Dr. Sasaki’s Dental Blog

December 9, 2011

Soft, Medium, or Buzz Lightyear?

Filed under: Dental Health — Tags: , , , — @ 10:15 am

Affordable Dentistry in Ann Arbor At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, cosmetic dentist Dr. Gary Sasaki is often asked how to choose the most basic tool of oral hygiene, the toothbrush. Picking a toothbrush in Ypsilanti can be as difficult as choosing a paint color, and there seems to be just as many choices.

If you have visited the dental section of your local Ypsilanti grocery store or Walmart lately, you know what I am talking about. There are brushes with bristles of varying lengths, brushes that massage your gums, and brushes that change color when they are used up. (If I had to rate them purely on their fun factor, I would choose the Spiderman brush.)

Some toothbrush manufacturers claim their brushes freshen your breath or remove stains from your teeth when used with teeth whitening toothpaste. How do you choose?

One key factor is the firmness of the bristles. Hard bristles may be more effective for cleaning burnt steak off a grill or hard water deposits off a shower floor. However, this does not hold true for your teeth. Medium and firm brushes can damage your gums. Soft and extra-soft bristles are plenty stiff enough to clean plague, food particles, and surface stains from your teeth. Soft bristles also offer more flexibility for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.

After having dental work (like the full mouth rehabilitation available at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS) or oral surgery in Ypsilanti, especially anything involving soft tissue grafts, make sure you use an extra-soft brush and be careful!

What about the electric types and water-shooters? Some Ypsilanti folks like the feeling of vibrating bristles or a mini-squirt gun blasting away at the plaque. Ypsilanti people with arthritis or other movement-inhibiting conditions can benefit from powered brushes which take some strain off hands and arm muscles.

Is your toothbrush doing the job? Schedule an exam with your Ypsilanti cosmetic dentist at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS.

At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, our comfortable, friendly, professional and relaxed dental hygienists instruct our Ypsilanti area patients on proper brushing and flossing. If you haven’t experienced a dental deep cleaning at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, you don’t know how clean your teeth and gums can feel.

Schedule a thorough dental cleaning today by calling us at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, 734-482-7466. An outstanding feature of Gary Sasaki DDS, MS is dental spa service to make our patients as comfortable as possible. We also offer porcelain veneers, dental crowns and bridges and a full spectrum of restorative dental procedures.

October 7, 2011

Ouch! Are Your Teeth Sensitive In Ann Arbor?

Filed under: Dental Health — Tags: , , — @ 12:13 pm

Are Your Teeth Sensitive In Ann Arbor?

For those of you in the Ann Arbor area who feel pain when you sip your morning coffee or who cringe each time you brush or floss, Dr. Gary Sasaki DDS, MS is here for you.

Doctor Gary Sasaki has been treating this common problem since 1971.

The first line of defense against tooth sensitivity is proper oral hygiene. Incorrect brushing and over-brushing can result in receding gums, which leads to the exposure of microscopic tubules in the dentin. When these tubules are exposed, acidic, hot, cold, and sticky foods can then reach the nerve cells in the teeth causing discomfort.

Here in our Ann Arbor cosmetic dentistry practice, our knowledgeable staff can determine if your brushing style is contributing to your tooth sensitivity and get you on your way to proper oral care habits.

Dr. Gary Sasaki usually recommends an over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste that will alleviate tooth pain after several applications. Most Ann Arbor Wal-Mart and Sav-On stores carry it. However, some Ann Arbor patients may need in-office procedures such as fluoride gel treatments available at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS.

Don’t worry if you have sensitive teeth in Ann Arbor and want to have your teeth whitened. Here at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, Dr. Sasaki can determine which professional tooth whitening or at-home whitening procedures will work for you.

Call our Ann Arbor dental spa today to get relief from your sensitive teeth.

 


Dr. Gary Sasaki
Gary Sasaki DDS, MS
1900 Packard Rd
Ann Arbor Michigan 48197
734-482-7466
http://midentalspa.com/about_drs.htm

September 30, 2011

Ann Arbor Dental News: Poor Oral Health And Heart Disease

Filed under: Dental Health — Tags: , , — @ 11:17 am

Top Ann Arbor Family Dentists Attention Ann Arbor dental patients: brushing twice daily may help lower your risk of heart disease. Ann Arbor scientists, dentists, and cardiologists have known for many years that there is a link between inflammation in the mouth (gum disease) and heart problems. However, a recent study analyzed oral health habits and heart disease risk. Science Daily reported on the study which was published in the British Medical Journal.

I quote from the Science Daily article:

“The authors, led by Professor Richard Watt from University College London, analyzed data from over 11,000 adults who took part in a Scottish Health Survey. The research team analyzed data about lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, physical activity, and oral health routines.”

