South Riding Family Dentistry

Learn to Keep Your Teeth Bright and White

Habits such as smoking and drinking coffee can leave your teeth with serious stains. Tooth enamel is porous, meaning it can absorb outside pigments from food and drinks over time.

This video lists a few tips for safeguarding your teeth against stains. Acidic foods weaken tooth enamel, while dark pigments stick to teeth and stain them. Limit beverage choices such as teas, coffees, sodas, colored fruit juices, and alcohol. Tomatoes and tomato sauce, as well as dark and brightly colored fruits, can also promote tooth staining and should be consumed in moderation.

Get more tips on maintaining your pearly whites at South Riding Family Dentistry. We are dedicated to the appeal and health of your smile, providing comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry services. Call us today at (888) 802-1571 or find more dental health and beauty information on our website. 

How to Prepare for a Dental Visit When You Have Dental Anxiety

Receiving dental care should be easy and anxiety-free. However, if you experience dental phobia, you may worry about or even dread the experience. Following some easy tips to relax and discussing sedation or relaxation options with your dentist beforehand can promote a more positive experience and ensure you receive the care you need.

Inform Yourself
Take the time before your dental appointment to learn more about common dental procedures and tools. You may want to call your dentist and chat ahead of time to ask specifically about how these procedures are performed in their dental office. You may also want to schedule a tour of the dental office before your appointment to familiarize yourself with the staff and surroundings ahead of time.

Promote Relaxation
Start your dental experience off on a positive note by ensuring you are relaxed before you step into the office. Schedule your appointment for a day when you know you will have a low stress level. Try to avoid scheduling appointments during holiday seasons or when you know you will be busy with work or family commitments. Listen to soothing music during your trip to the dental office. Many dentists will even allow you to listen to your own music during dental work, so inquire ahead of time if you think this will help you.

Consider Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry allows you to relax in a sleep-like state while you receive dental work. Your dentist may offer a variety of sedation options, from light oral conscious sedation to deeper twilight sedation. Ask about your sedation options and how your dentist can use these techniques to ensure an easier dental care experience for you.

South Riding Family Dentistry offers a variety of sedation and gentle dental options to ensure our patients feel calm and comfortable while in our care. Call us at (888) 802-1571 to let us put your mind at ease. You’ll also find more information about our dentists and options for sedation on our website.  

Looking For Tips on Keeping Your Teeth Healthy? Check Out These Links

Brushing and flossing is just the beginning of keeping your teeth healthy and looking bright. At South Field Family Dentistry, we offer dental care for people of all ages, from regular dental check ups to helping you keep your oral hygiene up to date. Call us today to learn more about the services we offer at (888) 802-1571 or visit us on the web. For more answers about keeping your teeth their best and the foods you can eat to help, check out these links below.

• Drinking calcium-rich milk instead of sugar-packed soda is just one easy way to improve your smile. Find more tips at this website.
• Spaghetti, raspberries, split peas, pecans, carrots, broccoli: These are just some of the high-fiber foods that can boost your dental health. Visit the Mayo Clinic’s website for a list of more tooth-strengthening treats.
• As this article from the American Dental Association explains, countless studies conducted over the past 65 years support the widespread benefits of fluoride and fluoridation.
• The Bruxism Association offers an in-depth explanation of possible causes of bruxism.
• If you suffer from jaw or facial pain, headache or earache, and tooth sensitivity, you may have bruxism. To read more about this condition and its symptoms, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine online.

Ways to Ensure a Lifetime of Healthy Teeth and Gums

The best way to maintain optimal oral health is to stop dental issues before they start. Preventive measures not only ensure greater dental health, but also are extremely cost-effective. Your family dentist will agree: Regular checkups and preventive dental care are essential to good hygiene and a stunning smile.

Eat and Drink Right
You probably already know that high-sugar foods and beverages feed the acid-causing bacteria that lead to tooth decay. However, in addition to avoiding sodas and sticky sweets, you can incorporate certain foods into your diet that actually promote better dental health. High-fiber fruits and vegetables, including pears and artichokes, can improve saliva flow to reduce bacteria buildup. Calcium-rich foods like yogurt and milk also promote strong teeth. Of course, no matter what you eat, always brush and floss two to three times a day.

Seek Preventive Treatments from Your Dentist
When you visit your family dentist for twice-yearly checkups, he or she will be able to evaluate your oral health and offer suggestions for improvement, including through preventive treatments. Dental sealants, which can be easily applied in one visit, protect the deep grooves of your teeth that are prone to plaque buildup and decay. Your dentist may also apply space maintainers for proper alignment or fluoride treatments to strengthen the enamel.

Don’t Forget Fluoride
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published studies that show the widespread benefits of community water fluoridation; for every $1 spent on this preventive measure, approximately $38 in dental treatment costs is saved. Even if your community does not utilize fluoride, you can find other ways to incorporate this tooth-strengthening element. Ask your dentist for recommendations for fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouthwash.

At South Riding Family Dentistry, our highly qualified dentists will work with you to devise a custom preventive treatment plan that ensures your smile will always sparkle. If you are interested in dental sealants or fluoride treatments for yourself or your children, call us today at (888) 802-1571 to schedule an appointment. We happily serve patients in the Aldie, Herndon, and surrounding areas.

The Effects of Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, often occurs without the patient even realizing it. If you suffer from bruxism, you may be unknowingly damaging your teeth and smile. For a look at bruxism’s causes and cures, watch this informative video.

Bruxism is more common during sleep but can occur during any time of the day or night. Though the exact cause of bruxism is yet to be determined, certain triggers have been identified, including stress, posture, and tooth alignment. Teeth grinding wears away at the enamel and can flatten or chip the tooth, making it more sensitive and prone to further decay.  

If you would like more information about sleep appliances to control bruxism, schedule an appointment with South Riding Family Dentistry. We provide comprehensive dental treatments to families of Chantilly, Brambleton, Aldie, and surrounding areas—call us at (888) 802-1571!