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Oral Health and Overall Health Are Always Linked

August 19, 2015

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , — docmichael @ 6:18 pm

Your entire body is linked together in a very complex way. Any problems that one area of the body experiences can be felt in an entirely different place. Don’t believe us? Think about how you feel the next time the flu hits. It isn’t just your stomach that hurts, it’s the combination of headaches and body aches that brings you to your knees. It’s all a perfect example of how much your body relies on its other parts to survive.

Let’s switch gears and discuss why oral health is so important. Disease and other infections can plague your mouth. They can damage your smile so much that teeth may end up going missing or will need to be extracted in order to save your entire oral health. Infections don’t mess around and can become fatal if not properly treated. At Michel Dental in Silver Lake, KS, we always want patients to know how important it is to keep their oral health in optimal shape. It isn’t just a toothache you have to worry about because it could be much, much worse. Let Dr. Michael Michel be the Silver Lake dentist you can trust.

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Heed These Toothbrush Tips to Keep Your Teeth Looking and Feeling Great

July 28, 2015

The way you brush your teeth is important. Think of all the bacteria and other “stuff” that is living on your teeth after you’ve had a meal. Throughout your life, you’ve most likely had the following drilled into your brain if not by a dentist, then by your parents: “Make sure you brush and floss twice a day. Right after you eat breakfast and before you go to bed, I better see those teeth sparkling clean.” We hope we didn’t bring up any bad flashbacks. The truth is, yes, brushing and flossing twice a day is very important and helps keep your dental health in check. But, have you ever paid attention to how you’re brushing your teeth? Subtle changes in your regimen can pay huge dividends down the road. Silver lake dentist, Dr. Michael Michel, wants you to brush the right time, the first time. Have you been to our Topeka, KS office lately? If you could use a refresher on brushing techniques, you’ve come to the right place.

http://www.smilebydesignva.com/how-to-handle-a-dental-emergency

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Your Topeka Painless Dentist

July 6, 2015

Many people assume that dentistry has to be painful. Dental care is often portrayed negatively focusing on drills, and old fashioned tooth extraction. Patients who look terrified laying on uncomfortable chairs, so it’s no surprise how many millions of Americans report experiencing some level of dental anxiety. At Michel Dental, we don’t think visiting the dentist should hurt. Dr. Michael E. Michel and his skilled team will alleviate your dental pain without causing you more discomfort. Numerous dental health care issues have severely painful effects when left untreated. Preventive care and TMJ, endodontic therapy, and periodontic treatment from Dr. Michel, ensure you’ll have a lifetime of painless smiles. Call Michel Dental in Topeka, KS to schedule an appointment with painless dentist.

TMJ Dentist, Topeka

One of the most painful oral health care concerns a patient can experience is temporomandibular joint dysfunction often called TMJ or TMD. TMD may start as clicking or grinding in the temporomandibular joint (the joint that connect your jawbone – mandible to the rest of your skull), but TMD can lead to extreme pain when opening or closing your mouth, inability to open the mouth wide enough to eat or drink, headaches, neck pain, earaches, and even deafness in extreme cases. Dr. Michel has advanced studies in TMJ dysfunction and treatment through Bio Research prepared him to offer patients non-surgical answers to relieving their TMJ pain.

Endodontics Root Canal Therapy to Relieve Pain

Endodontics is the study and care of the inner tooth (pulp and nerves). Dr. Michel’s years of experience in endodontics make him an ideal choice to relieve pain related to infection of the inner tooth structures. You likely think root canal therapy has to hurt. Root canals have always been the stuff of dentistry nightmares, but innovative care from Dr. Michel will help relieve your pain not cause you more. Most of the pain associated with root canals is caused when the nerve housed inside the root canal is exposed to infection making the tooth extremely sensitive and causing pain. Root Canal Therapy removes the infection, but preserves as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.

Periodontics Gum Disease Therapy

More than 50% of Americans suffer from some level of periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease can make eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, and other daily activities painful. More importantly, infection in the gums can spread through the body leading to fever and nausea, gum tissue or bone loss as well as increasing risk of heart disease, blood clot, and stroke. Periodontal therapy from Michel Dental will help you return to a healthy, pain free smile. By eliminating the infection and discovering the cause of the infection, Dr. Michel doesn’t just treat your gums. He helps you maintain periodontal health going forward.

