6 Reasons for Regular Dental Cleanings

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Regular cleaning, flossing, and visits to the dentist are essential in keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

You might ask, “But I brush and floss my teeth regularly. Why should I have my teeth cleaned by my dentist?”

Here are 6 reasons for regular dental cleanings that will convince you to schedule regular visits to your Sterling Heights dentist.

For the protection of your teeth

Left unchecked, the diseases that can wreak havoc in your mouth can lead to tooth loss. With regular cleaning, your Sterling Heights dentist can nip the particular dental problem plaguing you in the bud, preventing its progression that may eventually lead to tooth loss and additional costs.

Cavity prevention

The buildup of plaque has been identified as one of the leading causes of tooth decay. And no matter how thoroughly or how often you brush and floss your teeth, you simply cannot remove plaque by yourself.

Plaque is often described as a film that builds upon the surface of your teeth. The acids contained by plaque can slowly erode the surface of your teeth and eventually lead to cavities.

Smile overhaul

Want to have a brighter smile?

Overtime, your teeth will lose its natural luster due to the food and drinks that you consume. Some of these food and drinks can actually stain your teeth, leading to a dull, lackluster smile.

Regular dental cleaning can help restore or even improve the quality of your smile.

Fresh breath

Nothing can dampen confidence faster than foul breath.

Sure, regular brushing, flossing and even using a mouthwash can help curb this problem. But if there is an underlying issue beyond the cleanliness of your teeth, it’s your Sterling Heights dentist who can provide an effective solution.

Improve your health

Quite simply, a healthy mouth is a vital component of overall health.

There is a substantial body of research which points to a correlation between oral and overall health. Risk for diseases like stroke and heart disease increase when a person has poor oral health.

Savings

Not yet convinced?

If losing your teeth or the idea of having clean teeth and fresh breath do not convince you to visit Dr. Farhat for regular cleanings, how does spending tons of cash to treat diseases and other oral health problems (which could have been easily prevented with professional attention) sound?

Think of regular dental cleanings as an investment in yourself. At first, you might not see the dividends. But over time, you’ll thank yourself (and your Dr. Farhat) for taking a proactive approach to caring for your oral health.

 

Should I Get Dental Implants?

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When you lose a tooth, the remaining teeth will move into space where your lost tooth previously was. This can create a host of problems.

This is why it is crucial for you to find the right tooth replacement option. One such option you might want to seriously consider would be dental implants. You’re probably wondering “Should I get dental implants?” or “Are dental implants worth it?”

Anatomy of dental implants

In order to better answer that question, it is worthwhile to have some understanding of what implants are.

An implant is comprised of three main parts: the post, abutment, and the tooth restoration.

The implant looks and functions like a screw. It is usually made of titanium and is implanted beneath the jawbone.

Once the implant is installed by Dr. Farhat, the abutment is then installed. This will be followed by the installation of the tooth restoration.

Advantages of dental implants

One of the key advantages of dental implants over other tooth replacement options is that these can help prevent the deterioration of your jawbone.

Dental implants help ensure that your jawbone is stimulated despite the lack of a tooth root. In turn, keeping your jawbone healthy can prevent your face from looking sunken and your lips from looking too thin.

Dental implants can also prevent some of the problems associated with wearing dentures. These include mouth sores, poor fit, and dietary restrictions.

Finally, dental implants have been around and have been modernized with the advent of new technologies.

Today, dentists like Dr. Farhat can show their patients the outcome they can expect from the procedure. But apart from that, regarding longevity and overall value, implants are considered by many experts as superior over other tooth replacement options.

Should I get dental implants?

Wel, if there is one major caveat that you should know about dental implants, it is the fact that it may not be suitable for everyone.

In order to be considered an ideal candidate for dental implants, your Sterling Heights dentist will need to take a few crucial factors into consideration.

First, you should have healthy gums. That means that if you have gum disease, you might need to consider other tooth replacement options.

