Tag: plaque

Tips for a Lifelong Smile

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Did you know that beyond basic dental hygiene, there are things that you should be doing to preserve the health of your smile? Drs. Paul Stanovick, Brant Stanovick, and our team are happy to offer advice on things you can do for your smile.

Lifestyle Habits
If you want to have your smile for more than just a while, avoid bad oral habits. Chewing on pens and your nails can wear down your teeth, or even crack, chip, or break them. Chewing on ice can also cause issues like chipped teeth or injured gums. Another oral habit that can damage the teeth is opening things with your teeth.

Visit Our Dentist
For the health of your smile, visit Paul R. Stanovick, DDS at least twice a year for your regular dental cleaning and exam. During this appointment, our hygienist will remove all plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. During this appointment, our dentist will examine all of your teeth and your gums for any problems and potential problems. This exam allows for any dental problems to be treated early on.

Complete Your Dental Treatment
You should not leave dental treatment unfinished. Any procrastinated dental work could mean a worse dental issue developing.

We encourage you to contact our office at 804-781-1919 today if you would like to learn more about keeping your smile for life and to schedule a visit with our dentist in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

Learning About Gum Disease

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Gum disease can be a serious problem for your oral health, and your overall health. That is why it is important to know the symptoms of gum disease like persistent bad breath, loose teeth, and bleeding gums. Understanding the causes of gum disease can help you to reverse the condition and restore your healthy smile.

Our staff at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS in Mechanicsville, Virginia, is thrilled to talk with you about gum disease and the leading causes of it, so you can identify the symptoms and get help in dealing with it. Some of the causes are:

-Eating sugary foods or foods that stick to your teeth
-Pregnancy, which can also increase the risk of gum disease
-Using any tobacco of any kind, which can lead to oral cancer
-Diabetes, cancer, and other serious illnesses that can put you at a higher risk for gum disease
-Plaque and tartar buildup, when it is left untreated and unchecked
-Missing your semi-annual dental checkups
-Neglecting to brush and floss each day
-Neglect getting the fillings you need when you have cavities

If you are experiencing any of these conditions, please call our office right away at 804-781-1919 and make an appointment to see Drs. Paul and Brant Stanovick. Our friendly and professional team is prepared to help you win the fight against gum disease and help you achieve positive oral health.

Don’t Forget to Add These Smile Friendly Thanksgiving Foods to the Menu

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While you are cooking up a storm this Thanksgiving holiday, Dr. Paul R. Stanovick, Brant Stanovick, and our team in Mechanicsville, Virginia, hope you include some smile-friendly fare on your menu. Most people are familiar with heart-healthy food choices, but smile-friendly food choices are not as well-known, yet both are vital to good health. Following are some smile-friendly choices we hope you include in your family’s bounteous spread.

— Chewing cheddar cheese lowers acid levels in the mouth and stimulates saliva production, both of which promote good oral health. Cheese also has calcium and protein which aids tooth enamel.

— Crunchy foods like apples, raw carrots, and celery can help clean plaque off of your pearly whites. They also contain fiber, which stimulates both the gums and saliva production which help wash away plaque.

— If you want to build tooth enamel, in addition to cheese, eat plenty of leafy greens such as spinach and kale, and almonds, which contain calcium. And meat, eggs, and fish supply the body with phosphorous, which also helps tooth enamel.

— If you have eaten and can’t brush your teeth, chewing sugarless gum helps remove bacteria in the mouth, which prevents plaque from building up on your teeth.

— Drinking milk after consuming sugary foods can help neutralize the acid created by bacteria which forms into plaque.

— Polyphenols, which are compounds found in both black and green teas, slow down bacterial growth that can cause cavities and gum disease. Drinking these teas are also good for fighting bad breath.

As you can see, you can help your family enjoy the holidays while protecting those hard-earned smiles. Remember to brush and floss no matter how busy you are, and keep those twice a year dental cleanings and checkups. To schedule a visit for you or a family member, please call 804-781-1919 today. Dr. Paul R. Stanovick, Brant Stanovick and the rest of our team at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS wish you and yours a healthy Thanksgiving!

Keeping Ahead of COVID-19

Providing a safe environment for treatment and control for infectious disease is always a priority at Paul Stanovick DDS. Our expansive reception area and large outdoor deck provides space to easily support regulations surrounding social distancing. The treatment rooms provide an extra layer of protection as they are sanitized between each patient and provide clean air through air purifiers located in each room. You will see some changes during your next appointment as we have added precautions to protect patients and staff. You will be asked to enter the building with use of facial protection and asked to wear it until you are in the treatment room. Hand sanitizer is also available throughout the whole building for your use. You may notice that our magazine and children’s books have been removed from the reception area as they are harder to disinfect. We have installed plexiglass around our front reception area for added distancing between front staff and patients waiting for appointments. Air purifiers have been placed in every operatory with two larger purifiers in the front and back of the office. We have provided face shields, lab jackets and barrier gowns for all clinical staff. Our hours of operation will still remain Monday -Friday 8am-5pm. We are looking forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about treatment and the safety precautions we are taking here at the practice. If you would like to make an appointment you can give us a call or text 804.781.1919. Thank you for your patience during these changing times and for your trust in us with taking care of your dental needs. Sincerely, Dr. Paul Stanovick, Dr. Brant Stanovick, and Staff.