Gentle Dental Associates are Going Green!

At Gentle Dental Associates, we care about making the world a better, happier place, and we know that you do too. We want to take this opportunity to share the many approaches we take to ensure that we have a healthy and safe environment both in our practice and outside in the world.

Our office recycles all paper, plastic and glass. We have done this for three years because Ann Arbor offers curbside recycling so it requires just a little more organizing. We are careful to make sure that all HIPPA protected information is shredded before it is recycled. All of our radiographs are digital and this change was implemented two years ago. We are currently in the process of becoming paperless. This plan is being implemented in phases and is expected to be complete within a year.

Finally, we offer our patients the option to pay their bill online to further reduce the need for paper and postage delivery of their payments. Besides causing less impact on the environment, Being green also makes financial sense, and has resulted in better and safer services for our patients.

What efforts have you taken in your own life to be greener and more sustainable? We'd love to hear about them!

Cardiodontics: The Heart Mouth Connection

If you have been told you have periodontal disease (also known as gum disease or periodontitis), you're not alone. An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of the disease! Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost.

Gum disease is a threat to your oral health. Research is also pointing to health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your mouth. So we at Gentle Dental Associates want to let you know some interesting facts and ways to treat the disease.

What is Periodontal Disease?

"Perio" means around, and "dontal" refers to teeth. Periodontal disease is an infection of the structures around the teeth, including the gums and the bones that hold the teeth. The earliest stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis – an infection of the gums. In more severe forms of the disease, all of the tissues are involved, including the bone. Bacteria that live and reproduce on the teeth and gums cause periodontal disease.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Symptoms may include the following:
--redness or bleeding of gums while brushing teeth or using dental floss
--halitosis, or bad breath
--gum recession, resulting in apparent lengthening of teeth
--"pockets" between the teeth and gums indicating that the bone which holds the teeth in the mouth is dissolving
--loose teeth
Gum inflammation and bone destruction are largely painless. Hence, people may wrongly assume that painless bleeding after teeth cleaning is insignificant, although this may be a symptom of progressing periodontitis. If your hands bled when you washed them, you would be concerned. Yet, many people think it's normal if their gums bleed when they brush or floss.

Periodontal Disease Affects Your Health

Periodontal disease is a putrid, festering infection of the mouth. Bacteria and inflammatory particles can enter the bloodstream through ulcerated and bleeding gums and travel to the heart and other organs. In recent years, gum disease has been linked to a number of health problems. Researchers are studying possible connections between gum disease and:
--Heart disease: Gum disease may increase the risk of heart disease. Gum disease also is believed to worsen existing heart disease.
--Stroke: Gum disease may increase the risk of the type of stroke caused by blocked arteries
--Diabetes: People with diabetes and periodontal disease may be more likely to have trouble controlling their blood sugar than diabetics with healthy gums.
--Premature births: A woman who has gum diseases during pregnancy may be more likely deliver her baby too early and the infant may be more likely to be of low birth weight.

Combating Periodontal Disease

--See your dentist! See your dentist every six months for a checkup! Regular professional cleanings and checkups make you feel good, look good, and could be a lifesaver!
--Brush and floss daily. Take your time and do it right!
--Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash. Daily use of an anti-bacterial mouthwash helps to disinfect the teeth and gums, and reduces the number of bacteria.
--Straighten your teeth. Crowded teeth are nearly impossible to keep clean. Orthodontic treatment can greatly reduce inflammation and periodontal disease.

--Gentle Dental Associates of Ann Arbor MI

Imagining Your Life With Invisalign

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Following are a list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit your office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Gentle Dental Associates will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

Ask Gentle Dental Associates: Which toothbrush should my child use?

When you visit Gentle Dental Associates, we will tell you that brushing your teeth is one of the easiest methods of cavity prevention. But which type of toothbrush should your child use? When choosing a toothbrush, look for round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums. Choose one that is specifically designed for a child's smaller mouth and hands. Also, look for large handles that can help children control the toothbrush. Lastly, throw out a toothbrush after three months or sooner if the bristles are fraying. Frayed bristles have the ability to harm your gums, and are not as effective in cleaning teeth.

As far as which toothpaste is best? It doesn't matter as long as it has fluoride in it. However, for small children who tend to swallow toothpaste, do not use fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure to touch each tooth and every side of that tooth. Also, you do need to gently brush on your gums.

To learn more about choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child, we encourage you to read this helpful article from Parenthood.com. Or, you may give us a call and we'll try to answer any question you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

Fear of the Dentist, a Video Testimonial from one of our patients at Gentle Dental Associates

When Brandon first contacted us, he explained his past experiences with dental work, and the problems with infection that he has struggled with. Brandon has just become a patient at Gentle Dental Associates, and in this video he describes how he has worked to overcome his fear and begin treatment at our office. You can also take a look at the first email he sent to us below, which he wanted us to share with you all:

When I saw "No lecture, just support," on your web page, it meant as much to me as your other patient services - I have an irrational fear of dentistry, and have made every excuse not to get this taken care of. I cannot smile, I feel unacceptable as a person due to the state of my body because of the state of my teeth. I cannot eat properly or control my weight, I cannot kiss someone I love without careful consideration. Having spent most of my life as a consultant (computers, systems and networking), I have lost confidence and customers because I am a horror to look upon. I have frightened small children, and that is depressing.

I am sometimes in pain, and often in danger of serious infection. I have used green tea and Listerine to keep systemic infection out; so far it has, for the most part worked.

If you do or do not have any options available to me, please let me know either by replying to this email, or by contacting me as per below.

Do you struggle with any of the fears that Brandon mentions in the video or in his email? Take a look on our web site, where we have a page devoted to dental fears. Then give us a call to learn how fear of the dentist shouldn't stand between you and a healthier smile!

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!