How to Break 5 Bad Dental Habits

Are you sure you’re taking the best possible care of your teeth?

Are you doing everything you can to make sure that your teeth and gums are not only healthy, but aren’t irritated or inflamed?

Are you aware of any bad habits that could be compromising the overall health of your mouth and gums?

Don’t feel guilty – bad habits happen to all of us! We all have cheats and tricks to get out of chores we don’t like, and those can include issues with brushing, flossing and taking care of our teeth!

Catching these bad habits could be the thing standing in the way between you and a great dental exam.

Here are some common mistakes we see in our patients’ six month checkups:

• Getting carried away while brushing
• Whitening too much
• Grinding your teeth/clenching your jaw
• Trying to take care of aches and pains at home

Brushing your teeth correctly is always going to outweigh how much you brush your teeth. In fact, brushing too vigorously can actually mean you’re not doing a good job getting rid of germs and plaque! Slow down, take your time, and be gentle!

Teeth whitening can be addictive. You want a shiny, sparkly smile, and there are plenty of over-the-counter products to help you. Always talk to your dentist before you try a new product to find out what they recommend, and remember to only whiten your teeth once or twice per year! Whitening too often can inflame your gums and damage your enamel.

If you’re grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw, there are a variety of reasons why this can be detrimental to your health! If you’re doing it at night, grinding and clenching can be signs of stress, anxiety, or larger dental problems such as TMJ disorder. Talk to your dentist if you notice a sore jaw, or frequent headaches!

Most importantly, never try to tackle dental work at home. It can be tempting to use wives’ tales or internet advice to take care of a toothache, but this could lead to bigger problems. If you’re having trouble with your teeth or gums, call your dentist right away.

Many bad dental habits are caused by anxiety about seeing the dentist. We know it can be scary, and that’s why we work hard to make our practice a comfortable place, and use only gentle dental procedures and methods. To find out more, contact Dr. DiStefano & Associates today!

Kid Friendly Guide For Fighting Cavities With Fluoride

Trying to teach your child how to brush their teeth can be challenging! Trying to teach them about healthy habits to promote good oral health can be even more challenging, especially when you have to cut back on the sweets and sodas that your child loves.

To help your kids understand why oral health is so important, you can teach them about the built-in cavity fighters in their drinking water!

Teaching kids this way can make them feel like they’re protecting their teeth just by using the water in their tap, making it less like a chore.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a quick 4-step guide for you to explain to your kids how to maintain good oral health:

1. Drink water that has fluoride
2. Brush twice a day with the right amount of fluoridated toothpaste
3. Eat a healthy diet, limiting sweet drinks, sticky candies, and snacks
4. Talk to your dentist or doctor about fluoride treatments

Regulated amounts of fluoride in the drinking water in most cities will help your children get the fluoride they need to put them on the right track to oral health just by brushing their teeth!

You can also purchase fluoride-free dental products for very small children (younger than two years old) to save for when they’re able to take care of their dental hygiene themselves.

When they’re ready to learn, you can find more information on our website, or by visiting your trusted family dentist in Howell, Michigan!

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

Have you ever had that dream when your teeth start falling out? Would you know how to handle it if reality imitated the dream?

Real life dental emergencies happen, sometimes at the most inconvenient times. If you’re armed with a few tips to handle a few common dental emergencies, you can do a lot to minimize the damage and even save a tooth!

• Knocked-out permanent tooth? Keep it moist. Without forcing it or touching the roots, try reinserting the tooth. Alternatively, hold the tooth in your cheek, in a glass of milk, or in a tooth preservation product. Get to your dentist as soon as possible. 
• Cracked or chipped tooth? Save any broken pieces and rinse them and your mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress to any swollen or sore areas of the face and mouth. 
• Toothache? Rinse your mouth with warm water and try to floss around the sore areas. A lodged piece of food can often be the culprit. Do NOT apply pain relievers directly to the area. 
• Abscess? Pimple-like swelling on the gums? Because this is a potentially dangerous infection, call your dentist right away. Draw the infection out by rinsing with a mild salt water solution several times a day. 
• Broken braces or wires? If a broken wire is causing discomfort, try to use a pencil eraser to reposition the wire. You can also cover the wire the dental wax. Do not try to cut the wire. Call your dentist for a repair. 

To address your dental emergencies, try gentle dental in Howell, Michigan. We have time in our schedule set aside to treat emergencies and can put you in contact with dentist in an emergency after hours. Give us a call today!

3 Quick Tips to Improving Your Dental Routine

Are you looking for a way to improve your dental routine so you can have better checkups?

Do you want to make sure you get a clean bill of health every time you see your dentist, and take care of your teeth in between appointments?

You know how important it is to take care of your teeth, and there are some things you can start doing right away to make your checkups less painful and less stressful for you.

1. Eat better – A good diet isn’t just good for your waistline – it’s good for your mouth, too! Your diet can have a huge impact on the health of your gums and teeth. Carb-heavy foods usually have high sugars; try switching to more fruits and vegetables.
2. Switch your toothbrush regularly – Whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, make sure you’re changing it every few months or whenever the bristles start to fray. You should also get one sooner if you’re getting over a cold or the flu to prevent re-infection. 
3. Read the labels on your dental products – Not all products are created equally. When you buy new toothpaste, make sure you take a few seconds to read the label. The American Dental Association has a list of recommended toothpastes. These toothpastes typically contain fluoride, which helps to minimize the oral bacteria that causes cavities, in addition to strengthening tooth enamel.

If you want some more advice on how to amp up your dental routine, call Dr. DiStefano’s office! Our team of friendly, highly trained dental professionals will give you the best care personalized just for you.

