Dental One Care Archives | Sterling Heights Dentist, Dr. Farhat of Dental 1 Care

National Orthodontic Month

October 23, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

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?

October 17, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

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!

How Often Should I Visit The Dentist?

October 2, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

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.

How Long Do Root Canals Last

September 26, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Many of us dread hearing the word root canal. When you think of this procedure, pain usually comes to mind. However, though a certain level of discomfort is expected, excessive pain is not normal.

Lucky for us, new modern technology allows us to save our natural tooth while going through the procedure in a typically pain-free and easy manner. The use of anesthetics makes this procedure of root canals a lot more safe and quick.

However, to avoid letting the tooth get to an extreme, it is advised to seek professional help in the event of a toothache. Also, stay on top of your check-ups and teeth cleanings. At Dental One Care, we recommend a check-up before an infection has spread throughout the root system.

Fast facts on pain after a root canal:

Our tooth is preserved while only the diseased tissue is treated
Before the procedure, an anesthetic is given to the patient. Therefore, the pain is decreased to levels equivalent to that of a basic filling.
In the case of failure, redoing a root canal can help in fixing the problem

How much pain is normal?

A slight feeling of tenderness or sensitivity is expected for a few days. The reasons for this are:

Tissues around your gums remain swollen and inflamed. Although the nerve root may have been removed, there may still be small nerves in ligaments that surround the tooth.
Dental instruments may have irritated the area surrounding the tooth, which will cause some tenderness.
The tooth can experience pain and soreness if the case of a filling is too high or even slightly higher than the surrounding teeth.

In most scenarios, the sensitivity and possible discomfort that you may experience from the root canal is expected to go away in a week or two at most.

If you are experiencing persisting pain and extreme levels of discomfort, it is important to contact us immediately, and Dr. Fadi Farhart will meet with you as soon as possible.

The reason why pain may still persist could be due to some of the following reasons:

A leakage in the restoration
Unhygienic dental conditions and poor oral health
Tooth cracking or breaking down
The existence of an extra canal that goes unnoticed by the endodontist
Error made by the dentist or endodontist

Managing root canal pain at home

One must be sure to practice good oral hygiene by flossing and brushing regularly. Over the counter prescription for pain management can be sufficient for relieving discomfort after the procedure.

How is a root canal performed?

First, an endodontist takes an X-ray of the tooth before the procedure. Next, a local anesthetic is given to numb the gum area where an opening is made to access the structure inside. A rubber-like substance is used to fill the root canal, called gutta-percha, which is then sealed within the tooth. Then, a temporary filling is placed to protect the insides during the healing process.

How Do I Know If My Filling Is Too High?

September 24, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Do you have the perfect bite even after your fillings? Well, If you may recall, your dentist may have asked you to bite down on paper post completion of the filling. This is primarily done because of the need to check if the teeth bite is together correctly. Our Sterling Heights dentist gradually adjusts wherever the filling is too high, making it the perfect bite and you the happiest client.

Dental Filling Adjustments at Dental One Care

Since the procedure of a filling involves numbness, it may be a tough task to give apt feedback on how high the filling actually is. In fact, we may just respond with contentment on how it is until we reach home and regain the feel, realizing it may actually need correction.

If this is the case, then you may find it worth your time to return to Dr. Fadi Farhart to have the necessary adjustments made. If you avoid a visit back, apart from an uneven bite, you may experience pain in the future. This is because our teeth are attached to bony sockets by ligaments and these tissues are sensitive to a change in the pressure.

Problems that a High Filling Can Cause

Our friend, Dr. Christopher Green, a dentist in Parker, Colorado, explains that our periodontal ligaments may get struck by inflammation and tenderness as a consequence of a high filling. This happens in instances where we bite down too hard on a filling that is already too high, which adds more pressure causing tenderness and pain. Another issue that can surface with a filling that is too high is extensive pressure on another tooth. This may lead to that tooth cracking, and so, we may need a dental crown.

Misaligned bites can even cause issues with jaw joints leading them to become inflamed, painful, and tender.

