When Should My Child Start Seeing a Dentist?

November 29, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

When Should My Child Start Seeing a Dentist?

When a child is born, there are numerous questions that parents ponder about. When should my child start seeing a dentist? Is definitely one of the most important questions parents ask.

It is recommended that the first visit should be a little after the first tooth starts to show, generally six months after. You may think that it doesn’t make sense to go this early. However, for your child to have the proper checkup and good oral hygiene throughout, the sooner you take them the better. Taking them from an early age will also get your child accustomed to going to the dentist and slowly rid any anxiety they may have about visits to the dentist.

Preparing Your Child For The Visit

Taking a child to the dentist isn’t an easy task. Especially, when it comes to toddlers. It may be hard to explain to them exactly where you are taking them or what is going on. Which results in them usually being fussy throughout the visit and possibly afterward also. However, you can be prepared at your end beforehand. Speak to a family dentist in Sterling Heights, MI and discuss with them what to expect. Be sure to take with you all your child’s medical record.

What Typically Happens During The First Visit at Sterling Heights, MI Dentist?

The first visit to the dentist is usually an introductory session in which Dr. Farhat will examine your child and gets acquainted with them. This allows your child to get comfortable with the environment. If the child is non-cooperative or too fussy then the dentist may recommend rescheduling the session. The last thing they want is for your child to associate their practice with the feeling of discomfort in any way.

The initial few visits are short, usually lasting 15-30 minutes. If your child is old enough to understand what is going on then visits can be smoother. You can discuss with them beforehand what is going to happen so they are more comfortable. Usually for toddlers, one of the parents is asked to hold the child while they are being examined.

Family dentists say that the first visit varies depending on the age of the child, but generally consists of:

A complete oral examination which includes the examination of teeth, gums, jaw, and oral tissues
If any plaque is present at the time then a gentle cleaning is performed to remove plaque and polish the teeth
An X-ray
A demonstration for the parents on how to properly brush their child’s teeth
An assessment of the amount of fluoride that the child may need

If you have any questions or concerns then you can ask the dentist at any point during the visit.

How Often Should My Child Visit The Dentist?

For both children and adults, it is recommended that they visit a dentist every 6 months. This will help them maintain a good oral hygiene regimen.

What Can I Do At Home For Good Oral Health Of My Child?

It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure their child gets the proper oral care when they are young. Since the child can’t take care of it by themselves. A parent should do the following:

After feeding, clean their gum with a soft, damp cloth.
As their teeth start to develop and come, make sure to brush them. You can find brushes designed for toddlers that use soft bristles. You can start brushing with just water at first and then consult a doctor as they turn 2 to see if you can use toothpaste or not.
The action of sucking tends to lead to misalignment of the teeth and can even cause decay especially if your child is constantly sucking on a baby bottle. It is recommended that you closely monitor your child and don’t allow them to excessively suck on bottles and pacifiers. Also, don’t give them any bottles to drink from as they are going to sleep at any point of the day.
It is important to brush their teeth at night, as the flow of saliva is high at that time of the day. If not cleaned there is a higher chance that the child may develop a cavity in their teeth.
Brush with your child, the best way to show them the importance of brushing their teeth is to do it with them.

What Does Sleep Apnea Have to do With the Dentist?

November 27, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

What Does Sleep Apnea Have to do With the Dentist?

Did you know that your dentist could help you when it comes to sleep apnea and snoring? Snoring is one of the conditions that people with sleep apnea face and rather than ponder about the cause, it’s time you consult your dentist for sleep apnea Sterling Heights, MI because it is most probably due to your oral health.

Which is exactly why it is no surprise that most dentists ask you about how well you sleep during oral checkups. They can early diagnose patients with the condition through an oral examination.

It is estimated that 22 million Americans deal with sleep apnea and a majority of them go undiagnosed. The condition may vary from individual to individual but the interruption in breathing can be dangerous.