Patients who want to get dental implants should also possess good bone density. Remember, the implants will be anchored to the jawbone.

The whole process of installing dental implants can take several months or even up to a year. If you do not have the patience to go through such a long process, then dental implants may not be for you.

Finally, there are some patients that are ruled out from getting implants due to their conditions. These include smokers and people who are suffering from diseases that affect their bodies’ ability to heal.

What Are the 10 Benefits of Clean Teeth and Mouth?

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Your health plan is likely to include nutritious meals, exercise, and check-ups with your doctor. This plan, however, is lacking one crucial element: oral care. Visiting your Sterling Heights dentist regularly in addition to proper oral care will help you achieve the 10 benefits of clean teeth and mouth. 

The Link

Oral care is an essential part of your health because countless bacteria fill the mouth, some of which have a connection to gum disease. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, this disease could lead to several other diseases in the body, from diabetes to cardiovascular problems.

Clearly, looking after your overall health needs to include oral care. This could be as simple as brushing and flossing to clean teeth, and rinsing with mouthwash for fresh breath.

Apart from preventing diseases, here are the 10 benefits of clean teeth and mouth:

  1. You can maintain your ideal weight or lose the excess pounds.

It turns out that when you brush your teeth three times a day, for two minutes each time, you could burn 3,500 calories annually. It may not seem like much of a loss, but every little bit helps when you struggle to keep your ideal weight.

Burning calories is not the only reason good oral hygiene can help with your weight loss goals. There is also psychology behind the routine; after you brush and floss, you’re not likely to give in to the urge to snack.

  1. You don’t have to spend as much money on dental care.

With healthy teeth and gums, you don’t need to worry about spending money on cosmetic treatment. You don’t need to undergo complex procedures and visit your dentist in Sterling Heights multiple times in a single month. At most, your dental care spending would be for the twice-a-year visit and professional teeth cleaning.

  1. You’ll smile more often, which opens up more opportunities.

A smile indicates confidence, and confidence, for many, indicates success. People naturally gravitate towards people who are ready to smile because it means warmth and trustworthiness. This attraction could open up opportunities that improve your professional and social life.

  1. You sustain an intimate relationship.

Having good, clean teeth means you also have fresher breath. This could mean more intimate moments with your loved one. For people in long-term relationships, greater intimacy can bolster deeper connections.

  1. You ensure cognitive function and health.

Researchers have linked long-term gum disease with Alzheimer’s. From an American Dental Association-released study to medical teams in Taiwan, various research groups have found a connection between periodontal inflammation and a higher risk of lower cognitive function.

  1. You’ll perform better in tests.

The Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry reports that adults with gingivitis, in comparison to people with healthy gums, tend to do poorly on memory tests.

  1. You ensure a healthy baby.

Healthy teeth gums could help you carry a baby to term. There is a relationship between gum disease and the incidence of low-birth-weight infants.

  1. You prevent sexual problems.

A study shows that 79 percent of men who had erectile dysfunction also had gum disease. Oral bacteria and tartar could enter the bloodstream, which could interfere with blood flow.

  1. You maintain or develop self-confidence.

With healthy teeth and gums, you’re likely to have a better self-image.

  1. You retain your natural teeth even as you age.

Finally, losing teeth is part of life. But you don’t need to lose too much that you end up with no natural teeth when you retire.

Schedule a cleaning appointment with Dr. Farhat today.

Be sure to read more articles on our blog to learn more oral health tips.

Dry Mouth: Causes And Treatment

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Everyone experiences dry mouth. Temporary mouth dryness is caused by stress, dehydration or a normal reduction in saliva production at night. However, if you are experiencing persistent dry mouth, you may be suffering from xerostomia.

What is Xerostomia?

Xerostomia happens when your salivary glands aren’t working properly. A lack of saliva can lead to several health problems. First, it can be too difficult to eat with a dry mouth – chewing, swallowing, and tasting can also be affected. In turn, this will compromise your nutrition.

