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When was the last time you smiled with confidence? Are you so self-conscious about it that you find yourself withdrawing from social and business interactions with others? Do you feel that it's limiting your chances for success?

These are everyday experiences for those who are embarrassed about the appearance of their teeth. But cosmetic dentistry can resolve all the imperfections that diminish your confidence and leave you with a smile that you can’t wait to share.

Cosmetic Dentistry Options

The good news is that you have lots of cosmetic dentistry options in Fairfax to choose from, many of them conservative and affordable enough to fit in most anyone’s budget:

• Teeth whitening
• Tooth-colored filling
• Cosmetic bonding
• Porcelain veneers
• Invisalign ...

Everyone has a different approach to their oral hygiene, but generally speaking, the biggest problem is that most of us don’t do it often enough; in a 2013 survey, the American Dental Association found that only about 57 percent of women brush, and the number drops to 50 percent for men.

Given these statistics, it may come as a shock to you that there’s anyone who would overbrush their teeth. While this may seem like a positive, proactive approach to oral hygiene, there can definitely be too much of a good thing when it comes to brushing frequency. 

The Problem with Overbrushing 

You can maintain excellent oral health by brushing twice and flossing once daily. ...

Is it time for you to buy a new toothbrush? The bristles on the one you’re using now aren’t totally flattened out yet, and you’ve kept it clean by storing it upright with your family’s brushes on the bathroom counter. You’re all good, right?

There are many things wrong with this picture, but millions of people care for their toothbrush in exactly this way. Let’s take these steps apart one by one so we can look at the problem with this approach and then explain the correct way to care for your brush.

Replace Worn Toothbrushes

If your brush looks like someone sat on it, it needs to be replaced. Frayed, worn bristles aren’t ...

Millions of people around the world suffer from dental anxiety. It’s the butterflies you feel in your stomach at the thought of scheduling an appointment and your desire to be anyplace else once you’re in the dental chair.

Some people are so riddled with anxiety that their condition is considered dental phobia. This kind of intense anxiety can be so uncomfortable that many phobic patients choose to forgo treatment altogether.

Let’s take a look at four common fears and how your dentist in Fairfax, VA addresses them:

Fear of Pain

Let’s face it; nobody likes pain. You may have heard “horror stories” from family or friends, or you may have had your own negative experience ...

As difficult as this may be to believe, not everyone enjoys going to the dentist. Crazy, right?

But this common phobia causes many people to skip appointments which results in dental problems like tooth decay going untreated.

Of course, the result of untreated dental problems is typically more dental problems which can result in additional time in your dentist’s chair. A good example is cavities; without prompt treatment, that little twinge in your tooth that you’ve been hoping will go away is slowly spreading and may ultimately result in the need for a root canal if not treated.

Typical Symptoms of Tooth Decay

Another problem is that a cavity isn’t always apparent as pain; ...

There’s no magic to a healthy smile, but you do need to be committed to doing whatever you can to support your oral health including brushing, flossing. But you can’t do it alone, and that’s where your dental team comes in because they provide preventive treatments that support your at-home efforts.

Part of good oral health is educating yourself about basic dental health. You may hear your dentist in Fairfax talk about plaque and tartar, but understanding what they are and how they can damage your oral health is the key to being proactive.

It Starts with Bacteria

No matter how well you brush and floss, there will always be some ...

If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by all the treatment possibilities. After all, advanced technology and updated materials and techniques provide us with a wide array of possible approaches for helping you get the smile you want.

Visualize Your Best Smile

Once you’ve worked with your dental team to ensure that your teeth are healthy from the gums up, the fun begins! Your smile is a clean slate, and the possibilities for transformation are endless! You know you need to make an appointment with your ...