Knowing the anatomy of a tooth helps you work with your dentist in Bel Air to maintain the healthiest, most attractive smile. The two main parts of the tooth are the crown and the root.

The crown is the white part of the tooth that you can see and the root lies beneath the gum. Each tooth has enamel, dentin, pulp, and cementum. These 4 tissues support the tooth and keep it nourished.

The enamel is hard enough to protect the tooth. The dentin is a softer layer that supports the enamel and absorbs some of the pressure of chewing. The pulp nourishes the tooth and keeps its nerves and blood vessels safe. The cementum attaches the tooth to the jaw. Check out this video to learn more about the parts of the tooth and what they do.

At Your Smile, we pride ourselves on providing your family with the dental care you need to keep your smile healthy. Take a look at our latest reviews on ZocDoc to see what some of our patients have to say about us. We would also like to hear from you. Please take a moment to leave a review of your own on our Google+ page.

“I would and have recommended her to anyone looking for a dentist.” – Walter M.

Straight teeth do much more than improve the look of your smile. Straightening your teeth can help you enjoy optimal oral health. Keep reading to find out why you should work with your dentist in Bel Air to straighten your teeth:

When your teeth are straight, it is much easier to keep them clean. A good oral hygiene routine can reduce your risk for issues like cavities and periodontal disease. The gums also fit better over straight teeth, which further reduces your risk for problems like these.

Straightening your teeth can also help you improve your overall health. Tooth decay and gum disease are both issues that are caused by bacteria. When these bacteria and infections enter your bloodstream, they can increase your risk for health issues like heart disease, stroke, and pneumonia. Oral issues like periodontal disease also make it more difficult for diabetics to control blood sugar levels. You should work closely with your dentist to get straighter, healthier teeth.

Preventative treatments at the dentist in Bel Air give you an easy way to prevent major oral health issues and to keep your teeth looking great. Keep reading to find out how these preventative treatments can help you maintain a healthy, attractive smile:

It Keeps the Teeth and Gums Clean
General cleanings are huge parts of preventive care. The dentist will give you a thorough cleaning every time you go in for an appointment. This can help you prevent food and plaque from building up on your teeth and gums, which lowers your risk for developing cavities or periodontal disease.

It Reminds You Why Oral Hygiene is Important
If you visit your dentist for regular cleanings, it reminds you of the importance of a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing your teeth at home helps you get the best reports the next time you visit the dentist. If you keep up with your preventative visits, you can easily remind yourself why it is so important to focus on your oral health.

It Spots Issues Early
Preventative dental care helps you spot any oral health issues early enough to get treatment before the problems get worse . A dentist can place a dental sealant over a tooth that is at risk for developing decay to protect the eating surface. If the dentist can spot problems like gum disease in the earliest stages, he or she can give you treatment to prevent the issue from getting any worse.

It Helps You Learn About Oral Health
Preventative dentistry can also educate patients about oral health. The dentist can teach you about the proper way to care for your teeth and gums to decrease your risk for preventable problems like cavities and gum disease. He or she can also talk to you about the best kinds of foods to eat to encourage a healthy smile. The dentist can also show you how your oral health can affect your overall health.

Many parents mistakenly believe that the health of their children’s baby teeth isn’t that important since they’ll lose the teeth anyway. This unfortunate misconception has led to nearly half of all children experiencing at least some form of tooth decay before their permanent teeth erupt. A child’s primary teeth are extremely important to their long-term oral health, however, so it’s vital to follow and teach good oral care habits early. Talk to your family dentist in Bel Air about the best way to care for your child’s teeth, and follow these tips:

Start Early
Most children’s primary teeth begin to erupt between four and six months of age. Some dentists recommend gently cleaning the gums from birth by simply wiping them with a damp cloth, then moving on to a baby toothbrush when the first tooth erupts. By beginning oral hygiene this early and sticking to it twice per day, you can help ensure it becomes a normal part of daily life that your child simply expects; struggles over brushing teeth in the morning and evening can be greatly minimized by teaching the habit early.

Teach Proper Techniques
As children become toddlers and start to exhibit some independence, they will want to “do things themselves.” This is a good thing, but it’s important that they learn how to do them the right way. Allow your child to brush his or her own teeth, but be present to monitor the technique. You may even consider brushing together so that your child can imitate your motions until he or she has a solid grasp of the technique. Be sure to go after your child to finish the job until he or she is able to do a thorough job on his or her own.

Visit the Dentist Regularly
The family dentistry professionals at your dentist’s office can be your biggest allies in caring for your child’s teeth . At the dentist, your child will receive regular cleanings and have his or her oral health monitored through x-rays and comprehensive exams. You and your child will also receive tips and education on maintaining lifelong oral health.

When wisdom teeth do not grow in properly, they could cause major problems in your mouth. You should visit your dentist in Bel Air as your wisdom teeth start to grow in so they can be sure they are coming in the right way.

If wisdom teeth do not erupt fully, it might create an opening around the area that allows bacteria and infections to develop in the area. This area can also become food or plaque traps that lead to tooth decay or periodontal disease.

Wisdom teeth that grow in sideways might get trapped between the bone and the gum and might lead to infections or pain. Check out this video to learn more.

While good oral hygiene is important, you have to visit the dentist regularly to keep your teeth clean and healthy. If you want to have truly healthy teeth and gums, it is important to find the right family dentist . Use the following tips to choose a dentist that will help you keep your mouth in top condition:

Look into Experience
All dentists must achieve certain qualifications to practice, but that does not mean that they all have the same levels of experience. Look for a dental practice with high standards for their dentists so you can be sure to find an oral health professional with the necessary experience to give you the best dental care in the area.

Your Smile is one of the top offices specializing in family dentistry near Bel Air . We are dedicated to restoring and enhancing your natural smile to keep it as healthy and attractive as possible.

We hold our entire staff to high standards to ensure that our patients get the treatment they need. From regular cleanings to orthodontics, we do everything we can to keep your mouth healthy and your teeth beautiful. We focus on preventative care and education to allow our patients to have an active role in caring for their teeth and gums. Our office abides by intensive safety features to offer our patients the top services in the area. We also dedicate a lot of time to training our staff so they are ready to offer you the level of care you need.

If you are looking for a top family dentist, turn to Your Smile. We have the skills and technology that it takes to keep your mouth as healthy and attractive as possible.