At Your Smile, we pride ourselves on providing your family with the dental care you need to keep your smile healthy. Take a look at our latest reviews on ZocDoc to see what some of our patients have to say about us. We would also like to hear from you. Please take a moment to leave a review of your own on our Google+ page.

“I would and have recommended her to anyone looking for a dentist.” – Walter M.

Gum disease is a serious oral health issue that causes pockets in the gums, destruction of the bone, and might even lead to the loss of one or more teeth. The best way to prevent gum disease in Bel Air is to understand its different stages and what to do to prevent them. Keep reading to learn more about the progression of periodontal disease:

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease. When there is a lot of plaque and bacteria in the mouth, it might lead to inflammation and infection in the gums. Gingivitis usually causes the gums to bleed, swell, or to become tender. If you notice that your gums look different or start to bleed when you brush your teeth, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist. With a deeper cleaning and a periodontal treatment, gingivitis is completely reversible. You should also make an effort to improve your home hygiene routine and limit your sugar intake.

Periodontitis
If you do not get treatment for your gingivitis, it might turn into periodontitis, which is a more serious stage of gum disease. As the infection and inflammation in the gums progresses, it will start to destroy the bone and fibers in the jaw. This could cause large pockets between the teeth and the gums where even more plaque and bacteria can develop and make the problem even worse. Visiting the dentist for periodontal treatment can help you prevent the disease from getting any worse . It is also important to brush the teeth twice a day and floss once a day to keep the gums as healthy as possible.

Advanced Periodontitis
This stage of gum disease is the most serious. Without the fibers and bones to support the teeth, advanced periodontitis might cause the teeth to loosen or shift in the mouth. Once the teeth move out of their original position, it might become difficult to bite and to chew. Without help from your dentist, advanced periodontitis could cause you to lose one or more of your teeth.

Straight teeth do much more than improve the look of your smile. Straightening your teeth can help you enjoy optimal oral health. Keep reading to find out why you should work with your dentist in Bel Air to straighten your teeth:

When your teeth are straight, it is much easier to keep them clean. A good oral hygiene routine can reduce your risk for issues like cavities and periodontal disease. The gums also fit better over straight teeth, which further reduces your risk for problems like these.

Straightening your teeth can also help you improve your overall health. Tooth decay and gum disease are both issues that are caused by bacteria. When these bacteria and infections enter your bloodstream, they can increase your risk for health issues like heart disease, stroke, and pneumonia. Oral issues like periodontal disease also make it more difficult for diabetics to control blood sugar levels. You should work closely with your dentist to get straighter, healthier teeth.

This spring, the staff at Your Smile , proudly celebrates 10 years together. In 2005, Dr. Danielle Zhu acquired a well-established dental practice in the heart of what we now know as “(Insert Dealership Name)-ville”. She faced many challenges, like deciding what we were to do with a 9 ft. wooden bear in our lawn, and hiring the staff needed to make Your Smile thrive as a new business. Within weeks, Dr. Zhu had found the “big bear” a new home, and had hand selected a team to help make Your Smile what it is today. As a new owner, you can only hope that your staff selection can match strengths with weaknesses and allows personal growth for the whole team. Realistically, you hope that your staff gets along and that you can count on them to be there when you open your doors every morning.

Today, Dr. Danielle Zhu opens her office doors to see the same team that she selected 10 years ago. We try to keep it fresh and dye our now graying hair, but we are still here. Through graduations, weddings, births and shared holidays, we have become more than just staff. We have become family. Here’s a little bit more about the smiling faces that help make that family:

Dorothy Van Dyke

Dorothy has held her position in this location for more than 15 years. You know her as the Polish lady that sends you to “the big chair”, but she does much more behind the scenes than any of us will ever realize. As the “Mom” of the group, our cabinets are never bare of supplies, and she sees that everyone goes home with tooth brush. During quiet times, we often hear Dorothy shout out a name of a patient that she just remembered is overdue for a cleaning. She never stops worrying about people. Do not be surprised if you get a personal reminder call. We are honored to have her here on our team.

