Kids and Teeth Grinding

Grind, grind, grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound. Did you know teeth grinding, or bruxism, is common in children as well? In fact, three out of 10 kids grind or clench their teeth, usually in response to losing teeth, jaw growth or other discomforts, such as allergies or infections. Teeth grinding is typically a passing phenomena as most kids outgrow it by the time they reach their teenage years. An important thing to remember is that kids frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, and taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem.

The first step of recovering from teeth grinding is noticing the problem. Symptoms of teeth grinding include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

If your child is a teeth grinder, we may be able to help. Please give our Ann Arbor office a call or ask our team on Facebook!

Happy Thanksgiving, from Gentle Dental

With the start of the busy holiday season right around the corner, our team wanted to stop for a moment to say how thankful we are to have you in our dental family. We realize that our practice thrives because of great patients like you. We are the lucky ones because we not only help keep you and your smile healthy, but we also have the pleasure of knowing you and your loved ones.

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality care that we have given you.

We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

Happy Veterans’ Day from Gentle Dental

Happy Veterans’ Day! Today is a day to thank all military veterans and the men and women currently on active duty that put their lives on the line for the freedoms we all enjoy.

In celebration of Veterans’ Day, our team would like to share a few fun facts about our flag, this national holiday, and our country’s history!

• Veterans’ Day, a day that was originally called Armistice Day, is a time to thank and honor the men and women who have served in our military.
• President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the official legislation for Veterans’ Day on June 1, 1954, changing the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day
• There are 23.2 million veterans in the U.S.
• The flag was first approved by Congress on June 14, 1777
• Each of the flag’s colors signify different American values- red is for valor and zeal, white is for hope, purity, and cleanliness of life, and blue is for heaven, loyalty, sincerity, justice, and truth
• Research by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) helped develop the CAT Scan, the cardiac pacemaker, and the “Seattle Foot” to give those hurt the ability to run and jump
• When the flag is displayed next to another flag against a wall, the U.S. flag should be on its own right (on the left side when facing the wall).
• Veterans’ Day is often confused with Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a time for remembering and honoring the men and women who died while serving our country, or as a result of injuries that incurred in battle. Veterans’ Day honors and gives thanks to all veterans who served in our military.
• There are five states with over 1 million veterans in their population – California, Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania

We are so thankful for all who have and are currently serving in the U.S. and overseas!

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?

Share your story with the world!

Just select the "Review Us on Google Places" button above to write a review on our Google Places Page. We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Thank you,
The team at Gentle Dental Associates

The Importance of Regular Checkups

If you’re brushing and flossing on a regular basis, we think that’s fantastic! But, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit Gentle Dental Associates every six months, in addition to brushing your teeth a couple times a day. Because your dental health is important to us, we'd like to remind you that it's time for your examination.

Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. During your visit, our doctors can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt

• Detect cavities and early signs of decay

• Treat oral health problems early

During an oral exam we will usually check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to our office in the last six months (or as recommended), call us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!

What do you love about summer?

Summer is finally here, and the team at Gentle Dental Associates thought we’d ask: What’s your favorite part about summer? Is it the warm weather? The free time you get? Spending quality time with friends and family? Grilling barbecue in the backyard?

Our team would like to know what makes your summer truly special. Let us know by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Ask Gental Dental Associates: What can Invisalign® do for my oral health?

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than the traditional braces you'd find at an orthodontic office. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign 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 us 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.

Professional Custom Whitening Trays

You've seen the toothpastes and mouthwashes aimed at giving you a whiter smile. These in-home products can help reduce stains from coffee, tobacco, tea, wine and other heavily pigmented foods, but they will not dramatically change the color of the teeth.

We're sure you have also see the over the counter whitening strip kits. While these can work well for young adults and teens, their effect for adults is often not as effective.These strips only treat the front six or eight teeth, and cannot whiten your entire smile.

So what is the answer? One of the methods we offer at Gentle Dental Associates is professional custom whitening trays. These are an easy way to whiten all of your teeth and allow you more control of the whitening process. Once we create your trays in the office, the whitening kit can be used in-home, and comes with custom whitening gel in various strengths depending on the sensitivity of your teeth.

