Pediatric Dentistry

Oral Rinses: An Extra Measure Of Protection For Kids

Posted on
Categories: Dental health, Oral Health, Pediatric Dentistry

Oral Rinses: An Extra Measure Of Tooth Protection For Prince William County Kids

This message from the Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria centers on pediatric dentistry.

Parents usually know the basics on children’s dental health: limit sugar, make sure they brush and floss regularly, take them to the dentist for twice-yearly exams and cleanings, discourage between-meal snacking, see that they get enough calcium and Vitamin D, and so on. Many parents also give their kids fluoride supplements if their municipal water supply has an inadequate level of fluoride.

Is there anything else a concerned parent can do to promote children’s oral health? Yes! Have children use an oral rinse that contains fluoride.

Fluoride supplements help strengthen teeth that are still forming, and also help teeth that have already come in. A fluoride rinse is an added measure of protection.

It’s a good idea for children to use an oral rinse after they brush and floss. They should swish it around in their mouths for thirty seconds or so, and then spit it out. (Make sure your child doesn’t swallow it!) This should be the last substance in their mouth before they go to bed. The fluoride will remain on the teeth and help prevent new cavities from forming. It can also help stop any demineralization that has already begun by accumulating in the tiny fissures and fortifying the enamel.

At The Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria, pediatric dentistry is one of our specialties. We also offer family dentistry, and special needs dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Center for Dental Anesthesia:

703-379-6400

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

5284 Dawes Ave
Alexandria, Virginia
22311

 

ArticleID 3569

Developing Good Dental Habits

Posted on
Categories: Dental health, Family Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry

Developing Good Dental Habits In northern Virgina

Benjamin Franklin once said that it is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them. At the Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria VA, we couldn’t agree more, especially when it comes to dentistry and your dental health.

For parents, teaching your children good oral hygiene techniques early in life will benefit their smile throughout their life.

If you wait too long to teach your child how to brush and floss, or if you don’t make sure they are doing it enough, you’re setting yourself up for a lot of work down the road.

It’s very hard to convince an older child that they should be spending two or three times longer brushing their teeth each morning and night. But, if they’ve done it for as long as they can remember, then their habits should be sufficient to avoid excessive dental decay.

To promote good dental health habits in kids, we think it’s important to keep things positive. Don’t use threats to get them to brush, or if they do a poor job. As parents ourselves, we know how tempting it is to describe worst-case-scenarios with teeth. But in our experience, it just doesn’t work.

Instead, focus on the positive. Praise the kiddos when they do a good job. Try singing a special song as they brush, a song that just happens to last for two minutes. Or you might offer small reward, like staying up an extra fifteen minutes, for a brushing job that is done well.

At the Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria VA, pediatric dentistry is among our specialties. We would love to help you learn how to teach kids good brushing habits. We also offer cosmetic dentistry. Make an appointment with us today.

Contact Center for Dental Anesthesia:

703-379-6400

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

5284 Dawes Ave
Alexandria, Virginia
22311

 

ArticleID 4511

Lasting a Lifetime: Pediatric Dentistry

Posted on
Categories: Dental health, Oral Health, Pediatric Dentistry

Teeth are meant to last a lifetime, which is why early dental care is so important. At the Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria, we are committed to pediatric dentistry.

A big part of keeping teeth and gums healthy is daily care. That means teaching your youngsters good brushing and flossing habits. It also means taking them to the dentist for a checkup and cleaning every six months. The American Dental Association recommends bringing children in for their first visit within six months of their first tooth coming in, and no later than their first birthday.

Keeping teeth and gums healthy also means having a balanced diet that is low in sugar. More and more children are showing signs of early tooth decay. It has even been called the most common chronic childhood disease. By minimizing sweets and establishing a good dental health routine, they can be limited.

A good tool for protecting teeth is dental sealants. Sealants are a thin protective layer of plastic material applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where tooth decay is most prevalent. Along with brushing and flossing, sealants go a long way toward preventing cavities.

Early dental care is vital. Pediatric dentistry at the Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria helps to ensure your youngster’s teeth and gums will stay healthy throughout their lives. We also offer cosmetic dentistry. Make an appointment with us today.

Contact Center for Dental Anesthesia:

703-379-6400

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

5284 Dawes Ave
Alexandria, Virginia
22311

Sedation Dentistry At the Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria

Posted on
Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Family Dentistry, Oral Health, Pediatric Dentistry, Sedation Dentistry

Fairfax family dentist

At the Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria, we pride ourselves in giving patients the information and services they need, which sometimes includes sedation dentistry.

