What Is Oral Cancer Screening?

by Leave a Comment

oral cancer screeningOral cancer screening refers to an annual examination performed by your dentist in Sterling Heights, MI. This screening is used to identify signs of cancerous or precancerous conditions inside your mouth. The purpose of performing this examination is to catch oral cancer early when the odds of a complete cure are highest. At Dental One Care, we routinely perform oral cancer screenings during our patients’ routine visits. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about oral cancer screening.

Why Oral Cancer Screening Is Done

As already mentioned, Dr. Fardi Farhat, an orthodontist in Sterling Heights MI, conducts oral cancer screening to detect oral cancer or lesions that point to the possibility of oral cancer.

These screenings are particularly vital for people who are at a higher risk of developing oral cancer. The risk factors include;

  • Users of tobacco (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, cigars, and pipes)
  • Heavy alcohol drinkers
  • A history of oral cancer
  • A history of intense sun exposure (this heightens the risk for lip cancer)

When you visit Dental One Care, ask Dr. Fardi Farhat if you are at risk of developing oral cancer. The dentist in Sterling Heights MI will ask you several questions to ascertain your risk level. If you are found to be at risk, then oral cancer screening may become part of the routine assessments that you undergo at your dental check-up.

Limitations of Oral Cancer Screening

  • Additional Tests May Be Required

Many people may have sores in their mouths. Dentists in Sterling Heights explain that oral exams may not be sufficient to identify the cancerous or noncancerous sores. Additional tests may be required before a definitive oral cancer diagnosis can be made.

  • Not All Oral Cancers Are Detectable During Oral Exams

Cancers are abnormal cell growth patterns, and it is unlikely that an oral exam will unearth all the abnormal areas in your mouth. This means that the dentist could miss a cancerous lesion during your oral cancer screening exercise.

  • The Scientific Community is Still Divided

There is no research yet to confirm that screening for oral cancer can reduce the number of deaths from this condition. However, since the chances of a cure are highest when cancer is detected early, it is wise for you to undergo this screening just in case you are at risk of developing mouth cancer.

What to Expect During Your Oral Cancer Screening

Dr. Fardi Farhat says you aren’t required to prepare anything before the oral cancer screening. The screening fits nicely into the other routine dental care that you receive.

During the oral cancer exam, Dr. Fardi Farhat will look into your mouth carefully. The dentist in Sterling Heights MI does this to detect if there are any visible white or red patches or sores inside your mouth.

If you have removable dentures, our team will ask you to remove them so that the area beneath the dentures can also be examined for sores and patches.

Additional Oral Cancer Screening Tests

Dr. Fardi Farhat may use any of the additional tests below during your oral cancer screening.

Use of a blue dye. You may be asked to rinse your mouth with a blue dye. This special dye is absorbed by any abnormal cells in your mouth, making them turn blue. When the expert at Dental One Care looks into your mouth, he will immediately spot those blue areas.

Use of a light. Alternatively, the dentist may choose to shine a light into your mouth during the oral exam. The abnormal (and potentially cancerous) cells will look white while your normal cells will look dark under this light.

If Dr. Fardi Farhat finds any precancerous lesions or other signs of oral cancer, he may recommend a follow-up visit to Dental One Care to monitor your mouth. Additionally, the Sterling Heights dentist may recommend a biopsy so additional tests can confirm or rule out oral cancer. Fortunately, most lesions turn out to be noncancerous, so don’t be worried if abnormal cells are observed in your mouth. Simply do everything that Dr. Farhat asks you to do. If you still have questions about oral cancer screening, contact us at Dental One Care.

Why Do I Need an Orthodontist?

by Leave a Comment

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

About Orthodontic Treatment

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

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

A Few Orthodontic Treatment Tips

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

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

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

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

Myths About Oral Cancer

by 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.

When to Visit the Dentist About Tooth Pain

by Leave a Comment

You may be suffering from a toothache if you feel any sharp pain or even a dull ache in or around your tooth. A wide variety of underlying causes can trigger such toothaches, and those factors could cause a nerve to send pain signals to your brain. Some types of toothaches, such as transient pain, can be dealt with at home, but there are cases of tooth pain that require you to see Dr. Fardi Farhat at Dental One Care for professional diagnosis and treatment. This article explores some of the circumstances under which you should see a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI, immediately.

