Schedule regular dental checkups
The American Dental Association and most dentists recommend twice yearly dental appointments. These visits give the dentist a chance to look at your entire mouth and make sure everything is okay.

Watch what you eat
Choosing to consume a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, low-fat diary, and lean proteins will promote overall wellness and good oral health.

Curb tobacco use
Not only does smoking or chewing tobacco create yellow stains on teeth and bad breath, but this habit will also substantially increase the risk of oral cancer.

Eliminate bad habits
Chewing on pens, nail biting, and using your teeth as a tool can result in small fractures or chips in teeth. Talk with your dentist if you need help eliminating these kinds of behavior.

Don’t ignore problems
If your gums bleed while you brush or you develop a toothache, contact your dentist’s office right away. Not addressing the issue can turn a small problem like a cavity into a bigger issue, such as a root canal.

Watch out for your mouth
One of the main causes for facial injuries is playing sportd. Individuals who participate in activities like soccer, basketball, hockey, and skateboarding should talk with their dentists or orthodontists about the benefits of wearing a mouth guard.

What to Do after In-Office Whitening
• Because it takes time for the gel to absorb into the enamel, avoid dark colored food and beverages for the first 48 hours. Tea, red wine, tomato sauce, and other tooth-staining choices can impact your results.
• If you drink anything but water, sip the beverages through a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.
• After you eat or drink, gently brush your teeth to remove any residue. Don’t brush too roughly because you might remove the whitening agent or a layer of enamel.
• Make sure to drink plenty of water, which will dilute the colors of other foods and beverages you consume.
• Some people experience mild sensitivity after they whiten. Brushing with a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth might reduce the feeling. It usually subsides after a few days.

Tips for At-Home Whitening Trays

• Follow the directions provided by your dentist’s office to ensure the best outcome.
• While you are wearing the trays, don’t eat or drink staining foods and beverages.
• Use your custom trays to touch-up the results as needed, usually every 6 to 9 months.
• If you develop sensitivity while whitening your teeth, try applying the whitening solution every other day. You may also want to use specially formulated toothpaste that can help address sensitive teeth.

So what can be done to combat this vicious cycle? How can you prevent tooth decay? Some standard rules apply here, many of which dental professionals have been promoting for years as the most effective ways to prevent this common problem. Some of these tips include:

•Brushing at least twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride.

•Daily flossing is essential, as it helps to remove plaque and food particles that have become caught between the teeth.

•Eat well-balanced, nutritionally-sound meals, and keep snacking to a minimum. Regular snacks encourage food particles and acids to remain on the teeth, which can actually make the problem much worse.

•Schedule a visit to the dentist at least twice a year, so that teeth can be professionally cleaned and inspected.

•While at the dentist’s office, ask about dental sealants, which form a thin barrier on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Sealants can go a long way in the prevention of decay, particularly in the back teeth, where decay is the most common.

Good communication is also key to a good relationship with your dental professional. Share your concerns about your teeth, and ask how you can improve your dental hygiene. Good oral health care now is essential for maintaining teeth later in life. Since many health problems such as heart disease, and hardening of the arteries are directly related to plaque on the teeth, it is imperative to develop and maintain a comprehensive oral health care plan.

Forensic Dentistry Q and A

How do you become a forensic dentist?

Most forensic dentists in the U.S. receive certification from American Board of Forensic Odontology. To obtain this recognition, you must complete coursework at an accredited school, join and participate in national organizations related to forensics or forensic dentistry, spend at least two years working with a coroner or medical examiner’s office, and participate in at least 25 forensic dental cases, 15 of which must have positive identification results.

What can be learned from studying teeth?

Because each person has a unique arrangement of teeth, including specific dental work or missing teeth, dental records can help identify a body or confirm the perpetrator in a crime.

How long has forensic dentistry existed?