When patients are in need of a filling or a crown, we take the time to explain the treatment and why it needs to be done. We also explain how to care for your teeth post-procedure.

We’re sensitive to the fact that as many as twenty percent of Americans have dental anxiety. Some may worry about injections or pain, other about the side effects of anesthesia, or a sense of helplessness and loss of control.

If any of those issues trouble you, and you’ve put off seeing the dentist, please understand that we are here to help. Your dental health is vital to your overall health. If you suffer from dental anxiety, consider the sedation options offered by the Center for Dental Anesthesia.

The truth is that for some patients, a numbing agent like novocaine isn’t enough. We offer several options. IV Sedation, sometimes referred to as conscious sedation, does not put you completely under. But it makes you less aware of what’s going on during your procedure. As its name suggests, IV sedation is given intravenously by a qualified professional.

We also offer general anesthesia. This is administered with prescription medications, and will put you completely out. You will feel no pain or anxiety at all. We never want any of our patients to experience that.

The Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria provides a wide range of services, from family to cosmetic dentistry. We also offer special needs dentistry. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

Contact Center for Dental Anesthesia:

703-379-6400

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

5284 Dawes Ave
Alexandria, Virginia
22311

 

Find Time To Floss! Tooth Pain in Alexandria

Posted on
Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Oral Health, Pediatric Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

Alexandria family dentistry

People who don’t regularly floss their teeth sometimes say it’s difficult to fit flossing into their daily routine. At the Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria, we think finding a few minutes to floss is better than dealing with the tooth pain that is likely to come if you don’t.

Flossing should be part of a dental health routine that includes brushing. It doesn’t have to be a time-consuming hassle. Here are some suggestions for including it in your day.

  • The most common time is right before bed, but make sure you aren’t too tired to do a good job.
  • Right when you wake up is also an option, but if food is left between teeth all night, it can cause plaque.
  • Try just after lunch, before you go back to work.
  • Keep some floss in your gym bag so you can floss after you exercise.
  • While you’re watching the nightly news.

It’s important that you like the dental floss you use. There are lots of options: floss comes in a variety of thicknesses and flavors. So shop around, and find the floss that is best for you.

Patients often wonder whether it’s best to floss before they brush, or after. It might seem logical to floss first, so any bits of gunk left over are brushed away. But it really doesn’t matter; just do a thorough job.

Flossing and brushing should go hand-in-hand. It only takes a few extra minutes, but those few extra minutes can make an enormous difference in the health of your teeth and gums.

We hope this inspires you to make flossing part of each day. At the Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria, we say flossing is vital for anyone who wants to have a healthy smile and avoid tooth pain. We provide a range of services, from pediatric to cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening.

Contact Center for Dental Anesthesia:

703-379-6400

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

5284 Dawes Ave
Alexandria, Virginia
22311

 

Kids Who Like Dental Visits? Pediatric Dentistry in Alexandria

Posted on
Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Family Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Sedation Dentistry

At the Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria we feature pediatric dentistry, and are proud of the fact that most of our young patients love visiting our office. We believe that establishing a positive relationship with the dentist at an early age is essential to lifelong dental health.

The Oral Health – Physical Health Connection

Good physical health for children is impossible without good oral health. Though this seems obvious, cavities in little ones is a national epidemic. Regular checkups are as vital as immunizations.

The health of your child’s teeth and gums affects their speech development, eating habits, academic success, mental health, and social relationships. We love working with you and your child to establish habits that ensure a healthy smile for life.

The Good News

At the Center for Dental Anesthesia, we believe a trip to the dentist doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Children today are far less fearful of the dentist than earlier generations. One reason is that modern dental tools are better than ever, and rarely cause any pain.

We provide a friendly atmosphere that puts patients of all ages at ease. If you are looking for a top dentist for your child, rest assured that our passionate team will make your child feel comfortable during their dental visit.

We advise parents to bring their youngsters in for a first exam before age one, or when their first tooth erupts. During the initial visit, we can highlight dental treatments such as sealants, fluoride treatments, brushing and flossing techniques, and orthodontics.

In addition to pediatric dentistry, the Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria provides special needs dentistry. Ask us about sedation options. We also offer cosmetic dentistry.

