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Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing during sleep, oftentimes for 10 seconds or more and usually several times a night. These interruptions in sleep can reduce the amount of oxygen in the body and increase the amount of carbon dioxide. There are two types of sleep apnea, each caused by different things.
This type of sleep apnea is more common and happens when the throat muscles relax too much during sleep, narrowing the airway
Central sleep apnea happens when the brain doesn’t send your body the signals it needs to be reminded to breathe.
One of the scariest things about sleep apnea is that the person with the condition may not even know it. Oftentimes, a bed partner is the first to recognize the signs of sleep apnea. Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, call your dentist in Farmington Hills to schedule an appointment.
Untreated sleep apnea goes far beyond feeling tired throughout the day, although that alone can be dangerous. Sleep apnea can increase the risk of:
The best way to treat sleep apnea will vary depending on several factors. The most common treatments are:
Getting a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan is the best way to protect yourself from the dangers of sleep apnea and give yourself some quality sleep. If you suspect that you may have sleep apnea, consider calling your dentist in Farmington Hills to schedule an appointment.
We have dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia. Call the dentist closest to you to schedule an appointment today!
Hyperdontia has no known causes, but there are correlations between it and other inherited conditions such as:
The most obvious sign of hyperdontia is developing more teeth after your full set of either baby or permanent teeth has already arrived. However, if the additional teeth haven’t erupted yet, your dentist in Farmington will be able to see them developing under the gum line through dental x-rays. Hyperdontia doesn’t typically cause pain, but there can be some discomfort in the jaw or gums.
The shape and location of supernumerary teeth can vary from person to person, although they’re most likely to appear behind the four front teeth. Different locations include:
And different shapes can vary from:
In situations when treatment for hyperdontia is recommended by your dentist in Farmington, the typical treatment is extracting the extra teeth. However, this only usually happens when necessary. The symptoms that usually require treatment can vary from discomfort in the jaw or gums to problems with proper brushing and flossing. Other times, if a patient is simply unhappy with the way the extra teeth look, treatment and some forms of cosmetic dentistry can help. Treatment for hyperdontia should be completed sooner rather than later, so it’s important to see your dentist in Farmington regularly for exams, x-rays, and cleanings.
Even though hyperdontia is usually not a big deal, there are some risks associated with the condition.
If you or a family member notice that you have more teeth than you’re supposed to or feel additional teeth behind or around existing teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist. A quick and gentle exam is the first step to determining if treatment is needed and what would be the best recommendation for you.
We’re always accepting new patients at our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
You’ve heard your dentist in Ann Arbor say it time and time again – you should brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. But is it really that important to brush your teeth two times every day? What could really happen if you only brush your teeth once a day? Let’s find out.
Our teeth and mouths are exposed to a ton of things throughout the day, such as sugar and carbohydrates, which contain bacteria. While your saliva can help wash away some of the bacteria, most of it will form a thin film over your teeth called plaque. We need to remove that film to keep bacteria from building up and accumulating in your mouth. Too much bacteria can cause various dental problems, such as decay, bad breath, and gum disease. Brushing and flossing daily, as well as seeing your dentist in Ann Arbor regularly, helps combat bacteria and plaque buildup and protect teeth.
We always recommend brushing your teeth both in the morning and before bed at night. Many people don’t miss the morning brushing because they want to get rid of morning breath before they interact with other people. This is important because brushing your teeth in the morning not only helps freshen your breath, it removes any bacteria that were trapped in your mouth all night long.
However, it’s also important to brush your teeth at night, even if you’re tired and just want to go to bed. If you don’t brush your teeth before going to sleep, all of the bacteria that you consumed throughout the day is left stuck on your teeth for hours in an ideal environment for it to flourish. Failing to brush your teeth before bed basically lets your teeth soak in bacteria.
The longer bacteria is left on teeth, the more trouble it can cause. Some common issues associated with habitually only brushing your teeth once a day are an increased risk of:
Another note about bad breath. Even though brushing your teeth in the morning may mask bad breath, it’s usually only temporary. Chronic bad breath can be a result of poor oral hygiene, such as only brushing once a day, and may require treatment from your dentist in Ann Arbor.
We understand that it’s not always possible to brush your teeth twice a day, and that’s ok. Missing an occasional brushing is usually no big deal, just try to not make it a habit, and don’t go too long without cleaning your pearly whites.