When Pain Persists

When your toothache is persistent (goes on for several days, for example), the pulp of your tooth may have been affected. This explains why you could be feeling pain even when you haven’t done anything, such as taking a hot beverage, to trigger than pain.

Contact Dental One Care so that the Sterling Heights dentist can examine you and treat the underlying cause of the persistent tooth pain before the problem gets worse.

Increasing Inflammation

Inflammation is a normal response of the body to an infection that it is grappling with. Inflammation is usually characterized by redness, tenderness, and some swelling of the affected area.

If your tooth pain is accompanied by worsening inflammation, it is time to see Dr. Fardi Farhat for help. That increasing inflammation may be an indicator that the gum or tooth infection has spread to the pulp of your tooth, and the sooner the dentist in Sterling Heights, MI gets to the bottom of it, the better.

Swelling Around the Face or Jaw

You should also see a Sterling Heights dentist if you are experiencing tooth pain, which is accompanied by visible swelling around your jaw or face. This symptom indicates that you may be suffering from an acute tooth or gum infection and that infection can easily spread to other parts of the body and cause additional problems. Getting prompt treatment at Dental One Care can save you from the pain, in addition to preventing additional dental problems.

Bleeding Gums

On its own, pain is an indicator that something is amiss with your health. When tooth pain is accompanied by bleeding around the gums, then you need to see your local dentist in Sterling Heights ASAP.

The pain and bleeding gums may be symptoms of advanced periodontal disease. You may also be suffering from an infection which your body has been unable to deal with on its own. Whatever it is, a dental care professional will diagnose it and administer the correct treatment so that you can be free from the pain and the underlying cause bringing that pain.

Fever and an Earache

It is also possible to have tooth pain that is accompanied by earache and fever. Depending on the tooth affected, any pain you experience can also manifest in another area other than around that tooth. For example, when the last molar is infected, chances are you will feel an earache on that same side of your face.

Tooth pain, an earache, and fever usually indicate that a dental problem is getting worse and is becoming systemic. So, the sooner you consult Dr. Fardi Farhat about the problem, the easier it will be to address the root cause of these seemingly unrelated symptoms.

You Suffered Trauma to the Face or Mouth

If you recently had a nasty fall or took a blow to the face or mouth and you are now experiencing tooth pain, see a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI immediately. Trauma to the face or mouth may cause damage to the teeth in a way that isn’t immediately apparent. So, when you develop tooth pain afterward, the damage may be coming to the fore. Seek professional help at Dental One Care and the Sterling Heights dentist may be able to save your tooth if the damage from the trauma wasn’t excessive.

As anyone who has experienced dental pain will tell you, this isn’t an experience that one would wish to undergo again. The best way to limit the likelihood that you will experience tooth pain is by taking preventive steps, such as brushing and flossing daily, wearing a mouth guard if you play contact sports and getting prompt help as soon as you notice anything amiss in your dental health. When problems are caught early, they will be treated before they progress to a level where they cause excruciating tooth pain. Contact Dental One Care if you ever experience tooth pain and our experienced team will provide the care you need to feel normal again.

11 Tips for Invisalign Patients

by Leave a Comment

Because Invisalign aligners are worn for up to 22 hours each day, it isn’t uncommon for patients to be concerned about the way their day-to-day lives will be affected by this treatment. Dr. Fardi Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI has compiled the following tips and tricks to help each patient get the very best from Invisalign while minimizing the inconveniences associated with wearing the aligners.

Switch Aligners While Going to Bed

The highest degree of soreness, tenderness or even pain tends to be felt by Invisalign patients when they have just switched from one aligner to another.

While this soreness or tenderness is unavoidable, Dr. Fardi Farhat recommends that patients switch aligners just before going to bed rather than in the morning. This timing is advisable because the adjustment to the new aligner will happen while you sleep and the soreness will be no more (or will be considerably lessened) by the time you wake up.