How to Fix a Filling That is Too High

Our team at Dental One Care, in Sterling Heights, MI, would be more than happy to adjust a filling for you. This will take only a few moments to free you from the pain you may be experiencing. After the necessary adjustments are made, you will definitely feel more comfortable and confident in your bite.

However, in the case of inflamed periodontal ligaments, healing time may take a few days or up to a week for the swelling to come down. If the pain persists, schedule an appointment with Dr. Farhat as we would hate for any of our patients to face any sort of discomfort. The sooner your dental appointment is booked, the quicker our Dental One Care team, can cater to your dental needs. For questions about your filling or other dental services, please contact our office.

Getting Rid of Calculus Build Up

September 18, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Many people use the word calculus or tartar and plaque as though they mean the same thing. While these names refer to similar things, they are different but all can be due to several dental health problems, like gum infections and tooth decay. It is important to learn what these substances are and discover the simple steps that we, at Dental One Care, recommend you use to get rid of plaque and tartar.

Plaque and Tartar: How They Differ

Plaque refers to a biofilm of bacteria that forms on your teeth. Or, to put it more bluntly, plaque is a bunch of bacteria grouped together on the surface of your teeth.

While that description may gross you out, plaque formation is a natural process that happens in everyone’s mouth. In fact, Dr. Fadi Farhart explains that as soon as you finish brushing your teeth, the process through which plaque forms starts taking place.

The saliva that forms in your mouth has glycoproteins that protect your teeth. However, those same glycoproteins also provide a surface on which oral bacteria can stick to creating a biofilm of bacteria starting to form on your teeth.

The oxygen in your mouth then allows the population of bacteria to grow rapidly, and plaque is the result.

If you look at your teeth in the mirror, the yellow, black or orange tint you may see on some parts of your teeth is plaque.

Once you have plaque, the stage is set for tartar or calculus to form as well, unless you take steps to halt that process.

Tartar is plaque that stays long enough on your teeth until it hardens. A combination of saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) causes the hardening of the bacterial biofilm (plaque) due to the minerals contained in these fluids (saliva and GCF).

Because saliva is crucial to the formation of tartar, tartar tends to form in the areas of your mouth where plenty of salivae is present, like around your molars and incisors. Calculus can also form on the gum line of all your teeth since saliva collects and sits there for a while.

Since tartar is plaque that has hardened, there is no difference between the appearance of plaque and tartar.

Why It Is Important to Remove Plaque and Tartar

From a cosmetic point of view, tartar and plaque are gross, and that alone is enough to emphasize why it is important to remove these buildups from your teeth.

However, more importantly, plaque and tartar increase your risk for cavities. Sterling Heights Dentist, Dr. Fadi Farhart, explains that the longer plaque and tartar stay on your teeth, the greater the chance that oral bacteria will damage your teeth and cause cavities.

Our team at Dental One Care also caution that as plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, you could suffer worse problems, like tooth infections, and you could ultimately lose the affected teeth.

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Plaque and Calculus from Teeth

Brushing and flossing help remove plaque and calculus on an ongoing basis, but despite your best efforts at these oral hygiene routines, plaque and tartar will still form on your teeth. Here are some home remedies that you can use to complement brushing and flossing as plaque-fighting measures:

Get anti-tartar toothpaste. Check for toothpaste that is specifically formulated to help users fight the accumulation of plaque and tartar on their teeth. Ask Dr. Fadi Farhart for advice on the appropriate anti-tartar toothpaste.
Tap the powers of baking soda. You can also remove plaque and tartar at home by brushing your teeth using a mixture of baking soda, a bit of salt and water. Dr. Kristina Neda at Thorough Dent Smiles in Georgetown, Kentucky, explains that this mixture helps in two key ways. First, the baking soda scrubs the plaque and tartar off your teeth. Secondly, baking soda is anti-microbial, so it will kill the bacteria responsible for the formation of plaque and tartar.
Use orange peels. Get an orange peel and gently rub its inner surface against your teeth. This will kill the bacteria causing plaque and calculus to buildup on your teeth.
Chew raw vegetables. A dentist in Parker, CO, Dr. Christopher Green, recommends chewing raw vegetables as a way of removing plaque from their teeth. The fibers in the vegetables clean the teeth and remove accumulations of plaque.
Use mouthwash. It is advised to rinse your mouth with mouthwash on a daily basis. Dr. Farhart says doing this kills the bacteria in your mouth and reduces the rate at which plaque forms. Additionally, using mouthwash also helps you clean the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth.

