Why You Might Need Another Round of Braces

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Approximately two in ten people who have braces are adults. So, don’t think that you’re alone if you’re having to undergo treatment as an adult. While the prospect of wearing braces may not be the most exciting one, the orthodontics experts at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI, reassure you that orthodontics has made serious advancements over the years. Therefore, you will have more options, such as clear aligners, to choose from. Here are some reasons why you may need another round of braces as an adult.

You Overlooked Wearing Your Retainer as a Teen

Dr. Fardi Farhat, a Sterling Heights dentist, explains that orthodontic treatment requires several steps. So, having your braces removed doesn’t mean that the treatment has ended. Dr. Fardi adds that many teenagers neglect to wear their retainers. This is a big mistake because the retainer helps to keep your teeth in place. Without the retainer, the teeth can move again and become crooked or misaligned. When this happens, you will need to visit Dental One Care in Sterling Heights so that Dr. Fardi Farhat can assess the state of your smile and dental health. Braces may, therefore, be one of the treatment options to fix the problems.

You May Have Needed to Wear the Retainer for Longer 

A lot has been changing for the better in the field of dentistry, and orthodontics in particular. With a better understanding of orthodontics has come the knowledge that people may have needed to wear retainers for much longer than had been originally thought. For example, some patients may have needed to wear retainers throughout their lives rather than for just a few years as they had been instructed based on the information available at the time. If you are one of those people who didn’t wear your retainer for as long as the current understanding suggests you should have, then a trip to Dental One Care would be helpful for you to learn how Dr. Fardi Farhat and the team can design an appropriate orthodontic treatment plan for you.

Changes to Your Oral Structures

Younger people, such as teens, normally wear braces so that their teeth and jaws can be directed to grow well. Over time, changes keep happening and these changes may take your teeth out of alignment as you grow older. Consequently, you may need another round of braces.

Injuries and Other Dental Problems

Many adults also end up needing a second round of braces as a result of injuries or other dental problems that afflict them. For example, if you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), the abnormal levels of stress exerted on your teeth may cause them to shift out of their positions. Such shifts may be so severe that only orthodontic treatment by the experts at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights MI can correct the resulting defect. For other people, accidents can have such a serious effect on their teeth that they may need to wear braces or undergo other forms of orthodontic treatment in order to deal with the effects of that trauma.

As you can see, there are a variety of reasons that could make it necessary for you to wear braces again later in life. The only way to be certain that you can benefit from the second round of braces is by coming to Dental One Care for a consultation with Dr. Fardi Farhat who will assess you and explain the available options for resolving the issues observed. You will, therefore, be empowered to make informed decisions about the way forward to better dental health, so schedule an appointment today.

Does My Child Need a Space Maintainer?

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If you have kids at home, then you know that accidents happen! Dental emergencies can occur and cost your little one a tooth long before the permanent tooth grows in. When such a premature loss of a tooth occurs, dentists in Sterling Heights MI may recommend a space maintainer. In this article, you’ll discover if your child needs a space maintainer and why the orthodontic experts at Dental One Care may recommend one.

What Is a Space Maintainer?

A space maintainer is a custom-made dental appliance made from acrylic. Your orthodontist in Sterling Heights may make a removable or a permanent space maintainer for your child. Fixed dental space maintainers fall into several categories, such as the crown and loop, the distal shoe, unilateral, and the lingual space maintainers. The orthodontics professional at Dental One Care will discuss these different types with you during your consultation if your child ever loses their baby teeth prematurely and a space maintainer is deemed necessary.

Why Is a Space Maintainer Necessary?

Primary/baby teeth play an important role during the development of your child’s jawbone. They are also vital in how your child speaks, the child’s social skills and the overall alignment of their smile.

When the experts at Dental One Care give your child a space maintainer after that child has lost a primary tooth, the maintainer helps all those functional and developmental issues proceed without impediment.

