Greenbelt and Millersville Maryland Dental Hygienists at McCarl Dental Group

At McCarl Dental Group we recommend that all patients see one of our registered dental hygienists for routine prophylactic cleaning appointments at least every 6 months. For patients with gum disease we may recommend visits every 3-4 months. Our hygienists work with each one of our patients to ensure that they maintain optimum gum health, which means keeping their teeth healthier for years to come. With extensive training in the removal of tartar and plaque from the tooth surfaces and below the gums, dental hygienists play an active role in fighting periodontal disease.

Many people believe that if they do not have problems with their teeth, they do not need to have their teeth cleaned by a hygienist and examined by a dentist. This can mean a couple of years quickly turns into 5, 10, or even 15 before some people have another dental exam. Unfortunately, for most of these people, waiting longer between visits means unhealthy gums and sometimes very rampant tooth decay.

When plaque is missed from irregular flossing, it hardens and becomes tartar under the gumline. This contributes significantly to the destruction of gum and bone attachment levels around your teeth. Eventually this uncontrolled gum disease, correctly known as periodontal disease, can lead to tooth loss.  Through routine cleaning appointments and screenings, patients can help prevent conditions including periodontal disease and advanced tooth decay.

The hygienists at McCarl Dental Group work with each individual patient to help them create an oral hygiene regimen that will work best for their own needs. Fifty percent of tooth and gum health comes from what you’re doing at home. Because every person’s mouth is different, so are his or her home care needs. What works for one person may not work for the next.

Hygienists don’t just clean teeth or check for suspicious areas of decay. They also screen for oral cancer and precancerous lesions of the mouth, head and neck.  Many medical conditions and diseases of the human body first manifest themselves as symptoms that are seen in the mouth. Because people are more likely to see their hygienists for routine cleanings as opposed to annual physical exams with their doctor, many conditions are first found in the dental office. Many Dental Hygienists also offer nutritional counseling because of the vital connection between overall health and oral health.

McCarl Dental Group hygienists help promote and safeguard your overall health and wellness. If you’re behind on your dental hygienist visits, it’s better to be late than never. Contact us today to schedule your biannual cleaning appointment. You can reach our Millersville, Maryland dental office at (410) 987- 8800 or our Greenbelt, Maryland dental office at (310) 474-4144. You may also request an appointment online at www.McCarlDental.com.

Sugary chewing gum can increase your risk of tooth decay.

Now there are now chewing gums available that have the sweetener Xylitol. Xylitol containing gums have actually been shown to reduce tooth decay and encourage enamel remineralization.(ii) Further studies show that chewing a gum with Xylitol encourages healthier gums, reduces bleeding, and decreases harmful bacteria.(iii) For patients who are actively fighting gum disease and recurrent tooth decay, chewing these gums may be beneficial to their oral health.

According to the American Dental Association, chewing gum may also be beneficial for patients with dry mouth. Medications and certain medical conditions are a common cause of dry mouth. Radiation therapy may also be the culprit, as it can destroy the salivary glands within the mouth. When there is no saliva to cleanse the teeth on a normal basis, decay becomes rampant. Xylitol containing gum promotes salivary production and can help decrease the decay rate. Dry mouth can also be very uncomfortable, and salivary supplements that don’t damage your teeth are extremely important. While the old school of thought might have been to suck on a peppermint, we know this is not the healthiest option for our teeth. Within just 5 to 10 minutes of chewing gum, saliva production will peak.(iv) Chewing a Xylitol gum may be a good option to decrease the dental consequences and discomfort of dry mouth.

Research indicates that chewing  gum containing Xylitol can be beneficial to dental health. Check the labels of different brands of chewing gum. You’ll be able to see on the front side of the package, usually in the corner, whether or not Xylitol is an ingredient. Brands like Orbit and Trident use this sweetener in most all of their products. If you or your children enjoy chewing gum, the American Dental Association recommends that you choose gum that contains Xylitol.

It is important to have routine dental hygiene cleaning and preventative oral health care. Please call McCarl Dental Group, dentists in Greenbelt MD 301-474-4144 or Millersville MD 410-987-8800 to schedule an appointment. Visit McCarl Dental Group at http://www.mccarldental.com/dental-hygiene-periodontal-therapy-dental-services.php

References:

(i) Paice EM, Vowles RW, West NX, Hooper SM.; The erosive effects of saliva following chewing gum on enamel and dentine: an ex vivo study.; Br Dent J. 2011 Feb 12;210(3):E3.

