Your smile is so much more than the pearly whites that immediately catch your eye. Your mouth is its own ecosystem constantly undergoing changes in temperature, bacteria growth, and beginning the digestion of nutrients to ensure whole body health. Teeth are possibly the most important parts of the mouth, and they make it possible for patients to speak clearly, digest a variety of nutrients, and smile with confidence. At McCarl Dental Group, we love teeth and enjoy helping patients get to know their unique, beautiful smiles. If you’re interested in finding out more about dental anatomy, keep reading or contact our dedicated dentists and team today.
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Explore the Anatomy of Teeth
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How to Maximize Your Chances for Dental Implant Retention
Many patients still think of dental implant supported tooth replacement as a new and unproven treatment, but dental implants have been common dental practice for decades. Actually, some archaeologists believe the ancient Mayans performed implant dentistry thousands of years ago. Today, dental implant placement techniques and the materials used have advanced profoundly. Those who are relatively healthy overall and who have adequate jawbone volume and density to support implant posts, have a 96% rate of success. There are some things patients can do to increase their chances for successful dental implant restoration, and the McCarl Dental Group team is happy to help.
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The Reasons for Tooth Numbering from Your Dentist in Millersville
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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McCarl Dental Group at BWMC Heartbeat for Health 2016
On Saturday, February 20th, Drs. Jay and Clayton McCarl and dental hygienist, Ashley McCarl Harrison had the opportunity to show our support for community health in Severna Park Maryland as part of the 2016 Heartbeat for Health event. This expo gave community members the opportunity to learn about their current oral health and opportunities to improve dental health. We take every opportunity to give back to our community, and Heartbeat for Health is one more way we help patients get their healthiest smiles.
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How Can I Tell if I Have a Cavity?
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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Teeth Whitening Recommendations for Coffee, Tea, & Red Wine Drinkers
If you’re one of our many patients who loves drinking coffee, tea, or red wine, you may think that dental stains are inevitable, but at McCarl Dental Group, we have good news for your pearly whites. Regular cleaning with a dental hygienist along with application of professional teeth whitening gel can remove staining and restore your smile to brilliant white. Grab a glass of your favorite staining beverage and read on to find out more about teeth whitening with our knowledgeable Greenbelt dentists and their team.
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Tooth Brushing 101 from the McCarl Dental Group
Most adults have been brushing their teeth since they were toddlers, and many of them haven’t changed their brushing technique since then. A daily tooth brushing and flossing routine is the only way to ensure optimal oral health between dental checkups at McCarl Dental Group in Millersville, MD. Watch this informative video starring one of our knowledgeable dental hygienists, Sally Moore, who shares tips for effective tooth brushing, or keep reading to find out more.
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All Your Flossing Questions Answered by Your Dentist in Greenbelt – McCarl Dental Group
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.
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Why are There White Spots on my Teeth?
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
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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