Overcoming Dental Anxiety

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about overcoming dental anxiety.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Dentist Purcellville VA
Purcellville Dental 

Timothy A. Smith, DDS 

609-T East Main Street 
Purcellville, VA 20132

Treatment Options for Tooth Sensitivity

The best way to find out why a tooth is sensitive is to have dental professional examine you. They can look for the signs of dentin exposure, and run tests to determine what the true cause of the sensitivity is. Sometimes, the sensitivity is due to a cavity or gum disease ñ these can be treated to address the sensitivity. Other times, the cause of the sensitivity is because the enamel has been lost through abrasion or erosion, or the gums have receded, causing the roots to be exposed.

What Can Be Done?
If the sensitivity is due to a cavity, a restoration can be placed. If gum disease is the cause, the dental professional can perform a thorough cleaning of the area.

However, if the cause is from dentin being exposed, then there are a number of professional and at home treatments that can be used to reduce the sensitivity.

In Office Procedures:

• Fluoride varnish can be applied to exposed areas, strengthening the enamel and dentin
• Fluoride foam or gel can be placed into a mouth tray; you then sit with this in your mouth for 3-5 minutes, providing the teeth with a high concentration of fluoride to strengthen the areas
• Bonding agent, the material used to stick tooth colored restorations to teeth, can be used to seal the dentin surface and provide a barrier to the stimuli that cause sensitivity

At Home:

• Use a very soft bristle tooth brush, with low abrasive tooth paste
• Brush correctly and do not over brush
• Use a tooth paste specially formulated to soothe the nerve endings in the tooth
• Use a high concentration fluoride toothpaste (given to you by the dental professional) to strengthen the tooth surface

There are a number of treatments available, and your dental professional can help you find those that will work best, depending on your situation. Always seek a dental professional's help ñ do not try to diagnose this problem yourself. It may be the sign of something more serious, and only a dental professional can tell you what it really is.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com

Dentist Purcellville VA
Purcellville Dental 

Timothy A. Smith, DDS 

609-T East Main Street 
Purcellville, VA 20132

Dental Check-ups

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about Dental check-ups!

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Dentist Purcellville VA
Purcellville Dental 

Timothy A. Smith, DDS 

609-T East Main Street 
Purcellville, VA 20132

Understanding Tooth Sensitivity

Learn more about tooth sensitivity by watching this video from Colgate.com.

Understanding Tooth Sensitivity: Discover the causes, prevention and treatment of sensitivity.

The above video was found on both Colgate.com and Colgate's YouTube Channel.

Dentist Purcellville VA
Purcellville Dental 

Timothy A. Smith, DDS 

609-T East Main Street 
Purcellville, VA 20132

Emergency Dentistry

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about Emergency Dentistry!

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Dentist Purcellville VA
Purcellville Dental 

Timothy A. Smith, DDS 

609-T East Main Street 
Purcellville, VA 20132

Good Food for Dental Health: Water

Water Rules
Water, especially fluoridated water, is the best beverage for maintaining your oral health. That's because fluoride helps to make teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that can cause cavities. As of 2012, nearly 75 percent of the U.S. population had access to fluoridated water, so drinking water from your own kitchen sink can help prevent dental problems. 

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Dentist Purcellville VA
Purcellville Dental 

Timothy A. Smith, DDS 

609-T East Main Street 
Purcellville, VA 20132

Good Food for Dental Health: Fruits & Veggies

Fruits and Veggies Pack an Extra Punch

Fruits and veggies are an important part of any balanced diet, and they are also good for your teeth. Since they are high in water and fiber, they help to balance the sugars they contain and help to clean your teeth. Chewing also helps to stimulate saliva production, which washes harmful acids and food particles away from your teeth. 

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Dentist Purcellville VA
Purcellville Dental 

Timothy A. Smith, DDS 

609-T East Main Street 
Purcellville, VA 20132