When your child is ready for their first independent check up at age three, we will perform a tooth-by-tooth inspection and periodontal exam to determine the overall health of your child’s teeth. Children’s dentistry is essential at a young age as it allows for dentists to recognize any minor problems before they become more serious. This is also a great chance to check for the proper development of your child’s teeth.

Children’s dentistry continues as the child grows and will require regular checkups and hygiene visits to ensure that the overall health and growth of your child’s teeth is on par. Your visits to our dentist office will also give us the chance to educate your child on brushing and flossing techniques. We may also suggest dental sealants, which are clear coatings that protect hard-to-clean back teeth from sugars that cause tooth decay. Flouride supplements may also be necessary as they attract minerals to strengthen tooth enamel and fight cavities. Many families may not know that bottled water does not contain fluoride and by only drinking it can cause the enamel on your teeth to become weak and susceptible to cavities and tooth decay.

Schedule an appointment with Loudoun Dental Smiles today so we can establish healthy habits and practices for your children’s dental needs.

The dentists at Loudoun Dental Smiles understand your concerns and do everything they can make your trip to the dentist office comfortable and relaxing. To help you through the dental procedure, we may suggest that you use sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry combines an oral sedative with nitrous oxide. Although the sedative will allow you to remain conscious during the procedure, you will still feel very drowsy and remember very little about the actual procedure. By using sedation dentistry, we are able to perform several general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry or restorative dentistry procedures within a single visit. This can eliminate the number of trips to the dentist office you have to make, which means more convenient scheduling for you as well.

Sedation dentistry is an ideal choice for patients with:

• Fear and stress about their dental office visit
• A need for several procedures but have a tight schedule
• A sensitive gag reflex
• Unrelated dental pain that makes it difficult to find comfort
• Difficulty numbing with local anesthetic

If you’re still feeling a little uneasy and sedation dentistry doesn’t seem like quite the right fit for you, we also work with board certified anesthesiologists for patients wishing to be completely asleep during their dental procedure. We want to do whatever we can to make our patients comfortable, and if that includes winding down to relax in our personal massage chairs after your visit, then we want you to do just that.

Loudoun Dental Smiles is here to make your dental visits as pleasant and as comfortable as possible. Visit us today!

The very thought of summer prompts many to head back into the gym and it’s also a time that people begin to look into cosmetic teeth whitening.

Nowadays there are an overwhelming amount of options for teeth whitening services. Over the counter teeth whitening products have flooded the market, but they might not always be the most effective option.

Which Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Service Is Right For Me?

• In Office Teeth Whitening – While it may be the quickest solution of cosmetic teeth whitening, it can also be the most expensive. Getting your teeth whitened in a dental office generally costs around $650. The quick results come with a price as in-office solutions use a high concentration of peroxide and lamps and lasers for drastic results. This causes teeth to become very sensitive and irritable.

• Over the Counter Teeth Whiteners – While they may be somewhat affordable, over the counter teeth whitening products see varied results. The whitening apparatus can be uncomfortable and often doesn’t fit flush with your teeth which can leave uneven results and a need to purchase even more product.

• Take-Home Teeth Whitening – The teeth whitening apparatus is custom fit so that your teeth rest flush against it. This allows the whitening solution to spread out evenly. The solution also uses lower amounts of peroxide so your teeth aren’t hyper-sensitive after a treatment. Lastly, the cost of a take-home cosmetic teeth whitening product cost up to 40% less than an in-office solution.

Teeth whitening is a great way to boost your self esteem and have a happy, healthy smile for all those summer pictures with friends and family. Contact Loudoun Dental Smiles to get started today or see a list of our other cosmetic and dental solutions!

Dental services are typically overlooked this time of year for several reasons. Understandably, a lot of our resolutions are based on obtaining a healthy appearance, but those resolutions are based on gym time. Seen just as often, if not more, is (and should be) your smile.

The summer will be here before you know it and a bright white smile would look great on you while you’re vacationing at the beach. Teeth whitening is great but to make it last even longer requires healthy dental habits.

Brushing your teeth two or three times daily seems like a small commitment in regards to resolutions, but what about flossing? Though it requires a little more time and effort, flossing prevents cavities and tooth decay which can lead to fillings, root canals and even gingivitis. Although we love seeing you, making a daily commitment to floss can save you an extra visit to the dentist’s office. Your health is our top priority.

