Emergency dentists, essentially, treat dental emergencies. A dental emergency is one where the need for treatment is urgent. Delayed treatment for some types of dental injuries can permanently damage the affected tooth/teeth. It can also result in blood loss and unnecessary trauma for the patient. During these times, you may want to seek treatment from an emergency dentist.

Emergency Dental Services

Not all dentists offer emergency dental services. So, it is important to find a good emergency dentist in your location before you will need urgent dental services. You can search online for emergency dentists. Use keywords such as emergency dentist Springfield VA (if Springfield is your location) or emergency dentist near me for your online search. You can also inquire about the availability of emergency dental services at your current dentist’s office.

There are dentists who only offer emergency services. Some dentists offer comprehensive services including emergency work. They often keep their schedules open to take up a few emergency cases every day.

Dental emergencies –

You may want to seek emergency care for a broken tooth, chipped tooth, tongue bites, lip cuts, severe toothache, and stuck objects between the teeth (that can cause pain). If there is dental injury; your emergency dentist will need to assess it for nerve damage also. Abscess tooth can cause severe pain; requiring emergency treatment.

If your braces get damaged; you will need to get the wires fixed without delay. A crown or dental implant can crack due to a fall or injury requiring you to seek urgent care.

Even if emergency treatment may consist of only applying composite resin to mend a chipped tooth; it needs to be done by a professional trained to offer such treatment. The resin will need to match the color of your tooth. It will need to be applied properly to actually hold the tooth together. For fixing broken teeth; the emergency dentist will also need to assess any damaged to the dental root or the nearby tissues.

Your dentist may also recommend steps to take in case you are faced with a dental emergency. For instance, in case of a cracked tooth; rinsing the mouth with some warm water followed by a cold compression can tide you over for the time it takes you to reach the dentist’s office. Many dentists also recommend keeping a knocked-out tooth soaked in milk until you can reach the clinic.  

Scheduling Appointments for Dental Emergencies

If your regular dentist offers emergency services; it is a good idea to ask the clinic staff for the best ways to schedule appointments for urgent care. If the regular dentist you go to is not in town or perhaps you want a new emergency dentist; you may want to call the new office and ask about the procedure to schedule the appointments.

You can inquire beforehand too regarding how to see an emergency dentist at odd hours such as in the middle of the night. Your regular dentist may recommend another on-call dentist offering emergency services if he or she is unavailable.

Your first thought can be to head to an emergency room in case of a dental injury. But dental care requires different kinds of expertise and tools. You might not get the kind of dental treatment you require in emergency rooms. It is best to go to an emergency dentist for urgent care.

If you find yourself facing a dental emergency; you can always call the dentist’s office and ask them to recommend the next steps. Oftentimes; what you may feel is a dental emergency may not be one. For instance; soreness in gums can cause discomfort but you don’t need to seek urgent care for it. But if there is an oral injury or if you experience severe pain; the best course of action is to call your dentist’s office. The dentist or the support staff will help you out with instructions. If you require emergency care; your dentist is likely to call you to the office immediately to assess your situation.

It is best to call the dentist’s office for an emergency care situation rather than wait for the morning or the clinic to officially open for the day.

Acai bowls are tasty and healthier options for breakfast or any time you need a boost of nutrients. But are all acai bowls healthy?

What are Acai Bowls?

Acai is a berry found in South and Central America. It is extremely rich in antioxidants and other nutrients good for the heart and the brain. The berries are widely available in the form of juices, powders, and purees.

An acai bowl is a mix of acai (in some form) with nuts, dairy-free substitutes (such as almond milk), and fruits. Other ingredients can be also used to make acai bowls such as leafy greens, fruit juices, and coconut water. Acai bowls always contain toppings such as granola, coconut meat, other berries, sliced almonds, chia seeds, or peanut butter.

Are Acai Bowls Healthy?

 So, are acai bowls healthy? If yes then how healthy are these colorful bowls?

Whether your acai bowl is healthy or not will depend on the ingredients. You can load your acai bowl with sugar. In that case, it won’t be as healthy for you. It might still be better than processed breakfast options but not healthy enough.

If you want your acai bowl to be a healthy breakfast or meal option then carefully look at its ingredients. For instance, if you want a healthy acai bowl Houston then first carefully select a place that offers one. You can conduct an online search or ask the people you know. Check the menu of the café or Houston juice bar offering acai bowls. Are the acai bowls full of natural ingredients? Are the acai bowls packed with processed sugar? What kind of fruits and toppings are used to make acai bowls?