Make Cold Compresses Your Friend

The tip above will address the worst of the discomfort that you feel each time you start using a new Invisalign aligner, but some residual soreness or tenderness may carry over into the next day or two. For such situations, a cold compress placed outside the mouth will go a long way towards alleviating the discomfort.

Mind What You Eat

We asked our friend, Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist in Georgetown, KY, to share her tips for Invisalign patients. Dr. Neda explains that just like any cosmetic dentistry treatment, you’ll need to be mindful of what you eat. When you feel sore as a result of wearing Invisalign aligners for the first time, one of the worst things that you can do is to eat foods that are chewy, crunchy or crispy. This is because such foods will place an added strain on your teeth and gums, and this is not what you want.

Dr. Fardi Farhat recommends that you refrain from consuming crunchy, crispy or chewy foods while wearing Invisalign aligners so that you don’t strain your teeth unnecessarily.

Adopt the Right Sleeping Position

In the beginning, patients may notice that they produce a larger volume of saliva when they wear Invisalign aligners for the first time. This excessive production of saliva will gradually reduce as your oral structures become accustomed to the aligners.

Before that normalization happens, it is wise to prop up your head and lie on your back while you sleep. This will reduce how much saliva you produce while you sleep and it will prevent drooling.

Breathe Through the Nose

The excess production of saliva that happens in the first few days when you start wearing Invisalign aligners can cause this saliva to flow out of your mouth if your mouth stays open while you sleep.

One way to prevent this flow of saliva is by keeping your mouth closed and only breathe through your nose. If you breathe through the mouth by default, talk to your dentist in Sterling Heights, MI and you will get advice on which specialist to see so that you don’t suffer avoidable inconveniences while wearing Invisalign aligners.

Always Have an Aligners Case

As Dr. Fardi Farhat will tell you before you get your set of Invisalign aligners, you should remove these aligners each time you are going to eat or chew anything and put the aligner back in your mouth after brushing or cleaning the teeth and gums after eating.

The ability to remove your Invisalign aligners periodically carries a risk that the aligners will be lost or damaged during the time that they are out of your mouth. To prevent such an eventuality, it is advisable to have a case in which you can place your aligners at all times. Talk to a Sterling Heights dentist for advice on which case to acquire if you currently don’t have one.

Avoid Hot or Pigmented Beverages

You can take drinks while wearing an Invisalign aligner. However, caution should be taken when taking pigmented beverages, such as coffee, because these may stain the clear aligners.

In the same vein, avoid taking hot drinks while an aligner is in your mouth. The hot drink will warp the aligner and your treatment may be compromised. This is not to say that you shouldn’t drink anything hot. Instead, be aware of the risk and remove the aligner before consuming the hot or pigmented drink.

Don’t Worry When Kissing

You can kiss your partner while having an Invisalign aligner in your mouth. However, you are also free to first remove the aligners before you kiss if this will make you more comfortable. Note that colored lipstick and lip-gloss will stain your clear aligners, so keep the aligner out of your mouth if this risk of staining is present when you kiss.

And the Photo Shoot!

The shiny aligners will make your smile bright in photos, and this is a good thing because any imperfections in your teeth will be masked. However, when the camera is focused on your face or mouth, the clear aligners may be visible, so you may need to get creative and avoid these kinds of photos as much as you can if you are concerned that people will know that you wear aligners.

In the long run, you will develop healthy dental habits as a result of the little adjustments that you make to your lifestyle while you wear Invisalign aligners. These good habits will serve your dental health in good stead, so embrace those changes as lifelong habits. If you still have questions about Invisalign aligners, or indeed about any aspect of your dental health, give us a call at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights. Dr. Fardi Farhat and the entire team will gladly address your concerns and give you the care you need to get your dental health back.

How to Choose a Dental Crown

by Leave a Comment

If you have just undergone a root canal, or your tooth was extensively damaged due to physical trauma, or you lost a tooth and want to replace it with an implant-supported restoration, your Sterling Heights dentist may recommend that you have a crown placed. One of the major decisions that you will have to make subsequent to deciding to get a crown is choosing the material from which that crown can be fabricated. The experts at Dental One Care recommend that you read this blog to the end so that you can have the information you need to make the best choice when faced with that question.

