McCarl Dental Group, PC Blog

In the early days of vaping, this habit was promoted as a healthy alternative to smoking cigarettes or using other forms of tobacco. Today, we know that vaping is NOT safe! Vaping may be just as bad for people or even more dangerous. Electronic cigarettes are as addictive as regular cigarettes and many e-cigarette users get even more nicotine from vaping than from tobacco. Vaping products may contain fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes, but there have been many lung injuries and deaths associated with vaping.

Since coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020, the McCarl Dental Group has met or exceeded every safety recommendation from the Maryland Department of Health, American Dental Association (ADA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We know this is not the first time you’re hearing about this from our team, and it probably won’t be the last. It’s very important to us to make sure our patients know that their health and safety are of the utmost importance to us. Now that non-emergency patients are back in the dental office, there will be larger numbers of people in and out of the practice, so we will continue to adjust our safety protocols to protect our patients, employees, and the Millersville Community. To learn more about the most recent changes in our COVID-19 safety protocols, watch the video from Dr. Jay McCarl or continue reading this blog.

If you’re one of the many longtime patients of the McCarl Dental Group, you’re likely already familiar with our use of pre-rinses to reduce oral bacteria before we start dental treatments or preventive dentistry appointments. However, before the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, few of our patients knew that this rinse was doing more than just freshening their breath. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a lot of talk about the use of pre-rinses to combat the spread of this virus during dental treatments. It seems like there are just as many supporters of pre-rinsing as there are opponents, and we know that all the misinformation and conflicting data can be confusing for our patients. We want to make sure that our patients understand why we’re continuing to use pre-rinses and why we switched to a product that actually exceeds the pre-rinse recommendations of the American Dental Association  (ADA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We’ve taken some time to discuss the benefits of pre-rinses in this blog.

Why are they taking my temperature at the dentist’s office? Why can’t I bring my gloves inside? Why do I have to wear a mask? You don’t feel sick, so why do you have to take so many extra precautions? It may seem silly, but these steps play a big role in keeping you and our community safe during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Keep reading to learn a little more about the steps our dentists are taking to protect your health and safety as we welcome patients back into the dental office to see us.

Just when we all got used to our “new normal” during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, everything is changing again. We’re thrilled to be able to open the doors of the McCarl Dental Group office in Millersville, but we know that many of our patients are feeling a little worried about their safety during dental appointments, trips to the grocery store, and other everyday tasks we used to take for granted. During this uncertain time, social distancing is one of the main ways you can prevent exposure to COVID-19, but how can you maintain a 6-foot distance from others when you’re visiting the dentist? We’ve come up with great ways to keep you safe and practice social distancing in our Millersville dental office. Read this blog to find out about them!

Brushing your teeth is important, but if you’re not keeping your toothbrush clean, you may be introducing new bacteria, germs, fungus, and mold into your mouth. In this blog, we explain why it’s so important to keep your toothbrush sanitized and provide tips to decontaminate your toothbrush.

If you’re one of our dedicated dental patients who come to see us in our Millersville dental office every six months like clockwork, you know how passionate our dentists are about helping patients keep their smiles healthy with preventive dentistry services. We can’t wait to see you in our dental office for regular preventive dental checkups and teeth cleanings, but to protect our communities during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we are currently limiting dental care to only emergency patients. Read our blog to learn a little more about our response during the COVID-19 pandemic and get some tips to keep your mouth healthy until we see you again.

We’ve all heard the adage, “You are what you eat.” While many of the idioms we hear from our parents aren’t necessarily supported by science, this one is basically true. The nutrients derived from the foods and drinks we consume each day help us to repair and replace healthy cells, leading to improved health and wellbeing. Your oral health is also impacted by nutrition. In addition to good at-home oral hygiene and regular preventive dentistry visits, eating certain foods can help keep your teeth stronger and healthier as well as benefitting your overall wellness. To celebrate National Nutrition Month, we’re taking some time to discuss better eating habits for healthy smiles.

Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most common oral health concerns, and it is the leading cause of tooth loss for adults over the age of 35. While many people know that gum disease can dramatically impact oral health, they aren’t always aware that periodontal disease is also linked to a number of whole body health concerns like heart disease. February is Heart Disease Awareness Month and Gum Disease Awareness Month, so there’s no time like the present to explore the ways that poor oral health can increase risk for cardiovascular disease.

At the start of the new year, many of us make resolutions that involve eating more nutritious foods to get in better shape. In addition to getting healthier, changing your diet may also have the added benefit of improving your oral health. Many foods that are nutrient dense and great for weight loss and improved health also contain the materials your smile needs to stay healthy and beautiful. Keep reading to learn some of the best foods to keep your new year’s resolution and maintain the optimal level of oral health.