• Let’s Take Prevention to the Next Level

  • How Ignoring Your Dental Care Can Affect Your Health

    When your dentist tells you to practice proper dental care in Bel Air, MD, you shouldn’t brush off this recommendation. You should be flossing every day, brushing your teeth twice each day, and seeing your dentist on a regular basis for dental cleanings . Failing to do so can result in a wide array of problems that can affect all aspects of your health and well-being. Poor dental care can result in a reduced self-image, poor dental health, and problems with your general health. Keep reading and find out why it’s so important that you practice proper dental care. dental - care

    Diminished Self-Confidence

    When you fail to brush and floss your teeth, visit the dental office, or take care of other dental care responsibilities, your smile might not look the way you want it to look. While this seems like a purely aesthetic issue at first, it can have real consequences on your mental health. People who are ashamed of their teeth may smile less frequently; since the brain and the body work in tandem, this lack of smiling can trick your mind into thinking you’re upset. Some people do experience anxiety and depression because of their self-image, and the smile is an integral factor.

    Poor Oral Health

    Some people who neglect dental care might not suffer mentally, but no one escapes the decline in oral health that comes with this neglect. The process of brushing your teeth helps to remove food debris, acids, and bacteria that could otherwise build up on your teeth. When they’ve built up long enough they can lead to decay and dental cavities as well as periodontal problems like gingivitis. When plaque hardens into tartar, you will need a professional dental cleaning in order to have it removed.

    Inhibited Overall Well-Being

    In addition to impairing your self-image and dental health, neglecting your dental care can lead to problems with your general health. Oral health and general health are linked in a number of ways, and poor dental health has been associated with conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Make sure you take care of your oral health to stay in top shape.

  • What Are the Signs of a Tooth Abscess?

    A tooth abscess can be a very painful condition. In this video, a dental care practitioner will explain some of the common signs and symptoms of an abscessed tooth. When you have an abscess, you may find that your tooth is very sensitive to hot or cold foods. You may also feel a dull, aching pain that throbs in your mouth. A dentist at a general dentistry office in Bel Air will be able to check your tooth for the signs of an abscess.

    In the event that you experience an abscess in your tooth, you will want to visit your local dental office right away. With dental care services, you will be able to alleviate your pain and restore your tooth to perfect health. Your dentist will have the tools needed to remove the abscess and improve your overall comfort.

  • Tips for Caring for Your Sensitive Teeth

    If you have sensitive teeth, you may find it uncomfortable to consume very hot or cold beverages and foods. Since tooth sensitivity can indicate the wearing down of your enamel or the recession of your gum line, it’s best to visit a dental office in Bel Air, MD, for a dental cleaning and exam. Proper dental care can resolve your tooth sensitivity by addressing the underlying problem. In the meantime, you can follow the tips explained in this video.

    This video offers some at-home dental care guidance for sensitive teeth. It recommends brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and desensitizing toothpaste that contains fluoride. You can protect the enamel on your teeth by avoiding soda and acidic foods, and by waiting 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth.

  • Missing Teeth and Your Health

    If you are missing teeth due to tooth decay, trauma, or a tooth extraction near Bel Air, MD, your dentist will recommend replacing your missing teeth with prosthetics . There are a few cosmetic dentistry options for replacing missing teeth, including dentures, dental bridges, and dental implants. If you don’t seek restorative or cosmetic dental care, you may develop serious complications and health problems.

    Watch this video from the American Dental Association to learn more about missing teeth and your health. If your dentist doesn’t replace your missing teeth with cosmetic dentistry restorations, you may suffer from shifting or crooked teeth, jawbone loss, facial deformity, and difficulty eating and speaking. When dentures or dental bridges are anchored to your jawbone using dental implants, you can reduce your risk of health problems. You can also restore your smile, and ensure that you can comfortably eat, speak, and maintain your dental care routine.

  • How to Take Care of Invisalign

    After you visit your dentist in Bel Air, MD for Invisalign it is important to follow his or her instructions so you get the best results possible. Invisalign has helped millions of teens and adults achieve the smiles of their dreams. With Invisalign, you and your dentist can correct almost any alignment issues, including gapped, overlapping, overcrowded, and widely spaced teeth. Continue reading to learn about Invisalign care, including proper brushing, simple cleaning, and essential check-ups.

    Invisalign

    Proper Brushing

    The best way to take care of your teeth when you wear Invisalign is by brushing and flossing regularly. As your dentist will tell you, maintaining superior oral health is key to the success of your Invisalign treatment. Simply remove your clear plastic aligners and brush and floss as you normally would. Good dental care mandates brushing teeth twice per day with fluoride toothpaste. You should also floss before bed with an ADA-approved dental floss.

    Simple Cleaning

    Dental care for your Invisalign aligners is simple. You can brush and rinse your clear plastic aligners in lukewarm water. You can also invest in an Invisalign professional cleaning kit for the best possible results. The Invisalign cleaning system uses special cleaning crystals to ensure that all plaque is eliminated from your aligners. If this sticky bacterial film is allowed to accumulate, it can cause gum disease and tooth decay. With the cleaning system, you simply soak aligners for fifteen minutes before popping them back in.

    Essential Check-Ups

    Invisalign care also involves visiting your dentists for regular check-ups. Only dentists have the professional tools necessary to completely eliminate plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. Before your teeth have been straightened with Invisalign, it can be difficult to reach spots where teeth overlap using just your toothbrush. Your dentist will ensure that you maintain good oral hygiene and that your Invisalign treatment is progressing properly. You should schedule teeth cleanings twice per year and also make sure to visit your dentist every two weeks to pick up a new set of aligners.

