good oral care Archives | Sterling Heights Dentist, Dr. Farhat of Dental 1 Care

Dental Tips for the New Year

January 3, 2020 by dental1admin Leave a Comment

As 2019 comes to an end, you may be busy putting together your resolutions for the coming year 2020. The dental care experts at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI recommend that you resolve to implement the following tips in next year and beyond. These tips are meant to improve your dental health for the rest of your life.

Improve Your Eating Habits

Dentists in Sterling Heights MI say a healthy diet is one of the most beneficial habits for your dental and overall health. The nutrients that are found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy products, and other food groups are instrumental in warding off the microbes that damage teeth. Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist in Georgetown KY, adds that those nutrients are also good at strengthening your teeth. This way they can continue to execute their roles for years to come. Therefore, it is advisable to make a goal to incorporate more dental health-supporting foods into your diet.

Put the Brakes on Your Sweet Tooth

Sugary beverages and snacks are one of the most serious threats to your dental health. Every time you eat or drink something sugary, acids are left in your mouth and they attack your teeth. It is not surprising that people who eat or drink a lot of sugary substances frequently suffer from tooth decay and other related problems. The best orthodontist in Sterling Heights MI, therefore, recommends that you aim to reduce sugary beverages and snacks come next year so that you can see improvements in your dental health.

Kick Tobacco Products to the Curb

People who use tobacco products, such as cigarettes and snuff, are at a high risk of developing a variety of dental problems. Dr. Such problems include oral cancer, tooth decay, gum disease, and discolored teeth. Every step you take to quit or reduce your consumption of these tobacco products will improve your dental health. You can visit Dental One Care for advice on how to get alternatives, such as sugar-free gum if you would like to wean yourself off tobacco products.

Floss and Brush More

Nearly everyone knows that brushing and flossing frequently can keep most dental problems away. However, some people may not be as vigilant when performing these daily oral hygiene activities. If you look back and realize that you haven’t been as regular in brushing and flossing as dentists in Sterling Heights MI recommend, it is a good idea for you to make a conscious decision to up your game.

Visit Dental One Care

The dental care experts at Dental One Care are best placed to safeguard your dental health. Resolving to visit the dental office regularly next year will, therefore, put you in a good place to retain peak dental health. Dr. Farhart in Sterling Heights MI will catch any issues early and resolve them before they put your oral health at risk.

There is a lot riding on your dental health. For example, your self-confidence can take a huge hit if you have missing or discolored teeth. You will also find it hard to speak or eat if you have loose teeth. For that reason, contact us at Dental One Care if you live in Sterling Heights, MI. Our experienced professionals will assess your oral health and give you advice that will help you start the New Year off right. This year make it a goal to achieve the best dental health you have ever enjoyed.

How To Enjoy The Holidays Without Destroying Your Teeth

December 26, 2019 by dental1admin Leave a Comment

If there is one thing synonymous with the holidays, it’s sweets and tasty treats. From cookies and chocolates to fudge, toffee, pies and more, it can seem like there is no end to sweet treats passing in front of you when the holiday season arrives. As we all know, the naturally-occurring bacteria in our mouths thrives off of sugar. The combination of added sugary treats and bacteria is recipe for cavities and a host of other oral health concerns.

The good news is that you don’t need to allow cavities and dental damage to gain a foothold during your holiday season. With a few simple steps, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite treats and keep your teeth and gums healthy well into the new year.

The Concerns with Sugary Food and Drink

Spending extended periods of time enjoying sugary foods and drinks can increase your risks of developing tooth decay and gum disease. For some of us, that is the definition of the holiday season. While it might be easy to just say that you’ll avoid certain foods and drinks entirely, it’s not a realistic way to get through the holidays. And it certainly won’t be very enjoyable for you.

The better solution is to simply plan well, and keep the health of your mouth in mind when you’re out enjoying and indulging.

Tips for Enjoying your Favorites

According to your favorite dentist in Sterling Heights MI, following these handy tips could help you keep your teeth healthy when faced with copious amounts of sweet desserts and other delicious treats.

Be sure that you drink plenty of water, as water will help to rinse your mouth out. It’ll wash food debris away from your teeth and keep your gums hydrated.
Ensure that you are staying well-rested during the holidays. It can be all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and the bustle and neglect something as simple as getting a good night of sleep. Getting adequate sleep can contribute to your overall health, which includes your dental health.
Don’t skip the fruit when you have the opportunity to enjoy it. Foods that are fibrous, such as apples and kiwis, combine with the saliva in your mouth and help rinse away food particles and excessive bacteria that could otherwise lead to cavities.
Don’t skip the vegetables, like cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots, as they can also help to keep your teeth and gums clean. Vegetables scrub food particles from your teeth.
Dr. Green, a dentist in Parker CO, says patients can keep fresh breath, by adding parsley, cilantro and mint to your meals or salads.

Foods to Consider Taking it Easy With

Certainly, you don’t want to skip out on some of your favorites, but there are some foods and drinks that you may wish to take it easy on enjoying.

Candy canes and lollipops
Peppermint bark
Christmas cookies and gingerbread men with too much crunch
Fudge, toffees, and caramels; especially if you have braces.
Popcorn
Fruitcake

Just be aware of how these foods impact the health of your gums and your teeth when you’re enjoying them. Those with braces will know all about what foods to avoid, thanks to the best orthodontist Sterling Heights MI patients could have.

Maintaining your Oral Hygiene

Perhaps the most important thing you can do is ensure you are maintaining good oral hygiene at home. This can go a long way towards protecting your teeth against decay and disease.

