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.

This outpatient appointment is designed to effectively clean and polish your teeth, while also detecting any early signs of oral health problems like oral cancer, gum disease, or cavities. Should Dr. Joseph Szymczak find anything amiss, he will help you understand the most effective treatment plan.

In some of these scenarios he might recommend administering a preventative treatment such as a fluoride treatment or applying dental sealants.

The fluoride treatment is designed to introduce concentrated fluoride to your tooth enamel to bolster the mineral density of your teeth. This will help prevent bacteria and plaque acids from promoting tooth decay.

Dental sealants are created from a special type of dental grade resin. Once applied to your teeth and hardened by the ultraviolet light they will create a protective barrier that prevents bacterial deposits from building up on the biting surfaces of your back teeth.  

If you live in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area and you are due for a dental checkup, you should call 616-453-0002 to schedule an appointment at MI Roots Family Dental.

The post Your Dental Checkups Might Include Preventive Treatments first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

If any areas of tooth decay or periodontal health problems are detected he will help you understand the necessary treatment or preventative measures. Tooth enamel that shows signs of demineralization might be addressed by performing a fluoride treatment to help prevent future dental caries.

This can be done at the end of the appointment by pouring a small amount of concentrated fluoride gel into trays. They will be inserted into your mouth along with a suction wand. You will need to lightly bite down to hold them in place for a few minutes. The concentrated fluoride will then saturate the microscopic pores of your tooth enamel.

Afterward, you should try to abstain from eating or drinking for at least a half an hour to allow the fluoride to fully saturate the microscopic pores of your tooth enamel.

If you live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and you are due for your next dental checkup, you should call 616-453-0002 to set up an appointment at MI Roots Family Dental.

The post A Fluoride Treatment Can Be Included in Your Regular Dental Checkup first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

When you come in for dental sealant placement, the back teeth are thoroughly cleaned. The teeth are then rinsed and dried carefully. A special solution is used to roughen the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The solution is then rinsed off. The rough surface produced allows for the dental sealant to attach to the tooth. After your teeth are dried again, our dentist will paint the liquid sealant onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. A special light will be used to harden the dental sealant in place. The dried sealant is a hard-plastic varnish coating. You will be able to chew with the tooth normally.

Dental sealants can last for up to 10 years. Care for your teeth with dental sealants in the same way you would care for your other teeth. Make sure you come in for your regular dental appointments so that our dentist can examine your sealants. Dr. Joseph Szymczak can repair or replace sealants as needed.

For more information about dental sealants and to schedule your next appointment, please contact MI Roots Family Dental at 616-453-0002 today.

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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.

– A single dental bridge can last up to ten years, or even as long as a lifetime, but it should be repaired or replaced as necessary.
– Oftentimes, missing teeth can cause a person’s facial structure to sink in, which will make them look older and weaker than they truly are. Dental bridges can restore your facial structure and your natural look.
– Dental bridges prevent other teeth from moving out of position, which can often occur when there is not a full set of teeth in place.
– Dental bridges lower your risk for malocclusions and misalignments, which can often develop when there are teeth missing from a dental profile.
– Dental bridges can improve lost or impaired functions caused by missing teeth, such as chewing, eating, and speaking functions.

No matter which tooth replacement you choose, Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our team at MI Roots Family Dental will make sure that your smile is properly treated. To schedule an oral exam or professional cleaning at our dentist office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, please contact us at 616-453-0002. A healthy smile is a happy smile!

The post Restore Your Smile with a Dental Bridge 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.

Your dentist will start by conducting a thorough tooth-examination, which might also include taking some X-rays. It’s important to make sure the tooth decay hasn’t reached the sensitive interior of the tooth. The dentist will then use a drill to carefully remove all traces of tooth decay from the enamel layer.

An amalgam filling is composed of a special blend of dental metals. They are rather durable once cured, making them a preferred choice for repairing a cavity on a back tooth or small biting surface.

A special ultraviolet light will then be used to harden the amalgam, ensuring its bond with the surrounding tooth enamel. This will effectively restore the full function of the tooth for many years to come. Improvements in your daily oral hygiene routine will also help to extend the life of the filling, while also preventing new areas of tooth decay from forming.

If you suspect a cavity has formed on one of your molars, or on any other tooth, you should call 616-453-0002 to seek treatment at MI Roots Family Dental’s dental office in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The post A Cavity on a Molar Might Be Repaired by a Standard Amalgam Filling first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

When might Dr. Joseph Szymczak recommend a dental crown in Grand Rapids, Michigan?

– To keep a weak tooth from breaking
– To hold together a cracked tooth
– To cover misshaped or badly stained teeth
– To cover a dental implant
– To improve the appearance of a tooth
– To restore a tooth that is broken or badly worn
– To support a tooth with a large dental filling
– To anchor a dental bridge

How do I care for a tooth with a dental crown?
A tooth with a dental crown does not require any special care. However, a tooth that is covered with a dental crown is not immune to decay or gum disease. Continue to practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day, taking extra care around the dental crown where the gum meets the tooth. Also, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash at least once every day.

We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about dental crowns and to schedule a visit with our dentist.

The post What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns 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.