Without this space maintainer, Dr. Tim Lyons, an orthodontist at Lyons Orthodontics in El Dorado Hills CA, explains that the remaining teeth could move to cover the existing gap. The jawbone in the area of the gap could also fail to grow normally since there is no stimulation in that area.

How Do I Know My Child Needs This Device?

Each situation or patient is different. So, the best way to know whether your child needs a space maintainer is by visiting Dental One Care. The Sterling Heights orthodontist will assess your child and make the best recommendation based on the unique circumstances observed. For example, some kids who lose baby teeth around the time when permanent teeth have started growing may not need a space retainer since the permanent tooth will soon emerge and occupy the space.

How Space Maintainers Work

As already mentioned, space maintainers are usually made from acrylic (plastic) or sometimes metal. The appliance can be anchored to the nearby teeth either temporarily or permanently. So, the space left by the lost baby tooth remains.

If a space maintainer isn’t occupying this space, other teeth will shift and occupy that space. This will, cause other problems, such as misalignment of the remaining teeth and the permanent teeth could be impacted when they finally emerge.

Your child will have to be monitored at Dental One Care so that when the permanent tooth emerges or starts emerging, the space maintainer is removed by the orthodontist.

Dental x-rays are necessary to keep tabs on the development of permanent teeth in your child having a space maintainer. Our orthodontists use these captured images to determine the most appropriate time to remove the space maintainer.

Taking Care of a Space Maintainer

It’ll take a few days to get used to the space maintainer in their mouth. Support your child during this adjustment period until the child is no longer conscious that the device is even there.

During the time that the space maintainer is in place, watch what your child eats. Avoid giving him or her chewy foods, candy, and gum since these may damage the space maintainer. 

It is also important to pay added attention to oral hygiene while your kid has a space maintainer. The area around the space maintainer is particularly susceptible to the formation of plaque. So, proper brushing and flossing are vital. Follow the cleaning instructions given to you by the orthodontist at Dental One Care.

You should also instruct your child not to use his or her fingers to push or tug at the space maintainer since doing so can damage the appliance or loosen it.

The experts at Dental One Care have extensive experience in orthodontic care around Sterling Heights, MI. If you have questions about orthodontic treatment, contact us at Dental One Care today.

Why Do I Need an Orthodontist?

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If you are lucky enough to have a beautiful smile, then you have your orthodontist to thank. Orthodontic treatment is a complicated process. It involves changing the facial, jawbones, and soft tissue as the teeth have to be moved into their new positions. Orthodontists go through several orthodontic programs and courses in a period of two to three years so that they can help they can create beautiful smiles for their patients. It is important that patients see their orthodontists regularly because the very foundations of their mouths are at stake.

About Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment does not show instant results. The process starts with the examination of your teeth and mouth, and the study of dental records, like X-rays and photos of your teeth.

From the information gathered in these examinations, the orthodontist develops a custom treatment plan. The details of the plan will be shared with you, details will include how long it will last and steps to be taken as a patient, such as scheduling appointments with the orthodontist regularly to ensure the effectiveness of the process.

A Few Orthodontic Treatment Tips

Our friend, Dr. Tim Lyons, an orthodontist in Sacramento, CA, emphasizes the importance of maintaining regular appointments. If regular visits are made, then the orthodontist will be able to identify and deal with possible complications that come with the treatment, if there are any. Appointments are usually scheduled every several weeks to access tooth movement and oral health.

By working together with your orthodontist, the treatment can promise life-changing results. Once you’ve completed your orthodontic treatment, you will feel more confident showing off your smile.

To make sure you achieve your dental goals, you would need to take care of what you are eating and drinking. It is best to avoid sugary drinks like sodas, sweet tea, and energy drinks. It is also important to take care of the brushing and flossing of your teeth as instructed by your orthodontist. Once you start to see the results, you will realize that all the sacrifices and efforts were worth it.