Even if you personally don’t struggle with dental upkeep, giving your children the responsibility of maintaining their own resolution could be rewarding. It could also teach them a discipline that they will carry with them throughout their lives. Set weekly or monthly goals for their brushing or flossing habits and award them when they complete it. Creating a sense of accomplishment for such a worthy practice can be fun, prevent cavities and create a wonderful habit as they continue their New Year’s Dental Resolution.

Invisalign® is a system of clear, custom, acrylic aligners that incorporates 3D treatment planning for orthodontic therapy. Invisalign was approved by the FDA in 1998. Adult patients and teens who want straighter teeth without the hassle and appearance of metal braces often prefer Invisalign. In addition to being inconspicuous, the clear aligners are removable, and treatment is usually shorter than with traditional orthodontics.

Loudoun Dental Smiles at know that as a sophisticated adult, you may not want to wear metal braces. Not only can they look immature, but they require regular orthodontist visits for adjustments, and they cause pain and mouth sores. Who needs that? Are straight teeth worth the hassle?

Now with Invisalign you don’t have to make that decision – clear, removable braces will straighten your teeth without wires and brackets. Since they are made of transparent acrylic, Invisalign aligners are comfortable. They don’t irritate oral tissues or cause mouth sores. You won’t need frequent adjustment visits, either. Appointments every six weeks or so are adequate for your Loudoun Dental Smiles dentist to assess Invisalign treatment progress.

In addition, Invisalign clear braces are simply a custom-made oral appliance that you can remove at will. If you’re going to an important event, getting photos taken, or speaking in public you don’t have to wear your aligners. The more you wear your aligners; however, the faster treatment will progress. Invisalign treatment usually lasts 9-18 months (with patient compliance), whereas traditional braces can take two years or more.

Here’s Why Invisalign is a Great Choice for Adults

So ask your dentist at Loudoun Dental Smiles about Invisalign today!

Poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more.

Following, are ten important reasons to maintain our recommended schedule of dental cleanings. Consider this our wish list for the Holiday season.

1. To Prevent Oral Cancer
   According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer, every hour of every day in the United States alone. When you have your dental cleaning, we also screen you for oral cancer, which is highly curable if diagnosed early.
2. To Prevent Gum Disease
   Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissues and bone that keep your teeth in place and is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. If diagnosed early, it can be treated and reversed. If treatment is not received, a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease may follow. Regular dental cleanings and checkups, flossing daily and brushing twice a day are key factors in preventing gum disease.
3. To Help Maintain Good Physical Health
   Recent studies have linked heart attacks and strokes to gum disease, resulting from poor oral hygiene. A dental cleaning every 6 months helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy and could possibly reduce your risk of heart disease and strokes.
4. To Keep Your Teeth
   Since gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults, regular dental checkups, cleanings, and brushing and flossing are vital to keeping as many teeth as you can. Keeping your teeth means better chewing function and ultimately, better health.
5. To Detect Dental Problems Early
   Early detection of cavities, broken fillings and gum disease are easily treatable. If these problems go untreated, root canals, gum surgery and removal of teeth could become the only treatment options available.
6. To Maintain Good Oral Health
   A visit to our office will help to ensure that you are maintaining your good oral health by allowing us to visually examine your mouth and compare your previous dental checkups. If you are falling off track with your oral hygiene we will help put you back on the right path.
7. To Use Your Dental Insurance Plan
   Dental insurance plans usually pay for all or most of the cost of dental cleanings and checkups every six months. Take advantage of this and save a lot of money in the long run by avoiding costly dental procedures that can result from poor oral hygiene.
8. To Create a Treatment Plan
   If we diagnose any problems in your mouth, we will recommend a treatment plan. This treatment plan will have the cost of each procedure that you will need, so that we can discuss financial arrangements to accommodate the cost of getting your mouth healthy again.
9. To Have a Bright and White Smile
   Our hygienist can remove most tobacco, coffee and tea stains. During your cleaning, we will also polish your teeth to a beautiful shine. The result? A whiter and brighter smile!
10. To Prevent Bad Breath
    Dental studies show that about 85 percent of people with persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis have a dental problem that is to blame. Good oral hygiene is essential in preventing bad breath. Regular checkups and cleanings are the best way to make sure that you are maintaining good oral hygiene.

