Waterford Family Dental Care

No Matter What You Hear, Keep Flossing!

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No Matter What You Hear, Keep Flossing!

A little over a year ago, the AP published an article suggesting that flossing may not be necessary to maintain good oral health. The entire Waterford Family Dental Care team wants you to know that YOU STILL NEED TO FLOSS! The AP article was based on the removal of the flossing recommendation from the “Dietary Guidelines for Americans” that are issued every five years. We don’t work for “big floss”; our only agenda is to keep your teeth and gums healthy. As highly-skilled professionals, we can tell you without hesitation that NO MATTER WHAT YOU HEAR, KEEP FLOSSING! Here are a few reasons why:

  • Flossing will help you keep your teeth. This isn’t an exaggeration or dramatization. Flossing is the only way to clean the space between your gums and teeth. If you don’t floss, tartar, bacteria, and food particles can irritate the gums and cause gum disease — the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. If you want to keep your teeth and avoid the trappings of dentures or other prosthetic options, floss your teeth every day.
  • Flossing will help reduce bad breath. We’re not talking about bad breath that results from eating garlic chicken dipped in hummus, we’re talking about the breath that you emit no matter what you’ve eaten. If you’ve ever gone a while without flossing, you may have noticed that (when you finally pick the habit up again) your floss actually smells. This is from the bacteria, mucus, plaque, tartar, and food particles that are setting up house in your gums. Flossing reduces your chances of bad breath.
  • Flossing helps you minimize your chances of having other potentially serious health conditions. Gum disease, which can result from poor dental health practices (see item one), is a risk factor in diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. To say that flossing can save your life may be a little much, but it certainly won’t lead to complications that are associated with the aforementioned problems. Stay on the safe side and floss daily.

There are many more reasons to floss and we’d love the opportunity to share them with you. If you live in or near Waterford, Michigan, contact us to schedule an appointment.

How Will You Celebrate?

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How Will You Celebrate?

There are lots of things to celebrate right now. Fall is in the air, Halloween is weeks away, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. There is something else you should be excited about, though. Something that very few people know how to celebrate, let alone realize that it exists. What is it?

It’s National Dental Hygiene Month!

That’s right … there is an entire month dedicated to promoting dental hygiene. It all started in 2009, when the American Dental Hygienists’ Association partnered with the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program to promote public awareness of the importance of dental health. In case you’ve forgotten why taking care of your teeth should be as high priority as taking care of the rest of your body, here are a few reminders:

  • Practicing good dental hygiene helps you keep your teeth.
  • Good dental hygiene prevents bad breath.
  • A dental hygiene regimen that includes daily flossing can prevent gum disease, which increases your risk of diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.

How to Celebrate?

The most obvious way to honor National Dental Hygiene Month is to practice good dental hygiene! This means brushing at least twice a day (preferably after each meal) and flossing daily. How else can you celebrate? Try one or more of these ideas:

  • Call my office to set up your dental appointments for the year.
  • Help spread awareness by using #dentalhygienemonth when you post to your social media accounts.
  • Treat yourself to a dental procedure, such as whitening, that will give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

However you celebrate, remember that we’re here for all of your dental health needs. From cleanings to dental implants, your teeth are our priority. I look forward to seeing you at your next appointment.

Best,

Dr. Shlom

Invisalign: Your Ideal Alternative to Traditional Orthodontics

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Invisalign: Your Ideal Alternative to Traditional Orthodontics

Braces have come a long way since you were a kid. Instead of giant silver brackets, wires that leave scars on the insides of your cheeks, and rubber bands that have a tendency to snap at the slightest movement, there are clear brackets with discrete wires and, well… the rubber bands are pretty much the same. An even better alternative, though, is Invisalign.

What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that shifts your teeth using clear aligner trays that are custom-made to fit your teeth. Every few weeks, you receive a new aligner tray that will continue to move your teeth into the ideal position. The trays are made of safe, durable, BPA-free plastic that can be cleaned by brushing and occasional soaking.

Invisalign provides you with freedoms that your adolescent friends could have only dreamed of. There are no restrictions on eating, as you remove the aligner trays when you eat. There is no need for floss threaders, interdental brushes, or other instruments of torture, as you remove the trays so you can brush and floss as usual.