Gold Crowns

In the past, gold was the most common material from which dental crowns were made. Today, this material is no longer as popular because of the prohibitive cost of gold. For example, an ounce of gold can cost upwards of $1,300! Another reason why gold crowns aren’t as common is that these crowns aren’t esthetically pleasing since they don’t resemble natural teeth.

However, gold is an excellent choice if the crown will be placed in a part of the mouth that isn’t visible when you smile, such as at the back of your mouth. Dr. Fardi Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI explains that gold is a very good choice for a crown because it has a long track record of not causing any reactions or sensitivities when it is placed in the mouth.

Additionally, the Sterling Heights dentist says gold crowns are very strong and will easily take in stride all the bite forces exerted upon them while you chew. This is the primary reason why these crowns have been known to last for 40 or more years.

Another reason why you should consider gold crowns is that preparing your tooth for this type of crown doesn’t involve removing a lot of enamel from the tooth. This minimal preparation is important because you will be less likely to develop sensitivity to temperature extremes or pressure. If you can afford the cost, a gold crown would, therefore, be the best option for you.

Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crowns

If a pure gold crown is out of reach for you, porcelain fused to metal crown can be a good way to enjoy the strength of gold without incurring the high cost of pure gold crowns. For PFM crowns, the substructure or core is made from gold or any other precious or semi-precious metal. These include platinum and palladium. The exterior or visible part of this crown is made from porcelain.

Dr. Fardi Farhat reveals that PFM crowns usually have a metal rim that is visible at the bottom of the crown. This rim can eventually show through when your gums recede, and this can detract from the visual appeal of the crown.

In terms of durability, PFM crowns can last between 7 and 12 years, so you can see how superior gold crowns are on durability alone.

Stainless Steel Crowns

Sterling Heights dentists may recommend a stainless steel crown, but these tend to be temporary. This explains why children whose milk teeth have decayed extensively or those that are too weak to support a filling are treated with stainless steel crowns.

This crown covers the entire tooth, just as crowns typically do. As the milk or baby tooth grows, the stainless steel crown grows with it and will come off once that baby tooth makes way for the permanent tooth.

Note that stainless steel crowns aren’t aesthetically appealing, but you can contact Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI and talk to Dr. Fardi Farhat about other options that are more esthetic for your kid.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are also referred to as all-ceramic dental crowns. These crowns are the most common these days because they look like natural teeth and a casual observer cannot know that you have a crown in your mouth.

Porcelain crowns are also suitable for teeth in any part of your mouth, so there are no limitations on where they can be placed. They are popular because they don’t cause users to develop tooth sensitivity as is the case when you have crowns made from metal. Porcelain also doesn’t trigger any sensitivities, so they are good for people who have a history of reacting to metal crowns.

Types of Porcelain Crowns

When you visit Dental One Care for porcelain crowns, Dr. Fardi Farhat will assess you and select from one of two types of these crowns. The first is the e.Max porcelain crown. This crown can be made and placed on the same day when you visit, and it forms a very strong bond with your tooth.

The second type of porcelain crown is one made from Zirconia. This is the strongest type of porcelain used to make dental crowns and advancements in dental technology have made it possible to make this crown virtually identical to natural teeth. However, Zirconia crowns don’t bond as strongly with the tooth as is the case with e.Max porcelain crowns.

What You Need to Know About Porcelain Crowns

There are a few downsides that you need to know about all types of porcelain dental crowns. First, these crowns will crack or break more easily when compared to other types of crowns. Secondly, these crowns can accelerate the rate at which the opposing teeth wear out due to the contact between the porcelain and the natural teeth. Furthermore, preparing a tooth for a porcelain crown requires the removal of a significant amount of enamel, unlike what happens for gold crowns, for example.

In terms of durability, porcelain crowns last anywhere between 5 and 10 years. As already mentioned, the care you provide for these crowns will protect them from fracturing or cracking, and this will be beneficial to their durability.

