Is It the Right Time for Braces?

Has your dentist recommended braces for your child? Are you wondering if it’s the right time or best option? We understand your hesitation! Braces can be a lot for a family to handle. As a team of experienced dental professionals, here is our advice.

Ideal Age

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends children see an orthodontist by the time they turn 7. While this may seem like a young age to take your child to an orthodontist, an early evaluation can detect problems at the beginning stages so they can be corrected before they become more serious. Early treatment holds great advantages for your child’s future smiles by creating a healthy, comfortable bite while they are still growing.

Have a Conversation

Talk to your child about the braces. If you hear any concern on their end, try your best to work with it. Some kids will be excited, but if you have a child on the other side, talking can make the process less stressful.

Emphasize the Fun

If your child isn’t excited about braces, there are some built-in perks you can sell! Customizing the colored bands on braces and getting picked up a few minutes early from school for dentist’s appointment might be enough to do the trick.

If you’re thinking it is the right time or if you still have questions, give us a call at (517) 546-8983 today! Come see us for pediatric dentistry in Howell, Michigan. We can refer you to a great orthodontist and get your questions answered.

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!

Howell Family Dentist Debates Root Canal Verses Home Remedies

Do you believe in the power of medicine or herbal remedies?

Most people would rather save money on a root canal and keep it in the bank whenever possible. But how can you do that after your dentist says you need one in order to relieve your pain? Some people try herbal remedies! 

Some herbal remedies we found include: 

Plantain poultice- is a type of weed that pulls toxins out of the body

Goldenseal powder- is a type of herb that can be used as a mouthwash to take away soreness

Echinacea- is a type of herb that helps fight off tooth infections

Silicea- is effective in reducing root infections of the tooth

Lycopodium- is helpful to reduce pain while you’re chewing

There is no scientific information that confirms using herbal remedies help heal a tooth that requires a root canal. So we can’t recommend this type of treatment!. However, if you try an herbal remedy and you’re still in pain, a root canal is probably still needed.

However, our family dentist in Howell, Michigan would like to offer you ways you can avoid a root canal. That way you don’t have to worry about how much it will cost, or whether you should try an herbal remedy. Ways to avoid a root canal include: 

• Brush properly in a circular motion
• Floss twice daily
• Avoid eating sweets
• Limit your consumption of acidic drinks (pop, energy drinks, coffee)
• Use a mouthwash after brushing 

The family dentists in Howell at Dr. DiStefano & Associates are dedicated to providing you with 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.

Call Doctor Gary DiStefano, D.D.S., your favorite family dentist in Howell, Michigan today to schedule your 6-month appointment!  We’ll get you on your way to better health! 517-546-8983

What Everybody Ought To Know About Dental Emergencies

You may avoid dental emergencies if you regularly make visits to the dentist. However, dental emergencies can still happen!

If you’re unsure whether the issue you’re having is considered a dental emergency, always follow this rule of thumb: if it hurts … consider it an emergency!

Typically, a knocked out tooth, a cracked tooth, a broken jaw, an object stuck in the mouth or tooth, and toothaches are all dental emergencies that require treatment as soon as possible.

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.  

Want to avoid a dental emergency? According to the American Dental Association, here’s how:

1. Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each with fluoride toothpaste.
2. Flossing the correct way at least once a day.
3. Wear a mouth guard when participating in sports or recreational activities. 
4. Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth. 
5. Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things.

Have you had your checkup lately?  Contact the family dentists in Howell, Michigan today to schedule and get on your way to better health! 

A brief history of dental fillings!

Do you know someone who has a gold filled tooth? 

Are you wondering what your dentist in Howell, Michigan uses for your fillings? 

We’ll tell you soon.  But first, here’s a little history of amalgams, or fillings. 

In the early 1800’s tin was the most popular material used in fillings because it was inexpensive.  Dentists also used aluminum and asbestos until about 1850.  Amalgam was originally a mixture of silver, tin, and mercury and became popular in approximately 1855.  This mixture was popular because of its low cost, strength, durability and dentists found it easy to use.  Throughout history, there has been concern over the use of mercury and the harmful affects it could cause. 

During the 19th Century a variety of metals were used for filling drilled teeth: gold, platinum, silver and lead.  Of course, once scientists discovered that people were being poisoned with the lead fillings, dentists stopped using lead in the latter part of the century. 

Today, most amalgam fillings contain approximately 50% liquid mercury, 20-30% silver, 14% tin, 8% copper, and zinc with other trace metals.  Even though The Food and Drug Administration states that patients with silver amalgam fillings do not need to have them removed, many dentists are now using composite to fill teeth because they don’t want to take a chance with the health of their patients. 

Thankfully, dentistry has changed quite a bit since the 20th century, or many people would probably be missing a few teeth.  As a premiere dentist in Howell, Michigan, Dr. DiStefano and his team use a white composite for fillings.  If you get a cavity and have a tooth restored, the filling used will match the color of your tooth. 

Of course, the best possible scenario is to avoid getting a cavity!  You can do this by brushing and flossing regularly, eating good nutritious foods, avoiding excess sugar, and drinking a lot of water.  When you take good care of your teeth, you’ll not only avoid fillings, but you’ll also be less likely to develop a major disease. 

Have you had your checkup lately?  Contact us today to schedule and get on your way to better health!  Oh, and don’t forget that if you’re under the age of 18, you can join Dr. DiStefano’s “Kid’s No Cavity Club” for a chance to win a prize. 





Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalgam_%28dentistry%29

http://www.ehow.com/about_5210060_history-dental-fillings.html