We all know the many different functions that our teeth and gums have, however, many of us don’t know the different parts of the tooth and their functions.

The exterior of the tooth consists of the crown. This is what we see when we look at teeth, the upper top part of the tooth. The crown is encased with a thin shell-like material known as enamel. Enamel is the hardest substance in the bottom, and it helps to protect our teeth from being damaged. What most people don’t realize, however, is that there is much more to the mouth and teeth! The root of our tooth is the part that is implanted into the gums. Although this part may not be exposed like the crown, it too can develop cavities and other oral issues if not taken care of properly. The outer layer of the root, known as the Cementum, binds the root to the bone and forms the socket of the tooth.

So, What is the inside of the tooth made of?

Inside our tooth is a material known as Dentin. Dentin is softer than enamel, however, it is more hard and durable than a typical bone. The dentin surrounds the inner tooth core, which is typically known as the pulp canal or root canal. This area is where nerve ending and blood vessels sensitive and nourish the root.

Understanding teeth and how they work is extremely important, however, nothing is more important than understanding the proper and best ways for caring for your teeth. If you want to keep your natural teeth for years to come, it is important to maintain the best oral hygiene possible.

What happens if I don’t take care of my teeth properly?

If teeth are not treated for properly, they can develop cavities, tooth decay, and other severe oral health issues. If left untreated, these can result in the requirement that the tooth (or teeth) be extracted. This may mean needing expensive dental treatment or possibly even dentures! 

To keep your teeth healthy, strong, and beautiful be sure to brush twice a day, floss AT LEAST once a day, and visit your dentist in White Bear Lake, MN, twice or more throughout the year. This is the best way that you can avoid needing dentures or false teeth. Your teeth are good to you, so be good to them; keep them clean, health, and strong! Call (651) 653-3802 or click here to schedule an appointment today!

Visit http://bit.ly/1par6BD to learn more about your teeth. 

White Bear Lake MN Dentist Advises Patients on Toothaches

Everyone gets a toothache at some point or another, and your White Bear Lake MN dentist wants to be sure that you understand what is causing your toothache. Toothaches are not always caused by the same thing; however, the most common cause is cavities. If you have a toothache, it is important to see your dentist in White Bear Lake MN as soon as possible!

Many people often avoid the dentist, even if they have a toothache! If you have a toothache and it subsides after a short time period, it is still crucial that you visit Dr. Joy Johnson. Teeth can ache for many different reasons. Usually if you have a dental cavity or decay, the first sign is feeling pain when you eat something sweet, very hot, or very cold.

What are the symptoms of a toothache?

Symptoms of a toothache vary depending on the issue.  If you have an abscessed tooth, the first symptom you notice may be pus near the source of the pain. An abscessed tooth occurs when the bone surrounding the teeth is infected. It is extremely important to see you dentist straight away if you think you may have an abscessed tooth.

Pain and pus can also be a sign that you have gum disease. Gum disease typically causes inflammation of the gums, and they often bleed after flossing and brushing. Certain symptoms, especially when occurring together, can be a sign that there is something extremely wrong with your oral mouth.

Visit our White Bear Lake MN Family Dentist if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Difficulty Breathing or Swallowing
• Swelling Around the Area of a Tooth
• Pain when you Bite
• A Foul-Tasting Discharge

Don’t hesitate to visit your dentist if you think you may have a problem. If you wait to visit Dr. Johnson, your condition can quickly worsen. If you do have a toothache and cannot see your dentist right away, there are a few things you can do:

First, try to schedule an emergency appointment. If you are not able to do so, there are some self-care remedies that can temporarily alleviate the pain:

• Rinse with Warm Salt Water
• Gently Floss to Dislodge Trapped Particles
• Take an Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever
• Apply a cold Compress if there has been Trauma to the Tooth

These may help to temporarily relieve the pain, but regardless you should pay a visit to your White Bear Lake MN Family Dentist as soon as possible! By visiting your White Bear Lake MN Dentist, they can complete an oral exam to determine the location and cause of the toothache.

If you have a toothache, be sure to call (651)-653-3802 to schedule an appointment today. Be sure to mention if you think it may be a dental emergency!

Celebrate National Hygiene Month with White Bear Lake Dental!

October is National Hygiene Month! All month long, you’ll be reminded that your teeth are a very important part of your body and that they deserve attention! Nobody understands the important role of healthy teeth better than White Bear Lake MN Dentist, Dr. Joy Johnson. 

A beautiful smile most likely means great oral health. Have you ever heard the phrase “healthy mouth, healthy you”? It’s true, and it’s backed by scientific evidence! Just a few of the health benefits of a healthy mouth are reduced risk of heart disease, memory preservation, and reduced risk of infection and inflammation in your body.

Beautiful smiles also boost your self-esteem and confidence. Poor oral health can lead to discolored teeth, bad breath, missing teeth, or worse. This can have quite the toll on an individual’s mental and social health. Healthy, beautiful smiles, however, exude confidence and give off the perception that you’re more professional, friendlier, and attractive.