Note that because people are different, a dental crown material that is appropriate for one person may not be advisable for another person. For this reason, it is better for you to visit Dental One Care in Sterling Heights so that Dr. Fardi Farhat can examine you, take your medical history and then recommend the most appropriate dental crown material for your needs.

How to Take Care of a Temporary Filling

by Leave a Comment

Many reasons could explain why your dentist in Sterling Heights, MI, may place a temporary filling on your tooth. For example, you may have just undergone root canal therapy and are waiting for a crown or gold filling for the tooth. Regardless of the reason for getting the temporary filling, you must learn about temporary filling care for the best outcomes. Dental One Care recommends the following for people who have just got temporary fillings.

Know the Setting Time of Your Temporary Filling

As Dr. Fardi Farhat, a Sterling Heights dentist, may have told you before your procedure, many kinds of temporary fillings exist. Each of these different temp fillings have their own setting time. Knowing how long it will take you to get set helps you be extra cautious about the filling.

Watch What You Chew

Dr. Fardi Farhat usually advises patients to avoid using the side of the mouth with the temporary filling to chew. While this is the ideal to aim for, it is possible that in the weeks during which you have the temporary filling you will forget and use that side to chew.

When that happens, don’t worry as long as you are gentle while chewing. However, you need to avoid chewing any sticky, hard, or crunchy food items, such as nuts and toffee. Chewing gum is also a no-go if you listened carefully to the temporary filling care instructions given by your Sterling Heights dentist.

Be on the Lookout for Unusual Sensations

After your dental procedure, the anesthesia will take a few hours to wear off. During this time, the treatment area of your mouth will be numb. Desist from eating anything while you’re numb because you could bite the side of your mouth or even your tongue.

As the effects of the anesthesia wane, you may experience tingling sensations. Avoid using your tongue to press on the filling or manipulate it in any way to combat the unusual sensations that you experience. Otherwise, the temporary filling may be dislodged. The tingling will subside on its own as the anesthesia wears off.

Brush and Floss Carefully

Dr. Fardi Farhat dispels any thinking that special techniques have to be used while brushing or flossing if you have a temporary filling. The same techniques you use to perform these oral hygiene routines apply while you have a temporary filling. However, you need to be specific and use only toothbrushes with soft bristles since harder bristles may put the temp filling at risk of being dislodged. Also, brush gently.

Similarly, when removing the floss, remove the floss from the side of the tooth instead of straight up. Straight up motions can snag a temp filling that is close to a tooth’s edge, and this could make you lose that filling.

Talk to Your Sterling Heights Dentist Before the Procedure

The best way to be certain that you know all the temporary filling care tips is by having a detailed discussion on the subject with Dr. Fardi Farhat before you undergo the procedure that necessitates the placement of a temp filling. This discussion will give you ample preparation for every step that you need to take from the time you leave the dental office. All in all, it isn’t difficult to take care of your temporary filling. Adhere to the care recommendations given to you at Dental One Care and your temp filling will remain in place until your tooth gets its final restoration.

What Happens When a Tooth Dies?

by Leave a Comment

Most people know what to do to maintain good oral health, but do you know the warning signs of all the dental conditions that could affect you? Having a dead tooth is one of the conditions that you need to educate yourself about so that you can get professional help immediately. In this article, Dr. Fardi Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI, explains the causes, signs, prevention, and treatment options for a dead tooth.

Why a Tooth May Die

A tooth is described as non-vital or dead if there is no blood flowing to it. Two significant factors can lead a tooth to die, namely;

Tooth Decay

When you suffer from tooth decay, you develop cavities. Any untreated cavities can worsen and reach the pulp inside your tooth. The pulp may fight off the resultant infection for a while, but it may eventually become overwhelmed, and the pressure inside the tooth will rise. At this point, the blood vessels supplying the tooth will then become blocked, and your tooth will die.

Tooth Trauma

One or more of your teeth can still die even if you maintain the highest level of oral hygiene. This is because physical trauma, such as during a fall, can cause blood vessels connected to a tooth or teeth to burst, leading to the death of the affected teeth.

