Healthy After-School Snack Options For Your Kids

Are you a parent who works full time?

Are you constantly on the go trying to balance your work schedule and your kids’ schedules?

Are you finding it a struggle to get your kids a quick snack after school while also being health conscious?

You’re not alone! Many parents struggle to find the time to go grocery shopping, let alone find time to pick out enough healthy snacks that are good for your kids.

At Dr. DiStefano's office, we pride ourselves on being experts in pediatric dentistry in Howell, and to help you out, we’ve put together a short list of some snacks you can find at the grocery store that won’t make you feel guilty. Your kids will love them, and you can feel good about serving them!

1. Fruit and dip: Cut up some of your child’s favorite fruit and stick a toothpick in them. Then, in a bowl, mix 1 cup of low-fat sour cream, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, and sprinkle with cinnamon. 
2. Chex mix: This snack can be bought already made, or you can make your own with Chex cereal, mini pretzels and crackers.
3. Fruit smoothies: Mix 1 cup of vanilla yogurt, 1 cup of frozen strawberries (substitute any different fruit to change the taste), and ¼ cup orange juice in a blender until smooth. This snack is healthy and filling!
4. Apple moons: Slice an apple into crescents, and then spread with peanut butter or almond butter. Add granola on the top for a nice crunch!
5. Oatmeal cookies: This snack is a staple at a lot of homes, and is easily made, or can be bought in the cookie aisle at your grocery store.

For more snack ideas, check the snack aisle at your grocery store and keep an eye out for special “on the go” packaging to make it easier on you!

Looking for More?

If you’re looking for the premier source of pediatric dentistry in Howell, Michigan, you’ve come to the right place! More and more people in Howell are choosing Dr. DiStefano & Associates not only for their own dentistry needs, but for their kids as well. Contact us today on our website, or give us a call at 517-546-8983 to get started!

How to Get Relief From Headaches Due to Dental Problems

Are you suffering from chronic headaches?

Do you suffer from pain in your jaw, ears or face?

Is this pain causing you to miss work, miss out on time with your family, or miss out on social activities?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, you deserve some relief! Dr. DiStefano is the premier headache dentist in Howell, Michigan, and knows how hard it can be to suffer from chronic pain due to dental issues.

How Do My Teeth Affect My Jaw and Face?

You might not realize it, but you can suffer from joint pain in your mouth. After all, your jaw is one big joint! Pain in your jaw can exist for a number of reasons. Dental issues such as teeth grinding, or TMJ disorder can affect your bite, making your jaw sore.

This pain in your jaw can radiate out to your eyes and ears, and even cause migraines.

How Can I Get Rid of My Pain?

Pain in your jaw can be unbearable, and at Dr. DiStefano’s office, we want to help you get relief! There are several ways you can get rid of pain in your jaw, ears, face, and even from migraines.

1. Physical therapy
2. Dental work
3. Treatment for TMJ disorder

Come visit the premier headache dentist in Howell, Michigan about your pain and see how we can help you get the relief you deserve! Visit our website to learn more about TMJ and headache pain due to dental issues!

Treatment Options for TMJ Disorder

Are you suffering from pain related to TMJ disorder?

Are you trying to get rid of the pain quickly?

More than 10 million Americans are affected by TMJ disorder. TMJ can cause pain in the face, ears and jaw, and even contribute to migraines.

If you’re looking for the best headache dentist in Howell, Michigan, look no further than Dr. DiStefano’s office! Our philosophy is to treat your TMJ issues like orthopedic issues – after all, your jaw is a joint! In our 25 years of using orthopedic and osteopathic principles to treat TMJ, we’ve seen great success.

If you’re suffering from jaw pain, ear or face pain, and migraines, here are some treatment options available to you:

• First, get a correct diagnosis of your symptoms.
• This is important to determine which types of therapy will work best for you!
• Therapy
• Exercises to relieve joint pain
• Osteopathic medicine
• Physical therapy
• MRI
• Acupuncture
• Counseling
• Orthopedic appliances

At Dr. DiStefano’s office, we’ll help you understand your symptoms better and get you the pain relief you deserve!

