Celebrate National Facial Protection Month

It’s National Facial Protection month and that means it’s time to schedule an appointment with yourdentist for a custom made mouthguard.

Every April the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Association of Orthodontists, the Academy for Sports Dentistry and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, collaborate in order to promote this event. National Facial Protection Month is in place to raise the public’s awareness and remind athletes, coaches, and parents to play it safe and protect themselves during both group and individual sporting activities.

If you follow the Gentle Touch family Dentistry Blog, you will have learned what you can do in case of a dental emergency. Gentle Touch Family Dentistry also discussed the importance of a custom-made mouthguard. Mouthguards can help prevent teeth from being displaced, broken, cracked or knocked out. Mouthguards can also help block injuries to the tissues and the bones surrounding your teeth. Mouthguards can also help defend against lower jaw and TMJ injuries.

The American Academyof Pediatric Dentistry explains that nearly 39 percent of all dental injuries that occur each year in children and teens are caused by a direct hit or blow to the face because of player to player contact, or because of a hit to the face with a ball or hockey puck.

The associations have five tips to share that could help impede head and facial injuries:

1. Wear a mouthguard when playing any type of sports. Even surfers and skateboarders should invest in a custom-made mouthguard. Although a bit pricier than stock or boil and bite mouthguards, the cost is much less when you compare it to a trip to your dentist or the local hospital.

2. Helmets are essential as they not only absorb impact energy, but can also prevent head injuries.

3. Protective eyewear is imperative, as your eyes are very vulnerable to any type of damage, especially when playing recreational, amateur, or professional sports.

4. Wearing a face shield on the playing field can help you avoid bruised or scratched skin. Racquetballs, handballs, basketballs, and baseballs can cause serious damage to your face regardless of how old you are.

5. The associations sponsoring National Facial Awareness Month also believe that protective gear should be mandatory regardless of the sport. Boxers, hockey players, and football players are all required to wear some type of mouth protector. It has been proven that mouthguards actually help decrease oral injuries.

This spring join the rest of the nation for National Facial Awareness Month and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry who can fit out your entire family with custom-made mouthguards. Call or click today.

Help for TMJ Disorders

If you have problems with your jaw or you hear a clicking sound when you open and close your mouth, you could be dealing with a TMJ disorder.

WebMD explains that TMJ disorders are more common than you think and although no one is exactly sure of the root cause, some experts believe that TMJ disorders could be a combination of several things such as jaw injuries. A blow to the head or arthritis may also cause TMJ disorders. Tooth clenching may also be to blame. However, not everyone who grinds his or her teeth has a TMJ disorder. Other causes of TMJ disorders could be a misalignment of your teeth.

The temporomandibular joint or the TMJ is the hinge that connects your lower and upper jaw. The joint is usually covered with cartilage and is separated by a disk that absorbs the shock when you open and closer your mouth and when you chew.

Gentle Touch in Farmington Hills can diagnose and treat you if you have TMJ disorder symptoms. People who are suffering from TMJ disorders may suffer from earaches, headaches, or soreness when closing or opening the mouth. There may also be soreness in the neck, ears, and face. If you notice a clicking or popping sound in your jaw, you may want to schedule an appointment with your doctor or dentist who can help determine if you are suffering from a TMJ disorder.

Pain medication can help ease some of the pain, but if your problem is chronic, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment with Gentle Touch in Farmington Hills. Gentle Touch can examine your mouth to determine if you are a victim of TMJ Disorders. If you are, bite splint therapy could be the answer.

There are several different types of bite splint therapy. Your dentist will evaluate and fit you to help your bite and any other issues, including TMJ disorders.

Bite splint therapy is used for TMJ Disorders, Bruxism or mouth and jaw problems that are a result of a bite misalignment.

If you think you may be suffering from a TMJ Disorder, call or click and schedule a TMJ evaluation with Gentle Touch in Farmington Hills today. 

That Toothache Could Kill You

It’s a New Year, and if you have been putting off a trip to the dentist, you may want to reconsider. That throbbing toothache that you have been dealing with since before Thanksgiving could cause serious problems if you do not take care of it as quickly as possible. Left alone, that toothache could lead to death. Even if the pain is mild, you still need to schedule an appointment with your dentist as quickly as possible.

