Robison Dental Group

How Can Chewing Gum Help Your Smile?

June 25, 2014

gum Keeping your smile clean throughout the day will help you enjoy good oral health. It’s not always possible to brush and floss after every meal, though. Maybe you’re at work or you’re out all day doing errands. What can you do to help you keep food and debris away from your teeth and gums?

Try chewing gum in between snacks and meals. Because gum is sticky, chewing a piece of gum after you eat will help you clean your teeth. What’s more, chewing stimulates the production of saliva, which has a neutralizing effect on acid. The one-two punch of cleaning food away from teeth and neutralizing acid will protect your smile from decay and more.

What Kind of Gum Should I Chew?

The brand of gum you choose matters less than choosing a gum that’s sugar free. Sugar spurs the production of decay-causing cavity, while sugar free gum promotes a more stable environment. Some brands of gum use xylitol as the sweetener. Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from the fibers of plants and also has a neutralizing effect on acid. That’s why xylitol is also used in some toothpaste brands as well. Support your oral health by chewing sugar free or xylitol gum.

Do you have questions about keeping your smile clean? Call us today with your questions or to schedule an appointment. Robison Dental Group is located in Canton and serves patients from Michigan, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.

Smoking, E-Cigs, and Your Smile

June 12, 2014

You already know that smoking cigarettes can damage your lungs and lead to cancer, but did you know it can also lead to a range of oral health issues? The biggest of these is oral cancer. Others include:

Bad breath
Staining
Increase buildup of bacteria and plaque
Greater risk of gum disease

Today, many are trusting in e-cigs as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. But given how new e-cigs are, there’s still a lot that’s unknown about them. Are they really safer for your oral and overall health, or do they come with long-term effects of their own?

As explained in this video, there are some reasons to be concerned. First, e-cigs may not contain tobacco, but they do use vaporized nicotine, which contains harmful chemicals that can be absorbed into the bloodstream, in this case through the sensitive soft tissue of the cheeks. Plus, with repeated use, patients may experience gum recession or changes to the lips.

To learn more about the relationship between oral health, smoking, and e-cigs, take a moment to watch the video below or call Robison Dental Group. Our Canton dental office serves patients from Michigan, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.

Vitamins and Minerals That Will Help Your Smile

May 27, 2014

nutrition You already know how important vitamins and minerals are for your health, but if we asked you which vitamins and minerals specifically benefit your smile, would you be able to name any?

In today’s blog post, we want to help you identify those vitamins and minerals that can help you enjoy both oral and overall wellbeing.

A short list of vitamins and minerals that are good for your smile would look like this:

Calcium
Iron
Vitamin B2, B3, and B12
Vitamin D

You can, of course, get all of these some a simple multivitamin, but it’s just as important that you get them through a balanced, nutritious diet.

Dairy items like milk, cheese, and yogurt all contain calcium, which can help you build strong teeth and protect your smile from gum disease. These same foods are also high in vitamin B12, which can make you less vulnerable to developing mouth sores. Meanwhile, foods like sweet potatoes, raw red peppers, and citrus fruits are an excellent source for vitamin C. This vitamin helps provides patients with excellent protection for their gums.

Now that you’re away of which vitamins and minerals are good for your smile, how can you make sure that you’re getting what your body needs? By sticking to a diet high in fruits, vegetables, dairy, and protein. We also recommend following a good brushing and flossing routine, and coming to Robison Dental Group at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings.

Do you have questions about how vitamins and minerals can help your smile? Call our Canton dental office for an appointment. We serve patients from Michigan, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.

Are You Brushing Correctly?

May 12, 2014

general dentistry Of all the things you do everyday, brushing and flossing are two of the most important. Through regular oral care, you can protect your smile from common oral health problems by removing bacteria and plaque from around the teeth and gums. And because medical studies have linked a common problem like gum disease to other kinds of health problems, brushing and flossing will also help you support your overall wellbeing.

Now that you know how important brushing and flossing are, it’s time to ask yourself: Are you doing both correctly?

For optimal oral health, we recommend brushing for about 120 seconds, or two minutes, making sure that you spend equal amounts of time on your upper and lower teeth, and on both the inner and outer surfaces of your teeth. Brushing is also more effective when you hold the brush at a 45 degree angle and apply firm but gentle pressure as you scrub. Brushing the surface of your tongue will help you prevent bad breath by cleaning bacteria off of it.

How often should you brush? We tell patients to brush at least twice a day, but preferably after any time you eat. You should also floss at least once a day to remove leftover pieces of food. For extra protection, end your routine with an antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash. Following these steps will help you enjoy good oral health in between visits.

Do you have other questions about brushing and flossing? Don’t hesitate to call Robison Dental Group in Canton. We would be happy to answer your questions or schedule an appointment for you. We serve patients from Canton, Michigan, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

April 16, 2014

Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that start coming in during a patient’s teenage years. Unfortunately, our mouths do not have room for them. That means having them removed is crucial. If wisdom teeth become fully developed, as with our other adult teeth, they can cause crowding or impaction. Both come with uncomfortable complications.

In the first instance, your wisdom teeth will push other teeth out of alignment. They may move forwards, backwards, or to one side or another. With misalignment, patients are more vulnerable to problems with the jaw’s temporomandibular joints and to gum disease and decay. In the second instance, your wisdom teeth may become stuck, causing pain, swelling, and possible cysts, tumors, or infection.

At Robison Dental Group, Dr. John Robison and Dr. J.D. Robison will start looking for development before patients hit adolescence, at around the ages of 11 or 12. It is a good idea to have wisdom teeth removed sometime in the following years, preferably before the patient’s teenage years are over. We can do this routine procedure at our Canton dental office, pairing it with a form of sedation dentistry to make your visit comfortable and stress-free.

