Do you notice a little red or pink mixed in with your saliva and toothpaste when you brush your teeth? The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush; perhaps you were a bit too vigilant and brushed too harshly. No big deal, right? Rough scrubbing may be a factor, but the truth is that bleeding gums are one of the most significant telltale signs of gingivitis—the beginning stage of gum disease. Red, swollen, and bleeding gums don’t typically generate discomfort, and many patients might consider their condition odd, but not serious. Oxford dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, explains why ignoring the signs of gum disease is always a bad idea with a few interesting facts about the destructive dental infection.

The Dangers of  Gum Disease

• Preventing gum disease means attacking it at its source, which can be found among the oral bacteria that form dental plaque and cling to your teeth and gums. Some of these germs release toxins that destroy the connective tissue between your gums and teeth, creating pockets for more bacteria to accumulate.
• The bacterium, Porphyromonas gingivalis, is specifically linked to the inflammation associated with gum disease. The germ produces a molecule to evade your immune system’s inflammatory response to harmful microbes, leading to excessive gum inflammation as the body tries to eliminate the microbes.
• When allowed to run rampant, gum disease can progress past compromised gum tissue and infect the patient’s jawbone, affecting the mouth’s ability to support natural teeth and their roots. By the time many patients seek gum disease treatment, their gum tissue and jawbone have sustained enough damage to lose one or more teeth.
• If detected and treated at the first stage, gingivitis, then gum disease can often be reversed with periodontal treatment and improved oral hygiene. If allowed to fully develop, however, then gum disease becomes incurable (but, thankfully, highly manageable).
• Aside from being the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States, gum disease has also been linked to increased risks for heart disease, respiratory troubles, certain forms of dementia, and other chronic inflammatory conditions.

About Dr. Greenfield:

Dr. Brad Greenfield and our caring, compassionate staff are dedicated to bringing advanced dental care and maintenance to all of our patients. Whether you require a routine dental cleaning to lessen the chances of gum disease, or advanced treatment to control the disease and restore damaged oral tissue, we can help protect your smile’s health and integrity as well as improve your oral hygiene practices. To schedule a consultation, contact us today at 248-693-6213.

At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we strive to offer the latest in safe and holistic dental care. Your Lake Orion dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, offers dental restorations that look natural, restoring your smile to optimal health and beauty. In today’s blog, Dr. Greenfield uses a fun and informative quiz to discuss the benefits of our unique approach to family dental care.

Lake Orion Family Dentistry Quiz

1. True or False: Dr. Greenfield offers holistic dentistry.

2. True or False: CEREC technology allows Dr. Greenfield to create and place a crown in a single day.

3. True or False: Your Lake Orion MI dentist offers tooth-colored fillings.

4. True or False: Porcelain veneers address a number of dental imperfections.

Answer Key

1. True. With holistic dentistry, Dr. Greenfield uses biocompatible dental materials to repair your smile. Metal fillings and crowns often contain trace amounts of mercury. With holistic care, Dr. Greenfield uses metal-free dental restorations to address damage and tooth decay, protecting your smile form infection and tooth loss.

2. True. After preparing the tooth and taking digital photos, Dr. Greenfield will create a 3D image of your tooth. This will be uploaded into the CEREC machine, where a crown will be created based on Dr. Greenfield’s specifications. The crowns will be made from dental ceramic, which looks and functions like natural teeth. In just one appointment, your tooth be will be completely restored.

3. True. Instead of using metal, our fillings are made from composite resin. This material is metal-free and can be shaded to blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth.

4. True. Veneers are thin shells of dental porcelain placed onto the front teeth. Veneers correct the appearance of misalignment, cover permanent teeth stains, and repair cracked or chipped teeth.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Lake Orion MI Dentist

Interested in improving the health and appearance of your smile? Then visit your Lake Orion MI dentist today. Dr. Greenfield offers the latest in holistic dental care. To schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion, MI implant dentist, call (248) 693-6213. Also, visit our website for services, patient forms, and smile gallery. We happily serve patients in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Lake Orion, and neighboring communities.

When was the last you or your family visited the dentist? Regular dental care helps your smile stay healthy and bright. At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, our team strives to provide the latest in quality, holistic dentistry for the entire family. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, uses a fun and informative quiz to discuss our approach to providing breakthrough family dental care.

Family Dentistry Quiz

1. True or False: Your Lake Orion MI family dentist offers sedation dentistry for anxious patients.

2. True or False: You should undergo a routine checkup once every six months.

3. True or False: Regular cleanings help your smile stay bright.

4. True or False: Dr. Greenfield offers children’s dentistry.

Family Dentistry Quiz Answer Key

1. True. Dr. Greenfield understands that your fear is real, and offers a variety of sedation techniques to help you remain calm and relaxed throughout the procedure. Sedation dentistry also helps patients with developmental disorders and medical complications that would normally make receiving dental care difficult.

