Smile Michigan > The Smile Connection

Going to the Dentist

Going to the dentist every 6 months may seem scary, expensive, or simply not worth your time. But it's more important th...

Children & Oral Health, Oral Health Tips

Big Stories from Little Mouths

Cavities. Everyone’s heard of them. Everyone fears them. But does anyone really know the truth about them? Here...

Oral Health Tips

Whitening 101

Sure, we all want bright, shining smiles. But before you go off on a whitening adventure, there are a few things you nee...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

The Sugary Truth

When it comes to your teeth, sugar isn’t all that sweet. When you drink sugary drinks, the high-fruc...

Children & Oral Health, Oral Health Tips

Oral health can be fun, too

Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month with Your Kids It’s finally National Children’s D...

Children & Oral Health

Top 10 Facts About Children’s Oral Health

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again—keeping tiny teeth healthy is just as important as keeping t...

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

The Healthy Smile Diet

It’s common knowledge—sugary foods and drinks can wreak havoc on your teeth. But not everyone understands th...

Oral Health Tips

Embrace the "Brace Face"

Let’s have an honest discussion about braces. If you’ve never had them, you’ve probably seen them on t...

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

The Reality of Tooth Decay

The term “tooth decay” sounds so dark, it could be fiction. Sadly, it’s far from it. Tooth decay is ve...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

No, a Crown Isn’t a Tiara for Your Teeth (or is it...

Ever heard someone refer to a crown on their tooth and just smiled and nodded wondering what they were actually talking ...

Dental Plans & Insurance

How Can I Get the Most for My Money When It Comes ...

You have a family of smiles to look after and, of course, a budget. The good news is there are several ways to get your ...

Oral Health Tips

Don’t Worry, You Can Have a Smile Fit for a Celebr...

First things first, can we all just raise a glass to the progress that’s been made in the dental industry over the...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

“No Time” for a Dentist Visit? C’mon.

If you are anything like the rest of us, you probably have more enjoyable things to do than go to the dentist. But when ...

Children & Oral Health

The Importance of Dental Care at an Early Age

Pam—the mom who does pilates five days a week, is president of the PTA, works a 40-hour week, and somehow still al...

Oral Health Tips

DIY Teeth Whitening—Helpful or Harmful?

Surveys have shown that when asked what people would change about their smile, most responded with whiter teeth. That&rs...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Is Sugar Really as Bad as Dentists Make it Out to ...

In short, yes. Yesssssssss. Consuming too much or the wrong kind of sugars can be detrimental to your smile. The effe...

Oral Health Tips, Dental Plans & Insurance

Michigan Mission of Mercy: A Breakdown

Maybe you’ve seen a few posts referencing our MOM Event. While we think moms are awesome, this acronym stands for ...

Oral Health Tips

Why Wisdom Teeth Aren’t So Wise

As kids, we are taught that losing baby teeth to make room for grown-up teeth is sort of like a rite of passage. Just as...

Oral Health Tips

Do You Really Know How Strong Your Teeth Are?

Your teeth are with you through thick and thin. Both in terms of your hard times, as well as all the different types of ...

Oral Health Tips

What Happens In Your Mouth When You Go To Sleep?

You brush your teeth, go to bed feeling clean and fresh, and then before you know it you wake up with a strong feeling t...

Oral Health Tips

What Do Your Gums Say About Your Oral Health?

Here’s the thing about dentists: they don’t only know how to clean your teeth and gum-line, they can also te...

Children & Oral Health

Why Is Dental Care for Children So Important

There are plenty of conflicting views about the importance of early dental visits. Two of our MDA pediatric dentists sha...

Children & Oral Health

Why You Should Incorporate Fluoride Into Your Chil...

Fluoride is extremely important for anyone of any age to use for the sake of their oral health. Children are no exceptio...

Children & Oral Health

Good Oral Care Habits You Can Teach Your Child Ear...

Good dental hygiene is learned at a young age. Adults are in the habit of brushing their teeth before bed because that&r...

Oral Health Tips

The One Thing You Need To Change About Your Dental...

New year means a new you! Or, at the very least, new goals and routines. With the year kicking off to a fresh start, now...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Why Your Diet Is The Cornerstone of Good Oral Heal...

It’s no secret that sugary foods are more likely to cause cavities. The plaque that develops on your teeth through...

Oral Health Tips

MDA Healthy Gums

Your gums are the root of your oral health. Dr. Dawley, DDS, explains how to keep them in tip-top shape so your teeth ha...

Children & Oral Health

New Parents

New parent? No worries! Dr. Meggan McCone is here to help you keep your child smiling with healthy mouth best practices....

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

4 Strange Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Yo...

Relative to the world’s existence, dental hygiene practices are a fairly new norm by all health and societal stand...

Children & Oral Health, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

The Dangers of DIY Braces

In 2017, a quick Google search makes all of us feel like an expert on any given topic—even dentistry! As a result,...

Children & Oral Health, Oral Health Tips

What's the Deal with Wisdom Teeth?

What's the deal with wisdom teeth? Can they stay or should they go? What's the right age to have them removed? D...

Dental Plans & Insurance

Understanding Your Dental Plan

When it is time for open enrollment and your employer is offering you a choice of dental plans it’s important to k...

Children & Oral Health, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Summertime Smiles - Tips for Your Kids’ Teeth

Did you know that children in the U.S. lose 51 million school hours each year due to dental pain? Here are some tips for...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Want a Healthy Body? Start with a Healthy Mouth!

