Category: Holland Dentist

The daylight hours in the winter months are few are far between. Those rare times when the sun is shining, we’re usually stuck inside at work or it’s just too cold to enjoy it. This is particularly troubling for all of us at my dental office in Holland.

 

What’s So Great About The Sun?

It’s warm, soaking up the rays feels good, and it helps keep our planet from turning into a giant sheet of ice. It also provides us with several awesome health benefits. It can make our immune systems stronger, give our moods a boost, and supply us with a lot of vitamin D.

 

Benefits of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is crucial to both your overall health and a healthy smile. This powerful nutrient is our first line of defense against germs since it regulates our immune systems. It also assists the pancreas and making insulin, can lower blood pressure, and helps absorb calcium. Calcium is key to building strong bones and teeth, so we’re big supporters of getting an adequate supply of vitamin D every day.

 

Other Ways to Get Vitamin D

During the winter months, daylight is shorter and it’s difficult to get outside to soak up the sun when it is out. This when turning to an alternative supply of vitamin D can help. Besides supplements, some vitamin D rich foods include:

• Fatty Fish (Salmon is a good choice!)
• Eggs
• Milk

 

Getting enough vitamin D is obviously crucial to your oral health. But if you’re not consuming enough of it, it’s not only your mouth that will suffer. Recent research has linked vitamin D deficiencies to osteoporosis, serious cancers like breast, colon, or prostate, and increased risk for type 1 diabetes.

 

At my Holland dental office, we want to keep your mouth and your whole body as healthy as possible. Vitamin D can certainly help. So go catch some rays or enjoy some vitamin-D-rich foods, not just for your smile, but for your whole being.

 

Welcoming patients from Holland, Saugatuck, Zeeland, and surrounding communities.

Cold drinks, hot soup, and a whole lot of pain. If you’re struggling with eating what you want without pain, especially if it’s common with hot or cold foods, you’re probably suffering from sensitive teeth. At my Holland dental office, we hear this often and we’d like to help.

The Why

There are many reasons your teeth could be susceptible to pain while eating or drinking something hot or cold. One of the most common is the tooth’s root structure has become exposed. This anatomy of the tooth contains a lot of nerves, and when it’s open to contact with elements, the pain can be extreme. The root structures typically become exposed through gum recession or eroded enamel, both of which can be caused by grinding, a lot of acidic drinks, and even aggressive brushing.

How to Fix It

 

• Toothpaste Choice. By simply changing your toothpaste, you can help ease pain caused by sensitivity. If you have sensitive teeth, it’s wise to avoid toothpastes that contain sodium pyrophosphate, which is found found many whitening and tartar-control pastes. Instead, choose a toothpaste that designed specially for sensitive teeth and use it regularly.

 

• Softer is Better. When selecting a toothbrush, make sure you choose one that has soft bristles. Hard-bristled brushes can contribute to wear and tear on the tooth’s enamel and put you at increased risk for sensitivity. Additionally, brushing too hard can lead to similar results. If your brush’s bristles are sporadically angled, chances are you’re brushing too hard.

 

• Easy on the Soda. And acidic juice and food. The more acidic the food or drink, the more damage to your tooth enamel and the more likely you’ll suffer from sensitivity pain. Choosing water over soda is always wise.

 

If sensitive teeth are keeping you from enjoying the foods and drinks you love and you can’t seem to ease the pain, call my dental office in Holland. We’ll work with you to determine what may be causing your sensitivity and talk about proper treatments to get you back to eating and drinking without pain. Some common treatments may include application of a desensitizing agent, bonding, or sometimes a root canal.

Accepting patients from Holland, Saugatuck, Zeeland, and neighboring areas.

Whether it’s out of boredom, nervousness, or your nails just get too long and nail clippers aren’t handy, biting your nails is one of the most common habits. While nail biting may seem to ease stress, at my Holland dental office, we want you to know that it’s not only a great way to transfer germs that could make you sick, it could also lead to a variety of dental problems.

1. Chips. We’re not talking about the salty, crunchy kind. We’re referring to the tooth enamel damage caused by nail biting. Fingernails are hard, and gnawing on them can lead to chips or cracks in the teeth.
2. Wear and Tear. Like the rest of your body, your teeth need to take periodic breaks. If you’re constantly putting stress on them by nail biting, teeth may begin to wear down and could become uneven.
3. Jaw Issues. Biting your nails may lead to TMJ Disorder, which causes painful headaches, locking or popping of the jaw, or jaw pain. Because of the abnormal way your jaw needs to move around to nibble off a nail, it may throw the alignment out of whack, leading to TMJ Disorders.
4. Back to the Grind. The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) states that nail biters may be putting themselves at greater risk for bruxism, or unintentional grinding or clenching of teeth. Grinding and clenching can lead their own host of problems including jaw issues, headaches, and tooth damage.
5. Dental Bills. Since there is such a strong correlation between nail biting and dental problems, it’s not surprising that those who are chronic nail biters end up having higher dental bills than non-biters. According to the AGD, people who bite their nails end up paying an additional $4,000 in dental bills throughout their lifetime.