Get Your Teeth Cleaned Professionally

The DIY measures above can help rid your teeth of tartar and plaque, but they can only go so far. The best way to get rid of all the plaque and calculus is by visiting Dental One Care so a member of our team can provide teeth cleaning services using the best tools for the job, like special brushes and scrapers. Getting your teeth professionally cleaned once every six months will keep you safe from the problems that could result from plaque and calculus.

What to Expect for Root Canal

September 12, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Many of us dread hearing the word root canal. Many wonder what to expect for root canal treatment. When you think of the procedure to correct a root canal, pain may come to mind. However, though a certain level of discomfort is expected, excessive pain is not normal.

Lucky for us, modern technology now allows us to save our natural tooth while going through the procedure in a typically pain-free and easy manner. The use of anesthetics makes this procedure of root canals a lot more safe and quick.

Fast facts on pain after a root canal:

Our tooth is preserved while only the diseased tissue is treated
Prior to the procedure, an anesthetic is given to the patient. Therefore, the pain is decreased to levels equivalent to that of a basic filling.
In the case of failure, redoing a root canal can help in fixing the problem

How much pain is normal?

A slight feeling of tenderness or sensitivity is expected for a few days. The reasons for this are:

Tissues around your gums remain swollen and inflamed. Although the nerve root may have been removed, there may still be small nerves in ligaments that surround the tooth.
Dental instruments may have irritated the area surrounding the tooth, which will cause some tenderness.
The tooth can experience pain and soreness if the case of a filling is too high or even slightly higher than the surrounding teeth.

In most scenarios, the sensitivity and possible discomfort that you may experience from the root canal is expected to go away in a week or two at most.

If you are experiencing persisting pain and extreme levels of discomfort, it is important to contact us immediately, and Dr. Fadi Farhart will meet with you as soon as possible.

The reason why pain may still persist could be due to some of the following reasons:

A leakage in the restoration
Unhygienic dental conditions and poor oral health
Tooth cracking or breaking down
The existence of an extra canal that goes unnoticed by the endodontist
Error made by the dentist or endodontist

Managing root canal pain at home

We asked our friend, Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist in Georgetown, Kentucky, about managing root canal pain at home. Dr. Neda suggests using over the counter prescription for pain management can be sufficient for relieving discomfort after the procedure. Also, don’t forget to practice good oral hygiene by flossing and brushing regularly.

How is a root canal performed?

7 Fastest Ways to Heal After Tooth Extraction

September 10, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

The professionals at Dental One Care will do everything in their power to save your natural tooth, but extracting that tooth may be inevitable in some situations. If there is ever a need to extract one or more of your natural teeth, implement the following suggestions so that you can heal quickly from the procedure. In this article, Dr. Fardi Farhat shares the fastest ways to heal after tooth extraction.

Allow a Clot to Form

Clots are the body’s natural way of stopping bleeding, and this same mechanism is helpful when you have just had a tooth extracted. The dentist who performs the extraction at Laurich Dentistry will ask you to bite gently on a piece of gauze once the tooth is out. That gauze can be removed and replaced with another, but whatever you do, don’t remove the gauze until at least four hours after your tooth extraction surgery. In that time, a clot will form inside the socket of the tooth that was just removed, and the healing process will start.

Manage Your Pain

Once the dentists in Sterling Heights, MI Dental One Care extracts your tooth, you will be given some pain medication. Make sure that you follow the instructions given by Dr. Fadi Farhart so that the pain is managed effectively.

