Dr. Sasaki’s Dental Blog

When it comes to cosmetic dentistry in Ann Arbor, teeth whitening is one of the easiest and rewarding procedures. There are also a lot of teeth whitening options for those of us in the Ann Arbor area. How do you find a good tooth whitening procedure in Ann Arbor?

Visiting your local Ann Arbor dentist is a good start!

Whitening your teeth is an advanced dental procedure that you won’t want to get wrong on the first try. That’s why I always recommend a visit to Gary Sasaki DDS, MS (our dental practice) to visit with me and talk about it. I’m Dr. Gary Sasaki, and as a Ann Arbor cosmetic dentist, I am not only experienced with tooth whitening procedures, but care about your teeth and your smile. I can recommend teeth whitening procedures based on your age, dental hygiene, and personal goals.

Most importantly, I can help you assess the condition of your teeth and help you understand what to expect and how to care for your teeth once they are whitened.

Many of our Ann Arbor patients ask about tooth whitening. In fact it is one of our most popular dental procedures. There are many tooth whitening options, ranging from the kind you will perform at home to professional tooth whitening procedures we can do right here in our Ann Arbor dental office. The one best for you can depend on many factors, starting with the color of your teeth, and how white you want your teeth to be after the procedure.

Consulting with your Ann Arbor dentist before you begin a tooth whitening procedure has several advantages. Among the advantages are professional care, experienced advice, and reliable recommendations for which tooth whitening procedure will be best for you.

If you are contemplating teeth whitening, and you live in the Ann Arbor, come in and visit with me for just a few minutes. We’ll discuss your goals, the options that are available to you, and the results you can expect. You will be much happier with your results with the advantage of professional advice.

I look forward to hearing from you.

-Dr. Gary Sasaki, Cosmetic Dentist

Whether you have lived in Michigan for a long time, or just moving in to the Ann Arbor area; taking care of your teeth eventually involves a visit to the dentist. We are Gary Sasaki DDS, MS located at 1900 Packard Rd. in Ypsilanti, Michigan just minutes outside Ann Arbor, and our specialty is cosmetic and general dentistry.

You can reach Gary Sasaki DDS, MS by calling 734-482-7466.

Going to the dentist for the first time in the Ann Arbor area, or if you have not been for while, can be an unsettling experience for both kids and adults. The very idea of a ‘dentist’ seems to hold negative connotation for many people. If you are an adult who is moving to the Ann Arbor area, or your child is preparing to visit the dentist for the first time, here are a few tips that may help ease you into regular dental checkups and put you on the path toward increased oral health and wellness.

Choose an Ann Arbor cosmetic and general dentist who is appropriate for your needs. When you meet your new Ann Arbor dentist for the first time, make an effort to ask questions about the care you will receive. Ask questions that are relevant to your situation including questions about experience, age range of patients, and recommended procedures for any conditions you may have. Get to know your Ann Arbor dentist so you feel comfortable with the care you will receive.

Introduce yourself to your Ann Arbor dentist and get to know the office staff. Visiting the dentist will seem less of a chore when you feel you have trusted friends who are there to help.

Be prepared to provide your Ann Arbor dentist with information. Whether you are experiencing specific pain at that moment, or anticipating a problem, be sure to discuss everything with your dentist. Many patients become intimidated in the office environment and avoid expressing pain or discussing issues. As your dentist, I need to know everything you are experiencing and will be better prepared to help as you ask questions and express your concerns.

I understand that everyone is unique; what works for one person may not work for another. You know what works best for you, and the best way to have a good experience with an Ann Arbor dentist is to communicate. Let me know what you are experiencing so that I can make adjustments and help you feel more comfortable and secure.

At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS our comfortable, friendly, professional and relaxing staff will work to make your dental experience a pleasant one. We know it can be frightening to visit the dentist for the first time, or after a long while. We’ll do what we can to make you feel comfortable, secure, and among caring friends including complementary chairside hand of foot massage and other amenities to make your visit enjoyable.

If you are in Ann Arbor, Michigan and are ready to visit the dentist again, give us a call at 734-482-7466, or stop by to meet us; we’re excited to meet you.

-A Dental Spa to Transform Your Smile, Relax Your Body, and Rejuvenate

Maintaining healthy teeth is an important concern for our local Ann Arbor residents. As your Doctor, it’s my job to help you understand how to care for your teeth and to keep them healthy.