If you’ve been biting your nails and can’t seem to stop, give my dental office in Holland a call. We can talk about ways others have successfully broken the habit, check your mouth of any potential side effects, and work with you to get your mouth healthy.

Welcoming patients from Holland, Saugatuck, Zeeland, and neighboring areas.

The holiday season is a time to celebrate life, enjoy those closest to you, and be thankful for the gift of a healthy life. But during the holidays, it can easy to overindulge, overbook, and overspend, putting that healthy life at risk and increasing your chance of getting sick. At my dental office in Holland, we’d like to share some healthy holiday hints to keep you in tip-top shape all season long.

Avoid Overeating and Overdrinking

Food. It’s probably our favorite part of the holidays, and at every party, there is bound to be a plethora of delicious delights, from the chewy cookies to the succulent hors d’oeuvres. While it’s all surely scrumptious, your dentist in Holland wants to encourage you to keep an eye on how much you consume to avoid overeating. Eating too much can lead to bloating, stomach pain, and a disheartening post-holiday weigh in. The same thing goes for overdrinking. Drinking alcohol in excess can mean a hurtful hangover the next day, lapse in judgement, and isn’t healthy overall. So be easy on the eggnog, watch the amount of wine, brace yourself with the beer, and alternate drinking alcohol with a glass of water.

Relax, Rejuvenate, Renew

You don’t need to accept every invite to every party. In fact, doing so can affect your sleep, make you feel run down pretty quickly, and increase your chance of illness. Don’t let running yourself ragged ruin your holidays. Avoid the stress of constantly having too much to do by maintaining a healthy work life balance, keeping your holiday budget in check, and making sure not to overbook your calendar.

Scrub-a-dub-dub

Washing your hands several times a day is always important, but during the holidays it becomes even more so. Throughout the season, we tend to interact with more people, handle more food, and visit friends’ houses a lot. All of these instances can increase the chance of swapping germs and getting sick. Decrease your vulnerability to illness and wash your hands often using warm soap and water and scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.

As always, at my Holland dental office, your health is at the forefront of everything we do. We want to help keep you healthy not only throughout the holidays, but throughout your entire life. Following these hints is just a small step. It’s always important to maintain regular appointments with us as well as your medical doctor to catch any problems before they become big issues and to keep you healthy for a lifetime.

Serving patients in Holland, Saugatuck, Zeeland, and surrounding areas.

Several things can keep you from visiting the dentist every six months as normally recommended. A bad experience, a fear of the dentist, finances, or maybe you’re just too busy. However, when you make the decision to get back in the dental chair, you may still feel reluctant. The team at my Holland dental office wants to ease your concerns and help you understand what you can expect at your first visit.

A Lecture-Free Zone

One of the main fears patients have when they’re getting ready to come back is fear of a lecture. When you visit your dentist in Holland, we don’t want you to be afraid of getting chastised. Our philosophy doesn’t include making our patients feel guilty, but rather we talk with you about your concerns and work together to ease them. With us, you’re never in trouble and we’re always here to help.

A Longer Visit

Your first visit after a hiatus will typically warrant a longer visit. This isn’t to scare you but because we like to spend time getting to know our patients personally and familiarizing ourselves with their mouths. We’ll also perform a thorough evaluation that will most likely include x-rays, a comprehensive exam, and cleaning. We’ll move at your pace and constantly ensure that you’re at ease.

Cavities

If it’s a been a few years since you’ve seen a dentist, there is a good chance that you have some decay and cavities. However, they’re nothing to fear. Most people, even those who do see the dentist every six months, get several cavities throughout their lifetime. But thanks to improvements in dental technology, treatment is easier, less painful, and faster than ever before. Getting a cavity filled is a much better option than leaving it untreated as a cavity that is left to fester can lead to more serious problems.

Whether it’s been a few months, years, or decades since you last visited the dentist, we’re here to welcome you to my dental office in Holland. Our goal is not only to get your mouth healthy, but to make sure you’re comfortable and that you’re an active part of your health care team. We welcome you to talk to us about your concerns so we can help ease your worries and get your smile back to health, beauty, and strength.

