Top Ten Dental Symptoms!

Have a toothache?  Want to know why you have bad breathe?  Take a look at the top ten dental symptoms and what’s causing them. 

Symptom:  Toothache

Pain or Soreness in your mouth or jaw can signal a cavity or gum disease.  In other cases a toothache can indicate an abscess or impacted tooth. 

What to do:  See your local dentist ASAP!

Symptom:  Sensitive Teeth

Tooth pain when drinking hot or cold liquids can be a result of tooth decay, worm fillings, gum disease, or exposed roots.

What to do:  See your dentist or possible treatment options.

Symptom:  Bleeding or Sore Gums

Gingivitis (early form of gum disease) can cause bleeding and sore gums, as well as brushing too hard.

What to do:  See your dentist, he might suggest a new hygiene routine.

Symptom:  Mouth Sores

Canker sores, cold sores, leukoplakia and candidiasis are forms of mouth sores.  Sores can be triggered by bacteria, viruses or fungus from braces, dentures and other objects.

What to do:  Any mouth sores lasting longer than a week see dentist.

Symptom:  Bad Breath

Sometimes caused by gum disease, but most likely caused by what you eat. 

What to do:  Brushing teeth and tongue twice a day, flossing regularly, and watch what you eat!

Symptom:  Jaw Pain Popping/Clicking in the Jaw

Causes include gingivitis, toothache, injury, arthritis, sinus problems, teeth grinding, and TMJ.

What to do:  Harder to diagnose, but see dentist for X-rays to point out source of pain.

Symptom:  Dry Mouth

Possibly due to medical disorder and certain medication you might be taking.  Saliva is important because it washes away food in the mouth, and neutralizes the mouth against bacteria.

What to do:  Dentist can provide a plan to restore moisture.

Symptom:  Oral Piercing Infection

Piercing can open the mouth to huge amounts of bacteria, which is the basis for an infection.  Swelling, pain, fever, chills, and shaking are symptoms of infection.

What to do:  See your dentist ASAP!

 Symptom:  Cracked or Broken Teeth

Brittle Teeth, teeth grinding, and injury are all causes of broken teeth.  If left untreated the tooth may become increasing painful.

What to do:  See your dentist for treatment options.

Symptom:  Stained or Discolored Teeth

Resulting from foods, coffee or tea, smoking, aging, genetics, injury, or specific medication.

What to do:  Your Dentist can provide whitening options, also, over the counter options are available.

For more information visit us at All Brite Dental – Smile with Confidence!

If you have any questions, comments or concerns be sure to post them on our Facebook page, Linked HERE!

6 Tips for Choosing a Dentist!

Your dentist is your oral health partner, they should educate you on how to keep your teeth healthy.  It should be a joint effort, a relationship of teaching and learning.  That is why it is vital to choose the right match when selecting your dentist! 

There are many options to consider when making this decision, which is why the Pennsylvania Dental Association offers a few tips to help make your decision a little easier.  

First off, you need a dentist who shares your concerns when it comes to dental health and can explain problems and treatments in a simple easy to understand way.  You may want to consider if your dentist treats children if you want to keep your entire family at one dentist in the future.  The practice location and hours should be convenient you and your family, with a primary concern in preventive care.  The office should be clean, organized and comfortable every time you visit.  Be sure that your dental records are available to you at any time.  If an embraces all of these practices it is a good choice for your long-term dental care.  You should consult family friends and the Internet for help making this decision.  

Be sure to explore many options before making your choice.  It is a very important decision to make, a beautiful smile is becoming more and more popular and seeing a good dentist is the best way to obtain it.  

If you're looking for a dentist you can trust, look no further than All Brite Dental! Call us today at either of our locations and schedule your appointment today! CLICK HERE for more information! 

Sword Swallowing.. A Very Unique Talent!

Dentists will come across all different types of patients throughout their careers. One of the most unique patients would be someone that swallows swords as a profession!  Dan Meyer was introduced to the world on America’s Got Talent, and he did an interview to answer a few questions about his strange talent! 

