As part of our ongoing efforts to help patients achieve and maintain their healthiest smiles, we recommend regular preventive dental checkups and teeth cleanings. During these visits, you have probably heard your dentist calling out numbers as they check your smile. They are measuring the depths of your gum tissue pockets. This is called periodontal charting, and it helps us keep track of your gum health. This important measure of periodontal (gum) health tracks the depth of the pockets around each tooth. The top of gum tissue does not attach directly to teeth. There is a space or pocket between the gum and the tooth before it attaches. This pocket deepens in the presence of bacteria, plaque, and tartar build up that lead to gum disease. To monitor and evaluate gum health, the pocket depth must be measured, recorded, and monitored over time. In this blog, we’ll walk through what periodontal pockets are, how they are connected to gum health, and why it’s so important to regularly monitor periodontal pocket depths.
Increasing Patient Knowledge During Gum Disease Awareness Month
February 1, 2019
February is gum disease awareness month, and while many dental patients have struggled with some form of this disease, research indicates that millions of adults in the US currently have undiagnosed gum disease. This oral health condition, sometimes referred to as periodontal disease, occurs when plaque buildup at the gum line irritates, inflames, and breaks down supportive bone and soft tissue. There are two forms of gum disease – mild gingivitis and more advanced periodontitis. Left untreated, the condition impacts every level of oral and overall health. In honor of gum disease awareness month, we’re going to discuss warning signs, prevention methods, and how you can partner with your dentist in Greenbelt and Millersville to combat gum disease.
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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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Cancer, Chemotherapy, Radiation, & Your Dental Health
September 3, 2017
When you or a loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, oral health is likely the furthest thing from your mind. However, this systemic disease does significantly impact both your oral and whole body health. Treatments for cancer like chemotherapy and radiation can also increase risk for oral health complications. Caring for your teeth and gums in our dental office and at home can ensure your smile remains whole and healthy, but it will also help prevent an oral infection from delaying your cancer treatment. Keep reading to learn more about the impact cancer and its treatments can have on your oral health.
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Maintain Your Healthiest Smile with At-Home Care
July 12, 2017
You know that feeling when you leave the McCarl Dental Group office after your dental checkup and teeth cleaning appointment? You don’t want to eat or drink because you know you’ll ruin your perfectly clean, sparkly teeth. Many of our patients ask us how they can keep their teeth squeaky clean at home, and there’s really only one way – take the time to thoroughly clean every surface of every tooth. Learn more about how to improve your oral hygiene habits to achieve and maintain your healthiest smile by reading this post, watching this great video with Dr. Jay McCarl, or by giving our Greenbelt or Millersville, Maryland dental office a call to schedule a checkup.
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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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McCarl Dental Group at BWMC Heartbeat for Health 2016
February 20, 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?
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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