The other step you can take is scheduling your routine checkups, and taking the time to meet with your dentist to discuss any areas of concern in your mouth. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

Teeth Cleanings Before the Holidays

December 11, 2019 by Claire Leave a Comment

The holidays are just around the corner! While you may be excited about holiday activities, now is the time to have your teeth cleaned by a professional at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI. Keep reading to discover why right before the holidays is the best time to get your teeth cleaned professionally.

The Importance of Regular Teeth Cleanings

Dentists in Sterling Heights MI recommend that you get teeth cleaning services by a professional at least once every six months. These cleanings come with several advantages, such as checking for gum disease.

Dr. Fardi Farhat, an orthodontist in Sterling Heights, MI, adds that regular cleanings at Dental One Care help get rid of plaque and calculus. Not all plaque and calculus can be removed during your oral hygiene activities at home. The plaque that forms beneath the gum line is particularly problematic because it can cause dental infections leading to tooth loss.

Regular dental cleanings at Dental One Care also provide an opportunity for our team to give you advice on various issues related to your dental health. This is especially important with the upcoming holidays, likely putting your dental health at risk.

The Teeth Cleaning Process

When you visit Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI, to have your teeth cleaned, the hygienist will start with examining your gums and teeth using an overhead light. If the hygienist observes anything of concern, he or she will bring it to the attention of Dr. Fardi Farhat.

Once the inspection is completed, the hygienist will use special tools to brush and floss your teeth. The cleaning agent used during this process is stronger than the toothpaste you use at home, so your teeth will be cleaned thoroughly.

Any stains on your teeth will also be removed during this teeth whitening unless they are intrinsic stains that cannot be removed by abrasive tools or agents.

For people with dentures, the dental cleaning process at Dental One Care will involve cleaning and adjusting those dentures. By the end, the dentures will be clean and fit properly.

When necessary, a fluoride treatment will be administered to give your teeth added protection against cavities and tooth decay.

If you have other dental work, like dental crowns or fillings, the hygienist in Sterling Heights will polish that dental work.

Educational Instructions During Teeth Cleaning

Your dental hygienist at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights MI will also give you some educational information relevant to your dental health. This could include the following categories of information;

Nutritional Advice. This advice will be given to you to ensure that you avoid excessive holiday treats and drinks that could be detrimental to your dental health. Getting more of the foods and drinks that are beneficial to your dental and overall health is more important.

Proper Brushing and Flossing Techniques. The hygienist may have noticed that certain parts of your teeth aren’t being cleaned appropriately as you brush and floss. Thus, he or she may advise you on how to improve your technique. An improved technique will help clean all the surfaces of the teeth adequately.

Counseling on Tobacco Use. If you are a smoker or use other forms of tobacco (snuff, for example), the educational instructions that you receive may include counseling about the dental risks associated with this habit.

Dental Evaluation

Once the hygienist finishes, Dr. Fardi Farhat will come and evaluate your teeth. He will identify cavities and any other dental problems you may be having. The Sterling Heights MI dentist will then suggest a follow-up visit to monitor any potential problems. He may schedule a visit to treat the problem found.

When the dental cleaning process finishes, you are free to go and start enjoying the holidays! Keep in mind all the advice given regarding how to safeguard your teeth from all the holiday sweets and delicacies. After the holidays, pay Dental One Care a visit so that Dr. Fardi Farhat can assess and fix any damage your teeth sustained during the holidays before the problems worsen.

Discover How Cavities Form

June 22, 2016 by Lauren Edvalson Leave a Comment

Discovering How Cavities Form

Knowing how cavities form is an essential part of the dental care education you should receive from your Sterling Heights Dentist. It’s best to look at your own teeth as early as possible. This will ensure you can build good oral care habits that will last you a lifetime. When you are able to fully understand how cavities form, you will see why regular brushing and mindful eating are essential in keeping your teeth healthy.

Here’s a brief look into the process that leads to cavity formation:

Hundreds of types of bacteria live inside a person’s mouth. While some are helpful, others are harmful because they contribute to tooth decay.
Inside your mouth, there is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria called plaque. Whenever you eat sweet or starchy foods (good examples are bread, candy, cookies, juice, and soda), the bacteria in plaque use the sugar and starch to produce acids. These acids then eat away at your teeth’s hard surface.
Our teeth are constantly exposed to the acids created by bacteria. When this happens the enamel on your teeth will begin to lose minerals. White spots can form on areas where these minerals have been lost.
At this stage, tooth decay can still be prevented. There are minerals in your saliva that can help restore the lost minerals on your teeth. The fluoride in water and in the toothpaste you use for brushing also help restore the minerals.
If bacteria produces more acids than you can eliminate from regular brushing, then tooth decay will continue and cavities will eventually develop.

How can you prevent cavities from forming?

Be mindful of eating habits (both your own and your children’s).

Remember, foods that are rich in starch and sugar are the specific targets of harmful bacteria in the mouth. If you do eat such foods, make sure to brush your teeth afterwards. However, if you frequently eat these foods throughout the day without having a chance to brush afterwards, your teeth will be constantly subjected to acid attacks and cavity formation may be accelerated. As such, it’s ideal to monitor what you eat, how many times you eat, and how often you brush your teeth after eating.

Get sufficient fluoride.

Fluoride is a mineral that stops tooth decay and the formation of cavities in their tracks by preventing mineral loss. It replaces lost minerals, and helps reduce the harmful bacteria’s ability to produce acid.

You can get fluoride from the toothpaste you use for brushing. In addition, your community water supply may provide fluoridated water which can also help prevent cavities. And if your dentist feels that you need more fluoride, he or she can prescribe fluoride tablets or a fluoride mouth rinse that you can use as part of your oral care regimen. Contact Dr. Farhat at Dental 1 Care today to set a routine appointment and prevent any future cavities!