Cranbrook Dental Care Blog
Treating Bruxism with Customized Nightguards
June 19, 2014
If you’ve never heard of bruxism, your immediate question might be, “What is bruxism?” In today’s post, we want to talk about what exactly this condition is, what causes it, and how Dr. Banda of Cranbrook Dental Care can help you treat it.
What Is Bruxism and What Causes It?
To put it simply, bruxism is a term that describes a recurring and unconscious struggle with teeth grinding. For many patients with bruxism, it’s caused by stress. What’s more, patients have the most trouble with it while sleeping, when it’s impossible to consciously stop grinding.
Symptoms of bruxism include headaches, earaches, and jaw pain. Other causes of bruxism, besides stress, include misaligned teeth, or a poor posture, poor diet, or poor sleep habits. Patients with bruxism may also display other kinds of biting habits. They may bite their fingernails, for instance, or they might bite the ends of pencils, their lips, or the insides of their cheeks. The condition affects roughly one-third of the population, and it’s more prevalent in women than men.
Over time, the constant pressure and motion associated with bruxism can seriously damage teeth. Bruxism can also contribute to TMJ dysfunction, which has many symptoms in common.
Customized Care for Teeth Grinding
Thankfully, treatment for teeth grinding is possible with a custom-made nightguard from Dr. Banda’s Bloomfield Hills dental office. During a consultation, we’ll evaluate your teeth, tissues, and muscles. Once we know what your needs are, Dr. Banda can help you understand how a nightguard will help you. We can also talk to you about other treatment techniques.
Do need help treating bruxism? Call Cranbrook Dental Care today for an appointment with Dr. Banda. We serve patients from Clarkston, Troy, Royal Oak, Birmingham, and the entire metropolitan Detroit area.
Are Your Brushing Correctly?
May 23, 2014
Brushing and flossing are two of the most important daily activities you can do. With regular brushing and flossing, you can remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth and your gumline, protecting it from common oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease. What’s more, because studies have linked gum disease with health problems in other parts of the body, caring for your smile is another way of caring for your overall health.
So, now that you know how important brushing and flossing are, ask yourself: Are you brushing and flossing correctly?
To give your smile the help it needs, you should brush for about 120 seconds, or two minutes. You should also be sure that you’re dividing your time equally between not only your upper and lower teeth but also the inner surfaces and outer surfaces of your teeth. Hold your brush at about a 45 degree angle and apply gentle pressure as your scrub. To prevent bad breath, gently brush the surface of your tongue.
As for frequency, we recommend brushing at least twice a day, but it’s even better if you can do it after every meal. You should also floss at least once a day to get any leftover pieces of food away from your smile. And for extra protection from gum disease and tooth decay, we recommend using either an antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash.
Do you still have questions about how to brush and floss correctly? Don’t hesitate to call Dr. Banda’s office in Bloomfield Hills with your questions or to schedule an appointment. We serve patients from Clarkston, Troy, Royal Oak, Birmingham, and the entire metropolitan Detroit area.
Treating Sleep Apnea and Snoring with an Oral Appliance
April 24, 2014
When you don’t get enough sleep at night, you can feel tired, stressed out, and moody the next day. If you feel this way often enough, you may see declines in your overall health and wellbeing.
For some, there’s an easy fix to these symptoms. Maybe you just need to go bed earlier and at a more consistent time each night. In other cases, though, the fix may involve the diagnosis and treatment of a common but under-diagnosed condition known as sleep apnea.
Patients who struggle with sleep apnea stop breathing for 10 seconds or more throughout the night. As a result, the brain to send out a signal waking the patient up to take a breath.
Not every patient wakes up completely, though, which is why some patients don’t even know they are struggling with it. If you haven’t been diagnosed with sleep apnea but think you’re struggling with it, here’s a symptom to watch out for: snoring.
Often, the cause of a patient’s snoring and the cause of a patient’s sleep apnea go back to the same thing: obstruction from the tongue or lower jaw. Thankfully, there’s treatment for both at Dr. Banda’s office in Bloomfield Hills. A custom-made oral appliance from Cranbrook Dental Care will reposition your tongue and lower jaw while you sleep so that air passes through without anything stopping it. As a result, you can sleep better at night, and without snoring.
Are you worried that you might be struggling with sleep apnea? Call Cranbrook Dental Care in Bloomfield Hills to find out how Dr. Banda can help. We’re happy to offer care for sleep apnea and snoring to patients from Clarkston, Troy, Royal Oak, Birmingham, and the entire metropolitan Detroit area.
Athletic Mouthguards for Bloomfield Hills and Beyond
March 28, 2014
Are you an athlete? Regardless of whether your play a contact sport or you enjoy something more solitary, you can benefit from wearing an athletic mouthguard. It’s been estimated that between 13 to 39 percent of all dental injuries have some connection to athletics.
You can prevent sports-related dental injuries by wearing an athletic mouthguard. That’s because quality mouthgaurds protect more than just your teeth. They also protect the tongue, lips, face, and jaw, and can even reduce the severity of concussion.
