As important as a discussion on the benefits of regular flossing is, proper disposal of used floss is also worth talking about.

Dental floss, especially the newer brands, is conveniently shred-resistant, but unfortunately, that also makes it non-biodegradable. While this means that tossing used dental floss in the garbage isn't ideal, it's still preferable to flushing it down the toilet, where it has the potential to create havoc in the waste processing stations, jamming pumps and causing increased maintenance and delays.

People with septic tanks are also advised not to flush their dental floss, as, in this case, the floss can clog and potentially damage septic tank components if it becomes trapped.

While there is no ideal answer to what to do with used dental floss, it looks like the preferred disposal method is in the garbage, where you're advised to "toss the floss," instead of "flushing the floss."  

Were you surprised to learn at your regular dental checkup that you required additional procedures? Perhaps the dentist recommended you have one or more of your existing fillings replaced. If the tooth doesn't hurt, why would we suggest replacing the filling? Sometimes dental problems do not have painful symptoms.

Dental fillings are designed to last many years, but our teeth are under constant stress. Chewing, clenching, grinding and temperature changes put tremendous force on fillings and may cause them to crack, chip, fall out or simply wear away over time.

As well, fillings can eventually pull away from surrounding tooth enamel to leave small spaces between the tooth and the filling. Bacteria can sneak in around the edges of the filling and cause decay, which can progress right into the dental pulp inside the tooth and result in pain, discomfort and the need for further dental work.

The key to avoiding unnecessary discomfort is to try staying one step ahead of any loose or worn fillings by replacing them before they become a painful problem - a preemptive and relatively simple procedure that will be more economical and comfortable for you in the long run.

Fill up on dental facts during your next visit to reinforce your good dental health. 

Think going to the dentist is expensive these days? After tightening their budgets over the past few years and avoiding the dentist, many dental patients are dismayed to discover that the cost of NOT going for regular dental visits is turning out to be much higher than regular checkups would have been.

The problem with tooth decay and other dental issues is that they don’t heal themselves. A small cavity in a tooth can be treated with a small filling, at a relatively small cost. However, ignoring that same cavity will only lead to a larger problem, with a more uncomfortable, complicated – and therefore more expensive – solution.

If you think of dental checkups as similar to vehicle maintenance, you can appreciate how regular oil changes and seasonal tune-ups can allow your car to run smoother – and more cost-efficient – for years longer than if you had ignored the little squeaks and clunking noises that would eventually cumulate in a major mechanical overhaul.

Even if you don’t think you have any existing decay, the price of regular dental hygiene is a fraction of what you’d have to pay if you continued to put-off regular checkups and professional cleanings. Remember, a regular checkup is about more than just teeth. Your continuing care examinations include a thorough mouth examination: a check for any deterioration in fillings, crowns or other restorations, new decay, signs of periodontal (gum) disease, root cavities (decay in the roots of teeth exposed by receding gums) and impacted wisdom teeth. We also check for unusual sores or changes in your tissues that may indicate, or lead to, oral cancer. To ensure that bacteria are removed from around and below the gum line, we will include scaling and polishing procedures to remove plaque, calculus and stains from teeth.

Because it has been proven that your oral health and your overall health are undeniably intertwined, it stands to reason that the healthier your mouth is, the smaller the chance is of an oral infection making its way into the body to start secondary infections. What most people don’t realize is that gum disease – which is a common, but easily preventable condition – is a bacterial infection and one that can easily enter the blood stream and travel to major organs to begin new infections. If you already have heart or lung disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and low bone mass, thinking of becoming pregnant, or if you have a family member with periodontal disease, you need to be extra vigilant with your oral care.

While we know that for most people dental appointments don’t usually make the top 10 list of favorite activities, it is vital to maintain regular dental appointments, even if you have no symptoms or feel that you have no cause for concern.

Please call us at 734-425-4530 to confirm your next appointment today. We look forward to seeing you soon! 

You know that the occasional sharp, intense pain in your mouth when you bite down is real, as is the pain that radiates through your tooth upon eating or drinking something hot or cold, so why is it that your dentist can't seem to find the cause? Chances are that if you feel these symptoms but they're not visible during your dental visit, even on an X-ray, you are dealing with a cracked tooth.

A crack in your tooth is often invisible to the eye during a dental checkup. To compound the problem, identifying where the pain is originating isn't easy either, as the crack may actually be more of a hairline fracture, running vertically along the tooth. It's common to feel pain in a tooth at the top of your mouth when the problem is actually on the bottom, or vice versa.

Unlike a broken bone, a cracked tooth never heals naturally. We have instruments to help identify the location of a cracked tooth, and treatments - usually a crown, root canal or both - that will allow you to eat in comfort without the fear of the sharp jolt of pain that characterizes a cracked tooth.