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.

Cavity Formation

Cavities are just about as common as a cold and although they mostly occur in children, adults need to be aware of them too. It isn’t unusual for bacteria to be found in your mouth, however, when bacteria mixes with acid, food pieces and saliva in the mouth it creates a sticky substance called plaque. The acids in plaque damage the enamel covering your teeth and create holes in the tooth called cavities. Although Dr. David Bishop at Bishop & Bishop Dental offers a variety of filling options for cavities, he would prefer you avoid them altogether.
Developing cavities is a process and they just don’t appear overnight. In the early stages, tooth decay can be stopped. The best way to prevent cavities is by reducing the amount of plaque and bacteria in the mouth and the best way to do this is by brushing and flossing daily. Cavities caught in the very early stages can be reversed, however, caries that have destroyed enamel cannot. It is important to schedule a professional cleaning with our doctors every six months to reduce your risk of tooth decay.
If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth decay or cavity treatment, 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.

Factors of Bad Breath

If you don’t brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis, food particles will remain in the mouth and leave a foul odor that causes bad breath. Bad breath is embarrassing and can leave a person feeling self-conscious when they aren’t the only one who notices. Bad breath is usually the result of poor oral hygiene habits, so it’s important to visit Dr. David Bishop of Bishop & Bishop Dental twice a year to get your oral hygiene under control.
Plenty of factors play into the foul odor that is caused by bad breath, which is also known as halitosis. It may be caused by foods a person eats, poor oral hygiene, medical conditions, and even dry mouth. Treatments for this condition include practicing proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing on a daily basis, mouthwash, quitting smoking and changing bad habits. In addition, our staff at Bishop & Bishop Dental recommends dental checkups and professional cleanings twice a year to assist in providing you with the freshest breath on the block.
If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care or dental 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 Drs. David Bishop, Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, and Alicia Reynolds at Bishop & Bishop Dental here in Silver Spring, Maryland, call 301-608-9270.

What Happens When a Dental Implant Fails?

Any patient with dental implants should know the signs and symptoms of peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory process affecting the soft and hard tissues surrounding an implant. By knowing the early signs of this disease, a patient can receive professional help in time, before the bone loss around the implants becomes too intense. This is what happens when a dental implant fails, and if it happens to you, Dr. David Bishop of Bishop & Bishop Dental is here to help.
Peri-implantitis, or infection, can set in when bacteria is present during oral surgery or any time post-surgery without proper dental hygiene. It can also be caused by the dental cement used to secure crowns onto the abutments when it escapes from under the crown during cementation and gets caught in the gums. A form of periodontal disease, peri-implantitis can sometimes be treated, but in most cases, the implant must be removed. Patients who smoke, have thin gums, diabetes, or poor oral hygiene are at greater risk of developing the infection.
If you have questions or concerns regarding dental implant failure, 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 Drs. David Bishop. Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, and Alicia Reynolds at Bishop & Bishop Dental here in Silver Spring, Maryland, call 301-608-9270.