But not all athletic mouthguards are made equal. There are three different types.
Ready-made mouthguards are inexpensive and can be easily found in sporting goods stores. But while they provide some amount of protection, they aren’t customized. As a result, they can fit awkwardly and make breathing and speaking difficult.
Mouth-formed mouthguard provide more customized results. Also known as boil-and-bite mouthguards, this type conforms to your smile after being softened in hot water. But some feel that mouth-formed mouthguards have a bad taste. They can also lose their flexibility over time.
The best type of athletic mouthguard is one that’s been custom-made just for you. At Dr. Banda’s office in Bloomfield Hills, we can take impressions of your teeth and have a mouthguard made from them. With a custom-made mouthguard, you can play with more confidence and without worrying about your smile.
Do you want a custom-made athletic mouthguard? Call Cranbrook Dental Care for an appointment with Dr. Banda. We serve patients from Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Troy, Birmingham, Royal Oak, and beyond.
Comfortable Care with Contemporary Technology
February 27, 2014
In today’s post, we want to talk about two great tools that are helping Dr. Banda provide comfortable, preventive care to patients from Bloomfield Hills and beyond. Both are used for detecting serious oral health issues before they have a chance to dramatically impact a patient’s oral health.
First up is DIAGNOdent. Dr. Banda uses this tool to identify decay early, before it can be seen with just a visual exam. To do this, it uses a laser diode to measure surfaces quality against a healthy benchmark reading. When the diode finds a weak area, the tool makes a sound, alerting us to it so we can provide treatment.
The great benefit of treating cavities early is that patients have a more comfortable experience. Fillings for these very early cavities are shallower and simpler. That makes the process less invasive and lets patients keep more of their natural smile for longer.
The second tool we want to talk about is ViziLite. Like DIAGNOdent, it’s an early detection tool, but instead of focusing on decay, it helps doctors like Dr. Banda look for oral cancer. A very serious condition, oral cancer claims more lives annually than Hodkins disease, and cancers affecting the cervix, brain, liver, kidneys, and ovaries. What’s more, a rising number of cases in both women and men have been connected to HPV and not the normal risk factors, which include tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. ViziLite makes it possible to offer early, lifesaving care.
Want To Learn More About DIAGNOdent or ViziLite?
Visit the technology section on our webpage to learn more about the tools we’re using to help patients enjoy more comfortable care. You can also give us a call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Banda. Cranbrook Dental Care serves patients from Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Troy, Birmingham, Royal Oak, and beyond.
Protect Yourself from the Hidden Dangers of Periodontal Disease with Dr. Banda
January 29, 2014
When you think about periodontal disease, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps the thought of gum disease evokes images of receding gums or bleeding when you brush your teeth, or even eventual tooth loss if the condition progresses. Did you know, though, that untreated periodontal disease can actually affect your health in other ways? At Cranbrook Dental Care in Bloomfield Hills, MI, Dr. David Banda and his team provide comprehensive periodontal therapy to patients with gum disease to stop the condition in its tracks.
Periodontal Disease: The Systemic Link
In addition to contributing to major oral health problems, periodontal disease has been linked to a number of other, potentially more serious, complications. When the bacteria that accumulates in your mouth as a result of gum disease leaches into the blood stream, it can spread to organs and tissues throughout the body. Though research continues to delve into this systemic connection, the following have already been found to be consequences of untreated periodontal disease:
- Increased risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Preterm birth and low birth weight infants
- High blood pressure
- Higher risk of pancreatic cancer
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Rheumatoid arthritis
For the majority of patients, prompt periodontal therapy can substantially reduce the risk of developing these and other serious health problems.
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
If you’ve noticed the common symptoms of periodontal disease – bleeding gums, sensitivity, gum recession or chronic bad breath – it’s important that you address the problem before it becomes worse. Contact our office in Bloomfield Hills, MI today and schedule your consultation with Dr. Banda. We also gladly serve patients in Clarkston, Troy, Birmingham, Royal Oak and surrounding communities within the entire Detroit area. We look forward to helping you achieve optimal oral health and overall wellness!
Have You Thought of Any Smile Goals for 2014?
December 31, 2013
A brand new year is just hours away. If you’re like most people, you might already have some goals mapped out for 2014. Maybe you want to eat better, or you want to improve your financial situation. But what about your smile? Have you considered what kind of goals you might have for it?
Thinking ahead like this can be beneficial, especially if you’re on a limited budget or you know you’re in for a busy year. Working with Dr. Banda of Cranbrook Dental Care, you’ll be able to see the upcoming year with greater clarity. Not only can you make better plans, but you can face the year with a better sense of confidence.
For many patients, the primary goal will be a more attractive smile. This can be achieved with any of our cosmetic dental services, which include:
- Porcelain Veneers
- Invisalign
- Teeth Whitening
- Teeth Whitening
- Smile Makeovers
For other patients, restorative dental care might be the primary focus. With a selection of services that includes fillings, crowns, root canals and dentures, we’re confident we can improve not just the appearance of your smile but it’s functionality as well.
