Diabetes and Gum Disease

Gum disease is unfortunately common, and some people have more trouble fighting it than others. The doctors at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring see a lot of people who face oral health complications, of which one of the most common is diabetes. People with diabetes have greater difficulty fighting infections, and the relationship between the diseases is a two-way street.

It is not completely clear why people with uncontrolled blood sugar have higher rates of infections. We do know that diabetes causes people’s arteries to thicken, limiting the flow of nutrients throughout their bodies. We also know that once an infection develops in the gum pockets, the body will become less able to regulate glucose, resulting in a feedback loop. Gingivitis, also called gum inflammation, is the body’s initial response to a gum pocket infection. (There are other potential causes, but infection is the most common.) Bleeding gums result from inflammation, and if an infection progresses, the gum tissue could recede. At this point, the teeth would be much more sensitive and would be at risk of coming loose.

Gingivitis is treatable. During deep cleanings, we remove bacterial build-up from below the gum line, where patients can’t reach. When infections are controlled, the body has an easier time controlling blood sugar. If you have diabetes, it is especially important for you to brush and floss, but we’re happy to provide you with more assistance.

Dr. David Bishop, Dr. Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, and Dr. Alicia Reynolds operate Bishop & Bishop Dental at 8757 Georgia Ave, Suite 810, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. To set up an appointment, call 301-608-9270 orvisitBishop Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Thank You for Your Continuous Reviews!

Here at Bishop & Bishop Dental, our staff appreciates feedback from patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Carter A. for this positive review, but we would like to thank him for being a dedicated patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know! 

“He (Dr. David Bishop) is a very good dentist. I had lots of problems with my teeth when I first went to see him. He has resolved many of them, and the problems stay resolved. I have been going to him for a couple years now, and I would definitely recommend him. He does good work. I have had crowns and root canals done. He seems to be efficient, and I haven't had any problems with any work he has done.”

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bishopdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. David Bishop at Bishop & Bishop Dental here in Silver Spring, Maryland, call 301-608-9270.

Brushing for Two Minutes

When we hit the snooze button in the morning, two minutes fly by like lightning, when we are waiting in traffic, two minute seems like an eternity. At the sink, two minutes is the time you need to spend brushing your teeth in order to clean them adequately and reduce plaque. At Bishop & Bishop Dental, Dr. David Bishop, Dr. Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, and Dr. Alicia Reynolds want patients to understand why they should follow the 2-minute brushing rule.

Most people don’t even come close to brushing two minutes and if you don’t brush your teeth long enough, you may not be getting your teeth clean enough. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily establish the basics of good oral hygiene. Brushing helps to clear particles of food from the teeth, but a brush can’t reach between teeth, which is why flossing is also necessary. To make the two-minute mark seem like less of a lifetime, split the mouth into four quadrants. That way, it should take about 30 seconds each quadrant.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health or oral hygiene, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bishopdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. David Bishop at Bishop & Bishop Dental here in Silver Spring, Maryland, call 301-608-9270.

Post-Extraction Swelling

We’ve saved a lot of teeth at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring, but there are times when they have to be extracted. This is a routine procedure that usually goes smoothly, but patients should expect some swelling. We thought people would be more at ease if we explained some more about what to expect and how to recognize an emergency if one does develop.

Swelling after a wound is a healthy immune system response. Inflammation helps to prevent bacteria from entering the body through an open dental socket. The more complex an extraction, the more swelling can be expected. But once the blood in the socket forms a clot, patients shouldn’t really need inflammation, which is why it is appropriate to try to limit it by applying cold packs. To avoid damage from cold, only apply cold packs for fifteen minutes at a time, and allow fifteen minutes to pass in between each application. You should see swelling peak thirty-six hours after the extraction.

Once swelling peaks, it can be reduced through the application of hot packs. Again, the fifteen-on, fifteen off rule will prevent tissue damage. But if swelling continues after forty-eight hours, the patient should give us another call and come in as soon as possible. Discoloration is natural, but they should seek emergency help if the extraction site turns black or white. Complications are rare, but when they happen, we can see patients through safely if they’re intercepted quickly.

