Drinking Tap Water May Help Your Teeth

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Drinking Tap Water May Help You At The Dentist

When tooth decay is left untreated, it can cause infections and pain that will hinder speaking, eating, learning, and playing.

With the controlled addition of fluoride compound to the public water supplies, a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of General Dentistry says that this is a cost-effective way to fight tooth decay and prevent cavities. Indeed, drinking tap water may help at the dentist.

Fluoride and Your Teeth

Fluoride will make your entire tooth surface more resistant to decay. Also, it promotes remineralization, which is crucial for repairing early decay. Water fluoridation is considered to be the best source of fluoride.

Tap water has been treated with fluoride in order to prevent cavities. Water fluoridation can prevent at least 25% of tooth decay both in children and adults. While teeth are erupting under the gums, the fluoride will strengthen tooth enamel. This way, it becomes stronger and more resistant to cavities. And when the teeth erupt, fluoride will rebuild weakened tooth enamel.

Also, it can reverse early signs of tooth decay. Whenever you use fluoride dental products, you are giving your mouth a topical benefit since the fluoride is directly applied to your teeth’s surface.

In the US, more than 144 million residents in over 10,000 communities are drinking fluoridated tap water. And this can provide an automatic defense against the unsafe ingredients causing preventable oral health disease.

Rather than drilling holes in order to fix cavities, dentists prefer educating the public about tips for preventing tooth decay. A Sterling Heights dentist further emphasized that drinking tap water is safe; it is the most effective way of receiving fluoride. Also, this is more affordable than going to your dentist for a filling.

Varnish is also an effective source of fluoride. Applied by your dentist, varnish is among the most concentrated products today. This product has sodium fluoride that will adhere to your tooth surfaces when there is saliva, thus giving an excellent fluoride treatment.

By keeping fluoride in your mouth, its ability to prevent demineralization will be enhanced. Varnishes are better choices for this purpose as opposed to fluoridated toothpaste or drinking water. Typically, fluoridated varnishes are for those who do not receive sufficient fluoride from tap water, toothpaste, and other sources.

Fluoride can be found in salt products, specialty milk, gum, mouthwash, and toothpaste. However, the fluoride that the fluoridated water and varnish methods have can help reduce cavities by over 30%. If you suspect that you have a cavity, you need to visit your dentist now to prevent further damage to your teeth and mouth.

The Science Of Smiling

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Smiling can give you the opportunity to flash your bright pearly whites. You will certainly find joy in being able to show off your perfect teeth – something that you (and your dentist) worked hard to maintain and enhance.

Smiling, however, isn’t just a simple activity that will allow you to be proud of your teeth. A smile is also an expression of emotion that captures and conveys a variety of feelings: happiness, joy, excitement and satisfaction. Smiling has also been scientifically proven to change your mood and boost your feelings of happiness.

Smiling and Your Body

Although smiling is such a natural act, there is still a science behind this.

When you think of a memory that gives you joy or remember an experience that makes you feel happy, that information gets processed by the brain. This, in turn, triggers certain facial muscles. These include the zygomaticus major around the mouth, which will be drawn upwards into a smile, and the orbicularis oculi muscle, which will contract and raise the cheek, giving the appearance of a genuine smile. This is an involuntary response that happens when you think of something happy. This is a simple explanation of the science of smiling.

To make a conscious or voluntary smile, the only muscle at work would be the zygomaticus major. Although it isn’t a full, genuine smile, this grin can still make you feel better.

But what can a smile do for your body? According to a trusted Sterling Heights dentist, Dr. Farhat, whenever you smile, the facial muscles and bones become lightly distorted, and as a result, there is a healthy increase in the brains’ frontal lobe’s blood flow. This, in turn, leads to the release of more dopamine which mingles with the brain chemicals known as opioids. This interaction causes you to feel happy and elated.

So whether you smile consciously or unconsciously, your brain can’t tell the difference, and the smile can have the same stimulating effect on your levels of happiness as exercise.

In addition, according to various studies, the feeling of happiness that a smile can bring can automatically cause you to think more positive thoughts. This can also enable you to think more creatively and bring about fresh, unique ideas.

Finally, smiling at others and seeing others smiling back builds connections and increases positive feelings. Your happy moods can uplift others. When you share in the joy of others, you can’t help but feel happy as well.

As such, whether you have the perfect teeth or not, smile! It’s a great way to feel better about yourself and to simply be happier. You get to spread some good cheer to others as well.