Everyone in the Ann Arbor knows that maintaining healthy teeth requires regular daily brushing and flossing. Regular visits to your local Ann Arbor dental practice is also necessary to keep watch for cavities and to help you maintain proper dental hygiene. We often forget that maintaining a healthy diet can also be beneficial for the health of your teeth.

An nutritious diet that includes foods that help your muscles and bones will also help you develop healthy gums and healthy teeth. Examples of local Ann Arbor foods to include in your diet include foods rich in vitamin B such as breads and cereals. Foods rich in vitamin C, usually fruits and vegetables, help improve the health of your gums. Zinc and magnesium are also good for the health of your teeth and are found in foods like lean beef, fish, and poultry.

All foods increase the production of saliva. Saliva is important to healthy teeth because it helps to maintain the pH balance in your mouth. Maintaining this balance helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Foods high in fiber also encourage saliva production as does the chewing of sugar-free gum. Gum, however, can damage unhealthy teeth or pull out dental fillings, so always use caution when deciding whether to chew gum and which brand to chew.

Just as certain diet choices in the Ann Arbor area can be beneficial to the health of your teeth, others can be detrimental. Foods and drinks that are high in sugars are more likely to form the acids that attack your teeth and result in decay. And while table sugar is often associated with the formation of cavities, other sugars such as glucose, fructose, and maltose are also causes, and are often found in juices and sodas. Limiting the consumption of sugars to mealtimes lessens the amount of time your healthy teeth are exposed.

Making good diet choices and limiting between meal sugar consumption can improve the health of your teeth and gums.

If you would like to learn how to better care for your healthy teeth in the Ann Arbor area, contact Gary Sasaki DDS, MS at 734-482-7466. We would love to hear from you.

-Gary Sasaki

Imagine you are starting a new job in Ann Arbor and meeting your new boss for the first time. Confidence is key to your success. As you reach out to shake the extended hand your broad confident smile exposes rows of pearly white teeth, yet when you open your mouth to exchange greetings you worry about bad breath. Perhaps your breath is not as pleasant as you had hoped. Bad breath is a worry and possible embarrassment for many residents of Ann Arbor, Michigan, from ages 40 to 80. Regular dental checkups at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS can help alleviate your concern over bad breath. We have been addressing bad breath since 1971.

The technical term for bad breath is halitosis. Many factors can cause or contribute to halitosis. One of these factors is the food you eat. Onions and garlic are both known for having a potent affect on your breath. Simply observing the foods you eat here in Ann Arbor can result in a change in your breath.

In most cases, bad breath originates in your mouth. Transient bad breath can be resolved through eating or brushing, and is a temporary condition usually associated with a dry mouth. Persistent bad breath can be a serious problem effecting as much as 25 percent of our Ann Arbor residents. Persistent bad breath can be caused by dry mouth, and is made worse when food is not cleared away properly.

Brushing and flossing daily is a critical step in curing bad breath. Food particles can build up in your mouth and foster bacteria which can cause bad breath. This not only includes the food particles that may get stuck between your teeth, but also the food that collects around your gums or on your tongue. Brushing and flossing daily can help reduce the amount of food particles that stay in your mouth and cause bad breath. Regular visits to Gary Sasaki DDS, MS in Ypsilanti can also reduce or eliminate the progression of bad breath.

Other factors that can contribute to bad breath for Ann Arbor residents include dry mouth, tobacco use, and health concerns such as infections. Come visit Gary Sasaki DDS, MS located in Ypsilanti, Michigan; we’ll provide you with information about bad breath in a professional environment. Give us a call at 734-482-7466 to set up an appointment.

Gary Sasaki

Michigan is known for its beautiful smiles, and our local Ann Arbor community is no exception. Keeping your teeth clean is an important factor in maintaining your beautiful smile. One of the benefits of regularly visiting your local Ann Arbor Michigan dentist is a thorough teeth cleaning and a review of your brushing habits.

Our Ann Arbor dental hygienist helps you keep your teeth clean by assessing the condition of your teeth, and recommending improvements to your daily teeth cleaning habits. Our Ann Arbor oral hygienist can also professionally clean and polish your teeth at your regular dental check up. You should schedule a regular dental check up every six months.

I am the dentist at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS located in the state of Michigan. We specialize in cosmetic and general dentistry in the Ann Arbor, Michigan community, including the surrounding areas of Ypsilanti, Belleville and Saline.

