The Smile Design Center of Baltimore

Snacks and Your Dental Health

This video offers a closer look at which snacks can help support healthy teeth and gums. It is important to limit your consumption of foods containing sugars and starches, as these combine with the bacteria in your mouth to create acid. Instead, try to stick with snacks like plain yogurt, cheese, almonds, and raw apples. Crunchy vegetables with high water content are also a great choice, as they stimulate saliva flow and help wash away acid and food debris. Watch this clip for more tips.

Brushing your teeth, flossing, and visiting your general dentist every six months are essential when it comes to protecting your oral health—but the foods you eat can also have an impact on the condition of your teeth.

Make sure you’re taking proper care of your teeth by contacting the general dentists with The Smile Design Center in Baltimore at (443) 275-9821. We give our dental practice a spa-like ambiance so you can feel truly relaxed during your visit.

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The Different Types of Dental Sedation

Many individuals avoid routine dental care due to extreme fear or anxiety. This reaction may be caused by fear of pain, unpleasant dental experiences in the past, or embarrassment over the condition of one’s oral health. Sedation dentistry offers a great way for individuals with dental anxiety to receive the dental care they need in a comfortable, relaxing environment. Check out this overview of the different types of dental sedation to learn more about your options.

Oral Medications
Individuals who are afraid of needles are usually great candidates for oral conscious sedation, in which medications are provided prior to treatment to create a state of moderate sedation. These oral sedatives do not cause the patient to fall asleep, but rather dull the senses so that he or she will not remember any discomfort, sensations, odors, or noises associated with treatment once the procedure is complete. Commonly prescribed oral medications include Valium, Halcion, Versed, and Ativan.

Nitrous Oxide
Dental patients whose anxiety interferes with their ability to undergo a routine dental procedure, such as cleaning or scaling, can benefit from nitrous oxide. Also known as laughing gas, this form of inhaled sedation is used to elevate your overall mood, alleviate anxiety, and increase feelings of well-being.

IV Sedation
Intravenous sedation is generally reserved for individuals with intense fear of pain or those preparing for a more invasive procedure. IV sedation is administered through an injection made directly into the bloodstream and makes patients feel as though they have slept through the entire procedure.

Sedation dentistry not only alleviates anxiety and fear but also enables your sedation dentist to accomplish more during each dental visit. Make long dental procedures feel shorter and eliminate discomfort by asking your dentist about sedation dentistry. Call The Smile Design Center of Baltimore at (443) 275-9821 or visit us online to set up an initial consultation. 

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