5 Strategies for Stress-free Dental Visits

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Regular visits to the dental clinic are an integral factor in the goal of achieving excellent oral health

However, some patients deprive themselves of the treatments that they need due to the stress and anxiety they feel inside the environment of a dental clinic.

Apart from that, there are some patients who may visit their dentists regularly for routine treatments like checkups and professional cleanings, but have some misgivings about other types of treatments, like teeth extractions or root canal procedures.

Whatever your reason may be for needing to see a Sterling Heights dentist, here a few strategies that you can use to experience stress-free dental visits.

  1. Acknowledge your feelings

If you are feeling stress because of the procedure you are about to undergo or if you have some fear of being inside the dental clinic, acknowledge your feelings and let your dentist know about these.

As trained professionals, dentists work hard to ensure that their patients not only get the best possible outcomes. Equally important for dental professionals is the idea of providing their patients with the best possible experience before, during, and after a treatment.

  1. Come prepared

Pain is a major concern that hinders many patients from seeing dentists. To a certain degree, this concern is unfounded, with many procedures hardly causing pain and/or discomfort.

However, there are some instances wherein an otherwise healthy patient may feel more pain or discomfort than usual. One is if the patient experiences sensitivity of the teeth and/or gums.

There are a few things you can do to minimize, if not eliminate, the sensitivity of your teeth and gums. These include practicing good oral hygiene habits and using a toothpaste especially formulated for people with sensitive teeth.

  1. It’s all in your mind

The mind is quite powerful. If you feed it with positivity through music and/or visualization, you can stay on top of your stress and receive the treatment that you need.

  1. Seek answers

Sometimes, stress can arise due to uncertainty and misinformation. The quickest way to counter these is to seek correct answers from a trained and trusted professional — your dentist.

  1. Explore your available options

If you are afraid of discomfort or pain, you can ask your dentist about the possibility of numbing the area that he or she is going to work on.

Your dentist can inject an anesthetic or apply a paste on such areas to reduce the pain and discomfort.

7 possible reasons for tooth pain

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Why does my tooth hurt?

The average person will suffer from mild to extreme toothaches several times during his or her lifetime. The severity or pain level usually depends on the cause behind a toothache.

If you’re thinking “Why does my tooth hurt?” every now and then, a trusted Sterling Heights dentist shares some possible reasons below:

Tooth decay

The most common cause of toothaches is tooth decay. However, for the tooth and the surrounding area to really hurt, the decay in the tooth would have to be significant enough that it has already reached the inner layer of the tooth — the dentin. Once the dentin is damaged, the tooth becomes highly sensitive and a cavity has already developed.

Tooth abscess or infection

If a cavity has already affected the root beneath the visible tooth, the root and the surrounding tissue will soon become infected. This, in turn, can cause a pulsating and unbearable pain. This is a dental issue that needs to be dealt with professionally as soon as possible since not only is it extremely painful, but it can also result in bone and tissue loss.

Sensitive teeth

If you feel a sharp tooth pain during or after eating or drinking something cold or hot, the pain is usually connected to tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity usually means that your tooth enamel has worn down and your tooth’s dentin (the layer where the tooth’s nerves are) is exposed. This dental issue can also be caused by a recent teeth whitening procedure. To reduce this level of sensitivity, you can try using toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. You can also consult your dentist for other possible remedies.

Damaged fillings

Damaged or dislodged dental fillings or sealants which can expose the sensitive part of your tooth to temperatures, food and drinks can create sharp pains. Your dentist can immediately repair or replace the dental filling or sealant so that you can be free of pain quickly.

Dental trauma or fracture

If you injure, fracture, crack or chip a tooth because of a sports injury, accident, or from biting a really hard object, you will feel an intense toothache. If the pain is intolerable, this usually means that the fracture or damage has made its way to the middle of the tooth where the nerve endings are. Recommended treatments for this painful oral issue include dental fillings and dental crowns.

Growing wisdom teeth

When your wisdom teeth are starting to erupt or if they have already crowned, they can cause teeth misalignment and push against the other teeth. This typically places pressure on your jaws and gums which causes the pain. Extracting the wisdom teeth and other orthodontic treatments will provide you relief from the pain.

Sinus infection

Lastly, if you suffer from sinuses, regular nasal congestion and tenderness in your upper jaw can also cause toothaches. Your dentist and medical practitioner will have to work together to find the most suitable remedy for this problem.

Even if the pain you are feeling is bearable and often comes and goes, it is best to consult your dentist immediately. There may be some underlying and more severe dental issues behind the pain and your dentist is the best person to detect and treat them.

