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Do you floss? If you don’t, no doubt you have heard time and again that you should. And for good reason too!

Your family dentist will be the first to tell you of the many benefits of flossing. To effectively remove food and sugary substances that have been trapped between your teeth and at the gum line, there is simply no better way to ensure your teeth stay clean.

The principles of general dentistry are founded on brushing and flossing regularly. To ensure the ongoing health of your teeth, you should follow a daily regimen of brushing and flossing.

Brushing alone cannot effectively clean between the spaces of your teeth – not like floss can. Flossing can greatly help to reduce the chances for cavities and gum disease. You’ll even notice a fresher, cleaner feeling in your mouth when you floss. Just ask your family dentist if you could benefit from flossing – I’m sure he/she will say you could!

Start with buying a quality un-waxed floss – several are available today. Ask your family dentist for a recommendation.

Then stand in front of your bathroom mirror and follow these helpful tips for effectively flossing your teeth:

·         Wind about 18 inches of floss between your two middle fingers.

·         Start with your middle teeth and work back, working between all your upper and lower teeth.

·         Gently glide the floss between the teeth, down to the gum line. Gently curve the floss around each tooth to clean as much of it as possible.

·         Glide the floss up and down gently between your teeth.

·         When you move from tooth to tooth, use a new section of the floss.

·         Be careful not to push the floss into your gums.

·         Sore or bleeding gums the first few times you floss is normal – so don’t be alarmed. This will go away after a few times of regular flossing. If you have any doubts, just ask your family dentist.

·         If you have difficulty navigating the floss between your teeth or in the far reaches of your mouth, you may consider a flossing device. Ask your family dentist for their recommendation.

For better oral hygiene, try flossing. Ask your family dentist for their advice on proper brushing and flossing - and don’t put it off another day.

Dr. Joseph Majka is a family dentist practicing general dentistry in Northwest Indiana. If you are looking for professional, gentle dental care, look no further than Valparaiso dentist Dr. Joseph Majka. Contact us today for an appointment.

Why is it so important to see your dentist regularly? Why do you really need to see your dentist every six months?

The reason is likely to sound like something your mother told you several times – “because it just is”! So listen to your mother – and your dentist!

Whether your dentist practices general dentistry or family dentistry, be sure to visit according to a predefined schedule of oral examinations. If you carry dental insurance, for most insurance companies, this will be twice per year. This schedule is ideal to keep a watchful eye on your teeth, gums and mouth. But this certainly does not discount the need for taking care of your teeth yourself!

Because you put so much into your mouth each and every day, you need to be certain you are performing a solid regimen of routine dental care. You probably have already been told this, but this means brushing and flossing at least twice a day – once when you get up in the morning and once before you go to bed at night (if not more often during the day). This will ensure that any food particles, as well as sugary substances from sweets and beverages or other residue, are cleaned away.

It is doubly important to both brush and floss because food and sugary substances left behind don’t always remain on just the surfaces of your teeth. They get trapped between teeth, behind teeth and at the gum line. With the double-action attack of both brushing and flossing, particularly when you do it at the recommended schedule of twice per day, you will be sure to wipe away as much of this leftover residue as possible – on both the front-facing and rear-facing areas of your teeth, as well as between teeth and at the gum line. This practice, combined with routine visits to your dentist in Valparaiso, Indiana, will help ensure good dental health.

You see, food and sugary substances from prior meals, drinks or snack left to settle on your teeth, between your teeth or on your gums, will do just that – settle in! They will take foothold and cause havoc in your mouth! If left alone, these little critters can grow and cause even larger problems including (but not limited to) cavities, abscesses, gum sensitivity (including bleeding gums), gum disease and more. So don’t risk it!

Whether your dentist practices general dentistry or family dentistry, be sure you visit twice per year, as your dental insurance provides for. And in between, be sure to practice a healthy routine of brushing and flossing at least twice a day.

If you are new to the area, or are looking for a new dentist in Valparaiso, Indiana, chose the gentle dentistry practiced by Dr. Joseph Majka and his team of dental professionals. Skilled in both general dentistry and family dentistry, Dr. Majka and his team will provide the kind of professional, caring dental care you have been searching for. Contact Dr. Majka today for an appointment to ensure you keep your teeth and your mouth healthy for a lifetime!

Before you select your next family dentist, be sure you do your homework. Finding a family dentist should not be done by opening the phone book and picking a name. Finding a family dentist or a dentist practicing in general dentistry is best done by thoroughly looking into the dentist and his/her practice.

There are plenty of general dentistry practitioners available today. Make sure you find the family dentist that best meets your specific needs — and the needs of your family members.

