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Washington Dental Associates Blog

When to Brush Your Teeth: Before or After Breakfast?

February 17, 2022

Filed under: Uncategorized — washingtondent @ 6:15 pm
woman brushing her teeth

You’ve been hearing from your dentist and parents since you were a child that it’s important to brush your teeth every morning when you wake up. Even the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice each day for two full minutes. But is it necessary to do when you first rise? Discover why brushing teeth before breakfast will lend far greater results than if you opt to wait until afterward.

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Is a Vegan Diet Bad for Your Oral Health?

February 8, 2022

Filed under: Uncategorized — washingtondent @ 9:32 pm
person eating vegan food

Do you follow a meat-free diet? Even if you’re not, you’re probably thinking about making that lifestyle change soon. Veganism is a trend that has been on the rise for years now. There are many reasons why people have decided to follow this plant-based diet, including animal welfare, environmental impact, or lowering cholesterol. Although it may seem like a healthier lifestyle, it can be detrimental to your bone health if you’re not careful. That said, read on to learn more about how a vegan diet can affect oral health.

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Can Bad Teeth Be Genetic?

November 10, 2021

Filed under: Uncategorized — washingtondent @ 10:41 pm
woman in Bergenfield holding up drawing of bad teeth

Hair texture, eye color, and several other features can be genetic, but can the same be said for your smile? Research says that the answer may be yes. If you have a genetic predisposition to certain conditions that have resulted in “bad teeth” and you want to improve your pearly whites, read on to learn about the relationship between dental health and genes as well as what you can do to counteract it.

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3 Ways to Protect Your Smile During Winter

October 16, 2021

Filed under: Uncategorized — washingtondent @ 4:49 pm
woman smiling while outside in cold weather

While the temperatures outside continue to fall, you may be enjoying the cozy warmth of your living room fireplace or grumbling and wondering, “Why isn’t it spring yet?” Until you begin to see the first blooms of the season, you’ll need to do everything you can to not only protect your hands and feet from the cold but also keep your smile secure against winter mouth issues. Here are three simple ways you can safeguard your pearly whites in the meantime.  

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Don’t forget the Floss: How can flossing save your life!

October 4, 2021

Filed under: Uncategorized — tntadmin @ 9:54 pm

October is National Hygiene month, so it is fitting we talk about flossing!

Brushing and flossing are equally important to ensure your oral health and to protect your general health. Most people are pretty good about daily brushing…but flossing…well, thats another story. First get the facts. Then, get your floss !

Failing to floss can lead to a dental domino effect: plaque build-up, gingivitis, periodontitis, teeth falling out, premature aging and, eventually, seriously compromised health and longevity !

Flossing is absolutely essential to remove plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the teeth, accumulates and hardens over time

Flossing helps clean teeth in the areas that are impossible to reach by brushing alone—between the teeth and under your gum line.

Mask Mouth is Real

September 15, 2021

Filed under: Uncategorized — tntadmin @ 1:48 pm

The rules about wearing a mask vary throughout different establishments.  In all health related facilities it is mandatory.  All our children now have to wear masks in school.  That’s a total of 6 hours of mask wear!

We are seeing more of our patients with periodontal disease (bone loss around the teeth) and cavities.  This is due to the effects of continual mask-wearing which is keeping germs and bacteria in the mouth.

What Are The Symptoms Of Mask Mouth?

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IS THERE A CONNECTION BETWEEN ORAL HEALTH AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE?

September 1, 2021

Filed under: Uncategorized — tntadmin @ 7:11 pm

By Dr. Mariliza LaCap

The answer is a resounding YES!

August is the perfect time to prepare your children for back to school.  As a parent, you want the best for your children, and that includes doing their best in school. You can support them by taking an interest in their activities, being enthusiastic about attendance, and helping them with homework. There may also be one more way you can help your children succeed at school. Surprisingly, research suggests that children with better oral health are likely to do better in school.