“Once the data was adjusted for established cardio risk factors, the researchers found that participants who reported less frequent toothbrushing had a 70 percent extra risk of heart disease compared to individuals who brushed their teeth twice a day.”

I am Dr. Gary Sasaki of Gary Sasaki DDS, MS. The Scottish survey is one of many that confirms the link between oral health and overall health. Simply put: you aren’t healthy unless your gums and teeth are healthy.

It doesn’t matter if you are a lean Ann Arbor distance runner with a pulse of fifteen beats a minute and a blood pressure of 100 over 60. It doesn’t matter if you are a Ann Arbor vegan who has eaten a nutritionally balanced, low-fat diet for the past five years. If you have inflamed gums and tooth decay, you are at risk for problems in other areas of the body.

The phone number for Gary Sasaki DDS, MS is 734-482-7466. If you have concerns about your oral health, I invite you to schedule an examination today.

Perhaps your teeth and gums are healthy but you wish your smile was more attractive. We can help you there also with a smile redesign. Porcelain veneers, crowns, inlays/onlays, and orthodontia are all available to solve any cosmetic problems you wish to correct.

If you have not visited a cosmetic dentist in Ann Arbor yet, now is the time. My comfortable, friendly, professional and relaxing team and I will help keep your smile beautiful for life.

Call us at 734-482-7466 to learn more.

July 22, 2011

Our Ann Arbor Dental Team Takes Care Of You

Filed under: Dental Health — Tags: , , — @ 6:09 pm

Ann Arbor Dental Team

At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, each dental professional on our team allows our practice to operate smoothly and provide the highest caliber of dental care. Today’s Ann Arbor dentistry article will focus on the duties of a dental assistant.

You probably think of the dental assistant as: “The one who suctions my mouth while the dentist is working on me,” or “The one who attaches the bib around my neck,” and you are correct. However, his/her knowledge of patient care and dental lab procedures is probably more extensive than you realize.

Competent dental assistants work behind the scenes at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS in Ann Arbor. They assist dentist Dr. Gary Sasaki during all dental procedures including basic oral examinations, tooth prep and cavity filling, as well as lengthy cosmetic dentistry smile makeovers involving multiple procedures. Our competent assistants also work with our dental hygienists during dental cleanings and patient instruction.

When a dental client arrives for his/her appointment, the dental assistant has already been preparing for the visit. Before he/she is escorted to a comfortable chair in one of our pleasant patient rooms, the assistant has made sure the room is ready for the particular treatment being performed.

Whether the patient is receiving porcelain veneers, having their teeth whitened, undergoing a routine orthodontia adjustment, or settling in for a two-hour smile redesign, the dental assistant has set the stage for a comfortable and efficient procedure.

At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, infection control is always foremost in our minds. Our dental assistants, dentists, and hygienists are vigilant about the sterilization of dental instruments and follow strict infection control protocols. The health of our patients and employees is our highest priority.

Dental assistants in Ann Arbor dental offices may also prepare tray setups, make impressions for restorations, schedule appointments, take x-rays, and maintain and retrieve patient records. They must have a keen eye for detail and an excellent memory as they organize and stock the many different dental supplies in a typical office.

Gary Sasaki DDS, MS is located at 1900 Packard Rd. in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We provide general and cosmetic dental procedures including porcelain veneers, dental crowns and bridges and general dentistry. You can read more about our services at http://midentalspa.com/about_drs.htm.

To make an appointment for an examination, consultation, or cleaning, call 734-482-7466. Thanks for visiting our Gary Sasaki DDS, MS blog!

May 13, 2011

Do You Have Sore Gums?

Filed under: Dental Health — Tags: , , — @ 9:37 am

Affordable Ann Arbor Dentistry Every Ann Arbor dentistry patient’s mouth provides a cozy home for over 600 types of bacteria. If you are diligent about oral hygiene and have healthy gums, these microbes usually don’t affect your health. However, if you have gum disease, bacteria can enter your bloodstream through your gums and cause problems.

Gingivitis is the term for the mild gum disease. At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, we routinely discover gingivitis in Ann Arbor clients who are not even aware they have the condition.

The first signs of gingivitis are swollen, sore gums.

It is important for our Saline and Plymouth dental patients to understand that it is not normal for gums to bleed when they are brushed or flossed. If you haven’t had an oral examination in a while and live in the Ann Arbor area, call Gary Sasaki DDS, MS at 734-482-7466. Dr. Gary Sasaki thoroughly exams teeth and gums and takes time to discuss the results and recommendations with each Ann Arbor dentistry patient.

Gary Sasaki DDS, MS is a full-service dental practice at 1900 Packard Rd. in Ann Arbor. We provide comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry for clients who live in Ann Arbor and the nearby communities of Belleville, Saline and Plymouth.