Replacing missing teeth serves a much greater purpose than providing you with an aesthetically pleasing smile. The effects of missing teeth can be detrimental to your long-term oral and general health. Deteriorating jaw bone, shrinking gum tissue and shifting of surrounding teeth are all long-term ramifications that occur from failure to replace missing teeth.

Utilizing the latest in dental technology, now you can replace missing teeth with dental implants, a treatment option that allows you to regain your teeth’s natural function and appearance.

A dental implant is the closest replacement to a natural tooth. Small, titanium structures are placed into the jaw to secure the crown(s) or denture. You then gain confidence to eat what you like, speak clearly, and you no longer have to be self-conscious about your missing teeth or lose dentures.

Implants are also safe and effective, boasting more than a 90 percent success rate. According to the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics, implants are crafted of bio-compatible materials which have undergone extensive testing over a period of several years.

At Loudoun Dental Smiles we have treated many patients with dental implants who are amazed at the gentleness of the procedure and the outstanding results. After suffering with loose-fitting dentures or missing teeth, many patients regret not getting dental implants sooner.

Whether your teeth are missing as a result of tooth decay, gum disease, an accident, or trauma, you want a restoration option that rivals natural teeth, that is comfortable, and durable. While there are a number of restoration options available, none have proven to be as natural-looking and functionally effective as implants.

Don’t suffer the health consequences of missing teeth, visit Loudoun Dental Smiles for an exam and find out if dental implants are right for you. Our experienced team of general dentists and specialists can provide a comprehensive treatment plan to ensure your best possible esthetic and functional results.

Your teeth are vital to your overall well being, so let us help you restore the proper function and confident smile you deserve.

Improve Gum Health & Save Your Teeth

Did you know that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults? Every year, millions of people lose teeth as a result of gum disease, most often caused by poor oral hygiene. You can brush and whiten your teeth all you want, but if your gums aren’t healthy, then the health of your teeth is probably deteriorating as well.

Healthy teeth depend on the health of your gums. The gum tissue protects the foundation of the teeth including the supporting bone. If unhealthy gum tissue is left untreated, even the healthiest teeth can become loose and fall out.

Early Detection is Key

Gum disease may progress painlessly with few obvious warning signs. In fact, many people do not recognize the warning signs of gingivitis – the earliest stage of gum disease – until it has progressed to periodontitis. Untreated, the inflammation can invade connective tissue and even bone. The earlier you detect warning signs of gum disease, the better chance you will have of reversing the damage and preventing tooth loss.

Common signs of gum disease include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily
• Gums that pull away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Change in bite

The good news is that for most patients, gum disease is easy to prevent and can even reverse in the early stages. Attention to everyday oral hygiene (brushing and flossing), coupled with professional exams and cleanings with a Loudoun Dental Smiles professional, could be all that’s needed to avoid gum disease and keep your teeth for a lifetime. If you think you might have gum disease, Call Loudoun Dental Smiles we work with our patients to retain healthy gums.

• Crack nuts with a nutcracker, not your teeth. Many a man, woman, and child cracks teeth over the holiday thinking their teeth are made of steel. Squirrels were made for that, not humans. Truth is, under that hard enamel shell is a very sensitive nerve running through a root surrounded by soft living tissue. Cracking a tooth is an intensely painful experience resulting in the urgent need for a root canal and crown. Be smart, use a nutcracker.
• Don’t open beer bottles with your teeth. You may laugh, but every year dentist’s see patients with cracked front teeth. Ask them how it happened, they smile and confess. “There was this party you see…and I wanted a beer…” You get the picture.
• Caramel popcorn balls are too sweet but the unpopped kernels are a tooth’s worse enemy. If you munch on a single unpopped kernel of popcorn a little too hard, you can be sure you will end up in a dental chair. Crack the cusp of a tooth, crack a molar to the root – there is no dental challenge too hard for a caramelized popcorn ball.
• Brush and floss your teeth after the pies. The single greatest cause of dental decay is food (usually sugar) left on or around the tooth. Brushing and flossing is an obvious solution, it removes excess food and cleans the surface of the tooth.
• Don’t bite candy canes. I know, it’s not Christmas yet, but the day after Thanksgiving someone will whip out candy canes and start decorating a Christmas tree. Don’t give in to the temptation to bite down on that candy cane, want to know what’s even worse? Eating toffee with nuts.

And last of all, and most of all, see us at Loudoun Dental Smiles for your regular check-ups and for any dental problems you may encounter this Holiday Season.