Our team of orthodontists includes professionals who are one of the best in Sterling Heights, MI. When you decide to choose Dental One Care for your orthodontic treatment, you can be assured that your smile is safe with us.

Causes and Solutions for Jaw Pain

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Many adults experience chronic jaw pain. Some of the commonly known symptoms include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, headaches or pain when biting. Several things can cause facial pain when biting making it even harder to diagnose and treat. A detailed examination conducted by your Sterling Heights dentist can help determine the cause of the pain. In this article, Dr. Fardi Farhat discusses some of the causes and solutions for jaw pain.

 Possible Causes of Jaw Pain or Facial Pain

  • Sinus problems
  • Infections
  • Arthritis
  • Toothache 
  • Injury 
  • Tooth grinding 
  • Periodontal disease
  • Problems with your jaw or the temporary temporomandibular joint.

Treatment Plan for TMJ 

Your dentist in Sterling Heights will set up a treatment plan. This will depend on the origin of your facial pain. However, recommendations could include:

  • Muscle relaxants 
  • Exercises
  • Mouth protector 
  • Antibiotics
  • Root canal therapy
  • Periodontal treatment
  • Extraction

It is recommended that you consult your dentist or physician for diagnosis or treatment if you are suffering from any jaw or facial pain.

So, to have the peace of mind that the dentist you are consulting is the best in his or her field you should visit Dental One Care, located in Sterling, MI. Our team of medical professionals contains dentists who have completed their education from the best medical universities in the country and other than that, they have taken several medical courses. If you decide to choose a dentist from our medical team, you would no longer need to worry about any of your dental problems as your dentist will be fully equipped to handle your situation by combining experience and skills to satisfy his patients.

Do I Need a Root Canal?

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If your Sterling Heights dentist told you that you need to undergo root canal therapy, you’ll need to read this article so that you can make a more informed decision. Keep in mind that Dr. Fardi Farhat is always available to offer this second opinion and discuss the treatment options available. 

Does a Root Canal Save the Tooth?

The experts at Dental One Care can only recommend a root canal if your tooth is infected, and it is either dead or dying. In this case, the procedure is geared at preserving that dead tooth so that you can continue using it to eat and speak normally. A dead tooth is already dead, so it cannot be saved.

Otherwise, if the dead tooth is extracted, the gap left can result in bone resorption and difficulty in eating and speaking until you replace the missing tooth with an implant or any other restoration.

How Dentists Determine the Necessity of a Root Canal

Determining whether a tooth is dead or dying and if a root canal is in order isn’t a clear cut process. The experience and skill of the dentist assessing you matters, because infected teeth could recover if the infection is caught early. The following considerations can help the Sterling Heights dentist make a determination about the necessity of a root canal.

Lingering Pain. Pain can be described as either lingering or non-lingering. Either of these types has implications regarding the necessity of a root canal. For instance, pain that goes away soon after the stimulus is removed (for example when you stop sipping on a hot beverage) is non-lingering pain because it goes away once the cause is removed. Such pain could indicate that the pulp inside your tooth is still alive and can recover from the infection, so a root canal may not be necessary. However, pain that lasts long after the stimulus is removed is called lingering pain, and it suggests that the infection is so advanced that there is no chance that the pulp will recover. In this situation, a root canal is necessary.

Positional Pain. Dr. Fardi Farhat will also pose several questions to you in order to ascertain whether the tooth pain you feel worsens when your body is in certain positions. For instance, does the pain begin or get worse when you lie down? If you experience worse pain when you bend or lie down, you may have a tooth abscess and the dentist in Sterling Heights, MI may recommend a root canal since the tooth could already be dead.

Spontaneous Pain. Our dental care professionals at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights will also need to know whether the tooth pain that you feel starts spontaneously or only when a stimulus, such as cold drink, triggers it. Tooth pain that just occurs out of the blue when you aren’t doing anything to trigger it leads us to believe the tooth is dead. In contrast, if the pain only comes when a stimulus is present, that could point to the possibility that the pulp can recover from the infection. A root canal is a possibility for spontaneous pain, but the procedure may not be required if the pain only comes when the tooth is stimulated by something hot or cold.

