Northern Virginia Dental Associates

The Role of Fluoride in Your Dental Health

Most adults will tell you that fluoride is important to their oral health, even if they don’t know exactly why. However, a large part of protecting your oral health is understanding how fluoride impacts the condition of your teeth. Keep reading for more information about the role fluoride has when it comes to your dental health.

What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a natural element found in water, soil, and several different types of foods. Many individuals do not receive the adequate amount of fluoride needed through these sources, which is why many laboratories synthesize the element so that it can be added to products such as toothpaste and mouthwash.

Who Needs Fluoride?
As bacteria enters your mouth and combines with sugar, it produces acid that can eat away at the enamel of the teeth and cause cavities. Fluoride helps protect your teeth from the demineralization process caused by this acid, ultimately strengthening tooth enamel and warding off decay. While nearly all individuals can benefit from fluoride-based dental products, some individuals may require more fluoride than others. This includes those with a history of cavities, those whose diets are high in sugar or carbohydrates, those with dry mouth syndrome, and individuals with crowns, bridges, and other dental restorations.

Can Too Much Fluoride Hurt Your Teeth?
There have been several rumors floating around regarding the safety of persistent fluoride use. Generally speaking, fluoride is safe when it is used appropriately. However, some children may experience dental fluorosis when exposed to excess amounts of fluoride while their teeth are still developing. Fluorosis is not a disease, but rather a condition characterized by physical changes to the appearance of the tooth. Children with dental fluorosis may exhibit small white specks or lines along their enamel, but these rarely lead to functional problems.

If you want to learn more about the effects of fluoride on your dental health, contact Northern Virginia Dental Associates through our website or by calling (888) 862-0095 today! Our family dentists offer a number of services, including restorative and preventive care, cosmetic dentistry, root canals, and implant dentistry. 

Learn How To Keep Your Teeth Healthy With These Resources

Are you worried about the health and integrity of your teeth and gums? Check out these links from around the Web for more information about the effects stress has on your teeth, tips for promoting your child’s dental health, secrets of your oral anatomy, and the importance of fluoride for your teeth. Contact Northern Virginia Dental Associates at (888) 862-0095 for more information on our Springfield services.

• Did you know that stress can increase your risk of bruxism? Find out about the impact stress can have on your oral health by reading through this WebMD.com article.
• Are you showing symptoms of teeth grinding? Find out by exploring this link from MayoClinic.com.
• Getting your child excited about their dental health is easier than you might think. Check out these tips from KidsHealth.org to learn how to help your child brush their teeth.
• What role do your salivary glands play in your oral health? Get the facts regarding your oral anatomy with this EverydayHealth.com article.
• Most healthy adults have 32 individual teeth. Visit this WebMD.com link for more information on the anatomy of your teeth.  

Tips for Keeping Your Child's Teeth Healthy

As parents, we take many measures to ensure the health and safety of our children, from installing child-safety locks on medicine cabinets to reaching for the sunscreen before they go outside to play. Unfortunately, some parents forget to consider how early childhood dental habits can affect their child’s long-term dental health. Make sure you are protecting your child's oral health and wellness by following these tips!

Visit a Pediatric Dentist Early         
The American Dental Association recommends that all children undergo an initial visit with their pediatric dentist within six months of the eruption of their first tooth, and no later than their first birthday. Scheduling an appointment with your child’s dentist is essential, as it allows the dentist to assess your child’s mouth for evidence of cavities, jawbone abnormalities, and other developmental problems that may lead to future dental concerns.

Instill Proper Brushing and Flossing Habits
Teaching your child how to brush and floss their teeth at an early age is a great way to promote proper oral hygiene habits as an adult. You may consider brushing your child's teeth for them until they are between the ages of two-and-three, after which point they may brush their own teeth under supervision. However, young children do not require fluoride-based toothpaste and can often benefit from a training-gel instead. In most cases, children may begin using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste after the age of five.

Provide Dental-Friendly Foods
Another great way to protect your child’s teeth is to provide them with dental-friendly snacks such as low-acid fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and other foods that are high in vitamins and minerals. Try and limit your child’s consumption of sugary or starchy foods, as these invite buildup of bacteria-filled plaque and can increase the risk of cavities.

With years of experience behind us, the team of pediatric dentists with Northern Virginia Dental Associates are devoted to providing you and your family with the high-quality, comfortable dental care you deserve. You can learn more about our Springfield services by calling (888) 862-0095. 

What's the Proper Way to Brush Your Teeth?

We all know that brushing your teeth twice a day helps reduce the risk of cavities, but did you know that the way in which you brush your teeth also makes a difference? In this video, we take a closer look at the proper way to brush.

All adults should brush their teeth twice daily for at least two minutes with a fluoride-based toothpaste. However, it is important to use a soft-bristled manual toothbrush or electrical toothbrush to reduce the chances of irritation to your gingival tissues. When brushing your teeth themselves, you will want to hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gum-line, as this will better remove plaque buildup where your teeth meet the gingival tissues.

Give Northern Virginia Dental Associates a call at (888) 862-0095 to set up a routine cleaning with our Springfield family dentists! If you would like to learn more about our services, be sure to visit us online. 

A Look at the Effects of Stress on Your Oral Health

It’s no secret that eating a healthy diet and visiting your Springfield dentist on a regular basis are essential to maintaining your oral health. However, there are other factors that may interfere with the condition and integrity of your mouth. This article will take a closer look at the ways in which stress can have a negative impact on your oral health.

Teeth Grinding
Many individuals tend to clench and grind their teeth in response to stress. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can lead to a number of unpleasant symptoms. These can include tooth sensitivity, jaw pain, earache, headache, and indentations along the tongue. Those who grind their teeth may also experience disorders of their temporomandibular joint and early wear and tear of the tooth enamel, which increases the risk of chips and fractures.

Mouth Sores
Canker sores refer to small ulcers inside the mouth that occur as the result of bacteria, viruses, or stress. While these sores are not contagious like cold sores or fever blisters, they can lead to pain and often interfere with one’s ability to speak or chew.

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits
Stress may indirectly affect one’s oral health in a number of ways. For example, some individuals ignore routine dental hygiene habits such as daily brushing and flossing when they are under great amounts of stress. In addition to putting off one’s oral hygiene routine, stress may also cause individuals to turn to certain lifestyle habits such as smoking or drinking alcohol to excess, two habits that can increase the risk of oral cancer. In addition, failing to take proper care of one’s teeth and gums due to stress can also lead to periodontal disease, or inflammation of the gum tissues due to bacterial infection. If left untreated, periodontal disease may lead to tooth loss and more widespread infection.

Don’t let stress cause long-term damage to your teeth and gums. Get the high-quality dental care you need by contacting the Springfield family dentists with Northern Virginia Dental Associates today at (888) 862-0095.