Your toothache can turn serious, especially if an infection occurs. Called an abscess, the infection can happen inside your tooth or in-between your tooth and gums. One way to tell if you have a pus-filled abscess is throbbing or shooting sharp pain.

WebMD explains that over 40 percent of Americans have been rushed to the E.R. because of a periapical abscess. Although there is no exact explanation as to why this is occurring, but some believe it has to do with rising insurance costs and the fact that Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental visits.

Other signs to look for when it comes to an abscess are swollen glands or a swollen face, a fever, chronic halitosis and neck and jaw pain.

Your dentist explains that an abscess will not disappear of its own accord. What’s worse is that the infection can easily spread in as little as a few hours or a few years. If the infection moves to the heart or brain, it can cause death.

During your dental appointment, your dentist will tap on the suspected tooth. If you wince, it is most likely the abscessed tooth. X-rays will also be taken to confirm that you do indeed have an abscess.

There are three treatments that your dentist may use to treat the infected area, incision and draining, root canal therapy or extraction.

If the abscess is located between your gum and your tooth, your dentist will make a small cut before draining and cleaning the area. The pain will begin to subside almost immediately.

The most widely used tooth abscess treatment is root canal therapy. During this procedure, your dentist drills into the area that is infected before scraping away the dental pulp that contains blood vessels and nerves. Once the roots of your teeth have been filed and cleaned, your dentist will fill them with a sealant before placing a crown over the area.

An extraction is a permanent treatment that is normally used for a very deep abscess. Once removed, the abscess is gone.

If you suspect that you may be suffering from a dental abscess it is imperative that you call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist today. It literally could mean life or death. Call or click now.

Dental Checkup in the New Year

The New Year has arrived and if you have been avoiding a trip to the dentist for that toothache that you’ve had since August, now is the time to make the call.

The American Dental Association will tell you that avoiding trips to the dentist for any problem, even if you don’t think it is serious, is vital. Cracked teeth, leaky fillings or a chipped tooth could lead to other problems that may not have occurred had you scheduled your appointment when the issue first occurred.

If you have toothache caused by a cavity, you are risking infection and the possibility of an abscess. An abscessed tooth means that the pulp inside it has become infected and could possibly be dead. If that is the case, your dentist will recommend root canal therapy to clean out the dead material, clean it up and seal it before placing a dental crown. If the abscess is located in between your tooth and your gums your dentist may choose to drain the area, which will relieve the pain almost instantly.

The best way to avoid unnecessary emergency trips to the dentist is to schedule regular comprehensive dental exams. During your comprehensive dental exam your dentist will check your teeth and gums looking for anything unusual. Your dentist or dental hygienist will also clean your teeth. The dental exam will also include pictures and x-rays of your teeth and gums and an oral cancer screening. After your dental appointment, you may also want to discuss any restorative or cosmetic dental procedures that you might be considering with your dentist.

A healthy mouth means a healthy body, and if your gums are red, swollen or bleeding, you could be opening yourself up to all kinds of disease. Recent research has indicated that periodontal disease, the most serious form of gum disease, could lead to more serious health issues including diabetes, congestive heart failure, and stroke.

Start 2016 off on the right foot and schedule an appointment with your dentist today.  

Dental Scaling and Root Planing for Healthy Gums

If you have been putting off a visit to the dentist because you just haven’t had time to get your teeth cleaned, you could be asking for problems. Neglecting twice-yearly dental appointments could be much more serious than a couple of fillings could.

Your teeth and gums are the gateway to the rest of your body. Recent studies have indicated that gum disease could increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Web MD explains that the best way to keep your mouth healthy is to brush twice and floss once each day. If you are unsure about your brushing and flossing techniques, call and schedule an appointment with your dentist who can show you the right way to clean your teeth. Other habits to include in your oral hygiene protocol include eating a healthy diet, plenty of fluoride and regular checkups with your dentist.

If your gums are swollen, red, bleeding after you eat, brush, or floss, you may be suffering from gingivitis or periodontal disease. The more advanced periodontal disease can cause serious problems, and if left untreated, could cause tooth and even bone loss.

Periodontal disease can be treated if caught early enough, and if your dentist has diagnosed you with gum disease, he or she may recommend dental scaling and root planing to help your gums heal.

