HEALTH & BEAUTY
Interview With Miami Based Dentist Dr Michelle Luis
Contemporary Approaches | August 6, 2020
Photo:Dr Michelle Luis |Photographer Nicole Gonzalez
“Myself, other Dentists at our practice, and the staff like to say we specialize in treating the ‘dental phobics’”-Dr Luis
“Dr. Michelle Luis, a south Florida native, practices as a general dentist with substantive experience with fillings, crown and bridge, veneers, extractions, dentures, Invisalign, and root canals. She also has expertise with a number of cosmetic procedures to aid patients in looking and feeling their very best, including teeth whitening, and Botox. She holds a Master’s degree in Biomedical Science and a Doctorate in Dentistry from Nova Southeastern University.” For more information on her practice please visit her website https://drmichelleluis.com/
1.) CA: I was lucky enough to experience your work when I went to your office for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning. I was pleasantly surprise of how patient and gentle you were throughout the entire process; why do you make this a priority for your patients?
Dr Michelle Luis: My first priority is to be patient and gentle in order to build trust between myself and my patients. The mouth is such a personal space, and unfortunately so many of us have had less than kind and communicative health care professional experiences. I really do endeavor to show that I legitimately care. I love to meet new people, and I deeply respect that some one would trust me to be in such a personal space as their mouth. If a patient does not leave my chair feeling comfortable, feeling that their concerns have been heard or addressed, that my hands were not gentle with treatment, then I do not understand how I can build trust. I can not explain or teach a patient to understand the best treatments for their mouth since they did not go to dental school. However, I can build trust so they can feel comfortable and safe and I can in return give the best dental care.
2. CA: There is a myth that many people have a fear of going to the dentist, judging from your own experience is this true and what advice would you give to someone trying to overcome this fear?
Dr Michelle Luis: Myself, other Dentists at our practice, and the staff like to say we specialize in treating the “dental phobics”. It certainly is not a myth that people have dental fears. I see patients with the extreme dental anxiety all day long. If I have to quantify it I would say at least 1 out of 3 patients have fear of the Dentist, or Dental Hygienist. This is exactly why being sensitive and intuitive to your patients body language and mindful of their words are imperative. I would advise patients to be up front and open about their fears and concerns as soon as they schedule their appointments to allow for more time to be allocated to their exams and treatments. If they know the specific fear, it is so helpful if they tell me as soon as they arrive so I can give those concerns some extra “love.” A certain time of day may be better for these patients to alleviate time constraints, or simply some people feel better in general in the early mornings or afternoons. Start with coming in for x-rays, an exam, and a meet and great to see if you feel comfortable prior to having treatments. Most of us have some fear of the unknown. I find that once I spend a little time getting to know someone, I do the exam and give them their treatment plans, then the unknown is gone. They can go home and process their experience with me, the office and the staff, and they know exactly what and how much dental treatment they really need. I can not tell you how many patients come in thinking they to have tons of work done and they only need a cleaning or a filling. Spend sometime to get the facts before we move forward, and this will help alleviate your dental fears.
Photo: Dr Michelle Luis
3. ) CA: What inspired you to become a dentist and what’s the process?
Dr Michelle Luis: Becoming a Dentist requires a significant amount of education, hands on training, and dedication. Traditionally, you would get a Bachelor's degree in science, and take about two years of required prerequisite course work in which you would need excellent grades. There is an entrance examination in which competitive scores are needed. There is an essay and an extensive application process, which hopefully will get you an interview. Once accepted into a program, dental school is four years of intensive course work and clinical training. There are four national board examinations that need to be passed to able to practice dental medicine. After my undergraduate education I did two years of a Masters degree, and then went on to dental school. I spent 11 years in preparation before I graduated and then began to practice dentistry. I am always learning, and take advanced continuing educational courses regularly.
Dental medicine is a multifaceted medical field. I always had so many different interests and could never decide on just one. When I was 14 I started working at a veterinary clinic. In high school I volunteered in the labor and delivery department at a local hospital. These experiences inspired me to want to go into medicine, so I started my undergraduate studies as a pre-med student. It took me a few years of volunteering in different fields of medicine, before I started to consider Dentistry. Dentistry is mentally challenging in the diagnosing and treatment planning aspect, but unlike many health concerns in general medicine you can use your hands to immediately heal and treat a problem. My practice consists of the scientific diagnoses, psychological assessments of personalities and anxieties, hands on procedures and surgeries to alleviate disease and pain, preventive treatments and education, and smile design and facial aesthetics enhancements which is essentially an art form.
