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Step 1: Medical History Review
At the beginning of your dental checkup, your dentist in Farmington Hills will review your medical history to gain a better understanding of any existing medical conditions or medications that may affect your dental health. This information will help us provide the best possible care for your individual needs.
Step 2: Visual Examination
Next, your dental team will perform a visual examination of your teeth and gums. They will look for any signs of tooth decay, gum disease, or other oral health issues. This is also a good opportunity to discuss any concerns or questions you may have about your dental health.
Step 3: X-rays
In some cases, your dental professional may recommend taking X-rays to get a more detailed look at your teeth and jawbone. X-rays can help identify issues that may not be visible during a visual examination, such as cavities or bone loss. They are safe, low-radiation images that can give us a closer look at what’s going on under the surface of your teeth.
Step 4: Cleaning
After the visual examination and X-rays (if necessary), it’s time for a cleaning. Your dental hygienist will use special tools to gently remove any plaque or tartar buildup from your teeth. They will also polish your teeth to remove any surface stains and make them shine.
Step 5: Oral Cancer Screening
During your dental checkup, your dental professional will also perform an oral cancer screening. This involves a visual examination of your mouth, lips, and throat to check for any signs of cancer or other abnormalities.
Step 6: Education and Prevention
Finally, your dentist in Farmington Hills will provide education and prevention tips to help you maintain good oral health. This may include tips on brushing and flossing, diet and nutrition, and other oral health practices.
Regular dental checkups are essential to maintaining good oral health. Our team of experienced dental professionals will guide you through the process and provide personalized care to meet your individual needs. At our dental office, we understand that dental checkups can be intimidating for some patients. That’s why we strive to create a welcoming and friendly environment for all of our patients. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized care that meets the unique needs of each individual patient.
If you’re due for a dental checkup, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment.
We’re accepting new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
The Link between Oral Health and Heart Disease
Poor oral health can lead to the buildup of harmful bacteria in the mouth, which can cause inflammation and infections. Inflammation can then spread to other parts of the body, including the arteries. When this happens, it can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
One study found that individuals with severe gum disease were twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease than those with healthy gums. Other studies have linked poor oral health to high blood pressure, clogged arteries, and even heart attacks.
Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene Habits
To protect your oral health and reduce the risk of heart disease, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene habits. This includes:
Additionally, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks that can erode tooth enamel and promote the growth of harmful bacteria.
Other Steps to Protect Your Heart Health
In addition to maintaining good oral hygiene habits, there are other steps you can take to protect your heart health and your oral health, such as:
By taking these steps, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and improve your overall health and well-being.
Your dentist in Ann Arbor is committed to helping patients maintain good oral health and overall health. If you have any concerns about your oral health or would like to schedule a checkup and cleaning, please contact us today.
We have dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia. Call the office closest to you!
Many people find comfort in chewing ice, biting their nails, or nibbling on other things such as pens or pencils. However, gnawing on these comfort items can cause some serious oral health problems. Chewing on ice, biting your nails, or gnawing on pens can lead to broken or chipped teeth that will need to be fixed by your dentist in Livonia. But these habits can also create tiny tooth fractures over time that you may not notice, until they turn into big cracks and potentially cause pain. Additionally, nail biting could also cause teeth to shift or place pressure on the jaw, causing pain.
Teeth were designed for two reasons – to help us chew and to help us speak. They were not designed to open pesky packages or hold things that don’t fit into our hands. Using teeth for things other than what they’re meant to do could damage teeth. Some common problems associated with using teeth as tools are broken teeth, cracked teeth, broken restoration, or trauma to the soft tissues in the mouth.
A common misconception is that you have to brush hard in order to really clean your teeth. However, the truth is, if you use too much force while brushing your teeth, you could actually cause harm. Brushing your teeth too hard could lead to an increased risk of decay, damage, and sensitivity. Always choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and gently move the brush over each tooth.
Many people clench or grind their teeth in times of stress. This habit is often done subconsciously and we don’t even know we’re doing it. But there may be signs that you’re clenching or grinding your teeth, perhaps while you’re asleep. Consistent grinding or clenching can make teeth appear short and worn down. It can also cause tooth damage such as chips, breaks, or cracks. One of the most common signs of clenching or grinding is jaw pain, so make sure to mention any symptoms of TMJ to your dentist in Livonia.
Tobacco use not only affects overall health, it can also negatively affect oral health. On the surface, smoking cigarettes or cigars or using chewing tobacco can cause tooth discoloration. But the concerns go much deeper. Using any type of tobacco can increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer.
We will always encourage our patients to brush and floss every day to help keep their mouths healthy. We also encourage our patients to be honest with us about any habits that may affect oral health. Afterall, it will only help us provide better, more personalized care.
