Dalseth Family Dentistry, Author at Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

From Dr. Dalseth: Keep us informed!

July 18, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Dentistry and medicine exist together and it is important that your dentist be aware of any and all medications that you are taking, including supplements such as St. John’s Wart. A person’s medication levels can be affected by antibiotics, local anesthetic, and even the things you eat and drink. A prime example is grapefruit juice and its interaction with cholesterol lower drugs like Zocor and Lipitor.

If you have a question about the medications you are taking and their interactions with food and your other medications it is important to discuss these with your doctor and pharmacist.

If I have braces, do I still need a dental checkup every 6 months?

July 13, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Thanks for the question! Yes! In fact, it’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly. When you’re wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Our team will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our office, please give us a call! We look forward to your next visit!

Independence Day Facts, Tips, and Party invitations!

July 4, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

It’s hard to believe, but July is already here and half of 2012 has already passed! As July 4th approaches, our team thought it would be fun to share some facts and safety tips for celebrating our country’s independence day.

Fun Facts:
• Betsy Ross, according to legend, sewed the first American flag in May or June 1776, as commissioned by the Congressional Committee.
• The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation. The colonists had no say in the decisions of English Parliament.
• The word ‘patriotism’ comes from the Latin patria, which means ‘homeland’ or ‘fatherland.’
• The first public Fourth of July event at the White House occurred in 1804.
• And what could be more fitting than spending the day in a place called “America”? There are five such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah, with 21,941 residents. Check out American Fact Finder.

Safety Tips:
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• To prevent a trash fire, be sure to douse the spent fireworks with plenty of water from a bucket or hose after fireworks complete their burning and before discarding them.
• Make sure fireworks are legal before buying or using them.

What are your plans this 4th of July? Share them with us! We’d love to hear what you and the rest of the community will be doing to celebrate! (Don’t forget to make sure there are no restrictions on fireworks! Check out this link to see if fireworks might be an issue for you this year.)

Also, check out these 4th of July party invitations, eGreeting cards, and delicious recipes!

July 4th eCard invitations!

Happy Independence Day eCards

Independence Day Recipes

Photo by shawnajean

I Want Straight Teeth!

June 27, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Quick, think of your favorite movie star. Now picture their smile or just grab the latest edition of a celebrity gossip magazine. Chances are their teeth look straight. Most of the people gracing the magazines have porcelain veneers to get that straight, super bright smile, while some have had either braces or Invisalign. Veneers don’t actually straighten your teeth; they just appear that way. While I love treating patients with veneers, there is no substitute to actually straightening your teeth. If you’re looking in the mirror right now and you see crooked teeth, read on, it may just save your smile!

Contrary to popular belief, dentists want healthy teeth and good check-ups for all our patients. Crowded, rotated or misaligned teeth are the bane of a healthy mouth’s existence. These conditions lead to the following:

– Increased plaque and tartar build-up. Crowded areas are hard to clean leading to an increase in bacteria causing bad breath.

– More dangerous strains of bacteria. Our mouth always contains bacteria but it becomes more virulent in crowded areas. Studies have shown once crowded, rotated or misaligned teeth are straightened, a more healthy strain of bacteria returns as the dangerous strain disappears.

– Increase in tooth decay. With all that plaque forming in crowded areas and the challenge present in cleaning crowded teeth, decay rates increase and cavities form.

– Increase in gingivitis. Our gums are susceptible to the bacteria in crowded areas as well. Gingivitis is an inflammation in the gum tissue and a precursor to periodontal disease. If you look at your crowded or rotated teeth and see red, puffy gums that bleed easily, guess what? You have gingivitis.

– Teeth chipping or wearing down. When teeth are misaligned they wear down abnormally. Cracks and fractures are more likely to happen with an abnormal wear pattern. Aligning the teeth properly will help ensure your next visit to the dentist won’t be for a crown on a fractured tooth.

Whew, that’s a lot of stuff to consider! Don’t worry; help is available! There are two options to correct your teeth and get a healthy, beautiful smile.

Braces: The traditional bracket and wire method works well in any situation. With colorful elastics to hold the wires in place, kids will have tons of choices to get creative during treatment. For the discerning adult, ceramic brackets are available to blend in with the teeth, making treatment less visible to the casual observer. Average treatment time is 24 months.