There are three oral reasons why the disruption occurs, these are:

A small jaw
A large tongue
Flaccid muscles at the back of the throat

How to tell if you have sleep apnea?

Dr. Farhat says there are various signs to sleep apnea. One of the first telling sign of sleep disorders is the grinding of your teeth. Which is exactly why dentists can diagnose sleep apnea at an early stage. They can notice the tooth surface becoming worn out which raises a flag telling them that the patient has been grinding their teeth.

Grinding results in not just your teeth wearing out but also receding and inflamed gums. As the teeth wear down, it also becomes more susceptible to cavities so that is another sign dentists look for.

Along with teeth grinding, sleep specialist says the three oral reasons for disruption listed above are also signs of sleep apnea.

What does sleep apnea do?

As you grind your teeth while you sleep, there is a shortness of breath, which automatically tells your brain to wake up. In order to grind your teeth, you must close your mouth which closes one of the two passages of air into the body. You see as you sleep, you don’t really control where the air goes from the nose or the mouth. So if one of the two passages are sealed off, the brain automatically directs you to wake up because it isn’t getting enough air.

Sleep apnea results in individuals constantly waking up through the night, which impacts their sleep quality and can lead to them feeling fatigue in the morning. The disorder has also been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

What are some sleep apnea treatments?

Before you begin any treatment related to sleep apnea, your dentist may recommend a sleep study. This will note your sleep cycle and your brain activity as you sleep allowing them to determine if it is disrupted or not.

There are different sleep apnea treatments you can opt for with the night guard being one of the easiest to access.

While most individuals opt for an over the counter night guard, this is usually not the best solution. A custom-made night guard is a better option and your dentist can help you with it. The guard will reduce the occurrence of teeth grinding, in turn, reducing the chances of sleep apnea.

For those that have a serious case of sleep apnea, surgery might be recommended.

If you feel that you have sleep apnea then it is important you consult your dentist right away. Dentists in Sterling Heights, MI not only help diagnose the condition but also provide you with the best treatment option for sleep apnea.

How Dental Bridges Benefit Patients

November 26, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

How Dental Bridges Benefit Patients

Not smiling because of a gap or missing tooth in your mouth can really bring your confidence down. The loss of a tooth isn’t just a cosmetic problem. It can also lead to discomfort and other problems.

The most common solution to the loss of a tooth is a dental bridge. Dr. Farhat will help explain exactly what a dental bridge and the how dental bridges benefit patients.

What is a dental bridge?

When you’ve lost a tooth or have a gap between your two teeth a dental bridge is placed to fill that gap. The reason it is called a dental bridge is that it forms a bridge between the gap with a replacement tooth. The bridge looks like a real tooth, so your smile will look good as new.

Overall, there are four types of bridges that can be fitted to your mouth. The dentist determines the best fit based on the situation. The most commonly used dental bridge is fitted with crowns on both sides of the gap.

The second type of dental bridge is the cantilever bridge, which is used when there is only one tooth next to missing tooth. The crown is placed to one side of the tooth to secure the bridge.

The third type of dental bridge is Maryland bridges, which require a metal framework or porcelain to hold the bridge in place. While this works great, the false tooth position isn’t as strong as it is when it’s cemented in. That is why this particular bridge is not recommended for teeth that exert force while chewing.

The last type of dental bridge is known as the implant-supported bridge. These dental bridges are used when multiple teeth are missing. The teeth are held with dental implants that attach securely to your jawbone for stability. A dental implant is placed for each missing tooth.

How does the procedure occur?

The procedure for fitting a dental bridge is not considered a surgery, which means you will not be sedated when you get your dental bridge. But if you are feeling nervous about the getting dental bridges, you can request to have your dentist sedates you. Your dentist will numb the area where the dental bridge will be.

Before the procedure starts, your dentist will take measurements of the gap so there’s a perfect fit. At times, your dentist may put a crown in the patient’s mouth so they don’t feel discomfort while they wait for the bridge to be made. Once it is made, cement is applied and the bridge is placed.