Dental scaling and root planing is the conventional treatment for periodontal disease. This non-surgical periodontal procedure also referred to as a deep cleaning removes and eliminates the tartar and dental plaque that causes gingivitis and periodontal disease.

If your dentist has recommended dental scaling and root planing, you have a very good chance of nipping your gum disease in the bud as dental scaling and root planing help your gums heal.

For more information regarding gum disease or dental scaling and root planing, call and schedule an appointment with your dentist today. You may think your gums are healthy, but only your dentist knows for sure. Call and schedule a dental checkup with your dentist today.

A Painless Alternative to Porcelain Veneers

If you have been considering porcelain veneers, but have been a bit reluctant because traditional porcelain veneers require some removal of your tooth’s enamel, talk to your dentist about Lumineers. Traditional porcelain veneers are permanent and cannot be removed. However, Lumineers are completely reversible.

Lumineers are thin pieces of porcelain that your dentist places on top of your teeth for a naturally beautiful smile. Lumineers are as thin as a contact lens and require no shaving or grinding of the natural tooth. In fact, Lumineers are so thin that your dentist can place them over your bridges and crowns without having to replace your old restorations.

When you schedule an appointment with your dentist for Lumineers, a thorough examination will be conducted to find out if you are a good fit. If you are free from gum disease and tooth decay, and your teeth are sound enough for Lumineers, your dentist will take x-rays and pictures before making an impression of both your lower and upper teeth. Once the impression has been made, your dentist will send it off to the Lumineers lab along with your dental records, photos, and x-rays to ensure the best possible fit. Unlike traditional porcelain veneers, there will be no shots, extensive drilling, or unsightly and uncomfortable temporary acrylic veneers.  

When your new Lumineers are ready, your dentist will make sure that each Lumineers fits perfectly before etching and bonding into place. Once placed, your dentist will make sure that your bite is balanced to avoid chipping.

Because traditional porcelain veneers are much thicker, your dentist must take a more aggressive approach when it comes to application. That aggressive approach means more removal of the natural structure of your tooth, which will require anesthetic and shots to minimize the pain and sensitivity. Because Lumineers are so thin, you will not have to deal with such aggressive steps for a beautiful new smile.

Gentle Touch Family Dentistry is a certified Lumineers provider who can give you the smile you have been dreaming about in as little as two appointments.

Call your Farmington Hills Dentist and schedule a no obligation Lumineers consultation today. A beautiful smile really is just a couple of dental appointments away. Call or click now. 

Raisins May Help your Teeth and Gums

Everyone knows that dried fruit can cause problems for your teeth; in fact, it wasn’t long ago that dentists, along with the rest of the public, believed that raisins promoted tooth decay. However, recent studies have indicated that raisins may actually be good for your pearly whites while helping to fight tooth decay.

The research that was conducted at the University of Illinois in Chicago discovered that there were certain chemicals in raisins that helped suppress oral bacteria growth associated with tooth decay and gum disease. You heard that right, according to researchers, raisins could even help prevent gum disease.

Sticky and sweet foods, such as apricots, figs, mangos, pineapples and other dried fruit are known to lead to dental caries and tooth decay as the bacteria that lives in our mouth thrives on any food that is left on your teeth. Sticky and sweet foods actually produce acid eating away the enamel on your teeth. Over time, that acid will eventually destroy the enamel causing tooth decay.

Raisins are sweet and sticky, but because they mainly contain glucose and fructose types of sugar, not sucrose, which your dentist will tell you are one of the main culprits of oral diseases caused by sugar, they are not as bad.

The studies have dispelled the myth that all sticky and sweet foods are bad for your teeth, in fact, some researchers believe that raisins may actually act like a teeth cleaner just like bananas and apples do. The same study determined that raisins are able to protect your teeth because they reduce acidic exposure.

Although raisins are better for your teeth than other types of dried fruit it is important to remember that any food particles that remain on your teeth will eventually cause tooth decay.

Your dentist recommends that you brush twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste and that you floss once a day as well. Other good oral health habits include a mouthwash recommended by the American Dental Association, and a good healthy diet that is loaded with fruits and vegetables. Regular checkups with your dentist along with twice-yearly professional cleanings should also be part of your oral health routine.   

If you would like more information regarding foods that are good for your teeth and good oral health habits, schedule an appointment with your dentist today.

