Did you know healthy gums are vital to healthy teeth? Keeping your gums healthy is just as important as caring for your teeth. Your gums offer support and protection for your teeth, and if they become infected or damaged, it can have devastating effects.
At our Herndon, VA dental office, we practice minimally invasive dentistry. We would rather prevent problems than fix them after they have become costly, painful, and damaging to your oral health. A big part of making minimally invasive dentistry work is getting a regular examination and cleaning at least once every six months.
Even the most rigorous home dental routine can't reach every spot in your mouth. Daily brushing is important, but over time, there are spots between your teeth, below the gumline, and in the back of your mouth that are perfect for bacteria to accumulate. With regular professional cleanings, we can make sure these hard-to-reach spots get properly cleaned and inspect them for signs of infection.
At your cleaning, we will review your at-home hygiene program and ensure you are using proper brushing and flossing techniques. We can demonstrate the correct way to brush and floss, and if you have questions about your home care, oral care products, or diet, we can answer them during this appointment.
Regular cleanings with a hygienist are also essential for tartar removal. Tartar is hardened plaque that builds up on your teeth, giving them a yellowish appearance, but it causes more trouble than just making your teeth yellow. If tartar is left unchecked, it can spread bacteria beneath your gums, resulting in periodontal disease.
There are two stages to periodontal disease. The early stage is called gingivitis. Symptoms of gingivitis include sore and swollen gums, easily bleeding gums, receding gumline and bad breath. Gingivitis can be treated with a periodontal deep cleaning process known as scaling and root planing.
During a scaling and planing treatment, the hygienist in our Herndon dental office will remove the tartar that has built up between your teeth and below the gumline down to the root. This removes the bacteria causing the swollen gums. In some situations, scaling and root planing is combined with antibiotic treatment to ensure the infection is eradicated.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it progresses to periodontitis. Periodontitis causes pockets to form between your teeth and gums and can lead to tooth loss. If your gum disease has proceeded to this stage, surgical treatment may be necessary.
A healthy smile needs a strong foundation. Regular cleanings, including deep cleanings when necessary, will keep you smiling for years to come. If you are due for your next cleaning, call our office today.
100% recommend. They are incredibly efficient and always ensure you are comfortable throughout the whole process. They are all so kind and professional, and they are transparent about everything they do, letting you know how the procedure is going to go as many times as you need and answering any and all questions. I always leave happy :) And the playlist they picked is nice too.
- Amina
We know you lead a busy life, and we want to make scheduling your trips to the dentist as easy as possible. We offer a wide range of appointments, including times not usually offered by most dentists, such as evening appointments on Tuesdays and even Saturday appointments!
Our normal hours of operation are as follows:
Keep in mind that evening and Saturday appointments fill up quickly, so plan ahead and schedule in advance to ensure you get the date and time that works best for you.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact us as soon as possible. We keep a block of same-day appointments available for emergencies so you can be seen without delay. If it is late in the day or after hours, we can schedule you for the next day and offer other assistance to keep you comfortable in the meantime. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please contact 911.
Call our Herndon dental office today for an appointment that works with your schedule.
Dr. Ahmad proudly serves patients in the Herndon, VA area, including Reston and Sterling. Originally from Central Florida, Dr. Ahmad graduated from Temple Kornberg School of Dentistry in Philadelphia, where she obtained her doctorate in dental medicine. There, she gained a solid clinical foundation working on the nation’s largest dental school patient population with a focus on the complex dental needs of the underserved and uninsured in North Philadelphia.
As a practitioner, Dr. Ahmad is a strong believer in preventive dentistry and focuses on helping her patients maintain a healthy oral ...
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