Contact Center for Dental Anesthesia:

703-379-6400

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

5284 Dawes Ave
Alexandria, Virginia
22311

Limit Sugar For Healthier Alexandria Kids

Posted on
Categories: Pediatric Dentistry

Family Dentist Alexandria

Every health-conscious Alexandria parent knows that sugar is the number one cause of cavities for Virginia kids – and plenty of us adults also snack on too many sweet snacks and beverages.

Because of cavity risks, low nutritional value, and high calorie content, many Alexandria parents want to limit the sugar in their children’s diets. Obviously, there is a lot of sugar in bubble gum, lollipops, and gummy candy. But there is also sugar lurking in so-called ‘healthy’ snacks.

Here are some popular Alexandria kid’s snacks with significant amounts of sugar:

yogurt covered raisins
fruit snacks including the roll-up and syrup-filled varieties
rice cakes
many brands of yogurt including the hand-held type
juice drinks
flavored milk
barbecue sauce
fruit smoothies
cereal bars

Controlling sugar intake in your Alexandria child’s diet is essential for lifelong oral health. When choosing lunchbox or after-school snacks at your northern Virgina market, Alexandria convenience store or Fairfax recreation center snack bar, read the labels. Sugar content varies among brands.

Sugar is only one diet component that impacts Alexandria kids’ oral health. If your son’s or daughter’s diet is lacking key vitamins and minerals, the tissues in their mouth may have trouble fighting infection. These infections can lead to gum disease.

At Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria, we provide high-quality childrens’, general, and cosmetic dentistry to patients in the Virginia communities of Alexandria, northern Virginia, and Fairfax. The team at Center for Dental Anesthesia pampers our youngest patients. If you have a toddler who has not visited a dentist, call us today to schedule a first-time dental check-up. Our number is 703-379-6400.

 

Contact Center for Dental Anesthesia:

703-379-6400

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

5284 Dawes Ave
Alexandria, Virginia
22311

 

Are Childhood Cavities Inevitable?

Posted on
Categories: Pediatric Dentistry

child friendly dentist Alexandria

Alexandria parents who want their children to develop healthy habits know that they need to set the example. The “Do as I say, not as I do,” approach does not instill confidence in children.

If we want our child to exercise, we should get off the couch ourselves. If we want our child to settle upon an apple when he wants an afternoon snack, we better not be snacking on chips and cookies. If we routinely stay up until 1:00 a.m, our adolescent will probably not learn the importance of recharging their physical and mental batteries with restorative sleep.

What about healthy oral habits? Do our children see us brush carefully after meals? Do our children find water bottles in our car cup holders or empty sports drink cans? Do we schedule twice-yearly dental visits for ourselves and our kids? Do we wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports? Do we floss every night?

Did you know that tooth decay is the second most common childhood health problem in Virginia – after the common cold? If you have a newborn or toddler, you have an extraordinary opportunity to establish daily habits for lifelong oral health.

If every pre-teen in your Alexandria neighborhood has at least a few fillings, it may seem that cavities are inevitable for Alexandria area kids. At Center for Dental Anesthesia, we don’t believe this common notion. There is much you can do to keep your young child’s baby teeth and adult teeth cavity-free.

In fact, there are important things to do even before your baby’s first teeth erupt. Remember not to put your baby to bed with a bottle. Wipe milk or formula off their gums with a soft, damp cloth after feeding. Don’t let your infant drink juice all day. If you want your baby or toddler to drink between meals, water is just fine.

When should you bring in your toddler for their first dental check-up? The American Dental Association recommends that a child sees a dentist before their first tooth appears or no later than their first birthday.

If your children are older and have had a lot of cavities, don’t give up. It is never too late to improve daily habits to keep teeth healthy. Even if your upbringing didn’t include an emphasis on oral hygiene, you can set your own traditions starting today.

I am Dentist Zeyad Mady of Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria. I am devoted to oral health for the entire family. I advise Alexandria parents about tooth development, thumb-sucking, water fluoridation, dental sealants, oral sports protection, orthodontia, and much more.

My considerate dental team will make your child feel comfortable and relaxed. If you are looking for a child-friendly dentist in the Alexandria area, we invite you to schedule a pediatric dental appointment by calling 703-379-6400.

 

Contact Center for Dental Anesthesia:

703-379-6400

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

5284 Dawes Ave
Alexandria, Virginia
22311