“Q: How did you get involved in sword swallowing?

A: I first witnessed sword swallowing as a child at circus sideshows and did not believe it was real. It wasn't until I was working as a Lutheran missionary in India at the age 20 that I witnessed sword swallowers on the street in a village in south India, where it originated over 4,000 years ago. There is a progression to learning the sideshow arts. Like many other sword swallowers, I started by learning juggling, then stilt walking, unicycle riding, bed of nails, the human blockhead, fire eating, glass eating, and then the final move to sword swallowing in 1997 when I was living in Nashville. Sword swallowing is the hardest of all of the sideshow arts. Twenty-nine people have died swallowing swords over the past 150 years, and there are less than a few dozen professional sword swallowers left actively performing around the world today.

Q: How do you learn this profession?

A: It often takes from 3-10 years to learn to swallow a single sword, practicing multiple times a day, and some people never learn. I spent four years practicing 10 to 12 times per day for over four years, a total of almost 13,000 unsuccessful attempts, until I got my first sword down my throat (Feb. 12, 2001).

Q: Tell me the pathway of the sword through your mouth.

A: I first lick the sword to lubricate it with saliva, then put the sword in the mouth, overcome the gag reflex, and find the proper alignment into the epiglottis, then flip open the epiglottis and repress the peristalsis reflex in the throat (22 pairs of muscles in the esophagus that swallow your food). I then pass the sword between the lungs, nudge the heart to the left, pass through the diaphragm, and relax the lower esophageal sphincter, slide the blade past my liver and kidneys and into the stomach, and repress the retch reflex in the stomach.

Q: Have you ever injured your mouth, tongue or throat?

A: I have had several minor injuries and a few serious injuries requiring hospitalization. As president of the Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI -- www.swordswallow.org), we learn of about 4-8 serious sword swallowing injuries that require hospitalization each year, with more that go unreported. In 2005 I had my worst injury while swallowing five swords at once in Alabama. I had previously swallowed seven swords the week before, but this time, while the swords were in my stomach, my stomach retched and I punctured the opening to my stomach on the sword tips. When you sustain an injury like this, you can't just slap a bandaid on it. I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't breathe as I had fluids around my lungs and heart, so I ended up going to the emergency room. Recovery was three weeks of bedrest, antibiotics, and fasting on a water diet for about three weeks. For most sword swallowing injuries, doctors often prescribe an IV drip with antibiotics for about three weeks until the injury heals. That's the only way an injury like this can heal. If you get bacteria in the wound, you can die from peritonitis infection within 24 hours. In 2010, I perforated my upper esophagus while swallowing two swords underwater in a tank for the Guinness World Records TV in Rome. I currently hold 22 world records, including five Guinness World Records and three Ripley's Believe It or Nots and perform in about 20 countries around the world each year. For more info: www.swordswallower.net.

Q: Do you sterilize your mouth or sword before performing?

A: No. Most sword swallowers simply lubricate the blade with saliva. We also don't rinse with antiseptic because it can numb the throat, and it is very important that we are able to feel the placement and alignment of where the sword goes in the esophagus and epiglottis. I do sterilize my swords with rubbing alcohol before and after performance because I let audience members touch the blades to verify they are real.

Q: Do you have any dietary precautions before swallowing a sword?

A: I eat a full meal three hours before performing in order to fill and stretch my stomach. I also drink lots of water; this makes the stomach hang a little lower and it's easier to insert the swords into the stomach. It is extremely difficult to swallow a sword on an empty stomach at 6 a.m. when the esophagus and stomach are tight and shriveled up.”(Connelly D.D.S.)

Wolverines Overwhelm UMass!

The Michigan Wolverines play in the biggest stadium in college football.  For most games they play, there is usually a large section behind the south end zone! However, on Saturday there was only a small patch of maroon in the sea of blue and yellow!

Blue and yellow dominated the seats as well as the field in their 63-13 victory over the University of Massachusetts.  The Minutemen are competing in their first season in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and were a 46 point underdog. 

