Tag: Dentist Rochester MN

A missing tooth can be troubling, to say the least. So, we asked one of our assistants to give us a quick summary of some of the options available to replace your missing tooth! Full or partial dentures are one option to replace missing teeth. This option is typically best for anyone missing several or all of their teeth. A partial denture is removable. Teeth are inserted on the partial denture where your teeth are missing. Clasps are placed on the partial denture that hook around your natural teeth to hold it in place. A full denture is also removable Read More →

There can be A LOT of questions when it comes to a child’s teeth. Are they coming in right? Are they too crowded? Why did my child’s tooth turn gray? These can be difficult to understand without an exam with a dentist, but we asked our hygienist, Erin, to give us an idea of some of the more common issues with children’s teeth. Here is what she had to say:   Trauma/Tooth Discoloration: If a trauma has occurred, such as a fall or being hit in the mouth with an object, and the child’s front teeth have been hit, the damaged Read More →

Have you ever awoken with a toothache and feared it was a cavity? You may not have even known that a cavity had been forming on your tooth because not all cavities are visible to the naked eye, and do not always show signs and symptoms right away. We asked our Licensed Dental Assistant, Jamie, to help us understand signs, symptoms, and prevention. The most common signs to look for are: Pain when biting down Pain when eating or drinking something sweet Pain while eating or drinking something hot or cold Holes or pits on the biting surface of your tooth Read More →

We asked our hygienist, Valerie about her experience with Invisalign. Here is what she had to say: “Invisalign is a clear aligner system that straightens your teeth. I just finished up with my Invisalign trays last week! I did Invisalign mostly to correct my bite and I’m so happy that I decided to do this. As an adult I felt that Invisalign was a great option. I knew that I would be compliant with the recommended wear of 22 hours/day. This also allowed me to easily keep up my good home care with flossing and brushing. At the end of treatment Read More →

Have you heard all the recent hype about not needing to floss anymore? Well, let’s look at what this is really about. Since 1979, the federal government has recommended flossing. Last year, the associated press reviewed 25 studies that compared brushing alone versus brushing and flossing. This review concluded that the evidence for flossing was “weak and very unreliable.” As a result, the Department of Health and Human Services removed the flossing recommendation this year. However, the American Dental Association (ADA) sites several other studies that show the benefits of flossing. The ADA and Family Dentist Tree will continue to Read More →

Have you ever woke up with a toothache and feared you may have a cavity? You may not have known that a cavity was forming on your tooth because not all cavities are visible to the naked eye. Here are some signs and symptoms to look for if you fear you may have a cavity: -Pain while biting down. -Pain while eating or drinking something sweet. -Pain while eating or drinking something hot/cold. -Holes or pits on the biting surface of your tooth. -Brown or black stain on any surface of your tooth. The most common place for cavities to Read More →

You’ve heard the reasons why to get a night guard, but how often do we talk about how to properly care for your night guard to keep it working for you for a long time? Here are some tips: Always store your night guard in the case provided for you by your dental office. If you lose your case, contact your dentist office to get a new one.  Keep your night guard away from pets. All too often a pet is the reason for needing a new night guard! Clean your night guard with a toothbrush and warm water after Read More →

With a growing son of her own, our hygienist, Christina, knows that teething happens. It’s inevitable, and it’s not always fun. The day your little infant’s rubber gums finally pop that new tooth through is exciting! That first day is also stressful, knowing approximately nineteen other pearly whites will soon follow suit. Teething typically begins around 6 months old, although some infants don’t get their first tooth until closer to 12-14 months. A complete set of 20 teeth should be in your child’s mouth around the age of 2.5-3 years old. Many parents complain of the sleepless nights and the increased Read More →

For many patients, the highlight of their dental cleaning appointment is taking home their brand new toothbrush. Before you throw away the old one, consider the many alternative uses for this handy gadget. Before re-using, you should first clean the brush by soaking in bleach for 3 minutes then rinsing thoroughly and air drying. Now you’re ready to start cleaning lots of things around the house and garage. Easily remove crayon marks from walls when used with a small amount of non-gel toothpaste. Get the grime from around faucets and other fixtures using white vinegar. The toothbrush can reach the Read More →

Have you ever noticed after a red popsicle or a blue sucker that your teeth or tongue are stained? There are many foods and beverages we consume each day that can stain our teeth over time. We asked our assistant, Jamie, to list a few below: Although known as healthy beverages, black tea and red wine’s high tannin content (a compound found in plants that reacts with the proteins in your teeth) can stain your teeth even more than coffee! Another healthy item, deep colored fruits (i.e. blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and pomegranates) that have long been used for dyes in many Read More →