Ingredients for healthy acai bowls –

Fruits

• Fresh berries such as strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries
• Other fresh fruits such as bananas, pineapple, or mango

Additions

• Almond milk (does the café makes its own almond milk or other milk substitutes?)
• Cold-pressed juices
• Coconut water

Toppings

• Fruits
• Nut butter
• Coconut chips
• Nuts
• Seeds

These are just some examples of healthy ingredients to include in acai bowls. You can include other ingredients with similar nutrition profiles.

What a healthy acai bowl must not include –

So, what makes an acai bowl unhealthy? Again, it is the choice of ingredients.

Ice cream, chocolate, chocolate chips, refined sugar, extra-sweetened milk or dairy substitutes, and fruit concentrates are some ingredients that can make your acai bowl unhealthy.

Making your acai bowl healthier –

No or low sugar

You don’t really need extra sugar in your acai bowl. The natural sugar present in fruits should be enough. If you want extra sweetness, use sugar substitutes such as agave or add some honey in your acai bowl. It is best to not include refined sugar, ice cream, or sweetened fruit pulps in your acai bowl.

Healthy toppings

Adding a few chocolate chips on top of your acai bowl won’t make it unhealthier. But it is best to keep the quantity low. If you must have chocolate in your acai bowl, shave some dark chocolate as a topping along with other healthy ingredients. You can use cacao nibs too for a healthy cocoa substitute.

The idea is the same – chocolate (made with cacao) is not unhealthy in itself. Cacao is a healthy ingredient. It is the sugar and other ingredients in the chocolate bars that make it unhealthy.

It is best to choose berries or nuts as the topping in your acai bowl.

Fresh ingredients

Ensure that only fresh ingredients are used in your acai bowl. For example, if you are adding coconut water in it; ensure it is fresh. Check if the berries are organic or not.

Extra nutrients

Most people won’t add kale or spinach (staples of green and healthy smoothies) in acai bowls. But you can chop some and mix these healthy greens in your acai bowl for some extra goodness.

Check if juice bars in your area offer such healthier options in their acai bowl offerings. Other unconventional but healthy ingredients that can be used in acai bowls are spirulina, hemp protein, and coconut oil.

As an adult, no one is immune to dental problems. In addition to following a proper home care routine, another best thing you should do is scheduling daily dental checkups and professional cleanings. You also have numerous cosmetic options available like bonding (veneers), whitening (both at home and in-office) and orthodontics (braces). Cosmetic dentistry is a procedure of professional oral care that helps in improving the appearance of your smile, teeth, and mouth. Although Springfield cosmetic dentistry methods are elective rather than essential, some treatment cases provide restorative benefits. The common procedures used are very simple where some procedures require specialized care and more complex. Let us look at some of the services provided by a cosmetic dentist.

Onlays and Inlays

These are also termed as indirect fillings that are made in a dental lab and are used when your tooth has a mild to moderate decay or there is less tooth structure to support a filling. Provides the tooth cusps do not suffer from any damage, the inlay is placed on the tooth surface. When a large portion of the cusp of the tooth is damaged, Onlays are used for covering the entire surface of the tooth. Onlays and inlays are made from a composite resin material and with adhesive dental cement attached to the teeth. They provide support for avoiding any further deterioration or decay, restoring the shape and strengthening the teeth.

Composite Bonding

It refers to repairing of discolored, damaged or decayed teeth using a material that resembles the color of tooth enamel. Your dentist will extract out the tooth decay by drilling and apply the composite on the surface of the tooth, then create a perfect shape before curing it by using a high-intensity light. With this process, the bonding another term for composite bonding helps to cover the damage of the tooth effectively and provides the appearance of a healthy tooth in its place. The process is one of the least expensive cosmetic dentistry procedures available to patients who are having worn-down edges, cracked or chipped teeth and tooth decay.

Dental Veneers

These are manufactured from medical-grade ceramic; veneers are created individually for every patient for resembling one’s natural teeth. They help in resolving various cosmetic problems ranging from noticeable gaps between two teeth to damaged or cracked enamel to crooked teeth and look exceptionally realistic. By using a dental adhesive, your dentist will be applying veneer to the front of each tooth.

Implants

After the loss of your teeth, dental implants are used for replacing teeth. A small titanium screw is inserted into the jay at the site of the missing tooth that serves as a support for the crown. You cannot distinguish the implants from the surrounding natural teeth and once the supporting tissue and the bone are infused to the implant, they are secured permanently into place. Proper oral hygiene must be followed by the patients during the implant placement period for cleaning food debris and plaque from the area.

