Prevent gum disease in Bel Air by learning how to care for your teeth and gums! Brushing your teeth is essential for removing food and drink residue that can lead to plaque and tartar—but it cannot reach every surface in your mouth! That is why it is also important to floss once a day. Flossing removes the food debris that get stuck between your teeth, resulting in a cleaner mouth and healthier teeth and gums.

Start by finding the right floss for your teeth. You should use approximately 18 inches to make sure you can clean between all of your teeth. Wrap each end of the floss around your middle fingers and carefully place the floss between two teeth. Create a U-shape around each tooth and move the floss up and down for proper cleaning. If you have a hard time using regular floss, ask your family dentist to recommend floss sticks or other products.

Are you ready to straighten your teeth and become confident with your smile? An orthodontist in Bel Air can help you say goodbye to your crooked smile and hello to beautiful teeth! Metal braces may be the traditional teeth-straightening option, but newer options can provide a much more comfortable experience. Invisalign offers a number of advantages over metal braces, such as:

Shorter Treatment Time
Getting a straight smile takes time, but some treatments take longer than others. Traditional metal braces take an average of two years to straighten teeth. Many patients complete their Invisalign treatments in six to twelve months! That is why Invisalign is such a popular option for teenagers and adults interested in straightening their teeth. You can start enjoying a straight smile faster if you choose Invisalign instead of metal braces.

Ability to Remove Aligners
When you have metal braces, you are stuck wearing them all day and all night until your treatment is complete. Your orthodontist will advise you against eating certain foods that can get stuck or damage your braces, such as sticky candies and popcorn. You will also have a hard time brushing and flossing your teeth, putting you at risk for developing plaque. Invisalign uses clear aligners that are easily removed for eating and cleaning. This means you can eat what you want and keep up with proper dental hygiene!

Increased Comfort
Metal braces are highly effective at straightening teeth. Unfortunately, the brackets and wires used in these braces can be extremely uncomfortable. Poking and prodding may be normal for these braces, but you can avoid these concerns by choosing Invisalign. Your orthodontist can show you the clear plastic aligners used during treatment so you can understand how comfortable they are, especially compared to metal braces.

Discreet Treatment
A crooked smile can take a toll on your confidence. Metal braces can do the same. Sporting a mouthful of metal can be especially embarrassing for adults you want to straighten their smiles. With Invisalign, you will be able to straighten your teeth discreetly and without the metal. Aligners are nearly invisible, allowing you to start feeling more confident with each new pair!

Home dental care is not enough to keep teeth and gums healthy—you also need to find a great dentist in Bel Air ! A great dentist will help you feel comfortable and make sure you understand concerns and treatment options that can improve your smile.

When you visit Your Smile, you can feel comfortable meeting with Dr. Danielle Zhu. Dr. Zhu specializes in a variety of dental fields, providing treatments for patients of all ages and with an assortment of concerns and dental emergencies. Before becoming a well-known dentist in Bel Air, Dr. Zhu earned her undergraduate degree from UMBC and went on to receive a dental degree from the University of Maryland Dental School. Dr. Zhu also has a prosthodontic clerkship and post doctorate training in advanced general dentistry on her résumé! Along with these accomplishments, patients can also feel comfortable knowing that Dr. Zhu is a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Maryland State Dental Association.

Do you know what to do in case of a dental emergency? Visiting an emergency dentist in Bel Air is the best way to find help. These dental specialists help patients of all ages with a variety of dental emergencies. This guide can fill you in on some of the most common dental emergencies and what to do if you experience one:

Toothaches
Have you ever gotten food stuck between your teeth? This experience can be annoying but is often remedied with floss or a toothbrush. When

food is hard to reach, it can result in severe pain around the tooth and gum tissue. If you experience a severe toothache, try to remove food residue by rinsing your mouth out with warm water. Next, use dental floss to carefully floss around the affected tooth, as this might remove food debris that can be causing the sensation. If the pain does not subside, you should visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible.

Tooth or Jaw Injuries
Traumatic injuries can severely damage teeth or the jaw bone. These injuries can occur when people fall and tend to be most common among athletes who experience contact with other athletes or hard surfaces. It is important to seek emergency dental care for these traumatic injuries, as they are prone to infection and are often quite painful. Time is especially important when a one or more teeth get knocked out. The teeth may be saved if treated as quickly as possible.

Broken or Chipped Teeth
Getting hit in the head can result in a broken or chipped tooth. This not only affects the appearance of your smile, it can also result in pain and difficulty eating. Treat the area by rinsing your mouth out with warm water. Rinse off any pieces of your tooth that you can find and store them in a safe place. Gauze can be used to stop bleeding and a cold compress can be applied to relieve pain and swelling until you get to the emergency dentist.