Shows like CSI and Criminal Minds have made forensics part of modern culture, but forensic dentistry dates back hundreds of years. In 1898, Cuban-born Dr. Oscar Amoedo wrote an essay and published the first images relating to the identification of unknown remains, so many people consider him the father of forensic dentistry.

What advances are on the horizon?

As technology changes, advances continue. In fact, 3-D imaging may eventually allow skilled technicians to recreate a physical likeness of a deceased individual based on dental and skeletal remains.

Brown, Reynolds & Snow Dentistry

These tips will help your teeth look their best:

Watch what you eat and drink
Dark beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine, as well as blackberries and blueberries, can stain your teeth. Sipping these drinks through a straw will cut down on the amount that gets on your teeth. Rinsing with water afterwards will help reduce the exposure time.

Stop tobacco use
If you can’t quit, limit the time that you do smoke or chew tobacco. Discolorations caused by these products can be difficult to remove.

Consume plenty of water
Staying well hydrating will help you feel better and it will also remove food particles from your mouth after you eat reducing plaque build up.

Use baking soda
Many toothpastes contain baking soda, but you can also make your own whitening paste by mixing baking soda, salt, and a little water.

Watch fluoride intake
Too much fluoride can actually discolor or stain your teeth, especially young children whose teeth are still developing, so don’t overdo it.

Eat the right foods
Not only do you need to have a balanced diet, but you should also consume certain foods to improve your smile’s appearance. Strawberries can be rubbed on your teeth and left there for five minutes to whiten teeth. Crunchy foods like apples, celery, and carrots act as natural cleaners, removing stains from teeth.

We care about your smile at Brown, Reynolds & Snow Dentistry

Recommendations and reviews
Talk with friends, co-workers, and family members to see if they have a cosmetic dentist they love. Personal recommendations are a great place to start your search. You can also use the Internet as many dentists have web sites that provide a list of services and other relevant information. In fact, Brown, Reynolds & Snow Dentistry has a Facebook page where real patients are encouraged to post comments about their visit to the dental office.

Look at qualifications and experience
Make sure any dentist on your list has training in the procedures you want to have done. Dentists are required to take continuing education classes, so find out if the candidates have advanced their skills in cosmetic dentistry.

Schedule a consultation
Once you have the top contenders narrowed down, make an appointment. Create a list of questions for the dentist so that you get a feel for the practice and the doctor.

Check out past cases
Ask to see Before and After photos. These pictures will give you concrete examples of the dentist’s work. Some dentists even have smile galleries on their websites. For example, you can view actual patient before and after pictures on the website of Brown, Reynolds and Snow.

Trust your instincts
With all other things being equally, it may come down to how you gel with the dentist. When you have a rapport with the doctor and feel confident in his or her abilities, you will likely be happy with the outcome.

If you are considering cosmetic dental procedures, schedule a consult at dental office of Brown, Reynolds & Snow Dentistry today!

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) costs billions of dollars each year in treatment, medication, and disability claims. In fact, heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. Understanding how your oral health can contribute to heart health can provide life-saving information.

Research has linked dental issues such as gum disease with increased chances of cardiovascular disease. Individuals with severe gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer heart problems as those without any oral health problems. Caused by an infection in your gums and soft tissues, gum disease produces inflammation in the affected tissue. The oral bacteria can enter your blood stream and create a defensive reaction throughout the body.

Take the proper steps to prevent gum disease and promote good oral health by following these helpful hints:

• Don’t skip your checkups. These appointments allow your dentist to examine your mouth and look for any signs of gum disease. Treating the problem before it gets worse can protect your overall wellbeing.
• Eat right. Make sure you choose healthy foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
• Maintain good home care. Brush twice a day and floss regularly to remove plaque and bacteria from your mouth.
• Quit smoking. Tobacco use increases your chances of developing gum disease and it makes fighting the condition more difficult.

Your oral health is important at Richmond, VA dental office – Brown, Reynolds & Snow Dentistry.