Golden Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is the leading provider of pediatric dental and orthodontic services in Burke, Virginia. Our state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide the highest quality care for our patients. We offer a wide range of services, including preventive care, routine cleanings, and treatment for cavities and gum disease. We also offer a variety of specialty services, such as orthodontics, sedation dentistry, and dental implants.

Our team of experienced and compassionate professionals is dedicated to providing the best possible care for our patients. We take the time to get to know each patient and their family so that we can provide personalized care that meets their individual needs. We believe that every child deserves to have a healthy and beautiful smile, and we are committed to helping our patients achieve that goal.

If you are looking for a pediatric dentist in Burke, Virginia, we invite you to visit us at Golden Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. We look forward to meeting you and your family!

Our Pediatric Dentists in Burke, VA Works With Children Of All Ages

It prides us to say that we offer the best Pediatric Dental Care in Burke, Virginia and that the level of care our patients receive is unmatched in the local area. Our staff of compassionate Dentists work with children of all ages. We’re ready to be your family dentist for years to come. Stop by and visit our Burke, Virginia office located at 5200 Lyngate Ct, Burke, VA 22015.

Servicing the local area of Burke, West Springfield, North Springfield, Springfield, Kings Park, Fairfax, Annandale, Falls Church, Merrifield, Vienna, Fairfax Station, Oakton, Clifton, Centreville, Ft. Belvoir, and Lorton Franconia.

Pediatric Dental Services We Provide

Recent Patient Reviews from Pediatric Dental in Burke, VA:

We had the best orthodontic experience with Dr Hennigh. He and his staff made us feel welcome after a cross country move. They were knowledgeable of our sons rare situation and walked us through what would be next with confidence and professionalism. Highly recommend Dr Hennigh!

Great dentist, great dental assistants. They are always happy and professional. We have been going here for many years. Lonnie is the best!

I’ve taken my 3 kids here for 14 years now and haven’t had one bad experience with them. And we go A LOT. All 3 in Ortho too. The entire staff is amazing, so great that I actually miss them when we don’t go for a few months. We never have to wait long and I always trust they are doing the right thing for my kids’ mouths. Highest recommendations!!!

There are numerous causes your child may have a toothache, we as adults are often able to pin point the cause and seek treatment when necessary. Children, on the other hand don’t have that luxury, and a toothache can become a constant source of pain they are unable to handle or explain exactly what hurts. Toothaches can occur when decay or erosion penetrates the pulp chamber of the tooth. The pulp chamber contains extremely sensitive blood vessels and nerves. A common source for toothaches is often diet-related, such as drinking too many sweet beverages or soda, or eating high sugar foods like candy.

Is your child suffering from a toothache? Our Woodbridge and Burke Pediatric Dentistry office is close by at 5200 Lyngate Ct, Burke, VA 22015. We’d be happy to help treat them and make the pain go away! Our expert Dentists and staff are ready to treat your child and can even provide emergency treatment if the pain is excruciating don’t hesitate to make an appointment!

My Child Appears To Have A Toothache, What Should I Do?

If your child appears to be suffering from a toothache, try using warm salt water (NOT hot or cold) to help relieve the tenderness. Have your child rinse their mouth out with the salty water solution (1 teaspoon per 8 oz.) whenever they begin to feel pain or sensitivity. Use a cold pack or cold compress against their cheek to help reduce painful inflammation to the area. A cautionary word involving over-the-counter pain relievers; they are often ineffective involving toothaches.

Home Remedies Provide Only Temporary Relief of Toothache

Please note, temporary remedies like the one suggested above will only be able to provide temporary relief for the pain, and a trip to the dentist might be necessary anyway. If you can’t recall your child’s last dental visit, we’d recommend you schedule one especially if they are currently in pain.

If your child has a chipped or cracked tooth, they made need a cap or filling, especially if it’s on of their permanent teeth. One of our Pediatric Dentists can perform this care on your child in office. If one of their emerging teeth is found to be abutting against an existing tooth, it may be necessary to have to one removed – it all depends on the level the pain your child is in.

