One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to be healthier. For 2019, our Hudsonville dentists challenge you to protect your oral health by scheduling your teeth cleaning and oral examination at least every 6 months. Our team of Hudsonville dentists are dedicated to helping you maintain your dental health. Likewise, if you’ve been putting off getting the dental treatments you need, now is the perfect time to schedule a consultation with our office in Hudsonville, Michigan. Continue reading to learn how to take advantage of your dental benefits in the new year. Using Your Dental Benefits When does my dental insurance renew? Most dental insurance plans reset at the start of the calendar year, which is January 1. However, before you schedule an appointment with our Hudsonville dentists, be sure to check the specific details of your policy. Some dental benefits renew at the start of your contract year, which is when your policy took effect. What is an annual maximum for dental insurance? An annual maximum is the most your dental plan will pay for treatment during a calendar year or other specified time period. If you need a lot of dental work to restore your smile,...
Did you know February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? Our dentists are dedicated to ensuring your child's dental health now and in the future. Our Hudsonville pediatric dentists want to help you and your child understand the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth through brushing, flossing, and scheduling teeth cleaning appointments at least every 6 months. Our office in Hudsonville, Michigan is ready to help you set up an appointment for your child with one of our pediatric dentists. The Importance of Awareness for Children’s Dental Health Tooth decay is the #1 chronic childhood disease in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately, our pediatric dentists are able to help prevent cavities with dental sealants and other treatments. National Children’s Dental Health Month is a good reminder for us all that children are building the foundations for their oral health. Our Hudsonville pediatric dentists are proud to help young patients learn healthy oral hygiene habits that’ll last a lifetime. How to Recognize National Children’s Dental Health Month Talk to your child about oral hygiene Reinforce good oral hygiene habits (e.g. brushing teeth twice a day) Schedule your child’s next teeth cleaning and oral...
We may feel the dropping temperature in our toes, but we shouldn’t be feeling it in our teeth! Some of us experience a shock of tooth pain as we breathe in the crisp air or sip hot chocolate. Sensitive teeth are common in temperature extremes, so we notice it more during the winter season. Fortunately, our dentists can help you find a solution to relieve sensitive teeth and dental pain. If you have issues with sensitive teeth, or have any questions or concerns, please contact our dentist office today. Our skilled dentists and staff are waiting to help you find relief from sensitive teeth. Why Do My Teeth Feel So Sensitive in Winter? Is your tooth sensitive to cold or heat? Sensitive teeth are fairly common, yet shouldn’t be ignored. Sudden tooth sensitivity could be your body trying to tell you something is wrong. As with most oral health issues, it’s best to treat sensitive teeth as soon as possible. The main reasons for sensitive teeth include: Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with hard bristles Teeth grinding at night Receding gums, typically from gum disease Tooth decay Cracked tooth Abscess tooth When teeth are healthy, they’re protected from...
Did you know that about half of Americans age 30 and older have periodontal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? Periodontal diseaseis caused by plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and gums. Bacteria in dental plaque is enough to irritate your gums and cause them to bleed more easily. Fortunately, our dentists can help protect your smile from periodontal disease with scaling and root planing. While gum disease can be cured in its early stages by good oral hygiene and professional teeth cleanings, the same can’t be said of periodontitis (the advanced form of gum disease). Periodontal disease deteriorates the bone structure supporting your teeth and causes your gums to recede, putting you at higher risk for tooth loss. Preventing Periodontal Disease In this blog post, we’ll will go over how our dentists can slow the progression of periodontal disease so you can regain good oral health. For more information on periodontal treatment, we recommend scheduling an appointment with one of our dentists. Know the Signs of Gum Disease The best way to treat gum disease is to catch it in its early stages. Unfortunately, many people are unaware they have gum diseaseuntil the next...
Your smile says a lot about your personality, which is why it’s important to take excellent care of your teeth and gums. Fortunately, our cosmetic dentists can help you maintain a healthy beautiful smile when you schedule a teeth cleaning appointment every 6 months. It is always vital to care for your teeth. Smiling can improve your relationships, happiness, and overall quality of life. If you have any questions regarding cosmetic dentistry for your smile, please contact our office today. Our skilled dentists and staff are ready to help you get the smile that you have always wanted. Better Quality of Life With Cosmetic Dentistry Continue reading to learn the other advantages of smiling and how cosmetic dentistry can help. Why is it Good to Smile? As the song goes, “When you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.” Our dentists know that this verse still rings true today. When you smile — that is, when you’re not afraid to open your mouth and show your teeth — you convey a sense of well-being and confidence. And, indeed, everyone wants to smile with you. In fact, smiling can be contagious. People respond positively to a healthy white smile, whether they’re...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 47.2% of adults age 30 and older have periodontal disease. The CDC also reports that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting American children. What both of these statistics have in common is plaque. Fortunately, your dentist can help you avoid oral health issues when you schedule a teeth cleaning and oral examination every 6 months. Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth and gums. Over time, this plaque eats sugar and starch to produce acid. This acid erodes tooth enamel and attacks your gums, putting you at risk for oral health issues. Fortunately, our dentists are able to remove plaque and tartar, as well as advise you on how to maintain a healthy smile. Tips for an Oral Hygiene Routine Brush Twice a Day The American Dental Association recommends you brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride occurs naturally and has long been recognized for its oral health benefits. In fact, many municipalities have fluoridated drinking water to help reduce cavities. Make sure you brush for 2 minutes so you have enough time to clean all teeth. If you...