Teeth Bleaching

One of the basic Springfield cosmetic dentistry procedures, teeth bleaching or teeth whitening can be done at your dentist’s office. After tartar, plaque and other debris are cleaned from the surface of each tooth, whitening is visible thereby restoring the natural appearance. You can also bleach the teeth for getting an even lighter shade if your teeth have become pale yellow in color. Your teeth have become worn and stained from medication, drinks, food, and smoking. Whitening will help in coating the teeth and in addition to that, patients can use toothpaste of reputed brand for achieving the same effect within two to four weeks. This toothpaste has certain ingredients that help to whiten your teeth by minimizing the shades and after a month you will get a natural look.

If you are thinking about cosmetic dentistry services, it is important to find a cosmetic dentist who particularly offers the service that you are interested in. Discuss with your friends and family for finding out if they can provide some contacts or check with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry for a listing of dentists in your area.

Cosmetic dentistry is helpful in restoring smiles lost due to broken, uneven, or yellowing teeth. The procedures can include dental bonding, crowns, Invisalign, teeth whitening, veneers, fillings, and more. For the best results, you need to ensure that your cosmetic dentist is right for the job.

Here are five questions to ask a cosmetic dentist.

What is your level of experiencing in offering the treatment?

Cosmetic dentistry is different than the preventive or basic dental treatments. Dentists need to have the right training before they can begin offering the treatments in their clinics. The level of their expertise will increase with time and the number of procedures they perform over the years.

Your preferred dentist may have more experience in one or more aspects of cosmetic dentistry than others. So, make sure to ask them about their experience in offering the treatment that you want. For instance, if you are seeking cosmetic dentistry in Springfield; be sure to research properly to find the best dentist for it. Begin with your local area and then expand your search. Check the websites of many dentists before you find one or two dentist that you like in terms of services offered and the corresponding experience.

Do you recommend any other procedures instead of my preferred one?

You may have an idea about the treatment you want. But your dentist may think another treatment better suited for your requirements. So, it is always best to ask your cosmetic dentist to recommend the procedure that may be the best for you.

For instance, if you need to replace broken tooth, you may assume dental crowns to be the right implant for you. But considering the condition of your remaining teeth or the health of the affected dental root; your dentist may recommend using a dental bridge. Similarly, you may think braces are your only option to straighten crooked teeth. But your dentist may recommend Invisalign instead.

So, it is always better to ask your dentist about the right treatment for you and then think over the recommendation. You can then choose what feels best for you.

Does the procedure offer good and long-lasting results?

It is always good to ask about the efficacy of a cosmetic dentistry treatment. It can require multiple sessions for the treatment to be complete. The treatments can be expensive too. So, you need to know for sure the results you can expect from a procedure.

Don’t be shy to discuss the pros and cons of a specific treatment with your dentist. Ask for clear information and transparency when it comes to the results of a procedure.

Can you tell me the estimated cost of the treatment?

Cosmetic dentistry can be more expensive than the basic dental treatments. So, it is better to know about the estimated cost beforehand. Of course, it is not possible to always calculate the exact cost of the treatment prior to its completion. But your dentist will be able to you what to expect in terms of the total cost of the treatment. So, you won’t be in for a surprise when you see the bill. You also need to know if you can afford the treatment.

In case, you feel the treatment is expensive as per your budget, make sure to ask the dentist if any financing options are available at the clinic. Many dentists offer easy financing options to their patients so that they can seek the treatment they want.

Will I need follow-up or additional procedures?

Many cosmetic dentistry procedures work best in tandem with each other. So, be sure to ask the dentist to recommend any additional procedures you can seek for more superior results.

For instance, if you have yellowing teeth and a chipped tooth as well; you can seek treatments for one right after the other. In this instance, your dentist may recommend to opt for teeth whitening first. The reason for it is that the shade of the dental crown will then match with the new improved color of your teeth. Similarly, any follow-up treatment to your initial treatment may enhance the results of the former.

We all need regular professional dental care. From time to time, we may also need specific treatments for minor to major dental problems; ranging from tooth ache, broken tooth, crooked teeth, dental infections, and more.

If the dental treatments have not been performed properly right from the start; you can experience an increase in the pain or the discomfort. Not to mention, you will need to spend more money for the same treatment. So, it is important to choose the right dentist from the very start.

Here are some things to consider for selecting the best dentist for you and your family.

The Training –

When selecting a dental clinic, it is important to pay attention to the training of the dentist. Look at the website of the dentists in your area to learn more about their qualification and credentials. For instance, if you are looking for a dentist office in Springfield VA; check the credentials of the dental professionals in your local area or neighborhood. Look for their dental degree and processional membership associations.