Contact us for Painless Dentistry, Silver Lake

If you experience tooth pain or discomfort, Dr. Michel can help you reduce pain and improve your overall oral health. Dentistry doesn’t have to hurt, and at Michel Dental, we’ll help you look and feel great. Call us for an appointment today. Our Topeka, KS practice welcomes patients from surrounding communities including Silver Lake, Emporia, Lawrence and Manhattan.

 

Silver Lake Family Dentist – Michael E. Michel

June 6, 2015

It’s never easy choosing a new physician or finding one who can treat the whole family, but Dr. Michael E. Michel opened his Topeka, KS family dentistry practice more than 30 years ago. His years of experience, education, and continual dedication to serving his patients of all ages make Michel Dental a great option for the oral health of the whole family from pediatric to geriatric. Whatever your dental health care needs, Dr. Michel treats the whole family in one of two convenient locations. Call to schedule an appointment with our Silver Lake or Topeka, KS offices today.

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Your Silver Lake dentist, Michel Dental, strives for your whole-mouth health

May 10, 2015

Whole-mouth health keeps your whole body on track. Your Silver Lake, KS, dentist, Michael E. Michel DDS, takes care of your dental cleanings, exams, cosmetic procedures and restorations to ensure you look and feel your best.

What’s the point of a good-looking smile if your gums and bone structure are compromised? The best of modern general dentistry aims for whole-mouth health in an attractive smile that lasts a lifetime.

Michael E. Michel DDS PA, your Silver Lake family dentist, and his hard-working, friendly team aim for the best of modern general dentistry. From routine dental exams, x-rays and cleanings to cosmetic improvement with teeth whitening to TMJ and sleep apnea therapies, Michel Dental builds a healthy mouth for a healthy you.

  The foundation of a great smile is regular dental care.

Daily brushing and flossing are critical to dental health, but your Silver Lake family dentist, Dr. Michel, also emphasizes the semi-annual oral exam and cleaning. Comfortable in Michel Dental’s bright and efficient atmosphere, patients get thorough check-ups that:

  • look for tooth decay
  • examine the health of gums and other soft tissues of the mouth with gentle periodontal probing
  • assess jaw alignment and how teeth bite together
  • visualize bone and root structure with periodic x-rays
  • inspect hidden areas of the mouth with innovative intraoral camera imaging

Hygienic cleanings remove plaque and tartar from between teeth and at the gumline, avoiding the bacterial infections and gum disease that cause bone and tooth loss and impact other body systems. Prevention is a hallmark of care by your Silver Lake, KS, family dentist.

Dental problems are addressed with skill and compassion.

When dental issues arise, Dr. Michel’s extensive education, skill and experience can address them quickly and correctly. His restorative dental services include:

  • tooth colored fillings
  • natural-looking white crowns, onlays and inlays (partial crowns)
  • endodontics or root canal therapy
  • fixed bridgework
  • periodontics ( root scaling and instillation with antibiotics)

In addition, Dr. MIchel offers innovative diagnostic testing and non-surgical treatment for TMJ (temporomandibular joint ) dysfunction and sleep apnea, both of which impact overall health. Quick and objective Joint Vibration Analysis detects any friction in teeth, jaw joints and muscles which cause classic jaw clicking, headaches and other symptoms of this jaw issue. For sleep apnea, Dr. Michel has the OASYS sleep device which helps eliminate the sleepless nights, interrupted breathing, snoring and systemic effects individuals can experience.

You can be confident in your smile, too.

Dr. Michel offers many outstanding cosmetic services for the healthy smile that just needs a little aesthetic improvement. These procedures include:

  • Invisalign® clear braces for teens and adults
  • teeth whitening for a noticeably brighter smile
  • porcelain veneers to correct color, shape and size

You and your dentist in the Silver Lake community will discuss your goals for an outstanding, confident smile.

Get your oral health on track.

Best of all, this award-winning member of the Kansas Dental Association is committed to listening to and addressing the concerns of all his patients. He values continuing education for himself, his staff and for his patients, too.

Why not call Michel Dentist  for a consultation? Great whole-mouth health can begin today! Phone (785) 273-7350.  We serve adults and children in Silver Lake and  Topeka, KS, as well as from the surrounding areas of Emporia, Lawrence and Manhattan.

