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A sonic toothbrush is technology’s gift to the dental health of people everywhere; an electric toothbrush that does everything for us. Sure, there are speeds at which bristles oscillate and such, but the bottom line is they are an easy way for people to brush their teeth properly. We know the importance of brushing our teeth, and we do it daily, but most of us with manual toothbrushes do it incorrectly. Our family dentist in Purcellville, VA can help you out!
We’ve been taught to brush our teeth thoroughly ever since we were little. Despite our best efforts, though, we’re not cleaning as thoroughly as we would like—this is because the bristles on manual toothbrushes cannot reach to remove all of the plaque and tartar built up between your teeth.
An electric toothbrush’s rotating head features bristles which can reach further thanks to the combination of motion and equal pressure from the brush itself. Same weight is important—far too many manual brushes do a good job on one side of their mouth (a right handed person often touches the left side of their mouth more thoroughly) but struggle to keep the other side of their mouth as clean. That’s where our second benefit comes in…
Most electronic toothbrushes are set for equal time for each quadrant which ensures a better, longer brushing and a great, clean feeling.
Kids are often one of the biggest beneficiaries of electric toothbrushes. Many kids touch but don’t get all of the food buildups between meals. Kids with braces are especially susceptible to this happening. An electric toothbrush is a good compromise since you can count on it getting all of those hard to reach places that kids miss with manual brushing.
Bad breath is a symptom of food and plaque which have become lodged in the nooks and crannies between your teeth and along your gums. An electric toothbrush and regular flossing can work together to get rid of bad breath by finding and eliminating the food between your teeth.
Did you know we have electric toothbrushes available in our Purcellville dental office? We offer electric toothbrushes and other dental hygiene items for sale cheaper than retail. If you are looking for a stocking stuffer or simply ready to upgrade your dental hygiene, contact our dental office in Purcellville today!
Many dentists have had the frustrating experience of meticulously making well-fitted complete dentures, only to have the patient complain that the dentures “fall out.” Providing two conventional implants placed in the canine areas results in a significant increase in retention so that the dentures remain in place.
Here are two types of implant-supported dentures: bar-retained and ball-retained. In both cases, the denture will be made of an acrylic base that will look like gums. Porcelain or acrylic teeth that look like natural teeth are attached to the base. Both types of dentures need at least two implants for support.
Bar-retained dentures
— In this case, a thin metal bar that mimics the curve of your jaw is attached to two to five implants that have been placed in your jawbone. Clips or other types of attachments are fitted to the bar, the denture or both. The denture fits over the bar and is securely clipped into place by the attachments.
Stud-attachment dentures
— Each implant in the jawbone holds a metal attachment that fits into another attachment on the denture. In most cases, the attachments on the implants are ball-shaped (“male” attachments), and they fit into sockets (“female” attachments) on the denture.
An overdenture is a type of removable denture that’s used for people who still have a few remaining natural teeth. The overdenture is made to fit over the teeth roots left in the bone; it uses the teeth roots (with nerves removed by root canal) as an anchoring support for the denture.
Benefits of using an implant supported denture include:
1) Restores proper chewing, allowing a better diet and improved health
2) Improves speech and confidence
3) Increases comfort with less irritation of gum tissue
4) Often can utilize your existing denture
5) Minimally invasive procedure
6) Ends the cost and inconvenience of denture adhesives
If you are interested in new or upgraded dentures in Purcellville, Virginia or the surrounding areas of Lovettsville, Round Hill, Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, and Hamilton, implant supported dentures may be for you! Contact our office today to learn more and schedule your comfortable and convenient appointment!
Few dental patients have a perfectly balanced bite, but for most, treatment is unnecessary. However, an uneven bite can cause obvious health problems like teeth-clenching, jaw misalignment, and speech issues.
One of the most common bite problems is an underbite when the lower jaw protrudes past the upper teeth. Though not as common as an overbite, about one in every 20 people has the condition. For many individuals with underbites, mild to severe TMJ can result in clicking and pain in the jaw, teeth-grinding at night, and worn-away enamel, a precursor to tooth decay.