(ii) Chewing gum and dental health. Literature review. ; Rev Belge Med Dent (1984). 1992;47(3):67-92.

(iii) Campus G, Cagetti MG, Cocco F, Sale S, Sacco G, Strohmenger L, Lingström P.; Effect of a Sugar-Free Chewing Gum Containing Magnolia Bark Extract on Different Variables Related to Caries and Gingivitis: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial.; Caries Res. 2011 Aug 3;45(4):393-399

(iv) Olsson H, Spak CJ, Axéll T.; The effect of a chewing gum on salivary secretion, oral mucosal friction, and the feeling of dry mouth in xerostomic patients.; Acta Odontol Scand. 1991 Oct;49(5):273-9.

Dental implants are placed in the jaw where they fuse to the bone. They are effective for restoration of a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. In the past, dentists relied on procedures that were often temporary measures to repair badly damaged teeth. Now, there are many circumstances when implants restored with crowns will last longer and cost less than ongoing repair efforts. Dental implants are the best solution in dental cases where adjacent teeth are healthy and properly aligned.

When you lose a tooth, your jawbone gradually loses firmness and strength. This leads to bone loss and can even cause changes in facial features. The loss of just one tooth can cause  an unstable bite and uneven chewing. The remaining teeth move and making proper cleaning more difficult. A misaligned bite can also contribute jaw joint dysfunction and headaches.  A dental implant, unlike a denture or bridge, can prevent bone loss at the site of the missing tooth.

Many of our patients at McCarl Dental Group tell us that having a dental implant placed is more comfortable than they expected. Unlike teeth, the jaw bone does not have nerves. The type and density of bone varies from patient to patient and even within different locations in the same patient’s jaw. This will determine whether the dental implant can be restored with a crown or used to secure a bridge or denture immediately, or whether the implant needs to “sleep” and strengthen for several months before use.

There are advantages to having a properly trained general dentist place your implant. A general dentist will be restoring the implant and can determine the type and size implant that is most suitable as well as optimal position for later restoration. When the implant is placed and restored at the Millersville or Greenbelt dental offices of McCarl Dental Group, there are fewer visits to the dentist which results in lower cost and greater convenience for the dental patient. Many patients are pleasantly surprised that the cost of dental implants is much lower than they expected.

Click this link to see a video of a McCarl Dental patient who had a dental implant placed painlessly in a one hour dental appointment and his existing denture retrofitted for secure placement. Placement of Dental Implant in McCarl Dental Patient

If you are missing teeth, visit a dentist at McCarl Dental Group with advanced training in the placement of dental implants to learn how dental implants can improve the health of your smile.

A very popular procedure in today’s world of cosmetic dentistry is the no-prep veneer. With improved dental technology, dentists can create porcelain veneers that are less than half a millimeter thick. These “thin veneers” can allow smile makeovers with little or no drilling. No-prep veneers are ideal for permanent whitening, minor orthodontic issues and transforming small teeth or teeth with spaces into beautiful and dazzling smiles. The McCarl dental patient in the pictures above transformed his smile in just two visits to our dental office with no preparation thin dental veneers. The thin veneers covered chipped teeth, gave crooked teeth a straight appearance and permanently whitened his smile.

Many people want the cosmetic improvements porcelain veneers provide for a smile but are hesitant about the preparation of the face of the tooth that is required for traditional dental veneers. With the new minimal and no preparation veneers, cosmetic dentistry has become more comfortable, affordable and convenient. Dental veneers can transform a smile in just two visits to the dentist. Thin veneers are often an ideal solution.

Click this link to watch a video testimonial by a McCarl dental patient who improved his smile with minimal preparation thin veneers. He was concerned about yellowed, chipped teeth with spaces and was thrilled to have a beautiful white smile in just two visits.

Traditional veneers are thicker porcelain and require some reduction on the face of your teeth. These veneers are still the treatment of choice when teeth are too crowded or when protruding teeth need to be brought back into the smile line. Many times a patient’s unique situation is best served by a combination of thin and traditional veneers. Tooth structure may need to be modified only on selected teeth in your smile to get optimal results.

A smile makeover consultation with a dentist who is experienced in cosmetic dental treatment is the first step for improving your smile. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group combine experience in cosmetic dentistry, advances in dental technology and genuine care for our dental patients. We listen carefully to your concerns and goals. There is usually more than one solution to dental problems. McCarl dentists offer a variety of dental procedures and explain how they can improve your smile. A smile makeover can include teeth whitening, dental implants, porcelain traditional veneers, thin veneers or porcelain crowns. The combination of treatments gives a great outcome and lowers the total price.

