Preventative Dentistry

Can Cosmetic Dentistry Improve Your Quality of Life?

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 in Westland, MI can help you maintain a healthy beautiful smile when you schedule a teeth cleaning appointment every 6 months. Smiling can improve your relationships, happiness, and overall quality of life. 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 cosmetic dentists at Parkside Dental Team 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 a prospective dating partner or future boss.

How healthy is smiling? Good question! Research shows that smiling improves health by relieving stress, lowering your blood pressure, and improving your mood. Smiling can also lift your face and help you look younger. All these benefits can have a profound effect on your overall quality of life. If you’ve ever felt self-conscious of your smile, ask about our options for cosmetic dentistry during your next appointment with us.

How Can I Keep My Teeth and Gums Healthy?

To keep your smile for a long time, you’ll need to take care of yourself. We recommend scheduling a teeth cleaning and oral examination with one of our holistic dentists every 6 months. That way, we’re able to catch minor oral health issues before they grow into something more serious. For example, it’s much easier for us to treat a small cavity with a filling than to cover an entire tooth with a dental crown. The sooner our dentists are able to intervene, the better your outcome.

How Can I Improve the Look of My Teeth?

The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of front teeth that show when you smile and talk. Our dentists will be able to work with you to find the best cosmetic dental services procedures for your unique circumstances. We recommend having a candid conversation with one of our dentists about wanting to improve the appearance of your smile. A smile makeover can be one of the best decisions you ever make!

A smile is one of the easiest ways to show confidence. However, if you are hiding your smile because your teeth are yellowed, missing, or deteriorating, you may be missing out on one of the simplest joys of life.

Can a Dentist Really Fix Bad Teeth?

The goal of restorative dentistry is to improve the function of your teeth and gums. Depending on your oral health, this may mean filling in an empty space with a tooth implant or restoring the strength of a cracked tooth with a dental crown. Restoring the function of your teeth means you’ll have an easier time eating and talking.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

See one of our dentists to find out about options for enhancing and restoring your smile. For instance, you might need dental implants, which can offer a permanent solution to dental problems. Our dentists are able to offer a wide range of cosmetic and restorative options. Don’t be afraid to ask about our dental services. Many of the techniques of the past have been replaced with modern, cutting-edge technology. For example, professional teeth whitening is not as harsh or cumbersome as it was when it was first introduced.

There is a world of options for you and your teeth. By taking control and consulting one of our dentists, you will discover that improving your smile is not as difficult as you may have thought. You’ll be able to restore your smile and your confidence. And that, in turn, will give you back your quality of life.

want to help you smile with confidence, which is why we offer a range of dental services. To schedule your appointment with one of our cosmetic dentists in Westland, MI, call (734) 261-6060.

Gum disease, if left unchecked, can damage the bones of your teeth and can even lead to serious medical conditions such as heart disease or stroke. Unfortunately, many people don’t take gum disease seriously until it’s too late.

Gum disease is caused by the buildup of dental plaque in your mouth, which means you can prevent it through healthy dental habits. Our Westland, MI dentists at Parkside Dental Team recommends the following 6 tips to fight gum disease before it strikes.

1. Take good care of your teeth.

Although this may seem obvious,good oral care is crucial for healthy gums. Brushing your teeth is not enough—especially when it comes togum disease. You should add flossing to your routine to reduce the risk of plaque building up and damaging your gums. When flossing, be sure to get up and under your gums to remove any plaque that’s hiding there.

Using an antimicrobial mouthwash low in alcohol can also be very beneficial to your oral health. Gingivitis treatment can be as simple as scheduling a dentistteeth cleaning and practicing good oral hygiene.

2. Take enough Vitamin C.

Vitamin C deficiency is one of the leading causes of gum disease. Including more Vitamin C in your diet not only helps prevent gum disease, but can treat your symptoms. Vitamin C has healing properties that can stop your gums from swelling or bleeding while stabilizing loose teeth.

3. Be mindful of nutrition.

Nothing helps more in preventing gum disease than maintaining a healthy diet. Be sure to avoid sugary foods and drinks as they lead to tooth decay and gum damage. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet filled with vitamins and minerals boosts your immunity and helps ward off many diseases, including gum disease. Try incorporating foods that are high in collagen, beta carotene, and omega-3s for best results.

4. Drink more water.

Staying hydrated is necessary in preventing gum disease, as well as promoting overall health. Drinking plenty of water produces more saliva which helps fight off bacteria that can cause gum infection. Water can also help wash away food particles that get stuck in your teeth after meals, which then become hotspots for bacteria.

5. Stay away from tobacco.

Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products has been known to cause countless health issues, especially gum disease. Tobacco products are very harmful to your gums and should be avoided at all costs. Even non-cigarette tobacco sources, such as chewing tobacco, cigars, and e-cigarettes, are harmful to your oral health. It’s best to steer clear of tobacco products altogether if you want healthy teeth and gums.