These trays are comfortable to wear, and the application time is only about 15 to 30 minutes. If you have been considering a teeth whitening solution, give us a call today!

Gentle Dental Associates Preschool Presentation

Recently Pat and Renee gave a presentation to a group of preschoolers from Perry Nursery School on how to brush their teeth. They also talked with the children about nutrition, and how to make the right choices for their oral health! We've included this video above about their presentation, enjoy! At Gentle Dental Associates of Ann Arbor, MI, we work with patients of all ages to help achieve their oral health goals. Call us today to schedule an appointment!

Access your account—any day, any time—at Gentle Dental Associates

Access to your account, 24/7. Sounds simple and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at our office enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Happy Fourth of July, from Gentle Dental Associates

This Sunday, our team will celebrate America's 234th birthday. For most people, Independence Day is a time to celebrate, as well as commemorate, the anniversary of the signing of America's Declaration of Independence. It's also a time for most Americans to pay homage to all our soldiers - past and present - who lost their lives in battle - and those soldiers who continue to place themselves in danger every day so that Americans everywhere may celebrate our freedom.

Today, we thought we'd ask: what are your Fourth of July weekend plans? Are you heading to a barbecue? Hitting the great American open road with family?

We invite you to post your responses on our Facebook page! Please feel free to post photos as well!

Whatever you end up doing over Independence Day weekend, our entire staff hope you have a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend!

Regular Checkups for Adults are in Maintaining Good Oral Health

Are you brushing your teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s great; but, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit Gentle Dental Associates every six months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health.

Our doctors and team can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam we can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, give us a call at 1-866-921-5294 to schedule an appointment! Don't forget, June is National Smile Month!

What do you love about Gentle Dental Associates?

From your very first visit to Gentle Dental Associates our doctors and team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: Have you been especially impressed by one of the doctors or staff members? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for your first appointment your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Thank you,
-The Gentle Dental Associates of Ann Arbor, MI

Brandon Describes His Sessions with Dr. Peele at Gentle Dental Associates

Do you suffer from dental anxiety? Take a look at this video of one of our patients, Brandon, who shares his struggle with dental anxiety, and how Dr. Peele has worked to help overcome these fears. Brandon has had dental fears since he was a child, and Dr. Peele has worked to help him release these fears through conversation, hypnosis, and other mental exercises. Brandon has been kind enough to share his journey at Gentle Dental Associates in this video, and we are excited to share it with you.

Continuing Education at Gentle Dental Associates in Ann Arbor, MI

At Gentle Dental Associates, we ensure that our team stays abreast of the latest technologies and treatments, to provide our patients with the highest quality treatment possible!

Currently, Dr. Wang and Dr. Lacin are in Florida for continuing education courses on Lumineers.
Lumineers are continually improving techniques for their technology, and our doctors want to stay up to date. They will be in training for three days. The newest technique allows the delivery of all Lumineers simultaneously by use of a Lumitray, and this is done with a temporary bond material so that the patient and doctor can see the results before it is permanently bonded. In addition to this, Gentle Dental Associates already uses several revolutionary techniques with the Lumineers system, which you can read more about on our web site!

Smile wider, live longer, from Gentle Dental Associates

Folks with big smiles may live longer than those who don’t, according to a new study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. We’ve known for a long time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers there used information from the Baseball Register to look at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball before 1950. The players' photos were enlarged, and a rating of their smile intensity was made (big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then corrected their analysis to account for other factors associated with longevity, such as body mass index, or BMI, career length and college attendance.

The researchers found that players who weren't smiling lived to the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Gentle Dental Associates every six months? If not, give us a call!

March is National Nutrition Month!

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. Every March, Gentle Dental Associates and thousands of dentists and hygienists celebrate National Nutrition Month. This March, The Gentle Dental Associates Team want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.
Small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and vegetables: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods in your area.

• Make every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.
• It’s tempting, but…: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call!