Video Gallery

Want a brighter smile at home? Take-home whitening kits are a simple way to brighten your smile, but the technique matters. In this video, Dr. Washington walks through:

• How much whitening gel to use
• Where to apply it inside the tray
• How to fit the trays properly on your teeth
• What to avoid so you don’t irritate your gums

The goal is an even, natural-looking whitening result without discomfort. If you’re interested in take-home whitening or need custom-fitted trays, contact our office to schedule an appointment. We’re happy to help you get a brighter, healthier smile that you feel confident in.

Wondering which take-home whitening option is right for you? There are two types of take-home whitening gels we recommend—both effective, just tailored to your needs:

• Hydrogen peroxide: This is the standard whitening formula. You wear your trays for 20 minutes a day for 10-14 days.
• Carbamide peroxide: If you have sensitive teeth or gum recession, this gentler formula might be a better fit. Instead of short daily sessions, you’ll wear your trays overnight while you sleep.

Both options are safe, effective, and customized to you. Let’s talk about what’s best for your smile!

Thinking about whitening your teeth? Don’t skip these simple tips that make a BIG difference:

• Sensitivity Prep: If you know your teeth are sensitive or you have gum recession, start brushing with Sensodyne toothpaste for two weeks before your whitening treatment. This can significantly reduce sensitivity, whether you’re whitening in-office or using take-home trays.
• Avoid Staining Foods: What you eat matters. After whitening, try to avoid foods and drinks that stain, like red wine, coffee, tea, pasta sauce, and curries. Whitening opens up the pores of your teeth temporarily, making them more vulnerable to stains.

Spoiler: both are great, it just depends on your personal timeline and preference. In this video, we break down the key differences.

In-Office Whitening takes about 1 hour, and you have immediate results. It’s ideal for weddings, big events, or if you just want it done and don’t want the hassle of doing it yourself.

At-Home Whitening takes about 10–14 days but offers gradual, effective results for those who prefer a more flexible routine.

Ever wonder how dentists can tell if you have a cavity? In this video, Dr. Washington walks you through exactly what we look for on a dental X-ray when diagnosing a cavity. Using a real patient’s X-ray, she highlights the areas of concern and explains how cavities appear to the trained eye.

In this video, Dr. Alexis Washington breaks down exactly what cavities are, how they form, and what happens if you don’t treat them. Using real patient X-rays, she walks us through two cavities: one that’s still in the early stages and can be treated with a simple filling, and another that’s been left untreated for years and now requires a root canal and crown.

Not all Invisalign cases are cosmetic. Our patient came in with small cracks (called craze lines) in his teeth caused by traumatic occlusion — the way his bite is landing is putting too much pressure on certain teeth. He had braces as a kid but didn’t wear his retainers, so his teeth shifted, and the bite became unbalanced. Now, we’re using Invisalign to correct that bite and prevent further damage. Invisalign isn’t just cosmetic — it’s functional.

Does it seem like everyone you know is being prescribed a night guard lately? You’re not imagining it — studies show that over 30 million Americans grind their teeth at night. Since COVID, we’ve seen a noticeable rise in tooth wear and grinding among our own patients.

Think sugar-free energy drinks are safe for your teeth? Think again! The issue isn't sugar, it's acid. In this video, Dr. Alexis Washington explains why she doesn't recommend them and what they’re actually doing to your enamel. 🚫🦷

Mouth taping has become a popular sleep trend, but from a dental perspective, it’s not something I recommend.

If you snore, mouth taping may seem like it helps by keeping your mouth closed at night. The problem is that snoring is often a sign of an underlying condition called obstructive sleep apnea. With sleep apnea, you stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. That can be dangerous and, in severe cases, even life-threatening.

Dr. Alexis Washington is spilling the dental tea and sharing 5 things she would NEVER do as a dentist. From chewing ice to opening packages with your teeth, these habits might be doing more harm than you think. If you want to keep your teeth strong and avoid unnecessary dental visits, this one’s for you.

The iTero scanner lets us walk you through your diagnosis and treatment plan visually, making it easier to understand what’s happening in your mouth—and how we can fix it. From showing you the current condition of your teeth to simulating your future smile, the possibilities are endless. In this video, we’re breaking down how iTero transforms your dental visit into a fully interactive, crystal-clear experience.

