Northern Virginia Dental Associates

Good Health Starts at the Gums

Dental care is important to your overall health.  Poor oral health is connected with other problems like diabetes and heart disease. If you would like to learn more about providing better dental care for your entire family, look to the following list of resources to find the tips, answers, and information you need.

• Check out Diabetes.org to learn more about the connection between poor oral health and diabetes.

• How can the condition of your gums affect your cardiac health? Find out the crucial answer to this question by reviewing this article from Parade.com.

• To learn more about how a pediatric dentist can help provide necessary dental care for your child, check out this article from HealthyChildren.org.

• If you are worried about your child’s dental development, check out this article for a list of common pediatric dental problems.

• As a parent, it can be difficult to know who to turn to when it comes to your child’s health. Read this article for information on finding a pediatric dentist who is right for your family.

When it comes to providing dental care and treatment for your family, let the professionals at Northern Virginia Dental Associates help. We offer preventative treatment, gum therapy, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and more. Call (888) 862-0095 to learn more.

Taking Care of Your Mouth is Taking Care of Your Health

Being alert to warning signs of gum disease is one of the most important reasons to see a dentist at least twice a year. Poor oral hygiene leads to tooth decay—which, without treatment, may lead to gingivitis and eventually gum disease. Gum disease not only damages your oral health, but it can also have serious consequences for your overall health. 

Systemic Inflammatory Response

If gingivitis is left to fester and turn into severe periodontitis, the body’s immune system will send extra blood, carrying nutrients and infection-fighting white blood cells to the infected area. This reaction is known as a systemic inflammatory response, and is the body’s attempt to defend itself from further harm. However, if the systemic response continues, the body may overreact and harm itself. Chronic inflammation caused by a worsening infection can cause destruction of cells, which may be highly detrimental.  

Diabetes

New research suggests that advanced gum disease could potentially affect the body’s ability to control blood glucose levels, which can contribute to the onset of diabetes. Moreover, those with diabetes are at an increased risk for gum disease. Patients suffering from diabetes are more susceptible to bacterial infections such as periodontitis, making it all the more crucial that they brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly. 

Heart Disease

When the bacteria that cause gum disease enter the bloodstream, heart disease may be the result. This is because the bacteria attach to plaque buildup within the blood vessels, contributing to clotting and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Furthermore, when the arteries become blocked, the heart receives a decreased amount of nutrients and oxygen, which puts greater strain on it.

You can start taking better care of your dental health by visiting Northern Virginia Dental Associates. We provide comprehensive dental care, including cosmetic, general, and pediatric dentistry services. To learn more or to schedule a dental checkup, call us today at (888) 862-0095. 

A Healthy Smile from Your Phone

Are you positive that your teeth are getting the cleaning and care they need? If not, you may find the help you need in the palm of your hand.  Download the Dental Care Tips app for Android phones for dental care news.     

This app provides daily dental care tips for people of all ages, including kids and teens. You’ll find dental emergency guides, information on the history of dentistry, tips for taking care of your gums, the latest news within the dental industry, and much more!  

For thorough oral health care, come to Northern Virginia Dental Associates. We use cutting-edge technology to perform a variety of general, pediatric, cosmetic, and restorative dental services. To learn more about our practice, check out our website or call us at (888) 862-0095. 

Help Your Child with Their First Trip to the Dentist

A trip to the dentist can be scary for anyone; children especially may feel apprehensive on their first visit. However, dental care is essential starting from the time your child’s first teeth erupt.

Watch this video to learn when your child should visit the dentist for the first time, how frequently appointments need to be scheduled, and how you can prepare your child for his or her first visit. You’ll also discover what you and your child can expect from that first trip to the dentist, and get tips on forming positive associations with oral health care.

If your child is in need of a checkup or cleaning, call Northern Virginia Dental Associates at (888) 862-0095. Our highly trained family dentists treat children ages three and up.  

Trying for a Perfect Smile? Here Are Four Popular Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures.

Cosmetic dentistry aims to improve the way people feel about their appearance. Most cosmetic treatments involve whitening the teeth, repositioning the teeth or gum lines, replacing missing teeth, or repairing chipped teeth. For more information about the most popular procedures in cosmetic dentistry, see below:

Dental Implants

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, millions of Americans are missing teeth. A solution for missing teeth that most cosmetic dentists recommend is dental implants.  Implants can permanently repair the smile—unlike dentures. Dental implants feel like real teeth and won’t limit the types of foods you can eat. 

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the least expensive and easiest options for improving the smile. Regular teeth whitening treatments are recommended for people who smoke or drink coffee, tea, or wine regularly. During a standard teeth whitening procedure, a gelatin bleaching agent is applied to the teeth for a set period of time. If you have stubborn stains, you may need multiple whitening treatments.

Porcelain Fixed Bridges

A dental bridge is used to fill the gap created by one or more missing teeth. If you’re missing a tooth between two healthy teeth, your cosmetic dentist can fill in the gap with a prosthetic-tooth dental bridge.

Veneers

Dental veneers are thin, custom-fit shells made with porcelain or resin material. They are designed to cover the front surface of the teeth in order to improve their color, shape, size, or length. Porcelain veneers are more stain-resistant than resin veneers, but are thicker and require your dentist to remove a larger amount of natural enamel.  

If your smile could benefit from restoration or a cosmetic dentistry procedure, call Northern Virginia Dental Associates at (888) 862-0095. We’ll recommend the best cosmetic options and use the latest in dental technology to give you the smile you desire.