What Causes Teeth to Stain

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Want to keep your smile bright? Then be conscious of your diet. Food and drink choices are a significant contributing factor to surface stains on teeth.

When what you consume affects the exterior of your teeth this is known as extrinsic discoloration because the outer layer of the tooth enamel becomes stained. These discolorations can be caused by the pigment, acidic content and other chemicals that exist in food and beverages.

Wine, coffee, tea, sodas, sports drinks, hard candies, berries and tomato sauce all are among the most common foods and beverages that cause significant staining of teeth.

Many of these items do not change the appearance of your teeth overnight. They have an effect over time because they steadily wear away a layer of enamel and cling to the remaining enamel, creating those unsightly stains that can make you self-conscious about your smile and your overall appearance. To help keep your teeth white, consume the above-mentioned foods and drinks in moderation. Also, it is important to drink plenty of water on a daily basis and brush your teeth following meals.

Other causes of tooth discoloration can be intrinsic—when the inner structure of a tooth becomes darkened, usually due to a trauma sustained to the tooth or as a side effect of medication.

Your teeth also change color as you age, naturally taking on a more yellow appearance.

If you are noticing a coloration change in your teeth, for whatever the reason, then Hartrick Dentistry can restore a whiter, brighter smile for you with our professional whitening treatments. These procedures have a much higher success rate than the whitening kits available over the counter in stores and also are much less likely to cause tooth sensitivity. Contact our office at (248) 549-0950 to learn more.

Hartrick Dentistry is proud to serve the oral health needs of patients in the areas of Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan.

Posted in Teeth Whitening

Is Your Nail Biting Habit Damaging Your Teeth

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Biting your nails is not just a bad habit. It is bad for your teeth. Chronic nail biting makes you more vulnerable to a wide variety of risks to your oral health.

First and foremost, nail biting places significant additional pressure on your front teeth that these teeth are not meant to withstand. This extra pressure, also known as shearing, can chip the front teeth if nail biting continues unabated. Because nail biters usually use their front incisors, this damages the teeth that are most visible when you smile.

Restorative dentistry is necessary to prevent further chipping and preserve the healthy structure of the tooth. Dental bonding can often repair a chipped tooth. If you continue to bite your nails, however, then this new filling can break and do even more damage to the tooth. Repeated nail biting and subsequent fillings eventually may necessitate having a more permanent restorative procedure such as a veneer, which is a thin shell-like cover that is bonded to the front side of a tooth, or a crown, which replaces the entire exterior structure of a tooth.

The best thing a nail biter can do is stop the behavior, but like any other habit, this can be easier said than done. Persistence and dedication can help stop the behavior just like any other long-standing habitual routine, but there are things you can do to help in the process. For example, you can use certain nail polishes that have a bitter and non-toxic flavor that discourages the practice of nail biting. You also can try replacing the habit of nail biting with another oral habit, such as chewing sugar-free gum.

Hartrick Dentistry provides total oral health care to patients of all ages. Call our office at (248) 549-0950 to find out more information or to schedule an appointment.

Hartrick Dentistry welcomes patients of Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI.

Posted in Oral Health

I Don’t Have Dental Insurance Can I Still Get Treatment

Posted on July 10, 2016 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

can i still get dental treatment without insurance

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

For individuals who do not have dental insurance, visiting the dentist can be very stressful. Many without insurance delay going to the dentist for years, but waiting only allows oral health problems to become more serious and, as a result, more expensive.

Lacking insurance does not mean that you and your family should be deprived of the oral care you deserve. Many reputable dental practices have experience working with patients who do not have insurance. Here are a few suggestions to obtain the care you need without breaking the bank.

Preventive care is actually the best way to prevent racking up major bills at the dentist. That means making regular trips to the dentist, preferably at least twice per year, for a cleaning and examination. This will cost you money up front, but paying out of pocket for these routine visits will save you money in the future by detecting any potential oral health problems before they become serious. These cleanings also help maintain a high level of oral health, decreasing the likelihood that you will develop cavities or gum disease.

Working with a budget means making your oral health a priority. Conditions that jeopardize your oral health or overall health should top the list, as compared to other minor problems or cosmetic procedures. Your dentist should work with you to determine what treatments are needed and desired, and then help you construct a treatment plan. You may choose to have all of your dental work completed at once, or spread out the procedures and ease some of the financial pressure.

