Check Out The Checkup!

At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, we want to see each one of our patients for a cleaning and checkup twice a year. Most of the time we try to get you to schedule your next appointment even as you leave the office from your latest one.

There are some very good reasons for seeing us twice a year. Along with daily brushing and flossing, six-month cleanings and checkups are the best way to ensure you have good dental health. That means clean teeth with no cavities, and pink healthy gums.

The Cleaning

Most appointments begin with a cleaning from the hygienist. During the cleaning we’ll scrape any tartar from your teeth. Tartar is hardened plaque, and you can’t get it off with a toothbrush and floss. That’s one of the reasons brushing twice a day is so important: it helps prevent plaque buildup!

Scraping tartar off of your teeth is known as scaling. Once your teeth are scaled, we’ll polish them with a gritty toothpaste. This is pretty harsh stuff, and it does a fabulous job removing any surface stains on your teeth. Sometimes patients wonder if they can get something like it for use at home. The trouble with that is that it’s just too abrasive to use every day.

After scaling and brushing, the last step is flossing. Then, it’s the dentist’s turn.

The Checkup

During the checkup we look for any new cavities that may have appeared since your last visit. We might take X-rays, although this is not done at every visit. We’ll examine your gums, too, for any signs of gum disease.

Finally, we’ll look at your tongue, throat, face and and head, and your neck. We’re checking for swelling or redness, or any signs of cancer.

And that, in a nutshell, is how your visit to the dentist goes. At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove our services include family and restorative dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369

 

Dental Floss: Which Type is Best?

Along with brushing, flossing is the most important thing you can do for healthy teeth and gums. There’s a varity of floss types to choose from. Which one is best for you? It depends. At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, we’re using this space to summarize what’s available, and what might influence your choice of dental floss.

The reason that flossing is so important is that it removes plaque and food debris from between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. Left on the teeth, plaque hardens into floss and contributes to tooth decay. The Academy of General Dentistry goes so far as to call flossing the most important thing you can do to fight plaque.

What Kind Is Best?

When it comes to what dental floss to use, there is a lot to choose from. Flavored or unflavored? Waxed or unwaxed? Wide or thin?

No single type of floss is right for everyone. You might even benefit from having more than one kind in your medicine chest. With a little trial and error, you can narrow down your choices to find what works best for you.

A recent study shows there really isn’t much difference, if any, in the effectiveness of the different types of dental floss. Here are some things to consider:

  • Waxed floss fits more easily into tight spaces
  • Unwaxed floss tends to squeak against clean teeth, an indicator that plaque is gone
  • Wider dental tape may work better in gaps between teeth, and on bridgework

One word of caution: we recommend traditional string floss that you can pull out in a long strand, as opposed to a flossing pick. Those little picks are popular, but they only have a tight strand of less than an inch of floss. That makes it all but impossible to wrap any floss around your teeth – and flossing is far more effective when you do that. The little picks are fine for a purse or backpack, when you’re on the go. Just be sure to use regular floss as part of your dental hygiene routine before bedtime.

Whatever your preference may be, the important thing is to floss at least once each day.

At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, we also like to see you for a checkup every six months. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next appointment today!

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369

 

The Arbor Lakes Dental Guide To Preventing Gum Disease

gum disease Maple Grove

Hearing that you have gum disease can be scary and upsetting. At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, we are committed to educating and assisting patients in preventing gum disease. If you discover that you already have gum disease, don’t despair. We can help.

Gum disease is not to be taken lightly. In its earliest stages it is called gingivitis, and this is usually easy to reverse.

In its more advanced form, gum disease is known as periodontitis. The Centers for Disease Control says more than half of Americans over thirty have periodontitis, which equates to more than sixty million people. It is a leading cause of tooth loss.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

  • Bleeding gums
  • Swollen, tender gums
  • Receding gums
  • Bad breath that won’t go away
  • Loose adult teeth
  • Sensitive teeth

At Arbor Lakes Dental we use a fast and pain-free test called OralDNA. It is a highly accurate way to determining whether you have, or might have, gum disease. As with most diseases, early detection is key to effective treatment.

