As parents everywhere are gearing up for the Halloween season, it’s only natural for our kids to be excited about all the candy they’ll get. But it may have mom and dad a bit concerned about yet another holiday loaded with sugary treats. Don’t worry, your dentist in Ann Arbor has some tricks, treats, and tips to protect your little ones from spooky cavities. 

Candy is Ok… In Moderation

We know that all kids want to come home after a long night of trick or treating, dump their candy haul on the floor, and start chowing down on their favorite sweets. We’re not here to take that thrill away, but we do encourage you to help your child limit their candy intake. Starting on Halloween night, allow your kiddo to pick a few of their favorites to enjoy that day. In the days following, don’t let pails of candy sit out for easy picking. Instead, allow your child to pick a few pieces of candy to enjoy at a specific time of day to limit constant snacking and teeth’s constant exposure to sugar. 

Drink Water

Drinking water during and after eating sweet foods can help wash away leftover sugars that could otherwise lead to cavities. But that’s not all. Water can also help neutralize plaque acid which can further protect teeth. 

Brush Well, Brush Often

You already know how important it is for your kids to take excellent care of their teeth at home in between visits to their dentist in Ann Arbor. During holidays like Halloween, it’s even more important. Make sure your kids are brushing their teeth at least twice a day for a full two minutes each time. Kids under 8 may need help to make sure they’re cleaning their teeth properly. It’s also important to encourage your kid to brush their teeth after they snack on anything sugary, including their Halloween candy. 

Trade In “Bad” Candy

There are some candies that are worse for teeth than others, and you may find it helpful to swap out these bad candies for something else. You can use money (a dime per piece, perhaps?), toys, or extra TV or electronics time. Consider trading in sticky, hard, or sour candy. 

See Your Dentist in Ann Arbor

Cavities can be scary, but there are ways to prevent them. Sealants and fluoride treatments from your dentist can help protect teeth from scary sugar bugs. Make sure your kids are visiting their dentist regularly (at least every six months) to catch any problems early and get the preventive treatment they need to grow a happy, healthy smile. 

If you’re looking for more tips on how to have a healthy Halloween, head over to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). They have tons of holiday-specific guides to help. 

We’re always welcoming new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.

It’s October, which often means the beginning of all things autumn. But, it also means the end of the year is quickly approaching and will be here before you know it. If you have dental insurance that resets on the first of the year, your dentist in Canton wants to remind you to use up all the dental benefits available to you before December 31st. 

Don’t Wait

It’s not uncommon for patients to hold off on using their dental insurance just in case something happens. However, this plan can backfire in a few ways. 

• Lost Maximums

Most dental insurance starts on January 1st and ends on December 31st. This isn’t always the case so make sure to check with your provider. However, this means that you must use your maximum allowance during those 12  months or you’ll lose it. 

• Wasted Money

Patients usually pay for coverage either through their employer or on their own. Either way, dental insurance typically isn’t free. But if you pay for dental insurance and don’t use the benefits, your investment was wasted. 

• Bigger Dental Problems

The best way to use your dental insurance benefits is to see your dentist in Canton at least every six months for professional cleanings, x-rays, and exams. These appointments can help catch problems early when they’re less expensive to fix and keep other big problems from happening.  

Overlapping Treatment

Dental benefits don’t necessarily have to be used on preventive care alone. In fact, some patients choose to use their maximums to help cover the cost of transformative cosmetic dentistry, such as veneers, or restorative dentistry like dental implants or crowns. If that’s the case, you may be able to start treatment at the end of the year using this year’s benefits and finish at the beginning of next year using 2022 benefits. Your dentist can help you determine the best way to maximize your benefits on the treatment you desire. 

Flex Savings Account

Even if you don’t have traditional dental insurance, you may have a Flex Savings Account (FSA) that you can use toward dental care. However, like dental insurance, FSAs often expire on January 1st, so make sure you use the money you’ve already invested. 

Do you have unused dental benefits that will expire once the clock hits midnight on January 1, 2022? If so, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Canton today!

We have dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia to better serve you. 

