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Canton, Michigan: (734) 844-1300
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West Bloomfield, Michigan: (248) 855-8000

Emergency Care Available!


Canton, Michigan: (734) 844-1300


South Lyon, Michigan: (248) 437-1010

Vaping and Your Oral Health

Posts Tagged ‘Lifetime Dental’

 

Vaping and Your Oral Health

Posted on: July 23rd, 2020 by admin

As you’re no doubt aware, smoking is a dangerous habit that has serious health consequences. Although the dental effects of smoking pale in comparison to the life-threatening general health effects, they are nonetheless impactful and noteworthy. (Check out our slideshow on 7 dental health concerns for smokers.) Smoking stains the teeth and increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer, potentially limits candidacy for certain popular treatments like dental implants, and more.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services one in five people smoke in the United States. Many of these smokers have transitioned away from traditional combustible cigarettes in recent years to the supposedly “safer” e-cigarette and vaping alternatives.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are relatively new products that convert a liquid concentrate into an aerosol via a heating element. Many of those trying to quit smoking end up using ENDS because there is no tobacco involved. (It is called “vaping” because ENDS vaporizes the nicotine for ingestion, without using any tobacco.) The idea that switching to ENDS is a stepping-stone to quitting entirely. However there are a number of people transitioning to ENDS because of the trend, and there are even new smokers using them as an entry point to starting smoking.

So it begs the question: Is vaping really less harmful to health (specifically oral health) than traditional smoking?

Unfortunately, this is a bit of a loaded question. Vaping is too new for there to be any long-term studies evaluating its health effects as compared with smoking. So it’s rather disingenuous to get into any sort of true comparison at this point. But we can look at the potential oral health effects of vaping as a standalone.

Nicotine and Oral Health

E-cigarettes may not contain tobacco, but they do contain nicotine, the highly addictive chemical additive in traditional cigarettes. A vasoconstrictor, nicotine inhibits blood flow which can have damaging effects throughout the body. The level of reduced blood flow in the mouth is particularly high, compared to other parts of the body, causing the vaporized nicotine to directly enter oral tissues as the vapor is inhaled. This reduced blood flow can lead to tissue death and gum recession. As if this isn’t bad enough (recession can increase your risk of a number of dental problems), the reduced blood flow can hide the symptoms of serious gum disease.

Gum inflammation and bleeding are two tell-tale signs of gum disease. By inhibiting blood flow and creating a reduced level of bleeding and inflammation, nicotine can make it more difficult for a dentist to identify gum disease. Considering that gum disease has been linked with stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer risk, masking of its symptoms is a serious dental and general health concern.

Nicotine can also cause teeth grinding, which seriously damages the surfaces of the teeth and can impact bite alignment, leading to jaw-related problems like TMD.

Nicotine aside, there are other oral health concerns associated with vaping that still need to be studied. For example, the liquids used in vaping contain an array of chemicals (like diethylene glycol) that can potentially be harmful, depending on the concentrations and frequency of use. Many contain a menthol additive that has been shown to break down epithelial cells, potentially harming gum tissue. In addition, many dental patients who vape have reported issues related to dry mouth (xerostomia) which increases the risk of tooth decay.

The bottom line is simple. Although vaping might not share all the negative health effects of smoking combustible cigarettes, it has its own health concerns (specifically oral health concerns) that have not yet been fully studied or evaluated. If you use ENDS, speak with your dentist to learn more about the potential oral health effects.

4 Benefits of Teeth Whitening

Posted on: May 9th, 2020 by admin

 

By Dr. David Kam

The Benefits of Having a Brighter Smile

Your smile is one of the first things that people notice when they meet you. Straight, white teeth are no longer just for celebrities. Advancements in cosmetic dentistry over the last several years have made teeth whitening safer and more affordable for almost anyone wanting a brighter smile. But why is having a white smile important?

Dr David Kam - Dentist in Canton, Michigan

According to a national survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 96% of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to the opposite gender, and 74% of adults feel an unattractive smile can hurt a person's chances for career success. Having a clean, straight smile that you feel confident about enhances your social and career opportunities!

Types of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening has become a popular cosmetic treatment in many people’s lifestyles. Everywhere you look, from social media to magazines to posters in malls, whiter teeth are everywhere!

Perhaps you are on the fence about teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is a safe, life-enhancing process that can have a positive effect on both your physical appearance and psychological health. Here are 4 benefits of teeth whitening:

1. Teeth whitening boosts your self-confidence

With teeth whitening, your self-confidence will skyrocket. Whether you're at work, on a date, giving a presentation, or just walking down the street, a smile with bright, sparkly teeth is hard to miss! Whiter teeth are also an indication to others that you take care of yourself and care about your appearance. Those around you will be able to sense this!

Zoom Teeth Whitening Michigan

2. Teeth whitening enhances your appearance

You might have the healthiest teeth and straightest smile but you're not immune to the damage that everyone faces from everyday food and drink. Foods, coffee, tea, and soda stain our teeth over time. After the proper whitening procedure, you'll instantly notice the difference without having to 'filter' and/or edit your photos. Teeth whitening will help combat stains from your everyday food and drink. 

3. Teeth whitening minimizes the look of wrinkles

If you’re self-conscious about wrinkles, teeth whitening may be a great option for you! Instead of focusing on wrinkles, people are more likely to focus on your bright white smile. This will draw attention away from the appearance of surrounding wrinkles, acne scars, and frown lines.

4. Teeth whitening doesn’t break the bank

Teeth whitening doesn’t cost as much as plastic surgery! A touch-up kit after an in-office treatment will be enough to prolong the effect of your teeth whitening. The combination of teeth whitening plus an at-home enhancer is a small price tag that produces big results.

At Lifetime Dental Group, we’d love to help you get the whiter smile you’ve always wanted! If you’re interested in learning more about our teeth whitening options, simply request an appointment below and one of our team members will be in contact with you soon.

Compassionate Dental Care in Canton, Michigan and South Lyon, Michigan and West Bloomfield, Michigan


Lifetime Dental Group utilizes the latest in dental technology and compassionate chairside manner. Our Canton, South Lyon and West Bloomfield dentists are dedicated to your continued oral health and wellness. Lifetime is Metro Detroit, Michigan's #1 family dentist practice!

canton dentists - canton michiganEvery smile is unique, which is why our team provides services to achieve our patient’s specific goals and needs. We take the time to get to know our patients and build a relationship so that we can provide our services on a foundation of trust. When you visit our practice, you will always see a familiar face welcoming you.

Whether you’re looking for a smile makeover using the latest in restorative and implant dentistry, or are seeking to sustain better overall oral health, we have the knowledge and experience within our specialized staff to meet your needs. We understand how difficult it can be to receive specialized care, as you may need to visit other practices to do so. Lifetime Dental houses a modern dental facility utilized by a team of specialists, dentists, hygienists, and staff to provide the care you need in the convenient locations of Canton, South Lyon and West Bloomfield, Michigan.

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