DENTAL CARE

Dental care keeps your teeth and gums healthy; a beautiful smile is just the beginning. Regular visits to Dr. Jon Zoutendam can help your entire family maintain optimum dental care in Traverse City!

On-going dental care also aids in:

Being able to chew healthy foods properly, adding to good nutrition

Avoiding toothaches

Heading off gum disease, which has recently been confirmed as a link to heart disease

Serious conditions begin as treatable problems. By starting dental care early, the risk of tooth decay is greatly reduced. The general rule of thumb is to schedule your child to see a dentist by his or her first birthday.

Other childhood dental considerations include sealants for molars and fluoride to strengthen enamel. Dr. Jon Zoutendam can help you determine your child’s dental care needs in Traverse City.

Dr. Zoutendam and staff recommend that all patients be seen at least every six months for a routine cleaning and examination. Dental problems start out small but can quickly worsen and become much more serious conditions. These problems are much easier to treat when caught early. Radiographs (commonly called xrays) are part of the regular check and can detect tooth decay early on.

The following are also included in your regular checkups: examining the health of your mouth, measuring the bone levels around your teeth, screening for oral cancer, examining your restorations, evaluating your bite, and removing plaque and tartar from your teeth. A toothbrush and floss won’t budge tartar, so it must be removed every six months in the office. Your six-month exam and cleaning is a critical part of a preventive program. Early detection or prevention minimizes the time and money you spend in the dental chair. Dr. Jon Zoutendam is your dental care advocate in Traverse City.

In addition to regular trips to the dentist:

Brush twice a day and floss daily.

Change toothbrushes 3 to 4 times a year.

Rinse or chew gum after meals. Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial rinse or chewing sugar-free gum after a meal can also protect your teeth from bacteria.

Wear a mouth guard during sports and recreational activities.

Don’t smoke or use smokeless tobacco.

Eat a well-balanced diet of whole foods — including grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products — which provide all the nutrients you need.

Avoid sugary foods. Sugary drinks and candy produce acid that can erode tooth enamel.

Dr. Jon Zoutendam is your dental care expert in Traverse City. The office philosophy is to develop long-term patient relationships by providing predictable, quality dentistry in a warm, caring environment. We’re here to serve you and your family to ensure that the dental health of everyone you love is properly maintained.

For the best dental care in Traverse City,  call Dr. Jon Zoutendam for an appointment today: 231-946- 6336.