6. Visit the dentist regularly.

Seeing our preventative dentist in Westland regularly cannot be stressed enough. A routineteeth cleaning can help prevent gum disease by removing plaque hiding in between teeth and along the gum line. During yourdental cleaning, our dentist will also be able to spotsigns of gum disease like bleeding gums.

Our Westland, MI family dentist is dedicated to helping you maintain a healthy smile. If you’re concerned about the possibility of gum disease,call Parkside Dental Team at (734) 261-6060.

When’s the last time you scheduled a teeth cleaning with our Westland, MI office? Bi-annual teeth cleanings are important for safeguarding your oral health, but do you know what happens during a cleaning?

Continue reading to learn why it’s important to see one of our dentists for a dental cleaning and oral examination every 6 months and what you can expect during these visits.

What is Included in a Dental Teeth Cleaning?

During your teeth cleaning appointment with us, we will:

1. Confirm contact information
2. Check for changes in medical history and dental insurance
3. Have dental hygienist examine your teeth and gums
4. Gently scrape away plaque and tartar
5. Brush teeth with high-powered electric toothbrush
6. Floss teeth
7. Have dentist examine your teeth, gums, and potentially x-rays
8. Schedule your next teeth cleaning appointment 6 months out

Waiting Room

When you come to our office, make your way to the front desk so we’re aware you’ve arrived. Our front desk staff may ask you to confirm your phone number and address to ensure that we have your most current contact information on file. We may also ask you if there have been any changes to your medical history or dental insurance since your last visit with us.

While you wait for your appointment, you can pass the time away by reading our selection of magazines. When the time for your appointment arrives, one of our dental hygienists will call your name and you will follow them to the room where you will receive your teeth cleaning.

Dental Hygienist Examination

Once you are situated, the hygienist will do an initial examination of your teeth and gums to gauge their health. They will use a small mirror to check every nook and cranny of your mouth. If they notice a major issue, they may flag down one of our dentists to determine if you need additional dental care before proceeding.

Plaque and Tartar Removal

Your hygienistwill use a dental tool called a scaler to gently scrape away plaque from the surface of your teeth. This step is important because plaque can develop into tartar, which is harder to remove. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums, potentially causing bad breath, yellow teeth, gum disease, and tooth decay. Removing built-up plaque and tartar is your best defense against future cavities.

Brushing

Your hygienist will ask you what flavor toothpaste you prefer before brushing your teeth. We use a special electric toothbrush that helps remove any remaining debris from the previous plaque and tartar removal phase. You will find that the toothpaste has a gritty texture, which is meant to polish your teeth.

Flossing

The hygienist will floss between your teeth to ensure that all debris is cleared from your smile. Flossing is also a great habit to start if you haven’t been doing it already. We recommend that you floss at least once a day to maintain a healthy smile.

Rinsing

If you’re at the rinsing phase, you’re almost done with your teeth cleaning appointment! After the hygienist rinses your teeth and gums, just sit tight until one of our dentists comes to do the final inspection of your gums and teeth.

Dentist Examination

One of our dentists will provide that last stamp of approval before we send you on your way. They use their knowledge and experience to check your mouth for any issues. If an oral health concern was discovered during the course of your teeth cleaning, one of our dentists will further explain the issue and discuss possible solutions.

Scheduling Your Next Appointment

After your teeth cleaning, you will be prompted to schedule your next appointment with us, which will be 6 months out. It is important to schedule your appointment not a day earlier than this 6-month mark so that your insurance company will cover your future dental cleaning.

Payment

At the very end, we will print out your bill and discuss how much your insurance covered and how much you owe us for the teeth cleaning and any other services we provided. Most insurance companies recognize the value of preventive care and will cover most, if not all, of the cost of your dental cleaning.

Our teeth cleaning dentists are accepting new patients! To schedule an appointment with one of our teeth cleaning dentists in Westland MI, call the Parkside Dental Team at (734) 261-6060.

Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that sticks to teeth. Not only does dental plaque feed on sugar, but it erodes tooth enamel and increases your risk of cavities and gum disease.

The best way to avoid plaque is to practice good oral hygiene and schedule a teeth cleaning every 6 months. Since our dentists in Westland, Michigan are accepting new patients, there’s no reason not to call today.

Continue reading to learn how to remove plaque from teeth so you can smile with confidence.

How Do You Remove Plaque and Tartar from Your Teeth?

Our dentists can help you maintain a healthy smile, free of plaque and tartar. Since plaque and tartar are the main causes of oral health issues, it’s important you see us every 6 months for a teeth cleaning and oral examination.

The best ways to remove plaque and tartar from teeth are to:

Brush and Floss Teeth

Bacteria love to live in dark moist environments—like inside your mouth. When you eat sugary foods, the bacteria produce acid that erodes tooth enamel and attacks gum tissue. Plaque on teeth is one of the leading causes of tooth decay and gum disease. For this reason, you’ll want to make sure you brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily. Brushing teeth removes plaque from the surface of your teeth so you can enjoy better oral health.