Referred Pain. Referred pain is pain that originates in one part of the body and is manifested in another part of the body. For example, the pain from an abscessed tooth can trigger a headache or an earache. Dr. Fardi Farhat skillfully questions patients in order to tease out information about any referred pain. If this type of pain is discovered, you may need a root canal because referred pain is an indicator of a tooth abscess.

Our dentists in Sterling Heights will assess the information gathered on the issues above, and then decide whether a root canal is called for or another treatment option will suffice.

Why Root Canals Aren’t 100% Clean

Basically, a root canal procedure involves cutting an opening at the top of a dead or dying tooth and then inserting instruments to clean out all the infected pulpal tissue from the tooth canals. The void left is then disinfected and sealed to prevent bacterial intrusion.

However, Dr. Fardi Farhat explains that things don’t always work out as planned because each tooth has multiple canals that intercross. Consequently, it can be hard to do a perfect job of removing all the infected tissues, so there is a chance that the root canal could fail and pain may develop later.

This possibility is the reason why you should ask your dentist about the likelihood of success with a root canal, and if there is a chance that the procedure will fail, then you could consider getting a dental implant immediately instead of taking chances with a root canal that has a small chance of working.

Some Things to Keep In Mind

Many times, a dentist will recommend that you undergo a root canal when you come in with intense pain from a tooth infection.

In most cases, the pain will drive you to accept any solution recommended by your dentist, but Dr. Fardi Farhat suggests that this is the time to go slow and be sure that a root canal is the best option. For example, the infection may not be so severe that the tooth cannot survive, in which case a root canal may not be justifiable. On the contrary, the tooth may be so severely decayed that extracting it may be the most feasible solution. We asked our friend, Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist in Georgetown, Kentucky, about root canal therapy. Dr. Neda said that every person is different. So, you may need a root canal or you might not. The best way you can find out is by asking your doctor before things get worse.

Ask Your Sterling Heights Dentist

Undergoing a root canal is definitely something you should think about. It is helpful for you to ask as many questions as possible so that you are sure that the best alternative in the circumstances is to undergo a root canal procedure. If you have some doubts, contact Dental One Care, and Dr. Fardi Farhat will be more than glad to give you a second opinion about the status of your tooth.

While talking to Dr. Fardi Farhat about your concerns, remember to ask about what you should expect before, during, and after the root canal procedure. Dr. Farhart will give you all the information that you need so that the procedure is successful. Now knowing this information, don’t delay undergoing the procedure at Dental One Care because any delay could allow the infection to spread and affect not just the nearby teeth but also other organs in the body, such as your heart.

 

National Orthodontic Month

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October is National Orthodontic Health Month! Dr. Fardi Farhat has been helping his patients for more than 15 years in Sterling, MI. He reminds his patients to approach Halloween treats with caution because they are harmful to your teeth.

Halloween Candy You Should Avoid

Dr. Fardi encourages patients to stay away from the types of foods that are sticky, chewy, hard, or crunchy. Some examples of these are hard-shelled peanut candies, licorice sticks, gummy candies, caramel-filled candies, popcorn, peanuts, and hard candy. Whether you are undergoing dental treatment or not, Dr. Fardi always says no one should chew ice. 

However, it is still possible to enjoy some traditional Halloween candies without causing problems for your teeth. Since it is mostly children who enjoy Halloween candy, parents are asked to remind them of potential cavities. Be sure to check if they brushed and flossed their teeth. Otherwise, there will be consequences. If you have braces, you are allowed to consume soft, nut-free candies, soft candy bars, peppermint patties, or chocolates that dissolve in the mouth. 

