Your oral health & overall health

Don’t put off your next visit to Gentle Dental Associates any longer! Over the years, oral health issues have been increasingly linked to other health concerns, such as heart disease. Cardiovascular disease remains American’s number one killer, claiming more lives than any other cause of death, according to the American Heart Association. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care, both at home and by visiting the dentist.

Studies are also beginning to suggest that patients, especially those with periodontal disease, are believed to have an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. Since most patients are not regularly visiting a heart specialist, their regular visits to Gentle Dental Associates can help detect early warning signs of heart issues, prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages.

Additionally, if it’s been more than six months since your last visit to our Ann Arbor office, please give us a call!

What was your favorite part of Summer 2011?

The end of Summer and then subsequently the beginning of Fall are just around the corner. Soon the temperatures will cool down, the leaves will start to change, and we’re sure that you’ll be thinking about Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans.

But wait! First, we want to know: What were your favorite parts of the Summer of 2011? Did you go on a wonderful family trip? Did you pick up a new hobby? Did you try to spend as much time outside and in the sun as possible?

Share your favorite memories, stories, or photos with us by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page.

-Our team at Gentle Dental Associates

Dental FUN facts from Gentle Dental Associates!

Everyone loves fun facts and dental tips. Fun, fun, fun! Our team at Gentle Dental Associates came across these dental fun facts recently and thought you might enjoy!

• The second most common disease in the United States is cavities. The first is the common cold.
• There are almost 9,000 accidental pockings and piercings with toothpicks per year.
• X-rays may be an effective tool in preventing strokes.
• A child will have 20 baby teeth by the time he or she is 2 years old. Through childhood, kids gradually lose baby teeth and grow 32 permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth.
• According to consumer reports, dentists are among the 5 most trusted professionals in the United States.
• Approximately $2 billion a year is spent on dental products like toothpastes, mouthwashes and dental floss.
• The average American spends about 38 days brushing teeth over his or her lifetime.
• Kids in North America spend half a billion dollars per year on chewing gum.
• Approximately 94 percent of Americans say they brush nightly while only 81 percent say they brush first thing in the morning.
• Grand Rapids, MI was the first American city to fluoridate its water.
• Earliest record of a toothbrush was found in Chinese literature about 1600 AD
• The natural bristles of early toothbrushes were taken from the necks and shoulders of swine, especially pigs living in colder climates like Siberia and China.

Who’s afraid of the dentist?

Does the sound of a drill make you flinch or cringe? Do you worry about your twice-yearly dental checkup? Trust our team at Gentle Dental Associates when we say you’re not alone! In fact, the Journal of the American Dental Association has estimated that 30 to 40 million people have a fear of visiting the dentist.

To eliminate some of that fear, we’ve put together six steps to help you or your child overcome your dental anxiety before visiting our office.

1. What are you most afraid of? Is it the sound of the drill? Do you have needle phobia? Have you been traumatized by previous dental visits? Write down your fears, one by one.

2. Don’t wait. The more frequently you visit our office, the less work needs to be done at any one visit. Simply having your teeth cleaned professionally by one of our dentists twice a year—or as recommended—prevents many, if not most, problems.

3. Bring a distraction to your appointment. Bringing along an iPod is a great idea. Just plug in those earphones, close your eyes, and get lost in the music. Listening to music can also be a pain killer.

4. Relax. Inhale slowly, and count of five. Hold your breath for 10 seconds, then exhale slowly to the count of eight. Repeat. It's easier if you're not totally focused on the work going on inside your mouth.

5. Ask. Before any procedure, ask your dentist why we’re using the tools we’re using. Ask us what we're doing, what the tool is used for, and how it will benefit you during the appointment. Also, please ask about anti-anxiety medications that we may prescribe to help you relax during your appointment.

6. We are here to help you. Remember, we are health care professionals who want to improve your oral health, and will never judge you or the state of your mouth. Our team will do all we can to ensure a trauma-free and pain-free experience!

We hope this helps! For more on dental anxieties, we encourage you to visit this helpful article, ask us during your next visit to our convenient Ann Arbor office! Or, ask us on Facebook!

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!