Washington Dental Associates Blog

Did you know that tooth decay is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions? In fact, it is second only to the common cold! While poor oral hygiene and high-sugar diets are two leading contributors, some prescription drugs are also a culprit. So, the nearly 75% of Americans who take at least one medication need to be especially vigilant about their oral health. Read on for four common medicines that lead to dental decay and how your dentist can help protect your smile!

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, that’s another story.

First get the facts, then your floss!

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

You do your best to ensure that your child makes smart nutritional choices when they are at home. However, for a large portion of the year, they may be at school for at least one of their daily meals. Have you thought about how school lunches may be affecting your child’s oral health? Some items may promote a healthy mouth. Other items, however, pose a real danger to teeth. A dentist for children is here to talk about a specific way in which school lunches may affect your child’s oral health and how you can protect their smile even when they are away from home.

Your jawbone is an important feature that performs many essential tasks every single day. It provides support for your teeth and allows you to eat and speak properly. Additionally, your jawbone maintains your facial shape and defines your unique facial features.

Does the idea of dental work give you anxiety? Do you know you need to visit the dentist, but the fear of discomfort prevents you from scheduling an appointment? Thankfully, many dentists have a solution for this exact problem. With nitrous oxide, you will feel no discomfort during your visit and experience virtually no side effects afterward. But is it safe? Read on to find out more about this method of sedation and why you have nothing to fear should you require it in the future.

Are your teeth slightly misaligned or crooked? Do you want a solution that will create an even, uniform aesthetic? While there are many treatment options available to fix this type of problem, you may be wondering about the difference between Invisalign and veneers. Which one is best for straightening teeth and giving you the new and improved look you desire? Before you decide, hear from a local dentist who shares the benefits of both and how to know which one is right for you.

Is your child preparing to start orthodontic treatment with Invisalign for teens? Do you worry they will forget to wear their trays or accidentally lose or break an aligner? Are you concerned their forgetfulness or carelessness will result in a delay in treatment? If so, you’re not alone. Let a local dentist share a few helpful tips that both you and your teen can use to make sure their teeth move in the right direction and achieve desired results.

Each morning, after you’ve finished brushing your teeth, you reach for your bottle of mouthwash and prepare to rinse. While swishing the contents in your mouth, you opt to read the label and learn that the product is designed to kill 99.99% of all germs and bacteria that can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Pleased with your findings, you begin to wonder, “Can it also kill the COVID-19 virus?” After all, your dentist in Bergenfield is requesting you rinse your mouth before your next appointment, so if it’s strong enough to eliminate the others, why not this one, too? Read on to learn you’re being asked to perform this task and whether it is protecting you from COVID-19.

Even though the country is slowly reopening, the threat of COVID-19 is still very present. To keep you and other safe while providing excellent dental care, your Bergenfield dentist has established several new COVID-19 safety protocols. You can expect your next dental appointment in COVID-19 to look somewhat different than your visits before the pandemic. Here’s what precautions you’ll be asked to follow, and why they’re necessary even if you don’t feel sick.

It is a well-known fact that the elderly population is considered to be “high-risk” when it comes to determining who is most vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. This unfortunate reality is creating additional challenges for dental offices to offer services to this demographic, as is it recommended that they stay home and avoid unnecessary public outings. If you or a loved one are a senior citizen, you may be wondering, “How then can I get the dental care I need and stay safe?” A dentist in Bergenfield explains the special accommodations being made to provide care to these individuals so they can maintain better oral health and remain free of COVID-19.