Your Best Smile Dentistry Blog for Michigan

What is ‘ General Dentistry ‘? Here are a couple definitions, found from around the web:

The World Health Organization defines General Dentistry as “the science and art of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws and mouth”.

According to Wikipedia :

A dentist is a healthcare professional qualified to practice dentistry after graduating with a degree of either Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Bachelor of Dentistry (BDent), Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc), or Bachelor of Dental Surgery/Chirurgiae (BDS) or (BChD) or equivalent.

In most western countries, to become a qualified dentist one must usually complete at least 4 years of postgraduate study. Generally, 2 years of clinical experience working with patients in an educational setting are required.

If you have a need for General Dentistry in the Allen Park area, please give our practice a call. We are Allen Park Dental Care, and our general dentistry office is located at:

5329 Allen Road, Allen Park, MI
Allen Park, Michigan 48101

We practice General Dentistry in the city of Allen Park. We provide general dentistry services to the greater Detroit area, which includes general dentistry services for anyone in the cities of Dearborn, Taylor or Southgate.

Give us a call at 313-928-2323 to schedule a general dentistry appointment in Allen Park, or to ask questions about general dentistry. As part of our general dentistry services, we specialize in sleep apnea treatment.

Gentle Hands, Caring Hearts, Beautiful Smiles

Poorly aligned teeth? Think it takes forever for braces to straighten them? Think again.  There are many new types of braces available in Detroit, MI. In some cases, teeth can be straightened in a few months and then, with braces off–a fantastic new smile.

If you are considering straightening your teeth, come into Allan Park Dental Care in Allen Park, MI for an orthodontic consultation. We can discuss the new type of Invisalign braces. Dr. Szalai will explain the pros and cons of each type and recommend the most effective (and quickest!) system for your teeth.

The first things most adult teeth-straightening clients ask about are the newest straightening system, sometimes called clear braces and invisible braces. Invisalign is an alternative orthodontic system popular in Allen Park and Detroit. Many of our adult orthodontic patients have been embarrassed by their crooked teeth for many years and have developed a habit of covering their mouth when they smile. It is great to see them smiling confidently after they have completed treatment.

Younger clients usually have a different attitude about braces. They seem to consider braces more like a fashion accessory and are not afraid to show them off. Teens are often interested in color braces and colored rubber bands braces. During orthodontic consultations, they usually ask about the possibility of a clear retainer to maintain teeth alignment after their braces have done their job.

Drs. Szalai & Szalai

The American Dental Association offers some welcome advice for choosing a dentist in Allen Park. We have already talked about how word of mouth is an important factor in how many people find a dentist. Here are some things you should look for in an Allen Park dentist:

Location is always a factor when choosing a dentist in Allen Park. If you live in the Allen Park Michigan area, there are many options, and most Allen Park locations are not too far out of the way. While location plays an important role in convenience, many people are willing to drive a little farther for a better experience with their Allen Park dentist.

Relationship is a strong factor. Your Allen Park dentist should be approachable, and should make you feel comfortable when you are in the dentist chair. After all, your Allen Park dentist will be working very close with you to help you achieve a high level of oral hygiene; you most certainly will want to have a good, professional, comfortable relationship with your Allen Park dentist and the dental office staff.

Specialty is another important factor in choosing a dentist in Allen Park. Some dentists specialize in cosmetic dentistry. Others specialize in corrective dentistry such as braces. Depending on your need, you may select a local Allen Park dentist who can solve your immediate concern. Bare in mind, however, that it is good to have a general dentist who can maintain your dental history and work with you to through the years.

If you are looking for a dentist in Allen Park, please come by and speak with me. I can address your interest in any of these critical areas, and will be happy to introduce you to Szalai & Szalai DDS.

I look forward to meeting you.

-Drs. Greg & Joanne Szalai, DDS

313-928-2323

In Michigan, tooth decay is one of the most common childhood problems, yet tooth decay also affect adults. Szalai & Szalai DDS serves people from 20 to 80 years old to help fight tooth decay.

Bacteria are a common cause of tooth decay. Bacteria live in your mouth and combine with plaque and acids to break down the enamel coating on your teeth. The breakdown of your tooth enamel can often result in the development of small holes in your teeth which are known as cavities. The breaking down of your tooth enamel in is known as tooth decay, and it is a serious dental problem for children and adults in Michigan.

Michigan tooth decay is typically a result of diet and oral hygiene choices. When sticky foods are consumed and allowed to sit on the teeth, or foods full of sugars and starches are consumed frequently throughout the day, tooth decay can result. Foods to avoid include soda and sugary chewing gum; these foods tend to stay around for a while and create an environment where bacteria thrive. To help prevent tooth decay, simply limit sugary and starchy foods between meals. Also, brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once a day, and visiting your local Allen Park dentist in Michigan for regular check ups and cleanings will help prevent tooth decay.

