SHEILA L. BRUSH DDS IS your emergency dentist on Olney Laytonsville Road. A little bit of prep work makes a huge difference when an emergency happens, including an oral injury that requires an emergency dentist. What exactly can we do to prepare for something like an unexpected injury? It depends on the specific situation.

Broken Tooth

If an injury results in a broken, chipped, or cracked tooth, the best thing to do is head straight to the dentist. If you can find the broken pieces, bring them along in a glass of cold milk to protect them. It’s also okay to rinse your mouth with water.

Even if a crack or chip seems minor, don’t ignore it! If the damage reaches the pulp chamber, it puts the tooth in serious danger of infection. Even if it doesn’t, it can work like a cavity and give bacteria a space to grow until it does reach the pulp chamber. That’s how dental infections start, leading to pulp death, painful abscesses, loss of bone tissue in the jaw, and even the risk of the infection spreading to the bloodstream.

Knocked-Out Adult Tooth

If the whole tooth gets knocked out in one piece, this, too, is a situation that requires immediate attention from an emergency dentist. There is a limited window (not much longer than an hour) in which a knocked-out tooth can be successfully replanted, so the faster you get to the dentist, the better its chances are. To give it its best shot, put it back in the socket on the way there and hold it in place with a washcloth or gauze. If that isn’t possible, store it in cold milk.

Here are a few important don’ts for knocked-out teeth:

• DON’T touch the root.
• DON’T let it dry out.
• DON’T scrub or clean it with soap, alcohol, or peroxide.

Any of these could kill the root, making the tooth impossible to replant. The goal is to give the root its best chance of survival by handling it carefully, storing it properly, and getting to your Olney Laytonsville Road emergency dentist as quickly as you can.

Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

Most of the time, when a baby tooth gets knocked out, it isn’t an emergency. Typically we wouldn’t replant a baby tooth because that might create problems for the permanent tooth underneath. However, if it wasn’t loose beforehand, we recommend at least giving the emergency dentist a call for some advice. There might be less obvious damage than what happened to the tooth.

The Emergency Dentist Is Prepared for Patient Emergencies Too!

Another essential part of your dental emergency plan, besides what to do in different emergency situations, is to know where to go for help! Check out this link to see where our practice is located or visit our business page here. If you’d like to learn about our practice’s emergency dental services, just give us a call and we can tell you about our end of the equation. Hopefully you’ll never need to make use of this information and the only times we’ll see you will be for normal appointments, but preparation is key!

Thank you for putting your trust in our practice!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Use Your Insurance Benefits Before Time Runs Out

If you pay for a dental health insurance plan and have yet to go to Sheila L. Brush for this year’s checkup, then now is the time to make an appointment. When it comes to dental insurance health plans, please remember if you don’t use it, you will definitely lose it. Why pay out each month for something that is just going to waste? 

Below you can learn more about how a dental coverage policy works and tips to take advantage of the benefits before the end of the year.

What Are Dental Benefits?

Dental benefits are the treatments that cost you nothing from subscribing to a dental insurance plan. In most cases, health insurance companies are pretty straightforward and specify the type of dental services they cover. 

What Does Dental Insurance Cover?

Typically dental insurance plans cover preventive care, fillings, root canals, and oral surgery. However, some may even include portions of restorative and orthodontic treatments, dentures, and bridges. Keep in mind that many insurance companies will not cover cosmetic dental treatments such as teeth whitening or crowns.

What is Insurance Maximum Benefit?

When you pay for your dental insurance monthly, you are paying for coverage up to a certain point. That precise amount is called your annual maximum. When the year ends in January, everything starts from square one again. 

This means that the money you should have used up for essential dental treatments goes down the drain. Not using this money is a massive gain to the insurance company and a heartbreaking loss to you. These days, no one can afford to waste money, and that is why you should always attend your biannual dental checkups. Six-month checkups keep your oral health in the best shape and give you the most bang for your buck.

What is an Insurance Deductible?

Your deductible also resets to zero at the beginning of the new year. The deductible amount is what you must pay before dental insurance kicks in. Most insurance plans use the 100-80-50 structure to specify their contribution. The contribution amount will vary from plan to plan. 

What does all this exactly mean? It means that preventive care costs could be 100% covered, essential treatments 80% covered, and major dental procedures covered at 50%. 

Take advantage of 100% Coverage on Preventive Dental Procedures.

