Healthy Foods that Are Not So Healthy for Teeth

Those healthy foods that are getting your body back in shape for summer may be awesome for your diet, but unfortunately, not so much for your teeth. According to Gentle Touch Family Dentistry, some healthy foods that you enjoy may not be the best for your teeth and gums.

Are those healthy carbs really healthy?

You may have cut out white flour, white bread, potatoes and white rice, but the wheat and whole grain alternatives are just as bad when it comes to your teeth. Because you metabolize carbs into sugar through your saliva, you are still producing acids that will wear away the enamel on your teeth. Whole grains are just as damaging as they can become stuck between your teeth.

Dark Foods and Liquids

You may have eliminated tea, coffee, and red wine from your diet because of staining, but that curry sauce that is helping you lose weight could be just as bad. Blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, and even barbecue sauce can cause stains on your teeth.

Citrus

Grapefruits, Kiwi, oranges, limes, lemons, tomatoes and apples, yes apples, are loaded with natural sugars. However, it is the nature of the fruit itself that can cause the majority of the damage. Eat citrus fruits with other foods and rinse after enjoying.

Dried Fruit

Great for the waistline, but bad for your teeth, dried apricots, papaya, figs, dates, and dried mango's can cause serious damage to your teeth. Just like gummy bears, sticky fruits will stay lodged between your teeth and can be just as bad as that saltwater taffy you gave up to lose weight.

Sports and Energy Drinks

Energy drinks and those sports drinks that you like to consume after a workout may be your favorite treat after pumping iron, but the truth is, they are packed with tooth eroding acids and sugar. Drink water after your aerobics class and leave the energy and sports drinks on the shelf.

If you would like more information regarding healthy food for your body and your teeth, call or click and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry today.

Healthy Teeth and Gums and Overall Health

Healthy teeth and gums begin with good oral hygiene, and if you are a bit lazy when it comes to brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, you could be doing more harm than you realize. According to Gentle Touch Family Dental, plaque can cause serious problems for the rest of your body.

The American Dental Association explains that there is a real connection when it comes to the health of your mouth and the health of your body.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss; however, periodontal disease can also cause heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Gentle Touch Family Dental explains that sticky film that accumulates on your teeth when you sleep, eat, and drink can get into your bloodstream. That unhealthy bacterium will attach itself to the arteries in your heart causing blockages. Your mouth is loaded with healthy bacteria, but without good oral hygiene, it will become overrun with the unhealthy stuff.

Diabetes

If your teeth and gums are unhealthy and you suffer from periodontal disease, the inflammation will weaken your ability to control your blood sugar. Gum disease complicates diabetes as the inflammation impairs insulin utilization. The high blood sugar in diabetics is ideal for gum and other infections. Thankfully, by scheduling regular dental appointments with Gentle Touch Family Dental and practicing good oral hygiene, you can manage the problem.

Heart Disease

Although it is not fully understood why, heart disease and gum disease seem to go hand in hand with as many as 91 percent of patients with heart problems suffering from periodontal disease. Scientists believe that the mouth inflammation causes blood vessel inflammation increasing your risk of a heart attack in several ways.

Blood vessels that are inflamed allow less blood flow between the body and the heart Not only does this raise your blood pressure, but it can also put you at risk for a stroke or heart attack if that fatty plaque breaks off a blood vessel and travels to your heart.

If you would like more information regarding the mouth and body connection for healthy teeth and gums, call or click and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dental today. 

Custom Made Mouthguards for Facial Protection Month

It’s Facial Protection Month and that means custom-made mouthguards for the whole family. Spring has sprung and if you and your family love to spend time in the great outdoors playing sports, it’s time to call Gentle Touch Family Dental for custom-made mouthguards.