Taking care of your teeth should be an important part of your daily routine, but if you’re not doing it right, it could have adverse effects on your dental health. This is why your dentist in Farmington Hills wants you to know the dos and don’ts of dental care so you can correct any bad habits before they do more harm than good. 

Avoiding Floss

Flossing is one of the most important parts of good dental care. However, one study showed that more than 45% of people floss only weekly, and 58% of people don’t floss at all! That’s a whole lot of missed bacteria that can increase the risk of cavities and other dental problems. In fact, when you don’t floss your teeth, you miss out on cleaning nearly 40% of tooth surfaces. This is why it’s so important to floss in between each and every tooth every day. 

Snapping Your Floss

When it comes to flossing, there’s a proper technique that should be followed to not only clean your teeth but to do so in a way that doesn’t cause damage. One of the main things patients do that can cause damage is snap floss between teeth instead of gliding it gently in and out. While snapping floss might be a convenient way to get the floss in between each tooth, it can cause micro-tears in the gum tissue. Over time, these tears can lead to pockets of infection within the gums.

Brushing Then Flossing

It’s not uncommon for patients to floss after they brush their teeth. But research published by the Journal of Periodontology suggests that flossing then brushing may be the best way to remove plaque and bacteria. If you brush your teeth first and get a squeaky-clean mouth, then decide to remove bacteria from between teeth by flossing, you might just put bacteria from your mouth back onto your teeth. 

Brushing Too Hard

Outside of flossing mistakes, there are some definite brushing mistakes that your dentist in Farmington Hills sees every day. One of the most common is brushing your teeth too hard. For best results, don’t brush with pressure, and there’s no need to scrub. Simply hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and gently move it in circular motions over your teeth. This will thoroughly clean your teeth without damaging the enamel or gums. 

Brushing Too Often

You should brush your teeth twice a day, ideally in the morning and before bed. While there may be times where you feel like you need to brush more, know that brushing too much can actually harm dental health by causing enamel erosion and leading to teeth sensitivity. Stick to brushing twice a day for two minutes each time. 

Skipping Dental Appointments

Besides taking care of your teeth at home, you also need to see your dentist in Farmington Hills twice a year for preventive checkups and professional dental cleanings. Missing regular dental checkups not only puts your teeth at risk but can also increase your chances of developing gum disease. 

It’s important to take care of your teeth in order to prevent dental problems such as cavities and gum disease. The best way to do that is by brushing properly twice a day, flossing thoroughly once a day, and seeing your dentist in Farmington Hills every six months. If you’re overdue for a dental appointment, schedule an appointment today!

We’re always welcoming new patients at our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia. 

Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissues and can cause some unwanted side effects, such as your gums pulling away from the teeth. This can lead to deep pockets between your teeth and gums. Gum disease also makes your teeth more susceptible to tooth decay, and, if left untreated, gum disease may even lead to tooth loss. Fortunately, there are some early signs of gum disease that you can look out for to keep your mouth healthy and strong. Let’s learn about some of the more common signs of gum disease and what your dentist in Canton can do about it.

Bleeding While Brushing

According to The Academy of General Dentistry, bleeding gums can indicate damage in one or more tooth surfaces. While this may just be a sign of sensitivity, if you notice your gums bleed while you brush or floss, make an appointment with your dentist in Canton to rule out other possible causes. Early detection and treatment may prevent gum disease from progressing, so it’s important to take care of your teeth and gums at home between professional dental visits.

Swelling & Redness

One of the earliest warning signs of gum disease is swollen or red gums. If you notice swelling or a new redness in your gums, you may have gum disease. This is usually caused by plaque build-up at or below your gum line that has not been properly cleaned away. It’s important to see a dentist right away if you notice any changes in your gums. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to treat periodontal disease because damage gets worse over time.

Pain & Sensitivity

While not every case of gum disease has pain, many people do experience painful gums as well as tooth sensitivity. Now, some people simply have sensitive teeth, so if that’s normal for you, there may be no cause for concern. However, if your teeth haven’t been sensitive to hot or cold before and the sensitivity lasts for more than a few days, you may have gum disease. Be sure to see your dentist right away.