Why Your Oral Health Care Routine Is Important

Our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, emphasizes the fact that dental patients should always brush their teeth after meals, snacks, and especially after consuming Halloween candies. The duration of the treatment for patients who are wearing braces or clear aligners can increase if they consume “off-limit” foods or snacks. Dental One Care observes National Orthodontic Health Month every October. Dentists throughout the country work to increase public awareness of the positive impact that dental care can have on both long-term dental health and self-esteem. Their efforts are intensified in this month because of its significance.

What is Gum Disease?

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Gum disease is an infection that affects the tissues that support and surround your teeth. This condition is one of the leading causes of tooth loss among adults. Gum disease is normally painless, so many people have gum disease but don’t realize it. Another name for gum disease is periodontal disease. In this article, the experts at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights answer your question: what is gum disease?

Warning Signs of Gum Disease

  • Gums That Bleed Easily. Are you one of those people whose gums bleed when you brush, floss, or even when you bite into crunchy food? These are all signs that suggest early stages of gum disease.
  • Tender, Swollen and Red Gums. These are signs of inflammation, and inflammation is the body’s way of dealing with an infection. You should therefore visit Dental One Care for a professional evaluation as soon as you notice these signs.
  • Large Gingival Pockets. Gingival pockets are the tiny gaps between your teeth and gums. If these gaps become large, that is a sign that you could be suffering from gum disease.
  • A Persistent Bad Taste in the Mouth or Bad Breath. You could be suffering from gum disease if you have bad breath despite all your efforts to maintain oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing once each day. Gum disease can also leave a bad taste in your mouth, so consult our team in Sterling Heights dentist as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.
  • Loose or Separating Teeth. As mentioned earlier, gum disease affects the tissues around the teeth. As the disease progresses, the support provided to the teeth will reduce and your teeth will start becoming loose in their sockets.
  • Changes to Your Bite. If your teeth no longer meet properly as you eat, that could be a sign that gum disease has affected the alignment of your teeth. By the time this happens, the condition may have progressed and you need to visit Dental One Care urgently so that your natural teeth can be saved, if possible.

Factors That Increase Your Risk for Gum Disease

  • Poor Oral Hygiene. When you aren’t diligent about maintaining oral hygiene through brushing and flossing as recommended by the experts at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, you increase your risk of developing gum disease because plaque will form more rapidly on your teeth.
  • Using Tobacco. People who smoke or chew tobacco stand a high chance of getting gum disease. This is because these tobacco products interfere with the process of saliva production, leading to oral bacteria thriving in your mouth and causing gum disease.
  • Crooked Teeth. If you have crooked teeth, you may find it difficult to clean all surfaces of those teeth and that can give gum disease a chance to develop.
  • Pregnancy. The hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy increase the likelihood that a woman will develop gum disease. Dentists in Sterling Heights recommend that pregnant women be extra vigilant in taking care of their oral health to avert gum disease.
  • Diabetes. People who suffer from diabetes are also at a higher risk of developing gum disease. This may be because the elevated blood sugar levels limit the ability of the immune system to respond quickly when gum disease sets in.
  • Medications. Some medications, such as oral contraceptives, cancer treatments and some epilepsy drugs have been associated with a higher risk of gum disease. It is therefore prudent for you to alert your Sterling Heights dentist about any medication that you are taking so that the right precautions can be taken to safeguard you from gum disease.
  • Gum disease usually manifests through three different stages. The first stage is called gingivitis. This stage of the disease is easily reversible if you go to Dental One Care for professional teeth cleaning services and you then become more vigilant about brushing and flossing on a daily basis. Gingivitis is characterized by bleeding gums that are swollen and red.

Moderate Periodontal Disease

The second stage of gum disease is called moderate periodontal disease. At this time, the gingival pockets get bigger and the characteristics of gingivitis get more pronounced. During this stage, some people develop bad breath as well. The professionals at Dental one Care can treat this stage of the disease through root planing and scaling. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to tame the infection and prevent it from spreading.