All dental professionals need to obtain certifications from the professional organizations such as American Dental Association or Academy of General Dentistry. Most dentists also have memberships of their state dental associations. Dental professionals need to clear stringent tests to get board-certified or become fellows of the professional associations.

So, if a dentist is qualified and board-certified; you can be rest assured that he or she will have had the necessary training for the job.

The Experience –

Yes, you can definitely go to dentists without experience. But if you have a dental professional in your area with experience; it is always best to choose them for your treatments. Look for at least 5-7 years of experience if not more.

Experience is an important criterion to look for especially if you need some specialized treatment such as Invisalign or dental implants. Even for root canal treatments, it is best to choose a dentist with extensive experience in offering it.

The Services –

It is better to choose a dentist from the start who offers all types of dental services. Then you won’t need to look for a new dentist if you need any specialized treatment. Most dentists offer the basic treatments such as cleanups, teeth whitening, and some amount of dental implant work. But only those with specialized training can offer the full range of dental implant treatments, Invisalign, 3-D imaging, all sorts of dental cosmetic restorations, sleep apnea implants, laser therapy, sedation dentistry, and more.

The Clinical Setup –

It is important to find a dentist’s office with a professional clinical setup. Visit the clinic to see how clean the place is and if everything seems to be in order. Check the state of the waiting area. Assess the behavior of the support staff. Does the support staff behave in a professional manner? Is it easy to schedule appointments at the clinic? Are the clinic timings suitable for you?

Did you find the demeanor of the dentist professional and friendly during your initial visit? Was the dentist open to answering your queries about the treatments? Is the clinic at an easy distance from your home? If not, do the credentials of the dentist make it worthwhile to travel the distance?

Choose a clinic where you find a level of comfort in terms of the cleanliness, support staff, the timings, the dentist’s behavior, and anything else that you deem important.

The Payment Options –

It is important to consider the insurance network and the range of payment options available at the clinic.

Check beforehand if your dentist is a part of the PPO or HMO networks. The insurance network of the dentist must be suitable for you. Check if easy financing options are available with the dentist’s office should you need one. Most dental clinics accept major credit cards. But to make sure, inquire about it beforehand too.

Your dentist should be open with you regarding the estimated expenses for specific treatments. Prior information about approximate payment amounts can help patients make an informed decision about their treatments.

Your mouth helps with multiple functions like breathing, speaking, and eating. This body part and its health are taken for granted and easily forgotten. With poor oral hygiene, you can have problems not only in your mouth but affects the whole body. Keep reading on how dental care in Springfield is crucial for your wellness.

Help to Preserve your Pearly Whites

Preventive dental care only requires small steps for avoiding serious problems with your gums and teeth. Flossing and brushing daily will immensely benefit your oral health but visiting the best dentist in Springfield VA on a routine basis is the best way for identifying and treating problems.

Prevent Major Health Issues

The complications of not having proper dental care can go far beyond gingivitis. There is a proven link between heart and gum disease and gum disease also gives an indication of a risk of preterm childbirth in pregnant women. In addition to that, all systemic diseases have some oral components that include kidney disease, diabetes, and oral cancer.

Boosts Confidence

Improper dental care will become visually apparent after a certain period. Gum disease and decaying of tooth lead to tooth damage, bad breath, loss of teeth and yellowing of the teeth. These types of problems can have a negative impact on your confidence and make you feel insecure about your outlook. Dental care McLean helps in preventing much of this type of damage and usually existing damage can be repaired.

Avoiding Expensive Procedures

Going for regular cleanups and checkups might look like an unnecessary expense but if you are skipping them it could lead to expensive procedures. For instance, an inexpensive and simple cavity if left unchecked can grow thereby requiring a costly root cap or canal.

Reduce Pain

Majority of the dental illness comes with some form of oral pain. A toothache usually signals an infection or a problem. Intense pain leads to severe headaches and the inability to concentrate. If the source of your pain is an infection, it will worsen and lead to serious complications.

Checkup

During a checkup, your dental hygienist will be checking for cavities and X-rays might be required for determining any cavities are present or not.  Another checkup also includes tartar and plaque buildup. Plaque is a clear layer of bacteria that hardens over time and become tartar. It is not possible to remove tartar by brushing, which is why it is important to visit your dentist and get it removed with a special set of tools. During a checkup, the soft tissue is examined for signs of cancer, redness, and swelling.