Why Your Child May Have A Toothache

A major toothache may be a symptom of any of the following dental problems:

• Tooth erosion and/or decay
• Emerging teeth
• Loose and/or missing fillings
• Chipped teeth/cracked enamel

Poor Dental Hygiene May Cause Tooth Decay

Food that get’s accidentally stuck between the teeth might even become painful. As food wedges between the teeth it can separate one tooth away from another which irritates the roots as well as the gumline. If you notice poor habits or inconsistency in your child when it comes to brushing their teeth, this might be a fair indicator that there may be some tooth decay.

Not to worry if that is the case, you can schedule an appointment with our Woodbridge and Burke pediatric dental office, and we’ll be more than happy to examine your child. As is the case with all dental-based problems, the earlier we see your child the easier it will be to eliminate the cause of their toothache.

If it’s a serious toothache, perhaps due to a chip or cavity, don’t hesitate to visit our Woodbridge and Burke pediatric dentist Even if your child has never been a patient in our office or has never seen a dentist, we want to make the pain go away and provide your child with the best possible care. We strive to make every child feel safe and comfortable during their visit – and can handle dental any dental emergency that your child may be experiencing.

5 Things You Can Do When Your Child Has A Toothache

#1 – ASK YOUR CHILD WHERE THE PAIN IS
The easiest thing you may want to try, provided your child is old enough, is to simply ask them to point to or describe the pain they are in. If you have a younger child, try to look for swelling, or redness around the gums and cheek, tooth discoloration or broken teeth. If you find a loose tooth, or discolored or broken tooth than odds are you’ve likely found the cause.

#2 – TRY TO HELP YOUR CHILD FLOSS
You can try to help your child remove any food particles that may become lodged between their teeth. Try to be careful and gentle when helping them floss, because your child’s gums might be irritated. If your child has trouble with flossing or has braces, consider buying them a Waterpik Water Flosser to make it easier for them to clear trapped food from their teeth.

#3 – RINSE YOUR CHILD’S MOUTH OUT WITH WARM SALT WATER
Make your child a salt water solution. Mix about a teaspoon of table salt per 8 oz. of warm water and have your child rinse their mouth with the solution for about 30 seconds and then spit the salt water out. This will help kill bacteria in or around the affected area and helps to promote faster healing.

#4 – MAKE YOUR CHILD A COLD COMPRESS
You can apply a cold pack to your child’s outer cheek wherever the pain is. If you do not have a cold pack you can make a cold compress of your own by wrapping ice in a small towel or cloth. Try icing the affected area for 15 minutes at a time.

#5 – WHEN TO USE PAIN MEDICATION
If your child’s pain persists after trying all other methods your child can take anti-inflammatory medication like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Remember to make sure that any medicine you give them the child’s recommended dosage and it’s advisable to first check with your child’s pediatrician before administering anything they’ve never taken before – even over the counter medicines.

Dental Infections Are a Common Cause of Toothaches in Children

If your child’s toothache fails to subside within 24-36 hours, we’d encourage you to book an appointment with our Woodbridge and Burke pediatric dentistry office as soon as possible. Children are at a higher risk for dental infections than adults. If your child’s toothache is not going away, or if their toothache persists for over 24 hours you should call our office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Even if the pain subsides for a while, there is still a reason they were in pain to begin with. They may have a cavity which can develop into a painful abscess. If you have any doubts whatsoever, please call us or schedule an appointment online.

Like adults, kids, too, need to visit the dentist regularly. As a parent, when a child is growing up, you may notice several aspects of the child’s teeth development. The problem can be more profound after the kids lose their baby teeth. Taking the child to their regular dentist will help determine if there is a problem that requires a specialist. An orthodontist is a dentist with specialty training in straightening and teeth alignment. Dental braces are form of treatment to correct alignment and put pressure on teeth, moving them to a straighter position. If a child has the following problems, their dentists refer them to an orthodontist.

Orthodontic problems:

• Underbite: the lower jaw is too big while the upper jaw is too small
• Overbite: the upper jaw is too big while the lower jaw is too small.
• Too much spacing of the teeth
• Early, late or irregular loss of primary teeth
• Thumb or finger sucking
• Extra or a missing tooth
• Protruding teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Difficulty in chewing
• Jaw growth problems
• Mouth breathing

Every child is unique and has their own way of development; however, some of these problems are hereditary. It can also be a special, inborn problem or caused by accident. The age of 7 is the most appropriate for a child to visit an orthodontist for such problems; however, some parents opt to do so earlier or later.

