Preventive Dental Care
Preventive dental care is a vital part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums throughout your life. No matter your age, you should practice good oral hygiene at home and schedule regular checkups with your dentist.
Here are a few things you can do to keep that bright and healthy smile, and prevent the build-up of plaque and the onset of cavities.
- Brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day, with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Use toothpaste with fluoride to help keep the enamel strong.
- Brush the top surface of your tongue to help remove extra plaque-causing particles – this will also help keep your breath nice and fresh.
- Clean between your teeth with floss at least once per day.
- Use mouthwash once a day to help dislodge any additional decay-causing food particles and bacteria from areas the brush and floss could not reach.
- Eat a balanced diet, including plenty of raw vegetables, cheese, plain yogurt and fruit.
- Avoid soda and sugary foods.
- If you participate in sports – whenever possible, wear a mouth guard.
- Visit your dentist regularly, every six months and ask about any other ways to protect and maintain your teeth – dentistry is a rapidly advancing field.
Brushing Instructions
- Place your toothbrush, touching your teeth, at a 45 degree angle to your gums
- Move the brush gently, in a circular motion.
- Make sure to brush the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of each individual tooth.
- The tip of your brush can be used to brush the inner surface of your front teeth
Flossing Instructions
- Wind about 18” of dental floss around your index fingers with about an inch of floss available between them.
- Most of the floss should be wrapped around one of the fingers with the other acting as the “pick up spool” as the floss is used to clean your teeth.
- Use your forefingers and thumbs to guide the floss between your teeth. Hold the floss firmly as you move the floss in a sawing pattern.
- Slide the floss up and down against and between each tooth.
Contact our dental office and make an appointment. We are here to help: (301) 593-7500
Meet Your Dentists
What Sets Us Apart?
Experience
Entrusted by his father, Dr. Paul Jones, with the wisdom of 42 years of experience, Dr. Daniel P. Jones is dedicated to maintaining a long tradition of dental excellence in the DC area.
Comfort
Conservative approach to dental problems and emphasis on painless dentistry, combined with the modern treatments and technology, provide the most comprehensive and comfortable dentistry possible.
Excellence
Patient care is at the forefront of Smile Beautiful. The entire office wants to assist the patient in making the best choices for themselves and family. Extra special steps are commonplace for the patient.
A few words from our patients:
Dr. Dan is the best dentist ever. Most recently I was treated for a gum abscess which led to a root canal on a tooth with a crown and two courses of antibiotics. One week later the abscess is gone, and my tooth is no longer sensitive to hot or cold, crunch or chew, or touch. It feels great, looks great and I could not have asked for a better result. Dr. Dan, you and Leonardo Da Vinci do some great work–masterpieces!!! And you are both in the smile making business…Me and Mona smiling together. Thank you.