At Northern Trails Dental Care in Gwinn, MI, Dr. Gwendolyn Buck has the clinical skills and the advanced technology to give you a healthy smile, and the compassionate care to make you show it. Our team is happy to provide all of your general dentistry needs in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere.
Did you know that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and that it affects nearly half of the American adult population? Did you also know that left untreated, gum disease can increase your risk for serious systemic health problems like heart disease and stroke?
Many patients think that it’s normal for gums to bleed sometimes during regular brushing and flossing. This is false. If your gums are bleeding, it is a sure sign of early stage gum disease or gingivitis and should come see us right away for periodontal care.
Periodontal treatment, depending on the level of infection, may include any of the following treatments:
Come see us at Northern Trails Dental Care for premium periodontal care and gum disease treatment in Gwinn, MI.
Learn more about gum disease from the American Academy of Periodontology.
If sugar, acid and bacteria have gotten the better of your tooth enamel and a cavity has formed, we will probably have to extract it – JUST KIDDING! Dentistry has come a long way in recent years with materials and technology, including the use of durable, safe, and natural looking tooth-colored resin rather than toxic mercury to fill cavities.
At Northern Trails Dental Care, we’re happy to provide tooth-colored fillings that fill cavities to stop decay in its tracks – and they blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth so no one will ever know you’ve had a cavity filled.
For your best chance at avoiding cavities all together, you should eat a healthy diet (low sugar and acidity), follow our Oral Hygiene Tips above and come see us regularly for cleanings and exams.
As your trusted Gwinn dentist and oral health advisors, it is one of our most important jobs to perform regular screenings for abnormalities that could be potential signs of oral cancer or other disease or infection. The earlier oral cancer is detected, the better chance you have at survival and recovery. This is just one of the many reasons regular visits to your Gwinn dentist are so important.
Signs of oral cancer include (can be found on the lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, throat, or any surface of the mouth):
Risk factors for developing oral cancer include:
If you’ve noticed any of the above signs or symptoms, especially if you fall into any of the high risk categories, you should come see us for an oral cancer screening right away. It might just save your life.
Learn more about oral cancer from the Oral Cancer Foundation.
If you or your children are involved in any type of contact sports, we recommend protecting their teeth with a custom mouth guard from Northern Trails Dental Care. While, yes, you can buy stock mouth guards from the sporting goods store, a custom mouth guard offers a better fit for optimum comfort (so they are more likely to wear it), and the highest level of protection against oral injuries and concussions.
If you suffer from teeth grinding and clenching or TMJ problems, we also offer nightguards and Splint Therapy to protect your teeth and provide pain relief.
Contact our office and ask about mouth guards today!
If you do your best to follow a strict oral hygiene routine, and you STILL are prone to decay and cavities (or if you refuse to follow our advice), we can offer you another layer of protection with dental sealants. Sealants are a tooth colored resin that is painted over the surface of the teeth to protect against acid and decay. Sealants are great for kids, as well as adults who have problems with decay.
Contact our office and ask about sealants today!
We provide genetic testing in our practice because we know how vital oral health is for overall wellness, and OralDNA tests provide information that further customizes your care according to your needs. With the quick and painless collection of your saliva, we can find hidden oral pathogens that put you at an increased risk of periodontal disease, which is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and many other illnesses we’d like to help you prevent.
Inflammation is the connection, and OralDNA testing can tell us if you were born with the gene markers associated with increased inflammation, as well as whether you have high-risk types of HPV that are associated with oral cancer.
OralDNA testing can provide you with peace of mind or help us devise a plan of action to fight back against chronic infection and disease. By keeping your mouth healthy, you can increase the health of the rest of your body. We think that’s something to smile about!
If you have any questions about any of our General Dentistry services at Northern Trails Dental Care, or are ready to schedule a visit, contact your Gwinn dentist, Dr. Gwendolyn Buck today by calling (906) 661-1026!
