Vertical Dimension Loss

As providers of dentures, vertical dimension loss is one of the most serious dental problems the doctors and Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring confront. Also known as bite collapse, vertical dimension loss refers to the shortening of a patient’s face when they are without teeth.

Even if a patient still has their front teeth, the loss of the back ones can result in vertical dimension loss. Without teeth for chewing, they may compensate with their incisors, causing them to be pushed outward under bite forces they are unable to sustain. When the bite is shortened, the lower half of the face looks disproportionately small and the skin between the mouth and the nose is wrinkled. People with collapsed bites also commonly suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder, causing pain in their jaws and necks.

When constructing dentures, doctors are careful to ensure that the height of the new teeth will be aesthetically and functionally pleasing to the patient. Temporary dentures help to prepare the mouth for the height difference provided by full restorations. Other oral devices can also be used to restore vertical dimension when the natural teeth still have some crown material.

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 a contact sheet.

 

Sectioning Wisdom Teeth

It’s common for teenagers to need to have their wisdom teeth extracted. Sometimes this is because the large back teeth risk disrupting the other teeth’s alignment and sometimes it’s because the wisdom teeth are impacted and can’t break through. In these cases, we at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring sometimes make the process easier on the patient be sectioning the teeth prior to removing them.

Normally, teeth are removed by using dental tools to rock them back and forth until they can be pulled out of the socket. However, impacted wisdom teeth will be too large to fit through the opening in the gum line. Even if an incision is made to the gum, the tooth might still be held in place by strong ligaments, making it unwise to yank it out. In order to break it into more manageable pieces, the doctor will cut it apart using a dental drill. This does not hurt the patient, who has already been numbed. Once the tooth is sectioned, each part may be lifted out without much force.

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 a contact sheet.

 

Children Suffering from Bad Breath

Generally, bad breath is caused by bacteria build-up in the mouth. But with children, there are a few special circumstances that need consideration, which is why the doctors of Bishop & Bishop Dental are ready to provide a thorough examination and diagnosis.
Children need to be taught to brush their tongues, as well as their teeth, so that bacteria can’t feed on the food particles which get caught in the soft, creviced tissue of their papillae. But there’s no easy way to clean the tonsils, which are also a trap for food debris, as well as nasal drip. Dentists can, however, recommend alcohol-free mouthwash. Children inevitably get more sinus infections than adults, providing bacteria with more fodder in the form of nasal drip, but it may be worthwhile to get them tested for allergies and, if they are very small, check to see if there is a foreign object caught in their nasal passages.
Bacteria also build-up easily when the mouth is chronically dry. Dry mouth is a common side-effect of medications, including those given for anxiety and ADHD. If medications which are contributing to bad breath can’t be swapped out, the child may need to try an artificial moisturizer.
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 a contact sheet.

Pain around Fillings

We provide our patients with high-quality fillings at Bishop & Bishop Dental, ensuring that decay-causing bacteria won’t be able to hide in any cracks in their teeth. But sometimes fillings can cause soreness, in which case we want to help.
It is common for the area around a filling to be sensitive immediately after it has been placed, but the patient should be able to bite down completely. If they can’t, the filling needs to be reshaped. If the soreness does not go away after a few days, it is possible that the decay went deeper than was thought, and a more extensive restoration than a filling is necessary.
Even if a filling was made well and fixed the original problem, it may not last forever. The sealant used to hold a filling in place can crack, providing bacteria with a hiding spot and allowing tooth decay to occur. The filling can also come loose. In these cases, the work would have to be redone.
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 a contact sheet.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Bishop & Bishop Dental is known for the excellent care we provide families, and an important part of that is educating them about how to maintain their oral hygiene. Because children are at high risk of developing cavities, we want parents to be on the lookout for an especially insidious problem known among dentists as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

A baby’s teeth become vulnerable to decay as soon as they begin to erupt. The first to come in are usually the front teeth, the incisors, and the fronts of the front teeth tend to get coated the most by milk or formula from a baby’s bottle. Though milk and formula may not have particularly high sugar contents compared to juice, for example, it is actually the amount of time teeth are exposed to sugar which increases their risk of decay, more than the sugar content of a particular drink or food.

Usually, when babies are given milk bottles, they are not also given water bottles. This eliminates one means by which people normally wash sugary residue off their teeth. Babies are also often given their bottles for extended time periods, ensuring their teeth remain covered. Parents who wish to bottle-feed should be careful to not leave young children with bottles for too long and to transition to using cups around the child’s first birthday. They should also brush their baby’s teeth regularly and keep them supplied with water.

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 BishopDental.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Here’s Why You Should Own a Tongue Scraper

Bad breath is a common problem for many people, given the wide variety of substances traveling through our mouths daily. While the regular brushing and flossing addresses the teeth and gums, it’s all too easy to forget about the tongue. Tongue scraping is an oral hygiene practice that removes bacteria, food debris, fungi, toxins, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. Here at Bishop Dental, we recommend implementing this step to enhance your oral hygiene routine.

