Advance Dental: Blog

We are OPEN and Ready to take care of YOU! COVID-19 is in the news everywhere, and we are closely monitoring the situation here at Advance Dental. We already, as a daily practice, assure universal precautions as outlined by CDC and OSHA standards of infection control, and safety is always our number one focus. Our high standard of care ensures that your trust and safety are never compromised. At this time, we are also taking extended measures to further protect all of our patients and team members, including the following:  Anyone with a cough or fever will not be allowed in the building and should stay home. We will be happy to reschedule your appointment for a later date. Before your appointment, we ask that you stay in your car until we are ready to seat you in your personal operatory. Simply call us when you arrive, and we will let you know when it's time to come in. Please limit the number of individuals coming to your appointment as they may be asked to wa...

Here at Advance Dental in Granger, IN, creating healthy smiles is our specialty. If your tooth develops an infection or is facing damage from decay, you should visit your dentist, Dr. Ronald F. Stangebye, DDS, immediately to discuss options for saving it. After all, a simple root canal could end up being the key to keeping your smile intact! What Is a Root Canal? Root canal treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from inside the dental pulp, prevent reinfection, and save your overall tooth structure. During the procedure, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected using miniature tools before being filled and sealed with a safe, putty-like material to protect the health of your smile. Root canal treatment is a comfortable and painless method that will benefit your oral health in the long run. Reasons for a Root Canal A tooth's nerve can develop inflammation, irritation, and infection and may require a root canal for several reasons. These include facial i...

This Friday, September 13th, our staff will be participating in our Annual OSHA & HIPAA training. Our office hours will be modified on this day. We will be available back in the office from  1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  As always, if there is a true dental emergency please call the office to be directed to our emergency telephone number. Next week, from Monday, September 16th to the 20th, Dr. Stangebye will be out of the office. Rest assured our office staff will be available to answer any questions you may have or schedule any appointment you may need! Just a few friendly reminders: The end of the year is rapidly approaching, if you are due for your dental check-up and cleaning and/ or are in need of dental treatment, please call the office  today  to schedule. If you have dental insurance,  this year's benefits may expire on December 31st! If you haven't "LIKED" our  Facebook  page yet, please do so and join in on the fun! You can look forward to ex...

Get the CareCredit credit card that helps fit care into your budget, and a special offer that supports a healthy smile. Between now and July 31, 2019, get a free Philips Sonicare Essence+ electric toothbrush when you complete these steps (in any order) .  For new CareCredit cardholders. 1. Open a new CareCredit credit card account.* 2. Use your new card to make a single or multiple purchases totaling $200 or more. 3. Register your purchase by July 31, 2019.   • Online at  carecredit.com/promotions  with code SMILE   • By mail to: Offer # SMILE P.O. Box 540003 El Paso, TX 88554-0003 Call 574-271-9910 and schedule an appointment today! Ask for details or call (866) 893-7364. Valid 5/1 through 7/31/19.

                               Hey all!                     Here's a quick note to let you know Dr. Stangebye                          and staff will be out of the office to celebrate the                            holiday weekend.  Our office will be closed on                             Friday May 24th through Monday May 27th.                     If you don't currently have an appointment                                    scheduled, but need to see the doctor before the      ...

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month In the United States alone every hour of every day someone loses their life to oral or oropharyngeal cancer. It is the cancer of the mouth and upper throat. Only forty percent of patients diagnosed will live longer than five years. Patients often end up suffering from facial disfigurement or trouble talking and eating. Its fatality is directly linked to its late-stage diagnosis. Dentists are often the first to identify oral cancer symptoms in patients, which is why offering oral cancer screenings is crucial. Early detection and prevention are key. Symptoms of Oral Cancer Dentists should provide their patients with information on the symptoms and indicators of oral cancer. If a patient has an abnormality in their mouth that does not improve or disappear after two to three weeks, they need to see a dental professional immediately. Urge your patients to perform self-checks and be vigilant of symptoms, such as: Sores or ulcers that d...