It is important for dentists to use a top quality dental lab for fabrication of porcelain veneers. The highest quality traditional and thin porcelain veneers have the shading and characteristics of natural teeth. With the recent improvements in dental technology, more people are choosing to enhance their smiles with restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Ask a dentist experienced with all types of cosmetic dentistry what would be best for you.

Adults are having their teeth straightened in unprecedented numbers! Whether you are self-conscious about your smile or concerned about your dental and overall health, Invisalign is a great solution.  Many adults notice their teeth shifting, crowding and getting crooked, especially the lower front teeth. Even people who had braces as teenagers often experience relapse causing crowded teeth.

Benefits of Straight Teeth
• Improved function and wear patterns of the teeth
• Increased ability to clean the teeth
• Better long-term health of teeth and gums
• A more attractive smile

Fortunately there are simple and convenient ways to straighten your teeth. Invisalign trays straighten teeth and correct your bite just like metal braces – only nobody else knows you are wearing them! The metal brackets and wires used with braces often cause irritation to the mouth and gums. Also no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your dentist’s office getting adjustments. Invisalign is more comfortable, more convenient and less expensive than metal braces. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group are premier providers of Invisalign Orthodontics.

Invisalign can correct a wide variety of dental and orthodontic concerns.  Before starting Invisalign orthodontics at McCarl Dental Group, your dentist will take x-rays and photographs that are combined with 3-D computer imaging technology to design your individual treatment plan. You will receive a series of custom made clear trays which fit snugly over your teeth. Each tray is worn for two weeks before moving to the next tray. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will gradually shift until they have straightened to an ideal position. If you have only minor crowding, it will take fewer trays to correct. Some Invisalign cases take only ten trays (20 weeks) to correct fully. Major crowding cases take longer; however, Invisalign is often faster than traditional braces. For most adults, treatment time is just under one year. Invisalign is a great way to transform your smile without interfering with your day-to-day life.

Sally McCarl Moore adds that hygienists LOVE Invisalign because the patients take them out to eat and brush and floss before replacing them. “This keeps the gums healthy during treatment and does not cause any decay or tooth discoloration, which are all significant problems with traditional braces. Invisalign allows patients to maintain good oral hygiene habits and is a great way to straighten teeth!”

Invisalign Orthodontics are often combined with other dental procedures including, dental implants, porcelain veneers and crowns. Because crooked teeth and misaligned bites can contribute to other health problems, Invisalign orthodontics may be covered by dental insurance. There are also excellent financing options available. Call our Greenbelt Dental Office at 301-474-4144 or our Millersville Dental Office at 410-987-8800.

It is very evident to our patients when they meet Christine Stovenour that she is not only a highly skilled dental hygienist, but also an exceptionally caring and wonderful person.  Christine started working at the Greenbelt office of McCarl Dental Group as a dental assistant when she was sixteen. “My older sister Rachel recommended me for the position after she had been working at McCarl Dental Group for a few months.”   The dentists at McCarl Dental Group were immediately impressed with Christine’s maturity.  After working at the dental office for a few years, she decided to become a dental hygienist. “I knew I wanted to have a career in the medical field because I really liked the patient connection.  I enjoy helping my patients feel comfortable and want them to have a positive experience at the dentist.  Christine put herself through school while working full time.  She has always shown tremendous work ethic and perseverance.  Her transition from dental assistant to hygienist was very smooth.

Christine says, “Becoming a Dental Hygienist has been a great career path for me.  Not only do I love meeting, treating and educating patients on their oral health on a daily basis but my great work schedule allows me to be home with my one year old son two days a week.  I love the flexibility with my schedule that Dental Hygiene allows me.  The McCarls have always made family a priority and, therefore, are extremely understanding with their staff about family issues.  I really appreciate this aspect of my job because family is very important to me.”  As mentioned above, Christine and her sister Rachel work together. Their younger sister, Emily, also works with Christine and Rachel at McCarl Dental Group.

Christine enjoys continuing education courses on a variety of dental topics.
She is interested in nutrition and the effects on oral health as well as all of the latest studies on the links between gum disease and the effects on a person’s overall health (diabetes, heart disease, etc.)  “It helps me to educate my patients about how important their oral health is and how it affects their overall health.”  Our patients are very complementary about their hygiene visits with Christine and all of our staff members enjoy working with her.

