Why a Family Dentist is a Great Choice

It's that time of year again: the kids are heading back to school. If your summer was too busy for a visit to your Washington DC dentist, make an autumn appointment with SmileDesigner. We perform dental services for both adults and children, which makes it an easy stop for the entire family.

Choosing a family-oriented dentist that can take care of the entire family is great for your kids on many levels. If your child has dental fears, his or her mind is often eased by the idea that you, the parent, goes to the very same dentist office. Convenience is another advantage of a dentist that provides care to all ages. Choosing a family dentist allows you to schedule your cleanings at the same time as your children’s cleanings. It also streamlines billing as all the dental insurance goes through one office.

Choosing a family dentist also allows your children to grow up seeing the same dentist. Many pediatric dentists will not see children past the age of 18, and many teenagers feel they are too old to go to a pediatric dentist anyway. However, if you start with a family dentist, there will be no transition from a childhood dentist. This will make things easier on your child as they will never have to find a “new” dentist. You will also have a full patient history already established.

So if summer has passed you by without a cleaning, give us a call at SmileDesigner to schedule an appointment for both you and your child. We take care of a wide range of services for all ages.

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All About Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a critical part of our daily dental hygiene routine, and you've likely been using it every day for many years. How much do you really know about toothpaste? Here's a quick crash course in all things toothpaste.

All toothpaste will vary slightly in composition. However, most toothpastes include the following ingredients:

• Thickeners: Thickeners such as synthetic cellulose, mineral colloids, seaweed or natural gum gives toothpaste its unique texture and appearance.

• Abrasives: Gentle abrasives such as dehydrated silica gels, magnesium carbonate, phosphate salts and hydrated aluminum oxides give toothpaste its cleaning ability.

• Moisturizing agents: Sorbitol, glycerol or other humectants substances keep toothpaste from drying out.

• Detergents: Sodium lauryl sarcosinate is an example of a toothpaste detergent. The detergent's job is to make the toothpaste foamy.

• Flavor: Flavoring agents are found in toothpaste to give it its taste without causing tooth decay.

• Fluoride: Fluoride helps make tooth enamel resistant to decay. Fluoride toothpastes are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Additionally, whitening toothpastes contain whitening agents or chemicals. If you're considering using a whitening toothpaste, look for a brand that has a seal of approval from a reputable dental organization — such as the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. This seal indicates that the toothpaste is effective at removing surface stains. If you have a tendency toward gum sensitivity, whitening toothpastes could potentially cause irritation (which will go away once you stop using it). If you are concerned about this or experience irritation, talk to us about our Washington DC teeth whitening options for in-office and at-home treatments. 

So how do you choose the right toothpaste for you? You can find a toothpaste that is perfect for your needs if you know what to look for. If you have a specific condition such as sensitive teeth or gingivitis, look for toothpaste that treats those conditions. Look for the American Dental Association’s seal of approval on products. 

Also, talk to us at your next appointment, and we can recommend a toothpaste that would be a great fit for you specifically. As your Washington DC dentist, we are here to help you make decisions about your at-home dental care as well. 

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Four Steps to a Healthy Smile

Your smile is one of the first features that others notice about you. Follow the tips below to transform your smile into a dazzling masterpiece:

Step 1 - Visit your dentist:

Make sure you visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning. During a dental visit, your dentist will examine your mouth and spot any signs of potential problems such as gum disease. Discovering problems early (when treatments are the most effective) is crucial. Our team at SmileDesigner is committed to identifying and treating your dental problems as quickly and painlessly as possible, so you can start smiling again!

 Step 2 - Brush often:

Brushing your teeth is the cornerstone of dental hygiene. Brushing removes food particles, which encourage bacteria growth, and brushing also freshens breath while cleaning your teeth. Using toothpaste with fluoride also helps strengthen your teeth. Remember, brush for at least two minutes to achieve the best results. Consider purchasing an electronic toothbrush with a built-in timer. While using this product, you will always know you have brushed for an adequate amount of time.

