Great Lakes Dental Care’s experienced dentists, Dr. Travis Kragt, Dr. Sarah De Zwaan, Dr. Drew De Zwaan, Dr. Brenden Carey, Dr. Nicole Vince, Dr. Alyssa Marsh, and Dr. Hannah Vermeer, stress the fact that daily preventative care — such as proper brushing and flossing — can prevent problems from developing. Between regular visits to our full-service Grand Rapids dental office, there are simple steps you can take to greatly decrease your risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental or medical problems.
- Brush thoroughly twice a day and floss daily
- Eat a balanced diet and limit snacks between meals
- Use dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste
- Rinse with a fluoride mouth rinse if your dentist advises you to
- Make sure that children under 12 drink fluoridated water
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and exams
- Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months
The following are indications of good oral hygiene:
- Teeth are clean and free of debris
- Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss
- Bad breath is not a constant problem
Professional Cleanings
The best way to prevent excessive plaque buildup is to schedule a professional cleaning with an experienced dentist or dental hygienist every six months. Plaque that is left untreated can lead to unhealthy gums and tooth decay. A routine dental cleaning lasts about 30 minutes and will usually include scaling and polishing.
At Great Lakes Dental Care, our gentle professional cleanings will help you to preserve your teeth and gums. If you have not scheduled your next professional cleaning, contact us today.
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Gum Disease Treatments (Periodontal)
The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for your teeth. These structures as a whole are also referred to as the periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house.
Some signs of an unhealthy periodontium include gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth and changes in the position or bite of the teeth. Any of these may be a sign of problem. With proper gum treatments, however, it may be possible to return gum tissue to a healthy state. If gum disease is not treated at the first sign of a problem and becomes too severe, it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction.
Our team also uses OralDNA® to tailor gum disease treatment to your mouth’s unique microbiome.
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OralDNA®
OralDNA testing analyzes your mouth’s unique microbiome to provide a customized approach to gum disease treatment. By identifying specific bacteria present, OralDNA helps dental professionals target the root cause of gum inflammation and infection, enabling personalized care that’s more effective and less invasive. This precision tool ensures your treatment plan is tailored specifically to your needs, promoting healthier gums and a brighter smile over the long term.
Comprehensive Examinations
In order to maintain a healthy smile, it is important that the dentists at Great Lakes Dental Care perform comprehensive examinations of your overall oral health. Using advanced dental technology, such as digital x-rays, we can effectively monitor the condition of your teeth and identify early signs of decay.
Comprehensive exams allow our professional team to assess the condition of your gums and their position along your teeth. Early detection of periodontal disease can save your smile. Our knowledgeable team will work with you to develop an examination schedule that matches your oral health requirements.
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Sealants
Sealants are used as a preventative measure to help fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In many individuals, their tooth structure may have several fine grooves or pits, which can accumulate plaque.
This is usually not caused by brushing improperly or infrequently, but simply because these fine grooves or pits may be too narrow to allow even one bristle inside for cleaning. Unfortunately, if not taken care of properly, these tiny grooves will develop cavities over time. To prevent this, our professional dentists or dental hygienists may brush a coating onto the tooth or teeth that seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy and free from decay.
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VELscope® Oral Cancer Screenings
VELscope oral cancer screenings are an advanced, non-invasive way to detect abnormal tissues in the mouth. By using a special light, the VELscope system allows your dentist to spot changes in the soft tissue that might not be visible during a routine exam. Early detection of oral cancer is crucial for successful treatment. The screening is quick, painless, and can save lives by catching cancer at its earliest stages.
For additional information on our expansive preventative dental services please contact us today to schedule an appointment, or call or text us at (616) 784-6300.