A dental insurance policy is not just for fixing your teeth. It’s really about maintaining excellent oral health and preventing disease and decay before it takes hold. Most dental plans cover 100% of the following twice a year:

• A dental care examination 
• Dental x-rays
• Regular professional teeth cleaning 

Dental x-rays are essential because they show your dentist’s problems that aren’t visible. Small cavities between the teeth can are difficult to detect, and abscessed teeth with no symptoms are sometimes only visible through x-rays.

An exam with your dentist is so much more than just checking for cavities. Your dentist palpitates your mouth tissues for suspicious areas related to oral cancer or issues with the thyroid, lymph nodes, and jaw joints. 

A bi-annual cleaning by your dental hygienist helps prevent cavities and gum disease and keeps your oral health in tip-top shape. 

Take advantage of your preventive dental health care benefits each year. The easiest way to use your benefits is to schedule out biannual preventive care visits.

Visit Your Dentist Before Your Insurance Benefits Expire

Please see us at Sheila L. Brush, DDS, your dentist in Laytonsville, MD. We can help you use your maximum dental insurance benefit plan before everything expires on December 31st.  

Botox in Laytonsville, Maryland

Most people assume that Botox and dermal filler procedures belong in a plastic surgeon’s or a dermatologist’s practice. While both were the first healthcare providers to integrate it, it does not make these procedures specific to only them.

There may be no health professional who is better to give injections than your cosmetic dentist in Laytonsville, MD. Dentists are the best injectors because they inject them regularly and know how to make them comfortable, quick, and painless for their patients.

Read on to learn how Sheila L. Brush can help you with all of your cosmetic needs.

What is Botox, and how does it work?

Botox is a non-invasive injectable remedy known as a neuromodulator that temporarily blocks specific nerve chemical signals that cause muscles to contract. The most common use is to calm intense facial muscles that cause wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes. The FDA has approved it as a safe and effective treatment of wrinkles since 2002.

How long does Botox last?

In general, it lasts 3-4 months. It can last 4-6 months in some patients or possibly shorter. It is common for first-timers to notice that it may not last as long initially but may last long after the second treatment. The exact length depends on how quickly your body metabolizes the neurotoxins.

What conditions can Botox fix?

SIGNS OF AGING

Dr. Brush, your cosmetic dentist in Laytonsville, MD, administers injections to people who are interested in reducing signs of aging visible on their faces.

These signs include moderate to severe frown lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, horizontal forehead lines, and other minor imperfections. Botox pairs perfectly with other cosmetic dental work like teeth whitening, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and full mouth reconstructions.

CORRECTING A GUMMY SMILE

A gummy smile happens to people when their upper lip lifts above their teeth too much, exposing the upper gums.

This issue usually happens because of a hyperactive muscle in the upper lip. Botox injected into the muscle temporarily paralyzes the hyperactivity. The lip can finally relax, resulting in less exposed gums and the beautiful smile you deserve. 

TREATING CHRONIC MIGRAINES

Botox is injected into the temples, scalp, and forehead as a muscle relaxant for migraine relief. The injection can also block pain signals that are transmitted to your brain. Migraines take a massive toll on the quality of life and productivity. So, a migraine sufferer’s relief from an injection could last anywhere from four to six months.  

COMBATING EXCESSIVE SWEATING

Excessive sweating under the arms, in the palms of the hands, and soles of the feet pose a significant threat to some people’s day-to-day lives. Injections are a great way to block the chemical signals of over-productive sweat glands. Patients receive Botox to stop the excess moisture and even decrease body odor.

PREVENTING WRINKLES

Botox injections can reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. Still, they are also an excellent way to prevent wrinkles or delay development. For that reason, younger people come to Dr. Sheila Brush for Botox treatments to hinder wrinkles and other unwanted signs of aging. 

Get Your Botox in Laytonsville from Sheila L. Brush

Contact our dental practice in Laytonsville, Maryland, if you want to learn more about how you can enjoy the benefits of Botox or any of our other dental services. Dr. Brush will assess your needs and recommend how it can become part of your care.

PEOPLE MIGHT NEED to find a new dentist for all sorts of reasons, so they wonder “how do I find a great dentist near me?” Maybe they just moved to the Laytonsville area. Maybe their old dentist retired. Maybe they’re new parents and need to find a dentist for their child. Whatever the reason is, we recommend not waiting until an urgent dental health emergency pops up before finding a dentist that fits your needs. Here are five important factors to keep in mind when searching for the best dentist for you.

1. Location, Location, Location!

How close is the practice to your home? To your child’s school or where they play sports? To your workplace? Make sure the distance isn’t so great that making it to twice-yearly checkups will become a major inconvenience. It’s a good idea to decide on a radius that seems doable for you and your family, then determine who the best dentist is within that radius. On the other hand, there might be a dentist slightly farther away who is still worth it for other reasons!

