Dr. Cocco's Blog

Instilling good oral habits in children can be difficult. A child’s age can affect the quality of their brushing habits. Children do not always have the dexterity or coordination to brush all surfaces of each tooth. Children are or can be distracted depending on their age. Dental professionals recommend parents/guardians help a child brush and floss until age eight, and floss until age 10. This will instill good habits children can use throughout their life. In addition to brushing twice daily and flossing, a dentist in Ann Arbor may suggest sealants to be placed based on a child’s caries risk. An increase in risk is determined by deeper grooves, diet and fluoride intake.

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On a nice spring day, the last thing you want is to have to deal with any form of dental trauma. Unfortunately, you don’t always have control over whether one will emerge. That’s why it’s best to be prepared so that you can effectively respond and get on the road to recovery. To aid in your efforts, your emergency dentist in Ann Arbor provides some tips for how to respond to some of the more typical dental emergencies that can happen.

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Gum disease is an infection that can cause damage to your gums, supportive tissue, and even tooth loss. However, studies have now linked it with much more serious overall health issues. Of these recent findings, one of the more concerning is that poor gum health can increase your chance of Alzheimer’s. Keep reading to learn about this relationship between gum disease and your brain as well as how to help your gums stay as healthy as possible.

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You brush your teeth on a daily basis. That’s all your mouth really needs to be healthy, right? Actually, no, it isn’t. Everyone’s mouth has plaque, a white, sticky substance that houses harmful bacteria. If left unchecked, these bacteria create acids that can wreak havoc in your mouth and beyond. And did you know that your oral health can also influence your general well-being? Keep reading to learn the basics of oral hygiene with your dentist in Ann Arbor. (more…)

Having multiple missing teeth can make it difficult to smile, even when you’re surrounded by friends and family. But your appearance is far from the only trait to suffer as a result of tooth loss. Your ability to chew foods and even maintain a strong jaw are both greatly diminished once teeth are extracted. For these reasons and more, dentists always recommend patients to get their smile restored, whether it’s through dentures or dental implants.

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When a denture fits properly, it can make a big difference in your daily activities. Smiling and eating food becomes easier as dentures improve your quality of life and help you maintain a more balanced diet. But dentures that don’t fit properly have many negative implications to consider. If you want to avoid oral complications later in life, it’s always better to get your denture adjusted regularly, rather than wait for irreversible problems to appear.

In today’s blog post, we go over just a handful of the complications that can appear, the average lifespan of your denture and how a dentist can help you make it fit properly.

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A healthy set of gums should be pink and tight, ensuring that they hold teeth in your jaw reliably and don’t expose the vulnerable root portions of your teeth. If your gums are bleeding, then it’s a sign that something is wrong. While there are many causes for bleeding gums, it’s always something you want to address regardless of the exact issue.

If you aren’t sure why gums bleed, learning the basics on oral health will keep you better informed as you improve your habits or seek treatment from a dentist.

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Have you checked out your smile recently? If you’re unhappy with its appearance or you have some flaws that are bothering you, you’re not alone. About 1/3 of Americans aren’t happy with the look of their grin. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, so some people struggle with self-confidence if they’re not satisfied with their smile. Read on to learn how cosmetic dentistry can revamp your smile, which treatments you would benefit from most, and how it can make you more self-confident and look younger from your local cosmetic dentist.

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Confidence is an invaluable asset. It can give you the courage you need to ask your crush out on a date, go after that well-deserved promotion, and make a great first impression wherever you go. But what if your confidence is a little lacking? Your cosmetic dentist in Ann Arbor may be able to help! A beautiful, healthy smile can make you feel good from the inside out.

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