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Our Commitment to Safety

E-Cigs and Your Smile: How Does Vaping Affect Your Teeth?

June 13, 2014

As many cigarette smokers turn to electronic cigarettes to
get their nicotine fix, the topic of how these popular products affect oral
health inevitably comes up again and again. While it is common knowledge that
smoking cigarettes can cause a variety of oral health problems – including oral
cancer, periodontal disease, and substantially stained teeth – not much is yet
known about how e-cigs impact a person’s smile. At Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA,
our doctors are happy to share valuable oral health information with our
patients, including how the mouth is affected by smoking vs. vaping
e-cigarettes.
Being an Informed
Consumer

Though research is still ongoing regarding how e-cigs affect oral health, there are a
few things that medical studies have been able to tell us so far. One of these
factors involves the manner in which vaping dehydrates the mouth. A dry mouth
is an excellent environment for bacterial imbalance and the development of periodontal
disease. Patients who experience chronic dry mouth – whether it is caused by
using electronic cigarettes or not –
should contact our office for a consultation to determine the underlying issue,
as well as to seek treatment.
Other concerns regarding e-cigs and oral health revolve around the ingredients used to
create the liquid, or “juice,” these products use to deliver nicotine. More
research is needed to determine how these ingredients, including propylene
glycol and the flavorings used, impact the teeth and soft tissues of the gums,
cheek lining, and tongue.
Schedule Your
Appointment Today

Whether you are currently a smoker, an e-cig user, or simply
someone who would like to learn more about how these behaviors affect your oral
health, we are here to help. Our doctors and caring, compassionate staff are
always happy to share vital oral health information with our patients because
we want you to have the happiest, healthiest smile possible. Contact our office
today to schedule a visit to our Virginia
Beach
office and discover the difference that our patient-centric approach
can make in your life. We also happily serve patients in Norfolk, Sandbridge, Fort Story, Portsmouth, and beyond. 

The Role of Fluoride in Your Dental Health

May 6, 2014

There are a lot of misconceptions about fluoride as it relates to health, and hundreds of sites online that
offer conflicting information about its effects. At Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA,
our doctors want you to feel informed about all aspects of oral health,
including the ways in which fluoride can
impact your teeth.

Fluoride: Is it Good
or Bad for Teeth?

Fluoride is a
naturally occurring substance that originates from an element called fluorine.
It is found in its natural form in the water and many foods we drink and eat,
respectively. Despite much controversy regarding its effects, the amount of fluoride found in normal tap water is
not substantial enough to cause any adverse health problems. In fact, fluoride is one of the essential
factors in a healthy smile.
Fluoride treatments help
to remineralize teeth, offering improved strength and protection against common
problems like tooth decay. Adults are advised to use a toothpaste and mouthwash
that contains fluoride because of this fact, better fortifying your teeth
between visits to your dentist’s office. As with any procedure or treatment
performed at our office, we invite you to ask questions and raise any concerns
you may have regarding fluoride treatments. We’re here as a source of accurate,
up-to-date information pertaining to the overall oral health of you and your
family
.
Schedule Your Next
Visit Today

Has it been more than six months since the last time you had
your teeth and gums cleaned and examined at Smile by Design? If so, then it’s time to contact our office in
Virginia Beach, VA to schedule your
appointment. Our experienced, caring doctors and staff look forward to helping
you achieve optimal oral health through general dentistry and preventive
services, all while welcoming you into a warm, comforting atmosphere. Our
family-friendly practice happily serves patients from throughout Virginia Beach, as well as the
surrounding areas of Fort Story,
Portsmouth, Norfolk, Sandbridge,
and beyond. 

Are You Seeing Us for the First Time?

April 28, 2014

Is your upcoming visit with us also going your first? Then
we’d like to tell you how much we’re looking forward to seeing you. At Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, our goal is making close, personal relationships
with our patients–new and old–because
that’s how you deliver truly compassionate and patient-centered care.
We also want to let you know about our New Patient page.
On this page, you will find a link for downloading our new patient forms.
Filling these out before you come see us will make it possible to streamline
your visit. When you come in, just hand us your paperwork and take a seat while
we start processing your information.
You may also want to take a look at our Services page, if you
have not already done so. On this page, you’ll find helpful information about
the range of services we offer, and what those services entail. Some of our
biggest services include:

If you have any questions about these services, the information
on our site will help you gain a basic understanding of them. If you still have
questions afterwards, we would be happy answer them during your visit.

Call
us today
if you’re ready to schedule an appointment with Dr. Santos or Dr. Folck.
We’re happy to serve the needs of patients from Virginia Beach, Fort Story,
Sandbridge, and nearby communities.