Not having dental insurance can cause stress, but at Hartrick Dentistry, we are here to help. We offer a variety of payment options that can be adjusted to fit almost any household budget, including interest-free financing. If you have any questions about payment, please contact our office at (248) 549-0950 to schedule an appointment.

Hartrick Dentistry is proud to serve patients in the Michigan communities of Royal Oak and Birmingham.

Posted in General Dentistry

Could Losing Weight Mean Better Gums?

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

What if losing weight could mean healthier gums? A new study conducted by the Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine concluded that the human body fights gum disease better when fat cells disappear. Fat cells trigger inflammation, which is a major indicator of gum disease. Gums swell, become sore, bleed easily, and become infected when gum disease is present.

The study included 31 obese individuals with gum disease. Half of the group, with a BMI of 39, underwent gastric bypass surgery and had fat cells removed from their abdomen. The other half of the group had a BMI of 35, but did not have gastric bypass surgery or fat cells removed. All participants in the study received nonsurgical treatments for their periodontal disease, as well as adhering to a regimen of oral hygiene at home.

Individuals from both groups showed improvement in their gum disease, but the group that underwent surgery fared significantly better, including measurements for periodontal attachments, plaque levels, bleeding, and probing depths. How is this possible?

Inflammation within the body, especially when it is chronic, means the body may begin suffering harmful effects over time including premature births (low birth weight), fetal death, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and arthritis. Some of these diseases impact the state of one’s oral health, making oral hygiene even more important.

Based on the findings of this study, a reduction in fat cells directly relates to gum health. If you are overweight, consider incorporating a healthy diet and regular exercise to help shed some pounds. Also, remember to visit the dentist regularly to receive routine dental cleanings and exams. Continue with a regimen of oral hygiene at home.

At Hartrick Dentistry, we welcome patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment, contact Hartrick Dentistry today at (248) 549-3399. We welcome patients of Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan.

Posted in Health

Your Child’s Baby Teeth Matter

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Your child’s primary (baby) teeth, believe it or not, play a significant role in their growth and development. From helping your child speak, chew properly, and build confidence, baby teeth matter. Plus, baby teeth maintain the proper spacing and aid in the development and alignment of your child’s permanent teeth that are soon to erupt.

Prevention is the single most important action a parent can take to help prevent their child from getting cavities. However, did you know that a baby can begin developing cavities as soon as their first tooth erupts? Oral hygiene should be part of your child’s daily routine to maintain healthy teeth, beginning in infancy. Here are some helpful oral hygiene tips that you can practice with your child at home.

Even before your baby’s first tooth erupts, get in the habit of gently wiping his or her gums after every feeding by using a damp washcloth. Most babies get their first tooth between four and six months of age. As soon as your baby gets a tooth, start simple tooth brushing techniques by brushing twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste.

Avoid letting your baby or toddler drink juice throughout the day from a bottle or sippy cup. Only fill it with breast milk, formula, milk, or water (whichever is age appropriate). Although it is perfectly safe for your child to drink these nourishing beverages, be sure not to allow your child to go to sleep drinking anything other than water. Even milk and breast milk contain sugar, which means your child’s teeth will constantly be coated with sugar, which inevitably leads to tooth decay.

At Hartrick Dentistry, we support the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in that children should begin routine dental visits by the time their first tooth erupts, or by age one. To schedule your child’s appointment, contact Hartrick Dentistry today. We welcome patients of Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan.

Posted in Pediatric

Is A Tonsillectomy In Your Child’s Future? Why A Sleep Study Should Be The First Step In Treatment

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Nearly 12 percent of children in America suffer from a sleep breathing disorder, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs in about 4 percent of these children, which means they are not breathing well while asleep. With constant interruptions during sleep, these children may exhibit symptoms of snoring, gasping for air, daytime fatigue, and have trouble focusing. Many sufferers tend to experience poor academic performance and may have symptoms similar to ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

What is OSA?

OSA means the airway is blocked by soft tissues of the mouth and throat, which causes a decrease in air flowing in and out of the body. Sometimes, a child’s bite may be out of alignment causing the lower jaw to slip backwards, pushing the tongue towards the back of the throat. Enlarged tissues of the throat, such as the tonsils, may be to blame for blocking the airway. As a result, every year nearly 530,000 tonsillectomies are performed on children under the age of 15 years old, yet only about 10 percent of these children have undergone a sleep study before their surgery.

