Foods That Stain Your Teeth

Coffee and tea get all the blame! And yes, these two beverages are two of the top culprits when it comes to staining your teeth. But there are other less obvious foods and drinks that can turn your smile from pearly white to yellow.

Soda, especially dark cola, is a big offender. In addition to the color, the phosphoric and citric acids in soda erode tooth enamel, and the sweeteners in regular soda promote tooth decay.

Red wine and cranberry juice don't just stain your carpet; they stain your teeth too. The same goes for soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and tomato sauce.  A good rule of thumb - if it's the last thing you want to spill on the floor, your teeth don't love it either. (Sorry wine drinkers, white wine may be better to spill on your carpet than red, but it is even more acidic than red and thus will stain too).

Popsicles and slushies are great on a summer day! But they're not so great for your teeth. They stain not only your tongue and lips, but your teeth too.

You may be surprised to know that healthy blueberries, beets, and curry also stain your teeth.

You don't have to give up every item on this list to have whiter teeth. Some of the foods on this list are good for your body even if they might stain your teeth: Blueberries and tomatoes are loaded with healthy antioxidants! This list may also have some of your favorite treats, and everyone wants to indulge on occasion. What can you do to help minimize staining if you do eat some of these foods?

1. Flush staining foods with water. If you're sitting down to eat a bowl of beets, drink a big glass of water at the same time to dilute the effect on your teeth.

2. Drink your soda, coffee, or tea through a straw.

3. Choose sauces and dressings with colors that are not as bright.

4. Eat an apple when drinking a staining beverage. The texture and light color of an apple will act like detergent on your teeth.

5. Brush your teeth (but first, rinse your mouth thoroughly to buffer the acid).

6. Visit us at SmileDesigner to find out about our Arlington teeth whitening and Washington DC teeth whitening services, such as in-office laser bleaching and at-home bleaching.

Teeth Whitening Arlington VA, Arlington Teeth Whitening, Washington DC Teeth Whitening

Ease Your Child's Dental Anxiety

It's not unusual for a child to be scared about going to the dentist or the doctor. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help your child relax, and it starts with your own outlook about dental visits. If you are relaxed about taking your child to the dentist, your child is less likely to be afraid. Your child will absorb the things you say about the dentist (whether positive or negative), and he or she will also pick up on the non-verbal signals you send about visiting the dentist, such as your overall mood, facial expressions, and body language. So think positive dental thoughts about your upcoming visit to SmileDesigner. Your comfort and health are our greatest priorities!

How can you help ease your child's anxiety? First, start young. It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that a dental visit should occur within six months after the presence of the first tooth or by a child's first birthday. Starting at a young age allows children and parents to establish trust with a dentist and begin a routine of regular dental visits.

As preparation for their appointment, talk to your child in a matter-of-fact way about what will happen at the dentist and answer questions in a straightforward manner. You could also read a book to your child about going to the dentist to help them relax.

Once you are at your appointment, the SmileDesigner team will explain to your child what will happen in child-friendly words. As an Arlington dentist and an Arlington orthodontist, our goal is to help any patient of any age relax in the dental chair so we can deliver the best care! We want you to arrive with a smile and leave with an even bigger smile.

Arlington dentist, Arlington VA dentists, Arlington Orthodontist

Floss to Help Keep Your Heart Healthy

Your number one reason for flossing is possibly the most obvious one: to dislodge the food particles from between your teeth. No one wants to smile with a piece of green lettuce stuck between their teeth.

If you've been to one of our Arlington dentist offices, we've told you how important flossing is for your teeth and gum health. Flossing not only removes trapped food particles that can lead to tooth decay, but it also combats bad breath and ultimately could save your teeth. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. Flossing helps keep your gums healthy.

On top of that, research now supports claims that bacteria within the oral cavity can be associated with heart disease. That means there is a direct association between flossing, or lack thereof, and heart disease.  According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease (also called heart disease). One study found that the presence of common problems in the mouth, including gum disease (gingivitis), cavities, and missing teeth, were as good at predicting heart disease as cholesterol levels.

Your mouth and teeth are connected to the rest of the body. Blood flows throughout the body, and bacteria in one area of the body can be transported to another area as well.  Having healthy teeth and gums should be a priority for not only your mouth but your heart as well. Come see us for regular teeth cleaning and preventative care services.



Washington DC dentist, Arlington VA dentists, Dentist Rosslyn VA
 

Dentistry in the 1700s

In honor of the 4th of July, we thought it would be fun (and a little scary) to look back at dental care in the 1700s. Dentistry in the 1700s was much less the exact science it is today. Dentists did a lot of experimentation with creative solutions and new ideas. Simply put, there weren't Arlington invisalign options to straighten your smile or reliable dental implants to replace missing teeth.

Paul Revere is best remembered for his famed midnight ride, but the archetypal American patriot also contributed to early dentistry. A silversmith by trade, Revere also worked as an amateur dentist. He used his skills as a craftsman to wire dentures made of walrus ivory or animal teeth into his patients’ mouths. In 1776, Revere became the first person to practice forensic dentistry in the US when he identified the body of his friend Joseph Warren nine months after the well-known revolutionary died during the Battle of Bunker Hill. He did this by recognizing the wiring he had used on a false tooth for this friend.

The solution at the time for bad teeth was to simply pull them. When George Washington was inaugurated as President in 1789, only one real tooth remained in his mouth! Reports suggest that Washington started losing his teeth at a relatively early age and by middle age had no teeth. At that point, he had to rely on dentures that were clumsy, didn't fit well, and distorted his lips.

Contrary to popular rumors, the teeth in Washington's dentures were not made of wood. Washington had several sets of false teeth. One set, now at Mount Vernon, is made from human and cow teeth and elephant ivory. It is set in a lead base and includes heavy metal springs. Other sets were made from hippopotamus ivory. The ivory dentures tended to stain easily, requiring extensive maintenance such as cleaning with wax, chalk, or Pine and Cedar sticks.

Dentistry and orthodontics have thankfully come a long ways since the 1700s. If you stop into one of our Arlington Dentist offices in Rosslyn or Crystal City, you can enjoy the benefits of modern dental solutions in preventative, comprehensive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry.

Arlington dental implants, Arlington invisalign, Arlington Dentist