Will I feel pain during the procedure?

Thanks to the local anesthetic, you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure. But the procedure does take a few hours which means that your mouth will have to remain open. Some patients do experience pain or soreness in their jaw but it isn’t anything too painful and can easily be resolved with the help of painkillers.

Recovering from the procedure

Since dental bridges are artificial, there’s not necessarily a set healing time. So as soon as you leave the dentist’s office you can usually eat whatever you want. It may feel a bit weird having the bridge at first but you’ll get used to it over time.

What are the benefits of a dental bridge?

Dr. Ben Kacos agrees that there are numerous benefits to dental bridges.

A Beautiful smile: The dental bridge removes any gaps in your smile, making it as if you never lost a tooth.
Eating habit back to normal: Bridges allows you to eat without any pain, which means you no longer have to worry about feeling pain in your gums or jaw.
Improves speech impediment: After losing a tooth, many people have trouble speaking. A dental bridge will most likely eliminate the speech impediment that occurs after a loss of a tooth.

Losing a tooth isn’t the end of the world. Luckily there are different types of dental bridge options that can help fill the gap. Just make sure you approach reliable dentists in Sterling Heights, MI to have this cosmetic dentistry procedure done. Going to someone you trust will give you ease of mind and more confidence that you will have your perfect smile back.

Ask the Dentist: Waterpik vs. Flossing

November 16, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

The Differences Between Waterpik and Flossing

A healthy smile is important for more than just cosmetic reasons. Yes, it looks good but ensuring you keep good oral hygiene is important so you don’t develop cavities or gum disease. Gum disease has been linked to heart problems so oral hygiene is vital for your overall health.

Most people think that just brushing their teeth gets the job done. While it is good practice to brush your teeth twice a day, the process doesn’t completely remove all food particles from the mouth. Food particles and plaque build up in the little gap between your teeth and under the gum, a brush isn’t enough to target these areas. That is why all dentists in Sterling Heights, MI and the American Dental Association recommend flossing every day.

When it comes to flossing, you have two options either use a floss or Waterpik. But how can you decide without knowing the pros and cons of each? We have you covered, we have the insights from Sterling Heights dentists that will help you choose which is a better option for you.

Waterpik vs Flossing, Which is Better for You?

Waterpik

Waterpik uses water to rid plaque and food particle between teeth and under the gum. Also, known as oral irrigators or dental water, the process uses pressurized water stream to get the job done.

Who is Waterpik recommended for?

Flossing may be hard if individuals:

have braces
have crowns
have bridgework done
have dental implants

Waterpik may also be recommended for those individuals with arthritis or anyone that finds it difficult to use a string floss.

Benefits of Waterpik

Waterpik makes it easier to reach tightly packed spaces between your teeth. Spaces where you may have trouble squeezing in a floss. Flosses are thin but at times a lot of effort is needed to squeeze them in tighter spaces which results in the application of a lot of force. Due to the force, the floss may be jammed into your gum and it starts to bleed. With a water pick, the stream of water can easily maneuver through the tight space and clean it.

The process is much easier than flossing. It may take a little time for you to fiddle with the settings and get that right but the application of Waterpik is easy. You just need to make sure that you clean all sides of each tooth with it and do it slowly. There are no risks to using Waterpik.

Disadvantages of Waterpik

While the process is easy to use, it may not be as effective at getting plaque out as compared to flossing. It can loosen plaque but the pressure isn’t enough to completely get the plaque out. That is why some use a floss to get rid of loosened plaque after using a Waterpik. The technology is also a lot more expensive than dental floss.

Flossing

Dental floss has been a practice to clean teeth since prehistoric times while it wasn’t patented until the 1870s. Floss was initially made out of silk until the second World War when nylon replaced silk. You can find floss pre-cut, long strands, flavored, and in different varieties.

Who is floss recommended for?

