Cracked or broken teeth are more than uncomfortable, they can also be unsightly and detrimental to oral health. Yet, many patients choose to live with cracked or broken teeth rather than seeking immediate treatment. If you have a cracked or broken tooth, don’t postpone your dental care. Without seeking emergency dental services as soon as possible, your tooth and surrounding teeth may be severely damaged or lost.
(Updated) Cracked or Broken Teeth Symptoms, Causes & Solutions
October 16, 2019
Top 3 Benefits of Following the Six Month Rule
August 4, 2018
Our dentists and team members in Millersville, Maryland always encourage patients to following the six month rule. It’s simple, visit our team every six months for dental exams and teeth cleanings. Then, take care of your smile at home with daily tooth brushing, flossing, and mouth rinse. This is the key to maintaining optimal oral health for every patient. Keep reading to find out more about the invaluable benefits of six month dental checkups and teeth cleaning with our Millersville dentist and team.
The Science of Cavities
October 9, 2017
Ancient humans used crude tools to clean their teeth, ate a coarse diet, and ended up fully or partially without teeth within a few decades of life. Through the ages, people have gotten better at caring for their smiles, and today, the rate of tooth loss has significantly decreased. However, the consumption of diets higher in sugary and acidic foods have caused a noted increase in cavities. In order to properly care for your teeth and keep your smile cavity free, you’ll need to know more about how cavities form.
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Answers to Your Questions about Dental Crowns in Greenbelt, MD
March 9, 2017
Has a dentist recommended that you have a dental crown placed? Crowns are some of the most frequently used restorations in the dental field, and they allow us to repair, strengthen, protect, and even replace teeth. However, may patients aren’t 100% sure what a crown is or how it’s placed. Watch our video to hear from one of our Greenbelt dentists, Dr. Richard Duarte, explain the ins and outs of dental crown restorations, and keep reading to find out more.
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Don’t Stop Flossing Your Teeth!
August 17, 2016
Many of our patients have read the most recent ground breaking report from the Associated Press (AP) stating that flossing has been removed from the Surgeon General’s five year Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015 report. While we understand how this could be misleading, it’s important to note that dietary regulations are the goal of this report NOT oral hygiene guidelines. If you have questions about why we recommend daily flossing, keep reading, or ask one of our team members during your next six month checkup at McCarl Dental Group.
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The Reasons for Tooth Numbering from Your Dentist in Millersville
April 30, 2016
Visiting the dentist can often be stressful or disorienting for patients, but possibly the most disorienting part of every visit is all the numbers dentists, hygienists, and assistants say to each other throughout dental checkups. This short hand is used by dentists to refer to each of the teeth quickly. At McCarl Dental Group, we use the Universal numbering system which is the American Dental Association supported method.
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How Can I Tell if I Have a Cavity?
January 25, 2016
Dental caries, also known as cavities, are caused by breakdown of the tooth enamel which leads to tooth decay. Although cavities are often preventable, they are the most common chronic disease among children and adolescents 6 to 19 years old. Cavities are very prevalent among adults too. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, ninety two percent of adults age 20 to 64 have had dental caries in their permanent teeth.
The dentists at McCarl Dental Group strive to help patients have excellent oral health and keep healthy teeth and gums throughout their lives. We do this with a combination of excellent dental care, education, and encouragement to motivate our patients to take the best possible care of their teeth and gums. Contact our team in Millersville, Maryland at McCarl Dental Group to schedule a $55 New Patient Professional Teeth Cleaning and dental exam, including whatever x-rays are necessary.
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All Your Flossing Questions Answered by Your Dentist in Greenbelt – McCarl Dental Group
December 2, 2015
Most patients are used to hearing questions about their flossing habits from the dentist. “How often do you floss?” “Do you floss between every tooth?” “Do you experience discomfort or bleeding during flossing?” Almost universally, our Greenbelt dental patients dread these questions. In a recent video, Dr. Jay McCarl takes the time to answer some of the most common flossing questions patients ask him. Watch this informative video from McCarl Dental Group or keep reading to find out more.
Why are There White Spots on my Teeth?
November 9, 2015
There are many possible causes for white spots on teeth, but the most common is a condition known as hypomineralization, hypocalcification, or hypoplasia. Whatever word you hear a dentist use to describe the condition, it refers to the loss of minerals from tooth enamel, and it is quite common. If you have a few of these white spots or they are in highly visible locations on front teeth, contact McCarl Dental Group. Our skilled dental team provides a variety of treatment options to perfect your smile. Watch our informative video, and continue reading to find out more.
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The True Consequences of Smokeless Tobacco
November 1, 2015
Smokeless tobacco goes by many names: chew, snuff, dip, and snus. It has many forms: dry, moist, ground, powdered, shredded, leaf, and plug; but a smokeless tobacco by any other name is still tobacco. These products have a long history in the US of being marketed as enhancing athletic performance, helping people quit smoking, and as a non-addictive form of tobacco. The hard truth is that all of this is false. At McCarl Dental Group, we want our patients to know the true story behind the effects of smokeless tobacco on health: Ray’s story. Watch the video within this post to hear Ray’s oral cancer survival story.
Ray’s Story
Ray is a McCarl Dental Group patient who spent a year of his life undergoing combined chemotherapy and radiation to remove a small tumor from the back of his tongue. Ray was a long time user of smokeless tobacco, and his oncologist (cancer specialist) attributes the blame for his cancer to the period in his life when he used smokeless tobacco. Some studies indicate that oral cancer caused by smokeless tobacco can have an incubation of up to ten years. However, that doesn’t mean that quitting is pointless. The damaging effects of the toxins in the body are cumulative. So, the longer patients use, the more damage is done to their oral and whole body health.
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