True or False: Eating a modified diet can improve your oral health.

True. While cutting the amount of sugar you consume will certainly reduce your risk for tooth decay and gum disease, a dietary approach to improving oral health is as much about adding as it is about taking away. A number of studies have shown that a diet rich in full-fat dairy product (especially from grass-fed cows), bone broths, raw and cooked vegetables, and eggs can reduce the spread of tooth decay. Leafy greens and fruits and veggies high in Vitamin C and other antioxidants can even reduce your risk of gum disease.

True or False: Getting braces can help prevent cavities.

True. Although we tend to think about braces as fixing the way our teeth look, braces also strive to improve the way your teeth function in relation to each other. When teeth are crowded together, for instance, they create hard-to-clean spaces that encourage the buildup of bacterial plaque. Left undisturbed, that plaque will harden, encourage the growth of more bacteria, and eventually eat into the enamel, leaving behind cavities and a higher risk for gum disease. Braces address crowded teeth and improve your ability to thoroughly floss and brush.

True or False: Gum disease isn’t really that serious.

False. Letting gum disease go untreated will result in the loss of your teeth and you’re your good health. Practitioners of holistic dentistry have long recognized that the health of the teeth and gums is intimately connected to the health of the rest of the body. Today, mainstream dentistry has become more accepting of this concept, especially as a growing body of evidence demonstrates that untreated periodontitis (gum disease) can increase a patient’s risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.

About Brad Greenfield, DDS

Dr. Brad Greenfield practices family, restorative, cosmetic, and sedation dentistry with a holistic approach to patient care and comfort. To schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion, MI dentist, call (248) 693-6213. We proudly serve patients of all ages in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities.

The rate of adults making a periodontal appointment last year hit 64.7 percent. That’s nearly the same as in 2008, when attendance hit 65.7 percent, meaning we’re seeing no significant increase in visits despite almost a decade of oral health education.

So Who is at the Greatest Risk?

Preventive dental hygiene, such as regular checkups and cleanings, help reduce tooth decay and prevent more extensive services. Skipping visits? Well, unfortunately, you will eventually find yourself in a dentist chair, one way or another.

How likely are you to make an appointment, according to the poll?

The largest differences were among income groups, with people who earn more than $120,000 per year continually picking up the phone to schedule a visit more than other earners.

• Women visit more than men.
• Adults between 18 and 29 visit less than their middle-aged or older counterparts.
• East coast folks have the highest attendance rates.
• Caucasians visit more than many other ethnic groups.

Gallup interviewed 178,072 American adults throughout 2013, as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

Healthy Teeth Make For a Healthy Body

Not taking care of your teeth doesn’t just lead to cavities and other related issues. It can significantly impact your overall health. Studies suggest your periodontal health may provide clues and warning signs to more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases, including:

• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Coronary Artery Disease

Many dentists look to bacteria as the main culprit.

Brushing clears out the bacteria that regularly camps out in your mouth. Without preventive measures, it builds up. This allows the germs to make it into the bloodstream, leading to infection and possibly blood clots.

How often do you need to visit?

Well, it depends on your specific situation but, in general, twice a year sufficiently keeps your mouth in shape. We encourage high-risk patients to make more frequent visits.

About Brand Greenfield, DDS:

I started Lake Orion Family Dentistry in 2010. Now in my 15th year of private practice, I am as excited as ever about the breakthroughs and innovations in dentistry and our office. Schedule two appoints a year. Visit us at 1375 South Lapeer Road, Suite 200, Lake Orion, MI, 48360 or call 248.693.6213..

Important Considerations

When selecting a toothbrush, you should always look for a brand that has the ADA Seal of Approval. The American Dental Association only gives its approval after a brand has passed rigorous safety tests. To earn the seal, a toothbrush must be:

• Free of sharp or jagged edges
• Made with bristles that will not come out
• Durable
• Made of material that is safe for oral use
• Able to protect against plaque buildup and gum disease, when used correctly and frequently

In addition, nearly all dental experts recommend choosing a soft-bristled toothbrush, since hard bristles can damage your teeth and irritate your gums.

Toothbrush Types

Although only looking for soft-bristled, ADA-approved toothbrushes will help shorten your search, there is still a wide selection of toothbrushes to choose from. In most cases, your decision will largely be based on personal preferences and comfort. You should choose a brush that enables you to easily access all of your teeth. For many people, this means selecting one with a smaller head. Toothbrushes also have a variety of handles (flexible, non-slip grip, ergonomic, etc.) and heads (tapered, domed, rippled, etc.) Ultimately, this is all a matter of comfort, and you should simply choose the one that feels best in your mouth.

