Invisalign: the clear alternative to braces

Technology is awesome.  First our phones went wireless, then our computers, and now our braces have gone wireless!  You can have the beautiful, straight smile you’ve always wanted without the embarrassment and discomfort of wearing old-fashioned wire and bracket metal braces! 

Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten teeth.  It is a system that uses a series of unnoticeable custom-made aligners to gradually straighten your smile.  Whether you have large gaps between your teeth or overcrowding, Invisalign can work for you.   

Your first step to a straight smile is to set up a consultation with an Invisalign dentist.  You can visit www.Invisalign.com to find a preferred provider near you.  During your consultation, your dentist will decide if Invisalign will work for you.  Impressions of your teeth are taken and your dentist will work up a treatment plan for your smile. 

Your impressions and treatment plan are submitted directly to the makers of Invisalign where your dentist’s treatment plan for your smile is translated into a series of custom-made aligners.  These are removable, clear trays that are worn for about two weeks each.  Gradually your teeth will be moved week by week, millimeter by millimeter, until you have the straight, beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of!

Invisalign aligners are so much more comfortable than traditional metal braces.  Because they are removable, you can take them out to eat and brush your teeth.  This leaves you free to enjoy all of your favorite foods.  Since the aligners are removable there are no restrictions or off-limits foods as there are with traditional metal braces.    

Treatment with Invisalign can easily fit in to any busy schedule since most appointments require only a quick progress check every four to six weeks.  You will be in and out of the dental office quickly. 

You can take your aligners out at any time to enjoy a snack or special occasion.  You can brush your teeth and floss as usual so your teeth and gums stay healthy during treatment.  You can smile without holding back!  There is no reason to be self-conscious about wearing your Invisalign aligners since they are nearly undetectable.  No one has to know you are straightening your teeth until, of course, they see your wonderful result and then they will ask you how you transformed your smile! 

Bright Side Dental is proud to be a preferred Invisalign provider.  Call Bright Side Dental today at 1-800-PAINLESS to set up a free consultation to find out if Invisalign is right for you.  One of their modern offices is close to your home with four convenient locations in Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, Canton, and Livonia. 

Bright Side Dental offers complete dental care for the entire family including cleanings for adults and children, teeth whitening, veneers and crowns, bonding and white fillings, bridges, laser cavity detection and more.  The caring and professional staff is waiting to welcome you today with emergency and same-day appointments available.  Visit www.BrightSideDental.com for more information.

Options for getting the brighter, whiter smile you deserve

Let’s face it.  You only get one chance to make a first impression.  When you meet someone new, one of the first things they notice about you is your smile, so why not make it bright and white! 

There are many reasons why your “pearly whites” may have become less “white” and more dull and yellow.  Drinking coffee, tea, and wine can stain your teeth over time, and as we age our teeth tend to yellow as well.   

Maybe you’ve considered whitening your teeth but aren’t sure which treatment is the most effective, affordable, or safest for your smile.  There are a multitude of products on the market advertising whiter teeth, but how can you know which one to trust?  Talk to your dentist, of course!

Your dentist will be able to discuss your options and recommend the treatment best suited for your smile.  There are professional-strength products that can be applied at your dental office that whiten your teeth up to eight shades lighter in just one visit! 

One such procedure is called Zoom, available only at dental offices that are preferred Zoom providers.  Visit www.ZoomNow.com to find a provider near you.  The Zoom in-office whitening gel is professionally applied to your teeth and activated by a light source in three 20-minute applications.  With Zoom, whitening your teeth is completed in just one visit.

Your dentist may also be able to offer professional-strength whitener to be used at home.  One such product is Nite White.  It only takes two office visits to start using Nite White. At your first visit, impressions will be made of your teeth and custom gel-holding trays will be made to perfectly fit your smile.

During your second visit you’ll be fitted for your trays and receive the Nite White take-home kit which includes the whitening gel. The trays can either be worn overnight or during the day for approximately 14 days.

Unfortunately there are a lot of teeth whitening myths.  Some people recommend putting potentially harmful products on your teeth at home, such as baking soda or hydrogen peroxide.  Others swear by rubbing fruit on their teeth to whiten them.  You may want to think twice before you risk burning your gums or further staining your teeth with home-made strawberry paste.  It really is safest to have your teeth whitened professionally under your dentist’s supervision.

Today there are a number of whitening treatments sold over-the-counter.  Before you try any at-home whitening products, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends first speaking with your dentist.  He or she can tell you whether or not whitening procedures would be effective for you.  Whitening may not work for you if you have bonding or tooth-colored fillings in your front teeth.

Josh Gershonowicz is a Marketing and Public Relations Executive at Brightside Dental, a dental group with locations in Sterling Heights, Livonia, Canton, and Royal Oak, Michigan.  Visit www.BrightsideDental.com for more information on teeth whitening.

How visiting your dentist affects your overall health

You’re trying to be more heart healthy. You visit your doctor for a physical, you visit the gym for exercise, and you visit the farmer’s market for healthy foods. Now it’s time to visit your dentist. Visiting your dentist isn’t just good for your smile. It can be good for your heart, too.

Did you know that your dentist may be able to tell you whether or not you are at risk of developing heart disease? It’s true. Studies have shown that people who suffer from poor oral health, such as infection of the gums, are more likely to develop heart disease than those with healthy gums.

The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis and this occurs when bacteria builds up between the gums and teeth. People with gingivitis might notice that their gums are red, swollen, or bleed when brushing or flossing. Periodontal disease is a more advanced form of gum disease where the infection has become more severe. If left untreated, periodontal disease can result in bone and tooth loss.

What do your teeth and gums have to do with your heart? The Michigan Dental Association (MDA) reports that people who have high levels of gum disease causing bacteria in their mouths “also tend to have thicker carotid arteries, a strong predictor of stroke and heart attack.”

The MDA warns that approximately 85 percent of people who have a heart attack also have some form of periodontal disease.

Your gums should be light pink and firm. Some signs that you may have periodontal disease are bleeding after you brush or floss, bright red or swollen gums, receding gums, puss, loose teeth or pain when chewing. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please visit a dentist. Your dentist will determine what treatment is necessary to restore the health of your gums.

You can help boost your body’s resistance to infection and gum disease by caring for your dental health. The MDA recommends brushing with fluoride toothpaste, using antiseptic mouthwash, and flossing at least once a day to remove decay-causing plaque.

As a part of your health care team, you should see your dentist regularly and inform him or her of any changes to your medical health as well as any dental concerns you may have. Your dentist needs to know if you have been diagnosed with a heart condition and also needs to know any prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking.

The MDA urges you to contact a dentist right away if you start experiencing problems such as “trouble chewing, bleeding or sore gums, red or swollen gums, or sore or loose teeth.” Your dentist can help you have a healthy smile and body.

Josh Gershonowicz is a Marketing and Public Relations Executive at Brightside Dental, a dental group with locations in Sterling Heights, Livonia, Canton, and Royal Oak, Michigan. Visit www.BrightsideDental.com for more information on periodontal disease prevention and treatment.