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

How to Manage Sensitive Teeth

January 8, 2020 by dental1admin Leave a Comment

The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that about 40 million Americans suffer from teeth sensitivity. Pain or discomfort in the teeth each time the trigger (something hot or cold or even pressure) is activated characterizes this problem. If you are one of the millions who suffer from teeth sensitivity, don’t despair. Our team of professionals at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights MI reassures you that this condition can be managed. Here are some of the suggestions you can implement to get relief from teeth sensitivity.

Step Up Your Oral Hygiene Habits

Your first step in managing sensitive teeth is by implementing the advice that your dentist in Sterling Heights MI recommends. This includes brushing at least twice a day and flossing once each day. Remember to use a soft-bristled toothbrush because one with hard bristles is counterproductive. This is due to the potential damage it can cause to your gums and teeth. It is also advisable to replace your toothbrush every three months or as soon as you notice the bristles are aging. When you improve your oral hygiene habits, any bacteria that was damaging your teeth and gums resulting in tooth sensitivity will be killed and you could notice an improvement in your symptoms.

Get a Desensitizing Toothpaste

There are toothpastes that are specifically designed to reduce teeth sensitivity. You might, therefore, want to talk to a dentist at Dental One Care if you live in Sterling Heights MI for advice as to whether a desensitizing toothpaste could help your situation. An example of a desensitizing toothpaste is Sensodyne.

Go Slow on Acidic Drinks and Foods

Orthodontists in Sterling Heights MI caution that any acidic drink or food you consume can only make a case of sensitive teeth worse. This is because the acidic substances, such as citrus fruits, soda, and processed carbs make tooth enamel soft and prone to erosion. This ultimately worsens sensitivity. To improve your symptoms, it is best to lay off acidic foods and drinks. If you must take an acidic drink, use a straw so that the drink has minimal contact with your teeth.

Don’t Whiten Your Teeth

If you have been using teeth whitening products and realized that your teeth became sensitive, forego using those products. This is because you could be one of the people who are sensitive to the ingredients in the whitening product.

Dr. Brian Leeson, a dentist in St. Petersburg FL, explains that some at-home teeth whitening products can cause teeth sensitivity when they are used for longer than is recommended or in a way that differs from the instructions of the manufacturer. Putting a halt to the teeth whitening process will cause the sensitivity to reduce.

Get Help for Bruxism

The teeth sensitivity you are experiencing could also be as a result of teeth grinding (bruxism). Dentists in Sterling Heights MI say that many people who suffer from this condition don’t know they do because it happens while they are asleep. If you suspect you do this, talk to your dentist about your suspicions. Our experts may give you a mouth guard or other device to protect your teeth from damage while you sleep. This could result in a reduction in the teeth sensitivity that you feel.

Forego the Mouthwash

Some people develop teeth sensitivity after using over-the-counter mouthwash brands that are acidic. If the enamel is damaged, the acidic mouthwash can attack the softer dentin, which causes teeth sensitivity to worsen. You may have to talk to your dentist about the different oral care products that you use, especially mouthwash. This way any possible culprit can be identified and replaced with something tooth-friendly.

See Your Dentist Frequently

When you visit Dental One Care on a regular basis, the professionals at our office will identify any potential problems that trigger teeth sensitivity. If teeth sensitivity has been giving you problems, contact us today and we will get to the bottom of it.

Tips For Healing After a Root Canal

November 13, 2019 by Claire Leave a Comment

After a root canal procedure is complete, your dentist will likely send you home with guidelines to follow for pain management and how to care for your tooth post-surgery until a follow-up appointment has been scheduled. Following the instructions given by your dentist is very important, especially in the case of temporary fillings or crown placements.

The medication used to numb your mouth during the procedure will eventually wear off. As this happens, you may feel tenderness in that specific area, which might last for a couple of days. Since during the procedure your mouth had to stay open for an extended period of time, some mild soreness will most likely follow.

Over-the-counter medication usually takes care of these symptoms. However, there is a possibility that your dentist might prescribe something stronger, like a strong narcotic medication as well. If this the case, you have to carefully follow the instructions as narcotics can make you drowsy. You should take necessary precautions when taking these, like not taking them while driving a car or using heavy machinery.

Problematic Symptoms

You should contact your dentist immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

. Visible swelling inside or outside your mouth

. An allergic reaction to the prescribed medication (rash, hives or itching)

. Severe pain or pressure on the teeth lasting more than a few days

. Your bite feels uneven

. Symptoms you experienced before treatment return

. The crown or filling comes out if there was any.

After the procedure has been completed you must wait until the numbness passes before eating so that you do not bite your tongue or cheek accidentally. You must also avoid chewing or biting with the treated tooth until it has fully recovered to avoid damaging it. To clean it properly and avoid infection, you must brush and floss daily.

Once the root canal and follow up inspections are complete you will need to return to your dentist for a final crown to fully restore the tooth. It is necessary to schedule this appointment as soon as the dentist finishes working on your tooth. A properly treated tooth and restored tooth can last just as long as the other teeth. That is why choosing the best dentist is very crucial. If you live anywhere near Sterling, MI, you should consider visiting Dental One Care. Our team of medical experts includes dentists who are highly qualified and experienced to make sure the whole process of the root canal goes as smoothly as possible and that the client is satisfied because there is nothing more valuable to us than client satisfaction.

6 Reasons for Regular Dental Cleanings

May 22, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

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.