Are You Stressed Out? Your Family Dentist in Howell, Michigan Can Tell!

Do you suffer from frequent anxiety or stress?

Are you starting to notice pain in your jaw or gums?

These two questions might be more related than you think, and it might be time to schedule an appointment with your family dentist in Howell, Michigan!

It is widely believed that too much stress or anxiety can create of oral problems, such as teeth grinding or clenching jaws. However, since most people typically grind their teeth in their sleep without even knowing it, the pain in your jaw or teeth might seem to come out of nowhere.

Regularly seeing your dentist can help identify the causes for pain in those areas, and will help your dentist to see if you could be suffering from one of two common stress-related disorders: Bruxism and Temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and provide a solution.

Bruxism: Bruxism is a disorder that’s commonly presented with teeth grinding and jaw clenching. A lot of people who have this disorder aren’t aware that they’re doing damage to their jaw or their teeth until the pain comes. This disorder can be caused by stress and anxiety.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD): TMD is a group of conditions, not just one, that affect the jaw and other muscles in the neck. When you’re stressed or feeling anxious, a common way your body shows it is to clench your jaw, causing those muscles to become sore after overuse.

Some signs that you may be experiencing one or both of these disorders:

1. The tips of your teeth appear flat
2. The enamel on your teeth is rubbed off
3. Extreme sensitivity on the teeth (due to less enamel)
4. Indentations in your tongue (likely from clenching the jaw) 

If you think your stress or anxiety may be affecting you by causing pain in your teeth or jaw, make sure you talk to your family dentist in Howell, Michigan! They may be able to correctly identify the problem and set you up with a treatment plan. In addition, you should continue to keep up with brushing and flossing to maintain good oral hygiene.

Call to Schedule an Appointment

 

Please schedule an appointment with Dr. DiStefano to discuss your concerns and care plan.  As one of the premiere family dentists in Howell, Michigan, Dr. DiStefano has over 30 years’ experience caring for his patients’ health.  He strives to educate his patients and improve their lives through dental care and disease prevention.

Your health and smile are vital for you and very important to us! Contact us today 517-546-8983 to schedule an appointment and get on your way to better health and joyful life!

How To Keep Your Gums Healthy

Do you worry that you’re not doing everything that you can to keep your gums healthy?

It seems like today there are so many things to worry about when it comes to your health, and oral disorders can be invisible, making it even harder to know if you’re taking care of yourself properly. To avoid dental problems that could cost you hundreds of dollars, here are some easy steps to add to your life to make sure you have top-notch dental hygiene:

1)    Visit your dentist regularly: The best thing you can do to prevent any major dental problems is to see your family dentist in Howell, Michigan regularly. 6-month checkups are vital to making sure that your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible.

2)    Make sure you’re eating healthy: There are lots of foods we eat that can contribute to the health of our teeth and gums. Calcium-rich foods (yogurt, cheese, milk, etc.) are very good for your teeth, helping to ensure they’re as strong as possible. If you eat candy or any kind of sweets, make sure to rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth afterwards to keep the sugar from staying in your mouth all day.

3)    Brush and floss properly: This might seem like a no-brainer, but brushing properly (twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste) and flossing are the best ways to take care of your gums. Floss helps remove plaque, which is the leading cause for gingivitis, and food particles, which can make the gums irritated. Your favorite family dentist in Howell, Michigan recommends using 18 inches of floss to reach all the areas of the mouth.

4)    Know the risk factors for gum disease: Preventive care involves knowing the risk factors of gum disease, which allows you to take the proper measures against any existing symptoms. The most common risk factors associated with this disease are:

• Age. Older people have the highest rates of gum disease, and that’s why continuing good dental hygiene as you get older is so important.
• Smoking or tobacco use. Aside from other health concerns, smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco (or both) can be very detrimental to the health of your mouth. A lot of studies suggest that tobacco use can increase the development of gum disease at an alarming rate.
• Genetics. Is there a history of gum disease in your family? If the answer is yes, there is a chance that you might be more likely to develop gum disease yourself, no matter how well you take care of your teeth. Your dentist can help evaluate you and put you on a preventive plan.

Be Your Best Advocate

The best thing to do if you think you’re at risk of developing gum disease is to see your dentist, and know the facts! The more knowledgeable you are, the more you’re capable of taking proper care of your gums.
 