Looking for More?

For more information about TMJ disorder, visit our website! As the premier headache dentist in Howell, Michigan, we believe that knowledge is important when it comes to treatment; see how we can help you today!

5 Things You Should Do in the New Year to Have A Healthier Mouth

Do you want to do a better job taking care of your teeth in the New Year?

Is one of your New Year’s Resolutions to start going to the dentist more often?

Are you looking for things you can do in between appointments to make sure your mouth is as healthy as possible?

You’re not alone! Many Americans put health issues at the top of their New Year’s Resolution lists every year, and we want to make sure that you know what you can do at home and on the go to make sure your teeth are as healthy as possible.

Here are five things you can start doing to improve the health of your mouth and teeth in 2016:

1. Drink more water! You already know that water is good for you, but did you know that water also helps to wash away acid-producing foods from your mouth? Keeping acid off your teeth can help protect the enamel against erosion. 
2. Try sugar-free drinks and chewing gum! Make the switch to sugar-free drinks and sugar-free chewing gum in 2016. Sugar-free drinks can help wash acid producing food from your mouth and reduce the risk of cavities. Additionally, according to WebMD, chewing gum “increases the flow of saliva, which helps neutralize acids in the mouth, protecting tooth enamel.”
3. Eat more cheese and milk! This one might sound a little out there, but cheese and milk can help protect your tooth enamel and ward off cavities. They both encourage saliva production and the protein and calcium in both those foods can buffer the acids in a lot of foods, protecting the enamel of your teeth from erosion. 
4. Chocolate lovers rejoice; eat more cocoa! Also according to WebMD, substances found in cocoa can dampen inflammation and help protect against erosion and decay. Dark chocolate is the best choice to help your teeth, as it is lower in sugar than milk chocolate.
5. Eat more fish! Omega-3 fatty acids are potent anti-inflammatory nutrients, and studies have shown that people who have high omega-3 diets are more resistant to gum disease.

Looking For More?

If you want more ideas on how to change the way you eat and take care of your mouth, teeth and gums in 2016, visit our website! Dr. DiStefano & Associates are happy to be the most trusted family dentist in Howell, Michigan and are happy to help you!

3 Things to Avoid in Order to Have Whiter, Healthier Teeth

Are you looking to make a change to better your health in the New Year?

Do you want to have a healthier, whiter smile?

You’re not alone! Many people look for ways to better themselves with their New Year’s Resolutions! If you’re looking for a way to make your mouth healthier next year, we want to help!

You already know that the foods you eat affect how your smile looks, and how your mouth feels. Did you know that certain foods could even affect the strength of your enamel?

Enamel protects your teeth and also keeps them looking nice and shiny. In order to keep that enamel looking and feeling healthy, there are certain things you should avoid in 2016.

1. Sugary drinks – According to WebMD, the bacteria in your mouth that helps break down simple sugars also produces acid, which can erode tooth enamel. This can cause cavities, as well. Avoid sugary drinks like soft drinks and fruit drinks to prevent this from happening.
2. Candy and highly sweetened snacks – You already know that candy is loaded with sugar. That seems like a no-brainer, but did you know that gummy candies are the worst threat to your teeth? Gummy candies adhere to teeth, making it hard for your saliva to wash them away. 
3. Coffee, tea and red wine – This one might seem impossible to a lot of us who need our morning caffeine to get us going! Since we tend to sip coffee and tea slowly, acid levels remain high, which can weaken your enamel. These drinks are also notorious for staining teeth.

What Can I Do Instead to Keep My Teeth White?

In order to keep your mouth healthy and your teeth white, eliminating sugary foods and foods with acids can go a long way.