What the Research Says

    In volume 161, issue 6 in the Journal of Pediatrics, the study concluded that dental

problems were significantly associated with reductions in school performance and psychosocial well-being. Children with undiagnosed dental problems and infections were more likely to have problems at school, miss school and were less likely to do all required homework.  This was prevalent with children 14 years and younger since this age group seldom complains to their parents about dental pain.

  Dental malocclusion (crooked teeth) was also associated with shyness, unhappiness, feeling of worthlessness, and reduced friendliness. The effects of dental malocclusion (crooked teeth) were largest for adolescents between 15 and 17 years.  The study concluded that preventing and treating dental problems and improving dental health may benefit child academic achievement and cognitive and psychosocial development.

What our office is doing to help at Smile More Dentistry and Smile More Kidz

In light of the apparent benefits of good oral health for school performance, we have taken a proactive approach in helping parents give their children a head start.  We have made it convenient for the whole family to get all their dental needs met under one roof.  We have all the specialties needed for adult dentistry.  Our smile team also includes a Pediatric dentist (dentist for children) and Orthodontist (a dentist who specializes in straightening children’s teeth),

  1. Free early screening of dental decay as early as 1 years old.
  2. “Toddler Thursdays” where we teach parents and toddlers good oral hygiene through an interactive puppet show.
  3. Early screening for Orthodontic care
  4. Dental sealants, or plastic coatings, on back teeth to guard against decay
  5. Oral hygeine and nutritional counseling
  6. FUN and friendly smile team so visits are stress free and comfortable.

What you can do to help

You can help your child improve oral health and do better in school by encouraging good oral hygiene. This includes brushing at least twice a day with fluoride-containing toothpaste and reminding your child to drink water after eating. Also, regular trips to our office (the American Dental Association recommends every six months) can help prevent serious tooth problems and dental pain. 

We look forward to meeting you and your family.  Visit us in 2 convenient locations: 19 Legion Drive, Bergenfield, NJ 07621.  Contact us at WashingtonDental Associates.com or call 201-817-5093.

140 Oak Tree Rd., Tappan, NY 10983. Please call us 845-295-5023. Have a question? We are here to help!

4 Tips to Ensure a Cavity-Free Smile While Eating Ice Cream This Summer

July 11, 2021

Filed under: Uncategorized — washingtondent @ 2:44 pm
bowl of ice cream and fruit in Bergenfield

Who doesn’t love a nice bowl of ice cream on a hot summer day? No matter the flavor, it always hits the spot. But is it the best option when it comes to safeguarding your smile? Is ice cream bad for your teeth? Unfortunately, this sweet treat isn’t ideal if you want to protect your pearly whites against tooth decay and cavities; however, there are four things you can do to minimize your risk while enjoying your favorite dessert.

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Will It Hurt to Receive Dental Implants?

May 17, 2021

Filed under: Uncategorized — washingtondent @ 8:40 pm
an older woman showing off her beautiful new smile thanks to dental implants in Bergenfield

Dental implants are considered to be the gold standard for tooth replacement. Eager to experience their many great benefits, you are looking forward to the opportunity for a full, complete smile once again. But are you also worried that having them put into place will cause much pain and discomfort? In this article, a dentist shares what you can expect when preparing for oral surgery and why you have nothing to fear.

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3 Must-Know Tips for Finding the Right Invisalign Provider

April 21, 2021

Filed under: Uncategorized — washingtondent @ 6:32 pm
Dentist and patient smiling while discussing Invisalign

In the late 1990s, Invisalign changed the field of orthodontics forever when they introduced their clear, incredibly discreet aligners. Since then, they have helped millions of patients around the globe leave overlapped and spaced-out teeth in the past. Today, more and more people are considering this practically invisible orthodontic treatment, but they are unsure where to start. With this in mind, keep reading for three tips on how to find an Invisalign provider that is right for you!

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