Underbites can be corrected if necessary. The method of correction depends on the severity of the patient’s age, misaligned bite, and financial cost, though most underbites can be corrected with braces or non-surgical procedures. Generally, the earlier an overbite is treated, the less invasive the procedure is.
The primary cause of an underbite is a misalignment of the lower jaw, which is usually present at birth. Patients with inherited Crouzon syndrome or basal cell nevus syndrome might show signs of an underbite, or it can develop as a result of conditions such as gigantism or acromegaly, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Some ethnic backgrounds are more likely to suffer from prognathism than others.
The problems associated with an underbite depend on how pronounced it is. If the gap is wide, it can cause:
1) Eating difficulties
2) Chronic jaw or joint (TMJ) pain, as well as head- and earaches
3) Challenges with speaking
4) Chronic mouth breathing, halitosis and bacterial infections
5) Tooth decay from excessive wear of the tooth enamel
6) Sleep apnea, snoring and other nighttime breathing difficulties
There are few ways to correct the underbite. Methods for correcting an underbite, range from jaw surgery to orthodontic appliances depending on the severity.
If you believe you have an underbite or have any other questions about dental issues, please give our Purcellville dental office a call today. Our experienced dentists in Purcellville are happy to speak with you about any questions or concerns and would love to introduce you to our beautiful dental office.
Is there a linkage between dental health and cardio health? How do you know if gum disease may threaten the health of your heart? While the connection isn’t yet proven beyond a doubt, there are a lot of evidence points to dental disorders. Until the day researchers are sure, the best defense is to cultivate good oral health habits and be on the lookout for problems with your teeth and gums.
Recently, it has been recognized that oral infection, especially periodontitis, may affect the course and pathogenesis of some systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, and low birth weight. Three mechanisms or pathways linking oral diseases to secondary systemic effects metastatic spread of infection from the oral cavity as a result of transient bacteremia, metastatic injury from the effects of circulating oral microbial toxins, and metastatic inflammation.
Any infected tooth is best treated with a root canal to fully eradicate the infection and restore your oral health. Dental Smiles at Purcellville Gateway has an expert staff that is ready to get you out of pain with a quick and easy root canal.
If you have an infected tooth in Purcellville, VA, please give our office a call at 540.441.0137 to schedule a quick and convenient appointment today. You may also schedule an appointment on our website.
On Saturday, July 16 at the AGD Convocation located within the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Nadia Armentrout received her Academy of General Dentistry Fellowship (FAGD).
AGD Fellowship is a prestigious symbol of dentistry’s continuous journey toward improvement and progress. Fellows embody the AGD’s principles and ideals, and accept an obligation to prove themselves worthy of their designations throughout their professional lives.
To earn Fellowship
, dentists must be AGD members for three consecutive years, earn a minimum of 500 approved CE credits, and pass a comprehensive examination.
In the Academy of General Dentistry’s 60-plus year history, 16,268 members have earned Fellowship, or just 7% of dentists in the United States.
This great honor is a testament to Dr. Armentrout’s ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and care for her patients.
About Your Purcellville Dentist
Dental Smiles at Purcellville Gateway is a dental office in Purcellville, Virginia serving the surrounding areas of Round Hill, Lovettsville, Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, and Hamilton. With early, late and weekend hours, your Purcellville dentists Dr. Christopher Salas and Dr. Nadia Armentrout are available to provide your comfortable and convenient dental care. Please call 540.441.0137 today to schedule your appointment!
Many people who are looking for a dentist in Purcellville, VA have questions about dental x-rays. Dental Smiles at Purcellville Gateway is an all digital office and takes our patient’s oral and overall health very seriously. For those looking for a dental office in Purcellville, VA, please read below on our thoughts regarding dental x-rays.
The radiation exposure associated with dental treatments represents a minor contribution to the total exposure from all sources. Almost half of the man-made radiation exposure is related to CT scanning. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) has estimated that the mean effective radiation dose from all sources combined in the United States is 6.2 millisieverts (mSv) per year.
