Emergency Care Available!

Canton, Michigan: (734) 844-1300
South Lyon, Michigan: (248) 437-1010
West Bloomfield, Michigan: (248) 855-8000

Emergency Care Available!


Canton, Michigan: (734) 844-1300


South Lyon, Michigan: (248) 437-1010

Tips For New Invisalign Patients

Posts Tagged ‘Michigan’

 

Tips For New Invisalign Patients

Posted on: April 2nd, 2023 by admin

 

Invisalign is an FDA-approved treatment that can effectively straighten teeth with a series of clear aligners. It is an alternative to braces that uses clear aligner trays to move your teeth gradually. The aligners are removable and virtually invisible, which means most people won’t even know you’re wearing them. Instead of wires and brackets, Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to shift your teeth into place. When you visit us, our dentist in Arizona will create a customized treatment plan based on your needs.

Here are a few tips if you are new to Invisalign:

invisalignUse and Care for Your Aligners

Your Invisalign aligners are removable. While you need to wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours every day, removing them to eat and brush your teeth is a normal part of caring for them.

Since Invisalign is made of clear plastic, you can safely clean them with a toothbrush and mild soap. Clean your aligners every time that you brush your teeth, and soak them for a few minutes in a mix of water and isopropyl alcohol once a week to remove more bacteria.

While your aligners are removable, you should wear them as much as possible. Removing them may mean that your teeth fall out of alignment, which is counterproductive to straightening.

Remove While Eating

You can take out your aligners when eating. Simply remove them, eat, and put them back in. While you can take them out, you should only do so when eating and brushing. Leaving them out for long periods of time can jeopardize your treatment.

Brush and Floss Your Teeth Daily

Practice proper dental hygiene with Invisalign aligners. Although you can remove the aligners to brush and floss, you still need to brush and floss your teeth daily. This is the best way to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.

You should floss your teeth at least once per day. It can be difficult with Invisalign aligners on your teeth. However, you can still floss your teeth effectively. Use an interdental brush or floss threader to floss underneath your aligners.

Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks

Foods that contain sticky sugars, like hard candy or caramel, can pull off the aligners or cover them with film. This makes it more difficult for saliva to break down food particles. Therefore, it is best to avoid sugary foods and drinks when you have Invisalign aligners in.

See Your Dentist for Regular Check-ups and Adjustments

Wearing Invisalign aligners doesn’t exempt you from seeing your dentist for regular visits. In fact, these appointments are even more important. Your dentist will monitor your progress and make sure you’re on the right path toward better oral health. They will also make sure your aligners fit correctly and suggest a new set of aligners.

Important Facts About Flossing from Lifetime Dental

Posted on: March 3rd, 2023 by admin

We all want strong, beautiful and healthy teeth! This doesn't just happen though. Like many things in life, it takes hard work to have beautiful teeth and to maintain a healthy oral hygiene regimen.

Did you know how important flossing is to your teeth? While missing a day of flossing won’t cause your teeth to fall out immediately, over time not flossing your teeth regularly can have very negative oral effects. You should be flossing once daily to remove excess bacteria and plaque from between your teeth, lessening the chances of decay and cavities.

flossing teethHere are a few flossing facts for you to think about.

1. Floss comes in a variety of flavors!
Traditional dental floss is either unflavored or mint, but other varieties include bubblegum and cinnamon. Online novelty shops also sell floss in flavors like bacon or wasabi!

2. Brushing alone only cleans 70% of your teeth.
The remaining 30% is why flossing is so important! Flossing helps reach the tight spots between your teeth that brushing cannot hit. If you think about it, skipping out on flossing would be like only washing six of your fingers after using the bathroom.

3. Braces aren’t an excuse to skip flossing.
There are special devices made to help people with traditional metal braces clean between their teeth, and a special threading maneuver can also help get floss behind brackets and between teeth.

4. Floss can be waxed or unwaxed.
Depending on how tightly your teeth fit together, the type of floss you need will vary. Teeth that are very close together will be more easily flossed with waxed floss, as the wax helps the string slide gently between tight spaces. For more spaced teeth, unwaxed floss will do a great job clearing out debris.

5. Flossing helps fight cavities and bad breath.
Because flossing removes plaque and food debris, it is helping you to both keep your teeth and gums healthy as well as your breath fresh! The acid in plaque bores into teeth, causing them to decay, but flossing helps eradicate this issue. Additionally, food particles that linger in your mouth impact how your breath smells, both from the scent of the food itself and the smell it makes while it breaks down. Flossing helps to clear out these unpleasant odors.

6. When it comes to floss, more is often more.
It’s best to use 18 to 20 inches of string each time you floss! This will give you enough floss the wrap securely around your fingers as well as ample floss to move between your teeth.

It’s never too late to start flossing regularly! If you have questions about how to floss properly or help ensure you make the habit stick, talk to your dentist for more insight and advice.

To schedule your next appointment at Lifetime Dental in Canton, Michigan, South Lyon, Michigan or West Bloomfield, Michigan, just give us a call!

