New patient special includes:

• Comprehensive exam
• Cleaning*
• Check-up x-rays
• Gum evaluation
• Oral cancer screening

 (*New patients only. In the absence of periodontal disease. Not valid with insurance or any other offers.)

It's Dental Assistant Recognition Week. We are so thankful for our awesome dental assistants: Christina, Paul, Laura and Ashley. We love our dental assistants and truly appreciate all of their helpfulness and dedication! 

1. You have pain - Pain or swelling in your mouth can mean a number of things. The dentist can check to make sure it's not a serious problem and alleviate your pain.

2. Your gums are acting up - If your gums are puffy, bleed when you brush, or your have a family history of gum disease it's time to set up an appointment with the dentist.

3. You try to hide your smile - There are several cosmetic options available including Invisalign, teeth whitening, and veneers. We want to give everyone a perfect smile.

4. You’ve had work done - If you have fillings, crowns, root canals, implants or bridges, see the dentist regularly to make sure everything looks good.

5. You have on going medical issues - Make your dentist part of your medical team, especially if you are being treated for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders or are undergoing medical therapy (such as chemotherapy).

6. You are pregnant - Pregnant women are prone to bleeding gums so it's important to come for regular cleanings and check-ups while pregnant. Some insurance will even pay for an extra cleaning while you are pregnant. Give us a call so we can check how many cleanings you are eligible for while you're pregnant.

7. You use any kind of tobacco - From bad breath to oral cancer, cigarettes and chewing tobacco are harmful to your overall health. When you come in for a check-up and cleaning every 6 months the dentist will do an oral cancer screening as part of your visit.

8. You have dry mouth - Dry mouth can cause multiple cavities to appear in a short time. If you are experiencing dry mouth, the dentist can check for cavities and give you tips on how to help you cope with your condition.

9. You have trouble eating - Difficulty chewing or swallowing is not normal or sustainable, if you are having issues eating visit the dentist as soon as possible.

10. You have jaw pain or trouble sleeping - If you have issues with jaw pain, popping in your TMJ joint or trouble sleeping you need to see the dentist. You may need a night guard, TMJ evaluation or sleep study to help with these issues.

11. You have sores in your mouth - If there's something that doesn’t look or feel right in your mouth, the dentist should examine any mouth sore that lasts a week or longer. Types of mouth sores include canker sores, cold sores, leukoplakia and candidiasis. They vary in their severity and causes. Mouth sores could be the symptom of a disease or disorder; infection from bacteria, viruses or fungus or result from irritation caused by braces, dentures or the sharp edge of a broken tooth or filling

12. You need a professional dental cleaning - The American Dental Association recommends cleanings every 6 months, even for the healthiest of patients. Your dental insurance will cover a cleaning every 6 months or possibly more. Call us to see how many cleanings you are eligible for this year!

Call us at 410-672-3501 or email us at FieldsFamilyDental@gmail.com to set up an appointment!

From the American Dental Association

CEREC Omnicam

Happy New Year from all of us at Fields Family Dental! Our office has invested in a brand-new CEREC Omnicam, the latest camera scanning technology. The Omnicam is a small powder-free color camera that takes 3D images in natural color with pinpoint accuracy. The images are imported into a computer that makes a 3D model of your teeth surfaces that can be used to make crowns, bridges, night guards, Invisalign, partial dentures, veneers, inlays, and onlays. The CEREC also has a milling unit, you can leave with a completed crown in about 2 hours. 

Our patients will now benefit from:

• Increased comfort: No more biting into gooey impression material or putty molds.
• Better treatment: Accurate 3D images can be created in minutes, no powder is required.
• More convenience: For most crowns, no need for temporary fittings and second appointments. Treatments can often be completed the same day. 

Fields Family Dental is excited to welcome new associate dentist, Dr. Aleah Cho, and new dental hygienist, Chelsea Ellison, to our team. Learn more about them here.

Why should you visit your dentist twice per year?

Your oral care is a combination of home-care (brushing and flossing) as well as visiting your dentist or hygienist for a professional cleaning. Brushing and flossing at home are vitally important to maintaining a beautiful smile but regular dental check-ups are equally important to identify gum disease and other health concerns related to your head, neck and mouth. When we perform a dental check-up we are not only checking your teeth and gums, we are also checking your neck and mouth for oral cancer.

Why do some patients need to come more often for professional dental cleanings?

Most patients only need to come in for two cleanings per year but there are many individual that need to come 3 or 4 times per years. Reasons people may need to come in more often include:

• Smokers
• Periodontal disease
• Diabetes
• Immunocompromised
• Pregnant women (many insurances allow an extra cleaning when pregnant)
• People who are prone to cavities and plaque build-up

Can some patients be seen annually instead of every 6 months? 

Yes, patients that have minimal plaque build-up and low risk of cavities can be seen annually.

Dental care should be personalized to fit your dental needs. The dentist and hygienist will come up a plan which best fits you. All people develop plaque at different rates so some people need to come every 3 months and others need to come every 12 months. Your dental professional will decide how often you need to come in for cleanings.

Are you due for your next dental check-up and cleaning? Give us a call at 410-672-3501 or send an email to FieldsFamilyDental@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you soon!

We are proud to sponsor the Red, White and Blue festival at Fort Meade tomorrow night. Stop by our table for free giveaways and a raffle contest. The festival has food, music, kids rides, and fireworks. Fireworks spectacular start at 9:30pm. Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

We are proud to help sponsor the 8th Annual Piney Orchard Street Festival. Stop by our table for free giveaways and a raffle contest. The festival has food, music, kid activities and over 150 vendors!

This spring we are offering free Invisalign consultations, and with the start of treatment you will receive $500 off full Invisalign cases and free take-home whitening. 

What’s with all the poking and numbers during my dental cleaning?

Ever wonder why your dental hygienist is calling out all those numbers at the beginning of your cleaning. Well hopefully she explained what she was doing before she started! What we are doing is using a dental probe to check the depth of gum tissue around your teeth. It’s a proactive way to identify gum disease. The dental probe acts as ruler to measure the depth around your tooth. If you hear numbers like 1, 2, 3 then your gums are healthy and you only need a preventative cleaning. Numbers greater than 4 may indicate the start of periodontal disease and you may need a deep cleaning or to see the periodontist.

Periodontal Charting

What’s a periodontist and why do I need one?

A periodontist is a dentist who specialized in caring for you gums and bone. We may refer you to the periodontist because you have periodontal disease which is also known as gum disease. In some cases, periodontal disease will be treated at our office through deep cleanings and antibiotic treatment. If the periodontal disease has progressed too far or will not resolve then we will refer you to the periodontist. The periodontist can offer more specialized care and attention to your gums and bone. Most patients with periodontal disease will need to be seen more than twice per year for cleanings, usually every 3-4 months.