The Lowdown on Mechanical Toothbrushes

You may also be intrigued by electronic toothbrushes. Again, this is a matter of preference. Research shows that manual and electronic toothbrushes can be equally effective. However, many people feel more motivated to brush using state-of-the-art toothbrushes. They can also be an excellent choice if you are older and have begun to lose flexibility in your hands; mechanical toothbrushes can help you better access all your teeth for more thorough hygiene. Finally, parents often like to give their kids electronic brushes to make dental hygiene more fun.

Ultimately, the choice is largely up to you. If you still feel overwhelmed, however, Dr. Greenfield can help you select a toothbrush, based on your dental history and oral health needs.

About Dr. Greenfield: Dr. Brad Greenfield is a compassionate family dentist, dedicated to pursuing ongoing education and utilizing the latest dental technology. He is happy to provide guidance in oral hygiene to patients of all ages. To learn more about oral health, call (248) 693-6213 today. Dr. Greenfield proudly treats families in Oxford, Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities.

A Closer Look at Water Flossers

The first water flossers hit the market in the 1960s and have been steadily gaining popularity since. Today, a number of well-known dental product brands market water flossers as a better way for you to clean between your teeth, especially if you have extensive dental work like implants or bridgework, dexterity issues due to age or arthritis, or if you just plain dislike traditional thread floss. Modern water flossers fall into two main categories:

1. Sonic/Electric Flossers. This model consists of a handheld flossing wand that shoots a jet of water from an attached reservoir. Although they’re usually powered by electricity, some portable versions are battery operated. Brands like Waterpik and Sonicare cite clinical evidence that their products are more effective than traditional floss at removing plaque and improving gum health.
2. Faucet-Powered Flossers. This type of flosser connects directly to the faucet and propels a jet of tap water between the teeth, exactly like the electric/sonic versions. Faucet-powered versions do not require the use of electricity, batteries, or a reservoir.

Bottom Line: Should You Buy One?

Both electric and faucet-powered water flossers have a higher upfront cost than traditional thread floss. Electric flossers can run upwards of $80-90 while faucet versions generally run between $20 and $30. However, if difficulties manipulating traditional floss prevent you from properly caring for your teeth, the investment in a handheld water flosser is well worth it.

Dentist’s Pro-Tip: Purchase a less expensive faucet-powered version to determine whether water flossing is for you. You can invest in a more expensive electric version down the line.

About Brad Greenfield, DDS

Dr. Brad Greenfield practices family, restorative, cosmetic, and sedation dentistry with a holistic approach to patient care and comfort. To schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion, MI dentist, call (248) 693-6213. We proudly serve patients of all ages in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities.

Cut the Sugar but Enjoy Your Food

Americans consume an average 130 pounds of sugar every year, primarily in the form of sodas, candies and sugary treats, baked goods, fruit drinks, and sweetened dairy products. You’ll even find added sugar in places you’d never think to find them, like canned soups, savory crackers, and boxed rice and pasta mixes. A high intake of dietary sugar is associated with a number of systemic health problems, like diabetes and obesity, as well as a heightened risk for oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease. According the American Heart Association, we should consume about 9.5 teaspoons of sugar every day, yet the average American adult consumes 22 teaspoons per day while the average American child consumes about 32 teaspoons of sugar.

Reducing your daily sugar intake doesn’t mean completely cutting out the foods you and your family love. But you owe it to yourself – and your smile – to incorporate these strategies into your everyday life:

• Don’t drink your calories. Sodas, sport drinks, fruit juices, energy drinks, and sweetened tea and coffee contribute the most sugar to the average American diet. Water, unsweetened or artificially sweetened tea and coffee, and milk (or, in case you can’t drink cow’s milk, unsweetened soy or almond milk) should be your go-to beverages. Try eliminating one sweetened beverage every week until you’re consuming one or less per day.
• Cereals, fruit snacks, granola bars, and yogurt all seem like healthy snack or lunch items for your children, but most brands contain 12 grams or more of sugar per serving. A few simple swaps include opting for string cheese instead of squeezable yogurt, offering whole fruits or unsweetened, freeze-dried fruit instead of gummy fruit snacks, and purchasing unsweetened cereals (and boosting their flavor using artificial sweetener or cut up fruit) instead of sugary varieties.