Cleaning your teeth is the simple task of removing plaque (a sticky deposit that gets left on teeth in which bacteria thrives) and tartar (a calcium deposit that forms on teeth and aids in tooth decay). This is done by brushing regularly with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and flossing. Brushing and flossing at least twice each day can keep plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth and results in cleaner, healthier teeth. A regular visit to your local Ann Arbor dental hygienist will help you stay on top of problems that can go unseen.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting your local Ann Arbor, Michigan dentist at least once every 6 months for a regular dental check up and teeth cleaning. These regular visits to your Michigan dentist potentially prevent the undetected development of problems that can occur from neglecting to clean your teeth.

To keep that beautiful smile in good shape, come in for a dental check up and teeth cleaning at our Ann Arbor, Michigan cosmetic and general dentistry office.

Call Gary Sasaki DDS, MS to make an appointment. We are located minutes from Ann Arbor in Ypsilanti, Michigan. You can reach us right now at 734-482-7466.

Gary Sasaki

As your local Ann Arbor dentist, one of my roles is to help you take care of your mouth. Sometimes mouth sores can be an issue, and while Ann Arbor dentists often defer to an oral surgeon for extreme cases, we can help you make an assessment.

If you live in the Ann Arbor area and have a mouth sore that lasts more than a week or two; come and see me. Mouth sores can be an indicator of disease, and an early assessment is the best bet. A better understanding of your mouth sores can lead quickly to comfort and a resolution. If necessary, treatment and pain relief can be offered.

There are two common types of mouth sores that are common in the Ann Arbor area; canker sores and cold sores.

Canker sores are small ulcer-like sores with a white or gray base and a red border. They are found on the inside of the mouth and while they are not contagious, they can be painful. Typically a canker sore heals in a week or two. Antimicrobal mouth-rinses, over-the-counter topical anesthetics, and avoiding spicy and acidic foods may offer you temporary relief while your sore is healing.

The cause of a canker sore is not certain. Possible explanations range from a cut on the inside the mouth, and reactions to extreme temperatures or acids from food or drink, to fatigue, stress, and allergies. Some studies point to bacteria or viruses, or combinations of all these factors.

Cold sores, also called fever blisters or Herpes Simplex, are groups of fluid-filled blisters that often appear around the lips, sometimes appearing under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores are contagious and painful, but usually heal in about a week. Some over-the-counter anesthetics may provide relief. There are some antiviral drugs on the market that have shown promise in reducing outbreaks, but there is currently no known cure. The initial infection, known as primary herpes, often occurs before adulthood. Once the virus infects you, it may stay in your body and remain inactive or cause occasional cold sore outbreaks. Outbreaks may be triggered by a fever, sunburn, skin abrasions, stress, or exposure to extremes in temperature.

As your Ann Arbor dentist, I can’t do much to stop canker sores or cold sores in your mouth. I can discuss the health of your mouth, and examine any causes that make your mouth sore. In some cases a change in the way you care for your mouth can reduce the chances of getting mouth sores. If you are in the
Ann Arbor area, and would like to speak with a dental professional about mouth sores, give us a call at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS.

Our number is 734-482-7466.

Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood problems, yet tooth decay also affects adults. Gary Sasaki DDS, MS serves people from 20 to 80 years old to help fight tooth decay.

Bacteria are a common cause of tooth decay. Bacteria live in your mouth and combine with plaque and acids to break down the enamel coating on your teeth. The breakdown of your tooth enamel can often result in the development of small holes in your teeth which are known as cavities. The breaking down of your tooth enamel in is known as tooth decay, and it is a serious dental problem for children and adults in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area in Michigan.

Tooth decay is typically a result of diet and oral hygiene choices. When sticky foods are consumed and allowed to sit on the teeth, or foods full of sugars and starches are consumed frequently throughout the day, tooth decay can result. Foods to avoid include soda and sugary chewing gum; these foods tend to stay around for a while and create an environment where bacteria thrive. To help prevent tooth decay, simply limit sugary and starchy foods between meals. Also, brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once a day, and visiting your local Ypsilanti dentist in Michigan for regular check ups and cleanings will help prevent tooth decay.

Hello, my name is Dr. Gary Sasaki, and I am a dentist serving the Ann Arbor area. My practice is located at 1900 Packard Rd. Ypsilanti, Michigan . Tooth decay is a preventable dental problem, and I can help. Visit me at our office; I will be happy to meet you, and to give you an idea of the many ways we can help you prevent tooth decay and avoid a more costly or even painful ailment.

We at specialize in and would be happy to discuss with you any health concerns related to your teeth. Give us a call at 734-482-7466.

Dr. Gary Sasaki