Dentist Vienna | Thanksgiving and Oral Healthcare

Vienna-VA-DentistThanksgiving is quickly approaching! This day marks an event where everyone can feast and eat all the food that their tummies can handle. It is one of the few days of the year when people break their diets and really indulge at dinner.

During this time, recipes can be found on how to stay on a healthy diet this holiday while still being able to enjoy delicious meals. However, maintaining good oral health is also essential to your overall health. While there are certain foods that will prevent you from packing on a few pounds, there are foods that will prevent you from tooth decay as well.

Here are some foods that you should eat to keep your smile healthy this holiday:

  • Include celery and carrots into your stuffing. Both vegetables contain beta carotene, which helps your body create vitamin A – a nutrient essential for building strong teeth!
  • Eat lots of turkey this holiday! Turkey is high in phosphorous, which is needed for tooth development.
  • Pumpkin pies are a good source of vitamin C and helps to supply the calcium needed in the development and re-mineralization of teeth.
  • Side dishes made with greens and winter vegetables, such as green beans, asparagus and butternut squash, are great sources of vitamin A and C. These nutrients prevent soft, bleeding gums and help protect against oral cancer.
  • Eating cranberries can prevent bacteria from sticking to your teeth and forming plaque!

Consider including these foods in your Thanksgiving Day feast and then you can give thanks for many more years of healthy teeth! Drink plenty of water during and in between meals to avoid tooth decay caused by foods that are high in sugar. Remember to brush your teeth and floss after dinner to maintain optimal oral health!

Contact our dental office in Vienna for more information on what foods you should eat on Thanksgiving Day!

Vienna Dentist: Halloween Tips & Tricks for a Healthy Smile

dentist in viennaWhile no sweets are good for your teeth, some Halloween candies are less harmful than others. Try purchasing these types of candies to help prevent tooth decay in yourself and children.

Sugar-free gum and candy
Some sugar-free sweets contain xylitol, which is an active ingredient that protects teeth by reducing the acids produced by bacteria. It also increases saliva to rinse away excess sugars and acids.

Chocolate
Chocolate dissolves quickly in the mouth and can be eaten fast and easy. This decreases the amount of time sugars stay in contact with teeth. However, it is best to avoid chocolates that contain caramel fillings, which tends to stick to your teeth. Also, cocoa is an active ingredient found in chocolate, which helps to prevent the growth of bacteria that leads to plaque and cavity formation.

Powdery candy
Although powdery candies contain pure sugar, it dissolves quickly and doesn’t stick to your teeth.

We are devoted to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy and beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. Our experienced team will provide you with high quality dental care. We encourage you to share your experiences at our office on Google. For more Halloween tips, contact us today.

Vienna Dentist | What to Do in Case of Dental Emergency

Vienna-DentistAccidents always happen. Be sure to know what to do when one arises – it can be the difference of saving a tooth or losing one.

A dental emergency is an injury to your teeth or gums that can be potentially serious. Ignoring one can increase the risk of permanent damage. For all dental emergencies, it is important to contact our office as soon as the injury occurs. Provide detailed information about the injury to your mouth. We will be able to give you instructions on how to care for your mouth in the time before coming to our office. In some instances, we may recommend emergency care.

Here are some common dental injuries and how to care for them.

Knocked-out tooth
Rinse the tooth with water if it’s dirty and try not to remove any attached tissue fragments. Keep the tooth moist at all times by carefully putting the tooth back in place without forcing it back into the socket. If this is not possible, place the tooth in a small container of milk or in a cup of water that contains a pinch of salt. Contact our dental office as quickly as possible.

Chipped or cracked tooth
Save any pieces if possible. Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the injured area as well as remove any small tooth fragments. Apply cold compresses to your mouth to keep down the swelling and relieve pain.

Lost crown
If a crown becomes lose or falls off, contact us as soon as possible. Waiting to replace a lose or lost crown can result in further damage to the tooth.

Soft-tissue injuries
Injuries to your tongue, cheeks, gums and lips can result in bleeding. To control the bleeding, rinse your mouth with mild salt water. Apply a moistened piece of gauze or tea bag to the bleeding site for about 15 minutes. You may also use a cold compress to relieve pain. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, contact our dental office.

You can also take simple precautions to avoid dental emergencies:

• When participating in sports, always wear a mouth guard
• Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy
• Never use your teeth to cut things – use scissors

If you encounter a dental emergency, always contact our Vienna dental office as soon as possible. We can provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to care for your mouth or may ask you to come into the office. If you have any additional dental emergency questions, be sure to contact us.

Vienna Dentist | Modern Dentistry Doesn’t Have to Hurt

Communication is an important component to any relationship. Open communication is a major factor in how you measure the quality of care you received. We strive to effectively communicate with you before, during, and after your dental treatments. By maintaining open communication and gently presenting information about a procedure or condition, we will address your concerns and answer any questions you may have.

