How Smiling Affects Health
Seeing your dentist is about more than preventing cavities and ensuring you get a professional cleaning every six months. While these concerns are central to your visit, they’re also part of ensuring that you’re proud to share your smile and that you share it often. Smiling has some astounding effects on the overall health of […]
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A Quick Guide To The World Of Dentures
When the word ‘denture’ is used it’s likely that many of us conjure up the exact same image, that of a pink and white device sitting in a glass of water by our grandparent’s bed or in the bathroom cabinet. While this image remains accurate to a point today, there are actually many different varieties […]
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Types of Teeth Whitening
Studies have shown that smiling leads to a longer life. In fact, those who smile live 35% longer than those whose tend to embrace the frown. But what if you aren’t confident in your smile? If you don’t like the way your teeth look it’s hard to show off your teeth with a big toothy […]
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The Alzheimer’s Oral Health Connection
Alzheimer’s is a scary disease that has gained more visibility over the years. As more and more people become aware of this disease more and more research is being funded. This has led to extensive investigation of the cause of the disease. The logic is that if we know the cause of the disease we […]
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Digital X-Rays
Digital x-rays are a more streamlined way of taking dental radiographs. Like traditional x-rays, digital versions provide an in-depth view of the structures of the mouth, helping dentists detect complications and develop effective modes of treatment. Digital x-rays are capable of revealing hidden caries, bone erosion, and even tooth decay hiding beneath restorations. Requiring less […]
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Removable Dentures
Dentures are removable tooth prosthetics designed to look and function like natural teeth. For thousands of years, some form of denture has been used to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth, although today’s dentures are much more advanced and easier to care for. Most dentures are composed of replacement teeth attached to plastic […]
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Dentures
The thought of dentures makes most people cringe. The modern version of this dental restoration, however, is an excellent way to replace missing teeth and recreate a broken-down smile. At Bethesda Family Dental in Bethesda, MD, we offer several versions of dentures so patients can take advantage of this smile makeover treatment and get their […]
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Dentistry Post-Op Questions
If you are undergoing a dental procedure or operation, you will be given a set of post-operative instructions to abide by in the hours, days, and weeks after your treatment. Following these instructions is essential to preventing infections in surgical sites, protecting restorations, and minimizing the possibility of experiencing complications. Post-operative instructions vary from procedure […]
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Bite Guards
A bite guard is a dental appliance custom-fit to a patient’s teeth. Bite guards serve varying purposes and are often recommended for use in patients of all ages. It is important that bite guards be professionally fit, rather than purchased over the counter, as this ensures maximum comfort and protection during wear. Professional dental guards […]
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Fluoride and Decay Prevention
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that has been shown to help strengthen teeth in children and also prevent decay in people of all ages. Topical fluoride, in particular is helpful for promoting oral health. The American Dental Association has publicly endorsed the use of fluoride for the prevention of dental caries, as has the […]
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Partial Dentures
Like a bridge, partial dentures rest on surrounding teeth to fill in the gaps where one or more teeth are missing. But unlike a bridge, partial dentures are fully removable by the wearer. Partials are affordable alternatives to other types of dental prosthetics and are custom-made to blend in with each patient’s natural teeth. It takes […]
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How to Floss Your Teeth
Flossing is an important part of an oral hygiene routine, but research suggests that fewer than half of Americans do so daily. Flossing is simple and only takes an extra couple of minutes per day. Developing a healthy habit of flossing can prevent tooth decay and gum disease, and it may allow you to keep […]
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PFM Restorations
Porcelain fused to metal, or PFM restorations have been a standard in restorative dentistry for more than three decades. During that time, dentists around the world have adopted PFM crowns and bridges due to the versatility for use, as well as their ability to be matched to surrounding teeth. PFM crowns provide an excellent balance […]
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Electric Brush vs. Manual Brushes
Preventative dentistry is about more than just visiting your dentist twice yearly for an exam and thorough cleaning. In fact, the majority of your preventative care is done at-home as a part of your normal hygienic routine. Many residents use manual toothbrushes to remove debris and plaque from their teeth. However, electric brushes have become […]
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Provisional Restorations
Provisional restorations are often used during complex restorative dental procedures to serve as temporary prosthetic replacements while patients wait for a permanent restoration. Provisional restorations offer patients to try-out the look and feel of the final prosthetic and make any necessary changes before the final fabrication and fitting. Unlike temporary prosthetics of the past, modern […]
