To develop your new night guard, Dr. Joseph Szymczak will take an impression of your oral cavity (through use of a mold or digital means). Once the impression has been fashioned in our office, we’ll send it to an oral workshop where the night guard will be fashioned. Using special equipment that formulates the perfect conditions, the dental lab staff will make your night guard from the impression, and once it’s over, they will send it to our office.

On a follow-up checkup, you will evaluate how the night guard fits in your mouth. The doctor will make any needed adjustments to the device to make sure they ensure your comfort. If the night guard is feeling uncomfortable, you can come back to our office for an adjustment visit.

Are you ready for a new night guard in Grand Rapids, Michigan? If so, please call the staff of MI Roots Family Dental at 616-453-0002 now to set up your next appointment. We’ll see you soon!

The post How Dental Labs Make Night Guards first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Complications during these instances can pose a serious threat to your braces and can lead to very serious oral injuries. This makes the use of a quality mouthguard especially important for athletes with braces.

Many of the mouthguards sold in stores can feel bulky or can impede your ability to breathe freely. This can encourage some athletes to forgo using a mouthguard. This could significantly increase your risk of suffering significant damage to your braces and teeth.

Many athletes with braces will try retail-level mouthguards. Unfortunately, many people complain that they fit poorly, causing increased salivation or impeding their breathing. This might cause them to forgo using the mouthguard, increasing the risk of significant oral injury.

If you find retail-level mouthguards inadequate or uncomfortable, Dr. Joseph Szymczak can help fit you for a custom mouthguard. This is a soft yet durable plastic mouthpiece designed to match your mouth for maximum protection and passage of air.

If you are an athlete with braces in need of a mouthguard in Grand Rapids, Michigan, you should call 616-453-0002 to schedule an appointment at MI Roots Family Dental.

The post Contact Sport Athletes with Braces Should Use a Quality Mouthguard first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

There are many different mouth guard options available. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Stock mouth guards are widely available and also the most inexpensive option. The guard slips into your mouth and you are ready to play. Unfortunately, many athletes complain that stock mouth guards sometimes make it hard to breathe and never seem to give a truly firm fit.

Boil-and-bite mouth guards usually cost a little bit more than stock mouth guards. They are made from a material that softens when heated and then hardens again once it cools. These mouth guards do offer a little bit more of a custom fit. To use them you simply soak the mouth guard in boiling water for a few minutes, allow it to cool for a moment, then bite down hard on it. The material molds to the general shape of your teeth. When it hardens, you are ready to play. One of the more common complaints with boil-and-bite mouth guards is that they can feel bulky in the mouth.

Custom mouth guards are top-of-the-line mouth guards, offering a custom fit and protection. Technology continues to advance in custom mouth guard materials and techniques.

Vacuum-fitted mouth guards use a moldable thermoplastic material to conform to your teeth. These pieces tend to last around a year. Pressure-laminated mouth guards are a relatively newer product with a lifespan of around two years. Many athletes prefer them over vacuum-molded mouth guards for fit and comfort.

Dr. Joseph Szymczak can help you decide on the mouth guard that’s right for you. Call us today to set an appointment to get your mouth guard. Our number is 616-453-0002.

The post Different Mouth Guard Options first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

As bruxism often occurs during sleep, most people do not know that they grind their teeth. If you wake with a dull headache or a sore jaw, you may be grinding your teeth at night.

Follow these tips to help prevent teeth grinding:

• Avoid or reduce ingesting foods and drinks that contain caffeine, like coffee, chocolate, and soda.
• Avoid alcohol ingestion.
• Do not chew on pencils, pens, and other non-food objects.
• If you grinding or clenching your teeth during the day, place the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This trains your jaw muscles to relax.
• Hold a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of the earlobe to relax your jaw muscles at night.

Talk to our dentist if you think that you have a teeth grinding problem. Your jaw can be examined for signs of bruxism, like wear on the teeth and jaw tenderness. If needed, our dentist can provide a custom-made night guard, a covering worn over the teeth to protect them from injury from teeth grinding. To learn more about bruxism and to schedule an appointment with our dentist, contact our office today.

The post Avoiding Bruxism first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Wear is often caused by teeth grinding or clenching. In fact, this can cause small cracks in your enamel, making your smile more prone to tooth decay. Grinding can also lead to headaches, damage to your jaw, and other pains. Typically, this problem is worse in people who grind hard or who grind often. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do if you suffer from these problems. One option is finding a way to relieve stress or to avoid stressful situations. However, if these don’t work, your dentist can give you’re a mouth guard or a splint, which can stop grinding and clenching.

A second reason for wear is acid, which erodes enamel. As strong as your teeth may be, acid will erode your enamel and consequently weaken them. This problem is especially common in individuals who enjoy many carbonated drink, fruit juices, or alcohol. Similarly, individuals with some health problems (such as acid reflux) can bring acid in your stomach to your mouth. Women who are pregnant also tend to have issues with acid on their teeth. To counteract this problem, we recommend cutting down on acidic drinks. Using mouthwash after finishing your beverages can also help. If you are pregnant, we recommend going to your dentist for a checkup.

Finally, you may wear down your tooth through abrasion. This is typically caused by brushing your teeth incorrectly. If you brush too hard, you may damage your enamel. When you brush, please use gentle, circular motions. If you are concerned about this type of wear, we recommend using a toothbrush with soft or medium bristles or finding non-abrasive toothpaste.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us soon. We are excited to hear from you soon.

The post How to Protect Your Teeth from Wear first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.