Dental Town DC Blog

Medications — both prescription and over-the-counter — can affect your oral health in multiple ways. Today, nearly all people aged 50 and above take one or more prescription drugs on a daily basis.

Medications and Their Effects on Oral Health

• Dry mouth: Many medications including antacids, sedatives, pain medications, antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and high blood pressure medications can all cause dry mouth. Saliva protects teeth from acid-producing bacteria. When the mouth is dry, the acid-producing bacteria can harm the surfaces of your teeth, leading to tooth decay.
• Plaque formation: Antacids, gummies, and other sweetened medications promote plaque formation and contribute to cavities over time.
• Oral fungal infections: Medications inhaled through the mouth can create conditions...
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We often hear that there is a big connection between heart health and dental health. How is the heart connected to your teeth and gums, and can dental problems cause heart problems?

The major connection is the bloodstream. Bacteria travel from the mouth to other parts of the body through blood. The bacteria cause inflammation in the weaker areas of the heart and can cause various types of cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation makes the blood more prone to clotting and can result in a stroke. Atherosclerosis (clogging of arteries) can also result from invasive microorganisms from the mouth spreading in the circulatory system, eventually leading to a heart attack. Endocarditis — an inflammation of heart valves,...

Your teeth are vital to your overall dental health. If you’re missing one or more teeth, you might be looking for the best replacement option. Modern dentistry provides an excellent treatment: dental implants. The team at Dental Town DC explains why dental implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement.

Dental Implants 101

Dental implants are titanium metal posts surgically placed into your jaw in the exact position of your missing tooth. They act as an anchor for replacement teeth custom-made to match your natural tooth color and size. The jawbone heals over the metal post, which helps to secure it in place. Then a small connector post called an abutment is attached, which holds...

Your teeth are vital to your overall dental health. If you’re missing one or more teeth, you might be looking for the best replacement option. Modern dentistry provides an excellent treatment: dental implants. The team at Dental Town DC explains why dental implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement.

Dental Implants 101

Dental implants are titanium metal posts surgically placed into your jaw in the exact position of your missing tooth. They act as an anchor for replacement teeth custom-made to match your natural tooth color and size. The jawbone heals over the metal post, which helps to secure it in place. Then a small connector post called an abutment is attached, which holds...

In an effort to support national efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Dental Town is taking the following steps to help assure your health and well-being and that of our community. We are following directives from the CDC to limit patient and staff exposure to this virus. We will be reducing our office hours and providing greater scheduling gaps to minimize any potential exposure. We will continue to provide all emergency and urgent care as needed.

Please call us right away if you have a dental emergency — we do not want you to go to the emergency room for your dental pain. Our practice strictly adheres to and exceeds the standards for infection control...

It’s vital for dental offices to remain open to offer emergency care because it helps alleviate the burden on hospital emergency departments overwhelmed with COVID-19. Patients can do their part by guarding against dental emergencies.

Popcorn is a common culprit for dental problems — unpopped kernels can crack teeth, and the little shell from the popcorn can wedge itself down in your gum, causing swelling and pain. Olive pits can also crack teeth. Teeth should not be used as a tool, and you shouldn’t chew on nonfood items. If you are midway through dental work, avoid emergencies by being careful about what you eat — don’t eat anything super chewy if you have a temporary...

In an effort to support national efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Dental Town is taking the following steps to help assure your health and well-being and that of our community. We are following directives from the CDC to limit patient and staff exposure to this virus. We will be reducing our office hours and providing greater scheduling gaps to minimize any potential exposure. We will continue to provide all emergency and urgent care as needed.

Please call us right away if you have a dental emergency — we do not want you to go to the emergency room for your dental pain. Our practice strictly adheres to and exceeds the standards for infection control...

It’s vital for dental offices to remain open to offer emergency care because it helps alleviate the burden on hospital emergency departments overwhelmed with COVID-19. Patients can do their part by guarding against dental emergencies.

Popcorn is a common culprit for dental problems — unpopped kernels can crack teeth, and the little shell from the popcorn can wedge itself down in your gum, causing swelling and pain. Olive pits can also crack teeth. Teeth should not be used as a tool, and you shouldn’t chew on nonfood items. If you are midway through dental work, avoid emergencies by being careful about what you eat — don’t eat anything super chewy if you have a temporary...

Regular dental care is essential to keep your teeth, gums, and oral tissues healthy and disease-free. When you have fear or anxiety about visiting a dentist, you may avoid dental care altogether. The good news is we offer sedation dentistry, which allows us to keep your smile full of bright, healthy teeth while making you feel comfortable.

You’re Not Alone in Your Fears

Somewhere between 9% and 15% of adults in the United States feel anxious about dental procedures. Noisy instruments, highly sensitive roots and tissues — these are perfectly valid reasons for your anxiety. However, modern dental techniques have come a long way, and most of our procedures are designed to help you avoid...

Today’s root canals are virtually pain-free — especially at Dental Town DC — and are the best, most natural way to save a tooth that’s otherwise in danger of being extracted.

Why You Need a Root Canal

Root canals are tiny tubes that run down the roots of your teeth. They’re filled with sensitive nerves and blood vessels, so when they become infected they’re extremely painful. Signs that you have an infection include tenderness and swelling, severe pain especially when biting down, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, and a pimple or abscess on your gum. Each year in the United States, root canals save approximately 24 million teeth.

What Happens During a Root Canal