Are you a candidate for dental implants?

When you are missing teeth, it is critical to replace them. Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can be challenging, as well as uncomfortable. Missing teeth can also destabilize your bite. Dental implants are a great option for replacing teeth that are missing or are badly diseased. A dental implant with Dr. Todd Brower at Ottawa Smiles Dental in Holland, MI, offers relief, support, and stability to your bite, and often, implants are the most natural and effective option available.

Dr. Brower and our team have helped many patients using implant dentistry at our Holland, MI office restore their smiles to look more natural. Each implant is created to fit in perfectly with the look of the rest of your teeth.

Besides making your smile appear more natural, dental implants have other benefits. They include:

• Restoring your ability to properly chew food
• Preventing your teeth from shifting and moving
• Stabilizing your bite, helping you avoid pain or discomfort

If you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth and feel like you are a candidate for dental implants, Dr. Brower and our team at Ottawa Smiles Dental in Holland, MI, encourage you to give us a call to schedule an appointment. Call us today at (616) 399-3600. See you soon!

Do you have dentures in Holland, MI? If so, you understand how important it is for you to take care of them. They play an important role in helping you replace one or more missing teeth, and you need them to last as long as possible. That is where Dr. Todd Brower with Ottowa Smiles Dental can help you. Learn more about what you have to do to properly take care of your denture sets!

Always Rinse Your Dentures After Eating

First, you always need to make sure you remove your denture sets and rinse them thoroughly after eating. You need to handle them carefully because they are fragile. You do not want to damage the plastic or the classics as you rinse them out.

In general, running your dentures over water to remove any food debris should be enough to dislodge any loose particles. It is also a good idea to place a towel underneath the dentures so you don't worry about them breaking if you drop them accidentally. Even though it can be a hassle to rinse them regularly, you need to do this to prevent problems from developing.

Brush Your Dentures Every Day

If you want to take care of your dentures in Holland, MI, you also need to brush them every day. You should remove them from your mouth, and soak them thoroughly, and brush them using a soft bristle toothbrush. You also need to use a specific denture cleanser to remove plaque, food, and other adhesives.

You may also want to allow your dentures to soak overnight. This is important for helping them stay moist. If you want your dentures to retain their shape, you need to keep them moist. You need to talk to your dentist about the best way for you to store your denture sets overnight. Different manufacturers might have slightly different instructions, and you need to make sure you understand exactly what you have to do to take care of them.

Visit the Dentist At Least Twice Per Year

Finally, even though you may think there is nothing wrong with your dentures, you still need to go to the dentist at least twice per year for regular checkups. This is important for making sure your oral health is intact while also addressing concerns you might have with your dentures. Of course, you need to work with a dentist who has experience in this area.

That is exactly where Dr. Brower with Ottowa Smiles Dental can help you. Make sure you take care of your dentures in Holland, MI, by working with the right dental team. Call (616) 399-3600‎ today make an appointment with our team.

When you have a pocket of pus around an infected tooth, this is called a dental abscess. At Ottawa Smiles Dental, Dr. Todd Brower, of Holland, MI, uses root canals to treat a dental abscess and help clear up the infection.

What Should I Know About Dental Abscesses?

A dental abscess is usually caused by a bacterial infection that has accumulated within the tooth's pulp. Bacteria can easily access the mouth as a by-product of the food we eat and sticks to the teeth, damaging them and the gums, also known as plaque.

When you don't remove the plaque with proper brushing and flossing, the bacteria spreads inside the pulp and gums resulting in an eventual abscess.

What Are the Symptoms of a Dental Abscess?

The signs and symptoms of a dental abscess depend on its severity and progression. However, pain is the main symptom of a dental abscess. Other symptoms include:

• Heightened sensitivity to hot and cold drinks or food
• Foul taste in the mouth
• Fever and chills
• Fatigue or feeling "sick"
• Trouble opening mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Insomnia
• Pain radiating to the eaw, jawbone, and neck

It is essential to know that pain with an abscess can be very intense and only grows as it is left untreated.

What Are the Types of Dental Abscesses?

There are only three types of dental abscess:

1. Gingival: Abscess found in the gum tissue and does not affect the tooth or periodontal ligament.
2. Periodontal: Abscess grows from the supporting bone tissue of the tooth.
3. Periapical: Abscess grows in the soft pulp of the tooth.