We also offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures so you can improve your smile even more.

Visit our website or call us today to get started!

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!

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Dentist Visit

Do you have a child between the ages of 6 months and one year? 

Are you concerned about when you should schedule their first dentist visit?

Are you worried that you’re not doing everything you can to ensure their mouths are healthy?

Many parents express these concerns. Going to the dentist with a small child can seem like a huge hurdle, especially if your child is fussy around strangers or experiences separation anxiety. 

At Dr. DiStefano & Associates, we take pediatric dentistry seriously, and want to make sure your child has the best care possible, especially at their first visit. 

According to the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), “the first dental visit should occur within six months after the baby’s first tooth appears, but no later than the child’s first birthday.”

Here are some things you should expect out of your child’s first dental checkup:

1. The dentist will perform a basic checkup, and discuss best practices for your child’s teeth. It’s best to meet your child’s pediatric dentist when there are no problems, according to the ADA. “A dentist can show you how to clean your child’s teeth, discuss diet and fluoride needs and recommend oral care products.”
2. The dentist will look for small signs of tooth decay. The ADA says that tooth decay can occur as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts. This can be a painful, especially for toddlers, so it’s best to make sure this isn’t happening at their very first checkup.
3. The dentist will look for problems related to habits such as thumb or finger sucking. 
4. The dentist will recommend a schedule for your child’s dental visits. 

For more tips on how to make sure your child’s visits to the dentist go as smooth as possible, visit our website to read more about our commitment to pediatric dentistry!

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!

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!

What is Oral Cancer?

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, “the term oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the pharynx (the back of the throat).” 

During regular cleaning and exams, your dentist should be looking at your lips, gums, cheeks, and tongue (the sides and underneath). When diagnosing oral cancer early, your mouth may be showing the following signs, like red or white patches, sores that bleed, a hard spot or a lump, and/or a roughened area. To learn more about the symptoms you may experience, read our article titled “The Dentist’s Role in Detecting HPV.” 

If your dentist isn’t regularly checking your mouth for these symptoms, you should switch to an experienced and knowledgeable dentist who is concerned about you, your overall health and wellbeing. 

The dedicated family dentists in Howell at Dr. DiStefano & Associates provide excellent, personalized care and services to make your visits as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Our ultimate goal is to help you improve you and your family’s dental health through care and education. We’re also dedicated to maintaining a higher level of service to our patients so we can remain the best family dentists in Howell Michigan.

In an effort to help patients identify their risk for oral cancer, we now offer the OraRisk HPV test at our dentist office in Howell, Michigan. It is a non-invasive screening tool used to identify the types of HPV that could lead to oral cancer. The test allows us to establish if the patient is at an increased risk for oral cancer and determine appropriate action.

Call Doctor Gary DiStefano, D.D.S., your favorite family dentist in Howell, Michigan today to schedule your first oral cancer screening.  We’ll get you on your way to better health! 517-546-8983

Why Are Porcelain Veneers Popular?

Want to enhance your looks?

Do you have discoloration, misaligned teeth, or gaps between your teeth?

Are you embarrassed by your teeth?

Almost no one has the perfect set of pearly whites. Almost everyone has at least one flaw in their smile, whether it is discoloration, cracked teeth or even irregularly shaped teeth. Porcelain veneers can help transform your teeth’s surface, giving the appearance of a perfect Hollywood smile. 

Our dentist in Howell, Michigan suggests that you must treat your porcelain veneers no different than you’d treat your original teeth, with routine brushing and flossing to eliminate all plack. Many people have success with porcelain veneers since there’s little risk of damaging them unless you clench or grind your teeth at night. If this is indeed the case, your dentist will fit you with a mouth guard to wear at night.

 

Porcelain Veneer Procedure

According to WebMD, the following four steps are involved in the porcelain veneer procedure:

• Diagnosis and treatment planning. During this appointment, you’ll explain to your dentist the result that you’re trying to achieve. Your dentist will examine your teeth to make sure dental veneers are appropriate for you and discuss what the procedure will involve.
• Preparation. On your next visit, your dentist will remove about 1/2 millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface. Next, your dentist will make a model or impression of your tooth. This model is sent out to a dental laboratory, which in turn constructs your veneer.
• Bonding. On your last visit before the porcelain veneer is permanently cemented to your tooth, your dentist will temporarily place it on your tooth to examine its fit and color, and adjust it as needed. Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, your tooth will be cleaned, polished, and etched -- which roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. Cement is applied to the veneer to place on top of your tooth. Once properly positioned on the tooth, your dentist will apply a special light beam to the dental veneer, which activates chemicals in the cement, causing it to harden quickly into place. The final steps involve removing any excess cement, evaluating your bite and making any final adjustments in the veneer as necessary.
• Follow up. Your dentist may ask you to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check how your gums are responding to the presence of your veneer and to once again examine the veneer's placement.

If you believe you’d be a great fit for porcelain veneers, we’ll do everything we can to get you that beautiful smile you’ve always wanted! When you choose us as your dentist in Howell, Michigan, you’ll receive excellent care and education from Dr. Gary R. DiStefano, D.D.S. and Dr. Kaitlyn Monash, D.D.S.  Plus, our friendly team of periodontal therapists, hygienists, and office staff will help make your experience at our practice as pleasant and fun as it can be. 

We’re dedicated to maintaining a high level of service for our patients so we can remain the best dentist in Howell, Michigan. Call us at (517) 546-8983 to schedule your first diagnosis and treatment appointment today! You’ll be on your way to a healthier beautiful smile before you know it!