Do you need to schedule an extraction for someone in your family? Call Robison Dental Group for a consultation. We offer care to patients from Canton, Michigan, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.

The Connection between Bad Breath and Gum Disease

April 4, 2014

We think of bad breath as being caused by the foods we eat. But for patients who struggle with frequent bad breath, the cause may be gum disease instead.

The connection between gum disease and frequent bad breath—also known as halitosis—is easy to explain.

The foods we eat cause the bacteria in our mouths to create a sticky substance known as plaque. Brushing and flossing help to control the amount of plaque around teeth. However, poor brushing habits can cause bacteria, plaque, and even pieces of leftover food to accumulate. Over time, this accumulation is what produces the bad breath of halitosis.

Thankfully, treatment for halitosis is possible. Dr. John Robison and Dr. J.D. Robison offer effective gum disease therapy to help you treat your symptoms. Using specialized oral care products at home will also help you enjoy fresher breath and better oral health again.

Has your struggle with halitosis and gum disease made you anxious about socializing with others? Relief for your symptoms is possible. Call Robison Dental Group today for an appointment with our Canton dental team. We offer exceptional care to patients from Canton, Michigan, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.

What Is the Las Vegas Institute?

March 16, 2014

If you’ve read the bio for Dr. J.D. Robison, you might have noticed that he studied at the Las Vegas Institute. Also known as the LVI Global, this institution is highly regarded in the U.S. and around the world. Students have come from a range of different country to learn from LVI’s experienced dental instructors.

LVI was founded in 1994. The campus takes up 62,000 square feet, has 10 operatory clinics for instruction, and even has labs for training lab technicians.

During his time at LVI, Dr. J.D. Robison learned how to diagnose and treat jaw-joint disorders. These disorders can cause patients to experience symptoms like chronic headaches, as well as pain in the jaw, neck, back, and shoulders.

At Robison Dental Group, we can provide effective care for jaw-joint disorders with the latest neuromuscular technology. Read more about the condition and how we can help on our TMJ headache prevention page.

And if you’re struggling with any of these symptoms, we encourage you to go ahead and call Robison Dental Group for an appointment. Our Canton dental team is happy to assess your oral health needs and make a recommendation. We offer neuromuscular care to patients from Canton, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, Plymouth and beyond.

What’s the Connection between Oral and Overall Health?

March 4, 2014

oral and overall health Did you know there’s a connection between your oral health and your overall wellbeing? Many people don’t, but it’s true. Recent medical research has revealed that gum disease, a very common oral health condition, has also been connected to a variety of other health problems, including:

Heart disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Pneumonia
Stroke
Alzheimer’s
Diabetes
Pre-term birth and low birth weight

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, begins with the collection of bacteria and plaque around the gum line. These irritants cause the gum line’s sensitive tissue to feel sore or to bleed when brushed with a toothbrush. Gum disease can also cause frequent bad breath (the medical term for this is halitosis).

If gum disease isn’t treated, it can cause the gum line to recede, creating pockets around the teeth. If bacteria get into these pockets, they can travel to other parts of the body. That’s how gum disease ends up influencing overall wellbeing over time.

Caring for Your Smile Every Day

You can prevent gum disease by remembering to care for your teeth every day and by seeing the dentists at Robison Dental Group twice a year for checkups and cleanings. We recommend brushing twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and using a good mouthwash to kill harmful bacteria.

Are you struggling with the symptoms of gum disease? Call Robison Dental Group in Canton today. We happily serve the dental needs of patients from Canton, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.

TMJ Headache Prevention for Canton and Surrounding Areas

February 20, 2014

tmj therapy Do you experience headaches on a regular basis? Then you could be struggling with an oral health issue known as TMJ syndrome. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. You have two of these joints, one located under each ear. Misalignment or stress can aggravate these joints, causing symptoms like headache, ear pain, dizziness, difficulty chewing, and clicking or popping in the jaw.

If you struggle with these symptoms on a regular basis, the team at Robison Dental Group can help. Using our Canton office’s special K7 unit, we can detect the misalignment behind your issues and create a personalized treatment plan to help you address. With this excellent piece of technology, Dr. John Robison and Dr. J.D. Robison have been able to provide help to hundreds of patients.

Do you have questions about TMJ syndrome, both what causes it and how it can be treated? Call Robison Dental Group today to schedule an appointment. Our Canton team wants to help you treat your uncomfortable symptoms so you can enjoy better oral health and overall wellbeing. We offer TMJ headache prevention for patients from Canton, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.

Relaxing Care with Sedation Dentistry

February 14, 2014

sedation dentistry Do you avoid going to the dentist? Many people do, often because of anxiety. But skipping appointments, whether a simple checkup or a more advanced procedure, is a bad idea. In the absence of care, you could develop cavities, gum disease, or another serious oral health condition.

You don’t have to live with dental fear forever, though. Using sedation dentistry, the team at Robison Dental Group in Canton can help you have a new kind of dental experience. Instead of feeling anxious or claustrophobic, you can feel relaxed and at peace.

That’s all thanks to the power of a small pill you’ll take just before your appointment begins, an approach known as oral sedation.

A patient who uses oral sedation to overcome anxiety will come through a dental appointment with little to no memory of the individual details of the appointment. What he or she will remember is feeling comfortable and anxiety-free while receiving important care.

If you’ll be using oral sedation for the first time, keep in mind that you’ll need to have a friend or family member drive you home afterward.

Do you have questions about what’s possible with oral sedation? Call Robison Dental Group in Canton today. Our doctors are happy to answer the questions you might have about dental anxiety, sedation dentistry, and oral sedation. We offer great care to patients from Canton, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.