District Dental Surgery

04/27/2026

Bleeding gums when you brush? That’s not “normal”… it’s your body trying to tell you something 🚨.

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. The good news? It’s completely reversible when you catch it early.

In this video, Dr. Yousefi breaks down:�✔️ What gingivitis actually is�✔️ Why your gums may be bleeding�✔️The right way to brush to remove plaque and calm inflammation

Healthy gums should be pink, firm, and never bleed. If yours do, it’s time to make a change. A few small adjustments to your routine can make a big difference in keeping your smile healthy for the long run.

Let’s get your gum health back on track. 🦷✨

Washington, DC Location:
📞202-393-6154
📧 [email protected]
📍1828 L St NW, Suite 860, Washington, DC 20036

Bethesda, Maryland Location:
📞301-493-6200
📧 [email protected]
📍5626 Shields Dr, Bethesda, MD 20817

04/23/2026

Dr. Yousefi had some very special assistants in the office today for Bring Your Kids to Work Day… and let’s just say, they already know the rules: brush two times a day, don’t skip flossing, and always protect your smile 😉

Future periodontists in the making? We think so!

Because it’s never too early to learn that healthy gums = a healthy smile ✨

Washington, DC Location:
📞202-393-6154 
📧 [email protected]
📍1828 L St NW, Suite 860, Washington, DC 20036

Bethesda, Maryland Location:
📞301-493-6200
📧 [email protected]
📍5626 Shields Dr, Bethesda, MD 20817

04/20/2026

Do you feel like your smile shows more gum than teeth?

A “gummy smile” often happens when excess gum tissue covers part of your natural teeth, making them look shorter or hidden. The good news? There’s a predictable, long-lasting solution.

✨Aesthetic Crown Lengthening is a periodontal procedure that gently reshapes both the gum tissue and underlying bone to reveal more of your natural tooth structure. The result is a more balanced, proportionate smile that still looks completely like you—just refined.

The goal isn’t to change your smile; it’s about uncovering what’s already there.
✔️ Creates a more balanced tooth-to-gum ratio
✔️ Makes teeth appear longer and more proportionate
✔️ Enhances your smile without veneers or crowns (in many cases)

This before & after shows how small changes to the gumline can completely transform a smile.

If you’ve ever felt like your smile looks “gummy” or your teeth look too small, it may not be your teeth at all—it’s the gums.

Washington, DC Location:
📞202-393-6154 
📧 [email protected]
📍1828 L St NW, Suite 860, Washington, DC 20036

Bethesda, Maryland Location:
📞301-493-6200
📧 [email protected]
📍5626 Shields Dr, Bethesda, MD 20817

04/15/2026

What you eat after gum surgery is one of the most important factors in your recovery. Here’s exactly what to eat (and avoid) to heal the right way.

After any periodontal procedure, such as gum grafting, dental implants, crown lengthening, or SFOT, the goal is simple: protect the surgical site, minimize irritation, and support proper healing. Your diet plays a major role in that.

In this video, we walk you through exactly what to eat and what to avoid at each stage of healing—so you know exactly how to manage your diet during recovery.

🗓️Days 1–3: Stick to soft, cool, non-irritating foods like ice cream, smoothies, yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, protein shakes, and lukewarm soups.

🗓️Days 4–7: Start adding soft, easy-to-chew foods like pasta, cooked vegetables, bananas, avocado, shredded meats, fish, tofu, beans, pancakes, and soft cheeses.

🗓️Weeks 1–4: As healing progresses, you can gradually return to a more normal diet while remaining cautious and avoiding anything too hard or sharp.

Foods to Avoid:
🚫Crunchy, Sharp, or Pointy Foods
🚫Foods with Seeds or Small Grains
🚫Sticky Foods
🚫Tough & Chewy Foods
🚫Raw, Hard, or Fibrous Foods

Washington, DC Location:
📞202-393-6154
📧 [email protected]
📍1828 L St NW, Suite 860, Washington, DC 20036

Bethesda, Maryland Location:
📞301-493-6200
📧 [email protected]
📍5626 Shields Dr, Bethesda, MD 20817

04/15/2026

Recovering from gum surgery and not sure what you can eat? This video walks you through exactly what to eat—and what to avoid—after periodontal procedures like dental implants, gum grafting, crown lengthening, gummy smile treatment, and tooth extractions.

https://youtu.be/3_OGeLmWHLI

The goal after any periodontal surgery is simple: protect the area and let it heal properly. What you eat plays a big role in how smoothly that happens. We break it down day by day so you know exactly what’s safe at each stage of recovery.

