McCarl Dental Group is fortunate to have an opportunity to take part in PG County community events that emphasize oral and overall health. The annual Greenbelt Health & Wellness Fair is one of our favorite events because we get to meet with members of the community and provide oral hygiene goodie bags, free dental consultations, and education on the best practices for at-home dental care. If you missed out on this year’s event, we hope to see you next year for this event dedicated to living happier, healthier lives, and we invite you to contact McCarl Dental Group to schedule a dental checkup and teeth cleaning.
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McCarl Dental Group Shared Oral Health Tips at the Annual Greenbelt Health & Wellness Fair
October 27, 2015
Worn Down Teeth? Get Nightguards!
September 28, 2015
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in our body, but even the strongest teeth become worn down over time. Dietary changes, improved oral hygiene, and better dental treatment make it possible for patients to retain their natural smiles for a lifetime. One of the first reasons dentists noted this change was the increased necessity for wisdom tooth extraction. The third set of molars are commonly referred to as wisdom teeth because they erupt between 17 and 25 years of age. Anthropologists believed that the early function of wisdom teeth was to replace teeth that were lost because our ancient ancestors ate coarse foods that quickly wore down tooth enamel. Most modern lifestyles are much less tough on teeth. This has made wisdom teeth almost entirely unnecessary. Unfortunately, teeth still wear down throughout our lives (just not before our 20th birthdays!). The caring team at McCarl Dental Group can help you protect your smile. Call our Greenbelt dental office or our Millersville, Maryland dentists. Call for an appointment today.
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Dental Cleaning by Greenbelt Dental Hygienists
September 17, 2015
Dental cleaning Greenbelt residents prefer isn’t just about having a beautiful smile it’s about optimal oral health, and you can’t get the same results from at-home care alone. Talk to our dentists or hygienists during your next visit about the powerful positive effects of consistent dental checkups and teeth cleanings. Our Millersville, MD dental team is determined to help patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health. Both our Greenbelt and Millersville, Maryland Dental Hygienists receive 5 star reviews! Call to schedule your six month checkup and hygiene appointment today. If you have periodontal disease, you may need to have your teeth cleaned professionally more frequently than every six months. Your dental hygienist and dentist will help you with a schedule that works best for you.
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Are Your Teeth Sensitive After Whitening? Try At-Home Whitening in Millersville, Maryland
August 28, 2015
Many patients hear that teeth whitening can be painful for those with sensitive teeth. This may be the case for some patients, but advances in dentistry have made teeth whitening more comfortable than ever. At McCarl Dental Group, our dentists offer professional at-home whitening to help patients achieve the brilliant smile they want without the discomfort they fear. Our Millersville and Greenbelt, MD offices welcomes patients from surrounding areas to contact us to schedule a whitening consultation today.
Teeth Whitening Greenbelt Trusts
Every smile is unique and McCarl Dental Group never takes a one size fits all approach to dentistry. When it comes to helping our patients brighten their smiles, we offer a range of at-home treatments to fit your budget and whitening need. We use Zoom! teeth whitening products, and this versatile whitening line allows our patients the ability to find an option that fits their needs including the ability to customize the strength of whitening gel to avoid sensitivity. Best of all, because McCarl Dental Group is committed to helping Millersville residents have the smiles they deserve, we offer whitening to our patients at our cost.
At-Home Whitening in Millersville
Zoom!, the leader in teeth whitening, offers a full range of at-home whiteners for the comfort and convenience Greenbelt, MD area residents desire. Zoom!’s line of at-home products offer a variety of peroxide levels, durations of wear, and result times. We prepare a customized application tray to make your home whitening more comfortable and effective than generic, over the counter whitening gels and strips. Patients whiten their teeth to remove coffee, tea, and wine stains, yellowing, and to lighten teeth that have darkened with age. Some reasons patients prefer at-home teeth whitening:
- Patients are in the driver’s seat – choose the strength, time of wear, and can stop at any time
- Convenience of not having to schedule whitening appointments
- Ability to touch up their results before special events or photo opportunities
Zoom! at-home products include
- DayWhite Maximum White – 14% hydrogen peroxide, worn 15 minutes 2 times a day, and shows results in 2 weeks. Great results for minimal wear time.
- NiteWhite Maximum White – 16% carbamide peroxide, worn overnight or 2-4 hours/day, and shows results in 2 weeks. Great results for those who prefer whitening while sleeping.
- NiteWhite Quick 3-day – 22% carbamide peroxide worn overnight or 2-4 hours/day, and shows dramatic results quickly. Great for patients with less sensitive teeth who want fast results.
