Dr. Ribitch provides comprehensive and comfortable care for patients and families in the Mount Pleasant, MI area. We emphasize disease prevention through routine dental visits. Our dentist in Mount Pleasant, MI takes the time to get to know you as an individual and to understand your unique risk factors for common dental problems. This is the foundation of personalized care and oral hygiene advice to help you enjoy a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles.
General Dentistry Services In Mount Pleasant, MI
Emergency Dentistry
Are you feeling severe tooth pain? Has your dental bridge or denture broken? Call our office at 989.268.7966. Dr. Raymond Ribitch and his team are trained to fix complex dental problems. If your emergency happens during business hours, call our office to discuss your concerns and schedule an appointment. We will return your message ASAP and attempt to schedule your appointment the next day.
Family Dentistry
It is important to practice and maintain healthy oral hygiene from a young age, which is why Dr. Ribitch and his professional team treat patients of all ages. Dr. Ribitch and his team can provide personalized care for you and your family. Our team enjoys educating patients about oral health and helping young patients learn how to maintain healthy teeth and gums. We offer sports mouth guards, dental fillings, tooth bonding, and Invisalign for older children. Dr. Ribitch and his team want to provide consistent care every step of the way.
Laser Dentistry
Not a fan of dental drills? Do needles make you feel squeamish? Laser dentistry is a modern way to treat dental problems that eliminates the need for drills or needles. Procedures conducted with laser dentistry are painless and more comfortable than traditional dental procedures. They also offer faster healing times, minimized bleeding, more accurate treatment, and fewer patient side effects.
Mouthguards
Do you or your child play contact sports? Protect your and your child’s teeth from injury with a custom mouthguard. Dr. Ribitch will work with you or your child to create a comfortable sports mouthguard. He will take a mold of teeth to craft the final custom mouthguard.
Tooth Extraction
If you have one or more teeth that are severely decayed, they may need to be removed. Dr. Ribitch will work with you to determine if a tooth extraction suits you. A tooth extraction is an important option if a root canal is not enough to fix tooth decay. Tooth extractions can also be used for a damaged tooth, an impacted wisdom tooth, or overcrowding. This procedure can prevent problems such as increased bone loss or tooth decay.
The Importance of Preventative Care
Preventative care provides the basis for your oral health. With preventative care, we aim to help you avoid costly dental problems that require more intensive treatment solutions. If you’re taking care of your mouth regularly at home and in our office, you’re less likely to face severe dental problems in the future. We provide you with patient education so that you know exactly what you need to do to keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
You should brush and floss at home regularly and practice a healthy, balanced diet. Brushing and flossing help eliminate debris and bacteria around and between your teeth. If left alone, bacteria builds up and forms a thin layer of plaque on the teeth. As this hardens, it becomes tartar and increasingly hard to eliminate. A balanced diet with lots of fibrous fruits and vegetables helps produce saliva and clear bacteria and food away from your smile. Sugary things attract bacteria and make you more likely to develop conditions like tooth decay and gum disease.
At our office, your bi-annual appointments offer a thorough cleaning and exam. The cleaning eliminates plaque and bacteria from areas your at-home tools can reach. Even if you’re a diligent brusher at home, specialized dental tools are the only way to get in some small, cramped areas of your mouth.
An exam allows us to track your progression and detect problems you may be facing in their early stages. Oral cancer and gum disease have early warning signs that aren’t painful, so you may not notice them. However, dental professionals know what to look for and can detect these problems earlier. We can hopefully reverse the damage and use conservative treatment options that won’t cost too much.
General Dentistry FAQs
General dentistry is the base of our dental practice. Learn more by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.
Should I use a manual or electric toothbrush?
Both of these methods are effective if you’re brushing your teeth properly. An electric toothbrush may be better for children and people with movement disorders. These patients may have trouble performing the proper motions and effectively reaching all areas of the mouth with a manual toothbrush.
Why do I need to floss?
Brushing alone doesn’t remove all the food particles and bacteria from your smile. Toothbrush bristles can’t get in between your teeth. That’s where floss comes in. It’s for all the harder-to-reach particles that get stuck in places that are difficult to reach for just your toothbrush.
How often should I visit the dentist?
We recommend visiting the dentist at least twice yearly for a deep cleaning and exam. This allows us to clean areas in your smile that you can’t reach with tools at home and monitor the changes in your mouth. Visiting the dentist is essential for catching problems early and paying less for non-invasive dental care.
Are dental x-rays necessary?
Many dental problems aren’t visible just by looking at the surface of your teeth and gums. X-rays can see infections and abscesses under the surface, tooth decay in between or deep in your teeth, and the development of wisdom and adult teeth in younger patients. Detecting these problems early helps us treat them quickly so you can avoid more intensive dental treatment.
What’s fluoride’s role in my oral health?
Fluoride is one of the most important minerals for your oral health. It helps fortify your tooth enamel, making it more resistant to bacteria and decay. If you drink tap water, you likely get a decent amount of fluoride from the water. Children need more fluoride to ensure their teeth grow strong. We may recommend fluoride treatment during their regular dental visits.
How do I get rid of bad breath?
Bad breath is caused by odor-causing bacteria building up in your mouth. Regular brushing and flossing should eliminate bad breath by removing this bacteria. If you’re still having problems, let us know. A deeper concern like gum disease can cause chronic bad breath. It can also be a stomach condition or other issue for your doctor.
Schedule A Dental Appointment in Mount Pleasant
Mid Michigan Smiles welcomes new patients and offers the kind of personalized dental care that we would like to receive ourselves. From smile maintenance to the comprehensive treatment of complex dental problems, Dr. Ribitch is your comprehensive dentist in Mount Pleasant, MI. Contact our office to schedule a visit by calling 989.268.7966 or request an appointment online.