How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Benefit Your Health

Are you considering a cosmetic dentistry procedure?

Are you concerned about how it will affect the overall health of your mouth?

You’re not alone! Many people ask themselves similar questions when considering dental procedures.

Here at Dr. DiStefano & Associates, your concerns are important to us, as is the overall health of your mouth! We want to make sure that you are informed about how cosmetic dentistry procedures will affect the rest of your mouth.

For example, if you’re considering teeth reshaping or realignment, this not only will change the way your smile looks, but also can affect your bite.

In addition, lifelike veneers and bonding procedures can help hide wear and tear that happen to teeth over time.

Typically, cosmetic dentistry is done purely to improve the look and feel of your smile, the whiteness of your teeth, and to improve your self-esteem, but it can also be very beneficial to the overall health of your mouth.

Looking For More?

Making sure you’re as informed as possible is important to us here at Dr. DiStefano & Associates! Visit our website for more information on cosmetic dentistry, or call us today to speak to one of our knowledgeable and friendly professionals!

Pros and Cons of Cosmetic Dentistry

Do you struggle with your self-esteem?

Do your self-esteem issues start with your mouth?

Do you wish your teeth were a little whiter, or a little straighter?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, cosmetic dentistry might be the right solution for you!

Cosmetic dentistry is any dental procedure that focuses on the appearance of your teeth, such as teeth whitening, tooth reshaping, and veneers.

If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry, here are some pros and cons you should also take into account:

Pros:

1. Dental procedures are more advanced than ever, causing most procedures to be painless.
2. Teeth whitening procedures can be done in the dentist office, or at home, for added convenience.
3. Many procedures can be done for as little as $300.

Cons:

1. Since these procedures are considered aesthetic, many dental insurance plans will not cover things like teeth whitening, bonding, or veneers.
2. Some veneers will need be replaced over the years, and replacements can be costly.

For more on your options and for help making an informed decision, visit our website, and contact Dr. DiStefano today!

How to Floss Correctly – Howell Family Dentist

Are you flossing correctly?

Are you worried that you’re not doing a good job?

You know that when you visit your Howell dentist office, the hygienist is going to ask you about your flossing habits, and here at Dr. DiStefano & Associates, we want to make sure you’re well informed!

Flossing is important, and doing it correctly can mean the difference between a healthy mouth, and hundreds of dollars in dental bills.

How To Floss

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you floss at least once a day. Flossing properly will keep food from getting stuck in your gums, which can lead to tartar buildup.

The dentists at your Howell dentist office recommend using about 18 inches of floss, wound around each middle finger. Holding the floss tight between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up and down between your teeth.

Make sure you use clean sections of floss as you move from one tooth to another!

Need To Set Up An Appointment?

At Dr. DiStefano & Associates, your health is the most important thing to us! If you’re looking for a dentist that takes great pride in putting the patient first, look no further! Give us a call today to set up an appointment!

Poor Flossing Habits Can Lead to Oral Health Problems

When you brush and floss, do your gums feel sensitive?

Do you have pain or even bleeding when you floss?

Whenever you go to the dentist, does your hygienist tell you that you need to improve your flossing habits?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time for you to see your Howell family dentist.

Flossing is one of the most important things you can do for your mouth. Flossing gets rid of food particles and harmful buildup that can lead to infections and even gum disease.

At Dr. DiStefano & Associates, your health is extremely important to us, and we want to make sure that you know a healthy mouth starts with flossing.

Flossing once per day, especially before bedtime and using proper flossing habits can prevent gum disease, gingivitis, infections, and increase the health of your gums!

If you’re still concerned that your mouth isn’t as healthy as it should be, make an appointment with your Howell family dentist! We want to make sure you’re taken care of, and have the knowledge you need to stay healthy.

Visit our website for more information on how to floss properly, and schedule an appointment today!

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!

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!