Kids, Candy and Cavities: The Case for Children’s Dentistry

For kids, Halloween is nothing but fun. Costumes, candy, games and parties. For parents and the other people who care about kids, Halloween can raise a few concerns. Of course, you take every precaution to make sure your children are safe on that night of trick-or-treating. But how about protecting their teeth? This is the perfect time of year to be mindful of your children’s oral health. Dr. Stephanie Santos and Dr. Vinita Folck at Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA, make children’s dentistry an integral part of their family practice.

Children’s Dentistry: A Partnership among Dentists, Parents and Kids

At home, you know what you should do to help your children build a foundation of good oral health. Brush and floss at least twice a day, usually in the morning and at night. This practice should begin as soon as that first little white tooth shows up in your baby’s gum. Just take a soft washcloth or gauze pad and wipe the tooth with warm water after feeding. As more teeth grow, you’ll want to use a soft child’s toothbrush and pea-size amount of toothpaste. Help your children brush their teeth until the age of seven or eight, when they have the coordination to do so themselves.

That foundation for good oral health continues when you bring your children to Smile by Design. Your child’s first visit to the dentist should happen between the ages of two and three, or certainly earlier if you suspect a problem. Our dentists and their staff will do their best to make sure your child’s time in the office is relaxed and inviting. Then, as they grow and mature, they will be comfortable with routine dental procedures such as cleanings, fluoride treatments and the occasional x-ray. We recommend bringing your children to the dentist twice per year, so that we can spot concerns before they become problems.

Contact Our Office Today

Keep your little ghosts and goblins smiling brightly with children’s dentistry at Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA. Schedule an appointment today. We conveniently serves patients in the surrounding communities of Fort Story, Portsmouth, Sandbridge and Norfolk. 

What To Do When Canker Sores Won’t Go Away

A canker sore is a small, painful, shallow ulcer that appears inside the mouth; they may form on the tongue, the back portion of the roof of your mouth, or inside your cheeks.  The exact cause of most canker sores is still unknown, although stress or tissue injury is thought to be the cause of most simple canker sores. Highly acidic foods can also trigger a canker sore or make the problem worse. Some cases of complex canker sores are caused by an underlying health condition, such as an impaired immune system or nutritional deficiencies involving vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, or iron. Other medical conditions like gastrointestinal tract disease, celiac disease, or Crohn's disease could also be the culprit. If you have a canker sore that has lasted more than a week or two, you should make an appointment with the dentists at Smile By Design today. Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck can help you get immediate treatment and relief. Smile By Design is conveniently located in Virginia Beach, VA and proudly serves patients throughout Norfolk, Sandbridge, Portsmouth, Fort Story and surrounding communities.

Types of Canker Sores

There are two types of canker sores. The first type is the simple canker sore. These may appear sporadically three or four times per year and last for up to a week. They typically afflict young people between the ages of 10 and 20 years old. The second type is the complex canker sore. Complex canker sores are larger than simple canker sores, extremely painful, take more than a month to heal and can possibly leave a scar. They are less common and occur more often in people who have a long history of simple canker sores. People often confuse canker sores with cold sores but they are not the same. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters or herpes simplex type 1, are groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters. Unlike canker sores, cold sores are caused by a virus and are extremely contagious. While canker sores only appear inside the mouth, cold sores typically appear outside the mouth, under the nose, around the lips, or under the chin.

Treatment for Canker Sores in Virginia Beach, VA

Usually, the pain from a canker sore lessens in a few days, and the sores heal themselves without treatment in about a week or two. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should make an appointment with the experienced dentists of Smile By Design immediately as these may be signs of a more serious medical condition:

·         Unusually large sores

·         Sores that are spreading throughout your mouth

·         Sores that last three weeks or longer

·         Intense pain despite avoiding acidic foods and taking pain medication

·         Difficulty drinking enough fluids

·         High fever accompanying the canker sores

Smile By Design is located in Virginia Beach, VA, with service to patients from the nearby communities of Norfolk, Sandbridge, Portsmouth and Fort Story. 

E-Cigs and Your Smile: How Does Vaping Affect Your Teeth?