Signs That You Have a Dead Tooth

Dr. Fardi Farhat explains that while not all dead teeth will show visible signs that a layperson can identify, there are things you can watch out for. Here are some of those signs.

Pain

See a dentist in Sterling Heights, MI if you experience any type of tooth pain regardless of the magnitude of that pain because you could be having a dead tooth. In some people, a dead tooth can cause excruciating pain while the pain may be mild in other people.

A Bad Smell or Taste

Tooth infections can trigger a bad smell or bad taste in your mouth. Sterling Heights dentists caution that people who experience this bad taste or smell in the mouth could be having a dead tooth since the infection causing the smell or taste could have caused an abscess to form in that dead tooth.

Swelling

Swelling is a common sign of inflammation, and this swelling can soon block blood from flowing to your tooth if the swelling isn’t contained alongside the underlying cause of the swelling. A dead tooth can also cause swelling, mainly when the infection in the tooth spreads to the surrounding areas.

Altered Tooth Color

Dr. Farhat explains that when a tooth is no longer vital, it begins to darken. However, not all dead teeth will show this sign immediately, so see a professional when you notice the other signs discussed earlier.

Treatment Options for a Dead Tooth

Root Canal

If the dentist in Sterling Heights, MI diagnoses you with a dead tooth, you may have to undergo a root canal. During this treatment, the dentist at Dental One Care will remove all the infected pulp and clean out the tooth before filling the dead tooth permanently. This will prevent you from losing that tooth completely.

Tooth Extraction

In some cases, it may not be possible to save the dead tooth by performing a root canal. In such situations, your Sterling Heights dentist may extract the dead tooth and discuss tooth replacement options, such as implants and dental bridges. One of the adverse consequences of a delay to replace a missing tooth is bone resorption (loss of bone density and height due to lack of stimulation for the jawbone in that area).

How to Prevent Tooth Death

Wear a Mouth Guard

While it is hard to predict and forestall many accidents that lead to tooth death, some categories of people can wear mouth guards to protect their teeth from trauma. These include individuals who play contact sports. A custom-made mouthguard will offer more protection than a mass-produced one since customized mouth guards fit better.

Maintain Oral Hygiene

Dr. Fardi Farhat recommends that one of the best ways to prevent your teeth from dying is by sticking to an oral hygiene regime of brushing two times each day and flossing once a day. Use fluoride toothpaste when brushing so that you safeguard your teeth against the action of oral bacteria. Many people find that they have dead teeth resulting from tooth decay, so don’t slack off on oral hygiene.

See Your Dentist Regularly

It is also advisable to see a Sterling Heights dentist every six months for professional cleanings and an annual dental checkup. These visits to Dental One Care will address any dental issues early before those conditions kill your teeth.

While taking the preventive steps above may not guarantee that you will not have a dead tooth, taking the suggested preventive steps will ward off most of the avoidable causes of dead teeth. Dental One Care is here to partner with you on this journey of retaining your beautiful smile. When the worst gets to the worst and a dead tooth has to be extracted, we shall recommend the most suitable replacement options.

 

What You Need to Know About Scaling and Root Cleaning

by Leave a Comment

Your Sterling Heights dentist may recommend that you undergo deep teeth cleaning. This means that your teeth will be scaled and the roots will be planed. Deep cleaning is usually recommended when the dentist in Sterling Heights, MI finds that you have a chronic case of periodontal (gum) disease. Read on and discover more about scaling and root cleaning at Dental One Care.

When Deep Cleaning is Needed

As already mentioned, scaling and root cleaning is recommended for people that have been found with chronic gum disease. Bacterial activity causes significant gaps to develop between the gums and your teeth. Dr. Fardi Farhat explains that the size of these “gingival pockets” determines the extent to which periodontal disease has progressed (from gingivitis to moderate periodontal disease or even advanced periodontal disease).

Typically, regular brushing and flossing can avert periodontal disease, but when it develops and remains untreated, your teeth can start becoming loose, you may lose tissue and bone in the affected areas, and your teeth may start falling out or moving from their positions.