During your dental consultation, we can discuss any cosmetic or restorative procedures in which you are interested. Some of the Ann Arbor procedures that we use to create perfect smiles are porcelain veneers, orthodontics, dental implants and tooth bleaching. Our hygienists are skilled professionals who perform the ultimate in dental deep-cleanings.

Oral health and overall health go hand in hand. Schedule a dental consultation today by calling 734-482-7466 or visiting us online at http://www.midentalspa.com.

April 28, 2011

Beware Of Hidden Sugar

Filed under: Dental Health — Tags: — @ 4:34 pm

preventative dentistry in Saline We advise our dental clients at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS to watch their sugar intake to prevent cavities and other health problems.

If you are trying to unsweeten your diet, you are probably skipping the usual suspects: candy, soda, and baked treats. But not all sugar is as obvious as the frosting on a piece of chocolate cake or the powdery stuff in pixie stix. To maintain your dental health it is important to understand the sugars hiding in less obvious places.

Here are some foods found in Saline and Ypsilanti grocery stores and Belleville school cafeterias with a surprisingly high sugar content:

  • Ketchup
  • Low Fat versions of snack foods (Manufacturers often replace fat with sugar.)
  • Salad Dressing
  • Breads, buns, rolls
  • Spaghetti Sauce
  • Protein Bars
  • Granola
  • Canned soup
  • Peanut Butter
  • Yogurt
  • Fast food meals (Hamburgers, fries, sandwiches, and salads are often loaded with sugar, not to mention the dessert items.)
  • Antacids
  • Cough drops
  • Fruit smoothies (Even a small serving has a whopping amount of sugar.)

Reading the fine print on labels is a must if you mean to maintain your dental health. The following terms are all types of sugar:

raw sugar, cane sugar, glucose, lactose, galactose, fructose, dextrose, honey, sorghum, molasses, cane sugar, confectioner’s sugar, crystallized cane juice, invert sugar, maltodextrin (or dextrin), maple syrup, concentrated fruit juices, evaporated cane juice (what kind of cane do you think we are talking about?)

Do the math: when shopping at markets or health food stores, carefully decipher food labels before you buy. Four grams of sugar equals one teaspoon. Add up all the grams of every type of sugar listed and divide by four to truly understand how much sugar an item contains.

At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, we advocate and practice preventative care for lifelong dental health. For more information on how your diet affects your dental health, contact us at 734-482-7466. If you have a toddler or child who has not yet visited a dentist, call us today for a pediatric oral examination and information on fluoride and sealants.

We are located at 1900 Packard Rd. in Ann Arbor.

April 21, 2011

Tooth Brushing Basics For Healthy Smiles In Ann Arbor

Filed under: Dental Health — Tags: — @ 5:16 pm

Ann Arbor Teeth Bleaching Why should everyone in Ann Arbor brush at least twice a day? Let’s take a look at why this is so important.

Brushing and flossing is the best way to prevent decay and gum disease.

Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and carefully flossing removes the food from our teeth and inhibits the build up of plaque. If we let food stay on our teeth, the starches in the food will mix with the plaque. This nasty mixture forms an acid which immediately starts drilling into the enamel to form cavities. Brushing can’t get all the spaces between your teeth, so you’ve got to floss also.

Brushing and flossing keeps gums and bone healthy.

If you let gum disease go untreated, you can lose teeth that are cavity-free!

The progression of gum disease (gingivitis) goes like this:

  1. Plaque build-up irritates gums.
  2. Irritated gums pull away from teeth.
  3. Bacteria multiplies in the spaces between the gum and tooth.
  4. The bone holding the tooth is eaten by the bacteria.
  5. Say goodbye to the tooth.

The good news is that gingivitis, or gum disease, can be reversed if detected early.

Call Gary Sasaki DDS, MS at 734-482-7466 to schedule a gum disease evaluation at our office in Ann Arbor.

April 15, 2011

Prevention-Oriented Dentistry

Filed under: Dental Health — Tags: , , — @ 10:25 am

tooth decay pictures at http://www.midentalspa.com Are you a Ann Arbor area parent of young children? Do you want them to develop better oral hygiene habits than you did when you were young? Perhaps you have a beautiful smile and want to prevent tooth decay. Many Ann Arbor people have a mouth full of fillings and don’t want to add another one to their collection.

At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, we have a prevention-oriented philosophy of dental care.

Your first step toward dental health begins with a prevention consultation with dentist Dr. Gary Sasaki.

Ann Arbor dental patients of all ages need to start with an exam to determine their current status. Your dental condition is influenced by your dietary habits, previous dental work, physical health, medications, lifestyle and family history. After a comprehensive analysis, Dr. Gary Sasaki can establish a decay prevention plan just for you.

