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So often in school, advertising, and likely from your family dentist too, you will hear that it is so important to brush your teeth at least twice daily. If you’re like most people, you probably hear it and it just fades into background noise. Or, maybe you are an inherent skeptic and wonder if this is truly essential dental care.

However, if you are not doing this, I must tell you it is absolutely essential that you begin today. It is not a myth! It is strongly recommended dental care. And that’s why so many family dentist providers – including this Chicago area dentist, yours truly –  tell all of their clients to brush twice or three times daily – or as often as you can. We are not going overboard on this, believe me!

Why does good dental care mean you brush at least twice daily?

Saliva is always inside your mouth. It is essential to clearing away food debris that may collect on your teeth following a snack or a meal. This form of dental care we like to think of as “automatic tooth brushing” works great in the morning and daytime hours, but what about when you retire for the evening?

When we go to sleep, saliva secretion naturally drops. If you’ve ever wake in the middle of the night to an overly dry mouth or throat, now you know why!

Nevertheless, when the major source of your automatic tooth brushing (saliva) is depleted, debris begins to accumulate on tooth surfaces. Debris on your teeth compounds upon debris, quickly and easily. This provides a ready food source for bacteria to produce acids from that can dissolve the tooth structure – which can form cavities.

But, if you brush your teeth before going to bed at night, you can eliminate much of this potentially damaging debris and bacteria. And, since most toothpaste contain fluoride to help prevent cavities, when you brush, you’re actually adding a layer of protection upon your teeth.

Brushing again in the morning not only will freshen your “morning breath”, it will start your day off right by helping to prevent cavities and tartar all day long.

So you see – it’s not just the nervous family dentist telling you to brush more than once a day. It actually is essential!

Leverage the experience of a trusted Chicago area dentist. Dr. Joseph Majka and his team of dental professionals can help keep your teeth healthy and happy with quality dental care. For truly experienced dental care, contact Dr. Joseph Majka for an appointment today.

We are often asked by parents how they can help ensure good dental health with their children. From toddler age and older, parents should be mindful of good dental hygiene with their children. Some parents don’t often remember that dental care often means more than just brushing an d flossing. It also has to do with what goes in your child’s mouth and when.

A good program of proper dental hygiene begins early and continues through adulthood. The fact is – the habits we learn at early ages often last a lifetime. This means that parents should be mindful of the dental hygiene habits they are teaching their children.

Here are some key things to keep in mind to show good dental hygiene to your children — and to begin a program of positive dental care early on.

• Feed your child nutritious foods and beverages such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products. Avoid foods high in sugar to avoid prolonged damage to your child’s teeth.
• Ensure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day.
• Your child should be served juice in a cup in lieu of in a bottle when old enough.
• Bottles or sippy cup should never be left in a child’s bed or crib over night – or propped in their mouth while they are falling asleep or sleeping. This begins a practice of good nighttime dental hygiene.
• Bottles should be provided during mealtime only – avoid their use near bedtime to allow liquid to properly wash out of the child’s mouth.
• Teeth brushing should be performed at least daily, with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste after each meal; smaller children may need the parents help with brushing.
• Infant teeth brushing should begin as soon as the first tooth pokes through – normally around eight to ten month of page. The practice of good dental care cannot begin early enough!
• Each child in your household should have their own toothbrush – and it should be stored separately from all others to prevent cross-contamination.
• Begin regular dental appointments as soon as your child is old enough to do so. Again, to instill lifetime habits of good dental hygiene, begin this routine early on, typically around two years of age.

Take inventory of your child’s dental hygiene habits. Are you adhering to this list? Do you see areas of improvement for your child’s dental health?

Partnering with a quality family dentist in the ongoing dental care for your family is a good step too. Finding a family dentist to visit on a routine basis is essential for optimum ongoing dental health for your entire family.

Find an experienced, caring dentist in Indiana with Dr. Joseph Majka and his team of dental professionals. Dr. Majka is a Northwest Indiana dentist – located in Valparaiso, Indiana – just forty minutes from Chicago. For the dental care you have been searching for, contact Dr. Majka for an appointment today.

You’ve probably heard the term often, seen it on signs and billboards, and read it in advertisements. A ‘family dentist’. But do you really know what a family dentist is?

A family dentist provides dental care services related to the general maintenance of the teeth, oral hygiene, and tooth health. Often times, you might see the phrases ‘general dentist’ and ‘family dentist’ used interchangeably – but there is a slight difference between the two.

You might find a Chicago dentist that focuses his or her practice on a particular age group. Some dentists, for example, focus on dental care for children and pre-teens. However, with a family dentist, dental care is provided for patients of a variety of ages. They do not typically focus their practice on just one specific age group, but try to help all members of a family with proper dental care – thus the term FAMILY DENTIST.

A family dentist helps ensure that plaque buildup on and around the teeth are kept to a minimum. They do his through routine dental examinations to keep an eye out for decay. When tooth decay is spotted, a family dentist will identify an action plan to deal with it and eliminate tooth decay, helping to ensure the gums remain strong and healthy. This typically means filling cavities and performing ongoing monitoring of potentially problematic teeth, or previously filled teeth.

You might consider your family dentist your second line of defense in dental care and protecting your teeth and gums. A family dentist typically acts in a preventative nature, to help keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy for a lifetime. This is done through periodic dental checkups – twice per year. It is during the dental checkup that your family dentist will perform cleaning and polishing, as well as a comprehensive exam and periodic x-rays to check the state of your dental health (including teeth, roots and gums). If decay or damage is spotted, it can be addressed early on before more substantial damage can be incurred.

So if your family dentist is the second line of defense in proper dental care, what is the first?

Proper at-home dental care is the first line of defense against tooth decay! This includes brushing your teeth and flossing between teeth several times each day. Eliminating the foods, sugars and acids that come in contact with your teeth and gums through effective brushing and flossing is the best thing you can do. Pair that with routine (twice per year) dental exams and cleanings, and you’ve got an unbeatable combination for effective dental care!

Looking for a Chicago dentist or a family dentist in Northwest Indiana that can provide the best in dental care for the entire family? Wondering about your current state of dental health? Remember - always perform routine at-home dental care – and regularly consult your family dentist to ensure optimum dental health.

Contact Dr. Joseph Majka and his team of friendly dental professionals to provide the kind of quality, gentle dental care you have been searching for. Conveniently located in Valparaiso, Indiana – a Northwest Indiana dentist located just 40 minutes from Chicago – this Chicago area dentist offers top-quality dental care for your entire family. Contact us today for an appointment.

Welcome to the blog of dentist Dr. Joseph Majka! In our blog, you’ll find dental news and updates, advancements in dental care and treatment, helpful dental health advice, and updates from Dr. Majka and his team. We hope you find our blog to be helpful, informational and keep you well informed to ensure your best dental health.

Look for a new blog posting soon!