To get the smile of your dreams, it’s critical you remember to:

·         Brush for 2 minutes, 2 minutes per day

·         Floss daily

·         Rinse with mouthwash

·         Chew sugar-free gum after eating

·         Get a dental exam/cleaning every 6 months

Brushing and flossing can only get you so far. To ensure your teeth are protected against bacteria and cavities, visit your dentist twice a year. If you are in the White Bear Lake MN area, make an appointment with Dr. Joy Johnson at White Bear Lake Dental by calling (651)-653-3802 or click here.

White Bear Lake MN Family Dentists Explains Proper Way to Store a Toothbrush

As your dentist in White Bear Lake MN, we want to ensure that your oral hygiene is at its’ best. It is extremely important to brush your teeth and floss daily, but more importantly, you need to store your toothbrush properly. It’s hard to clean the teeth using something dirty! A clean toothbrush not only helps to clean the teeth, but it can freshen your breath and remove bad bacteria as well.

How do you clean a toothbrush?

You should clean your toothbrush before and after each use by rinsing it off under hot water. This will help to kill and bacteria and germs as well as remove them from the bristles. Run your thumb along the bristles underneath hot running water.

Every so often you can even sanitize your toothbrush using an antibacterial solution. These can be found in drug stores, and typically the toothbrush remains in an antibacterial solution for at least 10 minutes. After it is cleaned off, it is important to place your toothbrush somewhere to dry.

How to store your toothbrush:

Storing your toothbrush is just as important as cleaning it. It is important to store your toothbrush at an upright position (bristles as the top), separate from all other toothbrushes, and at least 2-3 feet away from the toilet. Storing the toothbrush at an upright position ensures that any trapped bacteria and water will drip down.

It is important that your toothbrush be held in an open container with proper ventilation. Storing your toothbrush in a closed container is not clean or sanitary. Your toothbrush needs proper air flow in order for it to dry.

How often should you replace your toothbrush?

The American Dental Association recommends that you get a new toothbrush at least once every 3 to 4 months. It may even need to be replaced sooner than that. If you notice that the bristles on your toothbrush have begun to fray, it’s about that time to get a new one.

Just as important as properly storing a toothbrush is, properly brushing is even more detrimental to your oral health. Visit your White Bear Lake MN dentist and ensure that your teeth are as healthy as possible. Ask your doctor if you’ve been flossing and brushing properly. Call (651)-653-3802 to schedule an appointment today!

Family Dentist in White Bear Lake MN Helps Fight Off Dental Decay in Children

Most people know and understand that our teeth are important. They allow us to perform daily functions successfully, and well, who doesn’t enjoy a bright smile? As a family dentist in White Bear Lake MN, Dr. Johnson wants to help to stop the increasing amount of children with dental decay.

Why is dental decay such an alarming disease?

Dental decay affects more than just a child’s smile—it can lead to an early death if left untreated. Unless it is prevented or stopped early on, the damage will be irreversible. If proper actions are not taken soon enough, dental decay can lead to infection of the teeth, gum disease, and eventually even tooth loss.

Children tend to do worse in school when their oral health is not intact. Dental decay can compromise a child’s ability to eat, sleep, and function in their daily lives. It can even undermine their self-esteem and hinder their social development.

What causes dental decay?

There are thousands of different kinds of bacteria that live on the surface of our teeth. These bacteria feed off of sugar and will eat away at our enamel if we do not keep up with brushing and flossing.

As our teeth are continuously attacked by bacteria and acid the enamel begins to weaken and will eventually wear away. This causes our teeth to become weak and eventually a cavity will form. Cavities are permanent damage and require a dentist to repair it with a filling.

How can we help children to avoid cavities?

Your family dentist in White Bear Lake MN reminds you to ensure your child is brushing their teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. Preventative dentistry can be extremely beneficial and can save your child’s smile from a lot of damage and decay. Be sure to brush, floss, and keep up with dental checkups!

Dental checkups can help your dentist discover any issues early on, and typically at an early stage the damage is reversible.

Another great way to help your child fight off cavities is to ensure they are consuming enough products containing the mineral fluoride. You can purchase water infused with fluoride as well as fluoridated toothpaste.

You can also keep your child on a mouth healthy diet. Try to avoid giving them sticky foods such as candy and even dried fruits. Avoid letting them drink soda and other drinks with high sugar contents, and try to avoid in-between meal snacks.

For more information on how you can help protect your child from tooth decay, or to schedule an appointment with a family dentist in White Bear Lake MN, call (651)-653-3802.

White Bear Lake MN Dentist Advises Patients on How to Avoid Dental Plaque

What is dental plaque?

Dental plaque is a thin, sticky film made up of bacteria and food particles. These bacteria feed off of sugar and, as a result, produce an acid that attacks the teeth. Continuous acid attacks on the teeth will eventually cause dental decay and other oral health issues.

If you wish to avoid cavities and other dental problems, it is important to do what you can to decrease the amount of plaque on your teeth. Your White Bear Lake MN Dentist has a few tips to help you get rid of and avoid dental plaque.