About Brad Greenfield, DDS

Dr. Brad Greenfield practices family, restorative, cosmetic, and sedation dentistry with a holistic approach to patient care and comfort. To schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion, MI dentist, call (248) 693-6213. We proudly serve patients of all ages in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities.

Two Drawbacks of Removable Dentures

Two aspects of the basic design of traditional dentures interfere with your ability to enjoy your food:

• Chewing ability. Your real teeth exert up to 200 lbs of force to bite and pulverize food in preparation for digestion. Traditional dentures only help wearers recover about one-fifth to one-fourth of that bite force and chewing ability. This means that many foods, like whole cuts of lean meat (think sirloin steak as opposed to ground beef), crunchy vegetables and fruit, and fiber-rich whole grains, are out of the realm of consumable foods.
• Tasting ability. Upper dentures need added suction to help them stay in place. This is accomplished via a plate that fits snugly over the roof of the mouth (or palate). However, the roof of the mouth is covered in tiny taste receptors that enhance the flavor of your food. When they’re covered up by a denture plate, you lose your ability to fully savor what you eat.

How Implant Dentures Improve on the Original

Implant dentures are, as the name suggests, held in place by small implant posts which have been secured within the jaw bone, mimicking the structure and function of dental roots. These prosthetic tooth roots provide a dramatically more stable support system than mere suction and denture adhesives can provide. This means that implant dentures wearers can recover up to 90% of their original chewing ability, allowing them to enjoy the diverse textures of a normal diet. In addition, implant retained dentures do not use palate plates, so the taste receptors on the roof of the mouth remain uncovered, meaning you experience no reduction in tasting ability.

If you have lost all or most of your teeth or you have worn dentures for years and long to take the same joy from mealtimes that you used to, talk to your dentist about implant supported dentures.

About Brad Greenfield, DDS

Dr. Brad Greenfield practices family, restorative, cosmetic, and sedation dentistry with a holistic approach to patient care and comfort. To schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion, MI implant dentist, call (248) 693-6213. We proudly serve patients of all ages in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities.

Smoking and the Healing Process

To place dental implants, an implant dentist, oral surgeon, or periodontist must first surgically place the implant posts into the jaw. The success of any surgical procedure, no matter how minor, depends on proper healing and proper healing depends on the healthy interaction of several types of cells. First, white blood cells invade the surgical site and defend it against bacteria and other microorganisms that can create infection. Next, the white blood cells stimulate the growth of fibroblasts. As fibroblast cells divide, they fill in the wound and create pathways for healthy blood flow, which serves to further heal and close the site.

Smoking interferes with healing in two ways. First, smokers and chewers have smaller blood vessels, meaning that adequate blood flow cannot reach the surgical site. Second, tobacco users have a lower oxygen level, which further slows the healing process. Although smokers will eventually heal, the longer the process takes, the higher the chances of a problem, such as inflammation or infection occurring around the implant post.

Smoking and Gum Inflammation

Smokers who cut down or quit smoking prior to an implant procedure but who pick the habit back up afterward have a higher chance of developing peri-implantitis. Similar to gum disease, peri-implantitis refers to inflammation of the tissues surrounding a dental implant post. Smoking interferes with the body’s immune response, meaning that the gums cannot overcome the inflammation in a healthy way. Peri-implantitis usually results in implant failure, requiring removal of the implant post, bone and tissue grafts, and re-implantation of the post.

Kick the Habit, Enjoy a Healthier Smile

Quitting the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco will help you enjoy fresher breath, whiter teeth, healthier gums, and better overall oral health. In fact, if you quit early in life, you may never find yourself in need of dental implants. However, if you’ve already lost one or more adult teeth and would like to pursue dental implants, take the steps needed to kick the habit.

About Brad Greenfield, DDS

Dr. Brad Greenfield practices family, restorative, cosmetic, and sedation dentistry with a holistic approach to patient care and comfort. To schedule an appointment at our Lake Orion, MI dentist office, call (248) 693-6213. We proudly serve patients of all ages in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities.

Who is Dr. Greenfield?

Dr. Greenfield earned a bachelor’s degree at Oakland University and completed his dental training at the University of Detroit – Mercy. He has extensive knowledge of all the latest technology in the field. His goal is to provide the most effective, least invasive treatments.

What Services Do We Offer?