Sometimes, oral disease gives an indication of problems in different parts of the body. For instance, bad breath can be a symptom of gastric problems. Ear pain and headaches occur from grinding of the teeth or bruxism, a condition caused due to anxiety or stress. Sensitivity and enamel erosion in teeth results from acid reflux. Having your mouth examined for gum and teeth problems help you to point other diseases also that need treatment as well.

Preventive and routine dental care in Springfield plays a vital role in maintaining oral as well as overall health. Here you need to take some daily steps for maintaining your gums and teeth as well as your body for staying healthy.

Brushing Twice – Brush the chewing, inside and outside part of your teeth for two minutes in morning and evening will clear the foodstuff from your teeth. This prevents infections and dental cavities.

Flossing – brushing ensures that most part of the food lodged within the teeth is removed, however flossing ensures that the contact area between the two teeth also remains clean.

Water – You need to drink enough water for keeping your mouth hydrated especially when you are under medication or have low saliva production helps to wash the germs in the mouth. After every meal, it is best to rinse your mouth.

After every six months go for a routine dental checkup – the checkup helps in identifying warning signs whether any trouble is brewing inside the mouth or not. Visiting your dentist on a routine basis helps in fixing dental problems before they flare up or can become worse.

Toothache, swollen or bleeding gums, broken or missing teeth, misaligned teeth are some common reason why you would visit a dentist Springfield VA. Developments in medicine and advancements in technology have made it possible to provide long-lasting relief and solution to all of these problems. Here is a look at Springfield dental solutions to the most common dental problems.

General dentistry

General dentistry covers the basic services that any dental clinic performs. Yellow or stained teeth are a common problem that causes people to hide their smiles. General dentistry offers a solution to this by teeth whitening or bleaching solutions. This may be done using specialized methods for instant results in as short as one hour or by using bleaching trays or bleaching gels for touch-ups that help keep teeth as white as they can be. General dentistry also includes professional cleaning and preventive care for longer life and healthier teeth and gums.

Extractions

Extraction becomes necessary in cases where the tooth is badly infected or damaged. It may also be recommended for wisdom teeth as a means of preventive care. This is especially true when such teeth do not have sufficient space to grow into and cause problems to adjacent teeth or the bone underneath. Many dentists also offer extraction services for kids whose milk teeth do not fall off on their own. Most dental extractions can be performed by a regular dentist, but in rare cases, an oral surgeon may be summoned.

Root canal treatments

When the tissue inside the teeth, known as the dental pulp, becomes infected or inflamed, it causes a severe toothache. Such affected teeth can also pose health risks if left untreated. Root canal treatment offers a solution to this by replacing the affected pulp with filling material, thereby saving or preserving the teeth. The tooth is then fitted with a protective crown whose shape, size, and color resemble the natural teeth.

Dentures

Loss of teeth can occur from decay, periodontal disease, or an injury. This can cause difficulty in biting, chewing, eating, and speaking, causing you to be concerned about your smile and appearance in public. Dentures replace missing teeth by providing support to the teeth and restoring the smile. They are an aesthetic and functional solution to lost teeth. Partial dentures are used to fill gaps in between teeth. Full or complete dentures are used when all natural teeth are missing from the arch of the jaw. Removable dentures that were most common are now increasingly being replaced by fixed ones for better fit and comfort.

Implants

Implants are newer and more preferred dental solutions in Springfield for missing teeth. They provide a fixed solution and are attached to the jaw bone in a manner that looks and functions like the real teeth. They consist of titanium screws attached to the jaw bone and are covered by ceramic crowns that are typically indistinguishable from real teeth. Implants can be used for a single tooth or a series of them. Full arch implants are often used to convert dentures or bridges into a fixed manner for better functionality.

Invisalign

When teeth are not aligned properly, they can affect your ability to eat and speak. They can also make your smile look awkward. Correction of bite and smile is typically done through orthodontic treatments that consist of attaching metal brackets and wires onto teeth for proper alignment. A newer solution to this is Invisalign, which uses patented clear braces to correct misaligned teeth. They are nearly invisible, can be detached for better oral hygiene and allow you to eat your favorite foods and smile with confidence.

Veneers

When you have gaps in teeth or your front teeth and smile don’t look as great as they should be, veneers as the best dental solution in Springfield. These porcelain devices enhance the appearance of front teeth and can be used for whitening closing space, or simply to create a better smile. They are also used to fix chipped or broken teeth and give you a camera-ready smile almost instantly. If you do not wish to undergo a painful orthodontic treatment and yet want a great smile, veneers are the best choice.