1. Brushing Regularly.

It is recommended by the ADA that you brush your teeth twice daily, for two minutes each time. Failure to do so can result in a buildup of plaque and tartar.

Tartar is a hardened form of plaque that forms if plaque is left unremoved. Tartar is more a more difficult substance to remove and often patients require a dental cleaning.

2. Floss Daily.

Your White Bear Lake MN Dentist reminds you that it is important to floss daily as well to brush. Unfortunately brushing only removes 65% of the bacteria and plaque/ Flossing will remove the remaining 35%.

Flossing is extremely vital to the health of your teeth and gums. It helps to clean the spaces between your teeth and along the gum lines. Dental floss can reach the places in your mouth that a toothbrush cannot.

3. Keep Up with Dental Checkups.

Even with careful brushing and flossing you may miss some of the dental plaque. Overtime the plaque will buildup and eventually turn into tartar. It is important to visit your White Bear Lake MN Dentist as recommended so that the tartar can be removed.

The ADA recommends visiting your dentist once every 6 months, but some patients may need to go more often than that.

Be sure to keep up with your dental visits. Those who avoid the dentist and neglect the health of their teeth are at an increased risk of getting cavities and losing their teeth!

4. Eat Fruits and Vegetables

A hydrated mouth is a healthy mouth. Your teeth are at higher risk of decaying if your mouth is dry. Eating fruits and vegetables helps to increase saliva flow and naturally removes some of the plaque an bacteria.

It is better to eat raw fruits and vegetables with the skin on for the best results. Before toothbrushes and toothpaste existed fruits and vegetables acted as nature’s natural toothbrush.

5. Fight off your Sweet Tooth

Bacteria that make up dental plaque feed off of sugar. Eating and drinking things that are high in sugar helps the bacteria to thrive. Sugary foods and beverages that are soft and sticky are even worse for your teeth.

For more tips on how you can avoid dental plaque, or to schedule an appointment for a checkup with your White Bear Lake MN Dentist call (651)-653-3802!

Dentist in White Bear Lake MN Shares Early Signs of Gum Disease

Your dentist in White Bear Lake MN has treated many patients with gum disease. They know how dangerous gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can be for your oral health. It is important to seek advice from your dentist if you see signs of gum disease.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is inflammation of the gums and is usually caused by plaque and poor dental care. It can progress to the bones supporting your teeth if not treated early. It may be required to have your teeth extracted due to gum disease, and if the disease is at a progressed stage, your teeth may fall out on their own.

How do I know if I have gum disease?

There are many signs that may mean you have gum disease. It is important to take notice of certain symptoms and to see a dentist.

The following are signs that you should look out for:

• Gums that are red, puffy or swollen, or tender
• Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
• Teeth that look longer because your gums have receded
• Gums that have separated, or pulled away, from your teeth, creating a pocket
• Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Pus coming from between your teeth and gums
• Constant bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth

The earliest occurrence of gum disease is referred to as gingivitis. Typically patients with gingivitis will experience bleeding of the gums after brushing and flossing. At this stage it is still early enough to reverse the damage.

The next stage is referred to as Periodontitis. At this stage the bones supporting the teeth are irreversibly damaged. Pockets may begin to form below the gum line, and food particles and plaque are likely to get trapped in them. It is important to ask your dentist how to prevent your gums from being damaged any further.

If the disease advances past the point of periodontitis, it is referred to as advanced periodontitis. At this stage the fibers and bone supporting the teeth are destroyed which may result in your teeth shifting, loosening, and possibly even falling out.

If you think you may have any form of gum disease, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist in White Bear Lake MN by calling (651)-653-3802 to schedule an appointment. The earlier gum disease is discovered and treated, the more of a chance you have of reversing the damage! 

White Bear Lake Dentist talks Root Canal Importance

With Root Canal Awareness Week coming upon us this March 22^nd-28^th, your White Bear Lake MN dentist wanted to do their part, and is here today to discuss the benefits and process of this tooth-saving procedure with you, the patient.  

Did you know an overwhelming majority of the population, some 70%, fear not only the loss of a tooth, but the procedure of a root canal? Tall tales of the pain endured during root canal therapy are widespread, but on average- not very likely or accurate. The ultimate irony is derived from the fact that the only way to NOT lose a tooth in many circumstances is to give it a root canal, making it one of the most frequently utilized endodontic treatments.

A root canal could be helpful in cases where a patient is in severe pain because of a tooth that has suffered at the hands of substantial decay, repeated procedures on the same tooth, or fault dental work causing cracks. Quite literally at the center of the procedure, and the pain, is a pulp tissue that contains blood vessels and nerves that have become inflamed or infected.

To resolve this pain, the pulp must be removed and the tooth filled. Due to the surrounding tissues being quite nourishing all by themselves, the tooth can continue having a “healthy life” without the pulp present.

For this procedure, the pulp is removed via an opening made in the crown of the tooth. Once all of the infected pulp is eliminated, a thorough cleaning of the cavity of the tooth is performed, then filled and sealed. A permanent crown and filling will be created to give the tooth a natural color and bite, being applied, more than likely, at a follow up visit.