If you still feel some pain even while on the medication, dentists in Sterling Heights, MI, recommend that you use an ice pack placed outside your mouth on the side with the pain. Don’t leave this ice pack in place for more than ten minutes, but you can repeat the process of using it as many times as you want throughout the day.

Minimize Physical Activity

Any physically demanding activity, such as exercising or lifting heavy objects, can open the wound at the tooth extraction site and cause fresh bleeding. For this reason, Dr. Fadi Farhart recommends that you avoid strenuous physical activity for a few days so that you can heal quickly.

Be Careful What You Eat

Nutrition plays a key role in your recovery after a tooth extraction, but you have to be selective with what you eat, at least during the first few days. For example, hot food and drinks are a no-go because these can melt the clot in the socket. Also, opt for softer foods that will not require a lot of chewing. As you chew, use the other side of your mouth, furthest from the extraction site. Some foods that Dr. Fadi Farhart recommends are mashed potatoes, soup, and applesauce. Keep in touch with your dentist in Sterling Heights so that he or she can recommend when you can eat normally again.

Adjust Your Sleeping Position

If you aren’t careful with how you sleep, you have a higher chance of bleeding at the tooth extraction site. Dr. Farhart advises patients who have just had teeth extractions to elevate their heads on pillows while they sleep. This will help prevent bleeding at the extraction site.

Take Care of Your Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene deserves extra attention after tooth extraction surgery because, at this time, you face a higher risk of developing infections. Dentists at Thorough Dent Smiles in Georgetown, KY, recommend the perfect oral health care routine, including brushing and flossing but avoiding the tooth extraction site. A warm, saltwater solution is also useful when rinsing your mouth because it will kill bacteria. While you heal, resist from using mouthwash because it may be too harsh on the tooth extraction site.

Be Keen on Infections

As already mentioned, you face a higher risk of developing an infection in your mouth when healing after tooth extraction. Therefore, you need to be alert for any signs of infection so that prompt action can be taken before the healing process is compromised. Some of the warning signs that Dr. Fadi Farhart says you should be on the lookout for are fever, excessive swelling, a discharge from the extraction site, and nausea. Contact Dental One Care immediately if you experience any of those signs.

The extraction site should heal in less than a week, and the gum tissue will take a few weeks to heal fully if nothing interferes with the healing process. To increase the chance of a smooth recovery, implement all the tips above and any recommendations given to you by the experts at Dental One Care.

Overcoming Your Fear of the Dentist

September 4, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Have you ever been too scared to go to your dentist? Understanding where your fear comes from can help you overcome your fear. Experiencing a phobia for absolutely anything can hinder your functionality. In the case of oral care, our dental health can immensely suffer at the cost of your fears.

Undesired experiences and troublesome results can be some of the few reasons as to why you may be afraid of going back to your dentist. Try not to panic and worry. You will not benefit you in any way and may lead to severe pain instead. No one wants to inflict upon themselves irreversible damage and so, seeking dental help is our best and only option.

Dental Advances

Over the years, dental technology and dental treatments have evolved. At Dental One Care, we are increasingly aware and are equipped to cater to our patients’ anxiety. We’ve designed our offices to be a welcoming and calm environment. Additionally, the technology we use will help you feel calm and at ease. Rest assured, you will feel right at home.

Coping With and Easing Your Fear of the Dentist

We asked our friend Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist in Georgetown, Kentucky, for tips on overcoming your dental phobia. Together, Dr. Fardi Farhat and Dr. Neda recommend the following tips:

Have a discussion with your Sterling Height dentist and share your concerns. Working together in easing your worries can make you feel more relaxed at Dental One Care.
Consider taking upon the approach of relaxation techniques that help soothe the nerves.
Try music for distraction as well as blocking out sounds that may cause you to panic
Come up with a signal for your Sterling Heights dentist to stop or resume in the case of worry, panic or discomfort.

Talk to Your Sterling Heights Dentist

If you are a patient in Sterling Heights, MI, and you are feeling overwhelmed or a sense of panic at the dentist, let our Dental One Care team know. Your comfort and safety is always our number one priority. For more information about our dental services or overcoming your fear of the dentist, contact Dr. Fardi Farhat at Dental One Care today.