Still other patients will want to make regular visits a priority. We recommend that our patients from Bloomfield Hills and beyond come to see Dr. Banda twice a year for a regular exam and dental cleaning. Seeing Dr. Banda at least twice in a 12-month period will allow him to look for common conditions, like tooth decay and gum disease. Treatment for any condition should be administered as soon as possible—a goal that regular care makes possible.
Are you ready to schedule your first 2014 appointment with Dr. Banda? Call us to set up an appointment. We serve patients from Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Clarkston, Royal Oak, Birmingham, and the entire metropolitan Detroit area.
Two Options for Sedation Dentistry
November 27, 2013
Many patients struggle with dental anxiety. As a real and common problem, dental anxiety can keep patients from seeing Dr. Banda for regular care, but also for more important general or restorative care. It doesn’t have to, though. Using one of two effective sedation dentistry options, our dental team at Cranbrook Dental Care can help patients with dental anxiety overcome feelings of nervousness and finally receive the help they need.
Dr. Banda’s sedation dentistry options include:
- IV Sedation
- Oral Conscious Sedation
Both options are good for patients with mild to moderate anxiety, while IV sedation can also help patients with a more severe form. What’s more, sedation dentistry makes it possible to complete more care in fewer visits. Just cutting down the number of appointment necessary for care can make a patient feel more relaxed and less anxious.
How can you know which method of sedation is right for you? Dr. Banda can help. During a consultation with us, we can talk to you about how much anxiety you feel. We’ll also consider what kind of service(s) you need. Then, once we have all the information we need, we can recommend a personalized solution.
IV sedation introduces a sedative into the body intravenously. As we administer care, we’ll closely monitor your blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate to ensure your safety.
Oral conscious sedation works using a commonly prescribed medication. You’ll simply take a pill or drink a liquid form before your appointment and wait for it to take effect. As with IV sedation, we’ll monitor your vital signs to ensure your safety. In both cases, patients will need to have a friend or family member drive them home afterward, as it can take several hours for the effects of sedation dentistry to fully wear off.
Do you want to learn more about sedation dentistry? Call Cranbrook Dental Care today schedule an appointment with Dr. Banda. He serves patients from Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Birmingham, and beyond.
Invisalign Gives Patients a Second Chance at a Straighter Smile
October 31, 2013
For teens and adults who want straighter teeth without having to wear conventional braces, Dr. David Banda of Cranbrook Dental Care offers Invisalign clear braces. With Invisalign, our Bloomfield patients can have the straighter, more beautiful teeth they’ve dreamed of, but without the issues that patients with regular braces can face. That’s because Invisalign uses clear aligner trays instead of metal brackets and wires.
Every patient seeking treatment with Invisalign will receive a special treatment kit with all the aligners they’ll need to achieve results. As treatment progresses, all patients have to do is wear the appropriate set of aligners for about two weeks before moving on to the next. There’s nothing to tighten, and those around you may not even notice that you’re wearing braces.
But clear aligners aren’t the only benefit of Invisalign. The trays can also be taken out for eating, brushing, flossing, and more. That means that Dr. Banda’s Invisalign patients can enjoy the same kind of diet they always have. It also makes brushing and flossing easier. What’s more, when the brackets and wires of regular braces aren’t there, patients can actually keep their teeth cleaner, benefitting their oral health now and in the future.
But Invisalign isn’t the best option for every patient. Do you have questions about Invisalign? Talk to Dr. Banda of Bloomfield, MI. During a consultation at Cranbrook Dental Care, we can assess your needs and made a personalized recommendation.
We serve patients from Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Birmingham, and beyond.
Become a Candidate for Dental Implants with a Sinus Lift
October 4, 2013
For patients who need to replace one or more teeth, bone loss can be an impediment to care. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be. At Cranbrook Dental Care, Dr. David Banda can help patients who are otherwise not candidates for dental implants through a procedure called a sinus lift. With a sinus lift, a patient who doesn’t have enough bone density to support one or more dental implants can come away from a visit to our Bloomfield Hills dental office with enough bone to support implants after a resting period.
Why do patients lose bone over time? There are at least two big reasons. One of those is gum disease. As one of the most common oral health conditions a patient can face, gum disease is responsible for tissue loss, bone loss, and tooth loss.
Bone loss will also occur when a tooth has been lost. Tooth roots serve an important function—they stimulate the growth of new bone tissue. When one or more roots go missing, there’s nothing there to promote the growth of fresh bone tissue. As a result, bone is lost, putting nearby teeth at risk too.
With a sinus lift from Dr. Banda’s office, patients who were not previously a candidate for dental implants can now get the important care they need. Do you want to know if dental implants or a sinus lift is right for you? Call Cranbrook Dental Care today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Banda.
We serve patients from Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Birmingham, MI.
