Dr. Prokop is originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania. She attended undergraduate and dental school at the University of Pittsburgh and graduated in 1995. She moved to New York where she practiced dentistry and was employed by The Childrens Aid Society.
The Childrens Aid Society is a top rated New York based childrens charity that provides services (including dental) to children of the inner city. It is where Dr. Prokops love of pediatric dentistry grew and flourished.
From there, Dr. Prokop entered into a pediatric dental residency program at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx to complete and further her studies in this area. After she graduated in 2001, her travels took her to Washington, D.C. where she was an attending at Childrens National Medical Center.
Starting a family, and Dr. Prokops desire to serve the community where she had lived, moved her to Annapolis. She started her own practice in 2003. And in 2013, Dr. Prokop renovated the office and re-named her practice Tooth Fairy Smiles. In addition, Dr. Prokop maintains hospital privileges at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
Elle was born in Alabama and raised in Maryland. She went to AACC for dental assisting and received her certification in December of 2020. She loves the new career path and is excited to learn new things each and every day. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, which includes competing in horse shows and skateboarding.
Genna was born in Annapolis and resides here today with her family. She has two daughters and two mini lop bunnies. She has been working in the dental field for 7 years, both as an orthodontic assistant and a hygienist. She loves working with children and strives to make their visits to the dentist a positive and happy experience. In her free time, she enjoys baking, gardening, and traveling.
Janet is a Georgia native who moved to Maryland in 2004. She has two grown daughters who keep her very busy. After being a stay at home mom for many years, Janet decided to pursue a business in home childcare. Now, she enjoys working in the dental field at Tooth Fairy Smiles.
Janice is a mother of three and grandmother of six. She has been married for over 40 years. She graduated with an Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene at Howard University and a Bachelor of Science from Maryland University. Janice has been working in pediatric dentistry for twenty years as an Assistant and Hygienist.
Karrington was born and raised in Prince Georges County. She comes from a very large family, many of whom are doctors. So, it was only natural that she was interested in a career in the medical/ dental field. She likes taking on new challenges and learning new things. In her free time she loves taking her dogs to the park, bike riding, and coloring.
Mariah grew up in Ohio. Since 1st grade she has always wanted to work in the dental field. She received her dental hygiene degree at West Virginia University. She moved to Maryland in 2016 and returned in October 2020. Since returning, not only is she working here (again) at Tooth Fairy Smiles, but also has added to her family. She now has two adorable twin boys. When not at work, she stays extremely busy outdoors, with her boys and her golden retriever!
Its nine oclock on a school night, and your kids are getting ready for bed. Some days, just the simple act of brushing their teeth is a hassle. Even more, trying to get them to floss seems like an impossible task. But, there are several health benefits that make flossing more than worth the effort. Read on for some important facts about flossing and why it should become a part of your familys daily routine.
Because flossing reaches the spaces where brushing alone might miss, its helpful in preventing gum and tooth damage. In fact, plaque, which is a sticky coating on your teeth known to lead to tooth decay, is greatly reduced with regular flossing. When compared to brushing alone, routine flossing and brushing can lower plaque 1 to 3 months more quickly.
Flossing has also been known to combat gingivitis, which is caused by short-term plaque build-up around your teeth. This type of gum disease often flares up during puberty thanks to increased levels of hormones. Therefore, flossing is especially important for young adults and adolescents.
While brushing, you probably focus on the cleanliness of your teeth. However, keeping your gums healthy is essential for complete oral hygiene. Gums help you chew food and keep your teeth from shifting around in your mouth. Flossing helps eliminate food that hugs your teeth close to the gum, which can reduce swelling and irritation. And, did you know that healthy gums and teeth can contribute to fresh breath?
Another fact about flossing is that its not just for adults. Even new teeth can use the care that flossing delivers. Flossing can begin as early as age 2, although your child may need guidance up to the age of 10. Flossing at least once a day for 2 to 3 minutes will help remove debris from those hard-to-clean areas. Not to mention, it willkeep your childs teeth looking polished and white.
These days, there are many types of strategies and tools to make flossing easier for children. The spool method entails winding the floss around each of your index fingers and gently removing residual food in an up-and-down motion. Alternatively, some kids may prefer the loop method. This is where you wrap a loop of flossing string around your fingers while controlling excess string with your thumb.
For younger children or those new to flossing, pre-threaded flossing picks are very useful. Floss picks feature a handle that holds the floss for your child, which lets them focus on getting the best clean.