Floss is recommended for everyone, it should be a part of your daily oral hygiene.

Benefits of floss

Floss is a great way to target food particle, plaque, and bacteria between the teeth. It allows you to target the plaque and get rid of it before it turns into tartar. Using a floss gives you more control over the cleaning process. You can exert more force and maneuver the floss in the direction that you want to get the right angle for cleaning.

Disadvantages of floss

It may be difficult at times to reach areas that are too tightly packed with the floss. If you go too far down in your gum with the floss it can result in your gums bleeding. So you need to be careful and do the process slowly.

Once you are done flossing, it is recommended that you rinse your mouth with water to get any loose particle of plaque out.

When it comes to picking between the two, it all depends on which of the two you are more comfortable with. Many find it easier to just floss their teeth after they brush, it requires a bit more effort but you have complete control over the process. Dr. Dhoon at Greeley Dental Care agrees that floss is also more effective at getting rid of plaque. If you are too lazy to floss on your and need something easier to use then Waterpik is the next best option. Either way, one of the two should be a part of your oral hygiene regimen to ensure your smile stays healthy.

How To Maintain Healthy Gums

August 29, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

How To Maintain Healthy Gums

When it comes to maintaining good oral health, many make the mistake of focusing only on taking care of their teeth. But to have healthy teeth, you need to have healthy gums, too.

Aside from being the foundation of having healthy teeth, your gums also play an important role in your overall health. The condition of your gums impacts your cardiovascular system. Your gum health affects your bones as well.

As such, if you want to avoid developing cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases, it is important that you take care of your gums, too.

Taking Care of Your Gums

If you want to know how to maintain healthy gums, here are five useful tips for doing so:

Brush properly twice a day

Brush your teeth in the morning and at night. Make sure you brush 30 minutes after eating your meal. Ensure you brush for at least two minutes and that you cover all areas, especially the back teeth which are most susceptible to cavity formation.

Consider getting a battery-powered or electric toothbrush. They are more effective in reducing gingivitis and plaque more than a manual toothbrush.

Lastly, change your toothbrush or toothbrush heads every three to four months or when the bristles start to fray.

Floss once daily

Flossing will remove the food particles stuck in between your teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach or get rid of.

However, always be careful when flossing. A dentist in Sterling Heights says that applying too much force can cause gum bleeding. A cut in the gums can also increase the risk of bacterial infection.

Stop smoking

Studies show that smoking is linked to the onset of gum disease. Tobacco also weakens the immune system which makes it more difficult to fight off a gum infection. Lastly, smoking makes it more difficult for your gums to heal once they are damaged.

If you want to have healthy gums and better overall health, start by quitting smoking now.

Rinse with antiseptic mouthwash daily

Gargling with an antibacterial and anti-gingivitis mouthwash can help reduce plaque, remove bacteria from your mouth, and prevent gingivitis. Our friends in Shreveport, said rinsing with mouthwash also removes food debris from your mouth, thereby making it cleaner.

When choosing your mouthwash, pick one that is alcohol-free. Dr. Farhat explains that a mouthwash that contains alcohol can cause an initial burning sensation and leave an unpleasant taste and bouts of dryness in your mouth.

Get professional cleaning twice a year

There will be instances wherein brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash are not enough to stop harmful bacteria from accumulating. A professional cleaning twice a year will remove plaque and tartar on your teeth and near the gum line. Because of this, your gums and teeth will be healthier.

Before your dentist cleans your teeth, he or she will also check the health of your gums. Your dentist will see if you have any gum disease and recommend the necessary steps to prevent it from worsening.

Visiting your Sterling Heights dentist regularly will help you keep periodontal diseases at bay and maintain healthy gums. If you want to be sure your gums are in peak health, schedule an appointment at Dental 1 Care as soon as possible.

Does Smoking Marijuana Lead To Gum Disease?

August 22, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Does Smoking Marijuana Lead To Gum Disease?

