Washington Dental Associates Blog

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Why It’s Best to Use Contactless Greetings While in the Dentist’s Office

May 15, 2020

a person trying to shake hands while another puts a hand up to stop them

The next time you see your dentist in Tappan, don’t expect to be able to run up and offer a handshake or high-five. With COVID-19 continuing to pose a worldwide threat, certain protocols and safety measures are being put into place to not only better protect you but dental team members as well. Although it may seem unwelcoming or “off-putting” you can trust that your dentist is happy to see you and wants things to return to normal as much as you do. But for now, spend some time learning why contact-free greetings are best and which ones you can use when arriving for your next appointment.

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5 Ways to Care for Your Mouth When You’re Sick with the flu, cold or Covid-19

May 12, 2020

When I am feeling under the weather, something that always helps me feel a little more like myself is to brush my teeth. Of course, I’m a dentist, and that is just me.  There is a good reason for that.  My mouth feels clean, and in a way, I feel like my health is starting to improve.

When you have a cold, the flu or Covid-19,  taking care of your body is your top priority—and that includes your mouth. “It’s important to take care of your dental health all year round, but especially when you’re sick.

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Everything you need to know about the BURST brush

May 8, 2020

BRUSH INFORMATION

Correct Technique
Correct Technique

What is the correct brushing technique of the BURST brush?

The advantage of the BURST sonic toothbrush is that it gives off 33,000 sonic vibrations per minute, allowing your teeth to look, feel and be cleaner relative to using a manual brush. The key is to let the sonic brush do the work itself and not brush like you would with a manual toothbrush.

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Is Telemedicine an Effective Solution Amid the COVID-19 Crisis?

April 22, 2020

an emergency dentist in Tappan sitting in front of a computer preparing to speak to a patient

Wouldn’t it be nice to seek the help of an emergency dentist in Tappan without actually having to step inside their office right now? If the fear of contracting COVID-19 is keeping you locked up indoors, you may be searching for alternative solutions to get the help you need. Before throwing up your hands and claiming defeat, consider how a virtual consultation with your dentist, also known as telemedicine or teledentistry, can be an effective and reliable solution for patients of all ages.

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How to Determine if Your Fever is Due to COVID-19 or an Oral Infection

March 23, 2020

a woman lying down and feeling her forehead while she looks at a thermometer

At some point in your life, you’ve had a fever. Whether when you were a child fighting off the flu or as an adult dealing with a 24-hour stomach bug, the rise in temperature can do all types of things to your body. But since a fever is now considered to be one of the leading symptoms of COVID-19, how do you know if you’ve contracted the virus or if it’s something else like an oral infection? To better understand, an emergency dentist in Tappan explains the symptoms to watch for that will help identify when you need to seek treatment for a serious dental problem.

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Covid-19 Office Update

March 19, 2020

The world is grappling with an issue of enormous scale and human impact, and our heart goes out to all who have been affected by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).

As of now, our office will remain open to serve the patients needing emergency dental work. This is our way of helping decrease the amount of people going into the emergency rooms.

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Discover What to Look For When Faced with a Toothache

March 5, 2020

a young woman holding her jaw and cringing in pain as a result of a toothache

All toothaches are the same, right? Wrong! They all come in different shapes and sizes and are caused by a host of things. From sinus pressure and congestion to an object stuck between your teeth to a serious abscess, the one thing all these have in common is that they cause pain. Ranging from mild to moderate to severe, you may not know exactly when you should seek immediate care or wait to see if it passes on its own. Before you jump in the car and head to your local dentist’s office, let an emergency dentist in Tappan explain what signs to look for that will dictate the type of care you need.

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How Can Sedation Dentistry Be Beneficial For You?

February 24, 2020

For the most part, most dental patients will fear their upcoming procedures. They may have felt some discomfort while booking their appointment, which may result in feeling uncomfortable feelings towards going forward with treatment. If you are experiencing these emotions at our office yourself, you are not alone! According to JDH, an estimate of 50-80% people fear their dentist to some degree.

People will most likely to hold off on going to their dentist for their recommended six-month cleaning, as opposed to making a trip to their physician for their physical. There are several leading factors as to why they hold off on any type of dental treatment, but the most common reason is due to feeling anxious at the dentist, otherwise known as what we call, “Dental Phobia”.

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Gum Disease: One of the Nation’s Most Prevalent Oral Health Problems

February 23, 2020

"gum disease" in Tappan written out in Scrabble tiles on a table

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gum disease is one of the most common conditions in the nation, impacting one out of every two American adults. Many people aren’t aware of how serious and prevalent this issue is, and not knowing about the problem can put your mouth at risk, because you don’t know how to protect yourself. To celebrate National Gum Disease Awareness Month, learn about how you can prevent this oral disease, and what you can do to treat the symptoms.

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Can Gum Disease Lead to Problems with Your Heart?

February 5, 2020

a manual toothbrush laying on its side with toothpaste foam and blood pooling around it

Why are my gums bleeding? Why have they suddenly become red and puffy? Gum disease in Tappan has a sneaky way of attacking your soft oral tissue, causing you to wonder how it happened in the first place. Although it doesn’t happen overnight, you may find yourself a bit oblivious to your symptoms in the beginning. However, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans experience the same scenario and don’t realize it’s an issue until they either see their dentist or begin to notice other problems developing throughout their body, one of which is the heart. But why would the gums impact such a vital organ? To find out, hear from a dentist who explains the connection.

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