According to the Academy for Sport Dentistry, everyone who plays recreational sports should be fitted with a mouth protector. Even if you are at the park with your kids, a mouthguard is a great idea, especially if you want to prevent a trip to the ER because of an unfortunate accident on the monkey bars. In a study done from 2001 to 2008 it was discovered that the five most common injuries in children were: 

1. Basketball
2. Football
3. Bicycling
4. Playgrounds
5. Soccer 

The American Dental Association estimates that about 12 millions kids, teens, and young adults were under a doctor’s care or landed in the hospital because of a sports related injury. That resulted in 20 million school days lost and about $33 billion in emergency healthcare costs. However, according to Gentle Touch Family Dentistry, some of the injuries could have been prevented with a custom fitted mouth protector.

Although there are three types of mouth protectors available, there are some things to consider.

Stock-Stock mouthguards are made to fit everyone, and because they are not custom made can be bulky and uncomfortable making it tough to talk and even breathe. You can find stock mouthguards at pharmacy or sports store.

Boil and Bite-These types of mouth protectors are available from your local sports store or over the counter at your local pharmacy. Before use, you heat it up and place in your both to fit your teeth.

Custom Made Mouthguards-The best of the bunch, these types of mouthguards are made by Gentle Touch Family Dentistry and will fit your teeth perfectly. Dr. Ahmed will take an impression or mold to make your new mouth protector that is comfortable and easy to wear.

Everyone who participates in a sport whether it is surfing, water polo, tennis or racquetball should consider a custom made mouth guard. Call or click now and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dental for the whole family.

Custom made mouthguards really can prevent an unexpected trip to the emergency room. Call or click now and participate in Facial Protection Month. 

How Plaque and Tartar Affect your Teeth

That sticky plaque that is left on your teeth after you eat and when you get up in the morning could turn into tartar. According to Gently Touch Family Dental, tartar, also called calculus, is hard plaque that has actually calcified. Unfortunately, once the plaque has turned to tartar it is virtually impossible to remove yourself. No amount of brushing or flossing will get rid of the tartar.

Growing Epidemic

Plaque and tartar is a growing epidemic with billions of people all over the world being affected. If you are one of those billions who are dealing with gingivitis, or periodontal disease, chances are you have plaque and tartar as well.

Good and Bad Bacteria

Your mouth is full of bacteria, and while most of the bacterium is good bacteria, harmful bacteria will start to overpower the good stuff if you do not practice good oral hygiene. The beverages and food that you consume will quickly convert to bacteria and plaque and can even affect your dental restorations.

Prevention

Gentle Touch Family Dentistry explains that brushing twice, flossing once each day along with regular checkups and professional cleanings can help prevent plaque and tartar build up. Make sure you watch your diet as well by avoiding sugar, acidic and starchy foods.

Tartar forms underneath your gum line and will irritate your gum tissue. Unfortunately, unless a dentist, who may recommend tooth scaling and planing, removes it the vicious cycle will continue as the tartar gives the fast growing sticky plaque a larger surface to grow on.

The Dangers of Plaque and Tartar

Uncontrolled tartar and plaque are dangerous, but can also be detrimental to your smile. Tartar absorbs stains, and if you drink coffee or tea, or smoke, you will have yellow or brown stains on your teeth and along your gum line. Tartar and plaque can also cause gum disease, tooth decay, and even tooth loss.

If plaque and tartar is affecting your smile, call or click and schedule a dental checkup with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry today. 

Conventional Braces or Invisalign for Straight Teeth

Conventional braces have changed over the years, but unfortunately, those old school wires and brackets can still cause pain and discomfort. However, these days, you don’t have to deal with two years worth of pain thanks to the revolutionary tooth straightening system, Invisalign. The clear answer to conventional braces could the answer that you have been looking for.

Gentle Touch Family Dental is a preferred Invisalign provider and can determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign.

Why Braces Hurt

Pushing and Pulling-Conventional wires and brackets cause pain and discomfort because your mouth is being pushed and pulled 24 hours a day seven days a week, and in some cases, this could go on for 2 years. You will have to see your dentist or orthodontist regularly who will make the manual changes by tightening your wires and brackets according to your orthodontic plan.

Cuts and Abrasions-People who wear braces have a difficult time getting used to the new hardware. Cuts to the tongue, cheeks, and lips are common in people who wear braces. If a breakage occurs, you may also be injured.

