Opening bottle caps or plastic packaging with
your teeth may be convenient, but this is one habit that makes dentists cringe.
Using your teeth as tools can cause them to crack or chip. Instead, keep
scissors and bottle openers handy. Bottom line, your teeth should only be used
for eating.
Above article from:
webmd.com/oral-health
Timothy P. Thomas, DDS, PC
37799 Professional Center Drive, Suite 101
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 464-2664
Website: www.MyLivoniaSmiles.com
What is Wellness Dentistry?
We offer and practice “Wellness Care” in our office. It is a
preventive measure to NOT have potential dental problems
worsen and need treatment. We take the time to discuss with
you how to avoid these troubles. What we do is give you a
thorough examination – inspect your bite and how your teeth
fit together, if they are worn, and look for signs of gum
disease, oral cancer, and other issues that would affect
your oral health later. We want to catch any possible
problem early to keep your teeth and gums healthy to avoid
any loss or disease in the future.
Timothy P. Thomas, DDS, PC
37799 Professional Center Drive, Suite 101
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 464-2664
Website: www.MyLivoniaSmiles.com
Reason
for Lost Teeth
Many people make the assumption that tooth loss is from
decay. But the main reason is gum disease. The symptoms can
be painless until the infection reaches a severe level.
Signs may be bleeding gums during flossing or brushing and
loose or shifting teeth. If infected gums are treated in the
early stages, nonsurgical methods can be used.
Gum Disease is Linked to Other
Serious Diseases
The American Dental Association has estimated that 80% of
the American population has gum (periodontal) disease. At
such a level, most dentists consider it to be an epidemic.
This epidemic has not received the attention that other
serious health problems have, as it is not considered life-
threatening. Now, recent medical research has changed all
that – a link between heart disease, stroke, and gum disease
has been made!
The bacteria that infect the gums travels throughout the
bloodstream and body and can have an effect on all organs,
especially the heart. A report from the American Academy of
Periodontology states: “studies found periodontal infection
may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase
the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a
serious threat to people whose health is already compromised
due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.”
Good
News to Stop Gum Disease
Early detection and treatments will control the problem
before it reaches an advanced stage and requires surgery.
Although surgery is successful in halting the condition,
nonsurgical procedures and better dental hygiene can also
reverse the condition and restore gums to good health. Most
dental insurances usually cover both procedures.
The Problem with Missing Teeth
Whether a tooth is lost from injury, decay, or gum disease,
it will lead to other problems if not replaced with an
implant. A missing tooth lessens the amount of nutrients you
absorb from your food. Chewing may become difficult, so
easier-to-eat softer foods are selected, which can cause
weight gain. Eventually, the shape of your face will change
to a “sunken” look and you will appear older than you are.
You may not speak as clearly as with a full set of teeth.
But today, implants are the solution to the problem. They
are used to replace one or more missing teeth and they look
and function just like a natural tooth.
Timothy P. Thomas, DDS, PC
37799 Professional Center Drive, Suite 101
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 464-2664
Website: www.MyLivoniaSmiles.com
Get
a Good Night’s Rest
Have you been told that your breathing is interrupted during
sleep? Do you snore loudly or fall asleep during the day?
You may be aware you have sleep apnea and already use the
CPAP device to alleviate your breathing problem. This device
pumps air into a patient’s lungs through a mask they wear
that fits over the nose and mouth. Many people find wearing
the bulky mask each night very uncomfortable, so they stop
using it.
We are pleased to be able to offer our patients a new option
with an oral appliance. It is a small acrylic device that
fits over upper and lower teeth. It gently realigns both the
jaw and tongue to allow air to flow into the lungs while you
sleep. It is easy to insert, remove, and clean, and it is
easy to transport during travel. There is a 90% success rate
with users, so please give us a call if you have been
diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Timothy P. Thomas, DDS, PC
37799 Professional Center Drive, Suite 101
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 464-2664
Website: www.MyLivoniaSmiles.com
It’s never too early to protect teeth. Giving a
baby a bedtime bottle of juice, milk, or formula, can put new teeth on a path
to decay. The baby may become used to falling asleep with the bottle in his or
her mouth, bathing the teeth in sugars overnight. It's best to keep bottles out
of the crib.
Above article from: webmd.com/oral-health
Timothy P. Thomas, DDS, PC
37799 Professional Center Drive, Suite 101
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 464-2664
Website: www.MyLivoniaSmiles.com
Just because cough drops are sold in the medicine aisle
doesn't mean they’re healthy. Most are loaded with sugar. So after soothing
your throat with a lozenge, be sure to brush well. Whether the sugar comes from
a cough drop or a hard candy, it reacts with the sticky plaque that coats your
teeth. Then bacteria in the plaque convert the sugar into an acid that eats
away at tooth enamel. Hello, cavities.
Above article from: webmd.com/oral-health
Timothy P. Thomas, DDS, PC
37799 Professional Center Drive, Suite 101
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 464-2664
Website: www.MyLivoniaSmiles.com
An
Easy Way to Prevent Child Tooth Decay
With all the contours and grooves in back teeth, even
thorough brushing may not reach these areas. This allows
bacteria and acids to accumulate and form plaque that leads
to decay. Once decay starts, the tooth is permanently
damaged and will require a filling or crown. We would like
to introduce to you another way to help prevent cavities.
One application of dental sealant will work.
Here is how we do that:
Teeth are first cleaned and sterilized. A thin coat of clear
sealant is applied to each tooth and then bonded with a
curing light. No shots are given and no drills are used –
the entire tooth structure remains intact. It is completely
painless and one application will help both children and
adolescents preserve their natural teeth!