2. True. According to the American Dental Association, people should undergo a routine checkup and cleaning once every six months. Checkups allow Dr. Greenfield to watch for signs of serious dental issues and offer immediate treatment.

3. True. During a cleaning, our dental hygienists will polish your teeth, removing minor stains and brightening your smile. Cleanings also help fight gum disease. When our hygienists remove the layers of plaque buildup from your teeth, this helps prevent the inflammation that leads to gum disease.

4. True. In order to help your children’s smiles remain bright and cavity-free, Dr. Greenfield offers innovative techniques, such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants.

Schedule a Visit with Your Lake Orion MI Family Dentist

Do you want to learn more about our family dental care options? Interested in scheduling a checkup or a cleaning? Then call today at 248-693-6213 to schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion MI family dentist, Dr. Greenfield. Our 48360 dental office proudly serves families from Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, as well as many other areas in southeast Michigan.

Keeping your smile healthy and bright requires regular dental care. When was the last time you visited your Lake Orion dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield? At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we offer our patients the latest in general and cosmetic dental care. Do you want to learn more? In today’s blog, Dr. Greenfield explains how our innovative dental techniques can brighten your smile and improve your dental health.

Preventive Dentistry

The best method of maintaining good dental health involves simple preventive dentistry. Good oral hygiene allows patients to potentially avoid serious dental issues, such as tooth decay and gum disease, while keeping their teeth bright and their breath fresh. At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we provide thorough checkups and cleanings to rejuvenate your teeth and gums. Patients should also maintain good dental habits at home. Always brush your teeth twice a day and floss once. Try to rinse regularly with an antibacterial mouthwash. These simple steps help cleanse your mouth of harmful bacteria and food particles.

Cosmetic Dental Care

Over time, our teeth can become stained or damaged. In order to erase unsightly discoloration and repair dental imperfections, Dr. Greenfield provides state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry. Using our holistic approach to dentistry, Dr. Greenfield employs biocompatible materials to offer natural looking and minimally invasive smile improvement. Our cosmetic dental procedures include:

• In-office and at-home teeth whitening
• Instant smile rejuvenation with esthetically pleasing porcelain veneers
• Smile repair with cosmetic bonding
• Metal-free and tooth-colored dental fillings
• CEREC one-visit crowns
• Tooth replacement with dental bridges

Schedule an Appointment with Your Lake Orion Cosmetic Dentist

Interested in transforming your smile with our cosmetic and preventive dental care? Then feel free to talk to your Lake Orion cosmetic dentist today! Dr. Greenfield will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding our holistic approach to dentistry. Contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry at 248-693-6213 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Greenfield provides our patients with the latest in general, restorative, and cosmetic dental care. We proudly serve families from Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, as well as many other areas in southeast Michigan.

Are you a Clarkston resident in search of quality dental care? At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, your Clarkston dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, provides the latest in dental care technology. To help our patients maintain healthy teeth and gums, we offer general, preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. In today’s blog, Dr. Greenfield discusses some of the innovative procedures we offer our Clarkston patients.

Holistic Dentistry

Dr. Greenfield believes in providing minimally invasive holistic dentistry using only biocompatible materials. We offer patients of all ages natural looking and long lasting dental restorations that blend seamlessly with their smiles. Dr. Greenfield also strives to educate our youngest patients on how to maintain good dental health.

Metal-Free Fillings and Crowns

At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, Dr. Greenfield provides tooth-colored composite fillings. Unlike amalgam, or metal, fillings, our composite fillings contain no traces of mercury. Metal fillings have also been known to expand over time, increasing the risks of further damage to your teeth. Dr. Greenfield also provides metal-free CEREC crowns. Breakthrough CEREC technology allows Dr. Greenfield to create and place a custom-made crown in a single visit.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Do want a brighter smile free of embarrassing discoloration? Do cracks or chips mar your teeth? Dr. Greenfield offers state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry to transform smiles and address a variety of dental imperfections. Our cosmetic procedures include:

• At-home and in-office teeth whitening
• Porcelain veneers
• Dental bonding

Smile Restoration

For patients with one or more missing teeth, Dr. Greenfield employs an array of restorative dental procedures. With our restorative techniques, your smile can be returned to full function and appearance. Our dental restoration procedures include:

• Dental bridges
• Full and partial dentures
• Implant-retained dentures
• Root canals
• Gum disease treatment
• TMJ disorder treatment

We also offer checkups and cleanings to help maintain good dental health. Checkups allow Dr. Greenfield to watch for the signs of serious dental issues such as tooth decay and gum disease, and also screen for oral cancer. Early detection enables Dr. Greenfield to provide the appropriate treatment before these issues develop any further.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Clarkston Family Dentist

Interested in the innovative holistic care offered by Dr. Greenfield and our dedicated staff? Make an appointment with your Clarkston family dentist today! Contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry  at 248-693-6213 to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve families from Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, as well as many other areas in southeast Michigan.

