Get the Whiter, Brighter Smile You've Been Wanting!

Your smile is the way you greet the world. Why not put your best self forward with the confidence of a more beautiful smile?

When it comes to whitening, your dentist is your best resource. Only dental professionals have access to the professional-strength whitening of Philips Zoom.

Philips Zoom is the #1 patient-requested professional whitening treatment. In fact, over 10 million patients have already used Zoom to achieve brighter, healthier smiles.

Why Philips Zoom?

Phillips Zoom is not only proven to whiten teeth up to eight shades, it's also safe.  While other whitening products can harm teeth and gums, using Phillips Zoom with Relief ACP actually gives you greater luster and protects enamel.

Call today at (248) 474-5572 to set up your Zoom whitening appointment.

Branham Dental Arts Does the Harlem Shake!!

Branham Dental Arts had a great time doing the Harlem Shake!  Check out our version!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-yIFx30sAA

Chewing Gum Helps Reduce Decay

Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.The chewing of sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel.

The only varieties of gum with the ADA Seal are sugarless. They are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol. Of course, chewing sugar-containing gum increases saliva flow too, but it also contains sugar which is used by plaque bacteria to produce decay-causing acids. Further research needs to be done to determine the effects of chewing sugar-containing gum on tooth decay.

Don’t let chewing sugarless gum replace brushing and flossing. It’s not a substitute. The ADA still recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning plaque from between your teeth once a day with dental floss or other interdental cleaners.

Look for chewing gum that carries the ADA Seal. The ADA Seal is your assurance that the sugar-free chewing gum has met the ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. You can trust that claims made on packaging and labeling for ADA-accepted products are true, because companies must verify all of the information to the ADA. Products with the ADA Seal say what they do and do what they say.

Feel free to call us at (248) 474-5572, send us an email branhamdentalarts@comcast.net or visit us on the web at www.branhamdental.com.

Water Filtration and Fluoride Removal

The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs (the men and women who hand out the ADA Seal of Approval) recently granted that coveted seal to the makers of the PUR faucet mount water filter.  The council's findings showed that the product effectively filtered tap water and did not remove the fluoride that us dentists are always griping at you about. The PUR water filter is the only ADA approved filtration system.  Water fluoridation is a safe, beneficial, and cost effective public health measure for preventing tooth decay.

If you have any questions or we can help you with you dental needs feel free to contact us at branhamdentalarts@comcast.net.  You can visit us on the web at www.branhamdental.com.

Are Dentures the Right Fit For You?

What is a denture?

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjoining tissues. Complete dentures replace all of the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from shifting position. Complete dentures are either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional denture is placed in the mouth after all of the teeth have been removed and the extraction sites have healed. An immediate denture is placed as soon as the teeth are removed.

Who Needs a Denture?

Candidates for complete dentures have lost most or all of their teeth. A partial denture is suitable for those who have some natural teeth remaining. A denture improves chewing ability and speech,

and provides support for facial muscles. A denture can greatly enhance a patient’s facial appearance and smile. 

How Do You Get Dentures?

The denture process takes about one month.  There are normally five or more appointments needed to complete the process.  The process includes the initial diagnosis; the making of an impression and wax bite to determine the dimensions and proper jaw position; a "try-in" to assure proper color, shape, and fit;  placement of the final denture;  and any minor adjustments.  New denture wearers need time to get accustomed to their new "teeth," because even the best-fitting dentures will feel awkward at first.  Your normal speaking ability usually resumes shortly after final denture placement.  In addition, in order to become accustomed to chewing with the new denture, it is often recommended that you start with soft, easy-to-chew foods.  To ensure proper fit, see your dentist on a regular basis.

How do you care for a denture?

• Remove and brush the denture daily with a denture cleanser or toothpaste and a brush designed specifically for cleaning dentures.
• Avoid using boiling water to sterilize the denture, because hot water can cause the denture to lose its shape.
• If you wear a partial denture, remove it before brushing your natural teeth.
• When you’re not wearing the denture, soak it in denture cleanser or water.
• To avoid misplacing your denture, store it in the same place after removal.

Should a denture be worn at night?

While you may be advised to wear your denture almost continually during the first two weeks—even while you sleep—under normal circumstances, it is considered best to remove it at night. Research has shown that removing the denture for at least eight hours during either the day or night allows the gum tissue to rest, and permits for normal stimulation and cleansing of the mouth by the tongue and saliva. This promotes better long-term health of the gums. 

Are there any alternatives to dentures?

Dentures are no longer the only way to restore a mouth that has little or no teeth. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. Implants and bridges may more closely resemble the “feel” of real teeth, but they tend to be more expensive than dentures. Not everyone is a candidate for implants and bridges, however. Talk to your general dentist to learn more. 

Call us today, (248) 474-5572 or send us an email @ branhamdentalarts@comcast.net for a complimentary consultation to see if dentures are the best option for you! You can visit us on the web @ branhamdental.com.

As part of Children's Dental Health Month, our office, Branham Dental Arts, visits local preschools and talks to the children about their oral health.  It is a wonderful opportunity to speak with our littlest patients and start them out on the right path.

Krystle (our financial coordinator) and Dr. Branham discussing
healthy/unhealthy food for teeth with the children from Mother
Hubbard Nursery School.

It is always a joy to spend time with children in any setting and we felt very privileged to be able to spend a few hours with two wonderful groups of children.  This week we visited with Mother Hubbard Nursery School in Livonia, MI.  What a wonderful group of children!

We also visited with Sunny Day Care and Montessori in Farmington, MI on Wednesday.  They braved the cold weather and snow to come and listen to our presentation.  They were a great bunch of children and we even had the pleasure of having some older children who were having a snow day come and listen to us as well.

Dr. Branham with the students from Sunny Day Care and Montessori.

We are always welcoming new patients!  Feel free to call us at (248) 474-5572 or send us an email: branhamdentalarts@comcast.net

General Health and Relationship to Overall Health

Your oral health may affect, be affected by or contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:

• Endocarditis. Gum disease and dental procedures that cut your gums may allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. If you have a weak immune system or a damaged heart valve, this can cause infection in other parts of the body — such as an infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis).
• Cardiovascular disease. Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke may be linked to oral bacteria, possibly due to chronic inflammation from periodontitis — a severe form of gum disease.
• Pregnancy and birth. Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
• Diabetes. Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection — putting the gums at risk. In addition, people who have inadequate blood sugar control may develop more-frequent and severe infections of the gums and the bone that holds teeth in place, and they may lose more teeth than do people who have good blood sugar control.
• HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
• Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis — which causes bones to become weak and brittle — may be associated with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss.
• Alzheimer's disease. Tooth loss before age 35 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
• Other conditions. Other conditions that may be linked to oral health include Sjogren's syndrome — an immune system disorder — and eating disorders.

How can I protect my oral health?

To protect your oral health, resolve to practice good oral hygiene every day. For example:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
• Floss daily.
• Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Schedule regular dental checkups.

Also, watch for signs and symptoms of oral disease and contact your dentist as soon as a problem arises. Remember, taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health.  If you have any concerns about your dental health, please feel free to call our office, Branham Dental Arts, and schedule an examination at (248) 474-5572 or send us an email:  branhamdental@comcast.net