Schedule a Teeth Cleaning

The best way to remove plaque from teethis to schedule a dental checkup every 6 months. During your teeth cleaning appointment, one of our dental hygienists will be able to gently scrape away plaque with a tool called a scaler. While you can remove most plaque at home, we use special tools to reach dental plaque hiding in between teeth and along the gum line. We’re also able to remove hardened plaque (tartar).

Once plaque hardens into tartar, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists. You can’t remove tartar from teeth on your own. If you have tartar teeth, you’ll want to schedule a dentist appointment with us as soon as possible. Tartar buildup increases your risk of cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease.

There are ways our dentists can help you prevent plaque and tartar buildup. For example, if you have deep divots and grooves in back teeth, our dentists may recommend dental sealants. A tooth sealant helps prevent cavities caused by plaque buildup.

Re-Evaluate Your Oral Hygiene Routine

If you aren’t having any luck with plaque removal after following our tips, ask yourself if you’re doing everything you can to protect your oral health. For example, many patients don’t brush their teeth long enough to remove plaque. Most dentists agree that it should take at least 2 minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Also, make sure that you’re not neglecting back teeth during your oral hygiene routine.

If you aren’t already, it’s a good idea to use a mouthwash containing fluoride. Fluoride helps strengthen teeth by giving enamel much-needed minerals. The acids in plaque aren’t able to erode teeth as easily once they’re fortified with fluoride. Swishing mouthwash also helps rinse away debris from brushing and flossing.

When was your last teeth cleaning and oral examination with us? Our dentists are dedicated to helping you maintain good oral health by removing plaque and tartar buildup. To schedule an appointment with our teeth cleaning dentists in Westland MI, call the Parkside Dental Team at (734) 261-6060.

Do you love drinking pop? Do you skip brushing your teeth some days? If so, you could be increasing your risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately, our dentists have plenty of tips to help you get back on track.

One of the best ways to protect your oral health is to see your dentist every 6 months for a teeth cleaning and other preventive care.

We can help you maintain a healthy smile by removing built-up plaque and tartar.

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 Healthy Teeth and Gums

The best way to get healthy teeth and gums is to keep an oral hygiene routine. Brushing your teeth twice a day and other good dental habits help remove plaque so you can avoid cavities and gum disease.

See our list of 5 healthy teeth tips below:

1. Avoid sugary foods and drinks.
2. Brush your teeth twice a day.
3. Floss your teeth once a day.
4. Use mouth rinse once a day.
5. See your dentist every 6 months for an oral examination and teeth cleaning.

1.) Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks

Do your teeth ever feel fuzzy or rough? If so, you may be leaving behind dental plaque on your teeth. Plaque loves to eat sugar and uses it to produce cavity-causing acid. You may especially feel plaque on your teeth after eating sugary foods.

It’s important to check labels in the store since many foods we think are “healthy” aren’t good for your teeth. For example, some flavors of yogurt can have a lot of sugar. Likewise, sports drinks often contain more sugar than the average person would think. Limiting sugary foods and drinks will make it easier for you to avoid oral health issues.

2.) Brush Teeth 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 always brush your teeth with one foot out the door, you could be leaving behind plaque on back teeth that are harder to reach. It’s not uncommon for people to develop cavities in back teeth when they rush.

3.) Floss Teeth Once a Day

Plaque loves to hide where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. That’s why it’s so important you floss once a day to remove plaque hiding in between teeth and along the gum line. Flossing helps prevent cavities from forming in between teeth so you can avoid an unpleasant surprise during your next teeth cleaning and oral examination with us.

We understand that it may be difficult to floss between crooked and/or crowded teeth. Fortunately, our dentists offer Invisalign as an alternative to teeth straightening with braces. Invisalign are nearly invisible aligners that fit over your teeth and exert enough pressure to safely move teeth into their optimal positions.

4.) Use Mouth Rinse Once a Day

We recommend using a fluoride mouth rinse to help strengthen tooth enamel. Using mouth rinse helps wash away any residual plaque or food particles that could be left behind after brushing and flossing. Your dentist can help you choose a brand that works for you.

5.) See Dentist Every 6 Months

We recommend you have a teeth cleaning and oral examination every 6 months to protect your oral health. During a teeth cleaning, one of our dental hygienists will be able to gently scrape away plaque and tartar. Once plaque hardens into tartar, it can only be removed by a dental professional. Left untreated, tartar buildup increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Our dentists in Westland MI want to help you maintain a healthy smile. We offer teeth cleanings, oral examinations, and other preventive dentistry to our patients. To schedule your next teeth cleaning with the Parkside Dental Team, call (734) 261-6060.