Sunday 5 August 2012

Dental Emergencies


Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Here are some common dental emergencies and how to deal with them. For all dental emergencies, it’s important to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients so be sure to call your dentist and provide as much detail as you can about your condition. If the accident occurs when your dental office is not open, visit your local emergency room.
Question: What do I do if I knock out my tooth? 
Answer: For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, or in milk. Get to your dentist’s office right away.
Q: What if I crack my tooth? 
A: For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. See your dentist as soon as possible.
Q: If I bite my tongue or lip, how do I treat it? 
A: If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. See your dentist or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Q: How do I treat a toothache? 
A: For toothaches, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between your teeth. Do not put aspirin on your aching tooth or gums; it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact your dentist.
Q: What if I think my jaw is broken? 
A: If you think your jaw is broken apply cold compresses to control the swelling. Go to your dentist or a hospital emergency department immediately.
Q: How do I remove an object that’s stuck in my mouth or teeth? 
A: For objects stuck in the mouth, try to gently remove with floss but do not try to remove it with a sharp or pointed instrument. See your dentist or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Q: How can I avoid a dental emergency? 
A: There are a number of simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth:
   Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities. 
   Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth. 
   Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things.

Above article from: www.MouthHealthy.org

Bradlee Dental Care
3690 King Street, Suite KL
Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 820-0809
Website: http://bradleedentalcare.com/

Saturday 4 August 2012

Smile Makeover Dentist Alexandria VA

Don’t Hide Your Smile – Remake It! 
We emphasize the aesthetic aspect in ALL our work because we know that when your smile looks good, you feel good! We use the best combination of preventive care, tooth-colored fillings, and restorative techniques for optimum dental health. Modern smile makeovers are so easy (and affordable!) that there’s simply no reason why you can’t have the perfectly beautiful, natural-looking smile you’ve always wanted. Ask us what veneers, implants, orthodontics, and whitening can do for YOUR smile!

‘Smile Makeovers’ in as Little as Two Visits! 
If you have misshapen teeth, unsightly gaps, or deep discoloration, our porcelain veneers may be the answer. Veneers are thin porcelain coverings that fit over and are bonded to your teeth, look natural, and are made from the most advanced dental ceramic available. We also feature Lumineers™. These are contact-lens thin and super translucent. Since Lumineers are so thin, little to no tooth reduction is necessary. Often times you won't even need a shot!

Cosmetic Dentistry
SmileMakeover Dentist Alexandria VA
Bradlee Dental Care
 3690 King Street, Suite KL
 Alexandria, VA 22302
 (703) 820-0809
 Website: http://bradleedentalcare.com/

Friday 3 August 2012

Wisdom Teeth


Wisdom teeth, also referred to as third molars, get their name by being the last teeth to come in during young adulthood. As part of a dental visit, your dentist will examine you to determine if your wisdom teeth are healthy and properly positioned.

Every patient is unique, but in general, wisdom teeth may need to be removed when there is evidence of changes in the mouth such as:
  • pain
  • infection
  • cysts
  • tumors
  • damage to adjacent teeth
  • gum disease
  • tooth decay (if it is not possible or desirable to restore the tooth)
Your dentist or specialist may also recommend removal to prevent problems or for others reasons, such as when removal is part of an orthodontic, restorative or periodontal treatment plan.
In addition, the condition of your mouth changes over time. Wisdom teeth that are not removed should continue to be monitored, because the potential for developing problems later on still exists. As with many other health conditions, as people age, they are at greater risk for health problems and that includes potential problems with their wisdom teeth. Regular dental visits are important so your dentist can evaluate not just your wisdom teeth but your overall oral health to help you prevent and manage dental disease and achieve optimal oral health.

Above article from: www.MouthHealthy.org

Bradlee Dental Care
3690 King Street, Suite KL
Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 820-0809
Website: http://bradleedentalcare.com/

Thursday 2 August 2012

Orthodontics Dentist Alexandria VA

Prevention Now…or Braces Later 

You trust our doctors to take care of your child’s routine dental care. But did you know that they also have extensive orthodontics training? The doctors see children at the most crucial ages, between 6 and 11, when children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, and their thorough knowledge of craniofacial growth and development allows them to identify and correct teeth and jaw disharmony early, saving you money. Early correction by a trained dentist can save thousands of dollars from seeing a specialist and prevent unnecessary extractions of permanent teeth as a teen. Our doctors can address early crowding of front teeth, crossbites in the back teeth, and mismatch of upper and lower jaws, thus correcting these in less than 6 - 18 months, before they get to their teenage stage.

Orthodontics Dentist Alexandria VA

 Bradlee Dental Care 3
690 King Street, Suite KL
 Alexandria, VA 22302
 (703) 820-0809
 Website: http://bradleedentalcare.com/

Wednesday 1 August 2012

ClearCorrect Clear Dental Braces Alexandria VA

Orthodontics – The Clear Alternative 

We offer ClearCorrect™ invisible aligners, innovative orthodontics that allow you to have straight teeth in as little as 9 - 15 months! These aligners can correct overcrowding, widely spaced teeth, overbite, underbite, or crossbite. The clear custom-made aligners are replaced every two weeks, with little time in the chair getting adjustments. ClearCorrect™ aligners are removable, which means few eating and drinking restrictions, and brushing and flossing are no problem. Best of all, no one will know you’re straightening your teeth because they’re invisible!

ClearCorrect Clear Dental Braces Alexandria VA
Bradlee Dental Care
 3690 King Street, Suite KL
 Alexandria, VA 22302 (
Telephone: 703) 820-0809
 Website: http://bradleedentalcare.com/

Learn About Sensitive Teeth


Sensitive Teeth
Is the taste of ice cream or a sip of hot coffee sometimes a painful experience for you? Does brushing or flossing make you wince occasionally? If so, you may have sensitive teeth.
Possible causes include:
  • Tooth decay (cavities)
  • Fractured teeth
  • Worn fillings
  • Gum disease
  • Worn tooth enamel
  • Exposed tooth root
In healthy teeth, a layer of enamel protects the crowns of your teeth—the part above the gum line. Under the gum line a layer called cementum protects the tooth root. Underneath both the enamel and the cementum is dentin.
Dentin is less dense than enamel and cementum and contains microscopic tubules (small hollow tubes or canals). When dentin loses its protective covering of enamel or cementum these tubules allow heat and cold or acidic or sticky foods to reach the nerves and cells inside the tooth. Dentin may also be exposed when gums recede. The result can be hypersensitivity.
Sensitive teeth can be treated. The type of treatment will depend on what is causing the sensitivity. Your dentist may suggest one of a variety of treatments:
  • Desensitizing toothpaste. This contains compounds that help block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve, and usually requires several applications before the sensitivity is reduced.
  • Fluoride gel. An in-office technique which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations.
  • A crown, inlay or bonding. These may be used to correct a flaw or decay that results in sensitivity.
  • Surgical gum graft. If gum tissue has been lost from the root, this will protect the root and reduce sensitivity.
  • Root canal. If sensitivity is severe and persistent and cannot be treated by other means, your dentist may recommend this treatment to eliminate the problem.
Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing sensitive-tooth pain. Ask your dentist if you have any questions about your daily oral hygiene routine or concerns about tooth sensitivity.

Above article from: www.MouthHealthy.org

Bradlee Dental Care
3690 King Street, Suite KL
Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 820-0809
Website: http://bradleedentalcare.com/