Call to Schedule an Appointment With Your Family Dentist in Howell, Michigan!

Please schedule an appointment with Dr. DiStefano to discuss your concerns and care plan.  As one of the premiere family dentists in Howell, Michigan, Dr. DiStefano has over 30 years’ experience caring for his patients’ health.  He strives to educate his patients and improve their lives through dental care and disease prevention.

Your health and smile are vital for you and very important to us! Contact us today 517-546-8983 to schedule an appointment and get on your way to better health and joyful life!

Oral Warnings Signs Can Indicate Serious Medical Conditions

Do you visit the dentist regularly?

Do you have a predisposition to any health problems due to genetics?

Do you see any changes in your current health status or dental health? 

Before you see warning signs, whether or not you know if you have a predisposition to certain health risks, it’s important that you see a dentist on a regular basis. Many people are afraid of the dentist, but don’t let that keep you from maintaining your beautiful smile. Dentists in Howell, Michigan can help identify potential health problems like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease before you start showing the early signs. We’re here to help you!

Here are some oral warning signs and the potential risk associated with it that your dentist may detect, including:

• Persistent bad breath and oral fungal infection may indicate Diabetes risk 
• Sores and discolored tissue may indicate Oral Cancer risk 
• Swollen salivary glands, dry mouth, sensitive teeth, and loss of tooth enamel may indicate a severe eating disorder 
• Gum disease may indicate Heart Disease risk 
• Chronic bad breath and an unpleasant taste in your mouth may indicate Kidney Disease risk
• Loose or loss teeth may indicate osteoporosis

According to Dental Dental Insurance, “other medical conditions that your dentist may detect include thyroid problems, high blood pressure, asthma, sleep and breathing disorders, skin rashes, bruxism (teeth grinding), HIV, tuberculosis, drug abuse, digestive disorders and upper respiratory problems.”

The longer you wait to seek dental help, the worse the outcome could be. Don’t let this be you! You’re going to feel relieved when your dentist catches early warning signs that you may miss … that’s why it’s so important to go to the dentist regularly.

Call to Schedule an Appointment

Please schedule an appointment with Dr. DiStefano to discuss your concerns and care plan.  As one of the premier dentists in Howell, Michigan, Dr. DiStefano has over 30 years’ experience caring for his patients’ health.  He strives to educate his patients and improve their lives through dental care and disease prevention. 

Your health and smile are vital for you and very important to us! Contact us today 517-546-8983 to schedule an appointment and get on your way to better health and joyful life! 

Should You Be Concerned About Water Fluoridation? Dentist’s in Howell, Michigan Say “No.”

Are you concerned about fluoride in water?

Some people are…

According to FluorideWorks.org, “studies show up to a 40 percent reduction in cavities following community water fluoridation.” If the evidence suggests that fluoride reduces cavities, why challenge it when there are so many clear benefits for our health? 

There are many benefits to use fluoride including:

1. Reverse erosion

2. Fight gingivitis

3. Help establish long term dental health

4. Strengthen teeth

Wouldn’t you like to go to the dentist one day and not have to have a follow-up appointment because you need cavities filled? “YES!”

Well, drinking more fluoridated water out of your tap can help. Some bottled waters offer fluoridated water but make sure you look for it on the label.

If you’d like to learn more about why fluoride is important read, “Why is Fluoride So Important to Dentists in Howell, Michigan?” on our website.

However, some people are against fluoridated water. According to FluorideAlert.org, “fluoridation is unethical. Informed consent is standard practice for all medication, and one of the key reasons why most of Western Europe has ruled against fluoridation.” We live in a country where we have many freedoms, and this is just an example of something the people think they should be able to decide on for themselves.

What do you think about this topic? Are you for or against water fluoridation? Why? We’d love to hear from you! Please post your comments in the comment section below.

Call to Schedule an Appointment

Please schedule an appointment with Dr. DiStefano to discuss your concerns and care plan.  As one of the premiere dentists in Howell, Michigan, Dr. DiStefano has over 30 years’ experience caring for his patients’ health.  He strives to educate his patients and improve their lives through dental care and disease prevention.

Your health and smile are vital for you and very important to us! Contact us today 517-546-8983 to schedule an appointment and get on your way to better health and joyful life!