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
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.