One of the best forms of preventive dentistry is how you care for your teeth at home. Do everything you can to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, and floss once a day to help protect your oral health.
We’re always accepting new patients at our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
If your dentist in Livonia tells you that you or your child has an impacted tooth, you may initially be a bit worried. But don’t fret. Impacted teeth are incredibly common. Even though impacted teeth are most often associated with wisdom teeth, the truth is any tooth can be impacted and can affect the development of the rest of your teeth and overall oral health.
Impacted Teeth
An impacted tooth is essentially any tooth that doesn’t come in when and where it’s supposed to. Typically when someone loses a tooth, it’s because the adult tooth is pushing through the gums and is ready to make its appearance. However, this doesn’t always happen as planned. Sometimes a baby tooth falls out and other teeth crowd the area and block where the adult tooth is trying to erupt. Other times a baby tooth just doesn’t fall out when it should. This can cause an adult tooth to shift sideways and grow inside the gums instead of poking through the top.
What Causes Impacted Teeth?
As always, every case is different, but there are some top reasons why teeth may become impacted. One of the main causes of an impacted tooth is that a mouth is just too small for adult teeth to erupt as they’re supposed to. This is often the case with impacted wisdom teeth. When there’s not enough room in the mouth for new teeth to erupt, they can become impacted. Additionally, sometimes teeth simply do weird things and can grow sideways. There’s also a genetic factor at play. If a parent had an impacted tooth, the child is more likely to also have an impacted tooth.
Problems With Impacted Teeth
Impacted teeth can affect overall oral health and overall health in a variety of ways, including:
Luckily, your dentist in Livonia can often see it coming thanks to dental x-rays. X-rays allow your dentist to take a closer look at the way teeth are erupting or have already erupted so we can make a plan for any situation.
How Do You Treat an Impacted Tooth?
First, it’s important to remember that an impacted tooth may not be an immediate cause for concern. After all, your dentist in Livonia sees this every day, and is well-equipped to treat you in a comfortable and relaxing environment. Treatment of an impacted tooth will vary depending on your specific needs, how severe the impaction is, and how many teeth are affected. Some treatment options include:
If the wisdom teeth are impacted, you may need to see a specialist to have them removed, but it’s incredibly important to extract impacted wisdom teeth. If they’re left untreated, they can cause pain as well as infection.
We understand that an impacted tooth may cause you to worry, but we’re here to help. Make sure to see your dentist at least twice a year for preventive checkups. The earlier an impacted tooth or potentially impacted tooth is caught, the treatment becomes easier. If it’s been longer than six months since your last dental appointment, we welcome you to schedule an appointment with us today.
Welcoming new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
It’s officially summer, which often means relaxing poolside with your family and friends, backyard barbeques, and vacations. But summertime can also cause disruptions in your family’s everyday life, schedules, and routines, which may mean that certain habits and necessities take a backseat. Don’t let your oral health be one of those things; turn to your dentist in Farmington Hills for some summer dental tips.
Choose Snacks Wisely
We may find ourselves snacking more frequently throughout the day over the summer months, especially if we’re popping from various picnics and barbeques. While there’s no reason you can’t enjoy some of your favorite summer treats, your dentist in Farmington Hills encourages you to choose sweet snacks, including drinks, in moderation. Limit your family’s intake of sugar-packed sodas, sports drinks, ice cream, lemonade, and candy. Water is always best when it comes to both staying hydrated and protecting your teeth.
Follow a Routine
Even though it may be tempting to fall off your regular oral hygiene routine during the summer or while on vacation, it’s incredibly important to stick to your habits all year round to keep cavities and other oral health problems away. Always brush your teeth twice a day for minutes each time, and don’t forget to floss once a day to remove plaque and bacteria from areas of your teeth where your toothbrush doesn’t reach.
Wear Sunscreen
Sun protection is key even when it’s not sunny outside. Your skin can easily be sunburned when you’re outside for an extended period of time, so make sure you lather up with sunscreen. Besides your skin, make sure you apply lip balm with an SPF-15 or higher as well. Your lips can also get sunburn which could cause cancer over time.
Swim with Caution
Whenever you’re around a body of water you should be careful. But your dentist in Farmington Hills also wants you to be careful of a lesser-known problem that can occur from too much pool time — swimmer’s calculus. Swimmer’s calculus can occur when the pH level of a pool is too low it becomes acidic. If the mouth is exposed to too much acidic water it can erode tooth enamel and cause damage. Swimmer’s calculus is one form of damage and is usually identified by brown spotting on the teeth that will need to be removed by your dentist.