4. ) CA: Is there any tip you live by when it comes to healthy teeth?
Dr Michelle Luis: I live by two simple dental tips. I always rinse my mouth with water for 20 seconds after I eat or drink anything other than water, and sorry to say but FLOSSING is KING.
Bacteria love to multiply in acidic environments. Rinsing with water will decrease the acidity of your mouth. Less acidity will protect your enamel from demineralization, and attack from bacteria. I know we do not all love to use that string of floss, but it is the MOST important thing you can do for your mouth. The spaces in between your teeth are a perfect hiding place for old pieces of food and a breeding ground for bacteria. These will combine together and cause infection in your gums and teeth. You will swallow this infection and it will go straight to your heart. FLOSSING IS KING!
5. ) CA: How often do you recommend for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning?
Dr Michelle Luis: A lot can happen in few months, and we use our mouths all day long. I highly recommend having an exam and a cleaning every 6 months at a minimum.
Photo:Dr Michelle Luis |Photographer Nicole Gonzalez
6. ) CA: I drink a lot of black coffee which leaves a dark stain on my teeth, any tips for coffee lovers like myself?
Dr Michelle Luis: Drinking coffee and regular red wine consumption will leave what are called extrinsic stains on your teeth. This means that they are easily removed with a professional dental cleaning. Although it sounds a little strange, but consuming these highly stain producing drinks with a straw will help by- pass your teeth and less extrinsic stains.
7.) CA: Is there anything that we eat or do that is surprisingly bad for our teeth and gums that we may not be beware of?
Dr Michelle Luis: With more awareness of the harmful effects of sodas, I have noticed an increase in soda water drinkers. Although there is much less sugar, the carbonation is surprisingly harmful to your enamel. Limit the Perrier, La Croix, and bubbly soda waters.
8. ) CA: I’ve heard many times someone’s smile is their best physical asset, what’s your best advice for maintaining white and glowing teeth that would help us to remain confident with our smiles?
Dr Michelle Luis: Like Coco Chanel said, “A smile is a woman’s best accessory.” A smile can light up a room!
Just like keeping your body in the best shape, or having healthy hair, keeping up a healthy and bright smile comes down to consistent care. Proper hygiene will keep extrinsic stains at a minimum, and will prevent infection. With out proper oral hygiene, plaque builds up which leads to un wanted stains, and ultimately to infection, which could lead to irreversible loss of tooth structure.
Photo:Dr Michelle Luis |Photographer Nicole Gonzalez
9.) CA: Is there any product, special type of toothbrush, toothpaste, procedure or any recommendation at all you would like to share with our readers?
Dr Michelle Luis: Rinse, floss, brush, and tongue scrap. These are the steps that should be taken twice a day for proper oral hygiene. Your tongue has an entire separate colony of bacteria that should be removed daily.
Here are the names and links to the products I personally and professionally recommend (I am not affiliated with these companies, and I have no paid sponsorship).
*Apa White Toothpaste -https://apabeauty.com/collections/frontpage/ IG act: apabeauty. Created by the premiere aesthetic Dentist Dr. Apa, this product stands out because it contains hydroxyapatite, which is the one of the building blocks of tooth enamel—strengthens the surface of your teeth.
*Most over the counter tooth pastes have fluoride, which helps to fight cavities and strengthen enamel. Fluoride is cheaper for manufacturer, and not as good as hydroxyapatite.
*Bite Toothpaste- https://bitetoothpastebits.com / IG act: Bite. Different than any other toothpaste on the market. It comes in a capsule form, that you place into your mouth, add water from your tooth brush, and then begin the foam party in your mouth! This product is vegan, fluoride free, and biodegradable!
*Glide Oral B: https://oralb.com/en-us/products/compare/floss/ IG: oralb.This common over the counter floss is the easiest to fit in between your teeth, it doesn’t break easily, it has a great price point, and is easily found in most drug/ grocery/ online retailers. There is NO excuse not to floss!
*ScrapeYourTongue- http://scrapeyourtongue.com IG: scrapyourtongue