Invisalign: For twelve years this aligner system has been straightening teeth. The best part about Invisalign: No Brackets or Wires! Clear aligners (similar to whitening trays) move your teeth into their desired position. They are designed by a computer to precisely fit just your teeth. Aligners are worn 24/7 except for meals and every two weeks you get a new aligner. Patients are seen in the office every six weeks and given three trays until their next appointment. Another great thing about Invisalign: You can eat what you want! Just remove the trays and indulge yourself with some delicious caramels or popcorn, while your friend in braces sits frustrated next to you. Invisalign works well but does have some limitations. It is very popular among adults since the trays are almost invisible. Average treatment time is 12 months.

Time to put that mirror down and give us a call to set up a Free Consultation. With interest free financing available, having straight, healthy teeth is attainable. You too can have that movie star smile!

Thank you,

Dr. Todd Weber

Are dental implants right for you?

June 20, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

If you have missing teeth, it is crucial to replace them. Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can destabilize your bite and cause you discomfort. Dental implants are a great option for replacing missing or badly diseased teeth. A dental implant offers comfort, support, stability, and is as close to a natural tooth that a restoration can be.

There are many benefits to dental implants:

• Dental implants restore your ability to chew food properly.
• They fill out a face that may otherwise look sunken in because of missing teeth.
• They don’t need to be removed for overnight cleaning and soaking.
• No adhesives are needed.
• You’ll feel more confident to show off your smile to the world.
• Each implant is created to fit in perfectly with the look of the rest of your teeth.
Dental implants would be an appropriate treatment for you if you’re in good health, have healthy gums, and have enough bone structure to support an implant. A simple visit with our office will reveal if a dental implant is the best option to restore your smile to its absolute best.

Bad Breath is No Good

June 13, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. You may not even be aware of your own bad breath, so if you’re concerned you may be suffering from it, talk to our team. We can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to treat it.

There are many reasons for bad breath:

• What you eat can also affect the way your breath smells. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, can have a very strong and lasting odor.
• If you don’t brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath, not to mention tooth decay and gingivitis.
• Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor.
• Tobacco products cause bad breath. If you use tobacco, ask us for tips on kicking the habit.
• Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If this is the case, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause.

The good news is there are many ways to help eliminate bad breath from your life. Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath, so schedule regular dental visits with our office for a professional cleaning and checkup. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque, and don’t forget to brush your tongue, too!

June marks National Dairy Month!

June 8, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

In honor of June Dairy Month, our team would like to thank all of our hard working families in the Dairy Industry. You make us proud!

In fact, dairy is important to your overall health! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).

Results of the study show that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease. Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth.

Celebrating 10 years with Dr. Dalseth!

May 31, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Here at Dalseth Family and Cosmetic Dentistry love to share news about the office, staff, and patients. Like a lot of people, Facebook is a great avenue to share and catch up on what is new. This month we celebrated 10 year anniversaries for 4 employees. I would also like to give a shout out to Dr. Todd Weber. We have had the privilege of having him work with us for the past 5 years. He has been a great addition to the team, including introducing orthodontics and Invisalign. When you come in next time make sure you congratulate him and ask him about braces.

This May is also the 10th year in our current location, it is amazing how time flies! We want to thank all of our loyal patients for the trust and faith in our team. We enjoy seeing you and your family and appreciate when you share our name with your friends. If you have something to share with the rest of the Dalseth team leave us a review on our Google place page.

Wishing you a safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

May 23, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Memorial Day weekend, a time to remember and honor the men and women lost while serving for our country. Memorial Day is also the unofficial start of summer, and for many folks getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the classroom or the office spells sweet, sweet relief.

What about you? What are you up to this Memorial Day weekend? Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just hitting the great American open roads, we’d like to hear all about it!

Our entire team wishes you a happy, safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

When Was Your Last Dental Cleaning?

May 18, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

You water the garden three times a week, you change your car’s oil every three months, and you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors once a year. Your teeth need to see your dentist on a regular schedule, too.
While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good oral health, professional dental cleanings at our office ensure your teeth are treated to a deeper level of cleaning. We recommend for most of our patients to have a checkup at least every six months. In addition to a thorough cleaning and polishing of your teeth, these regular visits help us detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. During your visit, we’ll check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. We’ll also check old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, grinding, or clenching.
If you are predisposed to oral diseases, you may need to visit our office more often than every six months. Factors at play in these diseases include age, pregnancy, tobacco use, medical conditions (such as diabetes, dry mouth, or HIV infection), along with how well you take care of your teeth on a daily basis.
Make sure your teeth get the professional attention they deserve – If you’re overdue for your next cleaning, check with our office to schedule an appointment!