We’re always accepting new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
The Importance of Sun Protection
We know it may seem odd to be taking sun-protection advice from a dentist, but trust us, we have a point. But first, let’s get down to the basics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 4.3 million people will be treated for two of the most common types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma – every year. These types of skin cancers, among others, are caused by too much exposure to UV (ultraviolet) light, such as those emitted by the sun and tanning beds. This makes the usage of sunscreen incredibly important, and not just for those soaking up the sun in tanning beds or laying out getting a tan. In fact, everyone is susceptible to skin cancer, including those who don’t purposely spend time in the sun. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using SPF 15 daily, even for those who don’t spend a lot of time outside, to reduce the risk of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
How Does The Sun Affect Teeth?
The truth is, the sun can be both beneficial and detrimental to teeth. First up are the benefits.
Oral Health Benefits of The Sun
Regular exposure to the sun will help the body produce an essential vitamin called vitamin D. Vitamin D is a necessary part of maintaining good oral health. But at the same time, you’ll hear your dentist in Farmington Hills put a lot of emphasis on getting enough calcium to support strong teeth and bones. While that’s true, the body also needs the help of vitamin D in order to properly absorb calcium. In this sense, regular sun exposure could be good for oral and overall health. Afterall, if we don’t get enough vitamin D, which may be called a vitamin D deficiency, our teeth will not be able to absorb enough calcium. This could increase the risk of cavities as well as gum disease.
Negative Oral Health Side Effects of Too Much Sun
We all know that the skin can burn quite easily if exposed to too much sun. This can also increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. However, oral health can also be affected by getting too much sun. When many people think of oral health, they immediately think of the teeth. And while it’s highly unlikely to get sunburn in the teeth, it’s still possible. But what’s more concerning, and way more likely, is getting a sunburn on the lips. This often-forgotten body part can actually be damaged by too much sun and can be the originating spot of skin cancer. When you apply sunscreen, don’t forget the lips. In fact, use a product designed to protect lips from harmful UV rays with at least an SPF 15.
As we enter these warmer summer days, we encourage you to get outside. But make sure to use sun protection on all parts of your body, including the lips. And as always, don’t let summer nights take away from a good oral hygiene routine. It’s still important to brush and floss every day and see your dentist in Farmington Hills twice a year. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Accepting new patients at our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
Asthma & Oral Health
Even though asthma can’t be cured, the good news is that it can often be treated. Many asthma sufferers will use inhalers to help control their asthma symptoms, but other medications also exist. It’s there where oral health problems related to asthma begin.
Inhalers and other asthma treatments can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is an oral health condition that can be uncomfortable, but the truth is, it could also cause some dental concerns. When there’s not enough saliva in your mouth, bacteria and acids that would typically be washed away will hang around and attack teeth. This can weaken tooth enamel and increase the risk of decay, cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. Anyone experiencing dry mouth, whether they’re asthmatic or not, should talk to their dentist in Canton.
Another concern that often affects those with asthma is mouth breathing. When we have trouble breathing, we will automatically start breathing out of the mouth instead of the nose. Since asthmatics typically have more difficulty breathing than those without asthma, they are more likely to breathe out of their mouths to get the oxygen they need. However, mouth breathing can quickly cause dry mouth. So not only are asthmatics more likely to experience dry mouth due to medications,but regular mouth breathing also increases the risk.
How to Fix Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can leave us feeling constantly thirsty, and it is just simply uncomfortable. But the good news is that there are some tried and true tricks that can help alleviate dry mouth.
As always, never stop any medication without first talking to your physician, brush and floss your teeth every day, and visit your dentist at least every six months for cleanings, dental x-rays, and checkups.
Accepting patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
Mucky Mucus & Mouth Breathing
We’ve all experienced the surge of mucky mucus thanks to seasonal allergies. No matter how unpleasant this feeling is, it’s important to know that it’s a natural response. When we come in contact with an allergen, the body will overproduce mucus, which in turn will cause a stuffy nose. This can make it hard to breathe properly out of the nose, causing us to breathe from the mouth. While the intake of oxygen is sure to please the body, the mouth may disagree.
Why is Mouth Breathing a Bad Thing?
While allergies themselves don’t necessarily directly cause oral health problems, the symptoms can, such as mouth breathing due to a buildup of mucus and a stuffy nose. When we breathe out of our mouths instead of our noses, our mouths dry out faster than normal. Dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva, and a healthy mouth needs saliva in order to stay healthy. Without it, bad bacteria can linger around and cause bad breath, wear away at protective tooth enamel, cause cavities, and can even result in gum disease. Additionally, and not necessarily related to allergies, mouth breathing while sleeping can be a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can cause someone to stop breathing during sleep, sometimes several times a night. Signs of mouth breathing that should be reported to your dentist in Ann Arbor include snoring and abrupt awakenings.