Dr. David Bishop, Dr. Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, and Dr. Alicia Reynolds operate Bishop & Bishop Dental at 8757 Georgia Ave, Suite 810, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. To set up an appointment, call 301-608-9270 or visitBishop Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Repair Your Smile with Veneers

Veneers are a popular treatment option for repairing chipped, worn-down, or cracked teeth. Dental veneers, sometimes called porcelain veneers, are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. In terms of placing veneers, it is a process that takes approximately two to three visits to Dr. David Bishop at Bishop & Bishop Dental.
Veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns in many situations because they offer a much more conservative approach to changing a tooth’s color, size or shape. When bonded to the teeth, they are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, wine, or even cigarette stains. Therefore, if you are seeking a bright smile that stays perfect, veneers are your best option. Because dental veneers are an irreversible process, it is critical that you are involved and informed every step of the way.
If you have questions or concerns regarding veneers or cosmetic dentistry, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bishopdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. David Bisop, Dr. Doreinne Taylor-Bishop, and Dr. Alicia Reynolds at Bishop & Bishop Dental here in Silver Spring, Maryland, call 301-608-9270.

Types of Bridges

Patients at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring don’t have to go without teeth. When someone needs multiple crowns replaced, we can provide them with a dental bridge. But these prosthetic devices have undergone some improvements in recent years, which is why we thought our patients might appreciate learning more about them.
Bridges substitute multiple crowns that have been broken, severely decayed, or are gone altogether. The traditional pontic bridge was a series of linked crowns, of which the outermost two were cemented over natural teeth. This required the natural teeth to be reshaped into narrow cylinders and for there to be no other crowns in between them. Sometimes, dentists were willing to extract or reshape healthy teeth to make room for a bridge. While this technique allowed patients to retain their natural tooth roots, modern dentists prefer not to do unnecessary extractions.
It is now possible to fabricate dentures that skirt around natural teeth, allowing more targeted care. The dentures have to be reshaped from time to time as the jaw naturally changes shape, but the patient’s jaw bone will be more stable with their tooth roots left intact. At our office, we provide mini-implant support for dentures which can be inserted into the patient’s jawbone without the lengthy process of a full implant. This will further stabilize the jaw, allowing the denture to more satisfactorily restore the patient’s bite and speaking functions.
Dr. David Bishop, Dr. Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, and Dr. Alicia Reynolds operate Bishop & Bishop Dental at 8757 Georgia Ave, #810 Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. To set up an appointment, call 301-608-9270 or visit Bishop Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Halloween Tips

The holiday season starts with Halloween this week, and we know lots of our patients are going to be eating sugary treats. At Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring, we don’t want to take the fun out of anyone’s festivities. But we thought our patients may not know what exactly the risks to their oral health are.
One of the most common misconceptions about tooth decay is the notion that the sugar content of a particular food is what leads to decay. It is actually the length of time the teeth are exposed to sugar that correlates with their risk. A starchy food can pose a major threat if a piece of it gets stuck between two teeth for a long time. So while candy isn’t good for the body and can increase tooth decay, it is hard candies that are kept in the mouth for a long time and sticky treats that lodge in crevices which are the biggest problems. Soda and cream-filled caffeinated drinks also present a risk when they are drunk slowly, allowing sugary residue to remain behind.
Patients would do well to brush their teeth after consuming something sugary, but we recognize this is sometimes difficult. They can still limit themselves to eating candy after meals, when they will be producing more saliva, which washes away sugar. They can also try chewing sugar-free gum, which will dislodge some food debris, although they need to be careful if they have old fillings. Another tip is to keep fluoridated water on hand and take swigs from in between sips of soda.
David Bishop, DDS and Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, DDS, operate Bishop & Bishop Dental at 8830 Cameron St, #504, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. To set up an appointment, call 301-608-9270 or visit Bishop Dental and fill out acontact sheet.