Moreover, a dry mouth can lead to tooth decay. Remember that saliva plays a crucial role in preventing the proliferation of decay-causing bacteria as well as in neutralizing the acids that these bacteria produce.

Causes of Dry Mouth

A reputable Sterling Heights Dentist Dr. Farhat shares some of the possible causes of dry mouth.

Disease 

There are several systemic diseases that can cause your mouth to dry up. These include diabetes, Sjögren’s syndrome, cystic fibrosis, AIDS, and Parkinson’s disease.

Medications 

Medications are the common culprit of dry mouth. There are over 500 medications that have this side effect. These include antidepressants, diuretics, chemotherapy drugs, and antihistamines.

Nerve Damage 

Trauma to the neck or head can damage the nerves that play a role in saliva production.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation to the neck and head can permanently damage your salivary glands. But radiation used to treat cancer in other body parts won’t cause severe mouth dryness.

Treatment

If medications are the culprit to your mouth dryness, your physician may recommend a substitute or simply adjust the dosage. But if this does not solve the problem, there are other things you can do:

Chew Sugarless Gum 

Chewing gum can help stimulate the flow of saliva when your salivary glands aren’t damaged. Choose gums that contain xylitol, a natural sugar substitute that can protect your teeth against decay.

Regularly Sip Fluids 

Sipping fluids during meals is very important. Make sure though that what you drink doesn’t have sugar and isn’t acidic. Sugary and acidic beverages like sodas must be avoided because these increase your risk of tooth decay.

Use Saliva Stimulants 

There are over-the-counter and prescription products that can stimulate saliva production. Some even act as an oral fluid substitute. Dental One Care can provide you with some recommendations.

Practice Proper Oral Hygiene 

Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day because this will help prevent plaque buildup. Also, fluoride can help strengthen your teeth. Floss daily as well.

Schedule Regular Dental Visits 

You should maintain regular dental visits, especially if you have dry mouth. Inform your dentist about the medications you are taking. Your dentist can provide you with other ways to relieve your mouth dryness.

Do Adults Need Fluoride Treatments?

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Professional associations, like the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend the use of toothpaste with fluoride as soon as a child’s first tooth erupts.

Fluoride helps fortify the teeth of young children which can be vulnerable to tooth decay brought about by bacteria, acids and sugars in their teeth.

The use of this mineral can minimize damage on the teeth of children and even reverse some of the damage brought about by the onset of tooth decay.

But do adults need fluoride treatments?

What the pros say

According to Dr. Farhat, a trusted dentist in Sterling Heights, some adults can benefit from fluoride treatments.

Ideally, you should get your fluoride from a variety of sources, including your diet, your water, and dental products like toothpastes and rinses. However, your dentist may recommend products with stronger concentrations or a fluoride treatment, depending on your needs.

Who can benefit from fluoride treatments?

An example of people who can immensely benefit from fluoride treatments would be those who have a moderate to high risk of getting dental cavities.

You may also need to get a fluoride treatment if you are taking medications which alter the flow of saliva in your mouth. When the flow of saliva in your mouth is substantially reduced, your mouth becomes drier and puts you at a higher risk of getting cavities.

If you have not been taking good care of your teeth, getting a fluoride treatment can help undo some of the damage caused by poor oral hygiene practices like irregular toothbrushing and flossing.

Finally, if you are about to undergo radiation treatment for cancer, ask your Sterling Heights dentist about the benefits of fluoride treatments and whether they would be good for you. Radiation can wreak havoc on your salivary glands, adversely affecting the flow of saliva in your mouth.

If you are planning on getting braces or restorations like dental crowns, your dentist may also recommend that you undergo fluoride treatments. Fluoride can help strengthen your teeth, thus ensuring that you get more value out of the specific dental treatment you are planning on getting.

Patients suffering from gum recession should also seriously consider getting fluoride treatments. Gum recessions create gaps between the teeth and gum, exposing the teeth’s root surface. This can leave the teeth more vulnerable to decay.