A survey conducted last year showed that around 78 million Americans smoke or have tried marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes.

Although smoking weed is legal in some states and it has certain benefits including relief for chronic pain and muscle spasms related to multiple sclerosis, frequent use and abuse can lead to different health issues. One of these is poor dental health. We spoke to our friends at Laurich Dentistry about this topic.

Frequent use of marijuana (especially for recreational purposes) can cause teeth stains, bad breath, cottonmouth (dry mouth), and mouth cancers. It can also cause gum disease.

But how does smoking marijuana lead to gum disease?

A study showed that both tobacco and recreational marijuana users are at risk of periodontal disease. Although there is still no clear evidence as to how weed specifically causes periodontitis, scientists speculate that the chemicals from the marijuana affect the immune system, the inflammation process, and bacterial flora in the mouth. This is similar to the effects of smoking on a person’s gum health.

It is also worth mentioning that marijuana usually has 430 to 460 different compounds in it – more than what a cigarette contains. This increases the risk of gum disease for frequent marijuana users.

Periodontitis can lead to serious dental issues such as:

Bleeding gums
Swollen or puffy gums
Receding gums
The development of space between teeth
Bad breath
Teeth sensitivity
Painful chewing
Loose teeth
Loss of teeth

Gum Disease Prevention

If you smoke marijuana for recreational reasons, you can improve and maintain the good conditions of your gums by quitting. Once you do, you will see an improvement in gum health. You will also slow the painful wear on enamel which causes tooth sensitivity. Lastly, you will have better chances of retaining your natural teeth now and in the future.

You can get healthier gums and teeth by following the additional tips below:

Practice good oral hygiene habits every day. Brush at least twice daily and floss once a day.
Improve your diet. Boost your consumption of dairy, fresh vegetables and fruits, and foods rich in probiotics every day. These foods will fight off the effects of plaque acids on your teeth. They will also boost your immune system to help fight gum disease.
Drink plenty of water. A hydrated mouth is a healthy mouth.
Use an alcohol-free mouthwash with antibacterial properties.
Visit your dentist for regular checkups and professional cleaning.

If you use marijuana for medical purposes, consult with your Sterling Heights dentist on how you can minimize the effects of this drug on your oral health.

5 common myths about oral care

August 16, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

5 Common Myths And Misconceptions About Oral Care

Maintaining good dental health is as simple as brushing and flossing properly two to three times each day, along with scheduling professional dental cleanings. However, there are several misconceptions regarding oral health that came out over the years that may be leading you astray.

Here are 5 common myths and misconceptions about oral care that you must know.

1. If your teeth feel fine, you don’t have to visit your dentist.

If you are doing a good job taking care of your teeth at home, they will definitely feel fine. But regular checkups and cleanings every six months are also vital to ensure healthy teeth and gums.

Letting a dentist in Sterling Heights examine your teeth and gums on a regular basis will ensure that they are healthy, especially since gum disease is often symptomless. And if you have tooth decay, it is most cost-effective and easiest to treat it at its earliest stage. Remember that your checkup will also include an oral cancer screening.

2. Toothbrushes with hard bristles clean better.

Most people think that hard-bristled toothbrushes will clean better than those with soft bristles. But these brushes can be hard on your gums and enamel. So opt for soft-bristled toothbrushes to gently care for your teeth and gums.

Dr. Farhat further emphasized that you should look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance because these are deemed effective and safe by the American Dental Association.

3. You should not see your dentist when you’re pregnant.

Visiting your dentist while you’re pregnant is in fact highly recommended because pregnant women are most like to develop tooth decay and gum disease, and this can lead to complications.

Inform your dentist about your pregnancy so you’ll be provided with the care you need and so that the necessary precautions will be implemented to protect your unborn child.

4. Bleeding gums are normal.

We asked our friends in Shreveport for their thoughts on this myth. There is nothing normal about bleeding gums because this is a sign of gum disease. This means thatyou have not visited your dentist for a long time. A lot of hard deposits got stuck in your teeth, which makes your gums swell and bleed. Remember that when gum disease is left untreated, it can cause tooth loss.

