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.

Cold sores

Cold Sores

Cold sores are the result of the easily transmitted herpes simplex-1 virus. Unlike the herpes simplex-2 virus, simplex-1 is not a sexually transmitted disease, and indeed, most people who catch the virus usually acquire it in early childhood. Once contracted, the virus will always be in the body. For many people with the virus, it will occasionally cause small blisters to break out on the lips or inside the mouth. Usually, the blisters will eventually combine into one large blister that will persist for up to a week and a half. While the blisters are generally not painful, they are often noticeable. After the outbreak runs its course, the cold sore disappears, rarely leaving any scarring behind. What exactly causes an outbreak is unknown, but some of the suspected triggers include stress and fever.

Canker Sores

Even though many people tend to lump cold sores and canker sores together as one condition, they actually have two separate causes. In fact, the exact cause of canker sores has yet to be discovered, though a viral infection is not considered likely. Canker sores result in a small, but often very painful, lesion inside of the mouth. Like cold sores, canker sores will usually last for about a week and a half to two weeks before fading. Depending on the location, canker sores can make eating, drinking, and basic oral hygiene quite agonizing.

Treatment With Your Lake Orion Dentist

While a cold sore outbreak can’t be stopped, it can sometimes be lessened. Outbreaks are usually preceded by tingling or soreness in the spots of previous outbreaks. Your Lake Orion dentist can recommend over-the-counter treatments that you can start as soon as you feel one coming on. Unfortunately, there is no known way to prevent a canker sore from forming, but over-the-counter oral pain medications usually work very well to numb the pain.

If you are having oral health issues, call Lake Orion Family Dentistry at 248-693-6213 today 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.

The Causes of Halitosis

Most, but not all, bad breath originates in your mouth, specifically your tongue, teeth, and gums.  Millions of bacteria that live in your mouth feast on the leftover food particles that are left behind after you swallow.  In return, they release an acidic by-product that will cause tooth decay and gum disease.  This by-product also smells bad, which is why your breath smells bad.  It’s a common belief that the smell is primarily coming from the teeth, but most of it is actually coming from the tongue.  Another common cause of bad breath is from the food you eat.  Even after a thorough cleaning, some food, like garlic and onions, can linger in your breath for a while.  That’s because the pungent smell associated with them is found in an oil that, during digestion, can get into the bloodstream.  When it gets to the lungs, it can infect air you’re exhaling.  Other foods and drinks, like coffee, can dry out your mouth, with can lead to bad breath.  Less common, but potentially more serious, are underlying medical conditions that can lead to halitosis.  Acid reflux disease and sinus infections both are known to cause bad breath.  If you suspect the cause of your breath is medical, seek treatment with your primary care physician.

What You Can Do

The best defense against bad breath is proper oral care.  Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss at least once a day. It’s also a wise idea to clean your tongue with a tongue brush or tongue scraper, since much of the odor causing bacteria is found there.  Keep your mouth hydrated.  Drinking lots of water will help wash away both leftover food particles and the acidic byproducts that are causing the smell.  If you know you are going to be in a social situation, avoid pungent foods for at least a few hours beforehand.  For a temporary fix, mouthwash or a sugarless gum might mask the smell, but only a careful cleaning will truly stop halitosis.

See Your Lake Orion Dentist About Oral Health

If you have any questions about how to best maintain a healthy, kissable mouth, contact our Lake Orion dental office for a checkup by calling (248) 693-6213 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.

Advantages of Home Teeth Whitening

Whitening teeth at home used to sound like something out of a fairy tale or a Hollywood dream. However, grocery stores and pharmacies now provide a plethora of whitening options to patients. Although these products enable people to whiten teeth at home, they don’t provide professional-strength results or optimal hardware. Many over-the-counter whitening options offer a single –size bleaching tray and consumer strength whitening gel.

Patients often report minor gum irritation when using store-bought kits. Because of the single-size bleaching tray hardware, patients’ gums become exposed to errant bleaching gel. Typically, gum irritation will subside within a few days of use. With dentist-prescribed bleaching kits, patients receive custom-fit bleaching trays and professional-strength gel. Custom-fit trays enable our gel to make optimal contact with teeth and reduce the risk of gum irritation.

Light-Activated Teeth Whitening?

Rapid whitening results typically come at the hands of light-activated bleaching systems. Although these systems are safe, they can result in increased tooth sensitivity following the bleaching procedure. Most patients report sensitivity lasting roughly 48 hours. Although some patients report tooth sensitivity from prescribed at-home bleaching kits, minor modifications in frequency of use and exposure time could reduce tooth sensitivity. Results from at-home teeth whitening systems usually occur within one or two weeks.

Schedule Your Teeth Whitening Visit

Interested in whitening teeth from the comfort of your own home? At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we provide at-home teeth whitening and 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.

Oral Health Quiz

Do identical twins possess more similar microbiomes than fraternal twins?

A. Yes

B. No

Which factor plays a role in altering microbiome similarities?

A. Proximity

B. Exercising

C. Increasing duration of sleep

At what age do microbiomes reportedly undergo the most change?

A. 65 and over

B. 18 to 35

C. Early childhood

D. Adolescence

Oral Health Answer Key

The answer to question one is B – no. According to the recent study published in Genome Research, no significant differences appeared during analysis of salivary DNA of identical and fraternal twins. Researchers studied twins in order to determine if genetic predispositions affected their respective microbiomes. Since identical twins showed little notable similarities over fraternal twins, score one for nurture in the battle of oral health supremacy.

The answer to question two is A – proximity. During this recent study, scientists sought to establish a variance in microbiomes when twins lived apart from each other. The study concluded the microbiomes of twins altered when they lived apart. This discovery provided more concrete evidence that oral health care and environment plays a larger role in the state of microbiomes than any naturally occurring traits.