And that is all! Just these few steps and you can keep the natural appearance, sensation and biting force of your natural tooth, compared to replacement of it altogether.

The need for a root canal can only be diagnosed by your White Bear Lake MN dentist. Call our office at (651) 653-3802 to make an appointment to address any tooth pain you may be experiencing, today!

White Bear Lake Dentist on Prevention Importance 

April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and as your White Bear Lake dentist, we wanted to bring awareness to our patients in this month-long event, and what it concerns.

Cancer, no matter where it is located in the body, is a terrifying disease for anyone to encounter. When it comes to oral cancer, there will be approximately 43,000+ new diagnoses THIS YEAR ALONE. This statistic makes it qualified as one of the fastest growing types of cancer today. Amongst those diagnosed, it is estimated that only approximately 57% of them will be alive in 5 years’ time. That means that this death rate is higher than many of the more “heard about” cancers, such as skin cancer, cervical, thyroid and more.

How has oral cancer spread so rapidly?

Through tougher and tougher government regulations in the past years, the number of people smoking has declined. This, however, does not mean that all people have stopped or that number is too significant. Smokers and drinkers are considered “high risk” for developing oral cancer, as well as those who have the sexually transmitted disease HPV, the human papillomavirus. This quiet, often times hard to diagnose, disease can be spread amongst sexual partners all-too-easily. If you are of an age in which you engage in sexual contact- you are old enough to be screened for oral cancer.

How does the screening work?

Typically an oral cancer screening will be performed every 6 months at your routine cleaning and exam appointments. This means that dentists are ultimately the first ones to discover and on the front lines of defense against, oral cancer.

The exam is quick, often free, painless, non-invasive and most of all: NEEDED.

The exam is done primarily by vision and with the aid of certain dental tools. Special lights, dyes and rinses may also be used in determining the signs of oral cancer.

We cannot stress enough how important it is to maintain regularly scheduled appointments with oral cancer exams performed at everyone. Don’t become one of the nearly 50% who may suffer from what could be an avoidable loss at the hands of a terrible disease.

For more information on Oral Cancer, please head to The Oral Cancer Foundation Website.

To schedule an appointment with your White Bear Lake dentist, please call (651) 653-3802.

White Bear Lake dentists on Troublesome Tongues

With the month of May being “National Better Hearing and Speech Month,” your White Bear Lake dentists wanted to take the opportunity to discuss the importance of the latter half of this: speech. Every day your teeth, tongue, lips, cheeks and rest of your mouth plays a huge factor in the way that you speak by combining multiple complex systems in hopes of articulating a clear result.

Sometimes, however, there are mouth related conditions, such as OMDs, Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders, that can negatively impact speech.

What are OMDs and how do they affect my speech?

OMDs correlate to the tongue’s placement in the mouth either while speaking or swallowing. It may move too far back or forward, in between the teeth during speech or rest. This can result in an outward tongue thrust and speech impediment with certain sounds (such as “ch” “sh” or “th”) that can dissipate with age, but can also stay around until corrected.

Causes of OMDs?

Although allergies, enlarged tonsils, and heredity can cause OMDs, so can some dental related issues. Chronic thumb sucking, teeth grinding and biting at other objects, especially while still young, can alter the shape of the jaw and teeth- that may lead to OMDs. These causes may also lead to other orthodontic and dental work being required as the patient ages, as well.

How are OMDs diagnosed and/or treated?

A dentist or orthodontist may be able to diagnose OMDs when the tongues continual pressure affects alignment or eruption of the teeth. Consistent airway blockage due to this behavior could also be a warning sign.

Some of the best forms of treatment are related to behavioral therapy. These means will help the patient increase strength in, coordinate with and become aware of the muscles in the mouth and tongue, helping them to speak and swallow easier.  

Disorders like OMDs are just some of the ways that the mouth can affect speech and overall impact an individual’s life. Other issues such as TMJ disorders, oral cancer, saliva reproduction issues and various misalignments of the teeth can also affect speech, and be diagnosed and potentially treated with the assistance of dental professionals like your White Bear Lake dentists.

To further discuss the importance of your mouth in speech, or to schedule an appointment today, please call (651) 653-3802.

There are well-known items to avoid your teeth from becoming stained. Coffee and smoking are two of the most popular, but there are other harmful substances that can damage the surface of your teeth and make them become that unattractive yellow color that patients do their best to steer clear of. Here are some foods and drinks that your White Bear Lake dentist wants you to think twice about before using.

Tea
People believe that just because they avoid drinking coffee and switch to tea means that they’re off the hook, but that’s not the case. Tea is still a dark liquid, much like coffee. Many different kinds of tea have tannin in them, which is also in wine, and it is notorious for damaging the surface of your teeth. If you’re unable to avoid tea altogether, then try drinking more water in your daily regimen, while also brushing your teeth when you’re finished.

