The Blog

Help Us Keep Greenbelt Green! Recycle toothbrushes and oral care packages!

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.

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iTpE8wH_C4 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.

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.

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viWNHRWW4iY 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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck4YXa980JU 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.