  • Your Guide to Lumineers

    If you feel insecure about your smile , your dentist in Bel Air, MD, may have suggested Lumineers. Lumineers are porcelain veneers that are designed to treat a wide range of problems in cosmetic dentistry. With Lumineers, your dentist can help you achieve whiter and perfectly aligned teeth. If you want to achieve the smile of your dreams, talk to your dentist about porcelain veneers. Keep reading to answer some frequently asked questions about how Lumineers work.

    your-smile

    What Are Lumineers?

    Lumineers are tooth-colored sheaths that fit completely over the fronts of teeth. These veneers are crafted from thin porcelain that can be matched exactly to surrounding teeth. Unlike traditional veneers, which can be thick and require a dentist to remove surrounding tooth structure, Lumineers are digitally designed to be ultra-thin. Lumineers have about the thickness of average contact lenses, so they can be placed precisely over teeth and blend in seamlessly with your smile.

    What Kinds of Problems Do Lumineers Correct?

    Dentists use Lumineers to correct many cosmetic problems. Lumineers can completely cover a chipped or cracked tooth. Because Lumineers can be crafted from any color, they can also mask even the darkest tooth discolorations. If your teeth are dark or yellow due to age, medications, smoking cigarettes, or years of drinking coffee and wine, Lumineers are the best way to achieve a whiter smile. While teeth whitening is also successful for many people, even teeth whitening cannot correct deep, internal stains as Lumineers can. These porcelain veneers mask any imperfections, which means they can also correct misaligned, gapped, or overlapping teeth.

    How Does the Lumineers Procedure Work?

    If you decide to invest in Lumineers, your dentist will first meet with you to discuss your treatment plan. You can decide to achieve a whiter, better aligned smile with just one Lumineer or with a full set of Lumineers that covers all your teeth. During your first visit, your dentist will create a customized mold of your teeth. After that, your porcelain veneers are custom-made in a laboratory. Dentists can place a complete set of Lumineers in just one quick and painless visit.

  • Meet Dr. Danielle Zhu

    Home dental care is not enough to keep teeth and gums healthy—you also need to find a great dentist in Bel Air ! A great dentist will help you feel comfortable and make sure you understand concerns and treatment options that can improve your smile.

    When you visit Your Smile, you can feel comfortable meeting with Dr. Danielle Zhu. Dr. Zhu specializes in a variety of dental fields, providing treatments for patients of all ages and with an assortment of concerns and dental emergencies. Before becoming a well-known dentist in Bel Air, Dr. Zhu earned her undergraduate degree from UMBC and went on to receive a dental degree from the University of Maryland Dental School. Dr. Zhu also has a prosthodontic clerkship and post doctorate training in advanced general dentistry on her résumé! Along with these accomplishments, patients can also feel comfortable knowing that Dr. Zhu is a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Maryland State Dental Association.

    Dentist in Bel AIr

  • A Look at Common Dental Emergencies

    Do you know what to do in case of a dental emergency? Visiting an emergency dentist in Bel Air is the best way to find help. These dental specialists help patients of all ages with a variety of dental emergencies. This guide can fill you in on some of the most common dental emergencies and what to do if you experience one:

    Toothaches
    Have you ever gotten food stuck between your teeth? This experience can be annoying but is often remedied with floss or a toothbrush. When

    Emergency Dentist in Bel Air

    food is hard to reach, it can result in severe pain around the tooth and gum tissue. If you experience a severe toothache, try to remove food residue by rinsing your mouth out with warm water. Next, use dental floss to carefully floss around the affected tooth, as this might remove food debris that can be causing the sensation. If the pain does not subside, you should visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible.

    Tooth or Jaw Injuries
    Traumatic injuries can severely damage teeth or the jaw bone. These injuries can occur when people fall and tend to be most common among athletes who experience contact with other athletes or hard surfaces. It is important to seek emergency dental care for these traumatic injuries, as they are prone to infection and are often quite painful. Time is especially important when a one or more teeth get knocked out. The teeth may be saved if treated as quickly as possible.

    Broken or Chipped Teeth
    Getting hit in the head can result in a broken or chipped tooth. This not only affects the appearance of your smile, it can also result in pain and difficulty eating. Treat the area by rinsing your mouth out with warm water. Rinse off any pieces of your tooth that you can find and store them in a safe place. Gauze can be used to stop bleeding and a cold compress can be applied to relieve pain and swelling until you get to the emergency dentist.

  • Common Causes of Toothaches

    Most people agree that a toothache can be a terribly painful experience. However, many people do not know what causes a toothache that might send them rushing to their dentist in Bel Air .

    The most common cause of toothaches is cavities, or tooth decay. When a tooth decays to the point that it exposes the nerves inside the tooth, even the act of breathing can be excruciating as air moves across the area. You may need a filling, root canal, or crown depending on the level of decay. Another common cause of toothaches is dental abscesses. These are infections in or around the tooth and are quite serious. Immediate dental care is required. Toothaches can also be caused by a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, infected gums, lost fillings or crowns, or tooth grinding. Talk to your dentist as soon as possible if you are experiencing any type of tooth pain so that he or she can determine the cause and administer the appropriate treatment.

    Dentist in Bel Air