We asked our friends at Surfside Kids Dental, a pediatric dentist in Elk Grove, about gum diesase. They said that if moderate periodontal disease isn’t treated, it will progress and become advanced periodontal disease. At this time, your teeth may be noticeably loose. You may also find it hard to eat using the side of the most affected teeth. At this point, the treatment options available will depend on how far the disease has progressed. So, get to a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI as soon as possible.

The best way to prevent gum disease is by following an oral health routine. First, do your part in taking care of your oral health at home by brushing two times each day and flossing once a day. Secondly, visit Dental One Care every six months for a dental checkup and a professional cleaning of your teeth. Those dental visits will also help our professionals to detect any developing problems early so that timely treatment can be administered. In this way, you will retain your perfect smile for many decades to come!

Best and Worst Halloween Candy for Your Teeth

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What would Halloween be like without all the festive treats? Halloween is great because of all the fun that comes with dressing up and filling up bags of candy with your friends. Of course, all that fun comes with a big risk of getting cavities. Our team at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI, wants you to have as much fun as you can on this day without compromising your dental health. So, we have created the following guide to help you choose between the best and worst Halloween candy for your teeth. 

Chocolate

Orthodontists in Sterling Heights have good news for all you chocolate lovers. Chocolate is one of the best candies to choose from because of its minimal adverse effects on your teeth. The reason why chocolate is a better choice is because of how soft it is. So, your teeth are unlikely to be damaged as you bite into it. Additionally, chocolate melts in your mouth and doesn’t stick on your teeth. When you choose chocolate, you’re less likely to get cavities compared to other candies. 

As an additional tip, the experts at Dental One Care recommend that you pick dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate since dark chocolate contains less sugar than what is contained in milk chocolate. Don’t forget to brush and floss after eating these yummy treats!

Gummy and Sticky Candy

Here’s a rhym to remember: Be very picky if the candy before you is gummy or sticky. This is because gummy and sticky candy is one of the worst candies for your dental health, especially for people with braces. Sugar in these types of candy will stay on your teeth longer because. Therefore, you’re likely to get cavities. You won’t regret it if you mnimize your consumption of these sweets on Halloween.

Hard Candy

We asked our friend, Dr. Christopher Green, a dentist in Parker, CO, about the best and worst Halloween candy for your teeth. Dr. Green says you should also steer clear of hard candy on Halloween because it poses several risks to your dental health. When you eat this candy, you take the risk of cracking or breaking your teeth. If you just started your orthodontic treatment, then you have to have even more caution because the wires and brackets of your braces are susceptible to damage due to the effect of this hard candy.

Sour Candy

You might think that sour candy is better for your teeth because it seems to contain less sugar than the other types of Halloween Candy. However, dentists in Sterling Heights, MI explain that sour candy is bad due to the acids that give it that sour taste. Those acids will damage your teeth and cause cavities, so you will be doing yourself a favor by staying away from these Halloween candies.

Sugarless Gum

This is another great treat to hand out on Halloween because bacteria cannot feed on the xylitol that is used to sweeten this gum. Sugar-free gum is also a good choice because it helps to clean out the residues of the other candy that one has eaten.

As Halloween approaches be mindful of the sugary treats you eat. Also, be sure to follow your oral dental care routine so that you keep the cavities away. Remember to brush and floss half an hour after eating any candy, and seek professional help at Dental One Care if anything is amiss with your dental health. Now that you’ve know the best and worst Halloween candy for your teeth, you can go into Halloween feeling more confident about your oral health. For questions about our dental services in Sterling Heights, MI, contact Dental One Care!

How is In-Office Teeth Whitening Done?

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 As you grow older, your teeth naturally lose their brightness due to the effects of the foods and drinks that you consume, medication, genetics, and many other factors. However, you don’t have to live with stained or discolored teeth because there are several options that you can select from to whiten your teeth. One option, whose popularity is growing rapidly, is the in-office teeth whitening. Results from in-office teeth whitening show sooner than the results of whitening your teeth using a DIY kit bought over-the-counter. Here are the steps that the experts at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI will follow as they whiten your teeth professionally.

