Dr. Ryan Paulson DDS and the team at Grand Traverse Smile Center are pleased to provide professional and caring dental services to their patients from Traverse City MI and the surrounding communities. Our dental services include: children's, cosmetic, family, implant, orthodontic, preventive, restorative and sedation dentistry.
An Affordable Alternative for Multiple Missing Teeth
If you are missing multiple teeth in one area of your mouth, you may be experiencing a change in your jaw alignment and a problem eating certain foods, and stress points can develop on your other teeth. We offer an affordable solution. Custom made with the same high-quality materials as our crowns, a bridge is anchored on both sides of the gap, filling in the empty space for a return to function, comfort, and a full smile. Grand Traverse Smile Center Ryan Paulson, DDS 928 S. Garfield Avenue Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 935-4872 GTSmileCenter.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Wendy J. Woudstra No matter how conscientious you are about your oral care routine, at some point in your life you will probably experience the discomfort of a toothache. Though a cavity is the most likely culprit, it is only one of several possible causes of toothaches. Tooth Sensitivity If you are experiencing sharp pains when eating or drinking hot or cold foods, it could mean you have a cavity. It may also be a sign that you may have sensitive teeth, either from receding gums or from a thinning of your tooth enamel. While you are waiting for a dental appointment to confirm the cause of your sensitive teeth, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth may help ease the symptoms. Some Toothaches Are More Severe If the pain you are experiencing is a sharp, stabbing pain when you bite down on your food, the cause of your toothache could be a cavity or a cracked tooth. If it's a throbbing, incessant pain, on the other hand, you may have an abscessed tooth or an infection that should be taken care of as quickly as possible. To read the entire article visit Colgate.com. The remainder of the article details the following:
Water Rules Water, especially fluoridated water, is the best beverage for maintaining your oral health. That's because fluoride helps to make teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that can cause cavities. As of 2012, nearly 75 percent of the U.S. population had access to fluoridated water, so drinking water from your own kitchen sink can help prevent dental problems. Above article from: MouthHealthy.org Grand Traverse Smile Center Ryan Paulson, DDS 928 S. Garfield Avenue Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 935-4872 GTSmileCenter.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by the ADA A healthy adult produces about three pints of saliva each day. It's not the kind of thing you would give thought to very often, but that saliva plays a very important role in maintaining your health. Saliva serves many purposes. It contains enzymes that aid in digestion. Saliva makes it easier to talk, a fact recognized by those who experience stage fright and the associated dry mouth while giving a presentation. Saliva also helps prevent tooth decay by washing away food and debris from the teeth and gums. It neutralizes damaging acids, enhances the ability to taste food and makes it easier to swallow. Minerals found in saliva also help repair microscopic tooth decay. Everyone, at some time or another, experiences dry mouth, also called "xerostomia." It can happen when you are nervous, upset or under stress or as a result of medication you take or other medical therapies. If dry mouth happens all or most of the time, however, it can be uncomfortable - and it can have serious consequences for your oral health. Drying irritates the soft tissues in the mouth, which can make them inflamed and more susceptible to infection. Without the cleansing effects of saliva, tooth decay and other oral health problems become much more common. Regular dental checkups are important. At each appointment, report any medications you are taking and other information about your health. An updated health history can help identify a cause for mouth dryness. To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.
The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'How Can I Help My Elderly Parent Brush Her Teeth?'
Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. It is caused by the bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed through daily brushing and flossing, plaque can build up and the bacteria infect not only your gums and teeth, but eventually the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth. This can cause them to become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist. There are three stages of gum disease:
Gingivitis: this is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gumline. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins (poisons) that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. You may notice some bleeding during brushing and flossing. At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.
Periodontitis: at this stage, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may begin to form a pocket below the gumline, which traps food and plaque. Proper dental treatment and improved home care can usually help prevent further damage.
Advanced Periodontitis: in this final stage of gum disease, the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are destroyed, which can cause your teeth to shift or loosen. This can affect your bite and, if aggressive treatment can't save them, teeth may need to be removed.
Read the rest of the article at Colgate.com to learn more about how to know if you have gum disease and how gum disease is treated.
The majority of our patients prefer modern white bonded fillings because they look more natural. However, appearance isn't the only benefit. Ceramic fillings bond more completely to teeth, improving the overall strength of the tooth structure, and minimizing the chance of decay leaking through the bond. Metal amalgam fillings are not only dark in color, they don't seal as tightly to the original tooth, and decay eventually leaks inside to create more damage. Grand Traverse Smile Center Ryan Paulson, DDS 928 S. Garfield Avenue Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 935-4872 GTSmileCenter.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was Reviewed by the Faculty of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine What's in Your Mouth? To understand what happens when your teeth decay, it's helpful to know what's in your mouth naturally. Here are a few of the elements:
Saliva - Your mouth and teeth are constantly bathed in saliva. We never give much thought to our spit, but this fluid is remarkable for what it does to help protect our oral health. Saliva keeps teeth and other parts of your mouth moist and washes away bits of food. Saliva contains minerals that strengthen teeth. It includes buffering agents. They reduce the levels of acid that can decay teeth. Saliva also protects against some viruses and bacteria.
