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.

– A number of diseases and illnesses cause bad breath, including respiratory tract infections and liver and kidney problems.
– One of the easiest and quickest ways to eradicate most common types of bad breath is by using mouthwash.
– Plaque buildup that sticks around in your mouth can cause bad breath.
– Bad breath can be produced by poor oral hygiene habits such as the forgetting to floss and brush daily.
– Medications that contain dry mouth symptoms can cause bad breath.
– If you have an underlying disease such as periodontal disease, also called gum disease, it may be creating your bad breath.

If you would like to experience the life-changing transformation that our oral health treatments 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. Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!

The post Bad Breath Could Be the Sign of an Oral Infection 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.

• Cover their hand when they go to bed with a sock or a bitter medicine that is recommended by your dentist. This stems the thumb-sucking that children do to fall asleep.
• Don’t say anything about the thumb-sucking if you think your child continues to do it only because they want attention.
• Using a pacifier causes the same damage as thumb-sucking, but is an easier habit to break. Wean your child from sucking their thumb to sucking a pacifier, and work from there.
• Discover what is giving your child anxiety. Thumb-sucking gives children a sense of security, so try to get rid of the triggers for anxious feelings and give your child comfort.
• Give your child positive encouragement and praise in stopping their habit. This works better than negative pressure.
• See you dentist and have him explain to your child why thumb-sucking is so bad for their teeth.

The post Ways To Stop A Thumb-Sucking Habit In Your Child first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.