When we sleep, our digestive system remains awake, removing toxins from our body by depositing them onto the surface of our tongue. If we don’t scrape away these toxins, they get reabsorbed by the body and can lead to respiratory difficulties, digestive problems, and a compromised immune system. Dental research has concluded that a tongue scraper is more effective at removing toxins and bacteria from the tongue than a toothbrush. Although brushing and flossing will loosen and move debris around, they do not actually remove the bacteria.

Tongue scrapers are inexpensive, and can be found at most health food stores as well as online. To learn more about dental hygiene and the services we offer, visit www.bishopdental.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. David Bishop, D.D.S. or Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, D.D.S. in Silver Spring, MD, call 301-608-9270.

Pregnancy and Oral Health

Pregnancy and oral health

Pregnancy and oral health are two things that go hand in hand when you are expecting a baby. We encourage all of our patients to take good care of their dental hygiene and oral health when they become pregnant.

 

Most women know how vital it is that they take good care of their physical health, but often don’t consider the impact oral health has on their overall health. A surge in hormones can exasperate the way a pregnant woman’s gums react to plaque. As a result, there is an increased risk of tooth decay, loose teeth, and gum disease if proper oral hygiene isn’t maintained.

 

The following steps are important to follow while you are pregnant.

 

1. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each session.

2. Floss your teeth regularly, preferably once a day.

3. Visit dentist David Bishop for a check-up and cleaning.

4. Inform Dr. Bishop that you are pregnant and avoid getting x-rays.

5. Avoid eating sugary snacks as it increases the risk of tooth decay.

 

By following these steps, pregnant women have a better chance at maintaining their good oral health during pregnancy. Contact our dentist, Dr. David Bishop in Silver Spring, MD, to discuss pregnancy and oral health in more detail.

Effects of Red Wine, White Wine, Soda, and More on Teeth

Effects of Red Wine, White Wine, Soda, and More on Teeth

Here in our dental practice in Silver Spring, MD, we offer a variety of treatments and procedures within cosmetic, restorative and periodontal dentistry. However, some of the procedures our patients need can actually be prevented by avoiding certain foods and drinks that cause discoloration, staining, and increased decay due to the sugar content. It is important that we educate our patients on the effects of red wine, white wine, soda and other sugary drinks on their oral health.

 

Food and drinks that can cause increased tooth decay, discoloration, and erosion of the enamel include:

• Wine
• Dark sodas
• Tea
• Sports drinks
• Sauces like tomato or soy sauce
• Berries
• Sweets and sugary snacks

These foods and drinks have a high sugar and acid content, which can damage the enamel of teeth. Some of these beverages, such as tea, can stain the enamel. Patients who still choose to drink wine, soda or tea regularly are encouraged to brush their teeth more often. Even swishing your mouth with plenty of water can help wash some of the acid and sugar from your teeth. Reducing your intake of these food and beverages as much as possible decreases the risk of discoloration that might require regular teeth whitening procedures to restore your smile.

 

Call our dentist, Dr. David Bishop, at 301-608-9270 to learn more about the effects of drinks and foods on your teeth.

Dental X-Rays

Dental X-Rays

While examinations are an important part of regular check-up, dental x-rays are needed in order to better detect oral health issues that cannot always be detected by physical or visual examination alone.

 

Here at our Silver Spring, MD dental practice, we use dental x-rays to examine beneath the gums, look at current dental work to see if it needs to be replaced, find infections, see better between the teeth, investigate cavities, and determine the severity of gum diseases. Dental x-rays are also helpful to examine the jaw ligaments, nerves, and bones.

 

Some patients get their x-rays during every 6-month visit with us, while others only need them once a year or when they develop pain or other problems. We provide dental x-rays regularly not just for our patients who are experiencing pain or dental health problems, but to diagnosis dental problems before they become a more serious issue.

 

If you haven’t had dental x-rays in a while, visit our office and dentist David Bishop to get yours right away.

Dental X-Rays

Dental X-Rays

While examinations are an important part of regular check-up, dental x-rays are needed in order to better detect oral health issues that cannot always be detected by physical or visual examination alone.

 

Here at our Silver Spring, MD dental practice, we use dental x-rays to examine beneath the gums, look at current dental work to see if it needs to be replaced, find infections, see better between the teeth, investigate cavities, and determine the severity of gum diseases. Dental x-rays are also helpful to examine the jaw ligaments, nerves, and bones.

 

Some patients get their x-rays during every 6-month visit with us, while others only need them once a year or when they develop pain or other problems. We provide dental x-rays regularly not just for our patients who are experiencing pain or dental health problems, but to diagnosis dental problems before they become a more serious issue.

 

If you haven’t had dental x-rays in a while, visit our office and dentist David Bishop to get yours right away.

Effects of Red Wine, White Wine, Soda, and More on Teeth

Effects of Red Wine, White Wine, Soda, and More on Teeth

Here in our dental practice in Silver Spring, MD, we offer a variety of treatments and procedures within cosmetic, restorative and periodontal dentistry. However, some of the procedures our patients need can actually be prevented by avoiding certain foods and drinks that cause discoloration, staining, and increased decay due to the sugar content. It is important that we educate our patients on the effects of red wine, white wine, soda and other sugary drinks on their oral health.