Did you know 47.2% of Americans age 30 and older have periodontal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? While early gum disease (gingivitis) can be reversed with a teeth cleaning from your dentist every 6 months and by adopting a healthy oral hygiene routine, the same can’t be said once it progresses into periodontal disease. Fortunately, our dentists do everything in their power to protect your oral health. Continue reading to learn how you can change your oral health for the better. Preventing Gum Disease 1.) Practice Good Oral Hygiene Gum disease is caused by untreated dental plaque buildup on your teeth and gums. While you’ll still need a dentist teeth cleaning to get rid of tartar (hardened plaque), brushing your teeth at home will remove most plaque. Make sure you also floss once daily to remove plaque hiding between teeth and along the gum line.Gum disease is caused by untreated plaque buildup, so make sure you practice good oral hygiene every day. 2.) Get More Vitamin C Vitamin C deficiency has been found to be one of the leading causes of gum disease. Eating more oranges, strawberries, kiwis, or even Vitamin C supplements can help...
Do your holiday plans include a trip to the dentist? They should. Most insurance companies give you a certain amount to spend on dental care each year. However, you could be missing out on these benefits if you don’t see your dentist at least twice a year for preventive care. Scheduling your appointment near the end of the year is the perfect way to make sure you take full advantage of your dental benefits. You have until the end of the year to use up your dental benefits. You might as well get full use of your dental insurance before it resets on January 1. Continue reading to discover the other “dirty little secrets” dental insurance companies don’t want you to know. Reasons to Use Your Dental Benefits Use it or Lose it! Most insurance companies give you an annual amount to spend on dental care. If you don’t use your benefits, they’re gone forever. Year-end visits are the best way to use dental benefits all you can. If you’ve been putting off your next appointment because you were afraid of what we might find, schedule your appointment before the end of the year. Our dentists and the American Dental...
Missing teeth affect more than just the appearance of your smile--they also can make you look older than your chronological age. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root (typically made of titanium) that supports a crown. Our experienced dentists are waiting to help you regain your smile with dental implants. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed of missing teeth, it’s time to schedule a consultation with one of our dental implant dentists. We can determine whether you’re a candidate for dental implant surgery or other tooth replacement options. Continue reading to learn more about how to get started with your dental implants. Avoid Wearing Dentures with Dental Implants There are many ways in which we age. However, simply shrugging off poor teeth as part of aging can undermine more than your looks. People who wear dentures for years will eventually experience facial collapse once their lower jaw deteriorates enough. When this happens, it becomes difficult to refit dentures so patients can chew without pain. Even well-fitting dentures will occasionally slip when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or even smile. The abrupt movement causes dentures to shift. While this can be discreetly corrected by gently biting down and swallowing, many of our...
It’s never too late to get the smile you’ve always wanted. Ask your Invisalign dentist if you’re a candidate for clear aligner treatment. We often recommend Invisalign braces for teenagers and adults who have crooked teeth and other issues that can be corrected with orthodontic treatment. Continue reading to learn if you’re a candidate for Invisalign braces. Also, feel free to call our office to schedule a consultation with one of our dentist orthodontists. We’re always more than happy to answer any questions you might have. Motivated to Straighten Teeth With Invisalign Invisalign aligners exert pressure on teeth to move them into their final positions. During the first day or so of wearing new aligners, you’ll feel this pressure on your teeth. However, many of our patients feel that this temporary pain is worth having a beautifully straight smile. The pressure on your teeth is a sign that the treatment is working. If you’ve ever felt self-conscious of your smile, you’re likely to be highly motivated to wear your aligners as directed by your Invisalign dentist. For Invisalign to be effective, you must wear your aligners at least 20 to 22 hours a day. This means that you’ll only be...