5. Flossing is not necessary.

Even if you are brushing your teeth properly on regular basis, it only cleans 65% of your teeth. The other percentages are the surfaces that your toothbrush can’t reach and only a dental floss can clean those. Neglecting to floss will lead to cavities that only dental x-rays can detect. Thus, a Sterling Heights dentist recommends integrating daily flossing into your dental cleaning routine.

Benefits of Flossing Examined

August 8, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

The Medical Benefit Of Flossing Is Being Questioned: Findings

According to the American Dental Association, people must clean between their teeth at least once a day. This further means that they must engage in “mechanical interdental cleaning” on a daily basis.

Research

Recently, the medical benefit of flossing has been questioned. Most people are asking about any solid evidence showing the impacts of flossing on dental health. When it comes to managing gingivitis, the evidence is of low. This is due to the small number of studies, sample sizes, as well as the interpretation of the results.

Although the Cochrane Systematic Review on this topic in 2011 showed a reduction in the measures of gingivitis when flossing was added to tooth brushing, a meta-analysis by Berchier et al failed to find a significant improvement. The meta-analysis concluded that an initial consideration must be whether high-quality flossing is an attainable goal.

Furthermore, a meta-analysis of different studies that examined the impact of flossing on interproximal caries has revealed that regular professional flossing caused a statistically significant reduction in interproximal caries. This result was not seen with intermittent professional flossing or self-flossing.

Medical Benefits

Evaluating the medical benefit of flossing is somewhat complicated because this is a technique-sensitive intervention. Recently, data revealed that people are not always honest when it comes to reporting their flossing behavior. Indeed, understanding the success of significant behavior change can be thought-provoking. In terms of communicating messages regarding oral hygiene, one message might not cover all situations.

Ultimately, most people want to know if flossing is necessary. Professionals like our dental friends in Shreveport, Louisianna recognize that even with the absence of solid evidence, you must still seek guidance from the experts, like a reputable dentist Sterling Heights. There may be only a small benefit to flossing, and the quality of evidence is too low, but even such a small benefit is significant given the fact that most people around the world are suffering from tooth decay and periodontal disease.

Overall

Many dental professionals are still recommending floss because of the minimal costs to patients and the absence of documented harms. Considering this along with your specific issues, a Sterling Heights dentist would be able to provide the right recommendation for you.

Adult Braces: Are They Worth It?

August 3, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Adult Braces, Are They Worth It?

Today, the number of adult orthodontic patients is increasing. Indeed, it is not hard to figure out why. Dental appliances that are hardly noticeable were developed to offer adults more discreet choices in terms of orthodontic treatment.

Moreover, more and more adults now realize that a smile makeover offers significant benefits, both professionally and socially. For instance, teeth straightening has become a crucial part of that confident-boosting process.

When it comes to adult braces, are they worth it? Well, if you have healthy teeth, they can be moved at any age. Thus, there is no such thing as being too old for orthodontic treatments like braces. But orthodontic treatment for adults is somewhat different. First, gum disease is more common in adults. Secondly, jaw growth and development are already complete in adults, so not all changes in your jaw structure can be attained.

Orthodontic appliances apply gentle force to your teeth so they can be successfully moved through their surrounding bone. The health of your gums plays a crucial role in all of this. A Sterling Heights dentist shares that when your gum tissues aren’t healthy, bone loss can take place. Also, this will weaken your teeth’s long-term prognosis.

We spoke to our friend Dr. Ben Kacos at Shreveport’s dentist to elaborate on this topic. So if you are suffering from gum disease, it should be treated first before any orthodontic treatment can begin. You may undergo regular professional cleanings while you are on an orthodontic treatment to maintain good periodontal health. Most importantly, you must maintain proper dental hygiene at home.