McCarl Dental Group’s Spectacular Sisters – Rachel, Emily and Christine

Dental hygienist Nancy Kearney came to the Greenbelt office of McCarl Dental Group twenty years ago and has been a cornerstone of our hygiene department ever since! Her exceptional technical proficiency and outstanding comprehensive care have earned her a dedicated following of patients who genuinely appreciate her attention to detail.  Many of those patients credit Nancy’s motivational speeches with keeping them on track and saving their teeth from gum disease.  Nancy is a superb hygienist who delivers the very highest quality of dental hygiene care.

Nancy says what she likes most about being a hygienist is informing and educating her patients on the impact of periodontal disease on their overall health. “My favorite class in college was nutrition, so I’m constantly pursuing continuing education courses that focus on nutrition. I love recommending vitamins and foods that will help my patients overall health. My favorite part of my job is my coworkers and the families we serve. I treasure the relationships I have made at the McCarl Dental office. The funny thing is when I took this job twenty years ago I was planning on changing careers. I primarily worked in small offices and was getting bored so I was planning on going into medical or pharmaceutical sales. Well I certainly haven’t been bored working as a dental hygienist for McCarl Dental Group!”

Nancy’s confidence and playful sense of humor are well known around the office.  Whether it is dressing up in humorous costumes for Halloween, discussing Scranton, PA as the epicenter of the known universe, or entertaining people at the annual “McCarl Bowlarama” and Christmas parties, Nancy is not shy about having fun.  Although she is very serious about preventative dental health care, her patients enjoy her friendly, caring demeanor and beautiful smile.

Nancy and her husband Joe have two teenage children and thrive on their very busy and fast-paced life! Shannon is sixteen with her driver’s permit. She enjoys playing field hockey and softball. Joseph is fourteen and enjoys playing basketball and baseball. Joe is working hard on his MBA at the Johns Hopkins University while working full time and coaching our son’s basketball team.

A few years ago Nancy’s husband Joe accepted a job in another state, and we had a tearful farewell. At the very last minute, the job and move fell through and we got a frantic call from Nancy, “Have you hired any one for my job yet?”  Fortunately for us, her corner room was still open!  The Dentists at McCarl Dental Group are grateful for the excellent dental hygiene care that Nancy provides to our patients.

Fran is also our liaison for technical support.  She helps us keep our computer systems running smoothly and coordinates implementation of technological upgrades which recently included our iTero digital impression scanning system.

Fran is the dedicated and busy mother of five with four daughters and one son, the youngest of whom is a sophomore in high school.  She also has an adorable granddaughter.  Two of Fran’s daughters work for McCarl Dental Group.  Rosemary, a part-time dental assistant, is a sophomore at the University of Maryland College Park.  Dr. Dianna Lee also worked as a dental assistant during high school, college and dental school.  Dr. Lee graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery in May 2009 and works part-time at McCarl Dental Group as a dentist.  She provides excellent dental care to our patients!

While Fran helps in many areas of the dental practice, she tells us her role as Patient Advocate and Treatment/Financial Coordinator is her favorite. “I enjoy patient contact.   I have worked at many places and have often said and still say today, “I could not work for finer people”.  The dentists at McCarl Dental Group provide a great working environment with all the tools necessary to be successful at my job.  In addition, the Drs. McCarl have allowed me to attend many seminars and workshops that have provided me with additional information to help our dental patients.  I have learned a lot about dental health and dental treatment because they are so willing to teach their staff.  I thought this was a great office when I came here fourteen years ago and I am still impressed today that they continue to strive to better themselves and the services they offer to their patients.”

This is how Beth became an employee at McCarl Dental Group, “My first encounter with the McCarls was on the Severn River. We were boating with friends, as were Clayton and Lisa McCarl, when we were introduced across the waves. Several weeks later, Clayton and I met again at the gym and through conversation discovered that I worked for a dentist.  He asked if I was happy with my job and I was, so that was that.  About a year later he came to me again with the same question and I felt ready for a change.  Well, it changed my life.  Within six months my daughter Kim joined the team as an assistant after high school and Saturdays.  Her sister also worked for a short time until going onto college.  Seventeen years later, Kim is a hygienist with two beautiful boys and we still enjoy the opportunity to work together in a family environment that extends to our patients.  Although I don’t spend as much time at the gym, I do enjoy playing tennis, gardening and volunteering through our local community church.”
You may have the pleasure of seeing Kim Talbot, Beth’s daughter as a hygienist sometime.  Kim works part-time at with the Severna Park Dentists at McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice in Millersville.