The Dangers of Soda Over the last few years, the consumption of soda by kids, teens, and young adults has increased dramatically. These days it seems like everybody prefers to drink things that are sugary and acidic. What is important to realize is that these drinks offer no benefits to oral health (or health in general). According to reports the average person drinks around 16 ounces of soda a day which equates to 53 gallons of soda a year. Consuming 53 gallons of liquids filled with acids and sugar will repeatedly expose teeth to sugar, fueling decay. Harmfulness of Soda on your Teeth Soda harms teeth by directly exposing them to acid and by feeding acid-producing bacteria. Erosion occurs when acid breaks down tooth enamel, leaving the sensitive dentin layer with less protection. This makes teeth more sensitive to hot and cold, resulting in frequent toothaches. The sugars in soda also allow bacteria to multiply and produce acid as their waste product. This acid gets trapped...

National Safe Toys and Gifts Month December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month. During their first winter, many children will receive teething toys and children with special needs may continue to enjoy them as their second set of teeth come in. There are many safe options available, but parents and other gift-givers may not be aware of how to use them and keep them clean. The Teething Process Babies’ first teeth usually start coming in when they are about six months old. Dentists recommend that biannual checkups begin at this point. For the most part, the front bottom teeth come in first, followed by the front upper teeth, with the last of the twenty baby teeth erupting by the time the child is three. Particularly during the early months, children’s gums will be sore and they will seek relief by biting down on whatever objects are available. Maintenance Besides cleanliness and choking hazards, the other issues with toy selection are chemical composition and intended u...

People have been asserting that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” since the 19th century. While it may not necessarily be true that those who eat apples never have to see a doctor, apples certainly have great health benefits for our bodies! Did you know they can even be good for our teeth? Let’s take a look at what the research says …  It’s widely thought that chewing a crisp, fresh apple can help brush away plaque on our teeth. We’re not too sure on this one, as some studies show a higher plaque content on teeth after eating an apple. At the same time, there is evidence to suggest some polyphenols in apples can lower the ability of cavity-causing bacteria to adhere to teeth. Further, some studies have shown that the antioxidants in apples can help prevent periodontal disease.  Apples even contain a (very) small amount of fluoride. This is worth noting, as fluoride is so important in helping prevent cavities.  Lastly, the act of chewing an a...

Progression of Gum Disease One of the biggest advancements in dentistry in recent years is our improved understanding of gum disease. Gum recession was once considered to be a normal part of the aging process. But dentists now regard it as treatable and have identified a number of diseases with which it shares high rates of comorbidity. While exciting investigations into causative relationships between gum disease treatments and other diseases are ongoing, it is important for patients to be up-to-date on what is already known about prevention. Low-Level Gum Inflammation Gingivitis is the early form of gum disease. It is so common that when many people notice symptoms, such as seeing blood when they spit their toothpaste, they do not realize there is anything wrong. Inflamed gums will look swollen and discolored, but gingivitis is usually not evident until it has already progressed relatively far. It may also cause bad breath. There are many things that could cause gingivitis...

Fall is open enrollment for many employers.  Now  is the time to  enroll or review  your current dental insurance company, plan and benefits. As you are evaluating your dental plan, please keep in mind that we are In-Network with Delta Dental Premier, Lakeland ASR and Dental Health Options by Health Resources.   Some of our patients have dental insurance that is Out-of-Network. We do work with and file for them daily. There are some Out-of-Network insurances that still have good coverage in our office.  Although, if you can switch to one of the above In-Network dental insurances, you will have a greater savings in our office. For those patients who are unable to obtain dental insurance, we do offer an in-office dental savings plan. Details can be found simply by clicking the link below. Dental Savings Club We understand that insurance, in general, can be confusing and overwhelming. Any of our administrative staff wo...