Tooth Pain
As if the overproduction of mucus potentially contributing to cavities concerns wasn’t enough, this mucus can also cause pain. An excessive amount of mucus can put pressure on the sinuses, which you may feel in your face or head. But this pressure can also extend to the maxillary sinuses, a nearby neighbor to the roots and nerves of the back teeth. When the maxillary sinuses are inflamed, it can put pressure on those nearby tooth nerves and cause discomfort.
Allergy Medicine Can Help… And Hurt
Anyone suffering from allergies, or who has a child dealing with the symptoms, will often turn to allergy medication to alleviate the uncomfortable side effects of a flare-up. While these medications can relieve some of the stuffiness, itchiness, and drippiness, they too can sometimes cause dry mouth. But lucky for you, your dentist in Ann Arbor knows a few tricks that can reduce the likelihood of experiencing negative side effects of dry mouth, such as:
Chewing sugar-free gum
Using lubricating mouthwash
Drinking water
Sleeping with a humidifier in your bedroom
Allergy season can feel neverending, but we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Accepting new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
Let’s start with the most commonly treated dental condition – cavities. Cavities occur when teeth become weakened as a result of bacteria, or plaque. When there’s too much plaque on teeth, the bacteria naturally found in the mouth will feed on sugars from what we eat and drink and release an acidic byproduct. This acid will weaken tooth enamel, leaving the softer inner parts of the tooth vulnerable to acid attacks. The result is often a cavity, or essentially a hole in a tooth. Signs of cavities include:
We always recommend seeing your dentist in Livonia if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
Another incredibly common concern of dental patients is chronic bad breath. Not only can bad breath be embarrassing, but it may also indicate a bigger problem. Most cases of bad breath are a result of poor dental hygiene. This is one reason why your dentist will always recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. However, this isn’t the only thing that can cause bad breath. Some other considerations are:
Your dentist in Livonia will help assess what’s causing bad breath in the first place and recommend the best way to make it go away.
Tooth sensitivity is one of those things that may not cause problems all of the time, but when it does, the zings of sensitivity pain are certainly noticeable. This uncomfortable condition often results when the nerves inside teeth become exposed, allowing any irritant from hot soup to cold drinks to directly hit those nerves. Sensitive teeth are incredibly common and can be caused by:
To help, your dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment or a specific type of toothpaste designed to help sensitive teeth. Other solutions may include a new dental crown or a root canal, depending on your individual needs.
Gum disease is also incredibly common with nearly 50% of Americans over the age of 30 having some form of it, according to the CDC. But this isn’t just an oral health problem. In fact, numerous studies have linked gum disease to things such as respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease, and problems controlling blood sugar in diabetes. The earliest stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, can be treated and reversed. However, if it progresses into periodontitis, it can’t be cured and could lead to tooth loss. If you notice any of these symptoms of gum disease, see your dentist as soon as possible.
Maintaining regular checkups with your dentist is key to preventing oral health problems. But don’t forget that it’s also important to take great care of your teeth at home. This means properly brushing and flossing daily, avoiding tobacco products, and eating plenty of tooth-friendly foods such as fresh vegetables.
We’re always welcoming new patients at our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
4 Signs of a Bite Problem
A bad bite, also referred to as malocclusion, simply means that the upper top and lower teeth don’t fit together properly, or sometimes don’t meet together at all. A bad bite can affect many things, from the way you chew, breathe, and speak to an increased risk of developing dental problems. While we can thank genetics as the cause of most bad bites, they can also result from other things and can affect both kids and adults. Here are some signs of a bad bite from your dentist in Farmington Hills.
If your top teeth hang out over the bottom teeth when you’re fully biting down, they may take on the appearance of “buck teeth.” This is a tell-tale sign of an overbite. An overbite in kids can be caused by thumbsucking and pacifier, while developing an overbite later in life may be contributed to nail-biting, tooth grinding, or constantly pushing the tongue against the top teeth. “Buck teeth” are more prone to being damaged and broken and can make it hard for you to close your mouth completely. People with an overbite could suffer from dry mouth, an increased risk for cavities, and bad breath.
It’s also possible for the opposite to occur, and the lower teeth can overlap the upper teeth. This is appropriately called an underbite. Underbites can put too much pressure on the jaw and cause pain and can also make teeth more susceptible to wear down. Those with an underbite tend to have an appearance where the jaw looks pushed forward all the time. Causes of an underbite are similar to those of an overbite and include thumbsucking and the use of pacifiers. New underbites that appear in adulthood are most commonly the result of a dental injury.
