If you have chronic jaw and facial pain, it is important to visit your dentist for a comprehensive exam. Because it can be often difficult to detect the source of the pain the dentist may have to perform various tests to pinpoint the problem. Jaw and facial pain could be linked to the slow wear and tear and deterioration of your teeth and gums over time or to an accident or injury. If you are suffering from any sinus problems, arthritis or infections, you could be at an increased risk for jaw and facial pain. Furthermore, several oral health issues can contribute to jaw and facial pain, including toothaches, bruxism, TMJ disorders and periodontal disease. Several treatments are available to improve your smile. This could include medications such or anti-inflammatory drugs,muscle relaxants or muscle therapy and exercises. A night guard may also help.

Would you like to know more about jaw and facial pain? With treatments at our office, we can make sure you receive the oral health care you need. If you would like to schedule an appointment to visit us at our dental office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our team can be reached by calling us at 616-453-0002.

The post Knowledge Foundation: Jaw and Facial Pain first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

That is why our dentist, Dr. Joseph Szymczak with MI Roots Family Dental in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is happy to give you advice on the proper way to brush your teeth.

Here are some tips and tricks for brushing your teeth correctly:

-Are you using a toothbrush that has been contaminated or left on its side? It may be covered in germs and bacteria, so get rid of it.

-If your toothbrush has worn down and the bristles are no longer long enough to efficiently clean, replace your toothbrush.

-Clean your teeth twice every day. Avoid cleaning your teeth after eating.

-To keep your mouth safe from dental abrasion, avoid pressing too hard with your toothbrush.

-Generally, a good toothbrush to use is one that can reach all areas of your mouth with soft, gentle brushes and bristles.

-For additional care keeping your mouth clean, visit your dentist for biannual cleaning treatments.

Brushing your teeth will fight against cavities, halitosis, and gum disease. If you are in need of a dental checkup, or if you have questions about your oral health, please call us today at 616-453-0002 to make an appointment. Our friendly dental team is always ready to help keep your teeth healthy.

The post Brush Your Teeth Correctly first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

-Avoid tooth-staining substances: Things like coffee, tea, red wine, tomato sauce, dark berries and other dark foods and drinks can stain the tooth enamel. It’s best to avoid these things if you want to avoid tooth discoloration. If you have to drink dark drinks, do so with a straw so you limit the contact the liquid has with the teeth.

-Don’t use tobacco: Tobacco can severely stain the teeth. It can also affect the oral health and entire health of the body. So, it’s best to avoid tobacco use altogether.

-Use abrasive or whitening toothpaste: Abrasive or whitening toothpaste can remove surface stains on the teeth each day before they have a chance to set in. This can help you keep the white smile you want and can also help you avoid the need for a teeth whitening treatment in the future.

If you have any questions or if you would like to know more about how to prevent tooth discoloration in Grand Rapids, Michigan, please contact MI Roots Family Dental today at 616-453-0002. Our dental team will be more than happy to help you, and we look forward to your phone call.

The post Tips for Preventing Tooth Discoloration first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Tooth decay can attack your smile at any time, even if you take all the defenses you can to prevent it. Did you know, sticky plaque bacteria can develop on your teeth and can eat away at your tooth enamel? Well, it’s true! If cavities are left untreated, the tooth decay will work through your teeth causing you a host of problems.

Usually, there is no sign or indication of increasing pain or sensitivity until the decay grows so broad or deep, it goes in the nerves of the tooth. Tooth decay can also spread very fast putting other teeth at risk as well. If you catch a cavity early, then your dentist may be able to restore your teeth quickly. If not, there are other options such as dental fillings or dental crowns to repair the damage. The central thing to remember about tooth decay is to correct it as soon as possible, so you can avoid long-term problems in your future.

As you can see, cavities can do more damage to your smile than most people expect. If you need help fighting your cavities, then call us today at 616-453-0002. Let our MI Roots Family Dental team help fight your battle against tooth decay for you.

The post The Harmful Power of Tooth Decay first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Dental Veneers – Dental veneers are intended to customize the look of a tooth by covering up the fronts of your visible teeth.

Dental Crowns – Dental crowns are built to fully cap and conceal a tooth down to the gum line for added support, protection, and better aesthetics.

Dental Bridges – Dental bridges are treatments crafted to link prosthetics with natural teeth in the gaps where missing teeth lay unfilled.

Dental Implants – Dental implants are tooth prosthetics created to replace missing or lost teeth with durable prosthetics.

Teeth Whitening Treatments – Teeth whitening treatments are used to eradicate deep stains and discolorations.

Dental Bonding Treatments – Dental bonding treatments are placed on the surfaces of teeth to cap and conceal surface damage.

Dentures – Dentures can be crafted for as little as one tooth and as many as an entire row of teeth with a prosthetic that is easy to clean and is detachable.

If you are in need of cosmetic dentistry care in Grand Rapids, Michigan, come visit MI Roots Family Dental for a comprehensive exam or cleaning. To schedule an appointment, you can ring our dentist office at 616-453-0002. Under the guiding hand of Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our team, we can help to repair and resort your smile.

