Dentistry Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

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!

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

All about tooth sensitivity

November 7, 2011 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

At Dalseth Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we know that tooth sensitivity affects a lot of people. While the reasons may vary, there are many different ways to help those with tooth sensitivity:

1. One reason that tooth sensitivity may occur is because of gum recession. Exposure of the root surface can dramatically increase sensitivity. An exposed root has open channels into the nerve sensors, which can be activated by hot, cold and sweets. Regular use of a sensitivity tooth paste with the active ingredient 5% potassium nitrate can close or restrict these channels, which can help reduce tooth sensitivity.

2. Clenching and grinding of teeth can also contribute to sensitivity. If force is placed on the teeth, it can aggravate the nerves. Some theories state that clenching and grinding is one cause of gum recession and abfraction (the loss of tooth structure from force) of the tooth. Abfraction lesions are small cracks or notches in your teeth caused by chewing. Clenching your teeth, as well as chewing and biting put pressure on your teeth. Over time, this pressure can cause cracks and splits in the enamel, or outer layer, of your teeth.

Abfraction lesions can show up as notches on the chewing points (cusps) of the back teeth. They can also show up as lines or cracks on the outside of a tooth. You can see them if you look in a mirror and shine a flashlight or bright light on your teeth. The lines usually run up and down the length of a tooth. You also can have cracks in the neck of a tooth, which is the part closest to, or just under, your gums.

Wearing a bite splint can reduce the force on your teeth by decreasing the contraction force of your chewing muscles. We can also give you some self-help tips to prevent this common stress release at our office.

If people have extreme sensitivity at the time of their cleaning, we can apply a special polishing paste to protect the teeth which can last a couple of months. We can also apply a topical anesthetic to the gums and teeth that help relieve sensitivity during your cleaning.

Another way to help reduce tooth sensitivity is with a prescription toothpaste, such as Prevident 5000. It contains 5 times the amount of fluoride found in regular toothpaste. It can work like potassium nitrate to reduce sensitivity, while also greatly decreasing your risk of cavities.

If you have any questions about tooth sensitivity, feel free to give us a call, ask us on Facebook, or ask us at your next appointment.

Commonly asked questions at Dalseth Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

September 30, 2011 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

We receive a lot of great questions here at Dalseth Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. Today we wanted to take a moment to answer some of your frequently asked questions. If you have any more questions, feel free to contact our office!

Q: Do you see children and at what age do should they come?
A: Families are important to us. As such, we love to see children and create a positive first experience. We usually recommend seeing children for the first time at 3 years old. If a parent has a question or concern, we would love to see them at any age.

Q: Do you take my insurance?
A: We accept most types of insurance. Benefit levels, however, may vary depending on your employer.

Q: How soon can I get in?
A: Our office tries to be as accommodating as possible. If you have a dental emergency, we will see you that day. If you are a new patient, our goal is to see you at your earliest convenience.

Q: How long has your staff been working with you?
A: We pride ourselves with the tenure of our staff. A number of staff have been with us for over 20 years. The majority of our staff have been with us for over 10 years! They enjoy working here and they know we put the patient first and have his or her best interest in mind. The staff loves the patients and the relationships that they have developed.

The most important question a patient should ask their dentist:

Q: How is my overall dental health and what can I do to maintain or improve it?
A: Regular preventive recall visits are key, whether they are every six months or every 3 months. This usually depends on your current dental condition.

Moooooove over gum disease!

September 22, 2011 by Dalseth Family Dentistry

Drs Stephen Dalseth, Pascal Dalseth, Todd Weber, and Sara Michel want to know: Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study also showed that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease.

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child’s teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack all stimulate the body’s salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque’s ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child’s teeth.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give us a call.