Our open communication policy allows our compassionate dental team to provide quality dentistry while providing relaxing and stress-free care to every patient.

Please view our patient testimonials to hear about our patients’ real experiences.

To us, the highest compliment we receive at our office is the referral of your friends and family. We encourage you to share your positive experiences with our office on Facebook and G+. We sincerely thank you for placing your confidence in us and look forward to seeing you soon.

Vienna Dentist: Could Your Asthma Be Affecting Your Oral Health This Fall?

Dentist in ViennaAsthma is easily triggered during fall months. Did you know that asthma can contribute to your oral health? Treatments for asthma, such as corticosteroids inhalers can cause dental conditions such as dry mouth and oral thrush. These conditions may cause problems such as increased plaque, cavities, gingivitis, TMJ disorder, and poor smelling breath. Please contact our dental office in Vienna, VA  if you’d like to schedule an exam to address oral health conditions related to asthma treatment.

Asthma suffers are often forced to breathe through their mouths, which causes dry mouth. Furthermore, dry mouth is also a side effect from asthma inhalers. When dry mouth is present, less saliva is produced. Saliva is very important for keeping your mouth clean. Dry mouth increases your risk of developing tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. If you notice a drier than usual mouth, please contact our Vienna dentist. Doing so can help prevent additional dental problems.

Oral thrush may occur when the inhaler causes an increased growth of yeast (thrush) in the mouth and throat. Thrush produces white patches on the tongue and throughout your mouth. Rinsing your mouth with water or fluoride mouthwash after using your inhaler will help decrease the growth of thrush. The use of inhalers can also irritate your mouth and cause lesions, which we provide treatment for at our office.

If you suffer from asthma, we recommend paying close attention to your daily oral hygiene habits, as you may be more prone to inflammation and disease. Although asthma sufferers may be more vulnerable to dental problems, routine dental care at home and quality dental care from our dentist in Vienna will greatly reduce these risks.

Contact our Vienna, VA dentist to schedule an appointment today!

Dentist in Vienna: Does Your Oral Health Put Your Heart at Risk?

dentist in vienna, dentist in vienna va, vienna dentist, vienna va dentistAt our office, our Dentist in Vienna and team not only care about your dental health but we also care about your overall wellness. Your overall wellness includes the health of your heart. You may not realize it, but there is a close connection between your heart and mouth.

Extensive research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims that heart disease is the number one life threatening disease. Both gum and heart disease are inflammatory diseases. This can explain why heart disease and gum disease can occur at the same time.

The cause of periodontal disease (gum) is from a build up of plaque, which inflames your gum tissue. The build up of plaque creates pockets of harmful bacteria that settles into your gums and can eventually settle into your bloodstream. The mouth is a direct passageway to your body’s bloodstream. The same bacterium that causes gum disease has been discovered in heart arteries. Gum disease is powerful enough to attack and thicken the carotid arteries in your heart. When you receive treatment for gum disease from your Dentist in Vienna VA, it not only reduces inflammation in your gums but also reduces inflammation throughout your entire body to lower risk of heart complications.

With your Vienna Dentist, preventive care is the best care.
When you prevent an advanced oral disease, you are also decreasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Avoiding periodontal disease benefits you and your overall health. To do this:
• Brush your teeth twice daily
• Floss daily
• Rinse with an anti-bacterial mouthwash
• Schedule routine check ups

Schedule dental visits twice a year for an exam and a professional cleaning.
To schedule an appointment with your Vienna VA Dentist, please give us a call at our convenient Vienna dentist office.

Vienna Dentist – Tips for Keeping a Fresh Smile while ‘On the Go’

vienna dentistFor many people, brushing during the day can almost seem impossible and inconvenient at times. Being consumed by work, school or even travel can prevent us from keeping a fresh and healthy smile. However, there are quick and easy solutions that your Dentist in Vienna recommends to help keep your smile fresh while on-the-go.

Carry a Travel-Sized Toothbrush
Brushing your teeth becomes more convenient try practicing carrying around a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste that you can quickly use for an after lunch cleaning. Brushing your teeth after a meal is a great way to help maintain optimum oral health. Not only will brushing your teeth keep your mouth healthy from bacteria and decay but it can also help save you from embarrassing bad breath or help to eliminate the fear that something is stuck between your teeth.

Tongue Scrapers
As you brush, be sure to make time to brush your tongue as well. In between your taste buds, lie residue build-up which may be contributing to foul breath. At a drugstore, you can purchase a tongue scraper, or you can use your toothbrush to gently brush your tongue. Your Dentist in Vienna VA will agree that your oral health can be improved with proper tongue care.