What to Do In a Dental Emergency

April 7, 2014

You can never see a dental emergency coming—that’s part of
what defines an emergency. So knowing what to do when you’re in the middle of
one is very important. In today’s post, we want to go through some of the most
common dental emergencies and offer tips on what to do in each case. If you don’t
see your emergency on the list, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re
ready to help you!
Knocked Out Tooth

If you suddenly lose a tooth because of an accident, injury,
or some other cause, call
us immediately
. Reattachment is possible if we can see you soon enough.
Until Dr. Santos
or Dr. Folck
can see you, gently rinse the tooth and put it back in its socket. If you’re
unable to do that, store it in a baggie of milk.
Broken Tooth

As with a knocked out tooth, breaking a tooth is also a
jarring experience. If you have a broken or cracked a tooth, call us for an
appointment
. And in the meantime, rinse the area with warm water and apply
a cold compress to the area to treat pain and swelling.
Damaged Crown

Crowns can also become damaged, especially temporary crowns.
At Smile by Design, we can replace
your broken crown in a single appointment with our Virginia Beach office’s CEREC machine.
Severe Toothache

Are you struggling with a severe toothache? Before you call
us, try flossing around the affected tooth to see you can dislodge anything
from the area. If flossing does not help and your toothache continues, call us for an
appointment
. Avoid putting aspirin on your tooth as this can damage your
sensitive gum tissue.
Something Caught
between Teeth

As with the last emergency, try flossing before you give us a call. Avoid
using sharp instruments to help you.
Cut/Bitten Tongue or
Lip

Bleeding from your tongue or lip is a more serious emergency
that may require a trip to your local emergency room. Clean the area and hold a
cold compress to it for a while to stop the bleeding. If your bleeding does not
stop, visit your area ER.
Possible Broken Jaw

As with a bleeding tongue or lip, you should see your local
emergency room for help with a broken jaw.

Are you experiencing a dental emergency not listed here? Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck would be happy to consult with you. Call us immediately
for help. Our Virginia Beach office serves
patients from Fort Story, Sandbridge, and nearby communities. 

Help Your Family Achieve Optimal Oral Health In 2014

January 29, 2014

Among the questions that dentists get asked on a regular
basis, one of the most common is: How often should I have a checkup and
cleaning? For a basic medical checkup, once a year is a good rule of thumb, but
for your oral health the ideal number of visits per year is two.
Why so often? Because common oral health issues like tooth
decay and gum disease can develop easily, in children as well as adults. With regular
checkups, your local dentist can help you watch for changes and provide care
early on, when it can be less invasive.
At Smile by Design
in Virginia Beach, family dental care
is a central focus of ours. Every day, we’re helping children, parents, and
seniors enjoy better oral health through oral exams and cleanings.
What are we looking for during a checkup? The most common
oral health issues are tooth decay and gum disease. But that’s not all Dr. Santos and
Dr. Folck
will be on the lookout for. During your exam, our Virginia Beach team will also check for signs of teeth grinding
(bruxism), TMJ dysfunction, and even oral cancer, because treating any of these
early is very important.
Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck can also talk to you and your
little one about home care. Two checkups a year aren’t enough to keep your
smile in tip-top shape. Regular brushing and flossing are also important. If
you have any questions about how to brush and floss effectively, we’d be more
than happy to answer them.

Do you want to schedule your family’s first visit of 2014? Call Smile by Design today. Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck are happy to offer family dentistry to patients from Fort Story, Sandbridge, and nearby communities.

The Benefit of Family and Children’s Dentistry

July 9, 2013

Even though regular dental care is important for adults and children, you don’t want to have one doctor for yourself and another doctor for your little one. What you want instead is a place that can help your whole family—where you might even be able to schedule back-to-back appointments, for convenience.

That’s what you’ll find at Smile by Design in Virginia Beach. With the family and children’s dentistry we offer, we’re helping patients of all ages have healthy smiles.

Visit Us Twice a Year for Better Oral Health

Every patient should see a dentist at least twice a year. Why? So Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck can look for changes in you or your child’s oral health. Catching things like gum disease and tooth decay early are important for providing care.

During a family or children’s dentistry appointment at our Virginia Beach office, we’ll thoroughly examine your smile for signs of the most common oral health issues. Then, we’ll complete a dental cleaning to get your teeth cleaner than is even possible with the best brushing and flossing routine. For children, we can also add a fluorite treatment to the appointment. Fluoride strengthens teeth against decay, which is something that all smiles—but especially young smiles—need help with. If Dr. Santos or Dr. Folck finds anything during your appointment, we can put together a treatment plan to help you or your little one reclaim optimal oral health.

Has it been more than six months since your last appointment? Call Smile by Design today for an appointment with Dr. Santos or Dr. Folck. We’re proud to serve patients from Virginia Beach, Fort Story, and Northeast Virginia Beach.

Welcome to the Blog for Smile by Design

July 1, 2013

Thank you for visiting the official blog for Smile by Design. Here, you’ll find informative posts on the services offered by Dr. Stephanie Santos and Dr. Vinita Folck, plus tips on how you can help your family enjoy better oral health in between visits. At Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, we believe that educating our patients will help them enjoy better oral health throughout life.

Effective Services for Virginia Beach and Beyond

To help patients enjoy good oral and overall health, Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck offer a wide range of general, cosmetic, and restorative services. Some of our most popular services include:

Personalized Care for Adults and Children

When you come to see our Virginia Beach dental team, we’ll complete a thorough oral exam to diagnose your situation and understand your needs. Every treatment plan we put forward is based on the patient’s individual needs. If you have any questions about what we recommend, we’ll be happy to address any concerns you might have.

Do you want to know more about the services we offer or how our Virginia Beach dental office can help? Call our office today for an appointment. We serve patients from Fort Story, Northeast Virginia Beach, and all surrounding areas.

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