- DayWhite Gentle – 6% hydrogen peroxide, worn 30 minutes/day, shows results in 2 weeks. Great for patients with very sensitive teeth.
- DayWhite Touchups – 9.5% hydrogen peroxide, worn 5-10 minutes/day as needed, helps to maintain results of in-office or at-home whitening. Great for all whitening patients who want to extend their results.
Call the Cosmetic Dentist Greenbelt, MD Prefers
For Greenbelt, MD residents with sensitive teeth, a brilliant smile doesn’t have to be out of reach, with the wide variety of Zoom! Whitening products offered by McCarl Dental Group. There are some cases where patients’ teeth will be too sensitive even for the gentlest whitening products. Sometimes dark, staining that goes beneath the enamel layer of the teeth cannot be removed through whitening. When this happens, we offer thin veneers that require no dental preparation, and regular veneers to cover deep set stains. As an added bonus, veneers can also reduce tooth sensitivity. Call our Greenbelt or Millersville offices to find out more or schedule your whitening consultation today.
Maryland Dentists Recommend Hydro Floss
January 26, 2014
How Often Do You Floss Your Teeth?
Some dental patients tell us that they don’t use dental floss unless there is something stuck between their teeth. Are you a reluctant flosser?
We think this will change after you try the new Hydro Floss. It is comfortable, affordable, easy and convenient!
How often should you floss your teeth?
The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least daily. The dentists and hygienists recommend flossing with traditional dental floss as well as cleaning between teeth with oral irrigation or water flossing. At McCarl Dental Group, we especially like the Hydro Floss, a magnetized water oral irrigator.
Why should you floss your teeth?
Flossing helps remove plaque from the areas between your teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. Plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing can harden into calculus or tartar within just 26 hours. If tartar and dental calculus are not removed, it can progress into a serious form of gum disease.
Daily brushing and flossing as well as routine cleaning by a dental hygienist remove plaque, tartar and calculus. All are part of the basic dental care necessary to help prevent and treat gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Dentists and hygienists are always trying to motivate dental patients to floss their teeth. Flossing can be challenging for patients with limited dexterity. Some dental patients find flossing difficult and some patients are just too lazy to floss. Water flossing is even easier than traditional dental flossing. Oral irrigation is also ideal for patients with hard to reach areas around bridges, crowns, implants or braces.
We can’t say it too many times: the dentists and dental hygienists at McCarl Dental Group recommend flossing with both traditional dental floss and oral irrigation.
Hydro Floss is an oral irrigation device that delivers a steady stream of water that flushes out food particles, bacteria and plaque from under the gums and between teeth, the areas a toothbrush can’t reach. Hydro Floss is easy to use and cleans hard to reach areas before using traditional dental floss.
Our patients are having great success with the Hydro Floss. It is easy. Turn a switch and let a gentle stream of water clean between your teeth and around your gums. The convenience of water flossers increases patient compliance in maintaining oral hygiene. The result is healthier gums and teeth, and cleaner oral appliances such as braces, bridges and dental implants.
For patients with sensitive teeth, Hydro Floss allows you to adjust the pressure of the water stream through manual controls. You may also fill the water reservoir with warm water (slightly warmer than your body temperature) to maximize comfort.
The dentists and staff at McCarl Dental Group encourage and promote oral health for each of our patients. Part of that responsibility includes teaching about products that can help improve oral health.
The Hydro Floss is $129.95 on their website and is not currently carried in stores. If our patients use our office discount code of #942111 they can purchase the Hydro Floss for $98.00 with no shipping fees. This can be done online or by phone 1-800-635-3594.
If our patient orders a Hydro Floss by phone while in our office the price is only $78.40, again with no shipping fees. Their office is open Central Standard Time on Mon-Thurs 8:30-5:00pm and Fri. 8:30-12:30pm. If these times do not correspond with the time of the patients dental appointment, we recommend just stopping by another day, whenever it’s convenient for the patient. Patients interested in purchasing a Hydro Floss are always welcomed to stop by to order one, no appointment is necessary.
If you’re looking for a dentist, please visit one of our offices near you. McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice, our Millersville dental office is conveniently located near Severn Park, Crownsville, Gambrills, Annapolis, Crofton, Glen Burnie, and Severn. Call 410-987-8800 for an appointment in our Millersville dental office.
Our Greenbelt Dental Office is close to College Park, New Carrollton, Lanham, Seabrook, Bowie, Laurel, Glen Dale, University Park, Hyattsville, and Maryland. Call 301-474-4144 for an appointment in our Greenbelt dental office.
You may also schedule dental appointments online at www.McCarlDental.com.