National Gum Care Month: 5 Tips To Prevent Gum Disease

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September is the National Gum Care Month!

Now is the time to educate yourself about the early signs of gum disease and review the different habits that can help keep your mouth clean and healthy.

Early Signs of Gum Disease

  • Gums are swollen and red in certain places
  • Gums bleed easily when brushing
  • Gums feel tender
  • Gums have begun to pull away from the edges of the teeth

Gingivitis is initially painless. It takes time to develop into a noticeable problem. You can prevent gum disease with basic and simple oral hygiene measures.

5 Ways to Prevent Gum Disease

1. Brush at least twice a day

The sticky plaque will build up on your teeth continuously. If it is left there for hours, it will develop into tartar. Both plaque and tartar can contribute to gum disease.

2. Don’t forget to floss

Floss every day. Although brushing can prevent plaque from building up on your teeth, flossing will keep the area below the gum line clean and healthy.

You can use a water irrigator or a dental water jet. This is a device that can shoot streams of water between your teeth in order to completely remove bacteria and plaque.

3. Use mouthwash

Mouthwash should not be a substitute for brushing and flossing. However, if this is used along with other healthy oral care habits, it can eliminate bacteria. Also, it can keep your breath fresh and your teeth strong.

4. Eat nutritious meals

A healthy and balanced diet that is rich in nutrients and vitamins but low in sugar will boost your immune system. Also, this will help your body fight against harmful bacteria, infection, and inflammation. Eat greens to keep your teeth white.

5. Visit your dentist regularly

You must see your dentist twice a year for a good cleaning. During your visit, your dentist will also assess the health of your gums and teeth. If you are experiencing any problems, he will refer you to a reputable periodontist.

Early prevention and treatment of gum disease are crucial. When left unchecked and untreated, it can destroy your gums, teeth, connective tissues, and bones. Most importantly, this can greatly contribute to various health problems. So make sure to keep all of these activities as part of your day-to-day oral care regimen to keep gum diseases at bay.

If you are concerned about your oral health, schedule an appointment with a reputable Sterling Heights dentist now.

Do I Really Need To See The Dentist Every Six Months?

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Why Do I Need To See The Dentist Every Six Months?

Most people ask: Do I really need to see the dentist every six months? Well, most dental professionals answer yes, and this applies to everyone. Of course, people with lots of problems must visit their dentist more often.

In 2000, more than half of dentists surveyed in New York recommended six monthly check-ups, even though there were no studies indicating whether the frequency of visits made a significant difference to patients at low risk of gum disease or tooth decay. Today, plenty of organizations like the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend six monthly check-ups.

Permanent teeth are most susceptible to decay after they have erupted. So as soon as the first permanent tooth comes through, regular check-ups are recommended. For teens, their teeth are less vulnerable until their wisdom teeth erupt. Dental risks vary at different ages.

Plaque and tartar can form in the mouth at alarming rates. Some can have tartar in their teeth two weeks after a cleaning visit. If dentists polish the teeth, the skin of the tooth (known as pellicle) is removed. However, this will reappear in three days. The plaque will then stick to it.

Therefore, home care is important. Gum disease is 100% preventable, but it is not 100% curable. So you need to arm yourself with tips and methods that will properly address this degree of infection.

Tips on Preventing Gum Disease

Brush twice a day

Brushing your teeth after every meal will help remove plaque and food debris that were trapped between your teeth and gums. Brush your tongue as well because bacteria love to hide there.

Floss every day

Flossing is the only way you can remove the food debris and plaque below the gum line. Your braces should not hinder you from flossing. A water flosser can be of great help. This device shoots up water between your teeth to dislodge food particles and remove plaque. This is also beneficial to people with arthritis and dexterity problems.

Swish with mouthwash

A mouthwash can help minimize plaque build-up. It can also remove food debris that flossing and brushing missed.

Know your Family Dental History

Genetics, diet, smoking, and age can increase your risk of developing gum disease. Be sure to speak with your dental professional if you are at increased risk. Sterling Heights dentist, Dr. Fadi Farhat can teach you what food should be included in your diet to keep your teeth clean and strong.

Periodontal Exam

An annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation or CPE is important. This will assess the condition of your teeth, gums, bite, bone structure, and plaque level. Identifying the early signs and symptoms of gum disease early is the key to keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy.

