

Gingivitis 101

Good afternoon all!

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 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(Mayoclinic.com)."

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 (MayoClinic.com)."

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 starts 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/

Thumb Sucking and Kids' Teeth

Good morning all!

Today's quick information session is especially for all of those parents with young children out there. Here at Germantown Dental Care, we see patients of all ages but especially take extra special care to cater to our youngest patients. So today's article from the American Dental Associations '2 minutes 2 times per day' campaign, is on thumb sucking and how it can relate to a young child's oral health.

"Usually kids stop sucking their thumbs between 2 and 4 years old, or by the time the adult front teeth are ready to break through their gums.

'After your kid’s permanent adult teeth come in, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of their mouth and teeth alignment. Vigorous thumb sucking may also cause problems with baby teeth. If you notice changes in your kid’s baby teeth, please talk to your dentist.

'Using pacifiers at a later age can be as much of a problem as sucking fingers and thumbs, but it’s usually an easier habit to break (2min2x.com)." 

For more information and the ADA's tips to help stop thumb sucking visit the article link here. To schedule an appointment for your young child and start their oral health off on the right track, visit us at: www.germantowndentalcare.com! 

Safe and Happy 4th of July!!

We wanted to take a minute to wish all of our clients and their families a safe and happy 4th of July holiday!!

Learn more about us by visiting: www.germantowndentalcare.com