Dental Implants in Greenbelt and Millersville MD
June 18, 2013
“I recommend Dr. McCarl if you need dental work. Whether it is just cleaning, implants, fillings or any form of replacement, he is the dentist to see. Dr. McCarl will evaluate and propose a plan, but encourages your input in developing the plan of action. I am so happy to have a complete and amazingly beautiful smile. I am overjoyed with my new teeth and big smile.”
Millersville Dentist helps Patient Smile with Confidence!
Dental implants are today’s standard of care for replacing missing teeth and securing removable dentures. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group in Millersville Maryland and Greenbelt Maryland have been placing dental implants for 25 years and work hard to deliver the most current and highest quality dental care. In the past few years, improvements in dental implant technology have made implants more reliable, more comfortable and more affordable.
There are circumstances for which a dental implant has replaced root canal therapy as the preferred dental treatment. When the root of a tooth is too short or too badly damaged to support restoration with a dental crown, it may be best to extract the tooth and place a dental implant. The implant will provide greater support for the restored tooth and improved long term success. Our dental patients love the look and feel of natural teeth that a crown restored with a dental implant provides.
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, in many cases, implants restored with crowns will last longer and cost less than ongoing repair efforts.
When you lose a tooth, your jawbone gradually loses strength and firmness. This leads to bone loss and can even cause changes in facial features. The loss of just one tooth can cause uneven chewing and an unstable bite. The remaining teeth shift and proper cleaning becomes more difficult. A misaligned bite can also contribute jaw joint dysfunction and headaches. Unlike a denture or bridge, a dental implant can prevent bone loss at the site of the missing tooth.
“My lower molar implants, strengthened my jaw bones, consequently improving my bite and virtually eliminating my TMJ issues. And as a side, I benefited aesthetically with improved facial symmetry.”
Many patients tell us that having a dental implant placed is more comfortable than they expected. Unlike teeth, implants do not experience temperature sensitivity or decay. Many patients are pleasantly surprised that the cost of dental implants is much lower than they expected.
If you are missing teeth, please call to schedule an appointment at our Greenbelt Dental Office 301-474-4144 or our Millersville Dental Office 410-987-8800 to learn how dental implants can improve the health of your smile. Visit the McCarl Dental Website at www.McCarlDental.com
Is Smokeless Tobacco Harmful?
January 2, 2012
YES! Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States.
At McCarl Dental Group we care about your oral health and also your overall health! We recently had a question regarding a YouTube video that one of our patients requested that we post on our website. Unfortunately, this patient was diagnosed with oral cancer. Fortunately his treatment was very successful. The cancer was located at the base of the tongue beyond visible range and was not visible upon oral examination. It was diagnosed by an ear nose and throat doctor. The question asked what percentage of people who dip everyday will get mouth cancer? We researched and were not able to find those specific statistics. Here is the information we found.
Wishing you a healthy and blessed New Year!
Harmful health effects of smokeless tobacco include:
- Mouth, tongue and throat cancer
- Cancer in the esophagus
- Stomach cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke
- Addiction to nicotine
- Leukoplakia (white sores in the mouth that can become cancer)
- Receding gums (gums slowly shrink from around the teeth)
- Bone loss around the roots of the teeth
- Abrasion (scratching and wearing down) of teeth
- Tooth loss
- Stained teeth
- Bad breath
Smokeless tobacco products are a major source of cancer-causing nitrosamines and a known cause of human cancer. They increase the risk of developing cancer of the mouth and throat, esophagus and pancreas. (Source: Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts and Figures 2010)
Smokeless tobacco products are considered less lethal but are NOT a safe alternative to smoking. Use of tobacco in any form harms health and can also lead to nicotine addiction.
Results from a large American Cancer Society study showed that people who switched from cigarettes to snuff or chewing tobacco had higher death rates from heart disease, stroke, cancer of the mouth and lung, and all causes of death combined than former smokers who stopped using ALL tobacco products.
The American Cancer Society, the World Health Organization, the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. National Toxicology Program have all issued strong reports warning on the adverse health effects of smokeless tobacco.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2011)
Lung cancer is the most preventable form of cancer death in our society. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2011)
Lung cancer estimates for 2011 (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2011):
New cases of lung cancer: 221,130
Males: 115,060
Females: 106,070
Deaths from lung cancer: 156,940
Males: 85,600
Females: 71,340
Tips for Taking Care of your Teeth during the New Year
Here are 5 helpful tips if your New Year’s Resolutions include having a healthy, beautiful smile in 2012.
1. Quit smoking! Smoking is major culprit when it comes to gum disease – and most other diseases. Smoking constricts and damages small blood vessels throughout your body and decreases blood supply that carries healthy nutrients. Smoking also darkens your teeth. It is not too late to make a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking!
