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.

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.

One of the biggest risks of a teen’s life is due to peer pressure. Peer pressure is frequently the downfall of many amazing smiles, not because people make the wrong decisions, but rather because they find themselves making choices simply to appeal to others, which often comes back to haunt them. If you are not careful, peer pressure can make you take unnecessary risks with both your life and your smile.

One of the biggest oral health risks caused by peer pressure is due to bad habits. Numerous habits such as smoking and chewing tobacco, or using drugs, are destined to destroy your mouth, with no real reward for doing them. Forgo peer pressure risks if they seek to put your teeth and gums at risk, as a damaged smile is not an effective way to kick off adulthood.

If you would like to speak with Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our team about teenage dentistry from a dentist in Grand Rapids, Michigan, please schedule an appointment at our dentist office of MI Roots Family Dental, by calling 616-453-0002. Let us help you find your healthy smile!

The post Oral Health Essentials: Teenage Dentistry first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Dentures are artificial tooth replacements customized and crafted to replace a few teeth or even entire rows. They are detachable and adjustable by your dentist, so if discomfort is felt, they can be easily replaced with a better-fitting pair. For the best oral hygiene, a person should soak their dentures in a denture cleaning solution or plain water every night. Never let dentures lay out or they will dry up and fail.

When a person loses their teeth, their facial structure will slightly cave in and they begin to look much older than they are. Dentures can reinstate a person’s facial structure and return the lost youth to their face. Furthermore, gaps caused by missing teeth can become a haven for plaque buildup, which can lead to further tooth decay and gum disease.  Dentures remove this safe space for harmful debris and keep your mouth cleaner for longer.

If you would like to schedule a denture exam session at MI Roots Family Dental, simply call our dentist office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at our number 616-453-0002. Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our entire team await. The wait is over, come get your perfect smile today!

The post Fun Facts About Dentures first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

– Dental veneers can enhance the look of your smile.

– Veneers can cause your self-esteem to skyrocket and encourage a more positive self-image.

– Veneers can fill in holes in your smile left by lost teeth.

– Veneers are beneficial for making you look younger and feel younger too.

– Dental veneers are extremely durable and withstand heavy wear and tear for nearly ten years.

– Dental veneers can correct minor malocclusions and spacing issues with your teeth.

– Dental veneers can cover cracks, fractures, stains, and imperfections visible on the fronts of your teeth.

– A dental veneer can be placed on a single tooth or designed with veneers for each tooth of an entire row for a complete smile makeover.

If you would like to schedule a dental veneers treatment with Dr. Joseph Szymczak and the rest of our team at MI Roots Family Dental, simply call our dentist office at 616-453-0002 for an appointment in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We will do our best to help you in any way we can!

The post Oral Hygiene Topic: Dental Veneers first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

– Have you ever been told that you snore or grind and clench your teeth loudly?
– Do you have teeth that look flattened or chipped and loose?
– Is your tooth enamel worn down leading to an increase in tooth sensitivity?
– Do you ever experience jaw pain or soreness when you wake up?
– Do you have any damage to the insides of your cheeks from unconsciously chewing on them through the night?
– Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea or TMJ?
– Do you ever have pain that feels like an earache, but it’s not caused by your ear?
– Do you have any indentations on your tongue?
– Do you have a locked jaw that won’t open or close completely?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be at an increased risk for bruxism. Our team is here to help you with all your oral health needs. For a complete diagnosis from Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our team at our dentist office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, you can schedule an appointment by calling us at 616-453-0002. We look forward to helping you smile.

The post Do You Experience Any of the Following Symptoms of Bruxism? first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

You could have gaps between your teeth for many different reasons. For instance, you could have a gap due to genetics or even tooth loss. If your gap is caused by a missing tooth, there are many restoration options that you could consider. For example, you could get a bridge, an implant, or dentures.

If your teeth have a minute gap in your teeth, there are other types of treatments you can consider doing. For example, a dental veneer could be the best treatment for you. Veneers are thin shells that are designed to match the color of your teeth and to help you cover a number of imperfections. These imperfections include gapped teeth. Once your veneers are ready, they’ll be fused to your teeth and look perfectly natural.

Furthermore, you should also consider the perks of dental bonding. This option is the most affordable and can last for up to ten years. If you decide that dental bonding is the treatment for you, our team will use a composite resin to correct the small imperfections that are in your smile.

If you would like to hear more about the care you can receive from our team, or about treatments for gapped teeth in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we invite you to give MI Roots Family Dental a call at 616-453-0002. Our dentist, Dr. Joseph Szymczak, and the rest of our team will be happy to examine your teeth and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to receiving your call soon.

The post Gapped Teeth: What are Your Options? first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry designed to improve the appearance of your smile. It includes teeth whitening, which you could consider if you’re not satisfied with the color of your pearly whites. However, if you’re interested in improving the appearance of your smile further, you could also consider veneers. These thin shells are bonded to your teeth and used to cover small imperfections such as chips, cracks, gaps, or stains.

You could also consider the benefits of dental bonding. This treatment involves using a composite material that’s matched to the color of your teeth to correct a chip or a gap. There are other options for improving the appearance of your smile, as well. Even treatments such as crowns, implants, and fillings are now designed to match and improve the appearance of your smile.

Obtaining a more dazzling smile isn’t as complicated as you might think. If you’re interested in learning more about what you can do to improve the appearance of your smile, please don’t hesitate to contact MI Roots Family Dental at 616-453-0002. Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our team will be happy to examine your mouth and offer you personalized advice. We’re eager to hear from you soon.

The post How Cosmetic Dentistry Could Benefit You first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

Traditional

Traditional bridges involve creating a crown for the teeth on either side of the gap and placing a false tooth or teeth between the crowns. Often times these crowns are called caps and can be supported by your natural teeth or by implants. The replacement teeth are attached to the crowns, which ultimately bridge the gap by filling the empty space.

Cantilever

This type of bridge is held in the mouth by one or more crowns on only one side of the space where teeth are missing. This dental bridge isn’t very common and is not recommended for the back teeth because the pressure and force can damage them or other teeth.

Maryland bonded

A Maryland bonded bridge, also called a resin-bonded or acid-etched bridge, consists of a metal or porcelain framework with wings on each side. These wings are bonded to the back of your existing teeth. The replacement or false tooth/teeth are also bonded to the metal framework.

Don’t let your smile suffer another day; please give our office a call today at 616-453-0002 to schedule an appointment or to speak with one of our staff members.

The post Knowing Which Dental Bridge Is Right for Your Mouth first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.