To aid you in your search for a new family dentist, use this handy list of research points:

• Is the family dentist you are considering close to your home or work location? This will make keeping your appointments much easier.
• Ask how long the dentist has been a practicing family dentist.
• Ask about the training the dentist has received, including clinical experience in performing the types of procedures and dental work you are seeking. If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, be sure to ask if the family dentist you are pursuing is trained in cosmetic dentistry.
• What sorts of societies or organizations are the dentist involved in to keep current with modern dental procedures?
• If the family dentist you are pursuing is not familiar with or does not perform the procedure you are seeking, ask about his/her referral process to other dentists/specialists.
• Visit the office of the family dentist you are considering. Is it clean and well organized?
• Are the hours of the dental office you are considering conducive to your lifestyle? Are after hours appointments available? How are emergencies handled?
• Are the staff at the dentist office you are considering friendly and helpful – ready to answer any questions you may have without being offended by your asking?
• Does the family dentist you are considering accept your form of dental insurance? What are his/her insurance procedures regarding filing and co-payments?
• What sorts of pain remediation procedures does the family dentist you are considering follow? Do these work for you and your family?
• Ask your family or friends for dentist recommendations.

There are plenty of dentists available today in the area of general dentistry and family dentistry. You don’t have to accept a family dentist that does not meet all of your needs – nor do you have to just randomly select a name out of the phone book. Shop around and find the family dentist that is right for you.

Looking for a Valparaiso dentist? Searching for an experienced Valparaiso dentist who sincerely cares about each of his clients? Dr. Joseph Majka and his team of dedicated professionals will provide the kind of gentle, professional, caring dentistry you’ve been searching for. For the best dental care you’ve ever experienced, contact Dr. Joseph Majka for an appointment today.

Modern general dentistry is a strong proponent for flossing regularly. You probably hear it every time you visit  your family dentist. Have you been flossing? How often do you floss? Are you flossing correctly?

The fact is, flossing is one of the single most important tools in your arsenal on the war against plaque. In case you weren’t aware, plaque is that soft, sticky residue that accumulates on your teeth from eating food, drinking sugary beverages, and the bacteria that results from both. If plaque accumulates and is not removed in a timely manner, it can lead to cavities, gum disease and loss of teeth.

Flossing is a great supplement to brushing your teeth regularly because it gets all the gunk that gets stuck between your teeth that your toothbrush often misses. In fact, most in the general dentistry profession agree that flossing is an unrivaled tool in the battle for good oral hygiene. In fact, many dentists feel that flossing is as important, if not more important, than brushing!

Did you know that flossing can actually benefit your overall general health too? It’s true! Dangerous bacteria can build up between your teeth in as little as just eight hours after eating. Bacteria builds upon bacteria, and if left to accumulate, over time, can cause you to become mildly ill from swallowing the harmful bacteria.

The fact is, those in the family dentistry profession know that brushing alone cannot prevent gum disease, gingivitis and cavities. Your toothbrush cannot reach all the places that dental floss can. It takes the powerful combination of brushing and flossing to eliminate all the bad stuff that accumulates in your mouth. By brushing and flossing, you can enjoy a cleaner, fresher feeling mouth and ensure good ongoing dental health.

So do what the experts in family dentistry recommend: pick up your toothbrush and brush at least twice daily. And with each brushing, make sure you floss between each tooth to make sure you remove all those dangerous remnant food particles and bacteria collecting in the spots your brush cannot reach.

For trusted advice on proper dental care, call an experienced, caring dentist in Valparaiso, Indiana – Dr. Joseph Majka. Dr. Majka and his team of dedicated family dentistry professionals will not only provide the kind of dependable advice you need, they’ll provide the kind of dental care you’ve been searching for. For truly experienced dental care, contact Dr. Joseph Majka for an appointment today.

It’s ok – we know it might be true. We hope it’s not – but you won’t hurt our feelings if it is true – and we know lots of people feel this way unfortunately.

It is a common feeling to not be so excited to go to the family dentist. But why is that? Have you ever really thought about why it is that you and so many others dislike going to the dentist?

It’s probably common with most practices in the medical field – a necessity that doesn’t really elicit happy thoughts or good feelings. One bad experience – or what is perceived as a bad experience – and you probably never think of your family dentist the same way again! Get sick on  roller coaster, you probably won’t be too excited about riding one again either. This is just human nature.

But general dentistry truly is a necessity if you want to keep your teeth happy and healthy. And happy and healthy teeth make you happy and healthy too.

We want you to feel that your family dentist is your partner in maintaining positive dental health. Dr. Joseph Majka and his team of dental professionals can help keep your teeth happy and healthy longer. Just ask us how!