As many cigarette smokers turn to electronic cigarettes to get their nicotine fix, the topic of how these popular products affect oral health inevitably comes up again and again. While it is common knowledge that smoking cigarettes can cause a variety of oral health problems – including oral cancer, periodontal disease, and substantially stained teeth – not much is yet known about how e-cigs impact a person’s smile. At Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA, our doctors are happy to share valuable oral health information with our patients, including how the mouth is affected by smoking vs. vaping e-cigarettes.

Being an Informed Consumer

Though research is still ongoing regarding how e-cigs affect oral health, there are a few things that medical studies have been able to tell us so far. One of these factors involves the manner in which vaping dehydrates the mouth. A dry mouth is an excellent environment for bacterial imbalance and the development of periodontal disease. Patients who experience chronic dry mouth – whether it is caused by using electronic cigarettes or not – should contact our office for a consultation to determine the underlying issue, as well as to seek treatment.

Other concerns regarding e-cigs and oral health revolve around the ingredients used to create the liquid, or “juice,” these products use to deliver nicotine. More research is needed to determine how these ingredients, including propylene glycol and the flavorings used, impact the teeth and soft tissues of the gums, cheek lining, and tongue.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Whether you are currently a smoker, an e-cig user, or simply someone who would like to learn more about how these behaviors affect your oral health, we are here to help. Our doctors and caring, compassionate staff are always happy to share vital oral health information with our patients because we want you to have the happiest, healthiest smile possible. Contact our office today to schedule a visit to our Virginia Beach office and discover the difference that our patient-centric approach can make in your life. We also happily serve patients in Norfolk, Sandbridge, Fort Story, Portsmouth, and beyond. 

Pocket Depth and Periodontal Disease: What’s the Connection?

Many people know that gum disease can cause a wide variety of undesirable issues, including everything from bad breath and bleeding gums to eventual tooth loss when the condition is left untreated. However, the majority of individuals – even those who suffer from periodontal disease – don’t understand this condition and how it affects your health. At Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA, Dr. Vinita John Folck and Dr. Stephanie L. Santos offer a comprehensive menu of preventive and general dentistry services, including periodontal therapy.

What is Pocket Depth?

Ideally, the tissue of your gums should fit snugly around the base of your teeth, but periodontal disease changes this. Instead, pockets form along the gum line, creating the perfect place for bacteria to hide. Over time, this accumulation of bacteria can lead to the buildup of plaque and tartar, which further increases the size of the pocket. This cycle continues as the gum recedes and the infection spreads. Advanced periodontal disease can lead to complications with pregnancy, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and more.

Benefits of Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal therapy addresses the infection that causes inflammation and increased pocket depth, reducing the amount of room bacteria have to thrive in your gums. As with treatment for any other type of disease, gum disease is most effectively treated when diagnosed early.

Schedule Your Visit Today

Gum disease affects approximately three out of every four American adults; are you one of them? Because the early stages of periodontal disease don’t always present the patient with noticeable symptoms, it is important to see our doctors twice per year for routine exams and cleanings. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment with our experienced, caring team. Our practice proudly serves patients from throughout Virginia Beach, Sandbridge, Fort Story, Portsmouth, Norfolk, and beyond. 

The Role of Fluoride in Your Dental Health

There are a lot of misconceptions about fluoride as it relates to health, and hundreds of sites online that offer conflicting information about its effects. At Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA, our doctors want you to feel informed about all aspects of oral health, including the ways in which fluoride can impact your teeth.

Fluoride: Is it Good or Bad for Teeth?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance that originates from an element called fluorine. It is found in its natural form in the water and many foods we drink and eat, respectively. Despite much controversy regarding its effects, the amount of fluoride found in normal tap water is not substantial enough to cause any adverse health problems. In fact, fluoride is one of the essential factors in a healthy smile.

Fluoride treatments help to remineralize teeth, offering improved strength and protection against common problems like tooth decay. Adults are advised to use a toothpaste and mouthwash that contains fluoride because of this fact, better fortifying your teeth between visits to your dentist’s office. As with any procedure or treatment performed at our office, we invite you to ask questions and raise any concerns you may have regarding fluoride treatments. We’re here as a source of accurate, up-to-date information pertaining to the overall oral health of you and your family

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Schedule Your Next Visit Today

Has it been more than six months since the last time you had your teeth and gums cleaned and examined at Smile by Design? If so, then it’s time to contact our office in Virginia Beach, VA to schedule your appointment. Our experienced, caring doctors and staff look forward to helping you achieve optimal oral health through general dentistry and preventive services, all while welcoming you into a warm, comforting atmosphere. Our family-friendly practice happily serves patients from throughout Virginia Beach, as well as the surrounding areas of Fort Story, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Sandbridge, and beyond. 