Causes of Chronic Gum Disease

The experts at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI, explain that chronic periodontal disease is commonly caused by insufficient oral hygiene. However, hormonal changes, family history, the process of aging, smoking, poor nutrition, and some other medical conditions can also trigger this condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Periodontal Disease

Deep spaces between the teeth and gums are a common symptom of chronic gum disease. Other symptoms include bad breath, bleeding gums, gum inflammation, changes to your bite, and shifting teeth in your mouth.

What Happens During Scaling and Planing?

Scaling and root planing is usually completed as an outpatient dental procedure once the dentist in Sterling Heights recommends this procedure for you. One or more visits may be needed, depending on how severe your condition is.

First, Dr. Farhat Fardi may administer a local anesthetic if the Sterling Heights dentist determines that an anesthetic is required. You can also talk to the Dental One Care professional about your pain management concerns so that the treatment is tailored to your needs. For example, a sedative may be administered if you suffer from dental anxiety.

Next, Dr. Farhat will scale your teeth. During this step of the procedure, the dentist in Sterling Heights will scrape plaque from the surface of your teeth and from the large gingival pockets.

After teeth scaling, root planing will be done. This involves using a tool to smoothen the roots of the teeth so that bacteria find it hard to become lodged there. Planing also makes it possible for the detached gums to reattach to the teeth.

Depending on how severe the chronic gum disease is, Dr. Fardi Farhat could recommend other treatments to ensure that all the bacteria in the areas that have been cleaned are killed. For example, antibiotics may be prescribed, or some medications may be administered in the gingival pockets directly to promote faster healing.

Benefits of Scaling and Planing

Scaling and root planing are regarded as the best remedy for chronic periodontal disease. This is because the procedure not only removes the plaque layers which harbor oral bacteria but also reduces the deep pockets which create room for any infection to progress and affect the inner sections of the teeth as well as the surrounding areas.

Are There Any Risks?

Scaling and root planing has been refined over time to reduce any potential risks. So, you need not worry that you will face any particularly serious risks when you undergo this dental procedure. One notable risk is the risk of infection since you may take more than a week to heal after the procedure.

To minimize this risk, Dr. Fardi Farhat may give you an antibiotic or special mouthwash to avert any infection risk you may face while you heal.

What to Expect After Scaling and Planing

You are most likely to be asked to return to Dental One Care so that Dr. Fardi Farhat can confirm that you are healing as expected. For some severe cases, more than one session of scaling and planing may be scheduled. So you’ll be told about the number of visits needed before the procedure commences.

If you were told that one visit is sufficient, another treatment session might be recommended. Only after the follow-up visit, the gingival pockets haven’t reduced to the desired level.

After the scaling and planing procedure, resume your normal oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing. However, the dentist in Sterling Heights, MI, who performed the procedure may recommend some changes or tweaks to these routines in order to deal with problem areas in your mouth. For example, Dr. Fardi Farhat may have observed that your front lower teeth appear to be at a higher risk of gum disease since you don’t brush them adequately. This will prompt the dentist to ask you to pay special attention to this section of your teeth so that the risk doesn’t manifest.

When to Contact Dental One Care

Contact Dr. Fardi Farhat at Dental One Care immediately if you feel severe pain after teeth scaling and planing. If healing takes longer than what was predicted, or you develop a fever, call Dental One Care immediately and have a professional assess your condition so that remedial action can be taken.

Scaling and root planing are routine procedures that shouldn’t cause you any worries. If you suspect that you could be having chronic periodontal disease, call for an appointment at Dental One Care and Dr. Fardi Farhat will determine whether scaling your teeth and planing their roots will be beneficial. Don’t let treatable conditions cost you your dental health when the experts at Dental One Care are just a call away!

 

Benefits of a Tooth Extraction

by Leave a Comment

While tooth extraction often occurs as a last resort remedy, many situations exist that make this procedure not just necessary but also desirable. This article discusses some of those situations and also explains what to expect during and after tooth extraction.

Factors That Necessitate Tooth Extraction

Extensive Damage. If one or more of your teeth are severely damaged by decay or trauma, you are likely to experience a lot of pain and discomfort. The only way to bring that discomfort and severe pain to an end is by pulling the damaged tooth.