See Your Dentist
Summer can be a great time to see your dentist in Farmington Hills for a checkup, especially if you have kids in school. We recommend that you call to schedule your family’s dental appointments soon, as availability tends to become limited during the next few months.
We hope that all of our patients and neighbors have a safe and happy summer full of family fun. Of course, if the unthinkable happens and you experience a dental emergency during the summer or on vacation, call us as soon as possible for advice or to schedule an appointment.
We’re always accepting new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
If You Want A Whiter Smile
Perhaps one of the most common complaints people have about their smile is how white their teeth are. That’s probably why smile whitening treatment is so popular. There are various types of teeth whitening products to choose from, but not all will necessarily give you the results you want or are even safe for your smile. If you want to get whiter teeth, talk with your dentist in Canton about a professional smile whitening treatment. These options are usually done in the dental office under the supervision of a dental professional, and they typically work faster than over-the-counter products.
If You Want A Straighter Smile
Another common desire for patients is to have super-straight teeth. Sometimes straightening teeth begins as a teen, but if retainers aren’t worn as recommended, teeth can shift and once again become crooked or overlapped. Other times an adult is simply ready to get the smile they’ve always wanted. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to straighten teeth, and not all of them involve traditional braces or orthodontics. Your dentist in Canton can straighten some teeth with dental veneers, clear aligners, or even dental crowns.
If You Want A More Even Smile
When someone feels that their teeth aren’t the correct size or shape to complement their smile, it can make them feel self-conscious. But again, there are several ways to change the size and shape of your teeth as well as ways to change how much gum tissue shows when you smile. Dental veneers that are custom-made can permanently change the size, shape, or color of an individual tooth or multiple teeth. Cosmetic bonding can also accomplish this. If your smile is too gummy, gum recontouring can change the shape of your gums and change your gum line.
If You Want A Full Smile
Missing a tooth or two isn’t an uncommon occurrence, and you’re not alone. But you may feel incomplete without a complete smile. That’s where your dentist in Canton can help. Missing teeth, no matter what the cause or how many are missing, can be replaced through various restorative dentistry treatments. The best way to replace missing teeth is with dental implants as they’re permanent and help stimulate the jaw bone. Other options include either partial or full dentures, dental bridges, or a flipper.
With so many different options available to transform the appearance of teeth, there’s no time like the present to finally get the smile you’ve always wanted. Start by scheduling a consultation with your dentist to review the areas that bother you and develop a treatment plan just for you.
We’re always accepting new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
The Safety of Dental X-Rays
The amount of radiation used in dental x-rays is very low, and therefore, so are the risks. Many dentists offer digital x-rays instead of film x-rays of the past. This is great news all around. Not only do digital x-rays reduce the amount of radiation exposure by 90%, but they also give your dentist immediate images that are often clearer and allow for faster and more accurate diagnosis. Additionally, your dentist may take extra precautions to lower the radiation exposure even more such as a lead apron.
Why Do We Need Dental X-Rays?
Dental x-rays allow your dentist to see what’s happening below the surface of what’s visible to the naked eye. X-ray images can show early signs of decay when cavities are teeny tiny and easier to treat. These pictures will also help your dentist look at the health of your jaw bone, monitor wisdom teeth development, and watch the eruption of kids’ teeth. Some other things that dental x-rays can show are:
How Often Will I Need to Get Dental X-Rays?
Your dentist in Ann Arbor may recommend dental x-rays once or twice a year, or sometimes every couple of years. The truth is, every patient is unique, and how often you need x-rays will depend on your specific health history, dental health, and risk factors. Remember, dentists will only take x-rays when necessary.
Different Kinds of Dental X-Rays
There are a few different kinds of dental x-rays that your dentist in Ann Arbor may take in order to see different parts of your mouth. Some of the most common types of dental x-rays include:
If you’re concerned about the safety of dental x-rays, we welcome you to schedule an appointment to chat with us. We’re always happy to help ease your worries and make sure you’re getting the best treatment that’s appropriate for you.
Welcoming new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
Placing a Dental Implant
First thing first – there are multiple different types of dental implants, and which one may be right for you depends on your personal needs. The three most common types of dental implants are:
All of these options are permanent solutions to missing teeth, and the procedure steps are relatively similar.
Will There Be Pain?