Myths About Oral Cancer

August 28, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

6 Myths About Oral Cancer

Does the mention of oral cancer, bring up any particular images or memories in your mind in the same way that other cancers, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer, do? If you don’t think oral cancer is serious cancer, then take a moment and think about the fact that one person dies of oral cancer in the U.S. every hour. That is a whopping 24 people every single day! You can now see how important it is for everyone to get accurate information about this form of cancer so that as many people as possible can be saved from its clutches. Here are some myths about oral cancer that should not detract from your understanding of this condition.

Myth #1: Younger People Cannot Get Oral Cancer

Many people believe that they are too young to suffer from oral cancer. This dangerous myth prevents them from taking the steps that they need to take to detect the disease early enough for successful treatment.

The fact is that while oral cancer is more common among older people, it can affect people of any age, including children and young adults. Dr. Fardi Farhat insists that the best way to be certain that you don’t have oral cancer is to under regular screening for the disease.

Myth #2: Only Smokers Suffer from Oral Cancer

We asked our friend, Dr. Chris Green, a dentist in Parker, CO, about oral cancer. Dr. Green explains smokers are indeed at a heightened risk of acquiring oral cancer, but many other risk factors predispose non-smokers to this cancer. For example, a family history (a child, parent, or sibling suffering from the disease) of oral cancer increases the risk that someone will also have this disease even if they don’t smoke. So, don’t think that you are immune from oral cancer simply because you don’t smoke. See a dentist in Sterling Heights for regular oral cancer screening so that you can be sure that you don’t have the disease.

Myth #3: You Don’t Need to Be Concerned About Oral Cancer If You Don’t Have Pain

It is also wrong to believe that you don’t need to be concerned about oral cancer if you aren’t experiencing any pain.

Pain may be a symptom in some cancers, including oral cancer, but pain alone (or its absence) cannot be relied upon as an indicator of whether someone has oral cancer or not. Some oral cancer lesions don’t cause any pain, so the disease may progress undetected if you are waiting for the pain in order to take action.

The best way to know for sure that you don’t have oral cancer is to undergo oral cancer screening each time you visit Dental One Care for your dental checkup every six months.

Myth #4: Stress Causes Oral Cancer

While everyone could do with a little less stress, the high levels of stress today cannot be blamed for the oral cancer cases we see. Dr. Fardi Farhat emphatically states that to date, no direct link has been found between stress and the development of oral cancer.

However, stress has been linked to other health challenges, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and insomnia. This could probably be the reason why some people have mistakenly linked stress to oral cancer.

Myth #5: You Will Get Oral Cancer If It Runs In Your Family

While dentists in Sterling Heights, MI will tell you that one of the known risk factors for oral cancer is a family history of the disease, this factor doesn’t on its own determine whether someone will get the disease. Several factors, such as one’s diet, alcohol, smoking, exposure to HPV or HIV, often combine to trigger the onset of the disease. It is worth repeating here that having a family history of oral cancer, or any other cancer for that matter, isn’t the only predictor of one’s chances of getting the disease.

Myth #6: Oral Cancer Isn’t Dangerous

When one compares oral cancer to other forms of cancer, such as breast cancer and cancerous brain tumors, one can see that oral cancer isn’t as aggressive as those other cancers. However, Dr. Fardi Farhat stresses that oral cancer is also dangerous as exemplified by the statistic mentioned at the beginning of this blog post that oral cancer kills at least one American every hour. You should, therefore, avoid taking this cancer lightly under the mistaken belief that it isn’t dangerous. Get screened at Dental One Care and start treatment early if you are found to have the disease.

As you can see, it may sometimes be hard to separate fact from myth if you don’t talk to a professional about what you hear or think. It is therefore advisable to visit Dental One Care regularly and put any query you may have about oral cancer to Dr. Fardi Farhat. The Sterling Heights dentist will give you the accurate information that you need, as well as screen you for the disease. Fortunately, chances are high for a complete cure if the disease is caught early, so don’t hesitate to undergo regular screening.