Quick Rinse with Mouth Wash
Don’t have time to brush your teeth? Try mouthwash. Mouthwash is a simple, fast and convenient way to freshen your breath during the day. All that it requires is a simple swish. This simple ‘swish’ will not only freshen your breath, but it will also help prevent the build-up of plaque and cavities as it loosens particles in the mouth. There are many different products of mouthwash available, so be sure to ask your Vienna Dentist or hygienist about which mouthwash they recommend for you.

Chewing Gum
Chewing gum is a great temporary alternative when you need a fresh smile while on the go. If you do not have the time to brush your teeth or use mouthwash after a meal, chewing a piece of sugar-free gum for at least 20 minutes can help ward off bad breath. Also, chewing gum can help stimulate the production of saliva which will help wash away any lingering particles left on your teeth.

Although these simple tips will not be as invigorating or as thorough as your at home routine, they will surely help to temporarily improve oral hygiene quickly and conveniently. If you have any questions about how you can improve your oral health, contact your Vienna VA Dentist.

Vienna Dentist – What You Drink Impacts Your Smile

There are a number of ways to improve your smile in addition to your regular visits to the Vienna Dentist, brushing and flossing. What you drink can have an impact on your oral health, so it is important to know which beverages are helpful and which are harmful. The following are beverages that are be helpful in strengthening your smile and maintaining good oral health.

Water
Drinking water is very beneficial to your gum and tooth health. Your Vienna VA Dentist recommends mainly drinking water, as it can serve as a rinsing agent to clear your mouth of debris left behind from food you have consumed. Additionally, fluoride in water can help to strengthen your tooth enamel, preventing tooth decay.

Dairy
Dairy products, such as milk, can help your teeth stay strong. Milk provides calcium and phosphates, which strengthen your teeth and help your smile to stay bright. If you opt for enriched milk, it can also serve as a source for Vitamin D, helping your body to use the calcium.

Unsweetened Tea
Unsweetened tea can be helpful to your teeth because green and black teas contain polyphenols. These interact with plaque-causing bacteria to combat cavities and decay. Tea can prevent bacteria from growing and spreading in your mouth, helping your smile to stay healthy.

Conversely, there are some beverages that can be harmful to your oral health. In order to keep your mouth healthy, your dentist Vienna recommends avoiding the following drinks.

Acidic Beverages
Citrus drinks, such as orange juice, contain acids that can wear on your teeth. If you choose to consume acidic drinks, your Dentist Vienna VA recommends rinsing with fluoride after drinking to help prevent tooth decay.

Coffee
Drinking coffee can stain your teeth and dim your smile. In addition, added sugar can linger and produce bacteria that can turn to plaque. Try to avoid coffee if you can. Otherwise, your Vienna dentist recommends rinsing after consuming coffee.

If you choose to consume beverages that can be harmful to your teeth, you can still combat these choices. For example, chewing sugar free gum can help to clear away harmful bacteria, preventing tooth staining and decay. Additionally, rinsing with mouth wash can also help to kill germs. However, these are supplements, not substitutes, to your regular oral hygiene regime. You should still continue to brush and floss daily, and you should be visiting your Vienna VA Dentist to help you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.

Dentist Vienna VA

Adam Park

Myths About Cavities – Vienna Dentist

A cavity is caused by the bacteria in your mouth building up and turning to plaque. If the plaque is not brushed away, it can turn to tartar, which is a harder substance that your Vienna Dentist uses special equipment to remove. If the tartar and plaque are not removed, either by the dentist or by practicing good oral hygiene at home, it will begin to eat away at the enamel on your teeth, leading to decay, and a cavity will eventually form.

Although many people know that cavities are caused by poor oral hygiene, there are several myths about cavities circulating. It is important to have a better understanding of cavities so that you can take the necessary steps in maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile. Your Dentist Vienna has debunked some of the myths that have been going around to help you stay better informed.

If I have a cavity, I’ll know about it. In the beginning stages, cavities do not show symptoms. You will start to experience discomfort when the decay has advanced to a more severe stage, causing damage to the nerve.

If I brush, it’ll go away. Although brushing and flossing are great tools to prevent cavities, a cavity should not go untreated. This can cause the condition to worsen, which could lead to emergency, restorative dental care such as root canal therapy. By making regular visits to your Dentist in Vienna, your dentist will be able to detect the cavity and treat it before it escalates any further.

Cavities are the leading cause of tooth loss. Although cavities can cause tooth loss, this is not the leading cause. Periodontal (gum) disease is the true leading cause of tooth loss. It is especially important to visit your Vienna VA Dentist if you are experiencing any symptoms of periodontal disease such as swollen, bleeding gums or atypical teeth sensitivity.

If you suspect that you have a cavity, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with your Dentist in Vienna VA. The sooner you catch a cavity, the more easily and comfortably it can be treated.