Timothy P. Thomas, DDS, PC
37799 Professional Center Drive, Suite 101
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 464-2664
Website: www.MyLivoniaSmiles.com
Natural-Looking
Crowns Made In About an Hour 
You
are probably familiar with the routine of having a crown
made. An impression is made and a temporary crown is placed
over the tooth. After two weeks, there is a visit to the
dentist to have the permanent crown placed. If the fit isn’t
right, the crown is sent back to the lab. After it is
re-made, it is another trip to the dentist. We are pleased
to feature the technology of CEREC™ restorations. It is now
a one-hour procedure for a well-fitting, long-lasting,
natural-looking crown! CEREC is a computer-aided device that
mills the crown in just minutes. No longer are impressions
or temporaries needed. Amazing!
The procedure is easy. A tooth is prepared with an
application of a reflective powder. With a specially
designed camera, an image of the tooth is taken and then
viewed on our computer screen. This lets us design the
crown. When the process is completed, CEREC will create the
restoration. We then bond the crown to the tooth’s surface.
This entire procedure is much faster and easier and is
accomplished in just a single visit.
Timothy P. Thomas, DDS, PC
37799 Professional Center Drive, Suite 101
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 464-2664
Website: www.MyLivoniaSmiles.com
Missing
Teeth? Dental Implants Can Give You Back Your Smile
Dental implants are a great way to go in replacing missing
teeth for two reasons. They are so natural-looking they look
no different from a real tooth, and they function just like
a real tooth to allow you to eat a variety of foods. Because
they are placed under the gums, it adds to their natural
appearance, just as a real tooth comes through the gums. It
is also a solution for the problems denture wearers
encounter. With implants, you will not have problems with
denture slippage or have to take them out at night. Our
office coordinates the entire implant process, from the
implant placement with the surgeon, to crown fabrication in
our office.
Timothy P. Thomas, DDS, PC
37799 Professional Center Drive, Suite 101
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 464-2664
Website: www.MyLivoniaSmiles.com
Let
Us Remake Your Smile
Part of your dental health is not just being pain- or
disease-free but also feeling good about the appearance of
your smile. We offer you modern smile makeovers that are
easy to obtain with tooth-colored fillings, veneers,
bonding, whitening, and crowns. They are affordable and
create the beautiful smile that you have dreamed of.
Two Visits to Remake Your
Smile!
If you have always wished you could change discoloration,
gaps, or misshapen teeth, we can help give you the smile
you’ve always wanted. We have high-quality porcelain veneers
that go over and bond to your teeth. They are thin coverings
that look completely natural and give you the perfect smile
makeover for your unique situation. Ask us how veneers can
help improve your smile!
Timothy P. Thomas, DDS, PC
37799 Professional Center Drive, Suite 101
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 464-2664
Website: www.MyLivoniaSmiles.com
Since
1984, Dr. Timothy Thomas has been dedicated to providing
families in the Livonia community with quality dental care
for a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles! Dr. Thomas
prides himself on delivering virtually painless dentistry.
His goal is to make pain, fear, and anxiety a thing of the
past when going to the dentist!
Dr. Thomas received his bachelor’s
degree from the University of Michigan, where he excelled
academically and athletically, earning All American status
in track and field. He then went on to earn his dental
degree with honors from the University of Detroit Dental
School. He is a proud member of the Academy of General
Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the Michigan
Dental Association, and the Detroit District
Dental Society.
Dr. Thomas is committed to lifelong
learning and keeps up-to-date on the latest advancements in
dentistry through continuing education courses, study clubs,
and dental associations. Advanced training in cosmetic,
restorative, and implant dentistry, as well as CEREC™
one-visit crowns and snoring/sleep apnea treatment, allows
Dr. Thomas to work with you on a wide variety of dental
concerns forming a partnership in achieving your optimum
oral health.
Dr. Thomas is passionate about using
new technology to improve the comfort and quality of
dentistry for you and your family. With the help of today’s
intra-oral camera, digital x-rays, OraVerse™ anesthetic
reversal, nitrous oxide, and an on-site dental lab, he can
provide you with dental care that is more precise, more
comfortable, and less invasive than ever before!
Outside of the office, Dr. Thomas
enjoys spending time with his wife, Lisa, and their three
West Highland
Terriers, Murphy, Spencer, and Pauly. His hobbies include
cycling, boating,
and diving.
Timothy P. Thomas, DDS, PC
37799 Professional Center Drive, Suite 101
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 464-2664
Website: www.MyLivoniaSmiles.com
Opening bottle caps or plastic packaging with
your teeth may be convenient, but this is one habit that makes dentists cringe.
Using your teeth as tools can cause them to crack or chip. Instead, keep
scissors and bottle openers handy. Bottom line, your teeth should only be used
for eating.
It’s never too early to protect teeth. Giving a
baby a bedtime bottle of juice, milk, or formula, can put new teeth on a path
to decay. The baby may become used to falling asleep with the bottle in his or
her mouth, bathing the teeth in sugars overnight. It's best to keep bottles out
of the crib.
Just because cough drops are sold in the medicine aisle
doesn't mean they’re healthy. Most are loaded with sugar. So after soothing
your throat with a lozenge, be sure to brush well. Whether the sugar comes from
a cough drop or a hard candy, it reacts with the sticky plaque that coats your
teeth. Then bacteria in the plaque convert the sugar into an acid that eats
away at tooth enamel. Hello, cavities.
An
Easy Way to Prevent Child Tooth Decay
Since
1984, Dr. Timothy Thomas has been dedicated to providing
families in the Livonia community with quality dental care
for a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles! Dr. Thomas
prides himself on delivering virtually painless dentistry.
His goal is to make pain, fear, and anxiety a thing of the
past when going to the dentist!