Welcoming patients from Holland, Saugatuck, Zeeland, and surrounding areas.

We all mouth breathe a little bit during a cold, while running, or when lifting something heavy; however, doing it all the time may have negative effects on your dental health. Most people who are chronic mouth breathers do not even realize it, which is especially distressing for all of us at my Holland dental office.

People don’t mouth breathe because they choose to, they typically do it because there’s something wrong with the nasal passage. When you can’t get enough oxygen by breathing through your nose, you do the only other thing you can – you breathe out of your mouth. Chronic mouth breathing may result in some serious dental and facial issues.

When a child mouth breathes, it may actually  impact the natural growing process of their face. When we use our mouths to breathe, our posture has to change to keep the airway open. In a kid, if mouth breathing and this change in posture is left untreated, it may lead to a long, narrow face, a narrow or flat nose, a short upper lip, and a pouty lower lip. Additionally, it could create some other concerning oral health problems in both children and adults.

Many people don’t know the multitude of issues that are linked to mouth breathing, which worries your dentist in Holland. However, the many problems associated with mouth breathing are so serious, they were highlighted in a study conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry. Chronic mouth breathing may lead to overcrowded teeth, a gummy smile, problems with facial development, even with the overall health of your mouth.

Using your mouth to breathe instead of your nose increases your risk for several oral health issues. Breathing out of your mouth dries it out and decreases saliva production. Without saliva, dangerous acids and bacteria are left to create problems like tooth decay and gingivitis. More so, mouth breathing can lead to chronic bad breath, poor sleep, headaches, and sore throats.

Some Signs & Symptoms

• Dry lips
• Crowded teeth
• Snoring and open mouth while sleeping
• Increased number of airway infections including sinus, ear, colds
• Chronic bad breath

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of mouth breathing, or if you know you are a mouth breather, call my dental office in Holland. We have the ability to recognize mouth breathing and can work with you to fix the problem and get your mouth, and quality of life, back to health.

Serving patients in Holland, Saugatuck, and Zeeland.

 

Taking antibiotics prior to a visit to your Holland dentist used to be a common practice if you had a heart condition or received a joint replacement; however, this may no longer be the case. Recent research has shown that the use of too many antibiotics could actually outweigh the benefits, and using them as a precaution isn’t doing much good.

Taking a precautionary antibiotic before dental appointments, even cleanings, was initially prescribed to those with heart conditions or joint replacements in an attempt to lower the chance of infection. Many believed that bacteria in the mouth could enter the bloodstream during a dental procedure and cause an infection. However, after considerable research, it was concluded that precautionary antibiotic prescriptions were practiced solely on theory, and there is no scientific evidence that preemptive antibiotics help stop infections. In fact, it was determined that overuse of antibiotics could actually do more harm than good.

Using antibiotics as a preventive measure could lead to a worse result than if they weren’t used at all. The overuse of antibiotics leads to an increase in the chance of bacteria becoming resistant. When this happens, the bacteria continue to cause or enhance infection since the same antibiotics no longer kill them. Thus, the bacteria can become stronger and lead to greater damage.

However, while using antibiotics as a precaution against infection during dental treatment isn’t common anymore, there are still some individuals who should take antibiotics before visiting their dentist in Holland. Those with artificial heart valves, a history of infective endocarditis, certain congentital heart conditions, or a cardiac transplant that has developed a heart valve problem are some of the patients the American Heart Association recommends the use of precautionary antibiotics.

The best way to make sure you’re getting the protection you need is to ask your primary care physician or cardiologist if preventive antibiotics are appropriate for you.

A healthy at-home oral hygiene routine and keeping up with regular visits to my dental office in Holland will go a long way to preventing infection. This duo of oral health care helps keep bacteria levels to a minimum and decreases the risk of more advanced dental treatments.

 

Serving patients in Holland, Saugatuck, and Zeeland.

Throughout the course of a woman’s life, she undergoes several changes in which her hormonal levels fluctuate dramatically. During these times, the body, and the mouth, is affected in a variety of ways. At my Holland dental office, we’d like let all of our patients know the oral health complications that can occur during phases of a woman’s life.

There are five major occasions when female hormones fluctuate and can cause oral health concerns like gum disease and other serious problems. This makes visits to your Holland dentist and a proper at-home hygiene routine even more important for women than men, especially during these key moments in a woman’s life.