 

Food and drinks that can cause increased tooth decay, discoloration, and erosion of the enamel include:

• Wine
• Dark sodas
• Tea
• Sports drinks
• Sauces like tomato or soy sauce
• Berries
• Sweets and sugary snacks

These foods and drinks have a high sugar and acid content, which can damage the enamel of teeth. Some of these beverages, such as tea, can stain the enamel. Patients who still choose to drink wine, soda or tea regularly are encouraged to brush their teeth more often. Even swishing your mouth with plenty of water can help wash some of the acid and sugar from your teeth.

 

Reducing your intake of these food and beverages as much as possible decreases the risk of discoloration that might require regular teeth whitening procedures to restore your smile.

Call our dentist, Dr. David Bishop, at 301-608-9270 to learn more about the effects of drinks and foods on your teeth.

Pregnancy and oral health

Pregnancy and oral health

Pregnancy and oral health are two things that go hand in hand when you are expecting a baby. We encourage all of our patients to take good care of their dental hygiene and oral health when they become pregnant.

 

Most women know how vital it is that they take good care of their physical health, but often don’t consider the impact oral health has on their overall health. A surge in hormones can exasperate the way a pregnant woman’s gums react to plaque. As a result, there is an increased risk of tooth decay, loose teeth, and gum disease if proper oral hygiene isn’t maintained.

 

The following steps are important to follow while you are pregnant.

 

1. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each session.

2. Floss your teeth regularly, preferably once a day.

3. Visit dentist David Bishop for a check-up and cleaning.

4. Inform Dr. Bishop that you are pregnant and avoid getting x-rays.

5. Avoid eating sugary snacks as it increases the risk of tooth decay.

 

By following these steps, pregnant women have a better chance at maintaining their good oral health during pregnancy. Contact our dentist, Dr. David Bishop in Silver Spring, MD, to discuss pregnancy and oral health in more detail.

Snoring & Snoring Devices

Snoring & Snoring Devices

Bishop & Bishop Dental provides dental care for all types of oral health issues, including snoring and snoring devices. We offer a variety of oral appliances and devices that help our patients stop snoring whether it is related to sleep apnea or due to the tissues in their throat.

 

These devices are custom made to be comfortable and secure while patients sleep, reducing snoring and helping them get better sleep. Dr. David Bishop also provides oral appliances specifically for patients struggling with sleep apnea, which is a common cause of snoring.

 

Snoring and snoring devices available here in our dental practice help position the jaw and tongue while sleeping, increase the tongue’s muscle tone so it is more relaxed during sleep, and stabilize the tongue and jaw.

 

Tongue retaining appliances, CPAP machines for sleep apnea, and mandibular repositioning appliances that keep the lower jaw in a protruded position are just a few of the various appliances available to help with snoring.

 

Please call us at 301-608-9270 to learn more about snoring and snoring devices we provide and how they can help you stop snoring at night.

When to Replace Your Complete Dentures

When to Replace Your Complete Dentures

Complete dentures are a set of dentures that are made following the removal of all the patient’s teeth. Dentures are usually placed in the mouth 8-12 weeks after the teeth are removed, as this is when the gum tissue has healed enough. Dr. David Bishop begins preparing these dentures once the gum tissue is healing properly. Once complete, the patient has a brand new set of dentures that let them eat the foods they want with teeth that require only minimal care.

 

For patients who want to have a temporary solution before their final dentures are ready, we provide a temporary set of dentures here at Bishop & Bishop dental. They are not as secure while talking and eating as the complete dentures, but are great for this in between period.

 

Once patients have their complete dentures, they are advised to re-visit Bishop & Bishop Dental to look at the dentures and determine if and when they need to be replaced. While complete dentures are stable and can last a long time, we do recommend replacing them ideally about every five years on average.

 

If you are ready to get fitted for complete dentures, visit our practice in Silver Spring, MD.

Endodontics / Root Canals

Endodontics / Root Canals

Tooth infections can occur at any time, even with patients who take excellent care of their teeth. Many infections get deep into the nerves of the tooth’s root, which causes severe pain and great sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. If you can’t eat ice cream or drink hot coffee without feeling intense pain, you could be suffering from an infection of the root of your tooth. In this case, a root canal performed in our Silver Springs, MD practice is necessary.

Here at Bishop Dental, we provide root canal procedures to help get rid of the infection. The process begins with Dr. David Bishop numbing the area with a local anesthetic, then drilling a small hole into the tooth to reach the canal. This lets us clean out the infection, before filling the hole with a material called gutta percha. This material is temporary, so you will need to return to our office in about 2-3 weeks to be fitted for a crown.

After having a root canal done, the tooth is dead. While it helps save the structure of the tooth, a crown needs to be fitted to protect it from cracking or breaking.

Contact our office today to learn more about all of our endodontic procedures available.