Children’s Dentistry in Topeka, KS

March 25, 2015

Oh those precious little ones with their precious little smiles. How quickly they grow. But while they are little, it’s important to care for their dental health, so children have a solid foundation upon which to build a lifetime of good oral health care. At Michel Dental in Topeka, KS, we want to help you instill the value of dental health, which is why children’s dentistry is an integral part of our preventive dentistry practice.

Truth be told, children’s dentistry begins long before you bring your children to see Dr. Michael Michel for their first checkups, and it begins at home with you. As soon as you see that first baby tooth break through those pink gums, it’s time to start cleaning their teeth. Just take a soft cloth that’s been dampened with warm water and wipe their teeth after feeding. As more teeth appear, you can begin to use a small, soft toothbrush with a dab of toothpaste.

Children’s Dentistry at Michel Dental

Around the time that your children are three years old, Dr. Michel will want to start seeing them in the office for dental checkups every six months. At these exams, we’ll clean their teeth and remove any plaque buildup, assess the health of their gums—yes, children can have gum disease—and we’ll take digital x-rays when necessary. Of course, if we find anything of concern, such as a cavity, we’ll want to treat with expediency in order to prevent a little problem from becoming a big one.

Fluoride treatments and dental sealants are another important component of children’s dentistry. Fluoride is a mineral that has been shown to strengthen teeth’s enamel. Dr. Michel may want to apply a topical fluoride treatment to boost the enamel’s ability to fight dental caries and tooth decay. Dental sealants are a clear or white plastic coating that Dr. Michel “paints” on to your children’s deeply grooved molars, creating a physical barrier between decay-causing bacteria and teeth.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If it’s time for your children to see the dentist, then call the office of Dr. Michel. We serve adults and children in Topeka, KS, as well as from the surrounding areas of Emporia, Lawrence and Manhattan.

Nutrition Tips for Dental Health from Dr. Michael Michel

February 25, 2015

Did you know that eating right isn’t only important to your general health and wellbeing, it’s also important to your oral health, too? The foods and beverages you choose to consume directly—and we mean directly—affect the health of your teeth and gums. Obviously, your mouth is the point of entry for everything you eat and drink, so it should come as no surprise that your diet affects your oral health. With this in mind, Dr. Michael Michel and his staff in Topeka, KS, would like to offer some advice on how you can eat well and maintain your oral health, too.

What Foods Should You Eat?

Let’s begin by focusing on the foods that are helpful to your teeth and gums. First, dairy products such as cheese, milk and plain yogurt, along with calcium-fortified tofu, leafy greens and almonds, are foods that benefit dental health. These foods are high in calcium, which strengthens teeth just as it does bones. Protein-rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, milk and eggs are good sources of phosphorus. Both calcium and phosphorus fortify and rebuild tooth enamel.

Even though fresh fruits and vegetables contain some sugars, they balance that out with fiber and water to clean your teeth, making them a healthy diet choice. Fruits and vegetables also stimulate saliva production to rinse decay-causing acids and food particles away from teeth and gums. Plus, many contain vitamin C, which promotes healthy gums, and vitamin A, another nutrient that builds tooth enamel.

What Foods and Drinks Should You Avoid?

The foods and drinks you try to avoid in order to maintain a healthy diet and healthy weight are essentially the same foods you should avoid for the sake of your dental health. Sweet treats—candy (especially hard or sticky candy), cookies, cakes, muffins—all contain sugars that stick to your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth thrive on these sugars and release acids that cause tooth decay. Likewise starchy foods, such as potato chips and crackers, have the same effect.

Sodas, juices, sweetened teas and coffee, some sports drinks, lemonade and limeade literally bathe your teeth in sugar, which causes tooth decay. Choose water instead, and occasionally choose tap water, which is fluoridated.

Call Our Office Today

In conjunction with a healthy diet, regular dental checkups are a must for maintaining oral health. So, schedule an appointment with Dr. Michel in Topeka, KS. We also conveniently serve patients in Emporia, Lawrence and Manhattan and surrounding areas.

Which Toothpaste Is Best for You?