Early bracing

Crooked and unattractive teeth in the child can be one of the reasons to get dental braces earlier. Such problems can cost them bullying in social gatherings that can cause psychological harm to the child. Most children are not self-conscious at this age, but some are. Parents, in the interests of their children’s feelings, opt to have such problems treated earlier. Moreover, issues such as Class III malocclusion, for example, an underbite, necessitate early treatment. The opportunity window is below the age of 10 when it is possible to alter the teeth’ irregular growth. It’s also most parents’ concern that such problems should not extend to their children’s teenage period, hence prefer early treatment.

Records indicate that most parents who opt to start their child treatment early to get dental braces, have kids with Class I malocclusion problems such as protruding, crooked, and crowded teeth. When this happens, the child has to undergo 2 stages of treatment. The first stage is in the early stages before the child loses their primary teeth. This is known as the interceptive approach. At this phase, they use dental appliances, not necessarily braces.

When a child undergoes the first stage, the second stage is shorter than usual; this is where the child has dental braces put on their teeth. This method has, however, raised concerns among several orthodontists. Profitt, a professor at The University of M. Carolina’s School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill, states that this method is costly due to the regular visits to the dentist. It also increases the burden of treatment with no benefit for most Children. It takes a longer time than usual, fixing the teeth, and they all lead to the same end results. He stated there is no advantage to starting early unless it’s a Class III malocclusion problem or the doctor advises so.

Traditional bracing practice

At the age of 7–14 years, the child has lost most of their baby teeth and grown most of their permanent teeth. At this point, it is the best time to consider dental braces for the child. The child’s teeth are still developing, and preventive care is necessary to guide the desired outcome of the teeth alignment. If the child has any of these orthodontist problems, schedule an appointment with the orthodontist. They examine the child’s teeth, ask several questions, and take X-rays to check on the severity of the issue. This will guide the doctor on the next treatment plan. The doctor will guide you, as the parent from the start and throughout the process. They will also advice on the best time to put dental braces on your child. To figure out the appropriate age, talk to the orthodontist, depending on the severity of the case, they will guide on the treatment process and bracing.

Robert Bray, president of the American Association of Orthodontist, states that a regular dentist can offer orthodontic treatment. It is important to note that orthodontists have an additional 2-3 years to learn how to structure the teeth properly.

The braces

Most kids’ dental braces require brackets, wires, and rubber bands. Tightening of the wire bit by bit is essential during the check ups and can cause mouth discomfort. This may subject the child to certain food restrictions that can interfere with this treatment process. They should avoid popcorn, sticky candy, hard foods, and sugary snacks and drinks as they may interfere with the bracing treatment. If it is not urgent, there is no need to subject the child to this treatment below the age of 7. To make installation of dental braces more exciting, the kid can opt to choose a rubber band of their choice from the colorful selection. Accompany the child to the dentist for regular check-ups. The treatment takes 2-3 years, and before teenagehood, the child can smile confidently, which boosts their self-esteem.

If you’ve been thinking about orthodontic treatment for yourself or someone you care about, you may be wondering: When is the right time to see an orthodontist? It’s an excellent question, and there are several ways to answer it.

The most basic one is this: You should see an orthodontist any time you have a question about the alignment of your teeth, or the quality of your bite. Sometimes, a problem in this area is painfully obvious. For example, you may have difficulty biting, chewing or speaking, or some of your teeth may be clearly protruding, crowded or misplaced. If that’s the case, then it’s time to consult with our office — an orthodontist has the special skills and training needed to diagnose and treat the problem.

Other conditions may not be as clear cut. Mouth breathing, clenching or grinding your teeth, and the inability to comfortably close your lips may be signs that orthodontic treatment is needed. Likewise, if your jaws seem to frequently shift in position or make sounds as they move, or if you find you’re unintentionally biting your cheek or the roof of your mouth, you may have an orthodontic issue.

Teeth that meet abnormally can even cause a facial imbalance (asymmetry), meaning that some facial features aren’t in proportion with others. This is a problem that can often be corrected by orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontics for Children

In addition to these general guidelines, there are some specific recommendations for children. The American Academy of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that your child have an orthodontic examination by age 7 — for two very good reasons.