🗓️ Day-by-Day Healing Guide:

Days 1–3:
Stick to soft, cool, non-irritating foods like ice cream, smoothies, yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, protein shakes, and lukewarm soups.

Days 4–7:
Start adding soft, easy-to-chew foods like pasta, cooked vegetables, bananas, avocado, shredded meats, fish, tofu, beans, pancakes, and soft cheeses.

Weeks 1–4:
Gradually return to a more normal diet while still being careful—soft grains, rice, lean meats, soft sandwiches (no crust), muffins, and tortillas.

🚫 Foods to Avoid🚫
Crunchy, sharp, sticky, or irritating foods can disrupt healing.
-Chips, popcorn, nuts, crackers
-Seeds, quinoa, seeded bread, berries
-Caramel, gummy candy
-Steak, jerky, bagels
-Raw vegetables and hard fruits
-Spicy, acidic, or hot foods and drinks

💡 Important Tips
No straws—use a spoon instead
Chew on the opposite side
Softer and cooler is always safer
If you can mash it with a fork, it’s usually okay

Washington, DC Location:
📞202-393-6154
📧 [email protected]
📍1828 L St NW, Suite 860, Washington, DC 20036

Bethesda, Maryland Location:
📞301-493-6200
📧 [email protected]
📍5626 Shields Dr, Bethesda, MD 20817

Best Foods After Gum Surgery + What to Avoid: A Complete Periodontal Recovery Diet Guide.Recovering from gum (periodontal) surgery and not sure what you can ...

04/08/2026

What exactly is a tongue tie? 👅 And how do you know if you might have one?

When you lift your tongue in the mirror, do you see a tight band of tissue pulling toward the tip? That’s called the lingual frenulum, and everyone has one. But when that tissue extends too far toward the tip of the tongue, it can restrict movement. That condition is called a tongue tie.

In this video, Dr. Lucy Johnson walks through real patient photos to explain what a tongue tie looks like, why it matters, and how restricted tongue movement can affect everyday function. When the tongue cannot move the way it should, it can contribute to issues such as snoring, mouth breathing, difficulty clearing food from the teeth, speech challenges, poor tongue posture, and even neck tension or posture concerns.

Dr. Johnson also shares a few simple ways you can check for signs of a tongue tie at home. These checks can help you identify potential signs at home, but the most accurate way to know is to have an evaluation with a dental professional.

If you suspect you may have a tongue tie or are experiencing symptoms related to restricted tongue movement, our team at District Dental Surgery is happy to help.

🖥️www.DistrictDentalSurgery.com

Washington, DC Location:
📞202-393-6154
📧 [email protected]
📍1828 L St NW, Suite 860, Washington, DC 20036

Bethesda, Maryland Location:
📞301-493-6200
📧 [email protected]
📍5626 Shields Dr, Bethesda, MD 20817

03/26/2026

Before ➡️ After: Gum Grafting on the Front Teeth by Dr. Lucy Johnson

This patient came to us concerned about gum recession on her front teeth. Her teeth were starting to look longer, and everyday things like cold drinks and sweets were causing significant sensitivity.

A gum graft is a precise periodontal procedure that restores lost gum tissue caused by recession. In this case, a small piece of healthy tissue was gently taken from the roof of the mouth and used to rebuild the gumline around the affected teeth. Once healed, the tissue blends naturally with the surrounding gums, creating a seamless, healthy result.

Beyond improving the appearance of the smile, gum grafting plays an important role in protecting long-term dental health. When gums recede, the root surface becomes exposed. Unlike enamel, root surfaces are softer and more vulnerable to sensitivity, wear, and decay. By restoring thick, stable gum tissue, we can reduce sensitivity, protect the roots, and help prevent future recession.

A small procedure, but a big difference in comfort, confidence, and long-term oral health. 🦷✨

🖥️www.DistrictDentalSurgery.com

Washington, DC Location:
📞202-393-6154
📧 [email protected]
📍1828 L St NW, Suite 860, Washington, DC 20036

Bethesda, Maryland Location:
📞301-493-6200
📧 [email protected]
📍5626 Shields Dr, Bethesda, MD 20817

03/26/2026

What exactly is a tongue tie, and how do you know if you might have one?