What is the Treatment for Dental Abscesses?

Dr. Brower of Holland, MI, uses root canals and other treatments to cure dental abscesses. As an experienced dentist, he can also quickly identify an abscess and recommend that those who suffer from them seek medical care immediately.

Other forms of treatment recommended include:

• Antibiotics
• Pain medication
• Incision and drainage of abscess
• Root fillings
• Surgery to remove disease tissue with recurring infections.
• Tooth removal

For a minor abscess, you can use some home remedies to help manage your pain. You will want to avoid hot and cold food and drink, chew using the unaffected side of your mouth, avoid flossing around the abscess and use a very soft toothbrush.

Even though home remedies may help, it is essential to visit a dental professional to avoid further complications. At Ottawa Smiles Dental, Dr. Brower of Holland, MI, offers root canals and other dental abscess treatment options and is available for an appointment by calling (616) 399-3600.

If you have lost one or more adult teeth, you can replace them with dental implants. Designed to look and feel just like your natural teeth, dental implants can recreate your smile so that it functions and appears as good as new. Here at Ottawa Smiles Dental in Holland, MI, Dr. Todd A. Brower is an expert in dental implants—read on to learn what his treatments can do for you.

5 Benefits of Dental Implants

If you want to restore confidence in your smile, dental implants from our Holland office are a great choice. Here are five reasons why:

• Comfort you can count on: As well as having a natural look, dental implants are also designed to feel and function like your natural teeth. That means they won’t affect the way you look, speak, or chew. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about them slipping like dentures often do.

• Lasting reliability: If you take care of your dental implants just as you would your natural teeth, they will last for years. All you have to do is brush and floss twice a day and make regular six-month visits to your dentist.

• Fully functional chewing: If you have missing teeth, it will affect your ability to chew properly. Filling the gaps with dental implants means that your chewing function will be restored. Because dental implants are anchored into your jawbone, you won’t have to worry about them moving while you eat.

• Improved facial contours: Missing teeth can significantly change the shape of your face and your bone features. Dental implants will restore the natural contours of your face. Because they reduce the strain on your natural teeth, dental implants also help to preserve your overall smile.

• Boosting your confidence: Because dental implants restore your beautiful, healthy smile, you will feel more confident at work and around friends and family.

If you live in Holland, MI, and you want to find out more about dental implants, call Dr. Brower at (616) 399-3600 to make an appointment.

How dentures from your dentist in Holland, MI, can give you back your smile

Did you know that the right denture can change your life? It’s true. In fact, dentures can restore your ability to enjoy the foods you love, allow you to have clearer speech, and enhance your appearance. Here at Ottawa Smiles Dental in Holland, MI, Dr. Todd A. Brower offers dentures to give you back your smile—read on to learn more.

What dentures can do for you

There are many reasons why you might need a denture. For instance, if you have broken or badly decayed teeth, sometimes they can’t be restored with a filling or a crown because too much tooth structure has been lost. You may also be suffering from significant dental pain, which may lead you to need a tooth extraction.

Dentures are the right choice for you if you want to replace your smile and look your best. During a consultation, Dr. Brower can help you choose the option that is perfect for your situation. Consider these denture options:

Partial dentures

This option is perfect if you want to replace several teeth but not an entire arch of teeth. Partial dentures come in a few types, including:

• A conventional partial, which is sturdy and built to last; these appliances are created after your tissue has healed fully, at around 6 to 8 weeks.
• A transitional partial, which is meant to be a temporary tooth replacement solution while you are waiting to get dental implants. These appliances can be delivered immediately after tooth extraction.

Full dentures

If you want to replace an entire arch of teeth, these appliances are right for you. Varieties of full dentures include:

• A conventional full denture, which is meant as a permanent tooth replacement solution; these appliances are created after your tissue has healed completely, usually at 6 to 8 weeks.
• An immediate full denture, which is delivered immediately after your teeth are removed; these appliances are meant as a temporary solution so you don’t have to go without your smile. A conventional denture will be made later on after your tissue has healed.

Need dental work? Give us a call

Don’t live life without your smile! The right denture can make all the difference in your life. To learn more about dentures and other dental services, call Dr. Todd A. Brower of Ottawa Smiles Dental in Holland, MI, today by dialing (616) 399-3600.