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Composite Tooth-Colored Fillings
Composite tooth-colored fillings are a versatile dental restoration and cosmetic dentistry repair. At Bethesda Family Dental, in Bethesda, MD, we use tooth-colored fillings to correct a variety of dental problems, allowing us to repair and beautify teeth simultaneously. Problems Fixed by Composite Tooth-Colored Fillings Composite fillings are typically considered as a solution for cavities. While […]
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Dental X-Rays
For years, dental x-rays have been used to diagnose oral health complications and detect decaying or damaged teeth. X-rays provide a unique view of the mouth that isn’t possible with a visual exam alone. When x-rays are taken, the teeth and bones absorb the majority of the ray, making them highly visible on film or […]
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How to Brush Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth is probably a standard part of your daily routine, but chances are you aren’t following the American Dental Association’s guidelines for cleaning your teeth properly. The ADA currently recommends that you brush your teeth at minimum of two times each day – preferably morning and night or anytime you eat foods that […]
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Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions are routine dental procedures used to remove decayed, damaged or otherwise problematic teeth. Dentists usually make every effort to preserve natural teeth, although sometimes an extraction is necessary. Although the procedure is performed in a dentist’s or oral surgeon’s office, it is considered surgery. Depending on which teeth are removed, they may be […]
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Bad Breath
Having bad breath can be an embarrassing problem – especially if you are regularly face to face with other people. Known professionally as halitosis, bad breath plagues many people every day. Most cases of bad breath can be remedied by efficiently brushing the teeth. However, some types of bad breath are chronic or recurring, which […]
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Sports Mouth Guard
Dental mouth guards have long been used to protect the teeth, gums and supporting tissues from damage, injury and trauma. There are two types of sports mouth guards – over the counter and custom. While OTC guards are helpful for occasional use, many dental patients require the benefit of a customized dental mouth guard fitted […]
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Dental Health and Your Diet
Your body works hard to convert the foods you eat into energy. You may not think twice about what you are eating – especially when it comes to grabbing an afternoon snack or sipping on a vanilla latte on your commute. But the food you put in your mouth affects more than just your waistline. […]
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Dental Cleaning & Consultation
Preventative care is a foundation of dentistry. The American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist regularly – usually about twice yearly – for full cleanings, examinations, and consultations for potential treatment. Professional dental cleanings help remove built-up plaque that is not removable using conventional brushing and flossing. Often, dentists are also capable of identifying potential […]
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Cosmetic Dentistry
At Bethesda Family Dental, we use advanced, customized cosmetic dentistry procedures to create flawless smile makeovers for our patients. There are many ways to develop a perfect smile and through our state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive menu of options, you can be certain that we will develop a new smile that is just right for you. […]
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General Dentistry
General dentistry encompasses a broad range of diseases and disorders of the oral and maxillofacial region. Everyone should see a general dentist for routine oral health examinations, twice-yearly cleanings, and treatment of routine oral health complications, such as minor tooth decay. General dentistry is as much about prevention as it is about treatment. Patients who […]
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Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is an easy cosmetic dental procedure that can brighten your smile by about 5-10 shades. While whitening toothpaste and some over the counter whiteners can remove superficial stains, professional teeth whitening works by removing stains from both the outer layer (enamel) and middle layer (dentin) of your teeth. In as little as one […]
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Veneers and Laminates
Dental veneers are a popular, conservative cosmetic dental treatment that corrects misshapen, damaged, irregularly shaped, or discolored teeth. Although many people commonly call them porcelain veneers, dental veneers, sometimes called laminates, can be manufactured from both porcelain or resin. These porcelain or resin shells are then bonded to the front surface of visible teeth to […]
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TMJ Treatment
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your temporal bone (skull) to your mandible (lower jaw). In simple terms, your TMJ is the joint responsible for opening and closing your mouth, as well as for biting and chewing. Every person has two joints composed of a capsule, articular disc, ligaments, and nerves. Both […]
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Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that are more extensive than dental fillings but less so than caps and crowns. They are typically formed in a dental lab and are made of gold, porcelain or resin depending on the patient’s needs and aesthetic goals. An inlay refers to a restoration that is formed to fit […]
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