In this video, Dr. Lucy Johnson explains what a tongue tie is, why it matters, and how restricted tongue movement can affect your breathing, sleep, oral health, and overall function. Using real patient photos, she shows exactly what a tongue tie looks like and how you can begin to identify possible signs at home.

https://youtu.be/SZoFyVuRWxw

When you lift your tongue in the mirror, do you see a tight band of tissue pulling toward the tip? That’s called the lingual frenulum, and everyone has one. It’s the small band of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Its job is important. It helps control tongue movement during speech, swallowing, and normal function.

However, when this tissue extends too far toward the tip of the tongue, it can create restriction. This is what we call a tongue tie. When the tongue cannot move freely, patients may experience a wide range of symptoms including:

🚨 Mouth breathing
🚨 Snoring or obstructive sleep apnea concerns
🚨 Difficulty clearing food from teeth
🚨 Food pouching in the cheeks or gums
🚨 Speech or swallowing challenges
🚨 Tooth positioning or bite concerns
🚨 Neck tension and poor posture

Dr. Johnson also demonstrates simple tongue tie tests you can try at home, including:

👉Tongue to roof test: Place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth and open wide. Your mouth opening should be almost the same as when your tongue is relaxed. If it’s much smaller, restriction may be present.
👉Tongue extension test: Stick your tongue out as far as possible. Ideally, you should be able to extend it about the width of your thumb.
👉 Mirror check: Lift your tongue and look underneath. If the tip of your tongue pulls into a heart shape or you see strong tension in the tissue, it may indicate a tongue tie.

These checks can help you identify potential signs at home, but the most accurate way to know is to have an evaluation with a dental professional.

If you suspect you may have a tongue tie or are experiencing symptoms related to restricted tongue movement, our team at District Dental Surgery is happy to help.

🖥️www.DistrictDentalSurgery.com

Washington, DC Location:
📞202-393-6154
📧 [email protected]
📍1828 L St NW, Suite 860, Washington, DC 20036

Bethesda, Maryland Location:
📞301-493-6200
📧 [email protected]
📍5626 Shields Dr, Bethesda, MD 20817

What exactly is a tongue tie, and how do you know if you might have one?In this video, Dr. Lucy Johnson explains what a tongue tie is, why it matters, and ho...

03/24/2026

If you’ve been told you need a gum graft, you’re probably wondering what actually happens during the procedure. What does gum grafting surgery involve? Where does the graft come from? And what will your mouth look like when you leave the office?

In this video, we walk through a real gum graft surgery step by step, using patient photos to explain the entire process from start to finish.

This patient had significant gum recession on a lower molar, which exposed the root surface and caused tooth sensitivity. A gum graft was recommended to cover the exposed root and thicken the gum tissue, helping protect the tooth and improve long-term gum health.

If you’re in the Washington, DC, or Bethesda area and want to learn more about gum graft surgery, contact our office to schedule a consultation.

Interested in Scheduling an Appointment?www.DistrictDentalSurgery.com

Washington, DC Location:
📞202-393-6154
📧 [email protected]
📍1828 L St NW, Suite 860, Washington, DC 20036

Bethesda, Maryland Location:
📞301-493-6200
📧 [email protected]
📍5626 Shields Dr, Bethesda, MD 20817

03/16/2026

Functional Crown Lengthening vs Aesthetic Crown Lengthening...what’s the difference? These two procedures sound almost identical, and the surgical steps are actually very similar. But the reason we perform them is completely different.

🦷 Functional Crown Lengthening:�This is typically recommended when a tooth needs a crown, but there isn’t enough visible tooth structure for your general dentist to properly restore it. During the procedure, we remove excess gum tissue and carefully reshape the supporting bone to create the space needed for a strong, long-lasting restoration. After a short healing period, you return to your general dentist to complete the crown.

✨ Aesthetic Crown Lengthening:
This procedure is done for cosmetic reasons. The teeth are healthy, but they may appear short or hidden under excess gum tissue, creating a “gummy” smile. We reshape the gum tissue and bone so that more of your natural tooth structure is visible, creating better proportions and a more balanced smile.

The procedure is similar. The goals are very different.

Functional crown lengthening supports your dentist in restoring your tooth. Aesthetic crown lengthening improves the appearance of your smile.

If you’ve been told you need crown lengthening and aren’t sure which type applies to you, this video will help you understand the difference and what to expect.

🖥️www.DistrictDentalSurgery.com

Washington, DC Location:
📞202-393-6154
📧 [email protected]
📍1828 L St NW, Suite 860, Washington, DC 20036

Bethesda, Maryland Location:
📞301-493-6200
📧 [email protected]
📍5626 Shields Dr, Bethesda, MD 20817