Do I really need to get my teeth X-rayed at the Dentist?

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Holistic Dentist

Do I really need to get my teeth X-rayed at the Dentist? (What if I’m pregnant?)

Yes! But let us reassure you that we only take X-rays when necessary.

X-rays reveal issues that we simply can’t perceive with the naked eye. This is very important in the prevention of dental problems. The alternative of having a mouth of infected teeth is far riskier, health wise, than the supposed risk of radiation from a dentist’s X-ray machine.

At our practice, we use digital X-ray imaging. For what it’s worth, these machines emit only a tenth of the radiation given off by earlier generations of X-ray machines. To put it in perspective: You get more radiation from carrying a cell phone around in your pocket all day.

One interesting misperception that we sometimes hear is that pregnant women shouldn’t get an X-ray. Again, we don’t take X-rays except when necessary, and we care deeply about our patients’ health, but—a mother’s mouthful of infected teeth is far riskier for the health of her baby than the exposure of an X-ray machine. Studies have shown a connection between oral infections and low birth rate and premature birth.

This issue is even addressed on the American Pregnancy Association website, by the way, so you don’t have to just take our word on this:

“Preventive dental work while pregnant is essential to avoid oral infections such as gum disease, which has been linked to preterm birth…

“No single diagnostic x-ray has a radiation dose significant enough to cause adverse effects in a developing embryo or fetus.”

The site suggests that expecting mothers should perhaps wait until after the child is born to do cosmetic procedures, such as tooth whitening. We would tend to agree with that recommendation.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC88948/

Can I trust my dentist? How do I know if I really need the work?

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Holistic Dentist

Can I trust my dentist? How do I know if I really need the work?

Dentists hold a position of trust with their patients; dentistry, as a profession, is bound by a code of ethics.

That said, dentists are people, too, and professional opinions in this field may vary as widely as in other fields.

Some dentists will inevitably favor an aggressive approach; others will work as conservatively as possible. Most will tend to favor the methods and approaches that were drilled into them, so to speak, in dental school. Some like to try new and cutting-edge approaches, others stick to the tried-and-true. Adherents to both approaches will tell you that they’re right.

A funny fact—A study published by the British Dental Journal in 2014 found that opinions on how one should best brush one’s teeth vary widely between dentists and textbooks and toothbrush manufacturers. “Unacceptably inconsistent,” concluded the study, about this variation. Sort of embarrassing, but it does illustrate the point that there can be disagreement on even the most commonplace of issues.

At the end of the day, however, we’re dealing with issues that can be seen. When you’ve got questions, ask to take a look at your chart. If something doesn’t make sense to you, ask us to explain it again. If that doesn’t work, try getting a second opinion from a dentist in rockville.

It’s worth mentioning, also, that there’s rarely only one way to fix an issue. Whenever possible, we’ll explain the different possible approaches. If we’re suggesting a more expensive option, it’s always because we think it’ll be more effective, or cost-effective, in the long run.

Happy Dentist Day! Hooray For Dentists!

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Holistic Dentist

Today (Thu 6th Mar, 2014) is…Dentist Day!

“Dentists aren’t the most popular people in the world. But without them, we’d all have terrible teeth, and no doubt forget to floss or get regular check-ups. What would we do without dentists when we get tooth-ache, and need help with braces and fillings?”

NATIONAL DENTIST’S DAY

“Annually celebrated on March 6th, it is National Dentist’s Day. This day was created as a day set aside to say “Thank You” to and show appreciation to your dentist. In many cases, the day of our dental visit usually has us a bit nervous and sometimes anxious. We would often rather be someplace else than sitting in a dental chair. The dentist is not the person that most of us look forward to seeing. However, when the work is complete, such as: our checkup is done, our teeth are cleaned, the cavities are filled, the broken tooth is fixed, the toothache is taken care of and etc., we really appreciate what the dentist has done for us. ”

This Dentist Day, consider that dentists aren’t the bad guys and gals, that they’re real people too, and that you probably aught to take better care of your teeth. Hooray for dentists! Courtesy

If you are a dentist, HAPPY DENTIST’S DAY!

