Dentist Grandville
Serving Cascade, Grandville, and Grand Rapids
Prevent gum disease with our Grand Rapids Dentist Tips
September is National Gum Care Month! No, we’re not talking about best practices to take care of chewing gum. We’ll leave that to Wrigley (tip: only chew sugar-free gum!). Instead, we want to share with you the importance of taking care of the gums in your mouth.
Did you know that close to 50% of individuals who are 30 years old and above living in the United States suffer from some type of periodontal disease (CDC, 2012)? The rate of disease increases as we age, too, with the CDC reporting that more than 70% of “adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease.”
Avoiding diseases related to gum care, such as periodontitis, is vital to our overall health. Periodontitis is typically caused by “infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth” (CDC, 2012). Symptoms such as bleeding, soreness, and discomfort around your gums is often painful and may complicate other health issues for individuals who are susceptible to diseases influenced by inflammation, such as autoimmune conditions, heart disease, and diabetes.
While there’s certainly plenty of doom and gloom behind poor gum care, there’s good news, too: Taking care of your gums is relatively straightforward. Dr. Josh Smith and his team at Grand Rapids Dental Partners encourage you to:
Emergency Dental Care
Accidents happen, our dentists in Grand Rapids, MI are here for you when they do. Our priority is to prevent or eliminate pain, as well as ensure the life of a tooth that has been damaged.
- Brush and floss regularly: Yes, brushing and flossing twice each day is a repeated theme from dental professionals everywhere. Doing so helps to ensure proper gum care and your overall health.
- Replace your toothbrush four times per year: Whether you’re using a manual toothbrush or an electronic one, the bristles are bound to fade after about three months. Be sure to throw away your brushes regularly to maintain the health of your gums.
- Visit your dentist twice per year: Stop us if you’ve heard this tip before! Regular check-ups with dental professionals and undergoing routine cleanings and fluoride treatments will help prevent problems from persisting.
If you are experiencing any oral health issues, especially ones related to your gums, Dr. Smith and his team are here to help. Get in touch with his team today to schedule a visit and ask any questions you may have.
Happy National Gum Care Month, everyone!
Emergency Dentist in Grand Rapids, Cascade, and Grandville, MI
Have you ever heard of a friend complaining about serious pain in a tooth where they’ve had a filling in the past? Or perhaps a family member’s child having a tooth knocked out during their softball practice? Or even poor grandma whose dentures got chewed up by her dog?
Welcome to the world of dental emergencies! While such experiences are painful and very unexpected, we’re just a call away to help.
Dental emergencies happen every day to people in our community. The good news for people facing sudden problems with their teeth is that our office is a one-stop practice for many types of dental ailments.
Types of Dental Emergencies
- Toothaches (especially major pain and sensitivity)
- Broken and chipped teeth
- Gums that have become swollen, tender, and/or infected
- Tooth loss
- Broken dentures
- Wisdom teeth pain
- Problems with fillings and crowns
Same-day appointments are welcomed by our doctors – we always have staff on hand to address your problem. Call us 24/7 if you are facing any dental emergencies.
Additional Resources
As our patients know, a major goal we have at our practice is equipping our patients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their dental health. With this aim in mind, for more information, please contact us.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, we are accepting new patients in Grandville. If you’re in need of Preventative Dentistry, Family Dentistry, Sleep Apnea Treatments, and other dental services – Grand Rapids Dental Partners is here to help!
What insurance do you accept?
We’re in-network with Delta Dental of Michigan and can bill most other insurances. Our staff is happy to answer any of your insurance questions and we offer a complementary benefits check, or pre-authorization as needed.
Why should I choose Grand Rapids Dental Partners?
Our philosophy is to never stop learning our dentists and the team continually adopts successful techniques and treatments as they evolve, providing our patients with the best possible care.
The team of dentists and hygienists at Grand Rapids Dental Partners are proud to be your source of quality dental care. With offices located in Grand Rapids, and Grandville, MI, we can see and treat patients with a variety of procedures. To further improve your oral health, we welcome you to contact our dentist office today to learn more about our treatment options or to schedule an appointment!
What should I do in a dental emergency?
If you find yourself in a dental emergency, please call or email our office as soon as possible. We will do everything we can to help you in your time of need.
What should I do if I lose a dental crown?
Depending on what type of dental crown you have, things happen, and they can fall out on a rare occasion. If your crown does fall out, please try to keep it, and bring it with you to your appointment.
What is Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that prevents the body from getting enough oxygen during sleep. People with sleep apnea stop breathing for brief periods of time while sleeping. The most common form of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The name comes from throat blockage that is caused by the tongue or palate.
Dr. Josh Smith is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) and, in collaboration with the local sleep centers at Spectrum Health and Metro Health, he remains up to date on the latest treatments for sleep apnea.
Does Grand Rapids Dental Partners offer periodontal disease treatments?
Yes, we offer Periodontal (Gum Disease) Treatment options at your dental cleanings. Our goal is to treat periodontal disease non-surgically and our routine hygiene appointments can help with intervention.
Do you offer Botox in your office?
If you are interested in boosting your appearance to look younger without undergoing cosmetic surgery, you may want to consider getting Botox injections. Botox injections are non-invasive, outpatient treatments used to alleviate issues related to aging. The doctors and assistants here at Grand Rapids Dental Partners offer safe and convenient Botox injections for patients throughout the Cascade, Grand Rapids, and Grandville, MI areas.
What should I do if mine, or my child’s tooth, is knocked out?
Should a tooth get knocked out please contact our office as soon as possible. We know it can be scary, but try not to panic, we will do everything we can to help you with your knocked out tooth and discuss options and recommendations based on your circumstances.
What should I do if I crack a tooth?
Grand Rapids Dental Partners understand that a cracked tooth is painful! Please contact us to give us details on your cracked tooth right away!