Berries
Since it’s summer and nothing feels better than a handle of fresh berries, it’s easy to pop these in your mouth for a quick snack or add them to a meal. But berries have the ability to damage your enamel, as well, since they have a large amount of color pigments within them. You’ve seen how easy they can stain clothes and other surfaces—why would your teeth be any different?

Cough Drops
Even though these are beneficial for your throat doesn’t mean you should substitute it if you have a sweet tooth. Cough drops do the same damage to your teeth that other candies do because you’re sucking out the flavors, which are sticking to your mouth and teeth. Also, make sure you don’t bite down on these! They can cause chips or cracks on your teeth, maybe without your knowledge, which can cause serious damage down the road!

If you’re wondering what other foods and drinks could be doing more damage to your mouth than you previously knew, don’t hesitate to contact your White Bear Lake dentist at (651) 653-3802 to schedule an appointment today!

With the 2015 World Breastfeeding Week being the first one in August, and all of August being dedicated to National Breastfeeding Month- today your  White Bear Lake dentist  wanted to discuss some of the dental benefits of breastfeeding!

The perks of the actual breastmilk itself, and how it can help the developing child, has always been a point of focus for years. What we wished to focus on in this article, however, is how the act of breastfeeding, the system of delivery, can benefit a child and their oral development for years to come.

After some years of studies and research, recent reports have been published showing the advantage of being breastfed exclusively, in comparison to a combination with bottle feeding. Those children who were exclusively breastfed were 33% less likely to develop overbite or cross-bite issues later in life. This same category of children were also 45-72% less likely to develop teeth misalignment as they matured.

But what factors drive these substantial odds?

That seems to be directly correlated to the muscles in the mouth that develop during breastfeeding. The breastfeeding child also develops a stronger ability to breathe through their nose at a younger age, which also assists in the development of the oral cavity.

And while these numbers are impressive, certainly, there are factors that can disrupt these statistics, specifically pacifier usage. If a child uses a pacifier past the 6-12 month mark, they are much more likely to develop the misalignment and bite issues that breastfeeding can help diminish. Typically this type of long-term pacifier habit will result in the need for some type of orthodontic work later in life.

Your White Bear Lake dentist respects the individual needs of your child, and the individual choice of a family as it comes to feeding. We just felt that with this upcoming health month and the importance we see that these factors can play, that it was worth mentioning in this post today.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call our office today at (651) 653-3802.

Learn from September’s Month Awareness why Fruits & Vegetables should be Incorporated in Every Meal

September is right around the corner, which means that children are getting ready in their best outfits for the first day back at school! While having a snazzy outfit is important, something else that improves your appearance is your smile. Scheduling a check-up appointment is only half the battle—what’s essential to make sure that your children are eating the right foods for lunch to maintain their healthy teeth.

To help promote better foods for children, September is Fruits & Veggies—More Matters Month! Throughout the upcoming month, we want patients to know how important it is to integrate multiple fruits and vegetables into your everyday diet to lessen the risks of diseases for the young and old.

Snacking is one of the most harmful activities that children partake in. Although it’s important for children to eat more than three times a day (because they need more energy than adults), many children eat snacks like chips, pretzels, candies and more that are harmful to their teeth. Since their teeth are still growing, they’re more susceptible to cavities and other dental issues.

A great substitute for children’s harmful snacks is fruits and vegetables! They’re just as convenient to pack as a travel-sized chip bag and they work to clean, strengthen and improve your child’s smile. Try giving your children these snacks so they’re able to get the right energy without any consequences:

· Celery and carrots: Both crunchy and delicious, these raw vegetables work to strengthen your children’s teeth since there’s more jaw movement to properly break them down.

· Apples and pears: These sweet fruits are also crunchy and naturally hold water in them so your children’s mouth will be refreshed while also working with their teeth! They also clean their teeth and help loosen any lingering, harmful food particles from their previous meals.

To learn more about September’s month awareness, look through their website to learn about healthy alternatives for snacks and meals that will not only maintain your children’s oral hygiene but make it that much better! To schedule a check-up appointment, call our office at (651)-653-3802 or click here to request your appointment online.

White Bear Lake Dentist on The Importance of Hygiene

In just a few days, we will be in the midst of October! Not only does that mean cooler temperatures, leaves falling and some spooky treats to protect the kids mouth from at the end of the month, but it also means National Dental Hygiene Month has arrived!

Every October dentists like your White Bear Lake Dentist make a push to educate patients about the importance of oral hygiene, as well as encouraging them to make one of their twice-yearly cleaning and exam appointments!

Why push to inform the public about the importance of dental hygiene though?

Well, because tooth decay and gum disease are not only some of the most common issues for people of all ages and locations to battle- but because they also have greater implications.

Links between heart disease, diabetes, lung problems, allergies and more are being linked to ailments such as gum disease…and where can the prevention start for these? A great oral health regimen and amazing dental hygiene.

The focus of the National Dental Hygiene Month is to educate patients in the importance of four key factors:

1)      Brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes per session

2)      Floss every single day

3)      Rinse with mouthwash

4)      Chew sugar-free gum after a meal to fight tooth decay and stimulate saliva

By utilizing these behaviors, as well as by eating healthy and making twice-yearly appointments for cleanings and routine exams- a patient’s oral health, and thus whole body health, can thrive for years to come.

