The Beautiful Smile Blog

Do fears of needles keep you away from the dentist? If so, you’re not alone. As many as 40 million Americans refuse to go to the dentist because of a fear of needles. 

Topics: Anxiety, Going to the dentist, Fear of the Dentist, Fear of Needles

Do you avoid going to your dental check-ups? Are you scared of what the Dr. Bakhtyari or your hygienist may uncover? Anxiety is a perfectly natural feeling and quite common when you're dealing with the unknown but that fact is a preventative dental plan helps avoid serious and costly dental problems and supports a healthy, confident, smile.

Topics: Dental X-Ray Technology, Gingivitis, Periodontal Disease, Gum Disease,, Digital X-Ray, Cavity, check-up, Dental Exam, Lymph Nodes, Plaque, Tarter, periodontitis

As the old adage goes, April showers bring May flowers! We have certianly seen our fair share of rain around Northern Virginia this season but on the bright side it also means that Mother’s Day is just around corner. It can often be challenging to come up with a special gift idea for mom. Not often though do people think about gifting a smile makeover but the truth is that everyone appreciates a brighter, whiter, more beautiful smile but it may not be something someone prioritizes for themself. 

Topics: Mother's Day, Teeth Whitening, Costmetic Dentistry

April is oral cancer awareness month and according to the American Dental Association, it’s estimated that approximately "49,750 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer and cancers of the throat, tonsils and back of the tongue in 2017." Some of the top risk factors of oral cancer include gender, age, tobacco, alcohol, HPV virus, sunlight and diet.

Topics: Oral Cancer Awareness Month, Tongue Cancer, Tonsil Cancer, Dental Exam, Oral Cancer, Throat Cancer

Spring is finally here in Northern Virginia and it’s a time of new beginnings and transformation from old to new. If you’re inspired by the season to have a change, then custom veneers, as with most dental restorations, can dramatically reshape and transform your teeth and smile. In certain situations, porcelain veneers are a modern alternative to crowns and other dental restorations and help create a greater confidence in your smile and can help improve self-esteem.

Topics: Veneers, Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers

At Premier Dental Care, in Herndon, Virginia, we are very pleased to offer our patients not only with the highest quality dental care but with preventative dentistry which we believe is essential to maintaining good overall health. We also understand that dental care may be a strain on an individual or family's finances.That is why we are proud to introduce The Smiles Club; an affordable way to ensure you do not miss out on quality dental care.  

Topics: Dental Insurance, The Smile Club, Affordable Dental Care

We’ve all been there...that horrible moment when someone calls you out for having bad breath! It’s always cringeworthy and all you want to do is curl up and hide - we get it! Bad breath is very common but it can be avoided. We have 5 ways to beat bad breath so you’ll never have to be put in that awkward position ever again...

1. Get Rid of Any Cavities: Cavities are the number one cause of bad breath. It may sound obvious but if you brush and floss then you get rid of the trapped food and bacteria that lead to cavities and cause bad breath. We advise that you brush your teeth at least twice a day (after meals and before going to bed at night). Also, regular check-ups  and x-rays are important to diagnose any leaking restorations or areas of decay. 
   
   
2. Rinse Your Mouth Out: Don’t forget t rinse your mouth after you brush and floss. Besides freshening your breath, a mouthwash adds extra protection by getting rid of bacteria. A fresh minty taste can make you feel more confident. But be sure the mouthwash you choose kills the germs that cause bad breath.
   

Topics: Tooth Decay, Halitosis, Bad Breath, Cavity, x-ray, Cavities, check-up

We know 2016 was a rough year, but it's time to leave it all behind us and look forward to 2017. It's a fresh start and we are so excited for the opportunities the future has in store. If you're searching for ways to transform yourself, a great place to start is with your smile. A beautiful and healthy smile can have a dramatic effect on your confidence and cosmetic dentistry can help you do just that. 

Topics: Invisalign, Orthodontics, Veneers, Bridges, Cosmetic Dentistry, Inlays, Onlays, Crowns, New Year, New You

It's hard to believe that we are nearing the end of the year already! Time has certainly gone by fast. Life is busy - we get it and often times we're so focused on looking after other people in our life that we can sometimes forget to take care of ourselves and our oral health. That's why at this time of the year we like to remind people that most insurance plans have a calendar year maximum and deductible period, and insurance maximums do not roll over from year to year.  This means that if you have unused benefits at the end of the year, you lose them. Many people also participate in a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account with your employer as well. In most cases, any benefits left in these accounts at the end of the year are lost. These are benefits that you have already paid for!

Topics: Benefits, Cosmetic Dentistry, Insurance, Cleaning and Prevention, General Dentistry

People often ask me what makes a great dentist? I always like to tell them that it’s not just the dentist you need to look at. If your friends or family are in the market for a new dentist let them know that they should look at the whole practice; the dentist, the team, and their practice philosophy.  Here are my top 3 recommendations for things you should look for when trying to find a great dental practice.

Topics: preventative dentistry, Finding a great dental practice, Dental Practice