Crowded Teeth. If your teeth are crowded, Dr. Fardi Farhat, a leading dentist in Sterling Heights, MI may decide to extract one or more teeth in order to allow the remaining ones to be aligned properly. This will correct any bite issues that you may have had as a result of the crowding.

Infections. Some infections may spread to the pulp of a tooth and cause such teeth to die once the blood supply to the living tissues inside is cut off. In such cases, the experts at Dental One Care may decide to either perform root canal therapy or extract the dead teeth.

Heightened Risks of Infections. People with low immunities, such as cancer patients, may have to undergo tooth extraction of the teeth that are most at risk of infection so that the risk is averted. The decision to extract the teeth will occur after treatment plan is put in place.

Impacted Teeth. If any of your wisdom teeth are impacted, Dr. Fardi Farhat may have no choice but to extract the impacted wisdom tooth before it causes more damage.

Gum/Periodontal Disease. Advanced periodontal disease can cause the bone, gums, and other surrounding tissues to be destroyed. Your Sterling Heights dentist may, therefore, opt to extract the worst affected teeth to stem the spread of the gum disease to the rest of your oral structures.

Cosmetic Reasons. Some people may feel self-conscious about their smile. Many patients ask Dr. Fardi Farhat to extract those unflattering teeth so that aesthetically suitable restorations can be placed in their location.

Tooth Extraction Prep

The tooth extraction procedure is a simple surgical procedure that rarely lasts for more than an hour. However, like all other surgical procedures, Dr. Farhat will have to get your full medical history before giving the green light. Tell the Sterling Heights dentist about any current medical condition you have as well as any medication or nutritional supplements you are taking at the moment. Notify Dr. Farhat if you are pregnant and reveal any bone problems that you have.

The Dental One team will consider your medical history and either delay the tooth extraction or tweak the process to accommodate your unique factors.

What Happens During a Tooth Extraction?

A dentist in Sterling Heights or a maxillofacial surgeon will perform the tooth extraction procedure. First, Dr. Fardi Farhat will apply a local anesthetic, or even a general anesthetic if the tooth to be extracted is a wisdom tooth. Sedation is also used in cases where multiple teeth will be pulled.

Once the area is numb, forceps are used to pull out the tooth. If the tooth is large, your Sterling Heights dentist will cut that tooth into two pieces before extracting those pieces, one at a time.

If the tooth was impacted, the dentist would cut through the gum and bone before pulling the tooth out. A blood clot will form in the socket, and the Dental One Care dentist will give you a piece of gauze to bite on so that the bleeding can stop. This typically takes a few minutes.

Dr. Fardi Farhat will prescribe some medication to deal with the residual pain that you are likely to feel hours or even days after the extraction. The Sterling Heights dentist warns that you refrain from taking aspirin for the pain since this particular painkiller can thin your blood and worsen any bleeding.

After the Tooth Extraction

In most cases, you can immediately resume your daily activities once your tooth is extracted. However, Dental One Care cautions patients to avoid doing any heavy lifting or performing any strenuous activities within the first 24 hours after a tooth is pulled. Dr. Fardi Farhat may also recommend several of the following measures in order to enable you to heal faster;

  • Restrict yourself to soft food for your first two meals and then slowly introduce other foods as the tooth extraction site heals.
  • Avoid drinking or eating anything hot because these may melt the newly formed clot at the extraction site.
  • Desist from doing anything, such as spitting, using a straw or blowing your nose, that could put pressure on the extraction site and cause the clot to become dislodged.
  • Don’t take any alcohol as this could affect the healing process and compromise any medication you are taking.
  • Prepare a warm, saltwater solution and use it to rinse your mouth instead of using antiseptic rinses that could be too harsh on the extraction site.

Once a tooth is extracted, the adjacent teeth may shift to fill the gap left. Dr. Farhat wouldn’t want these complications of a gap to affect you. So, consider the different tooth replacement options recommended by the experts at Dental One Care and replace the missing tooth before it is too late.

 

 

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.