Do you know that occupational exposure in dental settings is far lower than that in hospitals and medical offices? According to the NCRP, the limit for occupational exposure is 50 mSv in one year. Also, the lifetime occupational effective dose is limited to 10 mSv times the number of an individual’s age. The NCRP has concluded that occupational exposure for dental personnel should never exceed these limits, excepting for problems associated with diagnostic equipment performance, facility design, or operating procedures. For pregnant patients, the radiation exposure limit is 0.5 mSv per month.
Dental X-rays are an excellent diagnostic tool when helping dental practitioners detect damage that are not visible during a dental examination and diagnosis. How frequent X-rays should be taken depends on the present oral health and age of the patient. Take, for example, children who may need X-rays more frequently than adults as their teeth and jaws are still developing, and their teeth are more likely to be affected by tooth decay than those of adults. Your dentist will then briefly review your history, examine the oral cavity and then decide whether or not you require any X-rays.
As a new patient, the dentist would perhaps recommend X-rays to determine the present status of your oral health and have a baseline gauge of the situation. A new set of X-rays may be ordered to help your dentist detect any dental decay, determine the condition of your gum health or evaluate the growth and development of your teeth. If a previous dentist has any radiographs of you, your new dentist may ask you for copies of them. Ask both dentists to assist you with forwarding your X-rays.
Dental X-ray examinations are extremely safe and nothing to worry about; however, they do require low radiation exposure, that makes the risk of potentially harmful effects are negligible. Dental X-ray methods and techniques are made to limit the body’s exposure to radiation, and every precaution is taken to make sure that radiation exposure is As Low As Reasonable Achievable (the ALARA principle). A leaded apron to reduce the exposure to the abdomen area and may be used when it will not interfere with the usage of the dental radiograph. Also, a lead thyroid collar can protect the thyroid from radiation, and should also be used whenever possible in the imaging techniques. The usage of a leaded thyroid collar is suggested for women of childbearing age, pregnant women and children.
Are you an expectant mother? Make sure to tell your dentist. During your pregnancy period, you may need to have X-rays taken as part of your treatment plan for a dental disease. Usage of the led apron and thyroid collar will ensure you are protected, and your fetus will be free from radiation exposure. Dental X-rays do not need not to be delayed if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Hence, in short, the dental x-rays are safe when done in the hands of competent dentist and radiographer. Ask them about whether they practice ALARA principle in their practice is a good gauge on their competency.
When you look for a dentist in Purcellville, VA, we welcome you to give our office a try at Dental Smiles at Purcellville Gateway. Contact us today!
A toothache causes much of a problem for you and me. It is one of the discomforts that is hard to shake off quickly. How to ease the pain? Here are four methods:
1) Rinse your mouth with warm water.
Make sure that your mouth is clean in that there aren’t bits of food bothering the sensitive spot. Water that is extreme in temperature can hurt your mouth, so go for lukewarm to warm water that is better. Next, you can try flossing gently between your teeth. What flossing does is it gets rid of the food particles and bacteria lingering in your oral cavity. However, do avoid flossing too roughly around the affected area because this could cause it to hurt more and to bleed. You can also add salt to it and rinse your mouth with saltwater. Saltwater can kill bacteria that will result in your toothache feeling better. It can also assist in easing the area so that it doesn’t get infected. Mix 1 tsp (5 g) of salt in a medium-sized glass [8 fl oz (240 mL)] of warm water. The technique is to swirl it around in your mouth and spit it out. Take caution and make sure that you don’t swallow!
2) Use over the counter pain medication.
At times, the best way to overcome the pain is to mask it with pain medication until you can see a dentist. Most over the counter medication will work well for your toothache, In situations where it’s so severe that the medication doesn’t relieve the pain, you should see a healthcare person as soon as possible. For example, Aspirin is particularly useful for problems in the joint of the jaw in adults. Also, Acetaminophen (not aspirin) should be used for children and teenagers as it is more suitable for that age range.
3) Using clove oil.