A dental implant is typically placed under general or local anesthesia, so during the process, you shouldn’t feel a thing. During the healing process, it’s completely normal to experience some mild discomfort. Any pain can be managed by properly following your dentist’s post-op instructions as well as:
Most discomfort should go away within 10-14 days. If you still experience pain after 14 days, contact your dentist in Farmington Hills to make sure everything is healing correctly and there is no infection or other cause for concern.
Dental implants can be a great solution to replace missing teeth, but they may not be right for everyone. Make sure to talk with your dentist in Farmington Hills about your options so they can make the best recommendation for you.
Welcoming new patients at all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia.
How Are Food Traps Formed?
Food traps can develop due to any number of issues, but a lot of food traps are caused by some other type of dental problem. The most common causes of food traps are:
There should be small gaps, also called loose contact, between teeth. This allows them to sit and function properly. However, when gaps become too large, they create the ideal space for food to get lodged. Gaps can occur naturally and even people with once super-straight teeth can start to notice gaps over time. Additionally, dental fillings can change the natural contact between teeth and may cause a food trap.
Our teeth naturally have crevices where food and bacteria can get stuck, but if there’s a broken or chipped tooth, you may notice food getting stuck in the same spot over and over again. You may also experience this if you lose a dental filling or older dental restoration.
One of the more serious causes of food traps is gum disease. Gum disease will cause pockets to form in the gum tissue and provide a great hiding spot for food particles. But what’s worse is that untreated gum disease can lead to a bunch of other health concerns such as tooth loss and an increased risk of heart disease. Treatment can be successful when gum disease is caught in the early stages, but later forms of the disease are irreversible. This is one reason why you should get seen by your dentist in Livonia if you have a food trap.
Problems Cause By Food Traps
Food traps that aren’t fixed can continue to cause long-term problems such as:
While food traps can certainly be annoying, they can also be dangerous. It’s important to tell your dentist in Livonia if you’re experiencing repeated problems of food getting stuck in your teeth so they can take a closer look at what may be going on and recommend the best treatment for you. Additionally, it’s always important to brush and floss your teeth every day to remove any food particles that may have built up in the teeth throughout the day.
If you’re looking for a dentist near you, all of our dental offices in Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Livonia are always accepting new patients.
3 Reasons Why Your Denture Doesn’t Fit
Dentures can last for many years with proper care. But they aren’t meant to be a permanent solution to missing teeth. There are things that can happen that can make a denture no longer fit like it once did. These can cause a denture to slip, making it hard to eat and speak. They can even cause some minor discomfort. So what’s happening? Why would a denture no longer fit correctly?
Our natural teeth have both a root system and a crown. The crown is the white part of the teeth we see while the roots are secured into the jaw bone. Natural teeth constantly stimulate the jaw bone, reducing the risk of bone loss. However, a denture doesn’t have any roots to continue this stimulation. This can result in bone loss. When the jaw bone deteriorates, the shape of the jaw and the fit of the denture can change.
Similar to the jaw bone, gum tissue can recede over time, making dentures feel uncomfortable. Additionally, if someone develops gum disease while using a denture, this can cause inflammation and swelling, making it difficult for a denture to fit the way it did initially.
Life happens, and this can include damage to your denture or unexpected damage to your mouth. Things like mouth calluses can make a denture feel uncomfortable. Additionally, damage to a denture is more common than you think. A denture that’s at the end of its lifespan can become flexible or become more fragile and easier to break. Also, if a denture isn’t cared for properly, it can change in shape thanks to deposits.
How to Fix an Ill-Fitting Denture
Luckily, you have a few options to fix a denture that no longer serves you. But first, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist in Canton. Your dental team will perform an examination to determine the best course of action to get you a denture that feels comfortable again. One of the solutions may be a reline. This is when your dentist will either work on your denture while you’re in the chair or use new impressions to have a lab create a new denture for you. Either way, you’ll be well on your way to smiling confidently.
Denture Alternatives
If you no longer want to deal with dentures, you have other options such as dental implants. Dental implants permanently replace both the crown of the tooth and the tooth roots. This can make it easier to care for your teeth and reduce the risk of bone loss. If you’re interested, talk with your dentist in Canton about dental implants.
We believe that everyone has the right to smile and eat confidently, whether that’s with their natural teeth, a denture, or dental implants. So if you’re dealing with an uncomfortable denture, make sure you talk with your dentist about your options.
Accepting 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