For more information on National Dental Hygiene Month, you can head to the official website of the ADHA (the American Dental Hygienists’ Association) by Clicking Here!

Keep not just your oral health, but your whole body health amazing by keeping on top of your oral hygiene! For any questions or to schedule an appointment with your White Bear Lake Dentist, call our office today at (651) 653-3802.

White Bear Lake MN Dentist on Unavoidable Candy

Since Halloween is right around the corner, children and adults alike will feel obliged to indulge in candy a little more than usual. It’s tradition, right? Unfortunately, eating a large amount of candy in this short amount of time can hurt your teeth more severely than you know! In order to protect your smile, we’ll be discussing what all of these candies can do to your teeth and how to avoid harming them.

Because the consumption of candy is tenfold on Halloween, teeth are more vulnerable than ever. This time of year, parents are less strict on their children to let them enjoy this spooky, fun holiday, but having some restriction is important. It’s no secret that sugar is known to cause cavities, where much of the problems begin in children dental issues. When children (and adults) consume sugar, the sugar is turned into bacteria and lives in the crevices and spaces between your teeth. If it’s left there without being properly cleaned, no matter how long, your teeth are consistently being harmed.

Cavities are small holes in your teeth created by acid erosions from bacteria lingering. The surface of your teeth, called your enamel, works to protect the center of your teeth, called the dentin. When your enamel is being worn down and damaged is when the risk of tooth decay increases. Of course, parents don’t wish to “ruin” their children’s Halloween night, a beneficial fact that parents can hold onto is that there are some candies that are better than others!

Although there is no candy that’s necessarily good for your oral health, chocolate candy and candies much like it easily dissolve in the mouth. These candies are more likely to be washed away by saliva or rinsing your mouth out with water. When you eat or allow your children to eat chewy, sticky candies, these are more likely to get stuck in between and on your teeth, lingering and causing a higher chance of cavities and tooth decay.

Here are some small, helpful tips to prevent damage to your teeth:

· Although tempting, eat small amounts of candies and make sure to rinse your mouth out with water after eating. This lowers the acidity levels of the candy and helps protect your teeth a little bit more.

· Eat candies that will dissolve in your mouth instead of eating chewy, sticky, or sour candies that will stick around longer.

· And, as always, brush your teeth an hour after you’ve eaten and you’ll be able to continue protecting your teeth, just like any other day!

Don’t let Halloween be an excuse to harm your smile. Contact us for your bi-annual check-up appointment by calling (651) 653-3802 today!

White Bear Lake Dentist on Thanksgiving Favorites

There is no time quite like the holidays to bring the family together, enjoy a nice home cooked meal and appreciate the time you get to spend with one another. Thanksgiving is typically considered the “start” of these late-in-the-year gatherings, and should make one reflect and be happy for all they have.

But with so many things to be thankful for, your smile may not always outrank some other options. Coupling this with the potentially massive amounts of food that can be put on your plate, and our oral health can be put by the wayside for a few weeks. With that in mind, today your White Bear Lake dentist wanted to discuss some of the healthier food options you can choose to show your teeth you are truly thankful for them this holiday season.

Turkey, potatoes and the works can take hours to get ready…so you and your guests always need a little warm up. Why not make that appetizer a veggie tray? Include some of the following options to help your guests not only be “held over” until dinner time but to actually help naturally clean their teeth too:             

Carrots, Broccoli Florets, Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts, Cucumber slices, Olives & more.

When it comes to your sweet potatoes, try avoiding the gooey and sugary marshmallow topping. Although it may taste good, the marshmallow can get caught between the teeth and cause decay if not properly removed. If you really need that extra boost of sweet in your sweet, try a little brown sugar or maple syrup instead.

Lastly, who can survive Thanksgiving dinner without cranberry sauce? Yeah, we thought so. Instead of going with the canned version this year, which is very high in sugar content, try making it yourself! You can try out different amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners in your recipe that often times can come out to be better than the canned stuff anyway. It may be a bit more work, but it will be worth it in the end.

So with all of those great additions to consider, what can we avoid then? Although a plethora of desserts and carbs will be rolling at you- they are going to be the worst items when it comes to your oral health. Most deserts contain gratuitous amounts of sugar, and carbs from bread and other items can break down into sugars as well- both of which can damage and decay your teeth.  Try to watch the amount of both of these that you take in to avoid any holiday oral health hazards.

Your White Bear Lake dentist hopes you have a Happy Thanksgiving! If you have any questions about this topic or need to schedule an appointment, feel free to call our office at (651)-653-3802.

Tips for How to Better Your Smile in the New Year with Your White Bear Lake MN Dentist

The New Year is right around the corner and everyone is thinking of their resolutions. Commonly, resolutions are about saving money, losing weight, eating healthier, but we’re here to talk about your New Year’s resolution to be about improving your dental health. Your White Bear Lake MN dentist is here with some tips to take into the New Year in order to have a healthy, happy smile!

