The trouble with bottled water

Our team at Gentle Dental Associates know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the traditional tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!

For more than 60 years, water fluoridation has proved to be a safe and cost-effective way to reduce dental caries. Today, water fluoridation is estimated to reduce tooth decay by 20- to 40 percent in children who have access to fluoridated toothpaste.

Bottled water, however, which remains one of the more popular drinks in the world, may not contain any fluoride, which is known to help prevent and even reverse the early stages of tooth decay. The majority of bottled waters on the market do not contain optimal levels (0.7-1.2 ppm) of fluoride, according to our friends at the American Dental Association, or ADA. Many dental health specialists suspect bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.

Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. So if bottled water is your water of choice, be sure to check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter (parts per million) of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.

Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your pearly whites in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting our team at Gentle Dental Associates regularly.

Meet our Team Leaders at Gentle Dental Associates!

At Gentle Dental Associates, we have a team of outstanding professionals. Each department has a leader and these ladies work hard to make certain that everyone is taken care of to the best of our abilities.

Stefanie - Front Desk Team Leader/Accounts Receivable

Stefanie inspires her team to work to ensure that your appointment time is held and that you are reminded of your confirmed appointment in a timely fashion. She also guides her team to check to make certain that you covered by your insurance carrier to minimize any nasty surprises for you or us. No one wants to be surprised by unexpected copays. She is also responsible for the delicate task of making certain that everyone is paying their share so that we can continue to serve our patients faithfully.

Pat - Team Leader Dental Hygiene

Pat challenges her team to learn new techniques and to stay current with the latest information in dentistry. She checks to make certain that the standard of care adopted by Gentle Dental Associates is being delivered to our patients. She also makes certain that we have toothbrushes, toothpaste, and everything we need to support your home care.

Heidi - Team Leader of Dental Assistants

Heidi makes certain that every doctor and assistant team has the proper functioning equipment in a sterile environment. She coordinates the schedule with the front desk to help make certain everything is running smoothly. She encourages everyone to stay positive and to work hard. She is always upbeat and has a way of making us all feel as if we can do anything. Some days she is spackling walls or repairing chairs and some days she is sitting beside you making you more comfortable.

Phyllis – Business Leader

Phyllis is a strong woman who makes certain that her employees and patients are taken care of with the compassion and skill that her husband envisioned when he opened Gentle Dental Associates. Without her strength and determination, we would be lost.

Our team of leaders is here to serve you, and they all take pride in their work. Schedule your next visit to Gentle Dental Associates today!

5 Delicious and Nutritious Snacks for Kids!

At Gentle Dental Associates, we know getting kids and teens to eat healthy isn’t always an easy task, especially when they’re busy with school and other school- and social-related activities. At the school cafeteria, it's just too easy for kids to nosh on French fries, chicken nuggets and other fried foods and unhealthy snacks, so our team thought we’d pass along five delicious and nutritious snacks we know your child will love.

1. Cheese – Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheese stimulates the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

2. Blueberries - These tiny nutritional powerhouses are loaded with Vitamin C, as well as folic acid, minerals, fiber and disease-fighting phytochemicals, which have shown to help prevent cancer and diabetes. Kids love them sprinkled with a bit of sugar, topped with whipped cream, added to muffins and pancakes.

3. Whole wheat bread or cereal – With bread, kids get their iron, vitamins, magnesium, and zinc. With vitamins, calcium, and fiber, a bowl of enriched whole grain cereal with milk—and even fruit—is a power-packed snack or healthy start to the day.

4. Almonds - They’re rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals and Vitamin E, and also have good amounts of fiber, iron, and calcium. Let your kids eat them raw. (Note: Whole nuts are a choking hazard for children under 3 years old.)

5. Yogurt - Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Low-fat yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, especially when whipped up in a parfait with berries and granola. Homemade fruity yogurt pop sure beats sugary store-bought frozen treats!

We encourage you to check out the other 15 healthy snacks your child can enjoy at any time of the day! For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please post your question here on our blog, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

How can Invisalign improve your Oral Health?

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Gentle Dental Associates than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health.

Here’s how:

Healthy Gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask our dentists the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

Sealants with Gentle Dental Associates

Our doctors at Gentle Dental Associates will tell you that sometimes brushing is not enough. Everyone has hard-to-reach spots in their mouth and brushing doesn't always fully clean those difficult places. When that happens, you are at risk of tooth decay. Using sealants on your teeth gives you an extra line of defense against tooth decay.

Dental sealant is a plastic resin that bonds to the deep grooves in your tooth's chewing surface. When sealing a tooth, the grooves of your teeth are filled and the tooth surface becomes smoother -- and less likely to harbor plaque. With sealants, tooth brushing becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay.

Sealants are usually applied to children's teeth as a preventative measure during the years of most likely tooth decay. However, adult's teeth can also be sealed. It is more common to seal "permanent" teeth rather than "baby" teeth, but every person has unique needs. Your dentist will recommend sealants on a case by case basis.
Sealants generally last from 3 to 5 years. However, it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact from their childhood. A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact so if your sealant comes off you must let your dentist know.

If you have any questions about sealants, give our office a call.

Why do you choose Gentle Dental Associates?

Gentle Dental Associates, serving Ann Arbor and surrounding areas, strives to provide exceptional treatment in an informative and friendly environment. Have you had a great experience at our office?

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Thank you,
The team at Gentle Dental Associates