Bad Breath

Nobody wants to experience bad breath, but it happens to everyone. Sometimes bad breath is caused by something we ate or drank and goes away on its own. However, other times bad breath is persistent and chronic. That’s when your dentist in Canton may become concerned. Chronic bad breath is often a telltale sign of gum disease thanks to the bacteria involved in the infection. These bacteria release a sulfur-like smell and make some people experience bad breath. If you’re not brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal, it’s much easier for food bits to become trapped in your mouth, leading to bacteria and plaque buildup and, you guessed it, bad breath and perhaps gum disease.

Visiting your dentist in Canton at least twice a year is crucial for maintaining good oral health and catching gum disease early. Visits like these are important because, while you can’t really cure gum disease, you can slow its progression if caught early enough. Visiting your dentist regularly will make it much easier to catch potential issues before they become major problems.

Welcoming new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.

The American Dental Association recommends that you go to the dentist at least twice a year, but the sad truth is, many people don’t. In fact, about 65% of Americans don’t get regular dental care. However, the truth is, seeing your dentist in Ann Arbor at least twice a year can prevent some serious problems, including tooth loss. Here are five things that happen if you don’t go to the dentist.

• Plaque Buildup

Even if you brush and floss your teeth every single day, there are just some things your daily oral hygiene routine can’t touch, such as tartar. You see, a sticky substance called plaque, which is made up of bacteria, collects around your teeth every day. If plaque isn’t thoroughly removed it will harden into tartar. This tartar needs to be removed from teeth regularly by a trained dental hygienist to keep it from causing problems like decay. 

• Cavities

Cavities are perhaps the most common dental problem. While there are various causes of cavities, studies have shown that plaque build-up is one of the main reasons tooth decay happens in as many as 60% of adults by age 35. Without regular check-ups, small cavities can escalate quickly and cause even more problems. The best way to avoid cavities is to visit your Ann Arbor dentist every six months for a check-up and professional cleaning. 

• Bad Breath

More than one-third of people who don’t see their dentist every six months have bad breath. Why? Essentially, the bacteria that cause bad breath can hide in and grow on your tongue, in between your teeth, as well as in the pockets between your teeth and gums. While brushing and flossing help remove some of these bacteria, it’s still crucial to get professional cleanings twice a year. If these bacteria are left untreated, you may experience bad breath and they may cause even more problems. 

• Gum Disease

Patients who don’t visit their dentist regularly are at greater risk of developing gum disease. Gum disease is a serious infection of the gum tissue. It starts as gingivitis, but if it’s not treated quickly, it can quickly turn into periodontal disease. Regular dental visits help catch gum disease in the early stages when it’s reversible and before it has a chance to put you at risk for other major health issues. In fact, gum disease can cause complications such as heart disease and diabetes.

• Tooth Loss

Another side effect of gum disease is tooth loss, but advanced decay can also cause someone to lose their teeth. Preventive dental checkups and cleanings can help protect your oral health from advancing to this serious level and help you keep your teeth for life. 

We always encourage our patients to visit their dentist in Ann Arbor twice a year for checkups and cleanings, as well as any other necessary procedures. These visits are important to maintaining good oral and overall health. Regular visits also ensure that small problems are caught and treated before they become big ones. If it’s been longer than six months since your last dental visit, we welcome you to schedule an appointment with us today. 

Accepting new patients at our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia. 

If you want to know how to get whiter teeth, you’ve come to the right place! Thanks to advancements in whitening technology, your dentist in Livonia offers several ways for you to whiten your teeth and give you back that gorgeous smile! Read on to find out which methods will work best for you!

Brush 

First and foremost, you should brush your teeth twice daily. Your dentist in Livonia recommends brushing for at least two minutes per session. Use an ADA-approved toothpaste with fluoride, which is best at helping to remineralize and re-harden enamel and protect against tooth decay. If you smoke or drink coffee or tea regularly, it’s even more important to use ADA-approved toothpaste. 

Floss

Flossing is an often forgotten part of a good oral hygiene routine, but it’s key to floss if you want to keep your teeth stain-free. Flossing your teeth removes pieces of food that can stain your teeth and put you at risk for tooth decay. It’s also been shown to reduce gingivitis, which is one of the causes of tooth discoloration. 

