Gentle Dental Associates' Summer Music Video Contest!

Our entire team at Gentle Dental Associates is extremely excited to announce our Summer Music Video Contest!

Here's how you can participate:

Create a music video about why you love your teeth
Submit a link to your video to michelle@gentledent.com

The winner will receive $1000.00 in dental treatment, and have their video shared on our Facebook page! Entries must be submitted by Saturday August 8th, 2011. Limit one entry per person.

We can't wait to see what you come up with! Give our office a call if you have any questions.

Your Teeth Whitening Questions, Answered.

At Gentle Dental Associates, we are always trying to help our patients build a brighter future for their smiles. One way we do this is by offering several teeth whitening treatments at our office. To help you investigate all of the teeth whitening options, we have decided to answer some of the most common questions we receive about teeth whitening.

Q: What is the difference between in-office whitening, take-home whitening kits, and over-the-counter products?

A: In office whitening whitens your teeth instantly with significant results about 98% of the time. Take-home whitening will give you the same results, but takes about two weeks to start to see the results, and you are in control of your results; the more aggressive (how often you choose to do it) you are with it the better results. The over-the-counter products seem to give you a result but not as significant as the professional product due to the strength of the whitening gel and the fit of the tray is not custom like the professional tray.

Q: Do whitening toothpastes really make a difference?

A: Whitening tooth pastes tend to lift stains, but don’t really whiten your teeth.

Q: How do I get my teeth whiter without them looking unnatural?

A: To get your teeth whiter without looking unnatural we would recommend the take-home whitening kit because you can control your results (you can stop when desired shade is reached).

Q: Can I use whitening products on my teeth while receiving orthodontic treatment?

A: No you cannot use whitening gels while being treated for orthodontics because the gel will not whiten and cannot reach under brackets, custom trays will not fit either, unless you are using Invisalign aligner trays.

Q: Can I use whitening products on my dentures?

A: Dentures are made of acrylic which will not whiten. In order to have a whiter shade of denture, you will have to have the denture reset with new teeth.

Q: What is the best over-the-counter whitening product?

A: The best over-the-counter whitening product tends to be crest white strips; we have seen a lot of our patients get results from them, yet not as good results as the professional kind.

Q: After I’ve received in-office teeth bleaching, what’s the best way to maintain my bright smile?

A: After you have received in-office whitening the best way to maintain your bright smile is to try to avoid staining substances in your diet (i.e. coffee, tea, pop, red wine, and smoking) and use your touch-up kit at home to whiten some more when you see your teeth start to fade back.

Q: What foods and beverages will discolor my teeth? Which foods and beverages taste good but won’t discolor my teeth?

A: Pretty much any food and beverage that has color or dye will stain your teeth (anything that stains your white shirt will stain your teeth.) Coffee, tea, pop, red wine, and smoking tend to stain the worst. Any food or beverage that is clear will not stain your teeth.

Q: Is tooth discoloration genetic?

A: Tooth discoloration is very minimally genetic. If your mother took antibiotics while pregnant with you, it could discolor your teeth or if you took antibiotics at a very young age you could have tooth discoloration. Most tooth discoloration comes from your diet and oral hygiene.

For more information about teeth whitening treatment at Gentle Dental Associates, visit our website or give our office a call.

Burning Invisalign® Questions

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! Our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment at Gentle Dental Associates.

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.

Are there any foods I shouldn’t 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 do 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 the office during treatment?

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

If you have additional questions about the Invisalign treatment, please give our office a call.

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!

June is National Smile Month!

According to the American Dental Association, a person's smile outranked eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature, which is why it's important for our team at Gentle Dental Associates to support National Smile Month this June.

Show off your pearly whites by posting your favorite smile photos on the wall of our Facebook page. We look forward to seeing what you share!

What do you LOVE about Ann Arbor?

Gentle Dental Associates, your Ann Arbor dentists, are situated around some pretty unique neighborhoods. Each is special with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our amazing patients) living within.

Today, our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about Ann Arbor? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite getaway in Michigan?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs in Ann Arbor, and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods” in Michigan.

If you need to schedule your next appointment, give us a call! Have a great week!

What, exactly, are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a type of molar that is found in the very back of your mouth and are the last molars to develop. There are four wisdom teeth: upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right. These teeth usually appear in late teens or early twenties but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry. The removal of wisdom teeth has become so commonplace that it is almost a rite of passage for young adults.

Our doctors will tell you that when a tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed. If it is not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and yes, even gum disease.

Our friends at WebMD have developed a helpful explanation about wisdom teeth and how they impact your health. Also, feel free to give us a call with any questions you have or ask us on Facebook!