Lakes Family Dentistry

06/23/2026

A missing tooth can set off a chain reaction inside your mouth.

When a tooth is lost and not replaced, the surrounding jawbone may gradually shrink because it no longer receives the stimulation normally provided by the tooth root. Over time, neighboring teeth can begin to drift or tilt into the empty space.

The tooth in the opposite jaw may also continue erupting because it no longer has a tooth to bite against. These changes can affect the way your teeth fit together and may make future treatment more complex.

This is one reason dentists often recommend replacing missing teeth—not just to restore your smile, but also to help maintain the health, function, and stability of the surrounding teeth and bone.

06/23/2026

Happy Father’s Day!

06/04/2026

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05/31/2026

The difference between healthy gums and gum disease often lies beneath the surface.

As gum disease progresses, bacteria and inflammation can gradually damage the gums, periodontal ligament, and supporting jawbone. Over time, gums may recede, periodontal pockets can deepen, bone levels may decline, and teeth can become less stable. Because this process usually develops slowly, many people are unaware that significant damage is occurring.

One of the biggest concerns is that this damage often develops silently, with few noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Early diagnosis, effective plaque control, and regular dental care can help protect the structures that keep teeth healthy and stable for life.

05/31/2026

We see your babies as soon as they get their baby teeth around 6 months of age.

The American Dental Association recommends that a child’s first dental visit happen soon after the first tooth erupts — and no later than the first birthday.

Many parents wait until a child complains of pain or develops visible cavities, but dental problems can begin much earlier than most people realize.

Early dental visits help monitor oral development, identify signs of tooth decay, guide parents on feeding and brushing habits, and build healthy routines from the start.

Baby teeth are temporary, but they play a major role in chewing, speech development, jaw growth, and guiding permanent teeth into place.

Preventive dental care should begin early — not after problems appear.

05/31/2026

Summer is almost here. What a way to start it with clean healthy teeth.
Call and make your appointment today. 248-363-8285

05/31/2026

Healthy gums keep YOU healthy!

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🦷 The Anatomy of Gum Disease

05/31/2026

A new study found that children who continued thumb sucking or pacifier use for longer periods were significantly more likely to develop anterior open bite.

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Oral Health analyzed data from 33 studies and found a clear association between prolonged non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite—a condition in which the upper and lower front teeth do not properly meet when the mouth is closed.

Researchers also found that the longer these habits persisted, the greater the risk became. Daily pacifier use showed one of the strongest associations with open bite development.

Thumb sucking and pacifier use are common during early childhood and are often normal developmental behaviors. However, when these habits continue for extended periods, they may gradually influence the way the teeth and jaws develop.

Source: Wang Y, et al. Association between non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Oral Health. 2025.

05/25/2026

Many parents worry when they see spaces between their child’s baby teeth. But in most cases, those small gaps are actually a healthy sign.

Baby teeth are naturally smaller than permanent teeth. As a child grows, the jaws also grow and create extra space to prepare for the much larger adult teeth that will erupt later. That’s why dentists often like to see some spacing between baby teeth during early childhood.

When baby teeth are very tight together with little or no spacing, there may be less room available for the permanent teeth in the future. This can increase the likelihood of crowding, overlapping, or crooked teeth as adult teeth begin to come in.

Of course, spacing alone cannot perfectly predict future orthodontic needs, but it can give important clues about how the teeth and jaws are developing.

Sometimes, the gaps parents worry about today are actually helping create a healthier smile tomorrow.