Month: July 2012

It’s estimated that as many as 75 percent of adults in America experience some level of fear or anxiety about visiting the dentist. If you’re one of the many, don’t let fear keep you from taking care of your oral health. Consider Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) sedation available at my dental practice in Holland.

Safe and effective, Nitrous Oxide will help you completely relax during your treatment. All sorts of patients can benefit from sedation dentistry. Do you…

• Have excessive fears about dental appointments?
• Have difficulty getting numb?
• Hate needles and shots?
• Hate the noises and smells associated with the dental office?
• Have a strong gag reflex?
• Have highly sensitive teeth?
• Have complex dental problems that will otherwise take several appointments to complete?
• Wish to have a comprehensive smile redesign?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask us about nitrous oxide sedation dentistry for your next appointment!

After you brush your teeth tomorrow morning, take another minute or two to look inside your mouth. Look at your tongue – color and texture changes or sores could indicate a variety of problems from iron deficiencies to oral cancer. Then check out your gums. The same sorts of things that show up on your tongue can show up on your gums. Color changes, puffiness and bleeding, for example can indicate anything from gum overgrowth from medications to gum disease or the first signs of Diabetes. If your teeth have begun to wear down, change color or crack, it could indicate anything from stress to gastric reflux to nutritional deficiencies.

What do you use to rehydrate during and after exercise? Many people drink sports drinks, thinking they are protecting both their health and their teeth with a safer alternative to soda. Others drink sports drinks to replenish electrolytes and improve their performance. What they don’t realize is that, while they may be supplementing their sodium and potassium levels, they are also damaging their teeth!

Children’s fluoride treatments are more important than ever. Studies show that tooth decay in young children is on the rise. It’s not surprising. Just take a moment to consider what our children are eating and drinking these days – soda, juice, sports drinks, candy, sweets. The list is endless and the nutritional value of these items is non-existent.

Humans have found that keeping their teeth clean is an important activity. At first it was simply for survival – without teeth, one couldn’t eat properly. As time went on, the clean and white appearance of teeth became more important as well. The earliest known toothpaste, referred to in an Egyptian manuscript as a way to obtain “white and perfect teeth”, was a mixture of flowers now known to be an effective agent against gum disease. Other common – and probably less effective – dentifrices have included talc, honey and fruit. Nowadays, toothpaste is a little more effective and an important element – along with your regular dental hygiene and cleanings – in keeping your gums and teeth clean and healthy. We always recommend that you use a toothpaste containing Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral that helps protect and repair your tooth’s surfaces. It makes your teeth more resistant to attacks from sugars and acids and can even reverse early decay! And don’t forget, no matter what kind of toothpaste you use, or how well you brush your teeth, there is no replacement for your regular dental hygiene visits. To schedule your Holland Michigan dental cleaning today, call me, Dr. Jeff Huisman, at (616) 396-5919.

Porcelain dental veneers can almost seem like a magical solution for people who have suffered a trauma or staining to their front teeth. The porcelain veneers offered here at myHolland, Michigan dental office are so strong and beautiful that they are an ideal solution for anyone, of any age, needing to have teeth corrected. And there are so many benefits – having a beautiful smile increases your chances for success both socially and in the job market. Now is the time you need to look and feel your best! If you live near Holland, MI, and are unhappy with your smile, talk to talk to me, Dr. Jeff Huisman, about whether or not you are a candidate for porcelain veneers and to find out how they might benefit you, call (616) 396-5919.

Regular check-ups and cleanings from your Holland dentist can keep your teeth and gums healthy. But you may be surprised to learn that this basic care may also save your life.

• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Certain Cancers (including pancreatic cancer)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Difficulty controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes
• Premature Birth
• Low Birth-Weight Babies
• and more

Looking for a dentist in Holland? Well, times and dentistry have changed. Now, instead of opening up the Yellow Pages to search for a dentist, you better turn on the computer and search net

Why do you need to search the net? Not all dentists are the same; even one Holland general dentist may offer different dental care than the next Holland general dentist.

To make things more complicated, dentistry is constantly changing, too. To get the best care available, you have to make sure that the dentist you choose not only offers the care you need, but is also staying abreast of the most current technologies, techniques and materials.

But before you start searching, make sure you know what you’re searching for. Ask yourself these questions:

What kind of dentist do I need?
A family dentist that offers comprehensive care in one location?
A dentist that focuses on restorative dental care, like filling, bridges, crowns, dentures, etc. for the more mature patient?
A dentist that offers more specialized care like cosmetic dentistry? Endodontics? Periodontics? Orthodontics, TMJ treatment, etc?
A dentist that complements care with comfort, from sedation to patient amenities?

What are my expectations for care?
To maintain my oral health?
To restore my mouth to health? Do I have broken teeth? Do I want to replace missing teeth?
Do enhance the appearance of my smile?
To restore more than oral health, but also relieve painful TMJ symptoms or sleep apnea?

What do I want from a practice
The use of advanced technology?
A comprehensive range of treatment available in one location?
Convenient hours or location?
Dental insurance participation?
Financing?

Once you know what kind of dentist you need, and define your expectations, search online for someone who meets your criteria. For example, if you need a general dentist, search: Holland general dentistry. Your search should give you a number of results. Once you find one you like, do some research on that dentist. (Most dentists have websites that have all the information you need. You can also read online patient reviews.)

Does that dentist have specialized training and experience in the area of care you need? Does he or she participate in continuing education? Does the dentist show photos of his or her patients and describe the treatment they received? Does the dentist offer any patient testimonials that you can read? There’s no better way to get the “feel” for a dentist than to hear what his or her patients have to say.

Finally, call the office and ask specific questions about the dentist and the care offered. If you feel confident and comfortable, schedule a visit. You’ve done your homework and you’re well on your way to getting the care you need and deserve!