Wish you had a whiter healthier smile? Many of our patients are able to whiten teeth by several shades by improving their oral hygiene routines and wearing custom teeth whitening trays. Continue reading to learn the best ways to whiten teeth. For more information, schedule a consultation with one of our teeth whitening dentists to learn how to improve the appearance of your smile. Best Ways To Whiten Your Teeth Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks If you want to keep a naturally white smile, you’ll want to limit certain foods and drinks. Coffee is one of the biggest culprits behind tooth discoloration. While we understand that coffee provides that much-needed boost of energy as you’re trying to get out the door, it can also stain teeth over time. Even if you don’t stop drinking coffee completely, you might want to cut down on how much you drink each day. Other foods that stain teeth include wine, tea, tomato sauce, and berries. Brush and Floss Daily Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that lives on your teeth. Over time, plaque buildup can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Hardened plaque (tartar) can also give your teeth a…
Never ignore a toothache. If a cavity is deep enough to penetrate the inner chamber of your tooth, you’ll need emergency dental care or risk dental extraction. Our dentists will do everything in their power to save your tooth, including root canal therapy. During a root canal, we remove the infected tooth pulp and later strengthen your tooth with a crown. Continue reading to learn what you can expect during a root canal and how to recognize the signs of a tooth abscess. Do I need a root canal? Some people don’t experience symptoms until it’s too late to save the tooth. For this reason, it’s important to see your dentist every 6 months for preventive care. During your dental exam, we check for tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues that compromise oral health. You might need a root canal if you experience: Severe toothache Tooth darkening in color Pimple on the gums Prolonged tooth sensitivity to hot and cold Swollen tender gums If you recognize any of the above symptoms, call our office as soon as possible to schedule your appointment. The sooner we can treat your tooth, the more likely you’ll be able to avoid dental extraction….
Wish you could straighten teeth without braces? Ask one of our dentists if Invisalign is right for you. Like the name suggests, Invisalign are nearly invisible aligners that move your teeth little by little into the perfect smile. If you think you would feel self-conscious with wires and brackets, clear aligners can be the perfect alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment. Continue reading to learn why our Invisalign dentists recommend clear aligners. 1.) Maintain Good Oral Health Since Invisalign clear aligners are removable, you can maintain your oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing is much easier when you don’t have to clean around braces. When you have braces, food tends to get stuck in hard-to-reach places. Since the plaque on your teeth feed on sugar, neglecting your oral health can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other issues. 2.) Continue Eating Your Favorite Foods There are no dietary restrictions when you choose Invisalign to straighten teeth. Since Invisalign is removable, you can continue eating your favorite foods. Just make sure you brush your teeth after each meal to avoid staining your clear aligners. People who wear braces have to follow a restricted diet to avoid damaging wires and brackets. During orthodontic…
Don’t ignore a toothache. If you’ve been feeling persistent tooth pain, you should schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist. Depending on the extent of tooth decay, your dentist may recommend either a cavity filling or dental crown. Continue reading to learn the differences between these dental services so you can make an informed decision regarding your oral health. For more information, find a dentist near you. Dental Crown Treats severe tooth decay or damage Covers and strengthens tooth Requires dental impressions Cavity Filling Treats minor tooth decay or damage Fills in tooth No dental impressions needed Dental Crown The only way to cure tooth decay is to drill out the cavity before it spreads. If the cavity is too big for a filling, your dentist will recommend a porcelain crown to strengthen the tooth. Whether your dentist recommends a filling or crown will depend on the extent of tooth decay. Once a cavity reaches a certain size, your dentist won’t be able to drill out the decayed tooth matter without compromising the structural integrity of your tooth. Thankfully, a dental crown covers the entire visible portion of your tooth above the gum line, restoring its natural strength. A porcelain…
Did you know that your dentist may be able to detect early signs of diabetes, osteoporosis, and even heart disease? Many people don’t realize that oral health is linked to overall health until it’s too late. For example, people with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease. The best way to protect your health is to see your dentist every 6 months for a routine teeth cleaning and dental exam. The goal of preventive dentistry is to protect oral health before you lose it. This blog post is in no way meant to act as a substitute for seeing your primary care physician. If you suspect a problem with your overall health, call your doctor. 5 Medical Problems Your Teeth Can Predict 1.) Diabetes People with diabetes have difficulty resisting infection, which often leads to gum disease. Gum disease is caused by untreated plaque buildup, an invisible film of bacteria on your teeth. Fortunately, early gum disease (gingivitis) can be reversed by practicing good oral hygiene and seeing your dentist for a teeth cleaning every 6 months. If left untreated, gingivitis will develop into a serious (and incurable) gum infection called periodontal disease. If you have a family history…