Oct 16, 2025 | Blog, Dental Topics 3, Family Dentistry
Dentists recommend seeing children for the first time when they have begun to cut teeth, by the time they have celebrated a first birthday. A first visit is primarily about allowing a child to get comfortable in the dentist’s chair and about educating you, the parent, on how to care for your child’s baby teeth. Most children who visit at this age will not remember the visit, but it will lay the foundation for positive experiences in the dental chair in the future.
Once children reach the approximate age of 5, they will have their first set of X-rays taken. The family dentist will review them to look for cavities between the teeth and to check proper development of dormant permanent teeth.
As children age, between 6 and 12 years, they will lose their baby teeth and permanent teeth will begin to erupt. At this time, your family dentist may recommend a tooth sealant. This plastic resin bonds to the “flat” chewing surface of a tooth, protecting it from debris and decay in the crevices.
Your family dentist may also give your child an orthodontic evaluation. Most pediatric patients begin orthodontics once all of their permanent teeth have erupted; however, some patients benefit from staged orthodontics and can begin treatment much sooner.
If your child has been seeing a dentist since infancy, introducing the child to the dentist isn’t an issue; your child already knows and trusts your family dentist. If you are bringing your child to the dentist for the first time as a toddler or kindergarten student, you should plan to spend some time talking about what to expect.
Many times, having parents sit in the dental chair and then hold their child on their laps is very comforting to the patient. Your family dentist has experience in dealing with fearful or anxious children and will know what to do in each case. Often, videos or music are employed to relax young patients.
You can trust your family dentist with each member of your family, no matter what the age. Talk to your family dentist today with any questions you may have about your child’s first dental appointment.
Do not let another day go by without taking care of your dental needs. Request an appointment now at our Bingham Farms dental office!
Sep 25, 2025 | Blog, Dental Topics 3, Teeth Whitening
Having a bright smile is a sign of good health, and it not only makes your face more radiant, but also appear younger! As you age, your teeth lose their outer layer of tooth enamel. The layer underneath is called dentin, and it is more yellow than the surface enamel. Even though this yellowing is natural and expected, everyday things can hasten that unwanted process. With some minor care, you can avoid these pitfalls and keep your smile shining bright.
Most people know that soda, coffee, tea, and red wine can stain teeth; however, it is less commonly known that some foods, such as tomato sauce, basalmic vinegar, and soy sauce can leave unsightly stains. Blackberries, blueberries, and beets all leave residual color on your teeth. You don’t have to stop enjoying these healthy foods, but you can reduce the staining effects by rinsing your mouth after eating and by brushing immediately.
Recent studies have shown that some sports and energy drinks may be worse for your teeth than sugary drinks. Researchers know that these kinds of drinks can erode tooth enamel if consumed long-term. Prevent this erosion by limiting your consumption of these kinds of beverages and by rinsing your mouth with water when you are finished drinking.
Antibacterial mouthwashes containing cetylpyridinium or chlorhexidine can stain your teeth. Some blood pressure medications, antibiotics, antihistamines, and antipsychotic drugs can cause tooth discoloration. Excess iron and fluoride may also cause stains.
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your health, but it’s also one of the worst culprits when it comes to discoloring teeth. Tobacco stains penetrate deep into the pits and grooves of tooth enamel. Brushing alone will not remove the stains, and the longer you smoke, the more difficult the stains are to remove.
Talk to your dentist about the elements of your diet and lifestyle that affect the whiteness of your teeth. There are many options available to address the stains and yellowing already present and to strategize to prevent future discoloration.
If you need professional teeth whitening and you live in the Bingham Farms area, contact our office today to schedule a consultation to see if teeth whitening is right for you. We look forward to seeing you.
Sep 11, 2025 | Blog, Dental Topics 3, Family Dentistry
It seems that with each passing year, our lives become more hectic, scheduled, and harried. If you have children, there are the endless school events and music lessons and sports practices. Running from here to there can leave you less time for some of the most important things, like your oral hygiene.
Have you found yourself putting off your regular dental check-up? Has it been more than a year since you saw your dentist? Are your children up-to-date with their dental visits, but you’re falling behind? This can happen, especially as we place the care of others over the care of ourselves.
By choosing a family dentistry practice, this can be a thing of the past when it comes to your teeth! A family dentist can see each member of your family, from the youngest infant to the oldest retiree. All of your dental visits occur in the same office, so you won’t be jumping in the car to go yet somewhere else, stuck in traffic and feeling overwhelmed.
