Our Blog
Sunshine Dentists, reminding you to protect your mouth!
February 21st, 2012
Do you play a sport for Robinson, Woodson or Lake Braddock Secondary Schools? Protect those pearly whites from trauma! According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, over 5,000,000 teeth are knocked out annually. Don’t be part of that statistic.
Sunshine Dentists can create compact, custom mouth guards for our patients that want to protect and cushion their teeth from impact. No more bulky, one-size-fits-all mouth guards from the drug store. The process is simple: come in to see Tiffany or Tammy for an impression of your upper teeth, we’ll send it off to our top rated dental lab, and 2 weeks later you’ll have your mouth guard ready to use. Be sure to ask at your next visit for details.
If you mention that you read about it on our Facebook page or Sunshine Dentists blog, we’ll give you $50 off your sports mouth guard!
Thanks to Invisalign, you can have a perfect smile without metal wires or brackets!
February 15th, 2012
At Sunshine Dentists, we know image is everything. For many people, the thought of having metal brackets and wires attached to their teeth for two or more years may be more than enough to delay orthodontic treatment.
If you’ve been considering straightening your teeth but are apprehensive about metal wires and brackets getting in the way of your smile, Invisalign treatment at Sunshine Dentists may be a great solution. Invisalign, which straightens teeth through a series of clear, custom-fit removable aligners, does so in a way that is discreet and hardly noticeable.
If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment at our office, please give us a call to schedule a consultation with Drs. Kristen Donohue and Laura Pierce.
Sunshine Dentists at Give Kids a Smile Day!
February 7th, 2012
Sunshine Dentists would like to highlight our latest volunteer efforts with the Northern Virginia Dental Society‘s Give Kids a Smile Day. 6 of our team members were there to help treat 4-6 year old kids, that otherwise cannot afford basic dental care. Along with hundreds of other volunteers, we performed cleanings, fillings, fluoride treatments and sealants. Fun brushing and flossing presentations were also given to teach these kids good home care and cavity prevention. We all had a great time at this event.
Part of our mission at Sunshine Dentists is to give back to our community. It was a treat to serve these wonderful kids. If you have any questions about Give Kids a Smile Day, ask us at your next appointment! You can also see pictures from this event on our Facebook page.
- Dr. Donohue & team
Ask Sunshine Dentists: What’s the deal with mouthwash?
February 3rd, 2012
While mouthwash is not an alternative to regular brushing and flossing, it can help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. There are several different types of mouthwashes available, and all of them will help do different things for your smile. The most common types of mouthwashes are:
• Fluoride – fluoride is the most used type of mouthwash available, and is used to strengthen the enamel of the teeth while preventing cavities and tooth decay.
• Antiseptic – an antiseptic mouthwash is used to kill bacteria and germs in the mouth. Most commonly used before and after a dental surgery, antiseptic mouthwashes can also help to fight gum disease, and halitosis (chronic bad breath). Antiseptic mouthwashes can affect your sense of taste and may stain the teeth, so it is recommended that you consult your dentist before using this type of mouthwash.
• Combination – a combination mouthwash is designed to help prevent tooth decay, freshen the breath, and maintain the health of your smile.
• Prescription – for patients with gum disease, or any signs of gum disease, you may need a prescription mouthwash. Prescription mouthwashes, like Peridex of PerioGard, are used to treat gingivitis, and other forms of decay.
There are also many different brands of mouthwash. Some common brands include:
• Scope
• Listerine
• Act
• Crest
• Tom’s of Maine (all-natural)
• Plax (anti-plaque rinse)
• Breath Rx
• Orajel
• Targon (special mouthwash made for smokers)
• Rembrandt (whitening mouthwash)
If you are curious about which kind of mouthwash would work best for you, be sure to ask us at your next appointment. If you have a favorite mouthwash, let us know by posting a comment for others to read!
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