One stems from the fact that there’s a wide disparity in tooth development at that age — so it takes an expert to tell if a child may actually have an orthodontic problem, or if it’s just a normal developmental variation. By that time, an orthodontist can usually determine whether or not there will be adequate room in the mouth to accommodate the permanent teeth.

The second reason for an early exam is that many conditions are far easier to treat if they’re caught at an early stage, when children’s natural growth processes are in full swing. For example, a palatal expander appliance can effectively treat a child’s crossbite (a condition where the upper teeth close inside the lower ones) because a youngster’s jaw is still growing rapidly. However, if left untreated, oral surgery could later be required to correct this serious condition.

There are other problems commonly seen in childhood that may also benefit from orthodontic treatment. These include the early or late loss of baby teeth, persistent thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms, it may be time to visit our office. But keep in mind that early screening doesn’t mean treatment has to start right away — In fact, most kids don’t begin active orthodontic treatment until they’re 9-14 years old.

Orthodontics for Adults

You know when your child should come in for an orthodontic exam. Now, how about you? Do you cover your mouth with your hand when you smile? Are you self-conscious around strangers because your smile isn’t as perfect as you want it to be? If so then the best time to see an orthodontist might be — right now!

Maybe you think orthodontics is just for kids. If so, then it’s time to think again! In fact, according to the AAO, around one in five orthodontic patients today is an adult. Why are more adults getting orthodontic treatment? There are plenty of reasons.

Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age — and in older patients, compliance isn’t usually an issue. Plus, with the growing availability of clear aligners, translucent ceramic brackets, and lingual braces, it’s getting harder to tell whether or not you’re wearing orthodontic appliances. So if you worry that metal braces might clash with your professional image, be sure to ask about less-visible alternatives (Watch Adult Orthodontics Video).

Of course, it isn’t just about looks. Well-aligned teeth are easier to clean and maintain, and less subject to abnormal wear. A better bite keeps you from having trouble eating and speaking, and helps your teeth stay healthy — and healthy teeth can last a lifetime. So why delay getting orthodontic treatment?

We’re seeing more and more adult orthodontic patients these days, and it’s not hard to figure out why. Appliances that are barely noticeable have been developed to give adults more discreet choices when it comes to orthodontic treatment. And many adults realize that investing in a smile makeover can have significant benefits, socially and professionally. Straightening teeth can be an important part of that confidence-boosting makeover process.

Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so there’s no such thing as being too old for braces. However, orthodontic treatment for adults is different in two important respects: For one thing, the growth and development of the jaws is complete in adults, so changes in actual jaw structure can’t be accomplished with orthodontic appliances in the way they can with a growing child.

Secondly, periodontal (gum) disease is more prevalent in adults than in children. While you are wearing the orthodontic appliances, gentle forces will be applied to your teeth so they can move through their surrounding bone. Periodontal health plays a key role in all of this; if the gum tissues are not healthy during orthodontics, bone loss can result and weaken the long-term prognosis of your teeth. So any gum disease must be brought under control before orthodontic treatment begins. And to maintain your periodontal health, you will need to make sure to have regular professional cleanings during the orthodontics while maintaining good oral hygiene at home.

Your Guide to Confident, Healthy Smiles

You already know that maintaining good oral hygiene is important for everyone — but when you’re having orthodontic treatment, it’s even more critical. Why? Because, while the appliances (such as braces or clear aligners) you may need to wear during treatment are very effective in correcting misaligned teeth, they can also trap food particles easily. Keeping your teeth (and your appliances) clean is a little harder — but you can do it! Here’s a look at why good oral hygiene is so important during orthodontic treatment, and some tips on how you can keep it up.

The major enemy of oral health is plaque. Food that becomes trapped near tooth surfaces can lead to the formation of plaque — a thin coating of microorganisms and organic debris (biofilm) containing potentially harmful bacteria. Braces or other appliances make it harder to remove plaque. The bacteria in plaque digest the sugars in food, producing acids which may erode teeth and irritate gums. This can cause cavities, white spots on teeth, gum disease and bad breath.

Keeping plaque under control is one of the most effective means of maintaining strong, healthy teeth and gums. There are three general ways to do it: through diet, daily maintenance, and regular professional care. Taken all together, they’re your teeth’s best defense.