Tooth Decay

People who wear braces have a higher risk of tooth decay. Because it is impossible to brush under the wires and brackets, plaque and acid will wear away the enamel eventually causing a cavity or two.

Invisalign

With the Invisalign Tooth Straightening System, you don’t have to be concerned with pain or discomfort. Invisalign is virtually pain free, convenient, and nearly invisible. The only people who will know you are having your smile fixed will be you and Gentle Touch Family Dentistry.

Invisalign is worn between 20 and 22 hours each day. You will take your aligners out when you brush and eat. Your clear plastic custom made aligners will be swapped out every week for your entire treatment time, which could take between 6 to 18 months. You will visit with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry every 6 weeks.

If you would like more information regarding Invisalign, the clear alternative to braces, call or click and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry today.

Is Fluoride That Important?

Although fluoride has been raising concerns as of late, you cannot argue with the research. In fact, studies have shown that fluoride not only helps reduce dental caries in both children and adults, but can also help repair and prevent tooth decay in its earliest stages, even before the tooth decay is visible to the naked eye. According to your Farmington Hills Dentist, fluoride is one of nature’s best cavity fighters and can help keep your entire family’s teeth strong and resilient to tooth decay.

When a small township in Michigan added fluoride to its municipal water supply more than 40 years ago, it became the first in the United States to do so, with others falling suit, it because the most effective and single public health measure, according to the ADA, to help prevent tooth decay.

Therefore, why the big uproar now, well, it seems that some people are beginning to doubt the safety of fluoride and how effective it actually is. However, the American Dental Association stands by its support of fluoride in community water supplies based on extensive scientific research. The FDA discredits claims of its safety and recommends that communities keep fluoride it their water supplies. The optimum level is 1.4 to 3.4 mg of fluoride per day for a single adult. It is possible to check the levels of your own community’s water supply by contacting your water supplier. If you have a well, you need to have a professional come out and test it for you. If it contains less than 1ppm of fluoride, talk to your dentist who will discuss other options.

With people opting for bottled water instead of tap water, the recommended amount of fluoride is not being met as brands of bottled water do not contain fluoride. If you only drink bottled water, you are not getting any of the vital mineral for your teeth. If you insist on drinking bottled water without fluoride make sure that you use a fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash or ask Gentle Touch Family Dentistry about fluoride supplements.

If you are more susceptible to cavities, talk to your Gentle Touch Family Dentistry about fluoride treatments that will help prevent tooth decay.

For more information regarding fluoride and in-office fluoride treatments, schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry today. 

Professional Cosmetic Bonding Farmington Hills

Cosmetic Bonding with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry is the affordable way to a new smile, and if you are unsure about porcelain veneers, both because of the cost and the fact that they are permanent, it could be time to schedule a complimentary dental bonding consultation with the dental professionals from Gentle Touch Family Dentistry in Farmington Hills. Your Farmington Hills Dentist can determine what cosmetic procedures would be best for your needs, including cosmetic bonding.

If you are a good candidate for cosmetic bonding Dr. Fawaz M. Ahmed will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to make sure you are healthy enough for dental bonding. If you suffer from tooth decay or gum disease that will need to be taken care of first.

If you are healthy enough for cosmetic bonding, a color will be chosen to match the rest of your teeth. Once a color of resin has been chosen it will be applied to the teeth that are discolored, chipped or cracked. If you have a small space between your teeth, your dentist in Farmington Hills can repair and fill that as well.

During the cosmetic bonding process, your Farmington Hills dentist will etch the surface of your teeth before applying a conditioning liquid. This helps the resin adhere to your teeth. Once applied, Dr. Fawaz M. Ahmed will apply the resin sculpting it into place. After sculpting and once satisfied with the results, your dentist in Farmington Hills will cure or harden the resin with a laser or light. Once hardened your new restoration will be polished to match the rest of your smile.

Dental bonding is just one of the cosmetic dental procedures available from Gentle Touch Family Dentistry in Farmington Hills, and if you would like a cosmetic dental consultation, call or click and schedule your appointment today.