In addition, drinking coffee and tea sparingly can help keep your teeth looking white. Drinking with a straw can also help keep your enamel strong.

Looking For More?

Dr. DiStefano & Associates has been the premier family dentist in Howell, Michigan for over 30 years. We want to help you get the bright and healthy smile you’ve always wanted! Visit our website today to schedule an appointment!

Side Effects from Teeth Whitening

Are you considering getting a teeth whitening procedure done?

Are you concerned about side effects that could affect your health?

At Dr. DiStefano’s office, we care about the health of you and your family, and we want to make sure you get the best information possible before deciding on a cosmetic procedure like teeth whitening!

Your smile is important to your self-esteem, and we want you to achieve the smile of your dreams. There are many options available for teeth whitening, and like any medical procedure, some side effects.

Being well informed prior to making a decision on a whitening solution could save you money and unnecessary pain!

Common Side Effects

Tooth sensitivity is the most common side effect of teeth whitening.

If sensitivity occurs, it is often temporary and will go away once you've completed the whitening process.

Here at Dr. DiStefano’s office we recommend using a sensitivity toothpaste while using any whitening system and limiting your consumption of acidic foods and drinks.

According to the American Dental Association, using a whitening product too much can also damage the tooth enamel or gums, so when considering a whitening option, make sure you follow the guidelines recommended by your dentist before putting anything on your teeth.

Looking for More Information?

Are you still not sure what teeth whitening option is best for you? Visit our website for more information about our new in-office whitening product and to talk to knowledgeable and friendly dental professionals about your options!

Reliable Products for Teeth Whitening

Let’s face it, for many of us, our pearly whites have become more of a faint yellow. Age, our eating and drinking habits, and tobacco usage can lead to tooth discoloration. Even among those who take very special care of their teeth, it’s impossible to keep that white color we all had when we were kids.

With the holidays fast approaching many people are interested in whitening their teeth, hoping to revitalize their smile. They also have a lot of questions about teeth whitening.

With so many products on the market for teeth whitening, it can be difficult to know what works and what doesn’t. Here at Dr. DiStefano’s office, we want to make sure you get the most for your money!

Whitening Toothpaste

Because they're mildly abrasive, every toothpaste helps remove stains from teeth. Whitening toothpastes, however, also contain chemicals or polishing agents that help scrub stains from teeth without the aid of a bleaching agent.

Tooth-whitening toothpastes are relatively inexpensive and brighten teeth by about one shade. Some whitening toothpastes contain peroxides, but they aren't left on the teeth long enough to have a whitening benefit.

Be aware that some ingredients in whitening toothpastes can cause allergic reactions for some people.

When looking for whitening toothpastes at a supermarket, they can easily be found next to the regular toothpastes. Nevertheless, always look for the ADA (American Dental Association) seal, which ensure product quality.

In-Office Teeth Whitening Systems

In office whitening treatments can get your teeth much whiter than whitening toothpastes, and it can be done in one visit!

At Dr. DiStefano’s office, we offer EZ White™.

An hour, dentist-supervised procedure that uses a patented, light-activated technology and oxygen-rich gel to break away stains quickly and gently in seconds, for results patients can see instantly. A 39% hydrogen peroxide power bleaching gel offers brighter, whiter teeth.

As an extra bonus an EZ White® Pro Teeth Whitening Pen is included with this procedure to use on your own to maintain your pearly whites!

At-Home Bleaching

You can get a professionally produced whitening system that you administer to yourself.

We offer Opalescence take-home whitening system. This includes custom made bleaching trays that we make for you in our office and the whitening gel.

Another option would be Sheer White professional strength whitening strips, which features 20% Carbamide Peroxide gel.

Too Many Options?

If you’re still having trouble deciding about what teeth whitening solution is best for you, visit our website for more information, or call us at 517-546-8983 to schedule an appointment with your hygienist for a pre-whitening consult so that we can help you choose the professional option that best fits your needs. We’re happy to help you!