A beautiful smile can boost your confidence. In fact, a recent Kelton Research study showed that many Americans view people with bright, beautiful smiles as more attractive and successful than people with misaligned or stained teeth. Lake Orion Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, realizes the importance of a beautiful smile and wants to help you enjoy the winning smile you deserve. With cosmetic and restorative dentistry, the Lake Orion Family Dentistry team can improve your smile and repair damage to your teeth. Not only will you feel more confident about your smile, but receiving proper dental care helps ensure a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Greenfield explains a few popular cosmetic dental procedures in today’s blog post.

Brighten Your Smile

For a variety of reasons, over time, our smiles can lose their youthful shine. At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, Dr. Greenfield offers the latest in cosmetic dentistry to brighten your smile. Dr. Greenfield will meet with you to discuss your cosmetic and dental health goals, then provide an oral examination to determine which of our cosmetic techniques is best for correcting your smile. Dr. Greenfield can straighten crooked teeth, close unsightly gaps between teeth, erase permanent stains, and repair chipped or cracked teeth.

Our most popular cosmetic dental procedures include:

• In-office and At-home Teeth Whitening
• Porcelain Veneers
• Cosmetic Bonding

Smile Restoration

Dr. Greenfield provides some of the most recent innovations in restorative dentistry. He cares for the safety and comfort of our patients, which is why he offers holistic dentistry and minimally invasive procedures. He can replace missing teeth, repair severe tooth decay, and treat gum disease. Our most popular restorative procedures include:

• CEREC Crowns (tooth-colored porcelain)
• Tooth-colored Fillings (composite resin)
• Dental Bridges (metal-free)
• Implant-Retained Dentures

Schedule an Appointment with Your Lake Orion Dentist

Interested in renewing your smile this year? Make an appointment with cosmetic dentist Dr. Greenfield to see which procedures are right for you. Contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry today at 248-693-6213 to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve families from Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, as well as many other areas in southeast Michigan.

Aging and Gum Recession

Gum recession is a problem because the more the gums recede, the more the spaces between the teeth are exposed. These spaces are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria, which can grow and multiply and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Unfortunately, gum recession is a natural by-product of aging, and nothing can be done to stop it completely. However, the recession can be slowed down by practicing good oral hygiene.

Gum Disease: A Cause and Result

Gum disease often leads to gum recession. Unfortunately, the bacteria that grow in the spaces once occupied by the newly receded gums can lead to more gum disease. Therefore, it’s important for older people to make sure that they practice good dental hygiene. Be sure to brush with a high-quality toothbrush twice a day and to floss once a day. Doing that cleans your mouth of the gum-devouring bacteria.

Avoiding Acidic Food and Drink

If your gums have already receded, it would be a good idea to avoid food or drinks containing acids.  While tooth enamel can usually handle the acids found in wine, orange juice, carbonated soft drinks, and lemonade, the dentin in the roots are much more vulnerable. The acids can also accelerate the rate of recession. If you do eat or drink something with acid, be sure to drink water with it to help wash the acid away.

Avoid Grinding

Another possible cause of gum recession is teeth grinding, or bruxism. Teeth grinding can cause a number of other problems, including tooth abrasion. If gum recession is suspected to be caused by teeth grinding, the dentist may recommend a nightguard to wear during sleep.

See your Lake Orion Implant Dentist

Are you concerned about your gum recession? At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we can discuss the best options for you, as well as providing comprehensive dental care for the whole family. Contact our Lake Orion dental implant office by calling (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment today. We proudly serve families from Lake Orion, Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, the 48360 zip code, as well as many other areas in Michigan.

Gum Disease and Diabetes

For many who suffer from diabetes, oral health is a significant problem.  There is much evidence that gum disease and diabetes are closely linked.  Diabetes interferes with the body’s ability to fight off a bacterial infection, meaning that dangerous bacteria have more of a chance to thrive. 

Other Oral Problems

Diabetics can be more prone to thrush, a fungal infection that can form in the mouth and on the tongue.  While oral thrush is rarely life-threatening, it can cause great pain and embarrassing discoloration of the mouth.  Another condition that can be caused by diabetes is dry mouth.  The body’s natural saliva output is reduced in dry mouth patients, which interferes with the body’s natural system for removing harmful bacteria and acid.  Any diabetic who suspects he is suffering from dry mouth or thrush should make an appointment to see their doctor.

Gum Disease May Lead to Diabetes

People who are not diabetic, but do have gum disease should still be concerned.  While studies are not conclusive, there is growing evidence that periodontal disease can be a contributing factor in the development of diabetes.  It is thought that gum disease has the ability to interfere with the body’s ability to control glucose.

