Woodbridge Dentist

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching! This day marks an event where everyone can feast and eat all the food that their tummies can handle. It is one of the few days of the year when people break their diets and really indulge at dinner.

During this time, recipes can be found on how to stay on a healthy diet this holiday while still being able to enjoy delicious meals. However, maintaining good oral health is also essential to your overall health. While there are certain foods that will prevent you from packing on a few pounds, there are foods that will prevent you from tooth decay as well.

Here are some foods that you should eat to keep your smile healthy this holiday:

• Include celery and carrots into your stuffing. Both vegetables contain beta carotene, which helps your body create vitamin A – a nutrient essential for building strong teeth!
• Eat lots of turkey this holiday! Turkey is high in phosphorous, which is needed for tooth development.
• Pumpkin pies are a good source of vitamin C and helps to supply the calcium needed in the development and re-mineralization of teeth.
• Side dishes made with greens and winter vegetables, such as green beans, asparagus and butternut squash, are great sources of vitamin A and C. These nutrients prevent soft, bleeding gums and help protect against oral cancer.
• Eating cranberries can prevent bacteria from sticking to your teeth and forming plaque!

Consider including these foods in your Thanksgiving Day feast and then you can give thanks for many more years of healthy teeth! Drink plenty of water during and in between meals to avoid tooth decay caused by foods that are high in sugar. Remember to brush your teeth and floss after dinner to maintain optimal oral health!

Contact our dental office in Woodbridge for more information on what foods you should eat on Thanksgiving Day!

Woodbridge, VA Dentist

In 3500 BC, the Babylonians and Egyptians used chewing sticks to clean their teeth. Look how far the toothbrush has come! Learn more about the history of the toothbrush from your dentist in Woodbridge.

Woodbridge Dentist

Accidents always happen. Be sure to know what to do when one arises – it can be the difference of saving a tooth or losing one.

A dental emergency is an injury to your teeth or gums that can be potentially serious. Ignoring one can increase the risk of permanent damage. For all dental emergencies, it is important to contact our office as soon as the injury occurs. Provide detailed information about the injury to your mouth. We will be able to give you instructions on how to care for your mouth in the time before coming to our office. In some instances, we may recommend emergency care.

Here are some common dental injuries and how to care for them.

Knocked-out tooth
Rinse the tooth with water if it’s dirty and try not to remove any attached tissue fragments. Keep the tooth moist at all times by carefully putting the tooth back in place without forcing it back into the socket. If this is not possible, place the tooth in a small container of milk or in a cup of water that contains a pinch of salt. Contact our dental office as quickly as possible.

Chipped or cracked tooth
Save any pieces if possible. Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the injured area as well as remove any small tooth fragments. Apply cold compresses to your mouth to keep down the swelling and relieve pain.

Objects caught between teeth
Carefully try to remove the object using floss. If you cannot get the object out, see your dentist. It is important to never use a pin or sharp instrument to remove the object since you may cause injury to your gums or the surfaces of your teeth.

Soft-tissue injuries
Injuries to your tongue, cheeks, gums and lips can result in bleeding. To control the bleeding, rinse your mouth with mild salt water. Apply a moistened piece of gauze or tea bag to the bleeding site for about 15 minutes. You may also use a cold compress to relieve pain. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, contact our dental office.

You can also take simple precautions to avoid dental emergencies:

• When participating in sports, always wear a mouth guard
• Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy
• Never use your teeth to cut things – use scissors

If you encounter a dental emergency, always contact our Woodbridge dental office as soon as possible. We can provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to care for your mouth or may ask you to come into the office. If you have any additional dental emergency questions, be sure to contact us.