4 Types of Orthodontic Appliances

All orthodontic appliances will work the same way – they employ light yet constant force in order to move your teeth into proper alignment. How these forces are applied varies. Here are the common types of orthodontic appliances:

Traditional Metal Braces – These are small metal braces bonded to the front of your teeth. There is a thin wire that runs through the brackets. The wire is attached on either end to the metal bands that often go around your back molars.

Clear Aligners – These are removable. They are a series of clear plastic trays that can easily fit over your teeth. Every tray is part of a series of trays that will help move your teeth until they are in their proper position. The trays are designed using specialized computer software that creates a virtual model of your bite.

Clear Braces – Instead of the traditional metal braces, you can opt for clear ones. These are made of plastic, ceramic or a combination of both. These appliances are hardly visible, except for the wire that runs through. Remember though that this option is more vulnerable to breakage than the traditional metal braces.

Lingual Braces – These are metal braces that are bonded to the back of your teeth so they can’t be seen. However, these braces are more difficult to get used to wearing. Also, they are more costly than traditional metal braces.

What to Expect After the Treatment

Regardless of which type of appliance you choose, it is crucial for you to wear a retainer. Without a retainer, your teeth can gradually drift back to their original positions. A reputable Sterling Heights dentist can provide you with additional instructions on how to retain your beautiful smile so it continues to make you feel and look gorgeous for many years to come.

4 Ways To Close A Tooth Gap

July 5, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

4 Ways To Close A Tooth Gap

Diastema, or a gap between two teeth, is a fairly common cosmetic dental issue. It can be caused by various factors such as a mismatch between the size of the teeth and the jawbone, missing or undersized teeth, and certain habits such as thumb sucking. Should I leave my tooth gap alone or are there ways to close a tooth gap?

Although having gapped teeth is not a huge concern for many today, there are still a number of people who are not confident in their smiles and want to know how to close a tooth gap. The good news is that there are different solutions dentists offer which can fix this dental flaw.

If you want to get rid of your diastema, here are 4 ways to close a tooth gap:

Braces

This is the most popular way of closing a gap between teeth. Braces move teeth by forcing them into the desired positions and closing the gap with the help of controlled movement. Eventually, the braces will stabilize the teeth to prevent relapse or unwanted drifting.

Aside from metal, you can also opt for ceramic braces which look better and are less of an inconvenience.

Although this is the most effective treatment, you have to be prepared to wear braces for quite a long time. Depending on the size of the gap and other orthodontic problems you may have, you might need to wear them for at least a year or two. You will also have to wear retainers once the braces have been removed.

Invisible aligners

Orthopedic treatments are the most recommended solutions for serious diastema. But if you don’t want to wear conventional braces, you can opt for Invisalign.

Invisalign are invisible aligners that are designed to move the teeth just like braces. However, they are “invisible” and are thus not easily seen like metal braces. They are also removable which means you can take them off when eating, speaking in public, or brushing and flossing. They are more comfortable to wear, too.

To allow the invisible aligners to do their magic, you have to wear them for 20 to 22 hours every day for at least 10 months or as recommended by your Sterling Heights dentist.

Dental Veneers

If you want a quick fix for your gapped teeth, you can choose veneers. Dental veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin. They are custom-made based on the color, size, and shape of a patient’s natural teeth.

When ready, the veneers will be placed on the teeth with gaps and the diastema will be covered. With veneers, you will have more attractive gap-free pearly whites that function and look like natural teeth.

Bonding

In case you want something quicker since veneers can take several days to be made, you can opt for dental bonding.

Dental bonding is where tooth-colored composite resin is placed to the surface of the tooth, molded into the desired shape, and then hardened. It is highly effective in fixing small gaps. It is also an affordable solution and treatment can be done within one hour.

When choosing the best treatment for your diastema, consider your Sterling Heights dentist’s recommendation. It is the only way you can be certain you will safely and effectively close unsightly and annoying gaps between your teeth. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.