301-972-1400
Dental medicine has made some extraordinary advances over the years. Today, dentists have access to technology and procedures that would have been a distant dream decades ago. Your dentist can straighten teeth that are out of alignment, and replace one, or all of your teeth through dentures, partials and implants. Teeth that would have required extraction once upon a time can be saved with a root canal or a crown. Discolored or misshapen teeth can be restored through bonding, whitening and veneers. But dental work is only half the battle when it comes to keeping your smile looking beautiful. After the dental work is done, it is up to you to make sure that you keep up a dental regimen that will ensure your mouth stays healthy.
For example, you need to clean your dentures every day, soak them at night, and brush your gums to stimulate the blood flow. If your teeth have bonds, you will still need to brush to make sure that the rest of the tooth is protected from cavities. Veneers will protect the fronts of your teeth, but not the backs, and so brushing is important. A dental crown covers your entire tooth, except at the base, where it is still vulnerable to cavities. If decay should set in at the base of your tooth or you develop gum disease, your crown can be de-stabilized, and if it supports a bridge, it may need to be replaced. You must brush and floss your bridge every day, just as like rest of your teeth. Implants need healthy gums to serve you well, and you should brush twice a day and floss once a day. Things like dental bonds and veneers can be chipped if you eat hard or tough foods, chew on pens or pencils, or clench or grind your teeth.
To keep your dental work in good shape, you should brush once a day for two minutes at a time and floss at least once a day. You need to see your dentist every six months for your routine cleaning and exam, and to let your dentist check your dental work. If you need to improve your smile, or if it is just time for your checkup, our dentist, Dr. Adam Vitelli will be happy to see you. If you live in the Germantown, Maryland, area and would like to make an appointment at Adam Vitelli Comprehensive Dentistry, call 301-972-1400 today. We look forward to seeing you soon!