Puberty

In the adolescent years, girls start the process of puberty where a lot of bodily changes occur because of hormonal differences. But these fluctuations in hormone levels not only affect the body, they affect the mouth as well. During puberty, the levels of estrogen and progesterone soar. This can cause an increase in blood flow to the gums and even a change in how the tissues react to bacteria and plaque, resulting in red, swollen gums, and often, bleeding during brushing and flossing.

Monthly Cycles

After puberty, women begin to experience a monthly menstrual cycle. During these few days each month, the mouth is actually at increased risk for irritable gums and even periodic gingivitis. The increase in progesterone that occurs at these times can result in red, swollen, bleeding gums, swollen salivary glands, and canker sores. It’s also not uncommon for women to experience menstruation gingivitis, which develops a day or two before the cycle starts, and typically clears up within a few days.

Birth Control Pills

As women grow, they may decide to use, or medically need, birth control pills. In fact, certain types of oral contraceptives can contain progesterone, which, again, can cause gum inflammation and irritation. This is a result of the body’s over-response to bacteria and plaque.

Pregnancy

Even later in a woman’s life, she may decide to start a family. During pregnancy, dental care is extremely important since progesterone is again increased. This surge in the hormone can result in gum disease, typically any time between the second and eighth month. When this occurs, it’s called pregnancy gingivitis, and you may require more frequent cleanings and visits to help keep this condition away.

Menopause

During menopause, hormones change yet again and can cause altered taste, increased sensitivity, and dry mouth. Dry mouth is of particular concern since saliva is not being produced, which means it’s not helping to remove bacteria or neutralize acids. This can lead to both gum disease and tooth decay. Additionally, during menopause, women tend to experience a drop in estrogen which is directly related to loss of bone density. This is worrisome especially if bone loss is in the jaw, as it can lead to tooth loss.

Throughout a woman’s life, and especially during these important stages, it’s important to keep regularly scheduled appointments at my dental office in Holland. If you’re overdue for your hygiene appointment or exam, or if you’re at one of those peak stages of your life, we’ll make sure your mouth is healthy and work with you to keep it that way.

Welcoming patients in Holland, Saugatuck, and Zeeland.

Your teeth were created to last for a long time. But sometimes, gum disease, decay, and even accidents can cause your teeth to fall out. Millions of American suffer from tooth loss caused by a variety of problems, but at my dental office in Holland, we’d like to talk about how you can replace your missing tooth, or teeth, with the strongest and healthiest treatment available – dental implants.

For many years, the only tooth replacement options available were dentures or bridges. But as dental technology improved, a new and stronger solution became available. Dental implants are the superior tooth loss treatment not only because they replace your tooth, but also your tooth’s root. This is important for a variety of reasons. By replacing the tooth and the root, you’re able to restore your mouth to full function. Additionally, dental implants are a healthier solution: unlike bridges or dentures, they help to keep your jaw bone intact and offer additional benefits.

Besides being a permanent, strong, and stable solution for missing teeth, dental implants have multiple advantages. Some of them include:

• Improved appearance, speech, and comfort. Dental implants look and feel just like your natural teeth. This means that you don’t need to adjust your speech the way you may have to with a bridge or denture. They also fuse with your bone, so they’re a permanent part of your mouth. This eliminates discomfort that’s sometimes associated with removable dentures.
• Easier eating. With implants, there’s no restrictions on what you can eat. Occasionally, dentures can slip while you’re eating, making chewing difficult and even allow food particle to get under the appliance which can cause some pain. You won’t have that problem if you choose implants.
• Better oral health. There’s no soaking or removal necessary with dental implants. You can continue to brush and floss as normal. Also, a dental implant does not require your dentist in Holland to touch other teeth, meaning that the strength and integrity of the remaining teeth are unaltered, which can improve overall oral health.

So what’s the process for getting dental implants? You’ll begin with a consultation during which your individual goals will be discussed and your treatment plan will be developed. After planning is complete, your titanium implant post is placed into your jaw bone. This is the piece that will replace your missing tooth roots. During the healing process, your bone will fuse with the metal creating a strong base. Once healing is complete, an abutment will be added to the post. Your dental team will then craft a custom crown that matches your other teeth in shape, size, and color. The crown is then attached to the abutment and you’re ready to start showing your smile to the world.

If you think that dental implants may be right for you, give my Holland dental office a call. We’ll evaluate your individual situation and discuss all treatment options available to you. We’re focused on providing all of the knowledge you need to make the best decision for your smile.

Accepting patients in Holland, Saugatuck, Zeeland, and surrounding areas.

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.