As the end of the year rapidly approaches, we wanted to remind you to take advantage of any  unused dental benefits  you may have. Each year you receive a maximum amount from your dental insurance company, and in most cases the unused portion of this amount is  lost  when the new insurance year starts. These are benefits you have already paid for! Your dental care is important to us, and we want to make sure you get the care you need without overpaying for it.  If you have been postponing dental treatment or are overdue for a routine exam and cleaning, now is a great time to come in. Please call us at  574-271-9910  or  request an appointment online . We're looking forward to seeing you soon. Your Dental Family at Advance Dental

August 21, 2018 We are proud to announce we have a new paperless system for appointment reminders, patient paperwork and other forms of communication. We now have the ability for you to complete your paperwork on our IPADS! This will save an enormous amount of paper in our office and is another step towards our ongoing efforts to "GO-GREEN!" We've been utilizing this system for a few weeks and have had a positive patient response. We hope you find it as easy to use as we do! We ask that you arrive  10 minutes prior  to your scheduled appointment time so you are able to complete your paperwork on our IPADS.  On another note, it's a very personal thing to tell a relative or friend about our practice. It means you trust our professional skills enough to put your reputation on the line. It says you're comfortable being part of our family, and that you appreciate our special level of care. Our practice depends on satified patients like you. Your referrals are th...

Diabetes and  Dental  Health In the United States, 9.3% of the population is diagnosed with diabetes and it is estimated that an additional 8.1 million people in the country are living with undiagnosed diabetes. Diabetics need to be aware of the oral symptoms of diabetes, and learn how to protect their oral health. There are a lot of ways diabetes can impact oral health, and the best way to prevent those side effects and have a healthy mouth is to keep up with healthy habits and closely manage blood sugar levels. Gum Disease Keeping blood sugar levels healthy helps control a diabetic’s risk of developing gum disease. This is especially important because any infection, including one of the gums, can raise blood glucose levels and further compound a diabetic’s biggest issue. Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day is a tried and tested routine for keeping gums healthy. Even when diabetics notice plaque or buildup on their teeth, a consistent brushing and flossing rou...

The Dangers of Plaque and Tartar Accumulation Preventive measures in  dental  treatment are intended to defend against the onset of disease. Patients of all ages benefit from preventive  dental  services that are designed to fend off periodontal disease, tooth sensitivity, cavities, and even oral infections.  Routine exams and professional cleanings before bacteria buildup will ensure a lifetime of excellent  dental  health. Though plaque and tartar are two different things, they have similar properties and tartar forms as a result of plaque buildup. Both are harmful to the teeth and gums and can be prevented through a good oral care routine and regular visit to the  dentist . Risks Associated with Tooth Plaque Plaque is a sticky, colorless, film of bacteria that is constantly forming on the tooth’s surface. Though there are good and bad bacteria in the mouth, plaque produces acids that attack tooth enamel, damage gums, and cr...

Dental Care for Children Dental  Care for Children Even the smallest teeth need attention and care. Infants will start to teethe at about six months old, and many of the baby teeth will erupt above the gum line by the time the child is one year old. This is why the first  dental  appointment for your child should take place between their first and second birthdays. A child’s first dental appointment does not typically involve any treatment. Instead, this visit is a wellness check or "chair-ride" for the infant to discuss oral care during development and introduce oral care habits as a routine to keep up with throughout their life. The First Appointment At the appointment, you can hold your child in your arms while your dentist examines his or her teeth and mouth. You should use this opportunity to discuss your child’s medical history and any issues you’re concerned about. Your  dentist  will review the child’s teething and tooth development to see...

Dr. Stangebye is celebrating 28 years of excellence this year! Many of our patients have known Dr. Stangebye for a very long time. Some patients were even inherited from Dr. Nauss and have been with our dental family for the full 28 years. Our patients are considered part of our dental family. For those of you who have not been with us as long, here is a little history about our practice and Dr. Stangebye.  Dr. Stangebye was born and grew up in Hobart, Indiana. He graduated from River Forest High School in Hobart where he participated in football, wrestling, track and field and band. It was actually in band where he met the love of his life, Sue. He has also had an everlasting love for all things mechanical, especially airplanes and motorcycles. Following high school, he obtained his undergraduate degree from Purdue University, specializing in Electrical Engineering. He then began pursuing his dental career at Indiana University School of Dentistry. He grad...