My child’s physician recommends a tonsillectomy, why should I consider a sleep study first?
The AAO urges medical and dental professionals to refer children, who exhibit OSA symptoms, for a sleep study as the first step in treatment. Polysomnography (PSG) is a sleep study that is ideal for children who show symptoms of OSA. Through an evidence-based research, PSG has been identified as a reliable form of sleep testing for children ages 2-18 who suffer from sleep breathing disorders or who are candidates for a tonsillectomy.

Symptoms of OSA:

If your child experiences any of these symptoms, consider a sleep study.

• Frequent loud snoring
• Gasping for air or long pauses in breathing during sleep
• Restless sleeping or significant tossing and turning (night sweats)
• Chronic mouth breathing during sleep
• Unexplained mood swings, misbehavior, or decline in academic performance

You may be unaware whether your child experiences symptoms of OSA. However, if your child is a candidate for a tonsillectomy, they should first undergo a sleep test to determine if OSA is the problem. Testing for OSA means better outcomes and safer surgery for children who’s enlarged tonsils are causing their sleep breathing disorder.

To schedule your child’s sleep study, contact Hartrick Dentistry today. We welcome patients of Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan.

Posted in Pediatric

Did you know everyone is at risk for developing Oral Cancer?

Posted on February 4, 2016 by HartrickDentistry

Smoking, chewing tobacco, and heavy drinking have traditionally been major links to the increased risk of developing oral cancer. However, in the last few years reports have shown an increase in oropharyngeal cancers which is cancer of the mouth and throat. Reports have shown that a sexually transmitted disease, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is now a contributing factor to the risk of oral cancer. Although discussion of a sexually transmitted disease may not be on the list of topics discussed with your dentist, it should be. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, nearly 20 million Americans now have some fort of genital or oral HPV.

Oral cancer involves cancers of the head, neck, mouth, tongue, tonsils, and throat, as defined by The Oral Cancer Foundation. Oropharyngeal cancer, which affects the back of the mouth and throat specifically, is a subset of oral cancers that is directly linked to HPV. If caught early, oral cancer can be treated and have a high survival rate. Even better, your dentist can easily screen for oral cancer at your routine dental cleanings and checkups.

Oral cancer has a nearly an 80-90% survival rate if caught early. The problem is that most cases of oral cancer are not caught until the later stages have developed. Late-stage oral cancer has only a five-year, 43% survival rate. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 115 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each day in the United States. How many of those new cases will be caught early? With routine dental cleanings and exams, many of those individuals could go on to live a long, healthy life after treatment for their oral cancer.

Statistically, oral cancer was found mostly in men over the age of 50 who were heavy smokers or drinkers. However, in recent years studies have shown that men are six times more likely than women to develop HPV-related oral cancer, but more cases are being diagnosed among women in their 40’s. How can you help to avoid this statistic? Visit your dentist regularly!

An oral cancer screening performed by the dentist could help save your life. During your routine dental checkups every six months, your dentist should be screening for oral cancer. If not, ask! There are also signs you could be looking out for at home, in between your routine dental cleanings and checkups. For instance, call your dentist if you notice abnormalities in the tissue around your face or lips or asymmetrical markings or borders that change color. Another sign of oral cancer is sores or cuts that do not seem to be healing. Also, hoarseness that is not linked to allergies, cold or other illness, or any lumps found in the neck or underneath your jaw. Be sure to contact the dentist if you notice any of these changes.

Remember, if caught early, oral cancer has a much higher survival rate. That is why Dr. Hartrick of Royal Oak and Birmingham Michigan recommends routine dental cleanings and checkups. Do not wait until you experience symptoms of oral cancer, but be proactive by calling Dr. Hartrick’s office today to schedule your next routine dental exam and cleaning. It could be the call that saves your life!

Posted in Preventive Dentistry

Coke Can Kill Your Dental Hygiene

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

You brush and floss regularly and visit the dentist like you should, so your mouth should be safe from decay, right? Wrong! When it comes to your dental hygiene, what you put into your body matters too. Many patients do not realize the impact that sipping on sodas all day can have on their teeth. Here is how coke can kill your dental hygiene.

Coke and other soft drinks contain sugar. The fact that sugar leads to cavities comes to no surprise for most people. Although, you may wonder, can sipping on soda really be that bad for my teeth? The answer is yes. There is this slogan, “Sip all day, get decay.” When you sip on soda throughout the day, the sugar mixes with the harmful bacteria in your mouth and forms acid, which is highly corrosive as it erodes your dental enamel. Even diet sodas contain this acid that eats away at your tooth enamel over time. On average, it takes about 20 minutes for the acid to begin attacking your teeth. Every time you take another sip, the attacks start over again.