Plaque - Plaque is a soft, gooey substance that sticks to the teeth a bit like jam sticks to a spoon. Like the slime that clings to the bottom of a swimming pool, plaque is a type of biofilm. It contains large numbers of closely packed bacteria, components taken from saliva, and bits of food. Also in the mix are bacterial byproducts and white blood cells. Plaque grows when bacteria attach to the tooth and begin to multiply. Plaque starts forming right after a tooth is cleaned. Within an hour, there's enough to measure. As time goes on, the plaque thickens. Within two to six hours, the plaque teems with bacteria that can cause cavities and periodontal (gum) disease.
Calculus - If left alone long enough, plaque absorbs minerals from saliva. These minerals form crystals and harden into calculus. Then new plaque forms on top of existing calculus. This new layer can also become hard.
Bacteria - We have many types of bacteria in our mouths. Some bacteria are good; they help control destructive bacteria. When it comes to decay, Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli are the bacteria that cause the most damage to teeth.
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com. The remainder of the article details the following:
The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'How Can I Get My Child to Brush Her Teeth?'
Cold Sores and Canker Sores Compared It’s easy to confuse cold sores and canker sores. Unlike a cold sore, a canker sore is not contagious, and it appears on the inside tissues of the mouth rather than the outer surface of the lip (which is where cold sores appear). A canker sore, also known as an apthous ulcer, looks like a small, round or oval lesion that has a white or yellowish center surrounded by red. They tend to be indented, like a crater, rather than raised, like a bump. Canker sores most often appear on the inside of the cheeks and lips or at the base of the gum. Canker sores are not usually associated with bleeding gums, so if you are experiencing bleeding gums you should see your dentist to be evaluated for possible gum disease. The majority of canker sores are mild. Mild canker sores are less than one-third of an inch long and usually heal on their own after a few weeks. But major apthous ulcers, defined as larger than 10 mm in size, can take more than a month to heal and can cause scarring when they finally do heal. So it’s important to visit your doctor or dentist if you have a canker sore that has persisted for more than a few weeks. These large ulcers are most common in young adults after puberty, and they are more likely to recur than smaller sores. Older adults are more prone to herpetiform lesions, in which dozens of tiny lesions group together to form a large ulcer. The exact cause of canker sores remains uncertain, but possible factors include an allergic reaction to bacteria in the mouth, a minor injury to the inside of the mouth due to dental work or poorly fitting dental appliances, food allergies or health problems, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel diseases. Although most canker sores resolve on their own, if you have a large or stubborn lesion, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic mouth rinse, topical paste to apply to the lesion, or a nutritional supplement if poor nutrition may be the cause of the canker sore. The above article is from: OralB.com Grand Traverse Smile Center Ryan Paulson, DDS 928 S. Garfield Avenue Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 935-4872 GTSmileCenter.com
Fruits and Veggies Pack an Extra Punch Fruits and veggies are an important part of any balanced diet, and they are also good for your teeth. Since they are high in water and fiber, they help to balance the sugars they contain and help to clean your teeth. Chewing also helps to stimulate saliva production, which washes harmful acids and food particles away from your teeth. Above article from: MouthHealthy.org Grand Traverse Smile Center Ryan Paulson, DDS 928 S. Garfield Avenue Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 935-4872 GTSmileCenter.com
Dental sealants compensate for poor brushing ability in children. Even though they try hard, children often don't do a very good job of brushing their teeth. After all, they're still learning, and their hand-to-eye coordination isn't fully developed. In fact, even adults have difficulty reaching every spot in their mouth while brushing.
Even with diligent brushing, the deep grooves in the back teeth may not be sufficiently cleaned. This results in bacteria, acids, and plaque formation, which will lead to decay. And once the tooth has decay, it is damaged permanently and will need a filling or crown.
Here's how dental sealants come into play:
The tooth (or teeth) is cleaned and sterilized.
A thin plastic coating is applied. This is usually white or clear in color.
A curing light is applied to the sealant to bond it into place.
In minutes, without shots or drills, the entire process is complete.
It’s totally harmless.
Applying dental sealants is one of the best preventive things both children and adolescents can do to preserve their natural teeth! Grand Traverse Smile Center Ryan Paulson, DDS 928 S. Garfield Avenue Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 935-4872 GTSmileCenter.com
The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'How Should I Clean and Store My Toothbrush?'
Nourishing Nuts Nuts contain protein which help strengthen and protect your teeth. Also, chewing helps to stimulate saliva production, which naturally cleans your mouth. Remember: Not only is a balanced, nutritious diet essential to healthy living, your eating patterns and food choices play an important role in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. You may eat with your eyes first, but your mouth, teeth, and gums are more than just tools for eating. Above article from: MouthHealthy.org Grand Traverse Smile Center Ryan Paulson, DDS 928 S. Garfield Avenue Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 935-4872 GTSmileCenter.com
An Affordable Alternative for Multiple Missing Teeth