Not sure if you need a fluoride treatment? Dr. Farhat will gladly answer your questions and determine if you need one.

To learn more interesting facts about your oral health, visit our blog. 

Things You Need to Know About Temporary Filling Aftercare

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As their name implies, temporary fillings are used by dentists as a partial solution until the patient is ready for a permanent solution for a dental issue.

Cases where temporary fillings are used

According to Dr. Farhat, there are several instances wherein temporary fillings are used.

One such example is when a patient has suffered a dental emergency. In such a situation, a dentist in Sterling Heights needs to administer a quick solution to the emergency which can be used until the patient’s next dental visit.

If you are undergoing a root canal procedure, your dentist may use a temporary filling in order to protect the affected tooth until your next appointment. The temporary filling is used primarily to protect said tooth from bacteria and food debris.

A Sterling Heights dentist will sometimes use a temporary filling if he is unsure if the tooth can still be saved or needs to be extracted. If the decay in the tooth is found close to its nerve, the dentist will need to buy some time to determine the final outcome, whether the tooth can be saved with permanent fillings or needs to be extracted.

There are instances wherein the teeth of patients with new permanent fillings become sensitive to temperature extremes. In some cases, the issue resolves itself. In other cases, the dentist needs to remove the permanent filling and replace this with what is called a sedative temporary filling. This type of filling is used until the sensitivity is eliminated.

Finally, temporary fillings are used in patients with fractured teeth. These fillings are used while a permanent solution like a crown or veneer is ready for installation.

Your quick guide for temporary filling aftercare

Due to their temporary nature, patients need to be extra careful in caring and maintaining these fillings. Specifically, you would want your temporary fillings to remain on your tooth just until your next dental visit.

Here are things you need to know about temporary filling aftercare.

Eat mindfully. There are several types of temporary fillings dentists can choose from, depending on the unique circumstance of the patient.

But whatever type of temporary filling is used on your tooth, you must take great care while eating. Ideally, you should avoid chewing your food with the affected tooth. How long this will last will depend on the type of filling used.

As a rule of thumb, avoid eating hard and crunchy foods. It may also be beneficial to go on a soft diet.

Clean your teeth with care.

Although teeth with temporary fillings can be cleaned like normal teeth, you have to be careful when brushing and flossing.

In brushing your teeth, use a toothbrush with soft bristles and avoid using vigorous strokes. When flossing, pull gently on each side of the affected tooth to prevent snagging the edge of the filling with the floss.

Monitor your tooth.

Your dentist will give you a rundown of things that you may experience once the anesthesia wears off. These may include numbness and discomfort.

You need to watch out for anything unusual and contact your dentist if something is going on.

The Best Way to Clean Your Retainers

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The last yet most important step in an orthodontic treatment is to wear a retainer. Contrary to what everyone thinks, your teeth are not fixed in place in your jaw. This means they can slowly move around, regardless of your age. In fact, this is how a dentist in Sterling Heights can get your teeth into a better position.

Wearing a retainer will prevent your teeth from staying out of the alignment you just spent money and time moving them into.

It is for this reason that you should keep your retainer undamaged and clean. This way, it will function properly and won’t cause any oral problem. Also, a fresh-smelling, clean retainer is more pleasant to place in your mouth.

It may seem like your retainer will only need a quick daily rinse, but Dr. Farhat emphasizes that this is not enough to keep it bacteria-free. Here is a guide to cleaning your retainers effectively.

Get the Right Tools

You will need a toothbrush apart from the one you use on your teeth because you have to use soap to clean your retainers, not toothpaste. You can opt for a brush designed to clean dentures, which is quite bigger.

Also, you must have a liquid soap – you can use antibacterial hand soap or a dishwashing liquid. Denture cleaners work great as well, but they are costly.

Use the Right Technique

Here is the best way to clean your retainers:

Step 1: Put a bit of soap on your toothbrush and add water (preferably lukewarm) to make lather.

