Month: September 2014

Whether you’re new to the area or just looking for a new dentist, choosing the right practice for yourself and your family can be an intimidating process. It’s important to know that not all dentists will be a good fit. At my dental office in Holland, we’d like to fill you in on some key questions to ask to make sure you make the right choice for your particular dental needs.

The first step to finding the best dentist in Holland for your family is to do a bit of research. Ask friends and family who they see, think about how close to work or home you’ll want the office to be, and create a list of preliminary practices you’ll want to contact. Then, pick up the phone, make some calls, and start asking questions.

What Should I Expect During My First Visit?

This should be one of the first questions you ask your potential dental office. The answer you receive should always include a consultation or conversation with the dentist so he or she can get to know about your health history, any concerns you may have, and what your oral health goals are. Your first visit should also include a thorough examination of your teeth and gums, an oral cancer check, and any necessary x-rays.

How Does the Dentist Keep Up With New Technology or Training?

Dentists, as well as their staff, typically attend several continuing education courses, seminars, and trade shows to learn new things about dentistry and keep up with the latest technology. Your new dentist should be involved in sme ongoing continuing education.

Will My Treatment Plan and Financing Options be Discussed With Me?

You’ll want to be reassured that you’ll be educated on the treatment that’s recommended as well any financing options that are available to you. During your first call, you’ll want to get an explanation that tells you all treatment and all finances will be discussed with you thoroughly before any work is completed.

Once you think you’re ready to make a commitment to one of the dentists you called, it’s a good idea to make an initial appointment and use that visit as a ‘test’ to make sure you’re comfortable, you’re treated well, and that the office is clean.

Of course, if you’d like to visit my Holland dental office, we always welcome you to call. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you to find the best dentist for you.

Serving patients in Holland, Saugatuck, and Zeeland.

We’re all familiar with the thought that it’s a fashion faux pas to wear white after Labor Day. While we’re not fashion experts, at my dental office in Holland, we tend to disagree with this rule. Here, white smiles are always in style and we’ve got some tips on how you can get yours brighter and keep it that way.

Whether it’s because of what you drink, habits you have, or time itself, there are plenty of things that can make your white smile fade and become dull. The good news is that it’s easily fixed by whitening. There are many options available to help you get a whiter smile, but your best choice is by going to your Holland dentist for a professional whitening. Not only are the trays that are used custom-fit to you, which means no solution gets on your gums and causes damage, the solution itself is stronger than the kind you can find in the drugstore. Additionally, your dentist can help you get your ideal shade of white without over-bleaching.

Once your professional whitening is completed, there are several things you can do to help keep your smile in just-whitened condition.

Eat a Healthy Diet

We all know that sugar is bad for your teeth as it increases your risk of tooth decay. But what some may not know is that decay can discolor your teeth and make them appear dull and dingy. In order to keep your smile white, eat less of the sticky, sweet foods and more of the crunchy vegetables. It’s also important to know which foods can contribute to staining and to avoid those as much as you can. Berries, coffee, tea, wine, and tomato sauce can all cause your smile to fade, so eat them in moderation. If you have to enjoy a soda or coffee, try drinking it with a straw as it helps keep the staining agents away from the surfaces of your teeth.

Don’t Use Tobacco

Tobacco not only causes some scary health problems, it can also cause yellowing of teeth, not to mention serious oral health problems like gum disease and oral cancer. Whether it’s chewed or smoked, tobacco is just not good for any part of your body. It’s better for your smile, and your overall health, if you just don’t do it.

Brush & Floss

You should already be brushing twice a day and flossing once, but if you’re striving to keep your smile white, it’s really important that you continue to do so. Brushing and flossing helps remove plaque which can actually cause stains to linger around and get stuck on the teeth.

See Us Often

By keeping up with your appointments to my Holland dental office, you can make sure your smile is healthy overall… and a healthy smile often means a white smile. At these appointments, we can also check in on how your whitening is holding up and see if you may need a little touch up. If you follow the tips above, touch ups should be minimal and your smile can keep on shining.

Serving patients in Holland, Saugatuck, and Zeeland.