We get it—going to the dentist might not be on your Top 10 Fun Things to Do in DC… but at Washington Metro Dental, we’re here to change that! From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll feel at ease—no stress, no pressure, just expert care centered around YOU. In this video, Dr. Alexis Washington shares: how we make your visit easy and anxiety-free, what to expect when you arrive, and simple tips to help calm your nerves before your appointment.

What’s actually good for your teeth… and what’s quietly doing damage? 👀🦷 Dr. Washington ranks common dental products and everyday hygiene habits on a scale from 0 to 10. Some might surprise you. Some you already know you shouldn’t be doing.

Ever wonder what a dentist really thinks about the dental products you see everywhere? In this video, Dr. Alexis Washington ranks popular hygiene products and trends from 0 to 10. Some will surprise you… Others definitely won’t.

Ever wonder what a dentist actually uses at home? Dr. Washington is giving us a peek into her bathroom shelf and sharing her top 5 go-to dental products — from toothbrushes to toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash. No sponsorships here, just honest recommendations from someone who knows teeth. Want a healthier smile? Start here.

Dr. Washington is spilling the tea on the dental products she avoids and why you might want to ditch them, too. From trendy tools to misleading mouthwashes, here’s what a dentist won’t touch.

As a dentist, I don’t love floss picks. Floss picks aren’t terrible, but they’re not as effective as traditional string floss, and here is why.

Oil pulling is getting way more credit than it deserves, and it’s not giving you any real oral-health benefits. If you want a cleaner, healthier smile, stick to the things that actually work: brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits.

Do you really need a tongue scraper? Short answer: Most people don’t.

Tongue scrapers are only helpful for a small group of patients who have what’s known as a hairy tongue, meaning the papillae on the tongue are unusually long. If that’s not you, a tongue scraper won’t give you any extra benefit. In fact, it can do more harm than good.

Dr. Washington is here to rank Halloween candy from least scary to straight-up terrifying for your teeth. 👻 Before you dive into that candy stash, find out which treats your dentist secretly approves of and which ones might haunt your smile later!

Are you constantly dealing with jaw tension, soreness, or clicking when you chew or talk? You might be suffering from TMJ disorder, a condition that can significantly affect your quality of life. At our dental office, we offer Botox for TMJ—a non-surgical solution to relieve jaw pain from clenching and grinding.

Chipped a tooth? Whether it’s barely noticeable or a full-blown dental emergency, we’ve got you covered. In this video, we’re walking you through the three most common types of tooth chips we see in our office, and exactly what to do in each situation. No matter which type of chip you have, our goal is always the same: restore your smile so it looks like nothing ever happened.

If your adult tooth gets knocked out, time is everything. In this video, we walk you through exactly what to do if an adult tooth gets knocked out—from how to handle it without damaging the root to the best way to store it before seeing a dentist.

Knocked out a tooth? Don’t panic—do this:

- Pick it up by the crown (NOT the root)

- Give it a quick rinse with saline water (NOT regular water)

- Store it in milk, or gently in your mouth

- Get to a dentist within 30 minutes if you can

You chipped a tooth, but it doesn’t hurt…so you’re fine… right?

Not exactly! Think of it like a chip in your windshield; it might seem small now, but over time, it can spread and lead to serious damage. Even the smallest chip can weaken the tooth and set you up for a fracture later on. In most cases, we can easily bond and restore it before it turns into something bigger. Catch it early, keep your smile strong.

Are you constantly dealing with jaw tension, soreness, or clicking when you chew or talk? You might be suffering from TMJ disorder, a condition that can significantly affect your quality of life. At our dental office, we offer Botox for TMJ—a non-surgical solution to relieve jaw pain from clenching and grinding.

Your jaw called… it’s TIRED of working overtime! Waking up with jaw pain? Grinding like a coffee bean? Or maybe your head’s been pounding like a drum solo at a rock concert? Good news—Botox can help! Enter Botox for TMJ — Botox tells your overworked jaw muscles to chill.

Less pain

Fewer headaches

No more grinding

No more unconscious clenching

Hi, I’m Dr. Rebecca Salzman, a general dentist here at Washington Metro Dental. I’m so glad you’re here! Whether you’re a new patient or a long-time visitor, my goal is to make sure you feel comfortable, informed, and confident about your dental care.