August 7, 2014

Many people underestimate the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth every day. Though it may seem simple, brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis, multiple times a day, can really affect the overall health of your smile and your body. Any time you walk down the oral care aisle, you may feel overwhelmed with the hundreds of options for toothpastes. With different flavors, some promising a whiter smile, you may not know which toothpaste is just right for you and your smile. Dr. Barry Polansky wants his patients to well-informed when walking down the oral care aisle to make sure they are knowledgeable in toothpastes and how it can benefit their smiles.

When looking for a toothpaste, a very important thing to look for is making sure the toothpaste has fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral that deters tooth decay, such as cavities, as well as attracts other minerals to strengthen your smile. Also, any time you eat or drink, the bacteria in your mouth release an acid when feeding off of the sugars and starches left behind; fluoride is a great way of fighting off that acid.

Making sure your toothpaste as tartar control is another great thing to look for. Tartar, which is hardened plaque, has the potential to put your smile at a higher risk for gum disease and other types of dental decay if left untreated. There are some toothpastes out there that contain Triclosan. Triclosan is an antibiotic that kills the bacteria in your mouth. Making sure whatever toothpaste you choose is ADA approved is essential. When a toothpaste is ADA approved, it contains fluoride, killing two birds with one stone. These few tips will definitely make it easier for you when deciding on a toothpaste that is right for you, and you will be on the road to better oral health in no time!

At Michel Dental, we offer quality dental care for a distinctive smile. Our Topeka dental office serves patients from Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, and surrounding areas. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

The Importance of Cleaning Your Tongue

July 21, 2014

With summer gripping us with its warm rays, many people are making an effort to look their absolute best for the summer season. There is no doubt you will be meeting many new people and reconnecting with old friends and family during the season, and many think it is important to have a perfect smile to greet them with! What many people may not realize is cleaning your tongue daily is just as important as brushing and flossing your teeth! Often left to fall to the wayside, the tongue holds a lot of bacteria that can cause many negative effects on your body. Cleaning your tongue daily can hold many benefits for your smile and the rest of your body, and the Dr. Michael Michel wants you to be as knowledgeable as possible regarding proper oral care!

One of the prominent reasons to clean your tongue is to be able to have fresher breath.  There are millions upon millions of bacteria that thrive on your tongue and, eventually, through your saliva, make their way throughout the rest of your mouth and body. Research shows that not cleaning your tongue can be the reason for 80 to 95% of halitosis (bad breath) cases. Another reason to clean your tongue every day is so you will be able to better taste your foods and drinks. Without all of the bacteria covering up the taste of your food, you will be able to fully enjoy and savor every bite and sip you take!

A very important reason to clean your tongue daily is to prevent the possibility of cardiovascular problems, infertility in men, and increased risk of diabetes. Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, and when it is not taken care of, it can have brutal side effects. The bacteria that manifest on your tongue have also been linked to periodontal (gum) problems, such as tooth decay, recession of the gums, and tooth loss. In order to truly reap the benefits of having a beautiful, healthy smile, not just during summer but all year round, make an effort to clean your tongue every day, and you will not be let down!

Just How Important is Fluoride?

June 5, 2014

Though many people may not know this, fluoride is a key mineral that helps keep your teeth nice and strong. Especially important in children’s dentistry, fluoride treatments can begin a healthy foundation for your smile to thrive and take life’s knocks. In case you have forgotten, or do not know, about the many benefits fluoride can give, let Michel Dental inform you!

One of the benefits to fluoride is the fact that it naturally makes your teeth resistant to cavities. The mineral acts as a shield, not allowing harmful bacteria to ruin your smile. Fluoride also strengthens teeth, making them resilient to the end! Fluoride treatments are common practice in children’s dentistry, as studies show that children who receive them are 40% less likely to get cavities.

Another great way to get fluoride is through tap water, as well as certain toothpastes and mouthwashes. Fluoride is also beneficial to those who suffer from constant dry mouth, people with crowns and bridges, people with braces, gum disease, and those who have a history of having continual cavities. Everyone young and old and benefit from fluoride, and we encourage you to find a source! So, as you see, though fluoride may be in the back of some people’s minds, it really should be at the forefront. It’s a wonderful way to protect your teeth, keeping them beautiful and healthy for years to come! If you have any questions about fluoride treatments, call our office and we will be happy to help!

At Michel Dental, we offer quality dental care for a distinctive smile. Our Topeka dental office serves patients from Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, and surrounding areas. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

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