Whiten

With so many different types of teeth whitening treatments on offer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by options. Fortunately, your dentist in Livonia is here with some basic truths that you can use to guide your decision-making. When it comes to smile-whitening products, it really comes down to two options: DIY strips and professional treatments.

• DIY Strips: Available over-the-counter, whitening strips are one of the fastest and most effective ways to whiten your teeth. They can be worn for 30 minutes up to two hours, depending on their strength. But there are some downsides. They’re often messy and may take a little bit of trial and error before you find one that fits well and doesn’t irritate your gums. Also, they don’t always last as long as in-office whitening treatments.
• Professional Treatments: Even though these treatments can be more expensive, they often get you results faster and last longer. Professional in-office smile whitening is also often done using custom trays so that none of the whitening gel gets on the gums, which reduces the chance of irritation. 

Enhance

Some types of tooth staining won’t be reversed through brushing, flossing, or whitening. This is why it’s important to talk to your dentist before starting any smile whitening option. If the type of stains you have can’t be removed with the other options, you may be a candidate for certain cosmetic dentistry treatments. The most common version of cosmetic dentistry to help with staining is veneers. These porcelain slices are adhered to the front surface of teeth and cover up stains or other imperfections.

Visit

Most people visit their dentist to have their teeth cleaned, which is important for keeping teeth healthy. But in addition to cleaning your teeth, your dentist can also remove stains from tooth surfaces and even prevent new ones from forming. More importantly, removing stains helps prevent cavities and decay at a microscopic level where they cannot be seen by even our sharpest eyes.

If you’re looking for a brighter, whiter smile, talk with your dentist in Livonia to find the best solution for you. 

Welcoming new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.

As we age, it’s important to take special care of our teeth and gums in order to maintain good oral health into old age. As we get older, there are some factors that come into play that make maintaining strong, healthy teeth more difficult than it was when we were younger. Here are 4 tips from your dentist in Farmington Hills to take care of your teeth as you age so that you can keep them looking great well into the golden years.

Be Prepared to Combat Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, occurs more frequently in seniors and can be caused by certain medications. Other causes include dehydration or hormonal changes that can occur with menopause. If untreated, dry mouth can lead to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. While you should never stop taking the medication without discussing it with your doctor, there are some ways to relieve dry mouth – such as drinking plenty of water throughout the day, using special hydration rinses, and chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow. You should talk with your dentist in Farmington Hills to find the best solution for you. 

Get Used to Seeing The Dentist More Often

While we love seeing all of our patients, we tend to see our senior patients more often, and for a good reason. As we age, our mouths change. Due to decreasing production of saliva and a higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease, seniors may need more frequent dental care than other adults. Getting into a dentist’s chair at least once every six months will help you avoid some serious oral health problems. Regular visits will also let your dentist in Farmington Hills perform preventative treatments before problems ever occur. 

Don’t Stop Brushing

Brushing your teeth correctly is important for everyone at every age, but it’s absolutely critical when you’re over 50. Seniors should be brushing their teeth at least two times per day and ideally after every meal. A soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste containing fluoride are always best. Make sure to use just slight pressure as brushing too hard will cause unnecessary wear on your teeth and gums. Keep in mind that brushing properly can be hard for older people and can put them at risk for decay. Find a toothbrush that makes it easier in order to protect their teeth. 

And Don’t Forget the Floss

Like brushing, flossing everyday is essential for everyone, but it’s especially important for seniors. The older we get, the harder it is to brush teeth effectively. Flossing helps dislodge plaque that would otherwise stay on your teeth and cause cavities and gum disease. If you don’t floss at least once a day, you’re missing out on cleaning 35% of your tooth’s surfaces! Sometimes flossing can also become difficult as we age and lose dexterity. If this is the case, talk to your dentist about other flossing options that can be easier to use. 

According to many research studies, taking care of our teeth will only get more difficult as we age — that’s why it’s imperative that older adults take care of their oral health today. Senior citizens face many unique dental issues; while most don’t require immediate attention, ignoring them can have long-term consequences for your health. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

We’re always accepting new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.