While it’s incredibly common for teeth to be crooked or slightly overlap, when a top tooth, or even several top teeth, criss-cross into the inside of lower teeth when the mouth is closed could be a sign of a crossbite. Crossbites are one of the more complicated types of malocclusion and can happen to either the front teeth or the back teeth. They’re caused by some sort of anatomical misalignment in the teeth or bone structure and can cause more stress to fall on one location rather than spread evenly, causing jaw pain and increasing the risk of enamel erosion and, therefore, decay.
When you bite down on your back teeth, do your front teeth touch? How about the back molars? If the front teeth or your molars on top don’t touch those on the bottom, you may have what’s called an open bite. Again, open bites in kids may be caused by using a pacifier or thumb sucking, another reason why the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends stopping these around age 3. Other causes of an open bite may include habitually pushing the tongue against the front teeth or breathing out of the mouth. An overbite could cause speech problems as well as difficulty swallowing.
If you suspect that you or a family member has a bad bite, contact your dentist in Farmington Hills. Bad bites usually need some sort of treatment in order to fix them, so be open with your dental team about your concerns. After all, a healthier bite can mean fewer dental problems down the road.
Accepting new patients at our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
Oral Cancer Signs & Symptoms
The hard part about diagnosing oral cancer often comes from the fact that some of the early signs of oral cancer can easily be confused with other oral health conditions. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, so if any of the signs and symptoms below don’t go away within 2-3 weeks, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your dentist in Canton as soon as you can.
Check Your Mouth
While regular checkups with your dentist are certainly important, there are things you can do at home to proactively check for early signs of oral cancer or other symptoms of tooth trouble. Keep an eye out for any new tooth sensitivity, bleeding, or sores in the mouth. Additionally, check in with the Check Your Mouth initiative to help you identify potential abnormalities in the mouth.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors
Even though oral cancer can happen to anyone at any time, there are some things you can do to lower your risk of developing this serious and sometimes deadly disease. Keep in mind that some factors are genetic, but others can be controlled.
Oral cancer is a tricky thing, and the best way to protect yourself against it is to see your dentist in Canton twice a year. Like many oral health problems, oral cancer is best and most successfully treated when it’s caught early.
Welcoming new patients at our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
Stress & Oral Health
Many times, the effects of stress are simplified to include only things like increased anxiety levels, eating habits, headaches, and stomachaches. But it’s also common for signs of stress to first show up as symptoms that affect your oral health. In fact, stress can affect oral health in numerous ways.
While jaw pain could indicate a variety of problems, stress is often at the top of the list. When we’re stressed, especially over a long period of time, our bodies tend to react in a variety of ways. One of those ways is to start clenching or grinding our teeth together. Oftentimes this is done without us even knowing it’s happening, such as during sleep. This results in constant pressure on the jaw joint, making the muscles sore which could eventually cause TMJ disorder or TMD. TMD is painful, and some common signs are the popping or clicking of a jaw, a locked joint, or generalized jaw pain. If you have jaw pain that you can’t explain, talk to your dentist in Ann Arbor.
Many people think that it’s normal for gums to bleed after brushing or flossing. However, bleeding gums at any time should be cause for concern. Bleeding gums is a tell-tale sign of gum disease, but there’s a common misconception related to gum disease. Many people think that gum disease is automatically a result of poor dental hygiene. But the truth is, several other things can increase the risk of gum disease, including smoking, certain medications, clenching or grinding your teeth, and yes, stress. When we experience too much stress, our immune system often becomes worn down. This can allow bad bacteria in the mouth to flourish, causing an infection and leading to gum disease. Gum disease can cause tooth loss, and heart disease, and increase the risk of stroke.
Sores in the mouth, such as canker sores, can be triggered by a vitamin B deficiency or a variety of injuries or irritations. Research also supports the theory that mouth sores can appear during periods of increased stress. Mouth sores that should warrant a visit to your dentist in Ann Arbor include those that appear as white or red ulcers that last longer than two weeks.
Reducing Stress Can Benefit Oral Health
We can’t completely avoid stress in our lives but can do things to manage stress in order to live happier lives and protect ourselves against the negative side effects of too much of it. Some ways to lower stress and therefore the effects of stress, include:
Stress is a natural part of life, and certain amounts of it can actually be beneficial. But too much can cause problems in oral and overall health. During this Stress Awareness Month, focus on your stress levels and how they may contribute to your overall health.
Welcoming new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
2715 Packard St, Suite B
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
New Patients: (734) 415-4030
Current Patients: (734) 975-6700
8588 N Canton Center Rd
Canton, MI 48187
New Patients: (734) 415-9663
Current Patients: (734) 453-0940
30620 West 12 Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
New Patients: (248) 587-8414
Current Patients: (248) 579-0487
18618 Middlebelt Rd, Suite 105
Livonia, MI 48152
New Patients: (248) 587-8638
Current Patients: (248) 579-0618