Step 2: Place your retainer in your hand. Gently scrub its surfaces using the soapy brush.

Step 3: Rinse your retainer thoroughly to remove all the soap film. This ensures that you won’t have a soapy taste once you put back your retainer.  

The fresh-smelling, clean retainer can either be placed back into your mouth or stored in its case. When storing your dental appliance, make sure to place it away from your pets and even from heat.

What not to do?

When it comes to cleaning or disinfecting a retainer, a Sterling Heights dentist says it is possible that you go overboard. For instance, you may think that using boiled water is a better option. But this can distort your retainer. Remember that your retainer was specifically made to perfectly fit your teeth; thus, maintaining its shape is vital.

Using bleach is not advisable as well. This can give your retainer an unpleasant odor and degrade its plastic base. You should not even use the regular toothpaste since this contains abrasive particles that will create tiny nooks where bacteria can hide and thrive.

Keeping your retainer clean and fresh with the right tools and technique is crucial to staying on the path toward a pearly white, healthy smile.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office!

What Happens During A Teeth Cleaning?

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Most people are afraid of teeth cleanings because of the strange noises, prodding, and occasional jaw discomfort. But despite this, a teeth cleaning process is painless and simple.  

Being aware of what happens during a teeth cleaning process will help ease your stress. Also, this will allow you to enjoy the results better.

Here’s is a step-by-step guide to the teeth cleaning process:

Step 1: A Physical Exam of the Mouth

Before the cleaning process begins, a dentist in Sterling Heights will perform a physical examination of your entire mouth. Your teeth and gums will be checked for any signs of potential concerns like gingivitis. Once a problem is detected, it will be evaluated to ensure that it is okay to proceed.

Step 2: Plaque and Tartar Removal

Your dentist will remove plaque and tartar between your teeth and around your gum line using a scaler. It is normal for you to hear scraping when this is being performed. If you have more tartar in your mouth, more time will be spent to scrape it all.

Remember that tartar can only be removed through professional teeth cleanings at the dental office. Thus, if this step is your least favorite part of this dental procedure, you need to brush and floss often to prevent the buildup of tartar.

Step 3: Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning

Once your teeth are tartar-free, it will be brushed with a high-powered electric brush. Although the grinding noise that this brush emits is scary, Dr. Farhat says that this is the best way to get a deep clean. Also, this will eradicate the remaining tartar.

The toothpaste your dentist uses is like your regular toothpaste, but this has a gritty consistency. When done by a professional, this teeth polishing procedure can be done safely for at least twice a year. Avoid brushing your teeth too harshly at home because it will wear down your enamel.

Step 4: Flossing

Flossing on a daily basis is highly recommended, but nothing beats a professional flossing session. A Sterling Heights dentist can get deep between your teeth and figure out any trouble spots where you may bleed at the gums. Also, this will remove any leftover plaque from earlier during the plaque and tartar removal step.

Step 5: Rinsing and Fluoride Treatment

Rinsing is important to remove any debris. So your dentist will give a rinse that has liquid fluoride.

After that, a protectant will be applied to your teeth to help fight against cavities. A foamy gel or a sticky paste will be placed in a mouthpiece that fits perfectly on your teeth, which will be left on your teeth for a minute. Apart from that, a fluoride varnish will also be painted on your teeth. This will harden once it comes in contact with your saliva so you can drink and eat immediately after.

Regular teeth cleanings are crucial to prevent any dental problem. By being aware of what is happening during this process, you will feel more relaxed and comfortable. In fact, this might even cause you to look forward to these dental appointments.

Can the Dentist Save My Tooth?

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So you’ve always enjoyed eating nuts — almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts and more. But, horror of horrors! One day, while biting into one particularly tough but delicious honey-coated almond, you hear a tiny cracking sound from your mouth and realize, oops! That’s not the almond; it’s your tooth.

You look in the mirror and check all your molars (at least, the ones you can clearly see), and here it is: A tiny crack in one of your tooth. You’ve always taken very good care of your teeth, and now this. The first question to haunt you, then, is “Can the dentist save my tooth?”