Quit Bad Habits
This is also included in one of the many popular resolutions. Kicking the habit of smoking cigarettes and tobacco use is not only beneficial for your overall health, but for your dental health, as well. Tobacco intensely lingers in the mouth, causing oral and dental issues right away. It increases your risks of cavities, gum recession, gum disease, tooth loss and types of cancers like oral, throat and lung.

Better Your Diet
Losing weight is another common resolution. It’s well known that gyms are quite populated around the New Year, people wanting to better their physical health. But changing your diet is helpful, too! If you include more foods like vegetables and fruits in your diet, they can also improve your dental health. Fruits and veggies that naturally carry water and are particularly crunchy work with your smile, stimulate your saliva, and work your jaw to become strong.

Schedule Your Next Check-Up
Visiting the dentist is a popular appointment to skip because patients think that their dental health is just fine. Unfortunately, there can be hidden issues that don’t show themselves until it’s too late! These bi-annual check-ups will only improve your oral and dental care and you’ll be happy to share your smile into the New Year!

Your White Bear Lake MN dentist hopes you have a wonderful New Year and don’t forget to make an appointment with us by calling our office at (651)-653-3802!

In just a few days when February graces us with its presence, it will mark the 75^th anniversary of the ADA’s National Children’s Dental Health Month! With your dentist in White Bear Lake MN’s dedication to oral health care for patients of all ages, today we wanted to share with you the new poster promoting the upcoming month- as well as to supply our readers with a few tips for children’s oral health care.

You can click here to view the new poster for 2016!

As you can see, this year’s theme is “Sugar Wars”- which we are sure has everything to do with the immense popularity of a recently released, similarly named movie sequel. To describe the poster in the ADA’s own words:

“The Smileys, McGrinns and K9 are in a spaceship, the USS SweetSwatter. It is equipped with toothbrush swatters, fighting against the Sweet Tooth Invaders for good oral health.”

Besides giving your children access to their very own spaceship, we recommend going over the following suggestions with your kids so that they develop their own regimens and recognize how important the health of their entire mouth is as they get older:

-Brush two minutes, two times a day.

-Clean between your teeth with floss daily.

-Limit snacks and eat healthy meals.

And last, but not least, make sure you are making regularly scheduled appointments with your dentist in White Bear Lake MN to ensure your child’s oral health is the best it can be at all times. Call our office today to schedule an appointment at (651)-653-3802.

White Bear Lake Dentist Shares how Important Your Diet Is and Why Your Teeth are Affected, Too

With the month of March almost upon us, it’s time to start eating right! While there’s no perfect time, it’s important for all patients to know how your diets affect the status of your teeth, as well. March is National Nutrition Month, where the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics asks if everyone can pay special attention to what we’re actually eating. Your White Bear Lake dentist wants to bring focus to the foods and drinks that damage your smile.

When you think of what you eat, it doesn’t always occur to you how badly it harms your teeth since most people are preoccupied with how it will affect their weight. There are countless dietary foods and drinks that may benefit some parts of your health, but not others. A popular beverage choice is lemon water and while it can help your physical diet, it seriously damages your dental enamel.

Lemons are highly acidic and they break down the protective surface of your teeth, called your enamel. These minerals are created to protect and strengthen your teeth, but acidic foods and drinks work fast to break them down. If a patient is constantly consuming lemon water throughout their day, they’re seriously weakening the structure and health of their smile.

Most healthy foods and drinks can also benefit your teeth too; foods with whole grains, whole wheat and protein are meant to improve various parts of your body. It’s important to make note of what ingredients are in your foods and drinks since your teeth are always directly and immediately affected.

Remember to try and eat right during March and share information from your White Bear Lake dentist about National Nutrition Month with your friends and family in order to protect all parts of your health, including dental!

Contact our office if you want to learn more or if you’d like to schedule an appointment today by calling (651) 653-3802.

Dentist in White Bear Lake Provides Historic Information about Our Ancestors' Teeth

We’ve come a long way in terms of evolution, but have you ever wondered how our teeth have progressed, as well? Our smiles have gone through a lot and still do to this day, even with all of the advances in technology that is at our disposal. Your dentist in White Bear Lake wants to share some history about the way our teeth have molded to how they look now.

The most common fossils of our ancestors, also known as hominin, are mostly teeth since they’re the hardest part of the human body. This provides a lot of helpful information of the time period that they’re from, their diet and more. As humans continued to evolve, the teeth actually shrink. It’s most noticeable in the teeth in the back, which are your wisdom teeth. Nowadays, because of the work done to wisdom teeth over a period of time, most wisdom teeth are extremely small and in some cases, not even developed. But with hominins, their wisdom teeth were about two to four times larger than that.

The reason that modern human’s teeth have shrunk is because of the professional work that has been done over the years, molding smiles in the future.

There are also other speculations and ideas for the shift, literally and figuratively, in our teeth. Click here to read more about what researchers and scientists have to say about these fossils.

Make sure you’re always taking care of your smile by visiting your dentist in White Bear Lake! Contact our office today to schedule an appointment by calling (651) 653-3802.