The answer to question three is D – adolescence. After studying previous findings, researchers concluded that the most drastic changes in microbiomes occur during adolescence. The scientists could not determine an exact cause for the increased changes during adolescence, but noted puberty or behavioral issues could contribute to the microbiome alterations.

Schedule Your Visit

Interested in learning more about the role oral care plays in maintaining optimal oral health? At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we provide 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.

A Few Good Candies

If you thought chocolate was going to make the list of worst candy, you were mistaken. Actually, milk chocolate contains calcium, and literally melts in your mouth. As long as sufficient saliva flow is present to wash away chocolate residue, this luscious candy can be relatively easy on teeth.

Candy with the natural sweetener, xylitol, is also good for dental health. Xylitol aids in the removal of bacteria, and it’s known to reduce the risk for cavities. Sugar-free candy is also better for teeth than is sugar-based candy. Because obesity and diabetes are such a big issue in the US, you’ll find many sugar-free candies at your local grocery store and pharmacy.

Now, let’s look at the top three worst Halloween candies for teeth.

1. Sour Candy

Sour gummy worms could be one of the greatest inventions of all time, if they didn’t harm teeth. They are delicious, kids love them, and eating real worms isn’t near as much fun. However, the high acidity levels in sour candy can blast tooth enamel with an acid attack. Tooth enamel cannot be regenerated, so you need to take good care of what you’ve got!

Every effort should be made to avoid acids that de-mineralize tooth enamel. When sugars and starches combine with oral bacteria called Streptococcus mutans, lactic acids is created, and it attacks tooth enamel by sapping minerals. This leaves enamel temporarily soft and vulnerable to decay. Over time, acid can actually destroy enamel, and we know this condition as acid erosion. Sports and energy drinks are notorious for acid erosion.

2. Lollipops

How many licks does it take to coat teeth with sugar? On average, people spend 15 to 20 minutes eating a lollipop. Unless that lollipop is of the xylitol variety, this prolonged exposure to sugar could increase the risk of cavities. Biting any hard candy can chip or fracture a tooth, as well, so the potential for damage by a lollipop is twofold!

3. Caramels, Chewy Candy

Sticky candy can cause the most issues with existing dental work. Many times, patients lose a filling while eating a Tootsie Roll or similarly chewy treat. Many Halloween dental concerns could be avoided by skipping the chewy stuff altogether.

Schedule a Halloween Visit

If you or your children plan on a candy-filled Halloween, then a visit to our 48360 dental office should be in your future. At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we offer family dentistry, so we see kids and their parents — and their parents — and sometimes, even their parents. Contact us by calling (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment today. We welcome patients from Lake Orion, Oxford, Rochester Hills, Clarkston, and the surrounding communities.

Emerging First Tooth

Prior to an infant developing their first tooth, gum cleanings are recommended to maintain a healthy oral environment. You can achieve this by wiping your child’s gums with a clean, wet rag, or by rubbing them with a freshly washed finger. When your infant is teething, the process can sometimes cause discomfort. Luckily, there are options to help ease your child’s aching gums. Allowing your child to chew on a teething ring could alleviate some of the discomfort associated with an erupting tooth. Always ensure that the teething ring is cleaned and sanitized before offering it to your child. A cool, wet wash cloth can also offer some comfort to your teething baby.

Arrival of Your Child’s Teeth

When your child’s first tooth arrives, you can immediately begin the daily tooth brushing routing using a soft-bristled infant toothbrush and plain water. Toothpaste should not be used until your child is old enough not to swallow it. For optimal results, brush your child’s baby teeth after feeding and before bedtime. Beware of allowing your infant to fall asleep with a milk or formula bottle in his/her mouth. This can lead to the accumulation of bacteria, which could cause tooth decay or other oral health issues.

Schedule Your Visit

For more information regarding the oral health of your children, schedule a consultation with Dr. Greenfield today.  At Lake Orion Family Dentistry we provide comprehensive dental care for the whole family. Contact our 48360 dentist office by calling (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment. We welcome patients from Lake Orion, Oxford, Rochester Hills, Clarkston, and the surrounding communities.

Overbite Facts

• In a typical human jaw, the upper teeth extend past the lower teeth by about 3-5 mm. When the extension exceeds 5 mm, the bite is abnormal and labeled as an overbite.
• An overbite can be genetic (inherited from the parents). However, because the jawbone is still soft at young ages, thumb sucking and excessive pacifier use can exacerbate the problem.  
• Like most malocclusion, an overbite can usually be corrected with the use of braces.
• The extent of an overbite can be so minor as to be unnoticeable, or so severe as to visibly alter the appearance and structure of your face.
• Overbites constitute about 70% of child dental disorders, making it the most common form of malocclusion.

Underbite Facts

• An underbite, as the name suggests, is the exact opposite of an overbite. An underbite occurs when the lower teeth extend past the upper teeth. Since your upper teeth naturally sit in front of your lower teeth, an underbite is more noticeable than most overbites.
• An underbite is also genetically inherited from parents but can be made worse by bad habits at an early age (i.e., tongue thrusting or open-mouthed breathing).
• Patients with an underbite are at a higher risk for developing TMJ dysfunction, as well as regular headaches and, in some cases, speech impediment.

A lesser known form of malocclusion is the crossbite, which affects the direction of the teeth. A crossbite refers to one or more teeth that are angled toward the cheek or tongue as compared to the opposing tooth or teeth. To learn more about treating malocclusion, or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Greenfield at Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, Michigan, at (248) 693-6213. We welcome patients from Lake Orion, Oxford, Rochester Hills, Clarkston, and the surrounding communities.