We’ve asked Dr. Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, Michigan, to help shed light on this and answer your troubling question.

Can my tooth be saved?

If the injury is minor and affects only the enamel (the hardened external layer of your teeth), it is usually referred to by dentists as a “craze line.” This type of tooth injury is pretty easy to manage. All your dentist has to do is buff or polish the affected tooth to ensure it appears normal, just like the others, and you can keep using it normally as well without any further treatments. You need to give your teeth extra TLC, of course.

But if the injury goes deeper than the enamel, it has to be treated to prevent it from getting infected and to not worsen the fracture. So your affected tooth will require some form of endodontic therapy and, depending on the extent of the damage, your dentist (or endodontist) can recommend a particular mode of treatment.

What procedures or treatments are required to save my tooth?

Some cases, the crack is still minor but also requires filling to ensure the injury doesn’t get any worse. Other types of tooth injury such as the following may require very specific treatments:

Fractured cusp

This usually happens when part of the chewing surface of the tooth breaks off. Since this rarely affects the pulp, your dentist may use a filling or dental crown to save your tooth.

Cracked tooth

 When you have a cracked tooth, it implies the crack line has vertically extended below the chewing surface. If it has reached the tooth root, a root canal will be recommended. Additionally, the application of a crown to ensure the crack doesn’t get any worse. However, if the crack has reached that part below the gum line, treatment is no longer an option, so the dentist will have to perform a tooth extraction.

Split tooth

 This type is usually the result of the progressive worsening of an untreated tooth crack whereby the fissure has extended vertically to the rest of the tooth, effectively splitting the tooth into two segments. In this case, saving the tooth may no longer be an option, and a tooth extraction would be recommended. However, if a portion of the tooth can still be saved, your dentist may recommend some form of endodontic therapy.

Vertical root fracture

 These cracks start the opposite way and grow from the tooth root. Usually, a tooth extraction is recommended. However, your dentist determines that it is still possible to save a portion of your tooth. 

Whatever type of injury your tooth is afflicted with, if you experience any type of tooth pain, just be sure to schedule an appointment get your teeth checked by Dr. Farhat. 

Let’s Celebrate National Dentist Day!

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Having read the title may have caused you to do a double take – “National Dentist Day,” for real? Yes, there is such a thing as National Dentist Day, and guess what? It happens to fall on March 6.

So if you’re still wondering why there’s a day meant to celebrate the field of dentistry, and all the dentists in the world, wonder no more. After all, why would you even have your pearly whites intact without the expert help of a seasoned dentist?

The Roots of Dentistry

Scholars say that the incidence of tooth decay was quite low in pre-agricultural societies. But would you believe that just last year, it was discovered that Neanderthals practiced a form of dentistry using what can only be considered their own versions of dental tools?

There is also evidence about the Indus Valley Civilization practiced as early as 7000 BC!

Unearthed tools included bow drills which were hypothesized to have been operated by skilled bead craftsmen. Whatever tools, materials and methods these early dental experts used would have been “reliable and effective.”

These discoveries, among other things, all prove that human beings have always been concerned about their dental health. It’s no mystery, then, that at least one day in a year is devoted to the celebration of dentistry, and all the knowledge, expertise and care that people like you receive from their own dentist.

How to Celebrate National Dentist Day

Well, there really is nothing more important to your dentist than seeing how well you take care of your teeth. After all, it’s your dentist’s job to ensure you practice good oral hygiene.

Add extra sparkle to your teeth by getting a whitening treatment – just to show your dentist what a great job he or she has done through the years.

One thing you can do is set an appointment with your dentist on National Dentist Day this March 6. If you already have a tooth cleaning session scheduled, then be sure to keep it so you can also personally greet your dentist.

Flowers, a card, and a bottle of wine are all optional. You just need to turn up and be there to show your appreciation with a pearly white smile.

Contact Us: 586 274 2800

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