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How does fluoride help prevent tooth decay?

March 7th, 2012

Fluoride is a compound that contains fluorine, a natural element. Using small amounts of fluoride on a regular basis can help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride inhibits loss of minerals from tooth enamel and encourages remineralization (strengthening areas that are weakened and beginning to develop cavities). Fluoride also affects bacteria that cause cavities, discouraging acid attacks that break down the tooth. Risk for decay is reduced even more when fluoride is combined with a healthy diet and good oral hygiene. Using fluoride for the prevention and control of decay has been proven over the past 70 years to be both safe and effective.

Fluoride can be found in any toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Approval, as well as in drinking water across the United States. To ensure you’re getting the appropriate amount of fluoride, having a professionally applied fluoride treatment during your next checkup is possible if you are concerned you are not getting adequate amounts at home.

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At Life Smiles, what puts you at ease?

February 27th, 2012

Drs. Amaris M. Little, Jeffrey A. Rajaski and team understand not everyone is thrilled to see the dentist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about Life Smiles that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Drs. Amaris M. Little, Jeffrey A. Rajaski?

Let us know by posting here, on our Facebook page, or by giving us a call!

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Cavities – Not Just Kids’ Stuff, from Life Smiles

February 20th, 2012

Cavities occur as a result of the destruction of tooth structure, called tooth decay. Tooth decay can affect both the enamel (the outer coating of the tooth) and the dentin (the inner layer of the tooth). While it is very important to brush and floss every day to remove food particles and plaque, regular cleanings and checkups at Life Smiles is the best way to help avoid cavities.

Drs. Little & Rajaski can discover cavities during your regular dental checkup. The tooth surface feels soft when probed with a dental instrument. X-rays can also show cavities before they become visible to the eye. In advanced stages of tooth decay, you might experience a toothache, especially after consuming sweet, hot, or cold foods or drinks. Other signs of tooth decay are visible pits or holes in the teeth.

Don’t wait for a toothache!

Remember, the longer you wait to treat a cavity, the more extensive your treatment will be. A small cavity can be treated with a filling, while a large cavity that weakens the structure of your tooth may require a crown. If the decay is so bad that it causes the nerve or pulp of the tooth to die, a root canal or tooth removal may be your only options. If you think you may have a cavity, contact Life Smiles and schedule an appointment. We’ll make sure you leave with a healthy, pain-free smile!

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Patient Question: “My Teeth Feel Fine. Do I still need to see a dentist?”

February 13th, 2012

Thanks for the question. Simply put, yes! Visiting the dentist on a regular basis is essential to keeping your smile in tip-top shape. At Life Smiles, we offer a number of preventive services to ensure the health of your mouth and the beauty of your teeth. We’d like to think that your smile is just as important to us as it is to you!

Another good reason to visit Life Smiles every six months is to check for “hidden” problems you may not even realize you have. Tiny cavities can form in the hard-to-reach areas of your teeth and may only be found through a professional exam. If left untreated, these cavities can get worse, needing more extensive treatment, and costing you even more time and money. During your routine exam, one of our hygienists will also check to make sure your fillings or other dental restorations are in good shape.

It’s important to prevent problems before they start. If it has been more than six months six your last visit, please contact our Frederick office to schedule your routine checkup! See you soon!

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American Heart Month & your cardiovascular health

February 6th, 2012

You may remember our post from last week, when we discussed February being National Children’s Dental Health Month. But did you know February also marks American Heart Month at Life Smiles?

It’s a great time of the year to take notice of the health of your heart – cardiovascular disease remains American’s number one killer, claiming more lives than the rest of major causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Visiting our office regularly can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages, and a healthy mouth begins with a visit to Life Smiles. In observance of Heart Month, it’s also important to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25). If you have any questions about heart health, or about your ongoing treatment at our office, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

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February marks National Children’s Dental Health Month!

February 1st, 2012

We hope you’re off to a great week! For the past 62 Februaries, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children’s Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland clinic. In 1981, however, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February, our team and thousands of dental professionals focus on the preventive oral care of America’s children. Dr. Rajaski, Dr. Little and our staff want you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited our office the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

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Ask Drs. Amaris M. Little, Jeffrey A. Rajaski: If I have braces, do I still need a dental checkup every 6 months?

January 23rd, 2012

Thanks for the question! Yes! In fact, it’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly. When you’re wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Our staff at Life Smiles will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our Frederick office, please give us a call!

How to ease dental fears in children, from Life Smiles

January 16th, 2012

Happy Monday! Our Frederick, MD dental team know that many children have fear when it comes to visiting the dentist. Our team at Life Smiles found a great article on how to help kids overcome fears of the dentist, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

Making your child feel comfortable when they visit our office is our priority. Our doctors and team excel at making children feel comfortable visiting the dentist. In fact, most of our patients look forward to their next visit!

Has your child visited us in the last six months? If not, it’s time to schedule an appointment!

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Drs. Little and Rajaski , helping you save face this winter

January 10th, 2012

With winter sports under way for a lot of our patients, our team at Life Smiles thought it would be a good time to remind all you athletes to take care of their mouth while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this winter.

More than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24. Sixty-seven percent of parents say their child does not wear a mouthguard, yet, 70 percent say their biggest fear when their child plays is that they will get hurt. Despite the risks, many kids are still not wearing mouthguards and facial protection during games and practices.

Many people think a mouthguard is effective just to protect your teeth. But research has shown mouth guards can also reduce lower jaw impact that causes concussions and other dental injuries. If you participate in basketball, boxing, hockey, football, gymnastics, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, rugby, track and field, skateboarding, skiing and snowboarding, skydiving, soccer, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting or wrestling, it is recommended by the American Dental Association that you wear a mouthguard.

We hope this helps you remember to always wear a mouth guard and other forms of protective gear when participating in winter sports! We encourage you to give us a call or ask Dr. Little, Rajaski and our staff on Facebook for more info!

Tags: amaris little, cosmetic dentist frederick MD, facial protection, jeffrey rajaski, Life Smiles, mouth guards, mouthguards, pediatric dentist frederick MD
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What’s your New Year’s resolution? From Life Smiles

January 2nd, 2012

Let’s face it, when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? At Life Smiles, we believe the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health!

For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a couple of minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health, as well as your overall health, too! We would love to hear about your resolutions! Share with us by commenting below or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, Drs. Little & Rajaski and our entire team at Life Smiles wish you all the very best for 2012!