Hello, our names are Drs. Greg & Joanne Szalai, and we are Dentists.  We work at Szalai & Szalai DDS located at 5329 Allen Road, Allen Park, MI Allen Park, Michigan . Tooth decay is a preventable dental problem, and we can help. Visit us at http://www.allenparkdentists.com/; we will be happy to meet you, and to give you an idea of the many ways we can help you prevent tooth decay and avoid a more costly or even painful ailment.

We specialize in cosmetic dentistry and would be happy to discuss with you any health concerns related to your teeth. Give us a call at 313-928-2323.

Drs. Greg & Joanne Szalai

Hi, we are Drs. Greg & Joanne Szalai, DDS. Most every day, we can be found at our Detroit area dental office treating dental patients with tooth and gum problems or helping patients prevent them. There are many common medical conditions that pose a risk to oral health.

1) Allen Park diabetes patients with high blood glucose often have a higher risk of dental issues. If you have diabetes, let’s talk. My number is 313-928-2323.

2) A persistent dry mouth due to an inadequate amount of saliva can accelerate tooth decay, cause or contribute to gum disease, and trigger chronic bad breath. Many medications used by thousands of Dearborn and Taylor folks, including those for high-blood pressure and depression, cause dry mouth. This side effect is not only unpleasant, it is dangerous. Anti-depressants (especially SSRI’s) and anti-psychotic drugs can also trigger tooth-grinding (bruxism).

3) Acid reflux in children and adults is associated with a host of dental problems such as decay and periodontal disease.

We help many Southgate dental patients prevent problems associated with medical conditions that sometimes seem unrelated to dental health. Regular professional dental care is essential for oral health, and an important part of your overall physical health.

http://www.AllenParkDentists.com/

Do you have a son or daughter that plays Allen Park youth sports? Soccer, baseball, football, basketball and gymnastics can be very dangerous to your child’s teeth. Football is a violent contact sport, yet there is a relatively low rate of tooth injuries that occur in football as compared to other contact sports. Why? Football players are required to wear a mouth guard and a helmet.

Inexpensive athletic dental mouth guards are worth their weight in gold!

If your child participates in a contact sport in Allen Park Michigan and does not currently wear a tooth protection device, you may want to purchase an appropriately-sized mouth guard. They are available at most Dearborn and Taylor athletic supply stores.

At Szalai & Szalai DDS in Allen Park Michigan, we care about your child’s health and safety. To discuss your child’s dental condition or to learn more about sports-related tooth injury prevention, call us at 313-928-2323. We have been keeping Detroit smiles healthy since 1987. Our child-friendly staff pampers our youngest Dearborn dental patients. Let us show you why we are not an ordinary Allen Park dental practice.

• Cosmetic Dentistry
• dental implants
• cosmetic dentistry
• dental implants

Gentle Hands, Caring Hearts, Beautiful Smiles

Many people will experience at least one tooth emergency in their life. You could break a tooth playing a sport, accidentally dislodge a crown, experience sudden pain caused by an abscess or break a wire on your braces. In the case of a dental emergency, see your Allen Park dentist as soon as possible!

Following are some immediate treatments:
Broken Tooth: Save any tooth fragments. Rinse mouth with warm water. If the area is bleeding, apply a piece of gauze. A cold compress held on the cheek can reduce swelling and lessen pain. Visit your Allen Park dentist as soon as you can.

Lost Filling: Save the filling if you can. It can help your dentist determine why it came out. Do not let food get stuck in the hole left by the filling. Do not chew on the tooth. Brush it gently. Call your Allen Park dentist’s office to schedule an emergency appointment right away.

Displaced Crowns: If there is pain, you may apply a dab of clove oil with a Q-tip to the affected tooth (a common home remedy that may reduce pain). Save the crown. If you can’t see your Allen Park dentist immediately, you can apply dental cement (available at drugstores) or denture adhesive to temporarily re-attach the crown until you can get to your Allen Park dentist. Do not use other types of glue or adhesive.

By visiting your Allen Park dentist as soon as possible, you avoid pain, infection and possible further tooth damage. If you delay treatment, even for a few days, you risk needing more extensive treatment later.

For dental emergencies in and around Detroit, call Drs. Greg & Joanne Szalai at Szalai & Szalai DDS. Our phone number is 313-928-2323

Gentle Hands, Caring Hearts, Beautiful Smiles

Patients often come into our Allen Park Michigan dental practice and complain about ‘a toothache the size of Detroit’. I understand this kind of pain, and realize that when you describe it like that, it really hurts. I can help.

