Arlington, VA - VK Pediatric Dentistry is honored to share that Dr. Peter Markov has been named Top Pediatric Dentist in Northern Virginia by Virginia Living and Arlington Magazine. Dr. Peter is recognized by the families in the areas serving Arlington, McLean, and Northern Virginia for his kind and patient approach to children of all ages as well as his commitment to providing the highest level of pediatric dental care. For anyone who searches "best pediatric dentist near me," Dr. Peter's practice and VK Pediatric Dentistry are often at the top of the list. Dr. Peter has raised the bar for p ..read more

Dr. Peter has been getting the following question more and more lately: "I saw an advertisement for an Autobrush or similar U-shaped auto brushing toothbrush. It looks easy. Should I get my kids one?" We wanted to dive in and explain why we don't recommend these autobrushing U-shaped silicone toothbrushes for any of our patients regardless of the brand. Dr. Peter recorded a video that goes into detail about their brushing and how ineffective they are at removing plaque. If you'd like to see Dr. Peter use some plaque disclosing tablets and talk about these Autobrushes, look below! https://youtu ..read more

1. My insurance should pay for all my care In reality: Insurance is meant to help cover some of the costs of dental care. Very rarely (almost never) does insurance pay 100% for all procedures and there can be large differences in the benefits provided. These differences are usually based on the contract your employer has selected with the insurance company. In the 1960’s yearly insurance maximums were $1,000-1,500. Today many plans still have these same maximums. In the 1960’s, a Ford Mustang was $2500. Adjusted for inflation these maximums should be around $10,000-$12,000 in today’s dollars ..read more

We brush our teeth every day (hopefully twice a day!) but where did the toothbrush come from? Dr. Peter answers the question below! History of the Toothbrush: A ‘modern toothbrush’ as we know it did not appear until the end of the 14th century (over 500 years ago), while the earliest oral hygiene tools can date back to 3500 BC in Egypt. The first tools to clean teeth were essentially sticks with frayed ends until the Chinese started using bone or bamboo for handles and hog hair bristles around 600 AD. These brushes eventually made their way to Europe and were further refined in the 1600s with ..read more

I often see charcoal toothpaste at stores (including 'organic' health stores) and I see the claims: "It cleans, it's natural, it detoxifies". The advertising is magnificent but is it actually helpful for teeth? Unfortunately, it gets a big thumbs down from Dr. Peter, a pediatric dentist, and owner of VK Pediatric Dentistry, located in Arlington, Virginia. Read more to find out why we don't recommend charcoal toothpaste for any of our patients or their parents. Why Charcoal In the First Place? Activated charcoal is created when you combine high-temperature and processed charcoal with an activa ..read more

Brushing teeth. It's something we've been doing for years but how often do we actually reflect on what we're doing? Here are four tips from Dr. Peter at VK Pediatric Dentistry to skip next time you brush your children's teeth! Rinse and Swish - Leave the Toothpaste On! Toothpaste is protective. Not only does it clean, but it also helps strengthen the teeth. Almost everyone rinses with water after they brush their teeth but that’s one habit that can definitely be dropped. Rinsing your mouth with water decreases the effectiveness of fluoride in your toothpaste. Fluoride should remain on your te ..read more

Did you know that germs and bacteria can accumulate on your toothbrush without you knowing? The average toothbrush contains over 10 million bacteria (according to a study at the University of Manchester) which is more bacteria per square inch than a public restroom floor - which only has about 2 million bacteria per square inch. ,Dr. Peter Markov, owner and pediatric dentist at VK Pediatric Dentistry, discusses a few oral health habits that are good to follow to help limit the spread of germs. Here are some tips to make sure you're stopping the spread of germs that may be coming from your too ..read more

Dr. Peter is no stranger to vitamins, supplements, and trying to stay as healthy as possible for the safety of himself and his patients. He is a pediatric dentist and owner at VK Pediatric Dentistry in Arlington, VA, and has remained COVID-19 free and healthy through the entire pandemic. Although Dr. Peter and the entire staff take every precaution possible to remain safe in his office (including N95 masks, full personal protective gear, shields, barriers, etc.), he also uses a number of supplements, vitamins, and health practices aimed to maintain and promote health during the COVID-19 pandem ..read more

Dr. Peter, a pediatric dentist at VK Pediatric Dentistry in Arlington, VA often gets asked the question: "when should I be concerned with my child's thumb sucking?" or "how can I get my child to stop sucking their thumb?" It's a common question to a common problem in pediatric dentistry so lets dive in with a blog post. First, we will address the problems that can be caused by a habit such as finger or thumb sucking. Second, we will address appropriate ages to stop. Third, we will offer some suggestions and advice to help even the most stubborn habits in children. Negative Consequences of Thu ..read more

The road to becoming a pediatric dentist is no easy task. First, one must graduate from undergraduate school, then complete a 4 year accredited dental school education, passing boards and certifications along the way. Afterwards, they must complete a 2-3 year post graduate residency program to be considered a pediatric dentist. Dr. Peter during his Residency at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Every year there are millions of people who are terrified of going to the dentist - usually because of a fear that was established at an early age. For many, the first interaction they had at a dentist ..read more