Outside of the office, Dorothy and her husband are always on the run. Dorothy is a proud swimming and soccer mom, and she will take every opportunity to share this with our patients. Her oldest is now off on his own, making his own dental appointments. Her daughters flossing rituals are still under the watchful eye of their mom, their smiles will undoubtedly only grow more beautiful. Along with countless other families, we have watched Dorothy’s children grow up over the years. What an honor it has been.

Lori Adams

If Dorothy is the “Mom”, then surely Lori is the little sister. As the youngest of the team, Lori has grown herself over the last 10 years. She still struggles to wear her retainers every night, but we have finally gotten the importance of flossing through to her. Lori’s smile is always the first thing that you see when you walk into our office. Mostly likely because she never leaves that front desk, but also after Invisalign and Porcelain Crowns, we featured her on the first page of our Look Book. Lori’s greatest strength is that she can efficiently juggle scheduling appointments and answering your insurance questions, all without missing a moment of what comes on The Ellen Show. Lori’s biggest smile can be seen when she gets a chance to play in the office with her littlest co-workers, both Dorothy and Dr. Zhu’s children. We may not have video games or a sandbox, but we have a “Lori”. At the end of the day, it is not uncommon for us to see her still wearing the prize box jewelry or pulling stickers off of her pants. We are very lucky to have her, and so are the parents of our patients!

Dorothy, Dr. Zhu, and Lori

Preventative treatments at the dentist in Bel Air give you an easy way to prevent major oral health issues and to keep your teeth looking great. Keep reading to find out how these preventative treatments can help you maintain a healthy, attractive smile:

It Keeps the Teeth and Gums Clean
General cleanings are huge parts of preventive care. The dentist will give you a thorough cleaning every time you go in for an appointment. This can help you prevent food and plaque from building up on your teeth and gums, which lowers your risk for developing cavities or periodontal disease.

It Reminds You Why Oral Hygiene is Important
If you visit your dentist for regular cleanings, it reminds you of the importance of a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing your teeth at home helps you get the best reports the next time you visit the dentist. If you keep up with your preventative visits, you can easily remind yourself why it is so important to focus on your oral health.

It Spots Issues Early
Preventative dental care helps you spot any oral health issues early enough to get treatment before the problems get worse . A dentist can place a dental sealant over a tooth that is at risk for developing decay to protect the eating surface. If the dentist can spot problems like gum disease in the earliest stages, he or she can give you treatment to prevent the issue from getting any worse.

It Helps You Learn About Oral Health
Preventative dentistry can also educate patients about oral health. The dentist can teach you about the proper way to care for your teeth and gums to decrease your risk for preventable problems like cavities and gum disease. He or she can also talk to you about the best kinds of foods to eat to encourage a healthy smile. The dentist can also show you how your oral health can affect your overall health.

Gum recession, while not a dental emergency in most cases, can still be quite serious. If you have receding gums in Bel Air , you’ll want to schedule a dental appointment soon so that the cause can be determined and appropriate treatment can be started.

Gums can recede for several reasons, the most common of which is periodontal disease. You may also experience gum recession if there’s been trauma to the area or if you are genetically predisposed to the condition. Treatments are available to reverse gum recession, including scaling and root planning, and gum grafting to restore lost tissue.

Check out this video to learn more about the causes of gum recession and its treatments. Remember that complications from the condition can range from tooth sensitivity to cavities in the root, and in some cases, tooth loss. Talk to your dentist today about your receding gums and what can be done about them.