Diet and Decay

Controlling your diet involves avoiding foods that could increase your risk of developing tooth decay. That means cutting down or eliminating foods with an excess of sugar, like soda, sweets, and ice cream. It also means avoiding foods that could easily become stuck in your braces, like toffee, gum, licorice and caramels.

Foods that are very hard or extremely sticky can also cause physical damage to orthodontic appliances. Certainly braces or retainers with broken wires or loose brackets aren’t working to straighten your teeth! You should avoid foods like hard candies or nuts, beef jerky and hard pizza crust. Keep eating healthy foods like carrots and apples — but cut them into bite-sized pieces first! And don’t chew on ice, pencils, or your nails: these habits can cause damage to your appliances, and even result in chipped teeth!

Daily Maintenance

You know how important brushing and flossing are for keeping a healthy smile — especially now that you’re in orthodontic treatment. But sometimes it’s harder to clean your teeth effectively around an appliance’s brackets and wires. Here are some tools and tips you can try for better tooth cleaning.

Either a soft-bristle or a bi-level toothbrush (one with longer bristles on the edges and shorter ones in the middle) can be effective in plaque removal — even with braces. An electric toothbrush can also be used, on a moderate setting. For hard-to-clean areas, try an interdental brush, or proxabrush. The small bristles of this special tooth-cleaning aid, which is shaped like a pipe cleaner, can get in between wires, brackets and teeth. With gentle and persistent effort, it’s possible to reach into the smallest nooks and crannies, and control plaque buildup.

You should floss at least once a day during orthodontic treatment. While it’s a little harder to do with braces, there are some special products available — including floss threaders and particular kinds of floss — that can help you get the floss between wires and gum line. Our staff will review proper brushing and flossing techniques with you when your braces are put on — but if you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

Depending on your situation, we may recommend an in-office or at-home supplemental fluoride treatment to boost your cavity resistance. An antiseptic rinse may also be recommended, to ease minor gum inflammation or irritation.

If you have a retainer, it should be brushed daily, the same way you brush your teeth. We may also recommend using a cleaning solution — but never put hot water on your retainer, because it can distort the soft plastic and make it unusable! And always keep it in a case when it’s not in your mouth.

Professional Care

Even though you’re seeing an orthodontist regularly, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to see your regular dentist — in fact, it’s just as important as ever! While we’re focused on improving your bite and alignment, your dentist will make sure your teeth stay healthy with thorough examinations, cleanings and preventive care. Your orthodontic treatment is a team effort where everyone — our office, you, and your family dentist — has an important role to play. And the team has just one goal: giving you a winning smile.

A chipped tooth can happen to anyone: a child riding a bicycle, a teenager playing basketball, or a grown-up crunching a piece of hard candy. It’s one of the most common dental injuries — and, fortunately, it’s usually one of the easiest to treat. There are several ways a chipped tooth can be treated, depending on how extensive the chip is. But first, there are some things you should do right away.

If possible, save any pieces that broke off the tooth, and bring them with you to our office. If you have pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen; rinsing your mouth in salt water can also help soothe the ache. Next, call our office for an appointment.

Small to Moderate Chips

In many cases, a small to moderate chip can be repaired via a procedure called bonding. Bonding uses tooth-colored substances to replace missing tooth structure. Bonding materials are called “composite resins” because they contain a mixture of plastic and glass, which adds strength and translucency. This composite actually bonds, or becomes one, with the rest of the tooth.

Composite resins can be successfully bonded to most healthy teeth, and they come in a variety of tooth shades for truly lifelike results. When bonding is complete, it may be impossible to distinguish the repaired tooth from its neighbors. Though bonding may not last as long as some other restorations, it also does not require the involvement of a dental laboratory — and, most often, can be done with very minimal drilling of the tooth. It’s a particularly good solution for teens, who often need to wait until their teeth have finished maturing before choosing a more permanent type of dental restoration.