A prevention plan is a multi-faceted approach designed to maintain optimum dental health. It involves affordable preventative services at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS. Twice-yearly exams reveal early problems before they progress. Deep cleanings prevent a multitude of serious dental issues for our Saline and Plymouth patients who faithfully keep their regular cleaning appointments.

Oral health cannot be maintained solely in our office. Daily brushing and flossing is essential. A healthy diet is necessary and will deliver benefits to your whole body – not just your teeth.

If you suspect you have a cavity or gum disease, call us at 734-482-7466 before it gets worse. We can successfully treat your current problems and restore your dental health. In addition, we will set you on the path toward a healthier future.  We also offer many cosmetic dentistry procedures for patients wishing to improve the look of their smile.

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

March 11, 2011

Keep Teeth Healthy During Pregnancy

Filed under: Dental Health — Tags: , — @ 9:32 pm

Dental Cleanings During Pregnancy If you are pregnant, your oral health may be the last thing on your mind. However, many Ann Arbor women experience an increase in dental problems during pregnancy. This article contains important information for expectant Ann Arbor mothers and those planning to become pregnant.

Dr. Gary Sasaki recommends having a thorough dental cleaning early in your pregnancy. Lying in a dentist’s chair can be uncomfortable during the last trimester. A professional cleaning performed by one of the skilled dental hygienists at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, along with diligent brushing and flossing, helps prevent gum problems that are often triggered by hormonal changes. The American Dental Association has found a positive correlation between periodontal disease and preterm deliveries and low birth weight.

If you are currently pregnant and have sore, swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment today by calling 734-482-7466. Once the baby is here, it will probably be harder for you to make time for a dental visit.

If you receive dental treatment at Gary Sasaki DDS, MS during your pregnancy, be sure to inform Dr. Gary Sasaki that you are expecting. This will affect decisions about X-rays, pain relievers, and antibiotics.

Hormonal changes cause an increase in plague production which can lead to decay. If you are eating many small meals during the day, take care to brush after eating. If you avoid sweet snacks, your teeth will be less likely to develop cavities.

Remember, your oral care, nutrition and lifestyle affect your baby. It is essential that you eat a healthy diet with a variety of foods. A poor diet can harm your baby’s tooth and bone development. Be sure to get enough calcium, iron, vitamins A, D and C, protein, and phosphorus. Your Ann Arbor Ob/Gyn can give you specific recommendations for your age, height, weight and medical conditions.

At Gary Sasaki DDS, MS, we take special care of our clients who are expecting.  We also provide many cosmetic dentistry services.

February 17, 2011

Stick Out Your Tongue In Ann Arbor!

Filed under: Dental Health — Tags: , , — @ 8:25 pm

Ann Arbor oral cancer exams As health professionals, we know that Ann Arbor general dentists diagnose and treat conditions of the teeth and gums, but we sometimes overlook the importance of the tongue.

Have you ever considered all the amazing things your tongue can do? It helps us talk, perceive the texture and flavor of food, chew, and swallow. This strong and nimble gymnast is in near-constant motion during our waking hours. It is a wonder that we don’t accidentally bite it more often as we smile, chew, drink, breathe, swallow, cough, and laugh.

Your tongue can also reveal problems with your health, including digestive problems, infections, and diseases of the blood.

When Dr. Gary Sasaki performs oral exams, the tongue is always checked for signs of oral cancer and other serious diseases.

Here are some tongue abnormalities and possible causes:

  • Swollen tongue: reaction to food/drink/medication, strep infection, leukemia, hypothyroidism
  • White tongue: dehydration, yeast infection, irritation to tobacco, enteritis, gastritis, colitis, anemia or other nutritional deficiency
  • Canker sores: may be triggered by stress or reaction to food, toothpaste, or mouthwash.

If you have persistent canker sores, you may want to try eliminating products that contain sodium lauryl (or laurel) sulfate (SLS). SLS is a cheap foaming agent that is found in many personal care products. It can be difficult to find SLS-free dental products in Ann Arbor. The following brands have previously offered SLS-free versions but check labels carefully every time you buy a new tube. I have noticed that SLS has re-appeared in some brands.

  • Biotene
  • Sensodyne Pronamel
  • Tom’s of Maine
  • Rembrandt Low Abrasion

If you can’t find an SLS-free toothpaste at your local Ann Arbor Walmart or Target, I would suggest trying health food stores, specialty drug stores, or trusted online sites.

Many of my Ann Arbor patients have asked me about tongue-scraping. I recommend thorough dental hygiene including cleaning the tongue. To schedule a consultation to discuss any dental health issues including tongue scraping, please contact my office at 734-482-7466.

Dr. Gary Sasaki DDS, MS
Gary Sasaki DDS, MS
Providing general and cosmetic dental services including teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental crowns and bridges.

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