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Aside from routine cleanings, restorative dentistry is probably the dental specialty that most patients will experience as they age or as a result of tooth damage from a variety of causes. Restorative dentistry is a rather large umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of dental procedures, including dental fillings, dental crowns, bridges, and dental implants. Because dental restorations become increasingly more important to us as we age, Bethesda, MD dentist Dr. Roy Eskow and Dr. Adam Eskow would like to discuss some common types of restorations and how they benefit your long term dental health. The many advances made in materials, technology and technique enable dentists to help patients maintain their natural teeth for as long as possible- or replace lost teeth with more life like options that allow for a high quality of life. Because dental restorations become increasingly more important to us as we age, Drs. Eskow and Eskow would like to discuss some common types of restorations and their functions. The most ubiquitous type of restoration and one that most patients receive at some point in their life is a dental filling. This particular type of restoration is used on teeth with minor tooth decay and involves removing the decayed tooth structure and replacing it with either a metal amalgam or composite resin material that can be matched to the color of your tooth. Another common type of restoration is the dental crown, which is used on teeth with moderate to severe decay in which the majority of the tooth structure is compromised. In this procedure, your decayed tooth is shaved down and a porcelain “cap” is created to fit perfectly over the tooth and restore strength to prevent future damage and decay. For patients missing multiple teeth in a row, dental crowns may be used to support a dental bridge. Dental implants are used as an alternative to bridges for the replacement of missing teeth and have become the gold standard for the most natural and lasting tooth replacement. The need for dental restorations, as well as how long pre-existing restorations last, is determined by a number of factors. These include your overall health, your oral hygiene, your age, and any lifestyle habits such as tooth grinding or heavy chewing that may affect the integrity of your teeth. Modern restorative materials are designed to be durable and long lasting, though each have their own unique set of benefits. If you would like to know more about restorative dentistry or if you think you may be in need of a restoration, don’t hesitate to contact Drs Eskow and Eskow in our Bethesda, MD dentist office!

With the advent of teeth whitening, it seems as though you can’t turn on the television or open a magazine without seeing a gleaming white smile staring back at you. White teeth have become such a common cosmetic dental treatment that there are currently hundreds of products and procedures on the market today aimed specifically at providing consumers with pearly white smiles. However, most of us do not have perfectly white teeth naturally. Have you ever wondered why our teeth darken over time? Dr. Roy Eskow and Dr. Adam Eskow recognize that staining is a common complaint among HIS/HER patients and would like to provide some insight into this problem and offer suggestions on how to correct it. Why Do Teeth Darken? Teeth discoloration can be caused by a variety of factors. Most commonly, tooth darkening occurs as a natural effect of aging. As we get older, the outer hard tissue covering our teeth, called enamel, wears away and exposes the darker dentin beneath it. This can cause our teeth to appear more gray or yellow rather than white. Additional tooth staining can also be caused by certain medications. The most notable of these is tetracycline staining, which occurs during tooth development in infancy and childhood when tetracycline antibiotics become incorporated into the tooth structure itself. This causes a translucent, gray appearance to teeth. Diet can also have a significant impact on tooth color. Colored beverages such as coffee, tea, and soda, as well as some fruits, can cause teeth to darken with repeated intake. In addition, cigarette smoking and the use of other tobacco products can cause staining and tar buildup on teeth. If teeth discoloration is a cosmetic concern for you, don’t hesitate to discuss your options with Drs. Eskow and Eskow during your next visit. Professional teeth whitening treatments, porcelain veneers, and composite tooth bonding can all help you achieve the look that you desire!

Preventive dental care is the foundation of your oral heath care and should be performed on a regular basis to ensure a lifelong healthy smile. The goal of Dr. Roy Eskow and Dr. Adam Eskow is to help patients maintain their oral health, as well as to help avoid dental problems in the future. Preventive dental care is an important part of a good quality of life, now and as you age. What Preventive Dentistry Offers Preventive Dentistry is focused on taking care of one’s oral health in advance to avoid the many risks associated with poor oral hygiene down the road. Regular brushing and annual dental checkups with Drs. Eskow and Eskow are two of the most common methods of preserving lasting oral health. Other oral care tips include flossing daily, using a fluoride toothpaste approved by the ADA (American Dental Association) and changing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 times a year. Visiting our Bethesda, MD dentist office for an exam and professional dental cleaning twice a year gives us the opportunity to spot dental problems early on and screen for gum disease and oral cancer. Catching problems early can save time and money down the road. Preventive dental care is also the best way to avoid tooth cavities, gum disease and worn or damaged teeth. With regular checkups, Drs. Eskow and Eskow will be quick to identify issues in your oral health and recommend appropriate treatment before the issue threatens overall dental health or results in tooth loss. What Preventive Dentistry Offers To You… With the above benefits, it’s easy to understand that preventive dentistry helps you enjoy not only a comfortable smile, but the overall health benefits of eating and speaking normally. Your dental health also plays a role in helping you maintain overall good health: poor oral health has been linked to an increased risk in the development or severity of cardiovascular and systemic disease.

Acid reflux, GERD, and heartburn are common complaints for many patients today. There are a variety of reasons why someone may experience these common health concerns from genetics to medications to lifestyle habits. Dr. Roy Eskow and Dr. Adam Eskow want to remind patients of the impact that acid reflux and related disorders can have on your dental health. Understanding how your physical health can affect oral health is the key to living a healthy life and maintaining a functional smile. Acid reflux occurs when acids from the stomach that are there to aid in the digestion of food make their way back up into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation of the lining of the esophagus over time. Typical symptoms include belching, heartburn, bad breath, nausea, difficulty swallowing and regurgitation of food. What most patients do not realize is that the acid making its way up the esophagus is ending up on the surfaces of the teeth and causing an erosion of enamel over time. This can lead to increased tooth sensitivity, tooth decay and eventually damaged teeth as they become weakened. During a routine preventive care visit to our Bethesda, MD or Washington, DC dentist offices, Drs. Eskow and Eskow and their staff will take the time to look for signs of enamel erosion and discuss possible causes with you in order to recommend the appropriate treatment. If you are being treated for acid reflux or GERD, mention this to Drs. Eskow and Eskow at your next visit so that we can be aware of your overall health concerns and educate you on how they can impact dental health. There are also certain medications that can lead to acid reflux, eventually causing tooth enamel erosion. It is important to also discuss any regular medications you are taking during your visit with us. Maintaining strong teeth and healthy gums is the foundation of a lifelong functional smile- an important part of a good quality of life!