Advance Dental: Blog

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...

Advance Dental's SIXTH Annual Food Drive Monday October 14th through Saturday December 14th     We would like to take this time to give thanks for what we have and consider what we can share with our community. For the past five years, our office has partnered with the Food Bank of Northern Indiana. If you’ve participated in previous years, you know that we've had  FIVE  wonderful years of donations, both through food and monetary gifts, from our patients and staff. We challenge  ALL  our patients to participate this year and help feed our community members who are in need. Here is what we've been able to donate together over the years and our goal for 2019. ·  2014: 146 pounds of food donated ·  2015: 233 pounds of food donated ·  2016: 409 pounds of food donated (including monetary donations) ·  2017: 556 pounds of food donated (in...

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...

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...

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...

At Advance Dental, we are blessed to have a family of patients who trust us and value the dedication, personalized care and attentiveness that we've given to people in the community over the years. Did you know that most of our new patients come from referrals by people like yourself? Chances are that you're one of them. We wanted to take this opportunity and ask you to help us spread the word. If you have friends or relatives who could benefit from our services, can you please give us a referral? It will mean the world to us, and will make you their hero for years to come! :)

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...

The Best Brushing Apps for Kids! It's important to make brushing FUN, especially for kid's. With today's technology it's EASIER than ever.  We'd like to give you some guidance on how to make your children's dental health even healthier! Let's be realistic. Many times it's a struggle to get a toothbrush IN your kid's mouth, and IF you can, it's even MORE difficult to get them to brush for two WHOLE minutes, TWICE a day.  So, why not make it fun by letting them use their IPAD or tablet DURING brushing time?!?! Here are some of the best brushing apps for kids we've compiled for you! All you need to do is click on the link or links below, download them onto their electronic device and encourage them to use their apps during each brushing session.   It WILL help them brush a little better and a little longer, so here you go! Best Brushing Apps for Kids! Disney Magic Timer Brush DJ Aquafresh Brush ...

Advance Dental - Dr. Ronald Stangebye Nutrition and Oral Health: You are What You Eat If you’ve ever heard the expression, “you are what you eat,” there may be more truth to that than you think. Our mouth is a tool that keeps the machine, also known as our body, strong. In order to keep the mouth healthy, you need to give it what it needs, not what it craves, no matter how badly you want to reach for that slice of pizza. Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods from each of the five food groups, promotes healthy teeth and gums, while strengthening our immune system in the process. A balanced, well-rounded diet will also protect the teeth from decay and keep your dental health as well as your physical health in optimal shape. Diet and Oral-Systemic Connection Foods that contain sugars of any kind contribute to tooth decay. Though almost all foods contain sugar, it’s important to avoid added sugars that are found in sports drinks, candy, and cookies. If foods don’t con...

March 2018 Advance Dental Newsletter Reasons for Extractions Dentists have made great strides in saving teeth, but there are still times when extractions are necessary. These situations often arise when there is not enough room in the mouth for an entire adult set of thirty-two teeth, when a tooth has been badly cracked down its root, or when the gum tissue surrounding a tooth is severely infected and the tooth has become too loose to function safely. Dentists also sometimes recommend that people with compromised immune systems who get dental infections undergo extractions instead of root canals. Circumstances such as whether a tooth is impacted, meaning caught below the gum line, will determine exactly how a dentist plans the procedure, but there are some commonalities which patients should understand. Preparation There is more than one major nerve in the mouth which may need to be numbed prior to extraction. The lingual nerve is connected to the tongue while the inferior alv...