Step #1: Taking Records

The first step that Dr. Fardi Farhat, a Sterling Heights dentist, will take is to record the baseline shade of your teeth. This baseline is the current shade of your teeth when you come to the office.

Your dentist will then show you a shade guide as you discuss how bright you would like your smile to be. Note that experienced dentists like Dr. Fardi Farhat will recommend the most appropriate level of brightening that would bring out the best from your smile without making your teeth look too unnatural. Once the goal of how bright your teeth should be is agreed upon, the next steps follow in rapid succession.

Step #2: Thorough Cleaning

The teeth whitening compound will not be effective if the surfaces of your teeth are coated by plaque and tartar. Dr. Fardi Farhat or any other dental care professional at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI will, therefore, polish your teeth using pumice so that all the plaque is removed.

Step #3: Mouth Isolation

A piece of gauze will then be placed in your mouth to keep the teeth that have just been polished dry. Additionally, retractors may also be used to keep your lips, cheeks, and tongue out of the way for the teeth whitening solution. A barrier is also placed along the gum line to protect your gums from being damaged by the teeth whitening solution.

Step #4: Application of the Whitening Solution

The next step is to apply the teeth whitening solution on the front surfaces of your teeth. The most commonly used solution is hydrogen peroxide, but the professionals at Dental One Care can also use carbamide peroxide as a bleaching agent.

Step #5: Curing

Laser light is often needed to cure or activate the whitening compound applied on your teeth. However, some bleaching agents don’t require this special light. Instead, the bleaching agent is reapplied several times. Once the curing light has been applied, the bleaching solution is left on the teeth for about 30 minutes before it is rinsed off.

Step #6: Fluoride Treatment

This step isn’t necessary for everyone. However, for some patients, such as those who have a history of teeth sensitivity, a fluoride treatment is provided to deal with any sensitivity that could result after the teeth whitening procedure. For most people, this is the final step and they leave with a brighter smile.

However, some professional teeth whitening techniques require you to make an additional visit or visits to the Dental One Care office for additional treatments before your teeth can reach the desired shade of white. In such a case, Dr. Fardi Farhat will schedule out all those visits so that when you leave, you will know when each visit is scheduled.

Before you leave the dental office, our dentists in Sterling Heights will advise you about what you should or shouldn’t eat or drink within the first 24 hours after your teeth whitening procedure. The things to avoid are especially pigmented foods and drinks, such as coffee, red wine, tomato sauce, beets, yellow mustard and tobacco products. These substances can stain your recently-whitened teeth, so avoiding them in that timeframe allows the whitening products to cure on the teeth.

Professional DIY Teeth Whitening Kits

If you find the in-office teeth whitening procedure to be very expensive since your insurance doesn’t cover it, the next best option is to get a professional teeth whitening kit that you use at home. We asked our friend, Dr. Christopher Green, a cosmetic dentist in Parker, Colorado, about his opinion about DIY teeth whitening kits. Dr. Green says that teeth whitening kits will get the job done but in-office teeth whitening gives you instant results and it last longer. 

This kit can be custom-made for you at Dental One Care. Dr. Fardi Farhat starts by taking an impression of your teeth and then sending this mold to a dental lab. In about two weeks, the teeth whitening trays will be ready.

Once you receive the tray from the Sterling Heights dentist, all you have to do is to put drops of the specially formulated whitening agent in the tray before placing the tray on your teeth for about an hour each day. This is repeated daily for two weeks as your teeth gradually whiten to the desired shade.

