This outpatient appointment is designed to effectively clean and polish your teeth, while also detecting any early signs of oral health problems like oral cancer, gum disease, or cavities. Should Dr. Joseph Szymczak find anything amiss, he will help you understand the most effective treatment plan.

In some of these scenarios he might recommend administering a preventative treatment such as a fluoride treatment or applying dental sealants.

The fluoride treatment is designed to introduce concentrated fluoride to your tooth enamel to bolster the mineral density of your teeth. This will help prevent bacteria and plaque acids from promoting tooth decay.

Dental sealants are created from a special type of dental grade resin. Once applied to your teeth and hardened by the ultraviolet light they will create a protective barrier that prevents bacterial deposits from building up on the biting surfaces of your back teeth.  

If you live in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area and you are due for a dental checkup, you should call 616-453-0002 to schedule an appointment at MI Roots Family Dental.

The post Your Dental Checkups Might Include Preventive Treatments first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

If any areas of tooth decay or periodontal health problems are detected he will help you understand the necessary treatment or preventative measures. Tooth enamel that shows signs of demineralization might be addressed by performing a fluoride treatment to help prevent future dental caries.

This can be done at the end of the appointment by pouring a small amount of concentrated fluoride gel into trays. They will be inserted into your mouth along with a suction wand. You will need to lightly bite down to hold them in place for a few minutes. The concentrated fluoride will then saturate the microscopic pores of your tooth enamel.

Afterward, you should try to abstain from eating or drinking for at least a half an hour to allow the fluoride to fully saturate the microscopic pores of your tooth enamel.

If you live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and you are due for your next dental checkup, you should call 616-453-0002 to set up an appointment at MI Roots Family Dental.

The post A Fluoride Treatment Can Be Included in Your Regular Dental Checkup first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Did you know that when you brush you only clean approximately 25% of your mouth? This is one of the reasons mouthwash is so useful. Aside from fighting bad breath, mouthwash can reach different areas of your mouth, and provide a variety of benefits.

For example, some mouthwashes contain alcohol that that kills bacteria faster and more thoroughly than some mouthwashes, though it can cause a burning sensation. Other mouthwashes have fluoride to fight against cavities, and some are designed specifically for children.

Similarly, a tongue scraper is mostly useful for removing bacteria that can cause bad breath. While some people may clean their tongue with a toothbrush, many others find it uncomfortable. Tongue scrapers also come in different sizes because wide tongue scrapers may trigger gag reflex.

But please remember, if you have chronic bad breath, you may be dealing with gum disease and you may need help from a dentist.

Would you like to learn more about what you can do to care for your smile? Are you interested in learning more about how you can hold off gum disease? Would you like to schedule an appointment with our team? If so, please feel free to contact us today. We are excited to hear from you.

The post Mouthwash, Tongue Scrapers, and Your Smile first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.