Dentist in White Bear Lake MN Spreads Awareness of Protecting Your Teeth during Sports Season

Now that it’s getting warmer, baseball season is just about here! Not only for the professionals, but for children and young adults, too. We know that playing sports is fun and exciting, but we as dentists want all of our patients, young and old, to know the importance of protecting your teeth while you’re participating in recreational sports and other activities. That’s why your dentist in White Bear Lake MN wants to spread awareness about National Facial Protection Month.

April isn’t quite over just yet, which means it’s still as good of a time as any to spread awareness! It’s an important reminder for sports players and other recreational participators to protect your teeth with mouth guards when they’re playing.

Mouth guards, also known as mouth protectors, help cushion any hit to the face. It minimalizes the risks of loose, cracked, chipped, broken or loose teeth. It also lessens the chances of biting your lips, cheek, and tongue, as well as protecting your jaw.

Around the ages of 7 to 11 is when children are most vulnerable to dental injuries, especially during sports-related activities. Athletes are also 60 percent more likely to suffer harm to their teeth if they’re not wearing a mouth guard.

Patients also have the option of getting a custom-made mouth guard if they choose to do so! Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist about them—they’ll have the most comfortable fit. Even without a custom guard, purchasing a stock mouth guard from a sporting goods store is providing your teeth with the protection they deserve!

Spread the word about National Facial Protection Month. We want all of our patients to keep their smile strong, so schedule an appointment today with your dentist in White Bear Lake MN by calling our office at (651) 653-3802.

Help Your White Bear Lake MN Dentist Spread the Word about World No Tobacco Day This Year!

Every year an estimated 6 million deaths are caused by tobacco related products worldwide. And although they are the most vilified, that is not just for cigarettes- that include pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco and other related products. To help smokers and non-smokers alike  identify and take on this issue head on- the World Health Organization has named May 31^st, 2016 “World No Tobacco Day.”

To do our part, today your White Bear Lake MN dentist wanted to review more about how tobacco can impact your oral health specifically. From sheer aesthetic issues to cancers, smoking any type of tobacco product can lead to:

-Discoloration of the teeth.

-Halitosis (chronic bad breath).

-More plaque and tartar building up on the teeth.

-Bone loss, tooth loss, and gum disease becoming more likely.

-Healing time following oral surgery becoming delayed.

-Dental implant placement being less-successful.

-Inflamed salivary glands.

-Increased risk of developing oral or other cancers.

Don’t fall victim to tobacco’s detrimental side effects.

For more information on World No Tobacco Day or to get more help quitting tobacco, you can visit the WHO’s site by clicking here.

If you have more questions about the impact of your smoking habit on your oral health, make sure to review details with your White Bear Lake MN dentist at your next visit. You can request an appointment by calling (651) 653-3802today!

White Bear Lake dentist Shows how to Enjoy Your Summer While Maintaining a Strong Smile

Summer time is officially here! This means having fun in the sun with your friends and families at parties, barbeques, at the beach, and more! While it’s certainly a time to celebrate and have the time of your life since school and other obligations are put on hold, there’s one thing that we want to protect and that’s your smile. Your White Bear Lake Dentist will discuss how to keep up with your dental and oral hygiene and care this summer.

Find a Healthy Diet and Stick With It!

We understand that it can be easy to fall into a bad diet during the summer. With all of the barbeques and backyard parties full of snacks, sweets and treats, it’ll certainly be difficult to ignore it. While it’s fun to splurge, make sure that you’re still eating right for a majority of your meals. This means limiting the amount of snacking that you’re doing—if you can’t help but snack, try to replace the chips and candies with celery, carrots, or other healthy vegetables!

It also highly recommended not to eat very late at night, especially if you plan on going to bed relatively soon. You’re allowing the bacteria and food particles to linger in your mouth overnight instead of giving your body time to properly digest. If you eat and then go to bed, you’re also skipping your nightly brushing routine, making it easier for your teeth to suffer from cavities and potential decay. Eat at appropriate times and don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth before you go to bed to protect your smile!

Drink Water—Lots of It

It’s no secret that summertime can bring some of the hottest recorded temperatures around, which is why it’s important to stay hydrated. This won’t only help your dental health, but it’ll help your overall health, too! In between meals, try to consume as much water as possible, since there are many popular drinks that can cause you to dehydrate or dry out your mouth (coffee, sodas, sports drinks, alcohol).

Protect Your Teeth as You Play Sports

Summer is a great time to participate in a number of sports activities, like baseball, soccer, football, and more! But accidents can happen and your teeth can easily suffer from a hit. Most dental injuries in children are sports related, so we recommend using mouth guards for these times. There is no intention of anyone getting hurt, but that doesn’t mean it can’t potentially happen! Your teeth will thank you in the morning.

If you want to learn some more helpful summer tips about protecting your smile, or if you’d like to make an appointment for your bi-annual check-up, don’t hesitate to call your White Bear Lake Dentist at (651) 653-3802 today! We wish you a happy, safe and healthy summer!