2. Which Dentist Near Me Has a Great Reputation?

What kind of reviews does the dentist have? What are their other patients saying about them? Check out the Yelp and Google reviews and maybe ask around your neighborhood, coworkers, and friend group to see if anyone you know is familiar with that particular dentist. While there can sometimes be hidden gems, a lot of good feedback is generally a positive sign.

3. What Specialties Can They Claim?

A Laytonsville dental practice that operates close to you and has fantastic reviews might still not be right for you if they don’t offer some of the services you think you’re likely to need. How good are they with child patients? Do they offer cosmetic treatments? How much experience do they have with root canal therapy or treating gum disease? Do some research into a dentist’s specialties to see if they’re a good fit.

4. How Well Do They Fit Your Budget?

Sometimes a dentist’s only flaw is the cost of their services in comparison to your budget, or that they aren’t in your dental insurance network. It’s still important to find a dentist for regular appointments in this case, because those checkups are much easier on a budget than a serious dental problem that could’ve been caught and treated cheaply in an early stage. Finding a budget-friendly dentist is an excellent investment, both financially and in terms of dental health.

5. Patient Comfort

If you aren’t comfortable around a dentist or within their practice, then the other factors might not matter much to you. It’s a good idea to pay a practice you’re considering an early visit just to get a sense of the place and the staff. A good dentist will always prioritize patient comfort, especially considering how many patients struggle with dental anxiety!

Meanwhile, keep up those oral hygiene habits!

We Look Forward to Meeting You!

If you weren’t sure how to answer the question “Where do I find a great dentist near me?” before, we hope we’ve given you a few ideas of where to begin! If you want to learn more about our Laytonsville practice, just give us a call or stop by. You can also check our business page, and make sure to get directions before you head our way. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have!

Thank you for trusting us with your dental health needs!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Optimal Oral Health with Your Family Dentist

Everyone knows the importance of having healthy, clean teeth and gums. Good oral hygiene and regular visits to your family dentist in Laytonsville, MD, freshens your breath, prevent tooth decay, and keep your smile bright. At Sheila L. Brush DDS, we recommend brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing daily. Above that, a professional teeth cleaning every six months is critical for a healthy smile and overall health.

How Often Do I Need to Visit my Family Dentist in Laytonsville?

Dr. Brush, your family dentist in Laytonsville, recommends dental cleanings every six months for the best oral health. But at times, a visit might be once a year for some adults because of their excellent oral health history, healthy eating, and impeccable hygiene.

On the contrary, those who may already have poor dental health, chronic problems, smoke, or a high sugar diet might need to visit every three months for additional dental treatments. 

What should I expect from my 6-month cleanings?

Plaque Removal

Plaque buildup is a sticky substance that forms from saliva and food. The bacteria in plaque secrete acid that sticks to your teeth and feeds off the sugars in the food residues causing cavities and gum disease. Daily brushing and flossing, plus professional cleanings at your family dental practice, help remove the excess plaque and ensure the hard-to-reach areas are clean.

Tartar Removal

When plaque isn’t brushed clean, it hardens on the tooth surface. It is removable only with specialized tools by your family dentist. Like plaque, tartar also causes tooth decay and gum disease. 

When tartar is above the gum line, it is rough in texture and has a yellowish-tan color. When tartar is below the gumline, it often appears brown or black. 

Stain Removal and Polish

Regular professional teeth cleanings are necessary to keep your teeth sparkly white. At Sheila L. Brush DDS, we polish your teeth to remove old stubborn stains. Having regular dental cleanings feels excellent and gives you pride in your smile. Beyond that, we also offer the highest quality teeth whitening dental services to brighten smiles even more.

Preventive Care

Don’t wait to visit a dentist until you are already experiencing sensitive or painful teeth. Usually, at that point, it is often too late. Dentistry appointments allow Dr. Brush to see cavities, periodontal disease, and tooth decay before the need for expensive restorative and cosmetic dentistry treatments. She can also advise on corrective dental procedures if needed.

Discover other health-related issues

Acid reflux, diabetes, stress, and oral cancer, can all cause symptoms in the mouth that only a dentist can identify. Having dental appointments every six months with Dr. Brush provides a regular opportunity to identify health care problems before they become severe.

When Was Your Last Cleaning with Your Family Dentist In Laytonsville?

