Tong Dental Care – Gaithersburg, Maryland
Oral Hygiene &
Preventive Care
At Tong Dental Care, we want to empower our patients with their own oral health and hygiene for a lifetime of smiles.
Dental Hygiene
Dental hygiene comes from regular cleanings and is the best investment in your smile. At your initial appointment and regular check-ups every six months, your trusted dentist in Gaithersburg will gently and thoroughly clean your teeth.
Cleanings help prevent cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and other conditions. A regular cleaning includes the removal of plaque, calculus, and stains from teeth using ultrasonic and hand instruments. A fluoride treatment will also be applied to maintain the benefits of each dental cleaning.
Our exceptional care, knowledgeable staff, and pleasant, comfortable surroundings are a few reasons why patients love us. Our hygienists perform thorough dental cleanings as well as teach you how to keep your smile healthy. Your dental cleaning appointment will typically include:
Removal of Plaque – When you eat, naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth produce acids that form plaque. This filmy substance coats the surfaces of your teeth, eventually dissolving the outer layer called enamel. Regular cleanings at home and at the dentist can keep plaque from permanently damaging your teeth.
Tartar Removal – Also known as calculus, tartar is a hardened plaque that is firmly attached to the tooth. This substance is above and below the gum line, and can only be removed during a trip to the dentist.
Teeth Polishing – While a dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar from your teeth, polishing makes the surfaces of your teeth smooth. This technique removes the stains from substances like coffee, tea, and wine that build up over time.
Fluoride Treatment – Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making your teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque, bacteria, and sugars in the mouth. Fluoride will help re-mineralize teeth that have been affected by decay, stopping cavities from forming.
Periodontal Therapy with Dr. Tong
Gum disease is treated by carefully removing the bacteria and substances that form in the pockets around the teeth. The removal of this material occurs on a microscopic level and requires great skill. Our dental team has had advanced training to effectively remove all of the bacteria.
For two to three days after the treatment, you may have some soreness and be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate discomfort.
You may be asked to use an antiseptic mouth rinse after scaling and root planning. This is especially likely if your gums are very sore. However, you should continue brushing and flossing as usual. You can expect some minor bleeding in the first days after scaling and root planning. This usually stops within a week.
Preventive Care
Much of your preventive dental care starts with you. Developing healthy dental
habits early in life can help reduce cavities, gum disease, and gingivitis.
3D & Digital X-Rays
Our use of 3D imaging and digital x-ray technology reduces your radiation exposure and eliminates the use of chemicals. It’s better for you and the environment.
It’s also easy for you to see what the doctor sees. Your digital x-ray can be seen on a computer screen located next to your dental chair. This helps you understand your needs and make informed choices about your treatment.
Fluoride Treatment
Topical fluoride strengthens the teeth once they have erupted by seeping into the outer surface of the tooth enamel, making the teeth more resistant to decay. We gain topical fluoride by using fluoride-containing dental products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and gels. Dr. Tong and the dental hygienists generally recommend that children have a professional application of fluoride twice a year during dental check-ups.
Systemic fluoride strengthens the teeth that have erupted as well as those that are developing under the gums. We gain systemic fluoride from most foods and our community water supplies. It is also available as a supplement in drop or gel form and can be prescribed by Dr. Tong or your physician. Generally, fluoride drops are recommended for infants, and tablets are best suited for children up through the teen years. It is very important to monitor the amounts of fluoride a child ingests. If too much fluoride is consumed while the teeth are developing, a condition called fluorosis (white spots on the teeth) may result.
Sealants
A sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars, and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of teeth. More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves. Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and are very susceptible to decay. A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves, creating a smooth, easy-to-clean surface.
Sealants can protect teeth from decay for many years but need to be checked for wear and chipping at regular dental visits.
Sports Guard
Proven to reduce the risk of sports-related dental injuries. Dr. Tong recommends his custom-made mouthguards for sports that include impact or contact with others. The ADA recommends a properly fitted custom mouthguard in all contact or collision sports such as basketball, martial arts, boxing, football, rugby, soccer, water polo, wrestling, lacrosse, handball, and hockey. Limited-contact sports like acrobatics, baseball, skateboarding, skydiving, bicycling, skiing, equestrian events, field events, squash, pickleball, volleyball, racquetball, tennis, weight-lifting, softball, and more. Essentially, if there’s a moving ball or you’re moving fast, consider getting a custom-made mouthguard to protect your smile and health!
Hours
| Mon | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Tue | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Wed | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Thu | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Fri | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Sat | 8:00 am – 2:00 pm |
| Sun | Closed |
Services
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