The post Dentistry Highlights: Cosmetic Dentistry first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

When you come in for dental sealant placement, the back teeth are thoroughly cleaned. The teeth are then rinsed and dried carefully. A special solution is used to roughen the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The solution is then rinsed off. The rough surface produced allows for the dental sealant to attach to the tooth. After your teeth are dried again, our dentist will paint the liquid sealant onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. A special light will be used to harden the dental sealant in place. The dried sealant is a hard-plastic varnish coating. You will be able to chew with the tooth normally.

Dental sealants can last for up to 10 years. Care for your teeth with dental sealants in the same way you would care for your other teeth. Make sure you come in for your regular dental appointments so that our dentist can examine your sealants. Dr. Joseph Szymczak can repair or replace sealants as needed.

For more information about dental sealants and to schedule your next appointment, please contact MI Roots Family Dental at 616-453-0002 today.

The post How Dental Sealants Are Placed first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

If you have suffered an oral emergency that has resulted in catastrophic damage to your jaw, do not panic. If a tooth has been knocked out, there may be a chance it can still be saved. Immediately find the tooth and place it in a tooth-saving liquid such as Save-A-Tooth or milk. Once stored in a liquid, take the tooth to your dentist where he may be able to reinsert it once again back into your mouth. If the tooth dries out, you won’t have very much success with it being reinserted.

If you have suffered from a tooth that was knocked loose, make sure to clean the area around the tooth if bleeding is present. Apply gauze pads to stop the bleeding. Rinse out the area of any debris to prevent the rise of infections.

If you notice signs of damage to your smile, fortunately, it can be treated. MI Roots Family Dental remains committed to your oral health. You are welcome to book an appointment with us by calling 616-453-0002. Stop by our dentist office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our team will give you the treatment you need. Don’t delay, now is the best time to upgrade your smile.

The post Smile Basics: Oral Emergencies first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Cheese: All cheese has calcium and protein, which are good for teeth. Cheese is low in sugar–which is also great for mouth health. Goat cheese has more calcium and protein per serving than cow’s milk, and fewer calories! Choose a tasty goat cheese to make your meal really pop with flavor and nutrition.

Apples: Does anything say “September” more than a crisp, tangy apple? Apples are a great way to include some sweetness in your diet without reaching for refined sugar snacks. Whole fruits have natural sugars, which are balanced out by the fiber they also contain. Crisp seasonal fruits, such as apples and pears, have the added benefit of acting as “nature’s toothbrushes”: scraping away plaque and food debris from teeth.

Kale: Dark leafy greens are delicious, and are packed with calcium and other nutrients for a healthy mouth. They are plentiful this time of year, so eat a bunch!

Nuts: A great to add crunch to your dish, nuts also provide protein and nutrients to keep your mouth working properly. They also keep you full and satisfied until your next meal, cutting down on snacking. This benefits your teeth by reducing contact with food throughout the day. Plain toasted nuts are also low in sugar, which is good for your mouth and overall health.

For a tasty, mouth-healthy lunch perfect for your autumn, start with a bed of dark leafy greens, then add chopped apples, crumbly goat cheese, toasted pecans, and a light dressing. Voila!

Now is also the perfect time to schedule your regular dental appointment, to make sure your teeth are healthy and ready for the holidays. If you live in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, call MI Roots Family Dental at 616-453-0002 to schedule your appointment today! Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our staff will be happy to help you keep your smile bright!  

The post Autumn Foods for Healthy Teeth first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

– Dental crowns are an amazing choice when other cosmetic options may not be possible.
– Dental crowns can conceal and protect teeth that are damaged.
– Typically, a dental crown can last up to two decades, but it is possible if they are taken care of adequately, they can last an entire lifetime.
– Many other cosmetic dentistry treatments can be held or covered by dental crowns, including implants, bridges, and root canals.
– In some cases, a dental filling may need to be placed in a tooth to fix a cavity, but there may not be enough tooth remaining. In those situations, dental crowns can be used to cover the tooth for additional support.
– If you have any teeth that are cracked or broken, the bits of the tooth can be saved and bound together with dental crowns.

If you would like to experience the life-changing transformation that dental crowns can provide, please stop by MI Roots Family Dental for an oral exam from Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our team at our amazing dentist facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Schedule your visit by calling us at 616-453-0002. We look forward to helping you soon!

The post Dental Crowns and Why They Are Needed first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

First, be patient. The whitening toothpaste typically takes several weeks to show results. So, don’t be discouraged after a week. Keep using the product and don’t worry too much about the timeline required. Also, remember that you can undo your whitening progress by consuming dark foods and beverages and by using tobacco. If it can stain fabric, it can stain your teeth. So, try to avoid these things as much as possible.

Second, brush and rinse after you consume something that can stain your smile. (Remember that it’s best to avoid these things in the first place). Brushing and rinsing can wash the staining particles away and reduce your chances of having even more tooth stains.

Do you have any questions or would you like to know more about how to get the most out of your whitening toothpaste in Grand Rapids, Michigan? If so, please contact MI Roots Family Dental at 616-453-0002 when you get the chance. Our dental team looks forward to hearing from and helping you!

The post How to Reap All the Benefits of Whitening Toothpaste first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.