Canton: (734) 844-1300

South Lyon: (248) 437-1010

West Bloomfield: (248) 855-8000

Options For Replacing a Missing Tooth

Posted on: October 10th, 2022 by admin

At Lifetime Dental we know how serious your perfect smile is for your self-esteem. When a person is concerned or anxious about the way their teeth look, we totally get it. We can help.

A missing tooth can definitely change the appearance of your smile. Whether a missing tooth is the result of gum disease, injury, severe tooth decay, or a genetic condition, a missing tooth can cause several problems. Regardless of the way a tooth is lost, it can negatively impact the alignment of your teeth over time and cause a number of problems down the road if it isn’t replaced. Sometimes the value of your teeth isn’t realized until they are lost, and unfortunately, teeth do not last forever. Even the loss of a single tooth can have a negative impact on your oral health and confidence. A missing tooth or teeth can also affect your speech, and your ability to chew food and it can cause the slow shifting of your teeth into some of the empty spaces.

Before After - Missing Tooth - Cosmetic Dentistry

Fortunately for you, there are a number of excellent options available to replace your missing tooth or teeth to help restore your beautiful smile, including:

Dental implants are one of the most common methods of tooth replacement. Dental implants are a very reliable type of tooth replacement that both looks and feels like a real tooth. Dental implants provide a permanent solution if you need to replace a single tooth, or multiple teeth, in different areas. If taken care of, dental implants can last you a lifetime. The process of placing your dental implant can be somewhat lengthy. It begins with the replacement of your tooth’s root with metal screws, which will be used as an anchor for the false tooth placed on top. Once the screws have been put into place, you will need to allow the implant to heal for a few months, during which time, the implant becomes securely fused to your jawbone. Once the implant has healed completely, a dental crown will be placed on top and secured.

Another option to fix a missing tooth is an implant-supported bridge is an ideal solution for multiple missing teeth in a row. The process of replacing each tooth with a dental implant can be very lengthy and unnecessary. With an implant-supported bridge, only the teeth at the two ends are secured in place with implants. The teeth in the middle of the two ends are held in place without any screwing.

Another option is removable partial dentures are a comparatively simpler option to replace missing teeth, similar to dental implants. Compared to a complete set of dentures for all your teeth, removable partial dentures are suggested for individuals with a few missing teeth. Removable partial dentures are clasped into their correct place, which ensures that the false teeth are held in the appropriate spots.

Finally, an option is what is known as a “flipper.” This is a temporary partial denture that has the ability to flip in and out of its position. A flipper is not dependent on any surrounding teeth and does not have any metal clasps.

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.

Strategies for How to Make Brushing Teeth Fun

Posted on: April 27th, 2020 by admin

Lifetime Dental Group in Canton and South Lyon, Michigan wants to make teeth brushing teeth fun for your family! Our dental team led by Dr. David Kam has put together a few ideas to get you started:

Find Fun Dental Health Education Resources.

At Lifetime Dental, we believe that family dental care starts with an educational but fun approach. Try reading age-appropriate books and watching videos about dental hygiene with your child as you begin exploring how to make brushing teeth fun. Your child will enjoy the time you spend together learning about oral health, and you’ll enjoy the opportunity to introduce healthy habits like brushing and flossing.

 

Brushing Teeth - Michigan Dentists

Make Brushing and Flossing a Family Affair.

Setting an example for your kids is one of your most powerful tools to make brushing teeth fun. To model good dental hygiene, brush, and floss at least twice daily with your children, including once before bedtime. For younger children, you might even have them practice brushing your teeth! The routine of family brushing will establish consistency, so children will be able to learn healthy habits more easily. Plus, extra family time and attention for your child is never a bad thing! Sometimes, it takes teamwork to accomplish family goals, and proper dental care is worth the extra effort!

Create a Two-minute “Contest” For Brushing.

In addition to “how to make brushing teeth fun,” our Lifetime Dental Team of dentists and hygienists frequently answers questions like “how long children should brush their teeth.” Adults and children alike should brush teeth for two minutes twice daily, including before bedtime. To make brushing teeth fun, make a game of it, and set the timer for two minutes; the “winner” must brush for the entire two minutes without stopping. This type of game will create a sense of friendly competition and motivate your kids to brush properly.

Get Your Child a Special Toothbrush

As adults, we forget the novelty of incorporating toys into everyday life. Relive the magic of childhood and indulge your child in a special toothbrush of his or her choosing. You’ll find that, by adapting the toothbrushing process into a game with “toys” of sorts, you’ve found one special way to make brushing teeth fun.

Reward Consistent Tooth Brushing.

To really make twice-daily brushing and flossing something that really catches kids’ attention, reward their behavior. Start small by choosing a simple reward (like gold stars), and award it only when kids brush and floss as instructed (i.e. two minutes per day twice a day for brushing and once a day for flossing). Once kids have the mechanics and schedule of brushing in place, reward consistency by creating a weekly brushing calendar; each week of perfect daily brushing results in a bigger reward.

Recruit the Tooth Fairy.

Not everyone realizes that the tooth fairy pays more for teeth that are clean and cavity-free. Make sure your child knows this fact; it will go a long way in motivating your child to engage in daily brushing and flossing!

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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