Professional at-home teeth whitening kits offer better results when compared to over-the-counter teeth whitening products available on the market. So, take your pick between having your teeth whitened at Dental One Care by an experienced professional or having a custom tray made so that you can whiten your teeth at home. Regardless of the option that you choose, Dr. Fardi Farhat and the entire Dental One Care team in Sterling Heights will be available to help you in any way possible so that you retain your bright smile for years to come.

 

How Often Should I Visit The Dentist?

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Not everyone loves going to see a dentist, but these visits are necessary to maintain peak dental health. So, how often should you visit the dentist? The answer to that question depends on your overall health and the recommendation by Dr. Fardi Farhat, Sterling Heights, MI dentist, after assessing your dental health, as explained below.

Why Getting Professional Teeth Cleanings Is Necessary

One of the major reasons why you should visit Dental One Care in Sterling Heights is for your professional teeth cleaning. This cleaning is necessary because regardless of how vigilant you are in brushing and flossing your teeth, plaque and tartar will gradually accumulate on your teeth, especially on and beneath your gumline.

If the plaque and tartar aren’t removed periodically, you will develop cavities as a result of the bacteria build up on your teeth. Getting your teeth cleaned professionally by Dr. Fardi Farhat and our team at Dental One Care is, therefore, the best way to prevent cavities and gum disease.

Frequency of Dental Visits

Visiting the dentist every six months for a professional cleaning is a standard rule of thumb. Many health insurance companies cover your dental cleaning and checkup visit every six months. 

However, some people face a higher risk of developing cavities and suffering from gum disease. Dr. Fardi Farhat recommends that these people come in for dental cleanings more often than twice a year. The following questions can help you to determine whether you are one of those people who need more frequent visits to Dental One Care in Sterling Heights;

  • Do you use fluoride-free toothpaste or drink water?
  • Do you have a sweet tooth or snack a lot?
  • Do you avoid flossing daily?
  • Do you find it hard to brush your teeth twice each day?
  • Are you more likely to visit a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI when you have a dental problem rather than going there for a checkup?
  • Does Dr. Fardi Farhat recommend fillings during each visit you make?
  • Do you have a lot of early cavities that are being watched by the experts at Dental One Care?
  • Do you currently have a dental device, such as dentures or braces?
  • Do you suffer from a chronic health condition, such as diabetes?
  • Were you diagnosed with dry mouth or think you have dry mouth?

If you responded in the affirmative to most of the questions above, you may need to see Dr. Fardi Farhat more frequently for cleanings and checkups so that any dental health problem you develop can be caught early.

In addition to the professional cleaning that you will get, our dentist in Sterling Heights, MI may also administer a fluoride treatment in order to reduce your risk of suffering from cavities or losing any of your natural teeth.

The Link Between Your Dental Health and Your Overall Health

Our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, explains that individuals who suffer from chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, are more likely to suffer from gum disease. For this reason, these people can benefit from more frequent visits to Dental One Care so that gum disease can be prevented or caught early.

Additionally, people who are on blood-thinning medication, as well as those taking infusions to combat osteoporosis, should also see the Sterling Heights dentist more frequently. This is because it is difficult to extract a tooth if someone is taking these medications, so the best approach is to put emphasis on preventive dental care to avert the need for extractions or other dental care procedures.

If you suffer from bleeding gums, see Dr. Fardi Farhat more frequently so that the periodontal disease causing this symptom can be managed properly before it causes you to lose your teeth.

Also, if you are a parent, you should set the right example for your kids by visiting Dental One Care frequently. Bring your kids with you, even if they don’t need any dental work or a checkup done. The fact that they see you going to Dr. Fardi Farhat in Sterling Heights, MI will teach them to value getting professional dental care on a regular basis and that habit will stay with them for the rest of their lives. That is how you can protect the smiles of your family members, and Dental One Care is here to support you in this regard.

Contact Us: 586 274 2800

Take a moment and browse our website and you will find valuable and informative material about the dental services we offer.

Our website also provides you with information about our dental professional team, office hours, insurance plans, appointment procedures, directions to our office and other valuable information.