You know regular maintenance is important to keeping your car running well. Did you also know that regular dental checku...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

The Keys to Oral Cancer Prevention

Nearly 50,000 Americans will be affected by oral cancer this year, and over 9,000 individuals die each year because of i...

Children & Oral Health, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Healthy Eating and Activity Lead to Improved Acade...

Parents and schools are always looking for ways to teach children good eating habits that will benefit them and their te...

Children & Oral Health, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Be a Good Sport about Mouthguards

You may not realize that the most-injured area of the body during contact sports is the mouth. Dental injuries can be pe...

Children & Oral Health, Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Pop Drinking, Poor Diet Lead to Decay

When you’re thirsty, what do you reach for? If you’re like many Americans, it’s probably a can or bott...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Protect Your Heart - Prevent Periodontal Disease

Studies show that your lips, tongue, and gums can impact your overall health in a bad way. What your dentist sees in you...

Children & Oral Health, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

The Benefits of Fluoride - Help Your Smile Be Its ...

Fluoride is important to your dental health because it makes your teeth strong. Fluoride comes from toothpaste, mouth ri...

Dental Plans & Insurance

Understanding Your Dental Benefits

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t pay much attention to your dental plan. But it’s important for you to rea...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Dental X-Rays

In most cases, you only get X-rays when something hurts, but dentists will also take X-rays because there are things tha...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Oral Health Care for the 50-Plus Patient

If you’re over age 50, you are part of the fastest-growing population in the United States! No matter your age, th...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Tips for Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies happen. We want to remind you that you can reduce the chances of damaging your teeth, lips, cheek, an...

Children & Oral Health, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Tips for School Lunches

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and the Michigan Dental Association reminds you that it&rsquo...

Dental Plans & Insurance

Dental Insurance Myths

MYTH: I can’t go to the dentist if I don’t have dental insurance. FACT: Absolutely not true. Many people ...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Diabetes and Your Oral Health

Patients with diabetes have special risks related to their oral health care. Poor oral health has sometimes made diabete...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Fluoride and the Bottled Water Craze

Today, more and more people are drinking bottled water. Bottled water contains no caffeine, no calories, and no sugar. P...

Children & Oral Health, Oral Health Tips

Helpful Dental Health Habits For Children

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and the Michigan Dental Association reminds you that it&rsquo...

Children & Oral Health, Oral Health Tips

Concerns of Infants and Toddlers

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and we want to help your children develop a happy, healthy sm...

Oral Health Tips

Winter Mouth Health Tips

While the chilly weather may have your teeth chattering, there are a lot of easy ways you can keep those pearly whites s...

Dental Plans & Insurance

The True Cost of Dental Care

The cost of dental care is often cited as a reason patients put off receiving routine dental care, sometimes waiting unt...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Pregnancy and Oral Health

Expectant mothers may have special risks related to their oral health care and that of their unborn child. Your baby&rsq...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Oral Health and Your Heart

Did you know that 85 percent of people who have had a heart attack also have had some form of periodontal disease? It&rs...

Oral Health Tips, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Fluoride: Nature's Cavity Fighter

Sixty years ago, Grand Rapids became the world’s first city to adjust the level of fluoride in its water supply. S...

The Smile Connection

Going to the Dentist

Big Stories from Little Mouths

Whitening 101

The Sugary Truth

Oral health can be fun, too

Top 10 Facts About Children’s Oral Health

The Healthy Smile Diet

Embrace the "Brace Face"

The Reality of Tooth Decay

No, a Crown Isn’t a Tiara for Your Teeth (or is it...

How Can I Get the Most for My Money When It Comes ...

Don’t Worry, You Can Have a Smile Fit for a Celebr...

“No Time” for a Dentist Visit? C’mon.

The Importance of Dental Care at an Early Age

DIY Teeth Whitening—Helpful or Harmful?

Is Sugar Really as Bad as Dentists Make it Out to ...

Michigan Mission of Mercy: A Breakdown

Why Wisdom Teeth Aren’t So Wise

Do You Really Know How Strong Your Teeth Are?

What Happens In Your Mouth When You Go To Sleep?

What Do Your Gums Say About Your Oral Health?

Why Is Dental Care for Children So Important

Why You Should Incorporate Fluoride Into Your Chil...

Good Oral Care Habits You Can Teach Your Child Ear...

The One Thing You Need To Change About Your Dental...

Why Your Diet Is The Cornerstone of Good Oral Heal...

MDA Healthy Gums

New Parents

4 Strange Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Yo...

The Dangers of DIY Braces

What's the Deal with Wisdom Teeth?

Understanding Your Dental Plan

Summertime Smiles - Tips for Your Kids’ Teeth

Want a Healthy Body? Start with a Healthy Mouth!

The Keys to Oral Cancer Prevention

Healthy Eating and Activity Lead to Improved Acade...

Be a Good Sport about Mouthguards

Pop Drinking, Poor Diet Lead to Decay

Protect Your Heart - Prevent Periodontal Disease

The Benefits of Fluoride - Help Your Smile Be Its ...

Understanding Your Dental Benefits

Dental X-Rays

Oral Health Care for the 50-Plus Patient

Tips for Dental Emergencies

Tips for School Lunches

Dental Insurance Myths

Diabetes and Your Oral Health

Fluoride and the Bottled Water Craze

Helpful Dental Health Habits For Children

Concerns of Infants and Toddlers

Winter Mouth Health Tips

The True Cost of Dental Care

Pregnancy and Oral Health

Oral Health and Your Heart

Fluoride: Nature's Cavity Fighter

Dental Health Newsletter

Michigan Dental Association