Dalseth Family Dentistry, Author at Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Which toothpaste is right for you?

March 7, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Have you ever noticed how many types of toothpaste are out there? Every brand seems to make a particular claim why theirs is the best…but do you know which is right for you? What are all of those different ingredients? Do they really work or is it a gimmick? Here are a couple of facts and tips to help you find the toothpaste that is best for you:

Toothpastes contain 2 types of ingredients:
1. Active: such as those that control cavities, plaque, gingivitis, hypersensitivity, and tartar
2. Inactive: these are things that cause the toothpaste to foam, thickening agents, preservatives, sweeteners/flavorings, and coloring agents.

The active ingredients are listed first on the tube in alphabetical order. The inactive ingredients are next, listed from greatest to least concentration.

When you go to the drug store, think about what your needs are:
1. Cavity control: When looking at the active ingredients, the toothpaste must contain fluoride.
2. Hypersensitivity: There are two active ingredients that are proven to help. The first is Potassium Nitrate at 5% concentration. It works by blocking repolarization of the nerve, thus stopping transmission of the signal. Stannous fluoride also works by occluding the dentinal tubules, which prevents the movement of fluid within the tooth.
3. Anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis: triclosan, zinc citrate and stannous fluoride are the leading ingredients to reduce plaque and gingivitis. They are effective because they are either bactericidal or bacteriostatic, meaning they either kill bacteria or prevent its growth.
4. Anti-calculus (anti-tartar): These types of toothpastes inhibit the mineralization of dental plaque or the crystalline formation of calculus. Some of the ingredients include: pyrophosphates, zinc salts, triclosan/copolymers, and sodium hexametaphosphate.
5. Whitening: Most whitening toothpastes make their claims because they remove extrinsic stain. This is accomplished through an abrasive incorporated into the toothpaste such as sodium bicarbonate, silicas, and aluminum oxide.

Hopefully the next time you are out buying toothpaste, you can make the best choice for your oral health. If you have questions about which toothpaste is right for you, feel free to give us a call at Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry or ask us on Facebook!

Dr. Dalseth, reminding you to protect your mouth

February 29, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Winter sports are wrapping up and spring sports are ramping up, so I think now is a good time to review facial protection. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, 5 million teeth are knock out annually on children, high school athletes, and adults. It is essential that an athlete’s mouth guard fits properly, is comfortable and is worn. Whether the athletic mouth guard is fabricated in our office, or it is a take home kit from the sporting goods store, it must protect and cover the vital structures.

The guard should cover all of the maxillary (upper) teeth and extend onto the gum several millimeters in order to be an adequate shock absorber. It should not be too thin and should be replaced at least annually, especially if your child is still loosing teeth. However, an improper fit will not provide adequate protection. If you have a question about your child’s athletic mouth guard, feel free to give us a call.

Lastly, I want to wish all of the athletes competing in sections, state, or other season ending tournaments the best of luck. I will be watching the sports page for the results!

–Dr. Pascal Dalseth

Cavities – Not Just Kids’ Stuff

February 24, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Cavities occur as a result of the destruction of tooth structure, called tooth decay. Tooth decay can affect both the enamel (the outer coating of the tooth) and the dentin (the inner layer of the tooth). While it is very important to brush and floss every day to remove food particles and plaque, regular cleanings and checkups at Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is the best way to help avoid cavities.

Drs. Stephen Dalseth, Pascal Dalseth, Todd Weber, and Sara Michel can discover cavities during your regular dental checkup. The tooth surface feels soft when probed with a dental instrument. X-rays can also show cavities before they become visible to the eye. In advanced stages of tooth decay, you might experience a toothache, especially after consuming sweet, hot, or cold foods or drinks. Other signs of tooth decay are visible pits or holes in the teeth.

Don’t wait for a toothache!

Remember, the longer you wait to treat a cavity, the more extensive your treatment will be. A small cavity can be treated with a filling, while a large cavity that weakens the structure of your tooth may require a crown. If the decay is so bad that it causes the nerve or pulp of the tooth to die, a root canal or tooth removal may be your only options. If you think you may have a cavity, contact our office and schedule an appointment. We’ll make sure you leave with a healthy, pain-free smile!

Presidents’ Day Fun Facts!

February 17, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Monday, Feb. 20 marks Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating of both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined Birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents’ Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of our patients at Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.

Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents:

*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.

*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.

*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called “20-year curse,” in which every president elected in a year ending in zero died in office.