Tooth ache pain for anyone in Allen Park can be unbearable. At the very least, toothache pain can cause you to avoid eating certain foods, certain temperatures, and even talking. Severe toothache pain can be downright debilitating, forcing patients to go to extreme measures to alleviate the pain.

Around Allen Park, the most common causes of a tooth ache include tooth infection, decay, injury, and loss of a tooth. Tooth pain can also occur after a tooth has been extracted, or after an oral surgery involving anything from a tooth or your jawbone.

I can help you better understand the source of your tooth ache pain, and in most cases can provide a nearly immediate remedy. In severe cases, we are equipped to council you on a variety of resolutions.

Of course, the best way to avoid tooth ache pain is to visit your Allen Park dentist often, and to care properly for your teeth including the regular regimen of brushing and flossing.

If you are experiencing tooth ache pain, and just can’t stand it any more, please give me a call; I am standing by to help.

-Drs. Greg & Joanne Szalai, DDS

313-928-2323

Run your tongue along the gumline behind your lower front teeth. Do you feel a ridge? This is probably tartar or dental calculus.

Even if you brush and floss regularly, plaque and tartar can gradually accumulate. If not removed, these bacteria-breeding substances cause the gums to become irritated and swollen. Eventually, the gums become detached from the tooth, creating a ‘pocket’. This creates a new space for plaque and tartar to grow. In advanced stages of periodontal disease, the toxins created by the bacteria literally rot the gum, teeth and bone.

At Szalai & Szalai DDS in Allen Park, we perform the most thorough dental cleanings possible. Gum disease can be reversed in its early stages.

Our goal is to help our Detroit dental patients prevent gum disease before any damage occurs. Cleanings include root planing and periodontal scaling. Scaling removes the plaque and calculus above and, especially, below the gumline where your toothbrush cannot reach. Planing smoothes root surfaces so it is more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate and grow. It also creates a healthy surface for the gums to reattach to the root if necessary.

To schedule a deep cleaning, call 313-928-2323. We are located at 5329 Allen Road, in Allen Park, MI. In addition to providing comprehensive dental cleanings, we create mega-watt smiles for cosmetic dentistry clients in the Dearborn and Taylor area. See http://www.AllenParkDentists.com/ for more information about our state-of-the-art dental practice.

Something many consume everyday and once considered to be healthy and of no harm is now believed to be the culprit for the rise of tooth decay found in both adults and children. Tooth decay and cavity rates, for the first time in decades, are up and on the rise. Patients who at one point in time were not thought to be cavity-prone, interestingly are now appearing in their dentists’ chair with tooth decay that is affecting their crowns and fillings. It is also surprising that tooth decay is being discovered on teeth that were otherwise thought to be healthy. In the past this was thought to be pretty rare.

Can you guess the cause? It is something you probably wouldn’t even consider because you may have come to think of it as harmless as breathing fresh air.

The culprit, believe it or not, is bottled water. While you may already know that sports drinks and soft drinks loaded with sugar can lead to a dental nightmare, you may not realize that bottled water is just like tap water in that it does not contain fluoride.

So why should you care? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), many children and adults are consuming more and more bottled water as part of their regular diets and the concern is that many are not consuming enough fluoride. Did you know, according to the International Bottled Water Association, that the amount of bottled water consumed has recently more than doubled? On average, Americans are now drinking thirty gallons of bottled water each year. Many are fooled into believing that bottled water is healthier and they are making it a main stay in their daily diets for family including their children. What is even more concerning is the fact that some parents are using bottled water to prepare their baby’s formula.

What can you do about this? Allen Park Dentists Drs. Greg and Joanne Szalai suggest that you make a few simple changes to your daily habits and try to drink tap water as often as you can instead of bottled water. You will improve your overall oral health, you’ll save money and your teeth will love you for it. This suggestion is not a replacement for basic oral hygiene but should be done in addition to your normal care, which includes brushing regularly with toothpaste that contains fluoride and finishing off with flossing.

If you are not sure that you are getting the proper level of fluoride, perhaps due to the fact that your water source does not contain fluoride (for example well water), Allen Park Dentists Drs. Greg and Joanne Szalai invite you to come in for a visit. We have several recommendations such as special rinses or prescription fluoride treatments that can help you get the level of fluoride you need to prevent cavities.

Ready to discuss your dental care with a caring and highly skilled dental team? Allen Park Dentists Drs. Joanne or Greg Szalai, or one of their fantastic hygienists (Ann, Jennifer and CJ) will gladly answer your questions.

Please call our Allen Park office at 313-928-2323 to schedule an appointment for exceptional dental care. Your comments are important to us so don’t hesitate to share your comments or suggestions on our Facebook Fan Page or via Twitter.

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