One of the more popular options is to get dentures, installed by an experienced dentist. But what else is there to know about dentures? Well, let’s take a look.

Why get dentures?
It’s likely that Dr. Joseph Szymczak will recommend dentures if your gums or jaw bone aren’t healthy enough to support dental implants. Older patients may hear this more often, since their gums and bones tend to be less healthy. You’ll also hear it if you’ve had severe oral health issues in the past.

Less invasive
Dentures are a far less invasive procedure than implants. Instead of having titanium posts inserted into your gums, then covering those with crowns, a mold is simply made of your mouth.

Dentures are hand-made from that mold, and they’ll only ever perfectly fit one person – you. Implants, while personalized, aren’t that detailed. They simply don’t have to be in order to be effective options.

At the end of the day, the person who can make the best choice for this type of process is yourself. Educating yourself on the different options available will help you make a great choice. To learn more, call us today at 616-453-0002.

The post The Details on Dentures 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.

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.

A crown essentially replaces the enamel layer with an artificial material. Most of the time a crown on a tooth in your smile will call for using porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. The process starts with Dr. Mark Osenieks removing the entire enamel layer of the tooth. This leaves behind a post-like abutment that encases the pulp and root of the tooth.

A detailed impression is made of the area, which is sent to our dental lab. This will serve as a guide while they custom craft a porcelain tooth to replicate the original. Then, Dr. Osenieks will secure a hard plastic temporary crown over the abutment to protect it. When your new crown is ready, we will call you back into the office to have the temporary crown removed and cement the porcelain crown in place.

If you have an unappealing tooth in your smile, we invite you to call our dedicated dental team in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 616-453-0002 to have it restored with a custom porcelain crown. We are here to help you have a healthy, confident smile!

The post A Cosmetically Unappealing Tooth in Your Smile Can Be Fully Restored by a Porcelain Crown first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Headaches

Morning headaches are often caused by nighttime teeth grinding. Also known as bruxism, this is where you grind your teeth while you sleep, which can wear down tooth enamel if left unchecked. You may need a night guard (a mouth guard worn at night) to protect your teeth against erosion or cracks (as well as headaches).

Gum Inflammation

Chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and the surrounding tissue is a sign of gum disease, or gingivitis. Swollen or inflamed gums are the early signs of gum disease. Left untreated, it is the major cause of tooth loss in adults.

Tooth Sensitivity (Hot vs. Cold)

If your teeth hurt whenever you eat or drink something hot or cold, you may have a cavity, or even gum recession, which allows the sensitive layer of dentin under the enamel to be exposed.

White Spots

White spots on your tooth enamel are actually early signs of dental decay. You may have a cavity even if you don’t feel pain or show any symptoms.

Toothache

Tooth pain that doesn’t go away indicates that you may have a cavity. This is a hole in the tooth that may reach the tooth pulp, where the nerves may be exposed, causing pain.

Canker Sores

Ulcers in the mouth, or canker sores, have a variety of triggers ranging from emotional stress, allergic reactions, or injury, and typically go away on their own. If they persist or are unusually large, this may indicate something more serious.

Tartar

Tartar is the hard, white-looking mineralization that occurs at the gum line, where the teeth meet the gums. Tartar is hardened bacterial plaque which requires removal by a dental professional using scaling tools.

Halitosis

Prolonged bad breath, or a “metallic” taste in the mouth is caused by bacteria in the mouth and can be an indication of gingivitis, the early stages of gum disease.

If you are experiencing any of these signs, don’t brush them off! Prevention is key, but early intervention is also important. If you would like to schedule a visit with our dentist to help restore your healthy smile, please call the team of Dr. MI Roots Family Dental in Grand Rapids, Michigan at 616-453-0002 today.

The post See Your Dentist If You Experience These Signs first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

The Seal of Acceptance program has been around since 1931 and it continues to be the gold standard today. This program involves the ADA testing each product for safety and effectiveness. In fact, the ADA has higher expectations than the traditional law, and they will not accept anything less than their standards. So, if you use a product that has this seal of approval, you know that it is the best and safest product for your oral health.

Some products that have this seal include:

· Denture products (like denture cleansers and denture adhesives)
· Mouthrinses (even antibacterial, fluoride, and non-prescription wash)
· Sports mouthguards
· Floss and tools that make flossing easier
· Emergency tooth preservation products
· Sugar-free gum
· Teeth-whitening kits, trays, and gels
· Fluoride brush-on gel
· Toothbrushes
· Toothpastes
· Water filters (even those that do not filter out fluoride)

The ADA does not receive compensation for this process and the seal is never sold. It is a program that simply aims to inform you on the best and most successful products available for your smile and oral health. If you have any questions or if you would like to know more about this seal of acceptance, please call 616-453-0002 today and talk to our MI Roots Family Dental team. You are also more than welcome to talk to Dr. Joseph Szymczak if you schedule an appointment.

The post All You Need to Know About ADA Oral Hygiene Products first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

To help you better understand teeth grinding, we have provided information on the causes, risks, and treatments associated with bruxism:

Causes
There are many things that can cause teeth grinding. Some of the causes include stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, an abnormal bite, missing teeth, or crooked teeth. For children, causes generally involve irritations in the mouth, allergies, and teeth misalignments. Even though teeth grinding is a very scary habit and it should be treated immediately, children tend to grow out of the habit by the time they are teens.

Risks
If you do not treat this dangerous habit, your teeth could be severely damaged. You will also suffer from dull headaches, jaw soreness, loose teeth, and fractured chompers.

Treatments
Treatments for the teeth-grinding habit vary depending on the cause. Generally, night guards are the first treatment offered. Night guards should be worn while you sleep so when you clench and grind your teeth, your smile will be protected. Another treatment is relaxation medicine. This medicine will help you relax, which will help you avoid clenching and grinding. Other treatments include orthodontics, counseling, and exercise.

If you have any questions or if you would like to talk to Dr. Joseph Szymczak about your chances of participating in this habit, please call MI Roots Family Dental today and schedule an appointment. All you need to do is dial 616-453-0002 and we will be there to help you. We look forward to hearing from you!

The post All About Teeth Grinding first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.