With family dentistry, you can schedule your appointments to have multiple family members seen back-to-back or at the same time. This is especially of interest to families with multiple children. Imagine having three or four appointments going on at the same time, and being done after the time of a single visit! Reduce the time you spend in the waiting room with squirming or unhappy children by choosing a family dentistry practice.
Your family dentist realizes that your time is extremely important, and that each member of your family is important and valued. A family dentist knows about all of the changes your teeth undergo over time, and is sensitive to this. It’s easy to make smile goals with your family dentist, as he or she will be there from the start to the finish.
Make the choice to simplify your life. Make it easy to keep you and your entire family smiling brightly. Choose a family dentistry practice today.
Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Bingham Farms dental office to schedule your consultation!
Sep 4, 2025 | Blog, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Topics 3
In today’s world, having a fantastic smile can impact your personal and professional successes. People notice right away the warmth and vitality your smile can convey. Unfortunately, most individuals don’t naturally have a perfect set of teeth. With orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign, you can attain a uniform, attractive appearance.
Often, patients inquire about “instant orthodontics,” a term that describes the cosmetic application of porcelain veneers to create the illusion of a straight smile. Designed to mimic the translucency of enamel, porcelain veneers can transform a worn-out smile into a sensational, new image. Because veneers are a cosmetic procedure, the term “instant orthodontics” is actually misleading.
Porcelain veneers can correct the appearance of front teeth and make your smile look amazing. If you have alignment issues, crowding, or bite problems, porcelain veneers will only cover the imperfections without addressing the root problem.
It’s important to consider the long-term goals and implications of choosing a cosmetic procedure. Veneers are a great way to deal with slight flaws in your smile, including chips, small gaps, and discolorations. However, you need orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign clear aligners to correct the position of your teeth.
Invisalign can not only enhance your appearance, but also improve your oral health since straighter teeth are easier to clean and floss. You should schedule a consultation with the dental team at Brown, Reynolds & Snow, who can evaluate your teeth and bite before making recommendations about the most effective treatment for your desired results.
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Bingham Farms dental office.
Aug 28, 2025 | Blog, Dental Information, Dental Topics 3
Getting older impacts your whole life. Your body changes, including your mouth. Dental care is important for maintaining overall well being. Many seniors struggle with tooth loss and other dental health issues, like dry mouth or gum disease. Keep your teeth and gums healthy by remembering these helpful hints. Those individuals caring for aging parents or relatives can also benefit from the following tips:
• Make home care a priority. If you have trouble remembering to brush and floss, try posting little reminders in your bathroom near the sink. Caregivers can encourage this process as well.
• Choose a soft toothbrush. If the bristles are too hard, you can irritate gums and damage tissue.
• When you have dentures, clean them daily and use the special cleaners designed for this purpose, not just toothpaste.
• See the dentist twice a year. These appointments allow the doctor to check your teeth and gums for any problems. Depending on the state of your oral health, the dentist may suggest more frequent visits.
• Tell the dentist about any medications you are taking and any side effects that could affect your dental health. For example, some people experience dry mouth with certain medicines.
• Contact your dentist right away if you notice any unusual symptoms in your mouth. Letting issues like gum disease or tooth decay go can cause bigger problems in the long run.
• Maintain a healthy diet. What you eat influences your whole body health, including your teeth and gums.
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Bingham Farms dental office.
Jul 10, 2025 | Blog, Dental Information, Dental Topics 3
Having a teenager can be challenging. They have school work, multiple activities, and attitudes. This hectic time in life can also impact your teen’s dental health. Proper care and good oral hygiene will make sure that your teenager enjoys a lifetime of vibrant smiles.
• Encourage your teen to brush after each meal. Remind your son or daughter about the importance of flossing to remove plaque and promote gum health.
• Explain the consequences of not caring for your teeth, which can include bad breath, stains, and cavities.
• Make sure you stock up on the necessary supplies so that your teen has the right tools on hand. Purchase plenty of fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, and extra toothbrushes.
• Schedule regular checkups with the dentist. These appointments allow the dentist to assess your teen’s oral health and handle any problems right away.
• If your son or daughter has braces, get floss threaders from the orthodontist or buy them at the local drug store. Keep up with appointments for adjustments so that your teen’s treatment stays on track.
• For teens that play contact sports, including soccer, football, or volleyball, ask your dentist or orthodontist about a custom mouth guard. This oral appliance is designed to protect their teeth and mouth from potential injury.
• Limit your teen’s consumption of junk food by having health snacks like vegetables, fruits, and low fat dairy options readily available.
• Model good behavior. Showing that you believe oral health care matters will help your teen take your advice and warnings to heart.
Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Bingham Farms dental office.