There is no time like the present to schedule teeth cleaning at our dental office, especially if it’s been ages since your last dental visit. Suppose you’re looking for a family dentist in Laytonsville, MD, that offers comprehensive preventive and restorative dental care in a family-friendly atmosphere. In that case, we recommend contacting Sheila L. Brush DDS today to schedule an appointment for a professional cleaning.

We look forward to meeting you.

UNLESS YOU’RE CHANGING the color of your wooden furniture, stains typically aren’t good news, and they’re especially unwelcome on our teeth. Not much will mar the excitement of Braces Off Day like stains around where the brackets used to be. What causes stains on our teeth and how can we avoid it in orthodontics — specifically, while the braces are on?

How Do Teeth Become Stained?

It’s important to know that post-braces stains are not inevitable in orthodontics, and that it isn’t the braces themselves that stain the teeth. The reason braces stains are fairly common is that they make it harder to brush away plaque. There are so many little extra nooks and crannies where food particles and bacteria can hide that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush.

If plaque isn’t cleaned away, it can leave decalcified patches around the brackets. That means when the braces come off, the tooth surface where the brackets were is still the same color as before but it’s now surrounded by tooth surface with a bleached appearance. Plaque buildup also increases the risk of gum disease and tooth decay during orthodontic treatment.

Keeping Your Teeth Free of Stains

A good oral hygiene routine is the best defense against white spots and other stains in orthodontics. That means brushing thoroughly at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and keeping up with regular dental appointments. The hygienist will be able to clean away plaque and tartar that you couldn’t reach.

It also helps to avoid foods and drinks notorious for leaving stains, such as highly acidic drinks (like soda), coffee, dark teas, sugary treats like cookies and candy, and starchy snacks like chips. Each of these can either stain the teeth directly with the compounds they contain or they can stick to the teeth and contribute to the buildup of plaque.

Tobacco and alcohol are also big stain culprits that are worse for braces-wearers because the areas with brackets won’t be affected. We recommend steering clear, especially as an orthodontics patient with the braces on.

What Can Be Done About Stains?

It’s better to avoid post-braces stains if possible, but in case there is some discoloration, there are ways of treating it. We may not recommend immediate whitening treatments simply because some stains grow less prominent over time on their own.

If they are still visible after a few months, over-the-counter whitening products or professional whitening sessions with a cosmetic dentist can produce a more uniform smile.

Bring Us Your Orthodontics Stain Concerns!

If you still have any questions about preventing stains during or removing stains after orthodontic treatment, we’d be happy to answer them. We want all of our patients to have the stain-free straight-smile outcome they’re hoping for from orthodontics! Just make sure to check the map for directions before you head our way.

We love our patients!

Top image by Flickr user Gordon used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

THERE ARE A NUMBER of reasons why someone in Laytonsville, MD might need a new family dentist. Maybe their insurance changed, they’re new to the borough, or they simply haven’t looked for a dentist yet. Whatever the reason, if you don’t already have a dentist, it’s a good idea to choose one now so that you and your family can get regular dental exams and so that you’ll be ready in the event of a dental emergency.

Five Factors to Consider in Your Family Dentist Search

Many variables play a role when you’re choosing the best dentist for you and your family. How you rank your priorities is up to you, but here are five items that we feel should be on everyone’s list.

1. The location of the practice is definitely something to consider. How close is it to your home or to your child’s school? Is the distance convenient enough that twice-yearly checkups will be easy? Set up a range based on your answers to these questions and look for dentists inside it.
2. What is the family dentist’s reputation? Within the radius you’re willing to travel, which practices have the best reputations among their other patients? Find out by checking Yelp and Google, and ask around if you know any of the patients in person. You can also get recommendations from neighbors and friends.
3. Do you need your family dentist to offer specific treatments? Do you need one who also offers or someone who specializes in treating gum disease or dental implants canals? Be sure to research the services they offer to see if they fit your needs.
4. As important as it is to get high quality dental care, cost is an important factor too. What’s your household’s budget for dental care? Do you have dental insurance or can you get it? Keep in mind that preventing dental problems or treating them early will be much cheaper than waiting until they get serious, so slightly greater upfront costs are often well worth the investment.
5. How comfortable are you around the dentist? It doesn’t matter how affordable and skilled a dentist is if you can’t relax in their practice. Go in for a visit ahead of time to get a sense of the place, the team, and the dentist. Good dentists always prioritize patient comfort!

We Can’t Wait To Meet You And Your Family

Hopefully this list gives you a good place to start in your search for a great family dentist, but if you’re still uncertain, come see us! We can answer your questions about our practice and find out if we’re a good fit for you and your family’s dental needs.

We love meeting new patients in Laytonsville, MD!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.