We Know That People Smile – Can Dogs Smile As Well? Natural Dentist Associates

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Holistic Dentist

Can Dogs Smile? We Know That People Smile …

A Smile Makes You Look Successful

“A smile conveys confidence and professionalism,” says Lily T. Garcia, DDS, DDS, MS, FACP, president of the American College of Prosthodontists. People who project a positive outlook are generally more open and flexible. They tend to cope better with challenges than people who are withdrawn and unsmiling.

A study that followed a group of women for 30 years shows the lifetime benefits of smiling. The women who displayed genuinely happy smiles in their college yearbook photos went on to have happier marriages and greater wellbeing.

In the same study, a group of strangers looked at the college photos and reported their assumptions about the women’s personalities. The women who smiled were judged to be more positive and competent than those who didn’t. READ MORE: From Web MD

And How About Dogs: Do Dogs Smile?

Body language can be an effective gauge of how at ease a dog feels. Happy dogs have a general looseness to their bodies, and that applies to the mouth area, too. If the sides of your pooch’s mouth point slightly higher than the rest of it, that often — but not always — signifies that all is wonderful in your dog’s world for the moment. More telling is your dog’s tongue. A loose-hanging tongue combined with a mouth slightly ajar generally points to a good moods in a doggy, according to the Caring Hands Humane Society website. Although dogs don’t actually smile like humans, they sometimes happen to make expressions that look like smiles. READ MORE NEST

Smiling Dog

Body language can be an effective gauge of how at ease a dog feels. Happy dogs have a general looseness to their bodies, and that applies to the mouth area, too. If the sides of your pooch’s mouth point slightly higher than the rest of it, that often — but not always — signifies that all is wonderful in your dog’s world for the moment. More telling is your dog’s tongue. A loose-hanging tongue combined with a mouth slightly ajar generally points to a good moods in a doggy, according to the Caring Hands Humane Society website. Although dogs don’t actually smile like humans, they sometimes happen to make expressions that look like smiles.

Anxiety and Smiling

A smiley expression in a dog doesn’t necessarily indicate happiness. If your dog’s mouth is open just a tad, with the sides raised, he may indeed look like he’s smiling, but he may actually be anxious, nervous or otherwise in distress. Signs of distress accompanying a stiff smile include heavy panting with the tongue in, whining and chattering teeth. Consult your vet.

At Natural Dentist Associates We Say Smile…EVERYDAY!

2014 Give Kids A Smile Day How to Care For Your Child’s Teeth

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Holistic Dentist

Helping Children Through Give Kids A Smile

The American Dental Association began the Give Kids A Smile program in 2003 as a way for dentists to join with others in the community to provide dental services to underserved children. The program initially began as a one-day event in February, but has since grown to local and national events year-round. Dentists and other team members volunteer their time, and services, to provide screenings, treatments and education to children throughout the United States. Each year, approximately 450,000 children benefit from more than 1500 events, all because of the efforts of 40,000 or more annual volunteers.

2014 Give Kids A Smile Day National Kickoff Event

Celebrating its 12th year, the national kickoff event will be held at Howard University in Washington, D.C. More details to follow.

Click Here For More Information

How to Care For Your Child’s Teeth

A child’s primary teeth, sometimes called “baby teeth,” are as important as the permanent adult teeth.

Primary teeth typically begin to appear when a baby is between age six months and one year.
Primary teeth help children chew and speak. SEE VIDEO
Primary teeth hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are developing under the gums.

The ADA recommends that a dentist examine a child within six months of the eruption of the first tooth and no later than the first birthday.

A dental visit at an early age is a “well baby checkup” for the teeth.
Besides checking for tooth decay and other problems, the dentist can demonstrate how to clean the child’s teeth properly and how to evaluate any adverse habits such as thumbsucking.