At Slate Dental, we work hard to give the best care to our patients in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding areas. Our general dentistry services in Washington, DC focus on keeping your teeth and gums healthy with treatments that prevent and fix common dental problems. Whether you’re a new patient or have been with us for years, we’re here to help.
We believe education is just as important as treatment. When patients know how to care for their teeth, they can avoid many common dental problems. Dr. Slate and his team will guide you on the best ways to brush and floss, showing you the proper techniques to keep your mouth clean and healthy.
General Dentistry at Slate Dental in Washington, D.C.
Regular dental check-ups are key to maintaining good oral health. They allow us to catch small issues like cavities or gum disease before they turn into bigger problems. Dr. John Slate recommends coming in for a cleaning and check-up at least twice a year. This helps ensure that small issues are addressed quickly and don’t get worse over time.
General dentists offer many types of care, from routine cleanings to more advanced treatments. Dr. Slate provides preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services, to keep your smile healthy and looking great.
Our office provides the following general dental care services:
Custom Mouthguard
If you or your child play contact sports, you need to protect your teeth and gums. We create athletic mouthguards that fit your teeth perfectly. A custom mouthguard will cover your top teeth and protect your mouth from hits to the face. Custom-made mouthguards can prevent chipped and knocked-out teeth.
Emergency Dentistry
Dental emergencies can happen anytime, and we’re here to help when they do. Whether you have a broken tooth, severe tooth pain, or a knocked-out tooth, our team will work quickly to treat the problem and relieve your pain. Our emergency dentistry services can work for you if you need urgent dental care.
Sedation Dentistry
If you feel nervous or scared about going to the dentist, sedation dentistry can help you feel more relaxed. We offer safe sedation options to make your visit as calm and stress-free as possible. Our office is here to help patients with dental anxiety or those needing longer treatments.
Tooth Extraction
Sometimes a tooth is too damaged or infected to be saved. In these cases, we may need to remove it to protect your overall oral health. Our team will make sure you are comfortable during the process and will talk with you about tooth replacement options after your tooth extraction.
Preventive Dental Care
One of the most important parts of general dentistry in our Washington, DC, office is preventive care. Regular cleanings help remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing can’t always get. During your visit, Dr. Slate will also check for signs of decay, gum disease, or other issues that might need attention.
Teeth Grinding
If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, Dr. Slate will be on the lookout for signs of damage. Grinding, especially during sleep, can wear down your teeth and cause cracks or chips. Over time, this can lead to more serious problems like decay or even tooth fractures. If you grind your teeth, we can recommend ways to protect them and prevent further damage.
Cavity Prevention
We also offer fluoride treatments, which help strengthen your tooth enamel. Fluoride makes teeth more resistant to cavities and is especially helpful for children. However, adults can benefit from it too, as it keeps your teeth strong.
Sealants are another great option for preventing cavities. These are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which are more prone to decay. Sealants keep food and bacteria from getting stuck in hard-to-clean areas. Dr. Slate often recommends these for children and teens, but adults can benefit from them too.
How Does My Diet Impact My Oral Health?
Your diet plays a big role in teeth and gum health. A balanced diet with many fruits and vegetables is good for every part of your body. Some foods positively impact oral health, and some can cause problems.
Harmful Foods for Your Smile
One of the biggest enemies of your oral health is sugar. Sugar is the main food source for the bacteria that live in your mouth. They feed on it, emitting an acidic byproduct that eats through your tooth enamel, causing decay and cavities. The longer the sugary food stays in your mouth, the longer the bacteria have to cause problems. Foods like gummies or hard candy linger, extending the bacteria’s feeding time.
Acidic foods and drinks are also incredibly harmful to your smile. It weakens the tooth enamel, making you more likely to develop tooth decay. Even though citrus fruits are beneficial for your smile, too many of them can be harmful to your teeth. Consume these in moderation and rinse your mouth with water afterward. While you should usually brush after eating, wait at least 30 minutes before you brush after consuming something very acidic.
Though they may seem safe, salty snacks can also hurt your smile. Starchy foods like potato chips and crackers break down into sugars as you eat them. Bits will likely get stuck between teeth, or crackers can create a paste that settles in the crevices of your molars. Rinse your mouth out with water thoroughly after you eat them.
Good Foods for Oral Health
Water is the best thing you can consume for your oral health. Saliva production is essential to oral health, and drinking water helps with this. It neutralizes acids and washes away food particles from your smile while depositing essential minerals. If you drink tap water, it’s likely fortified with fluoride. This strengthens your tooth enamel and helps to protect it against harmful bacteria.
Calcium is an essential nutrient for tooth enamel, and Vitamin D helps your body absorb it better. Eating foods high in both of these things is beneficial for oral health. It’s most commonly found in dairy products. Vitamin C is a necessary nutrient for your gums. It helps reduce inflammation and keeps them strong and healthy. Things like citrus fruits, broccoli, and tomatoes are all good sources.
Fibrous fresh fruits and vegetables provide additional benefits for your teeth. They act as natural toothbrushes, dislodging food particles from between your teeth. They also require a lot of chewing to break down, which increases saliva production. These foods are some of the best things you can eat for your oral health.
Schedule A Dental Visit Today
At Slate Dental, we offer complete dental care to our community. Whether you need a routine cleaning or help with a specific issue, we’ll ensure that your teeth and gums are in the best condition possible. Regular visits combined with good habits at home will keep your smile healthy for years to come.
Schedule your appointment today and let us help you maintain a healthy and bright smile. You can also call our office for complete general dentistry treatment in Washington, DC, at (425) 584-3751.