What You Need to Know About Gum Disease

Gum disease is reversible, but if left to its own devices, could lead to tooth loss. If you are experiencing swollen or red gums, bleeding after brushing and flossing or bad breath that just won’t go away, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

Your dentist explains that gum disease affects millions of people across the country, but what used to be an epidemic in adults over the age of 35, is now becoming more common in teenagers and even children.

Bacteria and plaque invading the gum line cause gingivitis, and the more serious periodontal disease. In the early stages of gum disease, your gums will bleed easy when you brush and floss. They will also become inflamed, red, and swollen. During the gingivitis stage, tissue damage and irreversible bone loss have yet to occur.

If you do not see your dentist for a professional cleaning, gingivitis can advance to the more serious periodontal disease. People who have periodontal disease will see the inner layer of their gums and jawbone begins to pull away from the tooth or teeth allowing pockets to form. Because your body is fighting the bacteria, the plaque will begin to spread and grow underneath your gum line. That bacteria, plaque and tartar, will begin to break down your bone along with the connective tissue that is there to hold your teeth in place.

When periodontal disease progresses, those pockets that have formed between your teeth and gums will begin to deepen, weakening the bones that anchor your teeth in place. Unfortunately, in the majority of cases, this does lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is the number one reason that adults lose their teeth.

The primary reason for gum disease is poor oral hygiene. To prevent gingivitis, the American Dental Association recommends that you brush twice each day with fluoride toothpaste, floss once each day and eat a healthy well-balanced diet. The ADA also recommends that you visit your dentist twice a year or more often if you have fought gum disease in the past. If you are unsure what products to use, check out the ADA list of approved dental care products.

Other causes of gum disease include hormonal changes such as menopause, puberty, and pregnancy. Gingivitis and periodontitis can also occur if you are on certain medications, such as Procardia, Dilantin, and Adalat, as these medications can cause abnormal growths to occur in and around the gum tissue. If are suffering from a systemic disease you may also be more susceptible to gum disease. Smoking and chewing tobacco can also cause gum disease as can a family history of gingivitis or periodontal disease.

For more information regarding gum disease prevention, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Dental Emergencies Can Happen Anywhere

Just imagine being all dressed up for your work Christmas party only to experience a Dental Emergency. Spending a couple of hours to get ready only to be rewarded with a broken tooth, lost filling or chipped veneer is the last thing you need, but accidents happen, and a Dental Emergency is something that should be taken care of as quickly as possible.

Losing a filling or crown, which covers large fillings, root canals, Dental Implants and other dental restorations can be hiding new dental caries. That tooth decay will destroy the restorations causing them to become loose or fall out completely.

Although the loss of a filling or crown isn’t as noteworthy as a knocked out tooth it can still be described as a Dental Emergency. Colgate explains that losing a crown or filling can hurt, as the exposed tissue on the tooth will become sensitive to hot and cold, air or pressure. If you can, save the crown and the filling, keep it in a safe place, and schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

You can still attend that long awaited Christmas party, but don’t leave it too long. The tooth under your crown is not as strong and is susceptible to damage until you have it repaired. Your dentist also explains that missing crowns could cause your teeth to move in order to fill the space where the crown used to be. If this occurs, you will have to have a new crown made, as your old crown will not fit. If you lose a crown, apply clove oil to the area using a Q-Tip. This will relieve some of the pain before your dental appointment. Clove oil is available at your pharmacy or the grocery store in the spices aisle.

If your crown is still intact, try slipping it back over your tooth. Make sure that you clean the inside of the crown before cementing with tooth cement, available from your pharmacist. If you are unable to find tooth cement, you can use Vaseline or a denture adhesive. Keep in mind that these are not permanent solutions and are only temporary fixes. Never use Super Glue. Not only is it unsafe if ingested, household adhesives can also damage the crown and the tooth.

Place dental cement or one of the other suggestions above directly on to the tooth if you have lost the crown or the filling as this helps to seal the tooth. Call your dentist immediately as bacteria and food particles can easily seep into the damaged area.

Remember, your dentist may have to prepare your tooth as the shape may have changed because of tooth decay. Without proper preparation, your crown will not fit. If this occurs, it will eventually come off and have to be replaced again.

If you have lost a filling, your dentist will remove the tooth decay that may have developed between your tooth and the old filling before placing a new resin or amalgam restoration.