Dupont Dental - Your Washington DC Dentist


  Contact : 1234 19th Street NW Suite 604 | Call us: 202.296.7714

Archive for May 2018

Comments Off on Christopher Banks, a D.C.-area dentist, Fixes Gay Bashing Victim’s Teeth for Free
Christopher Banks and Zach Link

Christopher Banks, a D.C.-area dentist, Fixes Gay Bashing Victim’s Teeth for Free

Posted by

Often when we see a heartbreaking news story we think, “I wish there was something I could do.” After finding out the details of Zach Link and his partner’s violent assault, Christopher Banks, a D.C. area dentist did more than just wish. He sprang into action.

On April 15, Zach Link and his partner were viciously attacked on U Street in D.C. at around 12:30 a.m. After being verbally assaulted and repeatedly punched and kicked in the face, Mr. Link discovered that his smile was literally shattered. His broken teeth served as a constant reminder of his experience, affecting him more mentally and emotionally than he first wanted to admit. A friend connected Mr. Link with Dr. Christopher Banks of Capital Cosmetic Dentistry who not only agreed to consult with him on repairing his broken teeth, but did so free of charge.

In a statement to WJLA TV, Dr. Banks said:

Without knowing the depth, breadth, and expense of Zach’s injuries, I reached out and offered full care because we are all members of a powerful, loving LGBT community before anything else,” Banks said in a statement. “It is through these acts of love in the face of hate that we will persist, thrive, and succeed in showing the world we want to be ’one.’

He later posted on Facebook to Mr. Link’s page, “Having you in the office today was a reminder of why I became a dentist in the first place. Being able to restore your smile has brought me such great joy.”

While the assault itself is still under investigation, Dr. Banks has successfully helped erase its lasting physical impact by restoring Mr. Link’s teeth to their original form. He has also reminded a community what it means to reach out in a time of need.

Read More
Comments Off on Turn to Dupont Dental for Snoring and Oral Appliances Help
snoring and oral appliances

Turn to Dupont Dental for Snoring and Oral Appliances Help

Posted by

Snoring used to be looked upon as nothing more than a nuisance that caused spouses to shake their loved one awake so they could reposition themselves and everyone could then get a good night sleep. Thanks to fairly recent research though it’s now evident that snoring is far from the benign occurrence that everyone thought it was. Of the estimated 60 million Americans who snore, about 18 million of them also suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

What Exactly is Snoring?

To better understand snoring, OSA and its effects on a person, it’s important to define snoring accurately. Snoring occurs when your breathing is obstructed in some manner as you sleep. It results in the pharyngeal tissue vibrating as you breath. This obstruction could be the result of various factors including increased fat deposits caused by obesity. When a person takes a sedative or drinks alcohol before going to sleep, an increase in snoring could result. This is because the pharyngeal airway collapses more.

Another common cause of snoring is when the tongue becomes too relaxed. If this is the cause of snoring, it can be corrected easily by wearing an oral appliance. This device works by moving both the tongue and the lower jaw forward enough so that the airway stays open while the person is sleeping.

Perceptions Slowly Change

Until recently, it was thought that snoring was limited to being a social problem. Having a partner who snores can have a serious and negative impact on that person’s well-being. In addition to leading to daytime fatigue, having a partner who snores could result in the couple having separate bedrooms. It can also have a negative effect on the health of the bed partner. A recent report by USA Today found that of those couples who were aged 40 and older, 27 percent slept in separate spaces. It’s expected that as obesity in the population increases, so will the percentage of couples who must deal with snoring.

Snoring and Health Risks

Instead of being solely a social problem that largely affects only those around them, the person who snores is also at risk of side effects from OSA. These include heart attack, stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias and even death. If you are a snorer, it’s important to seek out care from a dentist with experience in the oral appliances that can put a stop to obstructive sleep apnea.

How Oral Appliances Can Help

While the health risks associated with snoring are scary, there are effective snoring remedies that can help. Two devices that are effective are a tongue retaining mouthpiece and a mandibular advancement device (MAD). The tongue retaining mouthpiece keeps the tongue from relaxing over the airway while the MAD moves the jaw forward to keep the airway open.

Working closely with your physician is the key to determining the right snoring solutions for your sleep apnea. At Dupont Dental, we custom design these oral devices, so they work comfortably and effectively. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or for more information.

Read More
Comments Off on Fluoride vs Antiseptic Mouthwash – Who Wins and Why?
fluoride vs antiseptic mouthwash

Fluoride vs Antiseptic Mouthwash – Who Wins and Why?

Posted by

Mouthwash is an element of dental care that doesn’t seem to have the same level of respect as some others. In fact, about 52 percent of Americans don’t realize that using mouthwash provides valuable benefits to both their dental and overall health. While it’s true that brushing and flossing are arguably the most important steps you can take to care for your teeth at home, it’s highly recommended that you add the use of mouthwash to your daily routine.

What’s the Best Mouthwash for You?

With the array of mouth rinse options available today, it can be difficult to know which one is the right one for you. The list below can help you sort out the ones that are available to help any dental issues or health concerns you might have.

Bad Breath

Bad breath is often a reason why people might consider using mouthwash. If that is your primary reason, and you don’t have significant tooth decay or gum disease, the best mouthwash for you will be one that contains zinc and chlorine. This is because these ingredients help defuse the sulfur compounds that cause foul smells.

Also, some mouth rinses contain cetyl pyridinium, a germicide that helps fight gum disease while also helping to fight plaque. These tend to taste better than antibacterial mouthwashes.

Gum Disease

If you are also concerned about fighting gingivitis — perhaps better known as the first stage of gum disease — as well as bad breath, it’s better to look for an antibacterial mouthwash that contains certain ingredients. Products that contain methyl salicylate, eucalyptol, thymol, and menthol are the only ones that have earned the Seal of Acceptance from the American Dental Association (ADA) because of their effectiveness when it comes to reducing plaque and gum disease. In fact, studies have shown that using an antibacterial mouth rinse could slash the number of bacteria in your mouth by 75 percent on average.

Periodontitis

If you have periodontitis, it’s likely that you’ll need a prescription mouthwash. Periodontitis occurs when gum disease has advanced to a serious infection. This infection destroys the bone that provides the support that teeth need to be healthy and functional.

A prescription mouthwash contains chlorhexidine as its active ingredient. Chlorhexidine has been proven to have greater antibacterial properties than the ingredients that are found in mouthwash brands that can be purchased over the counter. In addition to the fact that most prescription mouthwashes contain alcohol, the chlorhexidine they also contain can stain your teeth brown. For this reason, prescription mouthwashes require close monitoring by a dentist.

To get the best results out of using mouthwash, it’s important to know about the health of your mouth. By visiting your dentist as recommended, you have a regular assessment of your oral health and can choose your mouthwash accordingly. At Dupont Dental, we can perform a thorough dental checkup and make a recommendation regarding the best mouthwash for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

Read More