Princeton Scientist Creates “Tooth Tattoos”

Do you like tattoos? Do you have a few of your own?

What if you could get one on your teeth?

It sounds silly, but a Princeton scientist is developing a tattoo that could detect bacteria in the mouth.

This could help doctors and patients identify when someone is coming down with a cold, or worse.

According to scientist Michael McAlpine’s interview on Princeton’s website, “the system not only has the ability to supply fast results, but is able to detect very small amounts of bacteria — a feature that could prove critical in treating certain diseases.”

You’ve probably heard before that the mouth can tell your dentist and your doctor a lot about your overall health. Health problems like heart disease can often be diagnosed in a dentist office rather than your primary physician’s office.

How cool would it be to have a tattoo on your tooth that could tell you when you’re getting a cold?

According to the article on Princeton’s website, “The researchers created the tattoo by bundling the silk and gold with graphene — an extremely thin sheet of carbon in which atoms are arranged in a honeycomb lattice. The material's unique properties allowed the researchers to construct a small, flexible device able to detect bacteria at a much higher sensitivity level than traditional methods.”

The team at Princeton’s plan is to conduct more studies to better understand how they could make this a real life solution. You can read the full article and see prototype pictures here.

What do you think? Would you ever consider getting this type of cosmetic dentistry procedure done?

Dr. DiStefano’s office provides a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures in Howell, Michigan, and is always available to consult you. If you’re looking to improve your smile and your health, visit our website today to schedule an appointment!

Tips To Make Your Child Great at Flossing

If you have kids, you know how challenging it can be to teach them proper brushing and flossing habits.

Some kids have trouble learning how to hold a toothbrush or figuring out how to reach all their teeth, and trying to teach them how to floss properly can be a nightmare.

If you’re having trouble teaching your child proper flossing habits, our staff at Dr. DiStefano’s office want to help! As the premier source for pediatric dentistry in Howell, Michigan, our team of friendly and knowledgeable professionals knows how hard it can be to even get your child to sit still long enough to learn!

1. Start teaching your child to floss when their teeth begin to touch. Since kids often have large gaps between their teeth, wait until they fit closer together to teach them the right way to floss.
2. Teach your kids using wide, flat dental tape. Several brands make “easy glide” dental floss that will feel better on your child’s gums.
3. Make sure to floss both sides of their teeth! Even if your child is missing a tooth on one side, it’s important to floss both sides of every tooth.
4. Some kids might benefit from using a flosser that is designed for small hands. GUM Crayola brand makes small flossers that are bright and colorful, and are designed for small hands.

Getting your kids in the habit of brushing and flossing everyday while they’re young will encourage them to keep up those habits into their young adult and adult lives!

If your kids aren’t getting the hang of it, make sure to stop in and see Dr. DiStefano & Associates! We want to help your kids learn how to take better care of their teeth, and help you with the teaching process as well!

Call us at 517-546-8983 or visit our website for more information about pediatric dentistry in Howell, Michigan or to set up your first appointment!

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!