Help Your Family Achieve Optimal Oral Health In 2014

Among the questions that dentists get asked on a regular basis, one of the most common is: How often should I have a checkup and cleaning? For a basic medical checkup, once a year is a good rule of thumb, but for your oral health the ideal number of visits per year is two.

Why so often? Because common oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease can develop easily, in children as well as adults. With regular checkups, your local dentist can help you watch for changes and provide care early on, when it can be less invasive.

At Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, family dental care is a central focus of ours. Every day, we’re helping children, parents, and seniors enjoy better oral health through oral exams and cleanings.

What are we looking for during a checkup? The most common oral health issues are tooth decay and gum disease. But that’s not all Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck will be on the lookout for. During your exam, our Virginia Beach team will also check for signs of teeth grinding (bruxism), TMJ dysfunction, and even oral cancer, because treating any of these early is very important.

Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck can also talk to you and your little one about home care. Two checkups a year aren’t enough to keep your smile in tip-top shape. Regular brushing and flossing are also important. If you have any questions about how to brush and floss effectively, we’d be more than happy to answer them.

Do you want to schedule your family’s first visit of 2014? Call Smile by Design today. Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck are happy to offer family dentistry to patients from Fort Story, Sandbridge, and nearby communities.

A Family Dentistry Checkup before the Holidays

At Smile by Design, Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck encourage their Virginia Beach patients to come in for checkups at least twice a year. Why so often? Because catching common oral health conditions like gum disease and tooth decay will lead to less invasive, more comfortable care. And with 2013 quickly coming to an end, is there a better time for your family to come in for a checkup than before the holidays start?

Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the December holidays all come with their own special treats—ones that are tasty but pose a threat to your oral health. With a family dentistry checkup at Smile by Design, our Virginia Beach dental team can assess your current health and determine if you’ll need care before the holidays arrive.

Even though you should be careful how many sweets you consume, we want you to enjoy the time you spend with friends and family, and that means being able to enjoy a few goodies over the next few months. What’s more, seeing you before the holidays begin will give us a chance to offer some nutritional advice as well.

A natural sweetener known as xylitol can be used instead of sugar in holiday treats because it’s sweet but won’t cause the same problems as regular sugar. In fact, xylitol is used in some toothpaste brands to guard against cavities. That’s because sugar leads to the creation of acid in the mouth, while xylitol creates a neutral atmosphere that makes it difficult for harmful bacteria to cling to teeth.

Learn more about xylitol by visiting Xylitol.org. And to schedule a visit for yourself or someone else in your family, call Smile by Design today for an appointment. We’re happy to serve patients from Virginia Beach and beyond.

The Benefit of Family and Children’s Dentistry

Even though regular dental care is important for adults and children, you don’t want to have one doctor for yourself and another doctor for your little one. What you want instead is a place that can help your whole family—where you might even be able to schedule back-to-back appointments, for convenience.

That’s what you’ll find at Smile by Design in Virginia Beach. With the family and children’s dentistry we offer, we’re helping patients of all ages have healthy smiles.

Visit Us Twice a Year for Better Oral Health

Every patient should see a dentist at least twice a year. Why? So Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck can look for changes in you or your child’s oral health. Catching things like gum disease and tooth decay early are important for providing care.

During a family or children’s dentistry appointment at our Virginia Beach office, we’ll thoroughly examine your smile for signs of the most common oral health issues. Then, we’ll complete a dental cleaning to get your teeth cleaner than is even possible with the best brushing and flossing routine. For children, we can also add a fluorite treatment to the appointment. Fluoride strengthens teeth against decay, which is something that all smiles—but especially young smiles—need help with. If Dr. Santos or Dr. Folck finds anything during your appointment, we can put together a treatment plan to help you or your little one reclaim optimal oral health.

Has it been more than six months since your last appointment? Call Smile by Design today for an appointment with Dr. Santos or Dr. Folck. We’re proud to serve patients from Virginia Beach, Fort Story, and Northeast Virginia Beach.