2. Brush your teeth three times a day and floss at least once daily. The most important part of tooth care happens at home. Learn correct techniques for brushing and flossing. The dentists and dental hygienists at McCarl Dental Group recommend using an electric toothbrush. Proper brushing and flossing, along with regular dental checkups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Your dental health affects your overall health! Visit your dentist and/or dental hygienist every six months and more often when needed.
3. Switch to healthy snacks that include raw fruits and vegetables. Sugary foods and sodas can damage the enamel that protects your teeth. Hard candies, breath mints and cough drops that contain sugar dissolve slowly in your mouth and are especially harmful to your teeth. Acidic drinks can also eat away at the enamel layer of your teeth.
4. Stop grinding your teeth! Clenching and grinding wear down teeth and may lead to broken teeth, headaches, and pain in your jaw muscle and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In just a few minutes at our dental office, we can make a custom night guard for you that will help prevent damage to your teeth caused by nighttime grinding. A night guard will also ease the tension in your jaw muscles.
5. Never use your teeth as tools! A frequent source of dental emergencies is broken or chipped teeth from people using them as scissors, pliers or fingernail clippers. You would not believe the things people try to open or cut with their teeth – bottles, plastic bags, tape, string, fishing lines, cloth … you name it! We see chipped teeth and broken teeth that damage the dental enamel of natural teeth, but also in porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns. PLEASE DON’T USE YOUR TEETH AS TOOLS!
How often Should I have Dental Hygiene Appointments?
December 22, 2011
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.
What is Water Flossing?
December 2, 2011
Let’s face the facts. Like 99% of the American population, you probably don’t floss your teeth as often as you should. The majority of dental patients actually confess that they don’t even floss at all unless there is something stuck between their teeth.
How Often Should You Floss Your Teeth?
The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between teeth DAILY with dental floss or an interdental cleaner.
Why Should You Floss Your Teeth?
Unlike brushing, flossing reaches between teeth and helps treat and prevent conditions like tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis is an early and reversible form of periodontal or gum disease.
Dentists, hygienists and product manufacturers have been trying to find a way to motivate patients to floss for years. The answer has finally come in a method that patients of McCarl Dental Group will both enjoy, comply with, and that is as effective as traditional flossing: the water flosser.
For years, products such as the Waterpik were recommended to patients with hard to reach areas around bridges, crowns, implants or braces. Recent studies show this method of plaque removal even more effective than flossing. (1) Many of our patients say that the water flosser is easier to use than dental floss.
The Waterpik Water Flosser is an oral irrigation device that delivers a steady stream of water and can flush out food particles, bacteria and plaque from under the gums and between teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach.
For those who find flossing difficult, now a gentle stream of water can do the job. The added convenience of water flossers can also increase patient compliance in maintaining their oral hygiene. The result will be healthier gums, teeth and maintenance of oral appliances such as braces, bridges and implants.
You can purchase the Water Flosser at Bed Bath and Beyond and Target. Oral irrigation devices such as the Waterpik Water Flosser are available in various designs. The lower end models usually deliver one steady stream of water, while higher ends allow more customization in the pressure through manual controls. The water reservoir may be filled with a comfortable temperature of water to ensure patient comfort.
While it may take a little getting used to, many people prefer water flossers to traditional floss because of the convenience and ease of use. For patients with limited dexterity, flossing can be challenging. The Waterpik Water Flosser is easy to use. Dr. Clayton McCarl is currently using the Water Flosser for hard to reach areas before he flosses.
McCarl Dental Group wants to encourage and promote oral health for each of our patients. Part of that responsibility includes making you aware of successful products that can help achieve improved oral health. If you’re looking for a dentist, we would love to invite you to our office. Our Millersville dental office is conveniently located near Severna Park, Annapolis, Crofton, Crownsville, Gambrills, Glen Burnie and Severn, Maryland. Our Greenbelt Dental Office is close to College Park, Lanham, Seabrook, Bowie, New Carrollton, Laurel, Glen Dale, Bowie, Mitchellville, University Park and Hyattsville, Maryland . To schedule a preventative care appointment with us, call our Millersville, MD office at (410) 987-8800 or our Greenbelt dental office location at (310) 474-4144. You may also schedule a dental appointment with a dentist at McCarl Dental Group online at www.McCarlDental.com.
Reference:
1. Rosema NA, Hennequin-Hoenderdos NL, Berchier CE, Slot DE, Lyle DM, van der Weijden GA.; The effect of different interdental cleaning devices on gingival bleeding.;
J Int Acad Periodontol. 2011 Jan;13(1):2-10.