Oil of clove is known globally as an age-old home remedy. It works due to the chemical eugenol contained in the oil, which possesses antibacterial and anesthetic properties. For the usage of relieving tooth pain, soak a small cotton ball with a mixture of not more than two to three drops of clove oil and ¼ teaspoon of olive oil. Place the cotton ball in your oral cavity near the hurting tooth and bite down hard to keep it in place. Be careful not to sleep with the cotton ball in your mouth to avoid complications. The FDA has stopped considering this treatment effective enough as to recommend it. However, some dental practitioners still believe it has benefits and would recommend them to their patients. Clove oil is widely available at pharmacies and health food stores.
4) Visit the dentist.
If you have extreme pain, it might be due to pulpitis or another diagnosis. When the over the counter medication doesn’t alleviate your pain, you should see your dentist or doctor because this could be an emergency. This is particularly true if you have extreme pain and swelling. Fever is an important sign of infection in dental disease. Typically, tooth decay doesn’t cause a fever. In cases of traumatic injury, you should be seeking medical help as quickly as possible. Conditions such as accidently swallowing teeth and permanent tooth loss due to trauma are considered as dental emergencies
These four methods are what is needed to relieve your toothache and restore health to your oral cavity. Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, be diligent in taking care of your oral health starting today!
Always select the type of toothpaste that is approved by the FDA. This not only means it has proven to be effective through testing, but that it contains the mineral fluoride. Fluoride coats teeth and protects the dentition from cavity-causing acids.
Every day and all the time, a layer of biofilm is forming on your teeth. This film is called plaque. It interacts with certain foods, mostly sugars—to produce acids that dissolves away at your tooth’s enamel, which results in tiny holes (cavities). This process is known as demineralisation. Tartar, which dentists sometimes refer to as “calculus,” forms the hardened bacterial plaque. When it has reached this stage, how hard you brush it won’t come off. When the condition reaches this point, only a dental professional can remove it.
Different types of toothpaste are available and made to target specific purposes. For example: caring for sensitive teeth, whitening/ stain removal, plaque, and tartar preventing, high fluoride, all-natural and herbal toothpaste.
Sensitive toothpaste:
People suffer from sensitive teeth for some reasons. This includes gum disease, gum recession, brushing too hard and bruxism. When the dentist has discarded out any potentially serious dental issues, then people who have sensitivity due to receding gums or teeth wear with exposed the dentine should use this type of toothpaste. It is crucial to try a few different types of sensitive toothpaste as they all have many mechanisms of action. This meaning, what works for one person may not work for someone else.
Some sensitive toothpaste is long-term acting and needs to be brushed on the teeth where the dentine has been exposed for them to work (examples are regular Sensodyne containing potassium nitrate. Others are short acting for immediate relief. They work by blocking up the tubules along the dentine, and because they chemically bind to the tubules, teeth don’t need to be brushed as efficiently (examples are ‘Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief’ and ‘Sensodyne Rapid Relief’). The newest sensitive toothpaste contains an active ingredient called, “NovaMin,” which seals the tubules and layers a protective coating over the dentine. You should try a variety of these kinds of toothpaste to find which one works best for you.
Whitening toothpaste:
Whitening toothpaste contains more abrasive particles to help remove the build-up of stains, and some also contain a tiny percentage of hydrogen peroxide to assist in teeth whitening. Whitening toothpaste used to contain larger particles that may be too abrasive on the teeth if use daily. Nowadays, the formulation has changed to contain smaller particles that will not contribute to any damage that is noticeable. While these particles will help reduce stains, darker stains may require a more robust product or professional treatment. Persons who desire whiter teeth can seek out the expertise of a dentist regarding professional treatment options as whitening toothpaste will only whiten teeth 1-2 shades. Other more traditional whitening procedures can whiten by 6-8 shades. There are a lot of those products on the shelves of supermarkets, as a consumer you need to select wisely.
Patients that are prone to dental caries may need to use a high fluoride toothpaste to contribute to reducing new areas of decay forming as the fluoride in the toothpaste will harden any demineralised enamel. There is a large variety of toothpaste that can have high fluoride and whitening properties.
At the end of the day if you are still unsure about which type of toothpaste is best for you. Or, you have any questions about the topic, ask your dentist or dental hygienist who will be able to give you personal advice.