The Bonding Process

Tooth bonding can usually be accomplished in a single visit to the dental office, in a procedure that may take 30 minutes to an hour. First, the surface of the tooth may be altered slightly with a drill to bevel the chipped areas. Next, the tooth to be bonded will be cleaned so it is plaque-free, and “etched” with a gel that opens up tiny pores in the surface. Then, liquid composite resin in a matching shade is painted on in a thin layer, and a special curing light is used to harden this bonding material. Once the first layer is cured, another layer can be painted on and cured. More layers can be built up until the restoration has the necessary thickness; it can then be shaped using a dental drill to give it just the right form, and given a final polishing.

Larger Chips

If a tooth has been severely chipped and has lost a large part of its structure, a more extensive restoration may be needed. In this case, a veneer or a crown restoration (cap) may be recommended. There are several different varieties of veneers and caps, which we will discuss with you. Both veneers and caps usually require the services of a dental laboratory, and will take more than one visit to prepare and place. In some cases where extensive damage has occurred, a root canal procedure may also be necessary to prevent or treat infection in the pulp (inner part) of the tooth.

Dentistry is an art as well as a science; dental crowns offer a perfect example of this. A dental crown or “cap” is a covering that fits over a damaged, decayed or unattractive tooth. It can even replace a tooth entirely as part of dental bridgework.

A crown completely covers a tooth above the gum line. This is in contrast to a dental veneer, which only covers a tooth’s front surface and needs natural tooth structure to support it. Therefore, if a tooth is missing a significant amount of structure above the gum line, a crown would be the restoration of choice.

Crowns strengthen damaged teeth, allowing them to function normally again. When crafted from today’s high-tech porcelains (dental ceramics), crowns are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. They can even be designed to improve upon a tooth’s original appearance.

There are other materials besides porcelain that we can use to make dental crowns, depending on what qualities are most important. For durability, cast gold can’t be beat. However, this is not always the most aesthetic choice — especially towards the front of the mouth. Other possibilities include porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (PFM), which have a metal interior for strength and a porcelain exterior for a more natural appearance, and all-porcelain crowns with zirconia, representing the strongest ceramic. We would be happy to discuss the pros and cons of these various options with you.

Crowning or Capping a Tooth

Crowning or capping a tooth will usually take two to three visits. At the first visit, we will prepare your tooth to receive its new crown. First we will shape it to fit inside the new covering. This will involve some drilling to give the tooth a uniform shape. We will numb the tooth and the surrounding area beforehand. If there is very little tooth structure left to begin with, we may have to build up the tooth with filling material, rather than remove tooth structure, to support the crown.

After the tooth is prepared, we will take impressions of your teeth, either digitally or with reliable, putty-like impression materials, and send them to the dental laboratory. There, the impressions will be used to make models of your teeth for the creation of a crown. The models will serve as guides to the highly skilled lab technicians, who will ensure that your new crown is designed to enhance your smile and function well within your bite.

Before you leave the office, we will attach a temporary crown to your tooth to protect it until the permanent crown is ready. At the second visit, your permanent crown will be attached to your tooth with either a resin that hardens when exposed to a special light source, or a type of permanent cement.

Creating a Bridge

Crowns can also be used to create a lifelike replacement for a missing tooth. This is done with bridgework, which spans the space of the missing tooth and requires at least three crowns. Two of those crowns will be placed over healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth; these healthy teeth are referred to as abutment teeth. The two crowned abutment teeth become supports for a third crown placed in between them; that third crown is referred to as a pontic. If more than one tooth is missing, more crowns will be needed to bridge the gap in between the abutment teeth.

The number of abutment teeth necessary to replace missing teeth is influenced by the number of missing teeth, the size and length of the abutment tooth roots, the amount of bone support each abutment tooth has, as well as where in the mouth the missing tooth is located. For example, if you have three missing teeth, four abutment teeth may be necessary, thereby creating a seven-tooth bridge. Engineering and designing of the bridge requires an understanding of how to replace teeth, as well as the biology of the supporting gum and bone tissue.

Caring for Your Crowns & Bridgework

Crowns and bridgework require the same conscientious care as your natural teeth. Be sure to brush and floss between all of your teeth — restored and natural — every day to reduce the buildup of dental plaque. When you have crowns, it is even more important to maintain your regular schedule of cleanings here at the dental office. Avoid using your teeth as tools (to open packages, for example). If you have a grinding habit, wearing a nightguard would be a good idea to protect your teeth and your investment.