Here’s How to Take Oral Hygiene to the Next Level

Daily dental hygiene is an important aspect of general health and wellness. You’ve probably heard this your entire life; that you should brush twice a day and floss once a day to avoid cavities and gum disease. These are baseline recommendations that provide the guidance that is needed, but there could be more that you’re missing out on. If you struggle with maintaining oral health or want to change up your routine to enhance it, consider these tips.

1. Use an electric toothbrush

Manual toothbrushes aren’t bad, per se, but some tools might work a little more efficiently. When you use an electric or sonic toothbrush, all you’ve got to do is navigate the brush around the four quadrants of the mouth. The vibrations of the toothbrush will do the rest. Just be sure that you are holding the toothbrush at the proper 45-degree angle against teeth and that you are not pressing too hard. These habits can lead to gum abrasions and recession. Also, whether using a manual or electric toothbrush, it is necessary to brush for two full minutes.

• Floss properly

Flossing once a day is, as we stated, baseline. This habit is vital to sustaining oral health because it is the only way to remove debris, sugar, and bacteria from in between teeth. For flossing to be effective, the floss must be run under the gums. This should not be painful if done correctly and if your gums are not infected. When moving the floss around each tooth, it should be held in a C-shape, somewhat “hugging” the tooth. Like brushing, flossing must be done gently to avoid damaging soft tissue. If you have questions about flossing, talk with Dr. Price or your hygienist. We’re happy to demonstrate proper flossing so you can enjoy optimal oral health!

• Rinse after flossing

This is a habit that most people miss. We know to rinse after we brush. Otherwise, we’re left with a mouthful of toothpaste. What gets overlooked is what flossing may do. When the floss is run in between teeth, it may pick up some debris and bacteria, and may only loosen some. What is loosened may go right back into hiding if not removed. Rinsing prevents this.

They say never to say “never” or “always,” but we’re going to. It’s never a bad idea to maximize what you’re doing to keep your teeth healthy. New strategies are always a good idea when it comes to oral health. To learn more about taking great care of your teeth, schedule a visit with us at (703)-935-2879.

It’s the time of year when we think about the future. The holidays may have left us on an emotional high that drives us to make resolutions that will make life better, even if it’s already a splendid journey. There are several aspects of life that improve when you take the time to create and foster optimal oral health. Research indicates that everything from professional success to our general sense of wellness correlates with how we feel about our smile. As you consider how to optimize your life in the coming year, think about how your dentist in Burke can help you secure your healthiest, most attractive smile.

Aesthetic Beauty
As a premier Invisalign provider in the Northern Virginia area, Dr. Price is recognized for helping patients bring out the best in their smiles. Creating more attractiveness doesn’t stop with straightening crooked teeth. We also offer veneer treatments that can disguise significant discoloration, injury such as a crack or chip, or anatomical imperfections like gaps. You don’t have to go through another year feeling dissatisfied with the appearance of your smile. We can help you bring out the best in your natural features.

Health and Wellness
When you hear the words “health and wellness,” you may imagine life habits such as exercising regularly or eating well. Do you also know that the way you take care of your teeth and gums will significantly affect how you feel from day to day? If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to optimize this area of your life, making oral care a priority. We can help you.

Restorative dentistry may be the place we begin building a great smile. Tooth damage doesn’t stop once it begins, no matter how well you brush and floss. If sensitivity or pain occur, contact us for prompt treatment. The more quickly we can address a small problem, the better chance we have of preventing the need for more in-depth care.
Preventive dentistry is also necessary to keep your smile looking and feeling good. Cleanings and exams are the ideal methods of avoiding cavities and gum disease, conditions that can rob you of a healthy mouth and body.

Get the dental care you need to love your smile this year and every year. Call (703)935-2879.

If you are one of the millions of adults who has not been given the right opportunity to straighten your teeth, now may be your time. Historically, the path to a straighter smile was marked with obstacles. Specifically, metal brackets that poked the skin on cheeks and lips, and that trapped food between teeth and the arch wires that pushed and pulled them where they needed to be. This is no longer the norm. Not only do orthodontists now use tooth-colored brackets and wires, but dentists like Dr. Price are using innovative aligner systems to help patients feel great about their smiles.

We are pleased to offer Invisalign treatment to correct a number of different alignment issues. This system is like nothing that has been used before. Often, a “new and improved” way of doing something ends up not being all that great. Not so with Invisalign! This teeth straightening method has been around long enough now for us to realize its potential. In fact, that potential has expanded as the makers of this system continue to make improvements to the mechanism behind aligner trays.

It’s not that Different, is it?
Is Invisalign really all that different from conventional braces? In one way, no. The underlying principles are the same: teeth move when under constant force, and both Invisalign and braces exert this force. In every other way, the aligner method differs from braces – significantly!

• Invisalign planning involves x-rays, an examination and consultation, and images. Nowhere in the preparation for treatment is it necessary to have messy impressions taken. This alone is a huge leap forward into modern dental care!
• The aligners used to straighten teeth are designed in cutting-edge software developed for this sole purpose. This software takes the images of your teeth and makes a precision animation from them. From here, a series of aligners evolves.
• BPA-free plastic is the base for Invisalign aligners. These are perfectly clear and they form to your teeth so tightly that they are not likely to be noticed at all.
• Aligners are not affixed. That means you can take them out so you can fully enjoy every meal. You can also take out aligners for a short time if you have a special event or will be posing for pictures. Just remember! Put them back in right away. If aligners are not worn as directed, your end-result may be affected.

Dr. Price is a Premier Invisalign Provider. For your consultation, call (703)750-9404.