*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents, measuring 6’ 4” tall.

*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.

*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.

Valuable advice, from Dr. Dalseth

February 8, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Becoming a dentist has resulted in a rewarding profession, much of it due to the interaction and relationships I have been able to form with patients, staff and other dental colleagues. I have been fortunate to have a great mentor, my father, Dr. Dalseth. He has instilled in me the importance of treating people fairly, honestly, and the way that you would want to be treated. I think it is important to see things through patients eyes. If they are anxious, we determine how can we help them cope. If it is a new procedure, how can I best explain it to them? What I have found over the years is the best thing we can do is listen. Not only listen to what a patient is saying, but also how they are saying it.

Dentistry is a wonderful career and, for me, I cannot image doing anything else. We are always trying to improve and bring new ideas to the forefront and hopefully we can make a splash!

– Dr. Pascal Dalseth

February is National Dental Health Month!

January 31, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

February is National Dental Health Month, and all of us at Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry love to celebrate this time of year and share our knowledge with our patients and people in the community. During the month of February, we visit a number of the local schools to give presentations. At these presentations we discuss the importance of a healthy diet and the difference between good and bad snacks, and how to make the right choices. We also review oral hygiene techniques such as brushing, flossing and the use of a fluoride rinse. I also love to read a book in the classroom that is dental related, such as, Dr. Desoto. We love that the kids are engaged and ask great questions.

In the office will promote Dental Health Month as a way to focus our attention on good oral hygiene and its importance to overall systemic health. Our oral health is important, and there is a strong link between oral health and low birth weight in babies, heart disease, diabetes, and potentially strokes. To make it fun we will have drawings for prizes, such as custom bleach trays, movie tickets, electric toothbrushes, and much more!

I would encourage anyone who has not been to the dentist lately to call us and schedule a check-up. It is a great way to get caught up on your oral health and potentially win some great prizes! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Ask Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry: If I have braces, do I still need a dental checkup every 6 months?

January 26, 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 staff at Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 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 Apple Valley office, please give us a call! We look forward to your next visit!

Have a question? Just ask!

January 16, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Drs. Stephen Dalseth, Pascal Dalseth, Todd Weber, and Sara Michel and their team are always available to answer patient questions about teeth and oral health. We strive to provide our patients with quality care and a warm, family-friendly environment.

We also recognize that the most important questions are our responsibility to answer. Some of the questions that we hear in the office include:

From the front desk:
— Do you take my insurance?
— Why are we out of network?

From the clinical staff:
— What age should I bring my child for their first visit?
— What is the difference between a regular clean and a periodontal cleaning?
— Will this hurt?
— Do I have to do this?

We also encourage you to ask us:

— How are my teeth affecting my overall health?
— Why do I get cavities?
— What can I do to prevent this from happening in the future?
— How beneficial is preventative care?

Most important questions to ask your dentist?
— Can you explain the problem to me, how can I resolve it, and how can I prevent it from happening again?

Answers to these and other questions often vary from patient to patient. We encourage to ask us the next time to you have an appointment at Dalseth Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. We want your dental experience to be informative and comfortable.

Five ways you can avoid plaque

January 11, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

At Dalseth Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we know nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth. Here are five other ways you can avoid that dreaded enemy of the teeth, courtesy of WebMD.

Let’s start with brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

Next on the list is flossing daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, evading a trip to visit to the dnetist is probably not a great idea. Let’s say you brush and floss daily. You’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Consider visiting Dalseth Family and Cosmetic Dentistry at least twice a year or as recommended, and you have a lower chance of getting cavities or losing your natural teeth.

You’ll also want to stop avoiding those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth. They include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. You can still eat these types of fruits and veggies if you’re wearing braces, but be sure to cut them up into bite sized pieces to avoid breaking off brackets.

Finally, before you pick up that candy bar, remember to not give in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages our teeth. Avoiding these five bad habits keeps your plaque in check and your mouth as healthy as can be. If you have any questions, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Have you had a check-up lately?

January 5, 2012 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Even if you brush and floss daily, it is still important to see us at Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry every 6 months, or as recommended.

Why?

• We can detect and treat tooth and gum problems that you may have never felt or noticed.
• Even thorough daily oral care may not be enough to prevent cavities and oral decay.
• Frequent visits can allow us to treat a problem early to prevent future complications.

If you are overdue for an appointment with us, please give us a call today!

— Drs Stephen Dalseth, Pascal Dalseth, Todd Weber, and Sara Michel