Many parents mistakenly believe that the health of their children’s baby teeth isn’t that important since they’ll lose the teeth anyway. This unfortunate misconception has led to nearly half of all children experiencing at least some form of tooth decay before their permanent teeth erupt. A child’s primary teeth are extremely important to their long-term oral health, however, so it’s vital to follow and teach good oral care habits early. Talk to your family dentist in Bel Air about the best way to care for your child’s teeth, and follow these tips:

Start Early
Most children’s primary teeth begin to erupt between four and six months of age. Some dentists recommend gently cleaning the gums from birth by simply wiping them with a damp cloth, then moving on to a baby toothbrush when the first tooth erupts. By beginning oral hygiene this early and sticking to it twice per day, you can help ensure it becomes a normal part of daily life that your child simply expects; struggles over brushing teeth in the morning and evening can be greatly minimized by teaching the habit early.

Teach Proper Techniques
As children become toddlers and start to exhibit some independence, they will want to “do things themselves.” This is a good thing, but it’s important that they learn how to do them the right way. Allow your child to brush his or her own teeth, but be present to monitor the technique. You may even consider brushing together so that your child can imitate your motions until he or she has a solid grasp of the technique. Be sure to go after your child to finish the job until he or she is able to do a thorough job on his or her own.

Visit the Dentist Regularly
The family dentistry professionals at your dentist’s office can be your biggest allies in caring for your child’s teeth . At the dentist, your child will receive regular cleanings and have his or her oral health monitored through x-rays and comprehensive exams. You and your child will also receive tips and education on maintaining lifelong oral health.

Most people agree that a toothache can be a terribly painful experience. However, many people do not know what causes a toothache that might send them rushing to their dentist in Bel Air .

The most common cause of toothaches is cavities, or tooth decay. When a tooth decays to the point that it exposes the nerves inside the tooth, even the act of breathing can be excruciating as air moves across the area. You may need a filling, root canal, or crown depending on the level of decay. Another common cause of toothaches is dental abscesses. These are infections in or around the tooth and are quite serious. Immediate dental care is required. Toothaches can also be caused by a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, infected gums, lost fillings or crowns, or tooth grinding. Talk to your dentist as soon as possible if you are experiencing any type of tooth pain so that he or she can determine the cause and administer the appropriate treatment.

While you probably strive to protect your mouth and teeth from injury or infection, life isn’t always easy to control. Certain dental situations will require a prompt trip to an emergency dentist near Bel Air , while others may be handled with at-home care until you can see your dentist during regular business hours. Here’s what to do if you find yourself facing a dental emergency:

Stop Any Bleeding
If you sustain injury to the soft tissues of the mouth, or if you have a tooth knocked out, partially dislodged, or broken, it’s vital to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. This can be accomplished by rinsing your mouth gently with a warm saltwater solution and then applying pressure to the area. You may use either a folded piece of gauze or a damp tea bag over the area to keep pressure on for 15 to 20 minutes. If the bleeding is not controlled after that, continue applying pressure but seek treatment immediately either at an emergency room or an emergency dentist.

Control Swelling and Pain
​Dental emergencies typically come with pain, and often are accompanied by swelling. Unless your doctor has placed restrictions on it, take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help with the pain. Ibuprofen will also help to control inflammation and swelling. Apply cold compresses to the face over the area where there is pain and swelling. A gentle rinse of warm water, either plain or with a touch of salt, can also be soothing until you can get to the emergency dentist.

Preserve the Tooth
If your dental emergency involves a dislodged or knocked out tooth, it’s important to keep the tooth viable if at all possible. Do not handle the tooth by the root; pick it up by the crown and very gently rinse it with warm water. Never attempt to clean the attached tissue off the root. If it is possible, reinsert the tooth in its socket, taking care to ensure it is facing the proper direction. If reinsertion is not possible, place the tooth in a container of milk and try to get to the emergency dentist within one hour if at all possible.

When wisdom teeth do not grow in properly, they could cause major problems in your mouth. You should visit your dentist in Bel Air as your wisdom teeth start to grow in so they can be sure they are coming in the right way.

If wisdom teeth do not erupt fully, it might create an opening around the area that allows bacteria and infections to develop in the area. This area can also become food or plaque traps that lead to tooth decay or periodontal disease.

Wisdom teeth that grow in sideways might get trapped between the bone and the gum and might lead to infections or pain. Check out this video to learn more.