What Can Diabetics Do

For people with diabetes, regular dental visits are a must.  It is important for diabetics to provide their dentists with a full account of the progress of the disease, so the dentist will know exactly what special care above and beyond regular care will be required.  Daily brushing and flossing is also a must.  Diabetics must also try to keep any gum disease under control as much as possible.

Your Lake Orion Dentist Is Waiting To Treat You

We are fully equipped to deal with the special needs of diabetic patients.  In fact, at Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we can provide you with comprehensive dental care for the whole family. Contact our Lake Orion dentist office by calling (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment today. We proudly serve families from Lake Orion, Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, the 48360 zip code, as well as many other areas in Michigan.

Cavities or dental caries can certainly cause tooth pain. Most patients report sensitivity to foods and beverages of extreme temperatures. Don’t let cavities prevent you from quenching your thirst with an ice-cold beverage. Treating cavities generally involves placing a filling in the affected tooth.

This time of year, sinusitis causes a significant amount of toothaches. When the sinus cavity fills with fluid, bacterial infections can cause swelling. Once the sinus cavity swells, people often experience throbbing pain in upper teeth. Fevers, sore throat, and runny nose typically accompany a toothache caused by sinusitis.

Dental fractures can certainly cause toothaches and sensitivity. As basketball season ramps up, more and more young athletes increase their chances for a sports-related injury. Most youth basketball associations throughout the United States still do not mandate wearing a mouthguard. When a tooth fractures, the patient can experience increased tooth tenderness and sensitivity.  Contact your Lake Orion dentist as soon as possible following a dental fracture.

Gum disease doesn’t often make it on the list of memorable causes of toothaches, but gum disease affects nearly 80% of the adult American population. Signs of gum disease include halitosis, repeated infections, and bleeding gums. Gums provide added support to teeth and gum health plays an important role in retaining teeth. Gum disease acts as the primary cause of tooth loss in adult.

Many patients suffer from toothaches caused by bruxism. Clenching and grinding teeth occurs frequently in patients when they sleep. Many patients remain unaware of their condition until alerted by their spouse. Treating bruxism involves the patient wearing a prescribed nightguard. Custom-fit nightguards can reduce the effects of harsh teeth grinding and could even retrain jaw muscles.

High fillings can cause patients to experience toothaches. If patient recently received a filling and experiences tooth pain or sensitivity for more than a day or two, then added tooth pressure could aggravate the periodontal ligament. If your bite feels slightly altered following a filling, then the possibility exists of a high filling. Simply call our office and we can level the filling in a single visit.

Schedule Your Visit

Toothache got you down? At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we can provide you with more information about the causes of toothaches, as well as comprehensive dental care for the whole family. Contact our Lake Orion cosmetic dental office by calling (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment today. We proudly serve families from Lake Orion, Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, the 48360 zip code, as well as many other areas in southeast Michigan.

Breast Cancer Awareness Quiz

Label the following statements as either true or false.

• Men cannot be diagnosed with breast cancer.

• Gum disease can increase a person’s risk of developing breast cancer.

• Gum disease affects only 5% of the American adult population.

Breast Cancer Answer Key

The first statement is – false. Most people tend to believe that only women can develop breast cancer, but breast cancer can affect some men as well. Most reports identify men as less than 1% of breast cancer patients seen in America. However, the importance of breast cancer screenings and raising awareness remains equally important for both genders. Additionally, as we will discuss in the next answer section, oral health serves both genders in limiting the risk of developing breast cancer.

The second statement is – true. According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), people with gum disease show a higher risk of developing breast cancer. The WHO studied test subjects from the 1980s through the mid-2000s and determined that a significant number of breast cancer patients also showed signs of periodontal disease. The evidence linking oral bacteria and gum disease to potential cancers can cause controversy in some scientific circles, but evidence should continue to mount in support of oral-systemic connections. The WHO study highlights the importance of limiting periodontal issues with regular checkups to our Lake Orion office.

The third statement is – false. Sadly, the prevalence of gum disease among American adults comes as a surprise for most people. Currently, as many as 80% of American adults possess some form of gum disease. Other reports indicate that 20% of people with gum disease remain unaware of their condition. The best way to diagnose gum disease remains visiting a dentist. At our office, we can provide a thorough evaluation and offer any helpful advice on how to limit the risk for developing gum disease.

Schedule Your Breast Cancer Awareness Visit

The power of gum disease can seem overwhelming at first. Regular brushing, flossing and mouthrinse use can aid in gum disease prevention. Still concerned about gum disease and breast cancer risks? At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we can provide you with more information about oral health, as well as comprehensive dental care for the whole family. Contact our Lake Orion cosmetic dental office by calling (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment today. We proudly serve families from Lake Orion, Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, the 48360 zip code, as well as many other areas in southeast Michigan.