A new year is around the corner, so now is the right time to think about your resolutions. Our team suggests taking the health of your teeth and gums into account, and we would love to help! With a few changes to your homecare routine and regular habits to our office, you can enjoy optimal oral health. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI, dentist talks about holistic dental care and more in 2026!
Starting with Your Checkup
You can schedule an appointment now to see us for your last checkup and cleaning of 2025, or to make an appointment for your first visit of 2026. This is also helpful if you want to use your remaining 2025 dental insurance benefits or health savings account funds before they expire at the end of the month! With a checkup, we take time to closely examine your teeth, gums, roots, and oral structures with advanced imaging technology, including digital x-rays and intraoral cameras. This enables us to make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy, so we can plan treatment to improve the health, beauty, and bite function of your smile.
In the same appointment as your dental exam, we will also take time to conduct a dental cleaning. With a cleaning, we can help protect smiles of all ages from issues like tooth decay and gingivitis. The process involves using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth. The procedure only takes a few minutes, and helps brighten your smile and also fight issues like bad breath.
Metal-Free Dental Work
What if we discover a concern that needs attention, such as a cavity or even a damaged tooth? What if you have a missing tooth? We can help with metal-free dental work! By creating and placing metal-free dental restorations, we offer a safe and holistic way to treat smiles, one that is perfect for kids, adults, and seniors. For example, our fillings are made from a biocompatible and safe composite resin, which we can shade to blend with your tooth and the rest of your smile.
If you have a more severe decay or injury, such as a crack or chip, then we could create and secure a porcelain crown, which again looks natural and stays in place for years to come, while also being safe for your overall health. If you suffer from missing teeth, then our team can create bridges or even dentures from durable and lifelike materials, often metal-free, so you can feel confident again and enjoy your favorite dishes once more!
Addressing Serious Concerns
Our team can also discuss treatments to address more substantial issues. For example, we could offer a gentle and safe tooth extraction to prevent wisdom tooth eruption and impaction, which keeps your smile healthy and free of misalignment and other serious complications. To ensure you are cozy and comfortable during this and other treatments, we can offer a local anesthesia and also recommend sedation, so you enter a deep state of calm and relaxation, with little to no memory of the procedure at all!
Improving Your Hygiene Habits
Speaking of resolutions, in addition to making time to see us every six months for a checkup and cleaning, you should also take time to care for your smile from home in between these visits, which can help protect the health and stability of your smile. For example, we want our patients and their families to brush for two minutes when they wake up and then again before bed, using a fluoride toothpaste each time. Flossing before you go to bed is also critical, as this removes what a toothbrush alone cannot. You should do this before you brush that second time. Try to also cut back on the sugar and starch in your diet, and ensure you avoid tobacco products too!
If you have any questions about how we protect your smile in 2026 and beyond with better homecare habits and metal-free dental work, or if you are ready to schedule your visit now, then please reach out to our office today! We want to help you smile with confidence, and we can offer better smiles for the whole family.
Lake Orion Family Dentistry Offers Optimal Oral Health
Our team is eager to help smiles of all ages stay strong and beautiful with a holistic approach to dental care. To find out more about holistic dentistry, or to schedule an appointment, call Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, MI at (248)693-6213.
