Tips to Help Your Child Overcome Fear of the Dentist

Are you getting ready for your child’s first visit to the dentist?

Are you concerned that they’ll be scared or have anxiety about seeing the dentist?

Many parents across America share these concerns. Choosing a dentist and making sure your child is comfortable is likely your top priority, and Dr. DiStefano & Associates wants to make that our top priority, too!

We pride ourselves on specializing in pediatric care, and we’ll go the extra mile to make sure your child has a positive experience.

Here are some tips for a positive pediatric dentist visit, according to the American Dental Association:

- Schedule your child’s first visit between the arrival of their first tooth and their first birthday. Seeing the dentist before there’s an emergency will allow the visit to be a calmer, positive experience.

- Remember to stay calm! Even if you, as a parent, experience anxiety about going to the dentist, try to stay positive, so your child will too.

- Make sure you never bribe your child to go to the dentist, or use it as a punishment! This approach will not teach your child to be proactive about taking care of his or her mouth.

- Take your child’s favorite toy, stuffed animal, or even a security blanket for them to hold while they’re at the dentist. This should help them feel more comfortable in an unfamiliar environment.

For more tips and for what to expect at your child’s first dentist visit, check out our website! Dr. DiStefano & Associates is the premier dental health provider in Howell, Michigan. Give us a call today to see how we can help you improve the health of your family.

How Often Should You Visit Your Dentist?

Are you seeing the dentist as often as you should?

Does the anxiety and even fear of the dentist keep you from making regular appointments?

You’re not alone! Many people experience anxiety and fear before seeing their dentist.

Here at Dr. DiStefano & Associates, we are committed to your oral health, and we do our best to make sure that you have all the gentle dental procedures available to keep your visits relatively pain-free.

According to the American Dental Association, “there is no one-size-fits-all dental treatment”, and they recommend that you should visit the dentist at least once or twice a year, and then consult with your dentist to find out how often you need to visit in the future.

Since every person is different, each person’s individual needs must be taken into account when planning visits to their dentist. When you visit Dr. DiStefano’s office, we will work with you to find a plan that not only works with your busy schedule, but allows for anxiety-free, pain-free, gentle dental options.

Don’t allow your anxiety about visiting your dentist to compromise the health of your mouth! Your smile is important to you and to us! Visit our website today to see how we can help you!

New Dentistry Trends to Look Out For

How long has it been since you’ve been to your dentist?

Have you noticed all the new technology in the office during your cleanings, x-rays or other procedures?

Going to the dentist can be a scary experience for some people, and a source of major anxiety. However, as new technology in dentistry becomes available, many more pain-free, gentle dental options are available!

Every day, researchers and scientists are working on new, more gentle dental technologies to not only make your visits fewer and further between, but less painful and less costly when you do come to the dentist.

At Dr. DiStefano & Associates, we are committed not only to your oral health, but to making sure that you are given the most effective, pain-free treatments when you visit us! New advances in dental technology will soon make this a reality.

In addition, with the advances in dental technology, more educational tools will be available to you in dentist offices across the country!

Looking For More?

Visit our website for more on gentle dental technology and how Dr. DiStefano’s office is committed to making sure you are taking great care of your mouth! Visit our site today to see how we can help you!

The Importance of Oral Health to Overall Health

Did you know that the health of your mouth is directly related to your overall health?

Are you aware that the health of your mouth can offer clues about the rest of your body?

Oral health means more than just a nice, white smile. Untreated oral issues can often lead to a negative impact on your quality of life.

Your family dentist in Howell, Michigan wants to make sure you’re taking all the steps necessary to achieve a healthy life for you and your family!

To make sure you’re living the healthiest life possible, treat your visits to the dentist as just as important as visiting your primary doctor. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), “your mouth is a window into the health of your body. It can show signs of nutritional deficiencies or general infection.”

Without proper dental hygiene, the bacteria in your mouth can lead to infections such as tooth decay or gum disease. Regular visits to your family dentist in Howell, Michigan are important, as is sharing any illnesses or chronic conditions with your dentist.

Your oral health might also contribute to or be affected by various diseases and conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis. Reports also indicate a relationship between gum disease, stroke, and heart disease.

Keeping your dentist informed of your health issues is essential to a healthy life. 90% of all systemic issues show symptoms in the mouth, so your dentist is crucial when it comes to identifying potential health risks and issues.

Your health is important to us! We want to make sure you’re getting the best care possible. Schedule an appointment today with your family dentist in Howell, Michigan, and make sure to ask your dentist about what you can do to take better care of not only your mouth, but also your whole body!

How Does Diabetes Affect Oral Health?

Do you have diabetes?

Did you know that diabetes could affect your oral health?

Are you taking all the steps necessary to make sure that you’re staying as healthy as possible?

29 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes. If you’re one of those people, chances are you know the risks and issues associated with the disease. However, are you aware that your dentist can help with diabetes-related issues too?

Communicating with your family dentist in Howell, Michigan about how well you’re managing your diabetes can help them take better care of you in the long run.

The American Dental Association says that people with diabetes are more prone to developing infections and other oral health problems than people without diabetes, so partnering with your dentist to combat this issues is a great next step on the road to better health.

Dr. DiStefano has over 30 years of experience and wants to make sure his patients are well cared for and as knowledgeable as possible! Make sure you talk to your dental professional at your family dentist in Howell, Michigan to find out how to get started!

Call To Schedule An Appointment Today!

Your health is important to us! We want to make sure you’re getting the best care possible. Schedule an appointment today with your family dentist in Howell, Michigan, and make sure to ask your dentist about what you can do to take better care of not only your mouth, but also your whole body!

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!