Step 3 - Floss daily:

Flossing effectively removes any bacteria from between your teeth that your toothbrush missed. This action also helps prevent inflammation and gum disease. You should floss your teeth at least once a day. Make sure that one of those times is right before bed. When we are sleeping, we produce less saliva, which leaves our teeth and gums more vulnerable to bacteria. Therefore, it's imperative that we floss before we go to sleep. As your Arlington, Virginia dentist, we are more than happy to show you proper flossing technique during your next visit with us. 

Step 4 - Eat a healthy diet:

Eating a healthy diet is beneficial to your body and your smile. If you eat plenty of calcium-rich foods, your bones and teeth will be strengthened. Vitamin C also boosts gum health. Avoid diets high in sugar and eat acidic foods in moderation.

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Healthy Teeth Can Help You Find Success

It's a well-known fact that having healthy, well-aligned teeth and gums will lead to less cavities and greater oral health. However, have you ever considered the impact that good oral health has on your self-confidence or your successes in life?

Can healthy teeth translate into career success? Maybe. You have around 15 minutes to make a good first impression when you interview for a job. When you have clean, straight, white and healthy teeth, it can help you make a great first impression on a potential employer. We all know how important it is to dress for success. However, dressing for success includes other aspects besides your clothing. It also includes your overall appearance, which involves your smile. Therefore, combining your professional attire with a healthy smile will enable you to make a fantastic first impression.

An attractive, healthy mouth full of teeth will enable you to smile at your potential employer or any individual whom you are meeting for the first time. Because a genuine smile makes others feel at ease and shows your personality, a smile is an important aspect when making a first impression. A person who attempts to hide his or her teeth and neglects to smile can sometimes seem unapproachable. Be sure to always flash your pearly whites when making that all important first impression!

When you have nice teeth, your self-confidence will skyrocket because when you have an attractive smile, you may find yourself more willing to get close to people without feeling anxiety. Having misaligned or unhealthy teeth has just the opposite effect as it often leads individuals to shy away from certain social situations and thus negatively affects their self-confidence.

Our team at SmileDesigner would love give you a smile that will boost your confidence. We offer a variety of services, including Invisalign to straighten your teeth, dental implants to replace missing teeth, and teeth whitening services to give you a brighter smile. 

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Why Don't People Smile in Old Photographs?

Black and white photographs from the 1800s are very different than the photos that you might post on Facebook today. It appears that very few people were saying "cheese" back then. Why weren't people smiling? We have a few theories about all of those serious faces you see in old photos.

First, the people in the photos had to sit very still, because the exposure time for larger photographic plates was up to 15 minutes, sometimes longer. Several years later, there were advancements in camera lenses and exposure chemicals, and this shortened the exposure time to a minute or less. Still, a minute is a long time to hold an expression. It's much easier to hold a serious expression than a smile. This probably accounts for many of the serious faces that we see in old photographs.

It was also a special, expensive occasion to be photographed. You couldn't just whip out your handy digital camera or your cell phone camera. When photography was introduced in 1839, it required relatively expensive equipment and extensive training to be a photographer. For most people, having photographs taken was a rare luxury. They might only have their pictures taken a few times in their lives. People may have believed that serious expressions suited these special occasions. In the late 1800s and early 1900s when cameras became lighter, more portable and much easier to use, there were many more amateur photographers. Taking casual snapshots became possible and consequently, we see many more smiling faces.

Our last theory relates to dental care. It's very possible that many people weren't comfortable smiling, because they didn't like their teeth. Back then it was very common for a person to be missing many teeth, since the cure for a decayed or broken tooth was often simply to pull it. There were no cosmetic dentists in Arlington, and there was no Washington DC teeth whitening services to help improve the mechanics and aesthetics of your smile. Therefore, people with missing, chipped, or very discolored teeth might have preferred to take pictures with their mouths closed.

If you prefer to keep your mouth closed in photographs, come talk to our SmileDesigner team about our cosmetic dentistry options. We'd love to give you a reason to smile in your next photo!

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