General Dentistry Services Fort Washington, MD

If you are in need of general dentistry services, call (301) 248-8080 to schedule an appointment with our Fort Washington dental office. We focus on providing preventative care and performing a variety of dental procedures to keep you and your family in excellent oral health. By providing comprehensive care, we can ensure your teeth remain as healthy as possible and that if anything does develop, the condition can be treated quickly so you can return to good health. Whether you are concerned about your bad breath, have a toothache, or want to improve the appearance of your smile, we can help. At James E Sullivan DDS, our staff is warm and friendly, and will take the time to understand your oral health concerns and provide you with the information and services you need to maintain lifelong oral health.

Our general dentistry services include:

Teeth cleanings and examinations. At our 20744 dental office, we recommend you have your teeth cleaned at least twice per year. This way, we can remove the plaque that has built up on or in between your teeth. Regardless of how well you brush your teeth, it is difficult to clean hard-to-reach spaces, leading to a buildup of plaque and tartar. Since plaque can increase your risk of getting cavities, removing it can help you to be in better health. These appointments can be completed quickly, and we can work within your schedule.

Oral cancer detection. Our general dentistry services include looking for signs of oral cancer while cleaning and examining your teeth. At James E Sullivan DDS, we understand the important role we play in detecting signs of the disease. It is difficult, if not impossible, to see the inside of your mouth, which makes it hard to see signs of oral cancer until the disease has spread. While cleaning your teeth, we can look for hard lumps, bumps, red and white spots, and rough patches – all traditional signs of oral cancer. If we see these signs, we can refer you to an oncologist for further testing.

Bad breath treatments. If your breath is smelly, you do not have to live with it. Call 301-248-8080 to schedule a dental examination and bad breath treatment. Very often, this is caused by a cavity, infection, or gum disease. By cleaning your teeth and your tongue, we can typically remove the cause of your bad breath. If you have another issue, like dry mouth, that is causing the problem, we can discuss further ways to improve it.

Treating gum disease. In our Fort Washington, MD dental office, we both prevent and treat gum disease. This is one of our most important general dentistry services because if gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to gum recession and tooth loss. We can treat it by removing plaque from underneath your gums. Typically, this will help restore your gums to good health. If, however, your gums have started to recede, we can discuss more intensive general dentistry services.

Dental sealant. If you or your children have deep ridges on the chewing surfaces of your teeth, you should consider dental sealant. Patients throughout Maryland use this procedure as a way to reduce their risk of developing cavities. This is an easy way to protect your teeth, because we can apply sealant in a matter of minutes. It works by acting like a protective barrier so food particles and plaque cannot become trapped, thereby reducing your risk of developing cavities.

Fluoride treatments. Studies have found that a fluoride treatment can reduce your child’s risk of getting cavities by 30 percent or more. If you live in the 20744 area, you should visit our dental office and ask for a fluoride treatment on an annual basis. Fluoride works because it is a mineral that strengthens your teeth. In between appointments, you can use a fluoride toothpaste to continue strengthening them.

Fillings. At James E Sullivan DDS, we can treat any of your cavities and restore the missing tooth structure with a dental filling. We can place natural-looking, tooth-colored fillings, so your tooth looks both natural and beautiful.

Root canals. If the center of your tooth is infected, you most likely need a root canal. The obvious sign of this is if you have tooth sensitivity or a toothache. To perform a root canal, we will create a small hole in the tooth to remove the infected area prior to cleaning the area, seal it up with a rubber-like material, and then use a filling or dental crown to restore and protect the tooth. We will numb the area to be sure you feel comfortable during the procedure. It will last slightly longer than treating a cavity, but the process is fairly similar. This is one of the general dentistry services we perform to save an infected tooth and prevent the need for it to be extracted.

Restorations. If you have damaged your tooth, our general dentistry services can restore it in both form and appearance. We have several options for doing so, including dental bonding, dental veneers, and dental crowns. All of these options can look natural and make your tooth function as well as it did prior to becoming damaged.

Preventative Care Tips From Our General Dentistry Office
As a provider of general dentistry services, we understand the power and importance of education. We believe that when our patients are better informed, they can make healthier decisions that will reduce the likelihood of them developing cavities or infections. This is why Dr. James Sullivan takes the time to discuss oral health. When you visit our Fort Washington dental office, we can show you and your family how to brush your teeth properly, how to select the right toothbrush, what foods to avoid, and what foods to eat for a healthy mouth and beautiful smile. We can also provide you with specific instructions that relate to your personal oral health. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call (301) 248-8080.

Helpful Related Links

• American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015
• WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2015

About our business, license, and website security

• James E Sullivan DDS was established in 1989
• We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
• We serve patients from the following counties: Prince George’s County & Montgomery County
• We serve patients from the following cities: Fort Washington, Silver Spring, Oxon Hill, Alexandria, Friendly, Waldorf, Accokeek, Andrews Field


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