We offer a variety of services to meet diverse oral health needs. We have general services such as check-ups and cleanings, as well as preventive dentistry, such as bridges, TMJ therapy, root canals, and crowns. Dr. Greenfield knows that while the health of your smile is crucial, so is its appearance. We offer a wide array of cosmetic procedures, including cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers, and teeth whitening.

Some of our patients suffer from dental anxiety, which can be due to a bad past experience or a dislike of medical offices, among other things. One of the solutions to anxiety is sedation. There are three types of sedation we utilize: nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. If you are anxious, Dr. Greenfield will determine which option will be the best for your situation.

We cater to the whole family, and we understand the importance of making sure children start off their oral health on the right foot. Education for both parents and children is provided to ensure that good habits form early.

Schedule Your Visit

Dr. Greenfield and our staff want you and your family to have the healthiest, most attractive smiles in town! Contact our Lake Orion, MI office today at 248-693-6213 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you! We serve families from Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and surrounding areas.

Why is Children’s Dentistry Important?

Practicing consistent at-home care and making sure your child eats a healthy diet low in sugar are important for helping your little one enjoy healthy, beautiful teeth and gums. However, seeking the care of a family dentist who understands the unique oral health needs of children is essential for reducing the risk and minimizing the damage of common dental issues. Regular dental visits also:

• Help refine homecare techniques. Dr. Greenfield and our staff will work closely with your child to help him or her “brush up” on their brushing and flossing techniques. We can also recommend special products, like handheld flossers perfect for smaller hands, to help your child practice better dental care at home.
• Broaden our patient understanding of oral health. We believe that if our patients are well-informed, they will make better decisions about their health. Helping children understand the consequences and rewards of taking good care of their smiles is especially beneficial, since most children are enthusiastic learners anyway.
• Addressing oral health problems early. Dental carries, the technical term for tooth decay, is extremely prevalent among school-aged children. Dr. Greenfield offers special services, like protective dental sealants and enamel-strengthening fluoride treatments, to reduce your child’s risk of developing tooth decay and cavities.

A Caring, Holistic Approach to Children’s Dentistry

Dr. Brad Greenfield is the proud dad of three children, so he has a firsthand knowledge of the kind of nurturing environment children need. He and our team enjoy working with little ones and their parents to help create positive associations with the dentist’s office. We encourage you to start bringing your child to your regular checkup beginning when they are about a year old. As they become accustomed to our office, transitioning from observer to active participant in a dental checkup will be easier. Six-month checkups and cleanings will become routine starting at about age two. If we detect any oral health problems before their second birthday, we will schedule further appointments.

To schedule a happy visit or routine checkup for your child, contact our Lake Orion, MI dental practice at (248) 693-6213. We happily serve patients of all ages in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities.

Bad breath (or halitosis) is something that ails everyone—especially in the morning time. However, other than inevitable bad breath, patients can learn to minimize their bouts of halitosis by taking a few simple measures throughout the day.

Here, Dr. Brad Greenfield, your Rochester Hills, MI dentist shares some tips to reduce bad breath at any time.

Learn to Eliminate Bad Breath During the Day

• Drink lots of water. A dry mouth is oftentimes the key culprit to bad breath. When your mouth is dry, this allows odor-causing oral bacteria to thrive. With an increased about of bacteria, you’re bound to have bad breath. To avoid this from happening, your Rochester Hills, MI dentist suggests drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
• Rinse regularly. Eliminating lingering food particles is also essential in maintaining fresh breath. For this reason, dentists recommend rinsing your mouth a few times during the day. While patients can do this with mouthwash, using water works, too. However, if you choose to use mouthwash, an alcohol-free variety is best since those don’t cause a dry mouth.
• Keep the salivary glands productive. With more saliva in your mouth, you’re less susceptible to developing halitosis, which is why maintaining your salivary glands active is important. Chewing gum or having a breath mint works wonders, just make sure to use the sugar-free types to ward off cavities. Additionally, patients can reap the same benefits from chewing mint or parsley leaves, which have been known for their breath freshening abilities.
• Clean your teeth correctly. Completing a teeth cleaning regimen each day—specifically after each meal—removes food particles and eliminates bad breath. Thus, your Rochester Hills, MI dentist recommends brushing, flossing, even rinsing shortly after eating for improved breath.

Fresh Breath Tips from Lake Orion Family Dentistry

If you would like more information on how to maintain fresh breath throughout the day, talk to Dr. Greenfield. He can share more tips and tricks to ensure your breath isn’t affected by halitosis. To schedule an appointment with your Rochester Hills, MI 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.