5 Important Considerations When Choosing A Sterling Heights Family Dentist

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Family dentists practice general dentistry. They offer a wide range of services for all ages like hygiene instruction, tooth cleanings, fillings, and tooth restoration.

When choosing a Sterling Heights family dentist, it is crucial to find one that has adequate training and experience to meet all the varying needs of the whole family. With a good dentist, each trip to the dental office can be a fun, positive experience. And this translates to well-informed parents and children who are driven to care for their teeth and mouth.

What to Look for in a Good Family Dentist

1. Training

One of the crucial qualifications to look for in a family dentist is the level of education and training. Although all dentists went to school to be licensed, there are programs and continuing education classes for additional training in specific techniques. Check if the family dentist is committed to being constantly updated on the latest advancements and innovations in dental care. Most importantly, ask if he is a member of reputable professional dental organizations.

2. Experience

A dependable dentist has accumulated years of experience in doing various types of dental procedures, guaranteeing the best results for his patients. Ask which procedures are often done on patients in that dental office. Opt for a dentist that is knowledgeable and skilled in performing the services you and your family needs.

3. Good Ambiance

Visit the dental office prior to finally deciding which family dentist to work with. Dental offices offer a different atmosphere. The whole family must feel at ease and comfortable whenever you come for dental checkups or treatments. The dental staff must work well with children. And most importantly, they must be capable of explaining dental health concerns and procedures in simpler terms.

4. Services

Apart from offering the general dental services, a good dentist offers additional services like restorative dentistry, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and sedation dentistry.

5. Dental Insurance

When selecting a family dentist, make sure that he can cooperate with your dental insurance. This is usually a deal-breaker for most families since budget is a crucial factor. Opting for a dental office that honors your family’s insurance policy will help you save on dental bills.

Apart from experience, rapport, and knowledge, you must also look for a dental office that’s practical. As much as possible, choose one that is close to your home. Also, inquire about financing options, most especially for the services that are not covered by your insurance.

It is not easy to find a new dentist in Sterling Heights, MI. You would not want to work with someone you are not comfortable with, so look for the above-mentioned criteria and take your time in making a final decision.

Top 6 Tips: Making Flossing With Braces Easier

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Once dental braces have straightened the teeth, it can be a lot easier to reach plaque between your teeth. However, there are still places where food particles and plaque can accumulate and become trapped while wearing braces. Therefore, flossing with braces becomes a bit harder.

Be prepared to spend more time on your oral care if you have braces on your teeth. Don’t worry, though, because it is worth the time. Pay attention to proper oral hygiene while your teeth are realigned to prevent gum disease. This will also help your teeth look prettier once it’s time to remove those braces.

6 Flossing Tips When Wearing Braces

1. Use a threader

Flossing teeth with braces is frustrating and difficult. Sliding the floss in between the teeth above the wire is like threading a needle. A floss threader can make the process a lot easier. This is a flexible plastic tool that works by pushing dental floss between your teeth to reach the gum line.

2. Use waxed floss

When flossing with braces, use waxed floss with a floss threader since this is capable of slipping between each tooth without catching on braces. You just have to slide the floss up into the gum line gently before removing the floss and threader.

3. Use an interproximal brush

An interproximal brush is ideal for removing food particles that have been accumulated behind arch wires. All you have to do is to run the small bundle of bristles between your teeth and the arch wires. If you are away from home, always bring a travel-size interproximal brush and use this after eating lunch.

4. Give it a swish

Another excellent tip for keeping your mouth clean when wearing your braces is to start and finish your oral hygiene routine with a mouthwash. Apart from minty fresh breath, a mouthwash will also help loosen and flush away any food particles stuck on your teeth.

5. Add water

A water flosser will take the place of dental floss. Also, it can keep your gums clean and healthy between brushing and flossing times. It forces small streams of water between your teeth to remove debris.

6. Practice. Practice. Practice

Flossing on teeth with braces will be difficult at first. But the more practice you get, the quicker and easier you will be able to pull off flossing over the course of your dental treatment. Devote several minutes to the practice each day to make your teeth look better and to cut down on plaque buildup.

Good oral hygiene is crucial, most especially when you’re wearing braces. The wires and brackets will create more places for plaque and tartar to buildup. Therefore, flossing should be done on a daily basis. Consult a dentist in Sterling Heights, MIfor more dental care tips.

When Is It A Dental Emergency?

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5 times when it is a true dental emergency

Dental emergencies can occur anytime. Normally, they transpire because people aren’t careful – they meet an accident or bang their mouth on something and discover that not only did they break a tooth, but they also cut their tongue and their gums are bleeding. Plus, there’s that mind-numbing, unbearable pain, too.