Our teeth are naturally formed with an outer layer, know as enamel, but once eroded, teeth become more susceptible to decay and patients often experience tooth sensitivity or pain. It is important to protect the enamel on your teeth because once gone, it will not come back. Enamel is hard and durable, but the damage cannot be reversed. Many dental treatments can repair the damage caused by enamel erosion, but nothing is quite as good as your natural tooth enamel. Protecting your teeth to begin with is the better solution to good oral hygiene.

If you are a soda drinker, here are some solutions to kick your habit. Try not to sip on sodas throughout the day. Instead, drink one and be done. Also, rinse your mouth out with water afterwards, or better yet, brush your teeth when you are done. Limit your intake of sodas to only one per day, at the most. Try to drink fluoridated water instead of soda to ensure you remain hydrated throughout the day. Last, be sure to visit the dentist regularly for your checkups and cleanings.

To schedule your next visit, contact Hartrick Dentistry today. We welcome patients of Royal Oak and Birmingham MI.

Posted in Preventive Dentistry

Are Mercury Fillings Breaking Your Teeth?

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

For more than a hundred years dentists have relied on mercury, also known as silver fillings, for repairing decay in teeth. Although the FDA has declared mercury fillings safe for dental purposes, the World Health Organization has stated otherwise. Research has shown that amalgam fillings are not only toxic to your health but is also damaging to your teeth.

One problem with mercury fillings is that they slowly emit mercury vapor into your mouth, which in turn, enters your bloodstream and is carried throughout your body, including your organs. Another issue posed by amalgam fillings is that as we eat and drink, our teeth are subjected to varying degrees of temperature changes. Our teeth are designed to expand and contract, ever so slightly, while adjusting to changes in temperatures. However, mercury fillings expand and contract at a different rate than our teeth, causing the amalgam filled tooth to crack.

Mercury fillings also tend to leak, over time, creating a hidden danger waiting to be discovered. Many times, patients are unaware that their old silver filling is leaking or has caused damage to their tooth until the tooth starts to hurt. These old fillings can be removed and replaced with a safer, more durable material.

At the office of Dr. Hartrick, we offer biocompatible, tooth-colored fillings, known as composites. This innovative filling material is made from a mixture of resin and plastic, and composites are the perfect material for repairing decay in teeth or replacing old silver fillings. Patients appreciate the aesthetics of their composite fillings because composite fillings blend in when they smile or laugh, unlike old metal fillings. The composite material is designed to expand and contract along with your teeth when exposed to temperature changes, meaning, composites are safer and healthier for your teeth!

Dr. Hartrick can safely remove any of your old mercury fillings and replace them with new, natural-looking composites. If you are interested in a consultation for composite fillings, please contact our office today! We welcome patients of Royal Oak and Birmingham MI.

Posted in Composites

Experience anxiety-free dentistry with Dr. Nancy Hartrick

Posted on November 10, 2012 by admin

If you have an immense fear of the dentist then anxiety-free dentistry is for you!

Dentophobia, or dental fear, is a condition that refers to the excessive fear of dentistry and receiving dental care. It has been estimated that as many as 75% of American adults experience some degree of dentophobia!

This is why at Hartrick Dentistry in Detroit, we are committed to your relaxation in the dental chair, and even offer anxiety-free treatments to ensure you are comfortable!

Anxiety-free dentistry with Dr. Nancy Hartrick…

With over 28 years’ experience, Dr. Nancy Hartrick has dealt with varying degrees of anxiety in her patients. With our sympathetic approach to your dental care, you can rest easy knowing we will do whatever we can to make your experience as comfortable and pleasing as possible. To do this, we offer:

Virtual Reality Glasses: A fantastic piece of equipment, where you can watch a movie or listen to music during your treatment to help ease your anxiety!
Nitrous Oxide: Otherwise known as ‘laughing gas,’ we make this option available to you for added comfort and relaxation in the dental chair.

Don’t hide away from the dentist…

Did you know that many overall health problems have been linked to poor dental health? If you are hiding away from the dentist, you could be increasing your risk of illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke!

Stop hiding and visit our tranquil dental clinic to experience a smooth and anxiety-free dental treatment with Dr. Nancy Hartrick in Detroit.

For more information on our anxiety-free treatments or to book an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Posted in Anxietry-free Dentistry, News and Updates