Is Invisalign For Me?
While only an Invisalign Preferred Provider like the dentists at Waterford Family Dental can determine your candidacy, it’s safe to say that most orthodontic misalignments can be treated with Invisalign. A gap you’ve always disliked, overcrowded teeth, or an underbite, Invisalign can likely give you the smile you’ve always wanted. Those who cannot commit to keeping the aligner trays in 22 hours a day or cannot visit our office every six weeks or so may not be ideal Invisalign candidates.

If you would like to learn more about Invisalign or any other orthodontic treatments, contact Waterford Family Dental Care to schedule an appointment. With over 35 years providing gold-standard service to our patients, we know exactly what it takes to get you straightened out and smiling again.

Why Dentists Recommend Fluoride

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Why Dentists Recommend Fluoride

Despite years and years of research, fluoride has gotten a bit of a bad reputation from the natural health community. The truth is, this naturally occurring mineral is perfectly safe and has helped both children and adults maintain healthy teeth since it was first added to toothpaste in the 1890s. So how exactly does fluoride protect your teeth and why does the American Dental Association (and every dentist I know) recommend it?

How Fluoride Works

Even before your first baby tooth erupted, fluoride was strengthening your teeth. As a naturally occurring substance, fluoride is present in many foods and beverages (including water). The body absorbs the fluoride, providing what is known as a systemic benefit.

While you continue to enjoy systemic benefits of fluoride throughout your life, it’s using fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses that provide topical benefits. When the fluoride comes in contact with your teeth, it fortifies weakened tooth enamel and protects your teeth from decay.

Fluoridated Water

Fluoride is found in most natural water sources, and for decades, it has been added to public water supplies. Before that, children had three times more cavities than they tend to these days. Because many people prefer the taste of filtered water, they may not be enjoying as many systemic benefits. That is why it is necessary for the health of your teeth to use a fluoride toothpaste and, if necessary, a fluoride mouth rinse, as well. If you’re genetically prone to decay, I can also provide you with a professional fluoride treatment to help keep cavities at bay.

Word of Caution

While fluoride is safe, if it ingested in large amounts, it can harm small children. It is recommended that children under six years old use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and avoid using fluoridated mouth rinses to prevent ingesting harmful amounts. As always, be sure to supervise your child or grandchild when they brush.

No matter how much fluoride you get, nothing prevents plaque, tartar, cavities, and gum disease like a professional cleaning. If it’s time for your semi-annual cleaning and exam, contact my office to schedule an appointment. I look forward to seeing you.

Best,

Dr. Shlom

Are You Sure It’s Just a Snore?

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Are You Sure It’s Just a Snore?

Every night it’s the same: Your partner falls asleep immediately and begins to snore away. Despite your constant jabs and jostles, they persist, leaving you feeling exhausted. You’ve tried white noise machines and earplugs, but nothing can mask the sound of your loved one sawing logs. While it may be hard to think logically when you’re so sleep deprived, you should actually be concerned. Are you sure it’s just a snore or is there more to it than that? Sometimes, snoring is actually a symptom of a potentially dangerous condition. If you’re worried, you should be.

The Symptoms

While snoring is the most common symptom associated with obstructive sleep apnea (or OSA), there are other tell-tale signs as well. These include:

  • Waking up gasping for air
  • Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
  • Morning headaches
  • Excessive daytime lethargy
  • Moodiness

The Dangers

Sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes blocked during sleep. During these moments, breathing temporarily stops, depleting the body of oxygen. This often happens for several seconds at a time, multiple times each night. Over time, these apneic events take their toll on the body, increasing the risk of:

  • Hypertension and stroke
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Accidents at work or on the road
  • Depression and anxiety

The Solutions

At Waterford Family Dental Care, we take OSA seriously. I have extensive knowledge and experience with providing solutions that will allow your loved one (and you) to get a restful night’s sleep.

While some patients have success with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, others find it cumbersome. Side sleepers, stomach sleepers, and those who toss and turn have better luck with a customized dental appliance. This small, portable, and lightweight device repositions your jaw and opens your airway — without tethering you to a machine.

If you or your partner have experienced any symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, don’t sit back and hope it will go away. Let me be part of your sleep solution. Contact my office today to schedule an appointment.

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