Let’s take a look at a few of the top reasons why people dislike going to their family dentist:

• The Pain. With today’s modern general dentistry procedures and technology, pain should be able to minimized during a dental procedure. We aren’t living in the dark ages, so your visit to the family dentist should not be an overly painful experience. Communication is key! If you’re experiencing pain during a dental visit, tell your dentist! Chances are, there is something he can do to help control the pain and make this visit – and future visits – more palatable.
• The Stress. Do you get all worked up before you even visit the family dentist? When sitting in the waiting room at your family dentist and awaiting your appointment, do you feel the tension mounting? It doesn’t have to be this way! Relax – take some deep breaths. Try some relaxation techniques. Are you a religious person? Prayer never hurts! Take a book and read to get your mind off of your impending appointment. Bring your iPod and listen to your favorite music – or perhaps a relaxation selection. Perhaps a puzzle book to busy your mind. With these options, you’ll soon find anxiety is just a thing of the past.

• The Expense. Not much in this world is free anymore – and that is true too with a visit to the family dentist. However, quality dental care is essential for the health of your teeth. Research and communication are key to controlling your out-of-pocket costs! Do you have dental insurance? If not, you might want to consider options that might be available to you. If you do have insurance, make sure your dentist accepts it before scheduling an appointment – just ask – we’ll tell you! Not happy with your co-pay for a dental procedure? Ask questions! Ask your dentist’s billing department to double-check everything to ensure you were billed properly. And ask your insurance company about coverage and co-pay for your procedure. Financing may also be available. Many dentists will offer financing for major dental procedures. Just ask us – we can help you get the dental care you need and the help you need to pay for it.
• Bad Conversation. If carrying on a ten-page conversation with someone’s hand in your mouth – or listening to seemingly endless stories of the children of your dental hygienist – is not your thing, then do something about it! If the exam room has a television in it, find a program that interests you – and make it known to your hygienist and dentist that you like to watch it. Or, bring your iPod and listen with your headphones on – this will let the dental team  know you are serious about your solitude. General dentistry need not be an unpleasant experience.

Most importantly – find a family dentist that you are comfortable with. The dentist, his staff, the environment, and the office location are all important in making this evaluation.

Looking for a Valparaiso dentist to provide the quality dental care you have been seeking? A gentle caring family dentist for you and your entire household? Trust Valparaiso dentist Dr. Joseph Majka and his team of dental professionals.

Conveniently located in Northwest Indiana, this Valparaiso dentist is the dental professional you need to ensure ongoing dental health. For the dental care you have been searching for, contact Dr. Majka for an appointment today.

Why not I say…

In this economy, all consumers could use some help now and again – and this is certainly no different with family dentistry. In fact, what better way to entice people to try our general dentistry practice than with the offer of a money saving coupon!

You might be asking yourself: Are these coupons for real?

Sure they are! They are real coupons with real value – that save you real money!

Maybe you’re asking yourself: What kind of dentist offers coupons anyway?

Well all kinds actually…and lots of dentists too! It is one of many forms of marketing that we and many other dentists do to continually make name awareness for our practice and to show you all that we have to offer. If it takes a coupon to show you, we’re fine with that. But you won’t see us outside our office holding signs with directional arrows – or any of our staff dressed as a chicken to entice you in as you drive by!

The truth is, offering money saving coupons is not really all that new in the field of general dentistry or family dentistry. In fact, many well known dentists from coast to coast rely upon marketing to broaden their exposure and consumer reach.

You’ve probably seen dentists’ yellow pages advertisements when you travel. Marketing for general dentistry might also encompass billboards, mailers, and newspaper ads.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Valparaiso, Indiana,  stop by our office, pickup our informational brochure, grab of our business cards or one of our appointment reminder cards. Take a look at our attractive take-home bags that help transport your new toothbrush and other essentials to remind you of proper dental hygiene. All of these are examples of our tasteful marketing.

Of course, we strongly believe in word of mouth “advertising” from our many satisfied clients. We know this speaks volumes about our general dentistry practice – after all, if one of our clients has found us to be a pleasant choice when shopping for a new dentist in Valparaiso, Indiana – someone else might as well. It is a fact that some of our very best and most successful marketing is from the mouths of our very own satisfied clients (click here to read some of our real client testimonials)!

We also believe our family dentistry services define us as well. We offer a broad spectrum of dental services – ideal for the whole family. From general oral cleaning and exams, to fillings, whitening, implants and more – our comprehensive family dentistry services will help everyone in your family maintain good oral health.

Try us – and use our coupon for free x-rays on all new patient consultations. Or, if you’re looking for an improved smile – use our coupon for a free dental implant consultation and $500 off your first dental implant procedure. Click the graphics below, print the coupon and bring it in on your next visit.

If you’re in the market for a dentist in Valparaiso, Indiana  – or you’re near Valparaiso – stop by and let us show you our difference! For the dentistry you deserve, trust Dr. Majka and his team of dental professionals. Hope to see you in our office soon!