Gum health can often go overlooked compared to teeth. For example, many patients may focus on the color of their teeth or if there’s any pain there while certain symptoms of gums in jeopardy, such as when they’re bleeding, get shrugged off. Our Grand Rapids, MI, dentists are here to encourage everyone to make sure all aspects of your smile are getting cleaned and to take note of any warning signs. Here are 4 causes of bleeding gums other than improper tooth brushing and how our dentists can help restore your smile. Your Gums Might Be Bleeding Because Of: 1. Gingivitis or Advanced Gum Disease ..read more

For mild to moderate jaw pain, the most serious ways of approaching care aren’t always the best to go with, at least not at first. Because of this, our Grand Rapids, MI, dentists, prefer to meet and fully assess your condition before tailoring a TMJ disorder treatment plan to you. Here are 3 easy to manage TMJ therapy options that don’t involve surgery. Multi-Step Examination Process While not all jaw issues are immediately TMJ dysfunction, oral pain is still something that should be taken seriously. Our team of dentists will utilize several diagnostic methods and possibly even consult with ..read more

Mystery headaches or jaw pain when you wake up could be any number of things but for most people, the culprit is often either bruxism or a TMJ disorder. Fortunately, a custom-made night guard from our Grand Rapids, MI, dentists can help ease the discomfort felt in the mornings. Here are a few details about night guards and when it’s time to ask our dentists about getting one of your own. Explaining Bruxism and TMJ Disorders Experienced by many worldwide, bruxism is a common condition in which you grind and clench your teeth excessively. It can happen during the day or at night and oftentimes ..read more

It’s normal to feel worried or panicked when something is wrong with your smile. Our Grand Rapids dentists understand this but ask that you use discretion when evaluating your oral health issue. Not everything is worthy of immediate treatment or fits into the category of dental emergencies. Here’s what classifies as a dental emergency and when we recommend seeking care from our team of dentists. How to Tell an Emergency From a Non-Emergency As soon as any type of pain is felt in your mouth, it can be easy to label it as an emergency. While it is wise to ask our dentists about discomfort you ..read more

Not everyone is pleased with their smile. For that reason, our Grand Rapids cosmetic dentists are here to help you feel more confident with a range of treatments. Two of which are cosmetic bonding and cosmetic contouring. Though they sound similar, they are in fact different. Here’s a breakdown of the two procedures. 1. Cosmetic Bonding Do you have chipped, cracked, or gapped teeth? If so, there is a chance that cosmetic bonding might be the right dental procedure for you. Best for smaller restorations, bonding involves the application of a tooth-colored composite resin to a tooth’s surface ..read more

We all have busy schedules and pausing our daily routines for the improvement of our smile isn’t always in the cards. However, it’s important to consider how much you show your teeth and whether you feel confident. If you’ve suffered from a recent accident or have neglected your oral care, our Grand Rapids dentists may recommend a full mouth restoration. Here’s what you need to know about full mouth restoration and the instances in which it may be necessary. What Is Full Mouth Restoration? Just as it sounds, full mouth restoration consists of multiple procedures that are all designed to rest ..read more

We have good news: you don’t have to live with yellow teeth forever! That’s right, our Grand Rapids cosmetic dentists offer both professional in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments for patients wanting a brighter smile. Here’s what you need to know about tooth discoloration, how our dentists can help, and natural “remedies” that are best avoided.     Common Causes Behind Discolored Teeth Most of the time, the hidden cause behind yellowed or discolored teeth is not so hidden after all. For example, if you’re like many adults around the world, you drink coffee in the mornin ..read more

Cavities happen. Fortunately, our Grand Rapids dentists can use tooth-colored fillings to treat them and restore your smile. While fillings are built to stay in place for quite some time, they can fall out under certain circumstances. Here are 4 signs that can mean your filling has fallen out, the possible underlying causes, and what to do next. Why Would a Filling Come Loose? A tooth filling can come loose for a variety of reasons. Potential causes can range from a new cavity that’s developed under or around the filling to teeth grinding at night. Whatever it ends up being, you’re left with ..read more

No one likes having tooth pain or sensitivity and finding out the source is a pesky cavity. Fortunately, there are ways that you and our Grand Rapids dentists can help prevent cavities altogether. While we expect to see you in for your regularly scheduled cleaning, you can also fight tooth decay outside of our dental office. Here’s what you need to know about cavities and 6 tips for avoiding them. What Is a Cavity? A cavity is a hole in the tooth that has been caused by tooth decay. Any individual, no matter their age, can develop cavities if proper oral hygiene habits are not practiced. For ..read more

A smile is something you should be proud of and want to confidently show off to everyone in your life. Life is too short to cover your mouth every time you laugh with friends or get caught in a candid photo. You deserve to feel your best and a great way to get started is with a cosmetic dental procedure. At Contemporary Family Dental, we offer several forms of cosmetic treatment to choose from. If you’re not sure or only vaguely have an idea of what you’d like to do, our Grand Rapids dentists can perform an oral examination and make recommendations. Keep reading to learn how 5 cosmetic proce ..read more