Wayne Myles DDS Blog

As children, we’re often taught to wash our hands before dinner. Germs, unfortunately, don’t care what time of day it is and can wreak havoc at all hours. Clean hands prevent you from getting bacteria in your mouth that can cause sickness. So, it’s important to learn how to keep your hands clean. This is the perfect time of year to learn about that, since the first week of December is National Handwashing Awareness Week. A dentist is here to tell you how to celebrate, and the benefits of washing your hands frequently.

The popping, locking, soreness, and downright painful symptoms you’re experiencing can all be attributed to TMJ disorder. If you’re tired of missing out on all the foods you love, forgoing time with family and friends, and getting inadequate sleep because of your chronic jaw pain, discover why it’s time to do something about it. Since November is National TMJ Awareness Month, learn why it’s best to seek treatment from a neuromuscular dentist in Reston.

You’re playing a friendly game of football with your friends when you’re suddenly tackled from behind. You hit the ground hard but when you start to stand up, you notice a tooth. Feeling around in your mouth, you realize it’s yours and scramble to pick it up. What do you do? If this scenario sounds like it’s something that could happen to you, learn how immediate action can lead to your emergency dentist saving your tooth.

People get body piercings as a form of self-expression or even as a way to prevent migraines. If you have ones in your mouth, you may experience side-effects or complications that can have a negative impact on your oral and overall health. Not to mention, the friction from piercings against your teeth could result in an unexpected visit to your emergency dentist. Read on to learn about possible effects of oral piercings and how you can keep your mouth healthy if you already have one.

Did you know October is National Dental Hygiene Month? It was born in 2009 thanks to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association because they believed that there needed to be a focus on learning new tips to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as ever. After years of brushing and flossing every day and night, most people don’t consider whether there are additional preventive practices they could implement into their daily lives to optimize their oral health. Below, a dentist offers five preventive tips to help keep your mouth looking healthy and happy for decades to come.

You may have heard about fluoride, especially if you’ve been to the dentist recently. It’s a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and most drinking water. Minerals are added to and lost from your teeth’s enamel, or the outer shell that protects the underlying sensitive nerves, every day. Bacteria in plaque demineralize enamel, while fluoride remineralizes it. How can you get more of it to protect your teeth? Is it even safe? Read on to learn all about fluoride.

Did you know that September is National Gum Care Month? Although you really should be taking care of your gums all year long, this month is a great time to learn how. Doing so can prevent gum disease, a serious bacterial infection that can cause the gums to recede and your teeth to become loose and even fall out! In honor of this month, your dentist is sharing 4 quick and simply ways to keep your gums in good health.

You love your natural teeth and want to make sure they last as long as possible. Cavities and dental decay are one of the most common oral health conditions in the United States and affect 92 percent of adults age 20 to 64. Some people think of cavities as a small dental inconvenience that can easily be fixed, but while treatment is simple, they can wreak havoc on your oral health when they’re left to progress. Read on to learn ways that you can ward off this common oral health issue and keep all of your natural teeth, longer. (more…)

Dental technology has come a long way in a short period of time. Each visit with your dentist in Reston, they are sure to take images of your mouth, but you’re not sure why, and you don’t even know if the machine is safe. These images can help dental professionals find problems that may not be exhibiting any symptoms and are hidden under the surface, not visible to the naked eye. Read on to learn why dental X-rays are so important, and how dental technology has advanced over the years. (more…)

Plenty of people understand the importance of regular dental appointments; in fact, the ADA has found that 42% of Americans would like to see their dentist more often, and 85% agree that a healthy mouth is extremely important for a healthy body. However, many patients may need to take certain medications before a dental visit. Are you in this group? And why would such preparation be required? Here’s why your dentist in Reston might ask you to take antibiotics before your appointment.

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