When such is the situation, the only smart thing to do is to be treated right away by the dentist.

There are all sorts of dental issues that you can experience, but you may be wondering, “When is it a dental emergency?” A Sterling Heights Dentist says any dental problem that’s giving you great discomfort can be considered a dental emergency because an immediate solution is necessary to restore your ability to function properly. But if you want to know which situations qualify as true dental emergencies, they are the following:

A broken jaw

Bleeding, swelling and severe pain often accompany this problem. You also won’t be able to speak and eat. A broken jaw requires immediate attention from a dentist who will have to protect your jaw (prevent it from moving it out place) before surgery can be performed.

Knocked-out teeth

A knocked-out tooth can be salvaged and restored if taken care of quickly by a dentist. This is a dental emergency because time is of the essence for proper restoration, says a dentist in Sterling Heights.

Removed or broken crown

When a crown comes off or gets broken, nerve endings will be exposed and this may lead to great discomfort. Replacement of the crown (a temporary one is provided for emergencies) is a must to protect the area and prevent potential complications.

Removed filling

This is a similar situation to removed crowns because it can expose dental nerves or tubules and will lead to pain. There’s also the risk of further damaging the tooth that is already hollow, so a replacement filling should be applied right away.

Severe cut tongue or lip

This is considered a dental emergency especially if there’s swelling and incessant bleeding. A dentist needs to take care of this as soon as possible to prevent infection and excessive discomfort, especially in going about things that you normally do such as eating and speaking.

Unbearable toothaches

When your tooth hurts so much and it’s preventing you from doing anything, you need to have yourself checked by the dentist in order to determine the cause of the problem and the best solution for it. If there’s an infection, the dentist will put you on antibiotics and pain relievers before further treatment is carried out.

If you have gotten this far and are still in need of an emergency dentist in Sterling Heights, give us a call today!

Finding a Reliable Sterling Heights Dentist

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Looking for a new Sterling Heights Dentist

If you have just recently moved into Sterling Heights, one of the most important tasks that you need to undertake is finding a reputable dentist.

Starting your search

There are three basic approaches you can use in your search for a Sterling Heights dentist.

If you have relatives and/or friends in the area, you can ask for their recommendations. However, if you know very few people in the area, you can solicit recommendations from your co-workers, family physician, local pharmacists, or even the parents of your child’s schoolmates.

Alternatively, you can contact the local or state dental association and inquire about dentists practicing near the neighborhood.

Finally, you can conduct an online search.

Ideally, you should create a shortlist of potential dental clinics you can visit and check out before settling for one.

Factors to consider

What are the factors you should consider in selecting a dentist in Sterling Heights?

In order to find a dental professional you are going to be comfortable working with, there are a few important questions you need to ask.

First, ask each dentist on your shortlist about their operating hours. Quite simply, your choice of dentist should have operating hours that match your schedule.

Next, check out the location of the dental clinic. Will it be accessible from your residence or place of work?

Be sure to check out the education, training, and philosophy of each dentist on your shortlist. Reputable dentists invest in continuing education and upgrade their skills by attending conferences relevant to their fields of expertise.

Ask about the type of anesthesia each dentist administers. Somewhere down the road, you or a loved one may need to undergo a procedure that requires one and, as such, you would want to feel comfortable with the choice of anesthesia your dentist uses.

Dental emergencies can occur when you least expect these, especially if you have young ones in your household. As such, be sure to ask about emergency services beyond the normal operating hours.

Next, ask about the cost of all treatments and procedures you and your family might need. This will give you an opportunity to compare each dentist on your shortlist. If you currently have a dental plan, remember to ask if the dentist participates in it.

Sometimes, due to your busy schedule or other unforeseen circumstances, you might miss some appointments. Ask each dentist about their policies regarding these.

Visiting a Sterling Heights dental office

Once you have narrowed down your shortlist, the next thing that you need to do is to visit each dental clinic on your shortlist. A visit to a dental clinic will give you the information that may not be provided during your interview or visit to a dentist’s website.

What exactly should you check?

The first thing that you would want to see is cleanliness. The dental clinic may be busy but reputable dentists understand the value of keeping their clinics neat and orderly.

During your visit, take note of how the clinic staff interacts with you. Are they helpful and courteous?

Finally, check if the dentist and the staff are wearing proper protective gear while treating patients.

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.