UMass head coach Charley Molnar admitted that the two teams were at the opposite ends of the spectrum in term of talent.  He said they were sloppy on both sides of the ball and especially on special teams.  Umass’s only touchdown came from the defensive side of the ball when junior defensive back Christian Birt intercepted a pass and ran it back for 32 yards.  Michigan completely dominated, even sending in back ups early as the third quarter. 

The Minutemen have their work cut out for them, playing tree opponents from the BCS conferences before they return to a more favorable Mid-American Conference, where they will be facing better matched teams.  Molnar doesn’t care about the schedule he said “It doesn't matter who we play, we have to play better.”

Hear What Other People are Saying about All Brite Dental!

Here at All Brite Dental, we take pride in caring and educating our costumers. Our talented staff is here to comfort you and inform you about all the procedures we perform on a daily basis.  

In the past, we have experienced complete satisfaction with our services and take pride in the responses we have received from our customers! We would like to share a few with you! 

"I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the great job you have done over the years to help me preserve my teeth.  Teeth are important to good health and you have done your best to preserver my teeth and educate me in the good practices required to maintain my teeth.  I do not hesitate to recommend you to everyone I know.  I do not believe there is a more capable and caring dentist n the whole Detroit area." 

-Michael

"Thank you so much for taking the fear of going to the dentist out of my 8 year old daughter.  She had such a bad experience at a dentist that was supposed to specialize in children, that I thought I would never get her to go to a dentist again.  She has told me she will only see you!  You were so wonderful with her, she felt so comfortable with you.  Thank you again!"

-Melody

"Your work you did on my teeth was very painless and excellent results.  Thanks for everything and I will be referring you and your painless dentistry to everyone I know." 

-Paulette

"You did a wonderful job with the lazer that was painless and without shots.  I’m a big chicken at the dentist and was very impressed."

-Erika

"After going to another dentist and coming back, I will never leave again!  The office is beautiful and comfortable, the staff is friendly and wonderful, and Dr. Rafiq is the best dentist ever!  He is truly an artist with teeth."

 -Carolyn

"Thanks to Dr. Z and the staff I had a crown done on my front tooth (which I was very nervous about) I felt NO pain whatsoever.  He did an amazing Job!"

-Michelle

"Thank you Dr. Z for such a great visit.  All of the girls were so friendly too.  I will recommend you to all my friends and family."

-Dave

           

"Great visit, Amber is Great!!!"

-Asad

"Amber is wonderful, very informative keep up the great work!"

-Joe

"The Miracle worker.  Thanks Dr. Z!"

-Donna

"My 2 year old just had his very first appointment.  I wasn’t sure if my son would do it.  However, the entire team got him excited from the minute we walked in the door.  Amber cleaned his teeth and was perfect with him.  Talking him through everything and very gentle.  Thank you!"

-Kate

"I am really blessed to be able to come for my great care!"

 -Nancy

Have you been to our office? Let us know what you thought about your visit on our Facebook page, linked HERE! 

How Can All Brite Dental Help Your Smile?

Are you aware of all of the different services that are available to you at All Brite Dental? All Brite is dedicated to helping you achieve the smile you desire!

Below is a list of the different types of services All Brite has to offer! Call us today to schedule your appointment! You’ll be smiling bigger and brighter in no time!

Cleanings and Prevention

Dental Exams & Cleanings

Dental X-Rays

Fluoride Treatment

Sealants

Home Care

Cosmetic Dentistry

Tooth Whitening

Composite Fillings

Porcelain Crowns (Caps)

Porcelain Fixed Bridges

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Inlays

Porcelain Onlays

Dental Implants

Periodontal Disease

Diagnosis

Treatment

Maintenance

Restorations

Root Canal Therapy

Composite Fillings

Crowns (Caps)

Dentures & Partial Dentures

Fixed Bridges

Onlay Restorations

Inlay Restorations

Dental Implants