We know that gum disease can sneak up on you. Regular check-ups and regular oral hygiene is essential for preventing the pain and health issues linked to periodontal disease. Gum disease can be successfully treated, but avoiding it is clearly best.

Don’t take any chances. Ask us about OralDNA the next time you’re in for a six-month checkup. At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove we treat gum disease, and also offer a full range of family dentistry services. Schedule your next appointment today!

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369

 

ArticleID 6456

Replace Old Silver Fillings

white fillings Maple Grove

Superficial cuts in the skin disappear without a trace, infections are eradicated with antibiotics, broken bones mend, and inflamed tissues abate. But teeth cannot regenerate. Decay can be halted, but that’s as good as it gets. That’s why the team at Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove so strongly emphasizes dental health and dental hygiene.

The healthiest mouths have all teeth intact and free of current or former tooth decay. But how many smiles can boast such an admirable record? Very few. Most of us get one or more cavities over the course of our lives.

Restorations Have Come a Long Way
But cavities can be filled. Modern restorations have many advantages over those in years past. There are stronger and more natural-looking materials. Many of our patients at Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS who have not had a filling for a while, are not aware that white fillings are available. You can even replace old amalgam fillings with white fillings.

White fillings, also known as composite fillings, are durable and blend in with your teeth. They can be used in the front and back teeth. One drawback you may hear is no longer applicable: they can last just as long as silver fillings.

At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, we fill cavities with white fillings. They are among the many family dentistry services we provide. We care about your dental health. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup with us today!

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369

 

ArticleID 7296

Clean Teeth, Happy Mouth

Good dental health means having healthy teeth and gums. Maintaining it is something that you have to work at every day. It can be a real balancing act: using the right oral care products, your personal oral care habits, and seeing us at Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove twice a year.

Your dental health strategy should include:

  • Daily brushing and flossing. You should brush and floss twice a day. Just before bedtime is especially important, because it cleans out the germs and plaque that build up during the course of the day.
  • Proper brushing. It’s important not only to brush, but to brush properly. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush in a gentle, circular motion along the gum line. Take your time; a minimum of two minutes is recommended. Don’t forget to brush your tongue!
  • Using fluoridated toothpaste. There is a myriad of choices when it comes to toothpaste. Whether you prefer mint flavored or bubble gum, fluoride is the most important consideration. It is your best defense against cavities.
  • Limiting sugary and acidic foods. Acidic fruits, teas, and coffee contributes to enamel erosion. Sugar converts into acid when it’s in your mouth. You don’t have to avoid these foods entirely, but choose carefully and minimize.
  • Seeing the dentist twice a year. You saw this one coming, right? Your daily dental health care habits are essential, but so is the attention and care of a dentist. A professional teeth cleaning alone is worth the trip, but we can also identify issues before they become serious, and treat them.

At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, we want all our patients to enjoy excellent dental health. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369

What Is Oil Pulling?

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This Arbor Lakes Dental post looks at oil pulling, an alternative practice that has been generating a lot of buzz lately.

Oil pulling has been a part of Indian Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It is the practice of swishing oil in the mouth for twenty minutes to benefit the teeth, gums and overall health and well-being. The oils most commonly used are coconut oil, sesame oil, and sunflower oil.

Proponents claim that it detoxifies the mouth, cleans plaque, reduces inflammation, cures bad breath, whitens teeth, kills infection, and boosts the immune system. Some advocates even claim that it “cures” cavities and periodontal disease.

What does the American Dental Association say about oil pulling? Here is an excerpt from a May 2014 article:

“To date, scientific studies have not provided the necessary clinical evidence to demonstrate that oil pulling reduces the incidence of dental caries, whitens teeth or improves oral health and well-being. Based on the lack of currently available evidence, oil pulling is not recommended as a supplementary oral hygiene practice, and certainly not as a replacement for standard, time-tested oral health behaviors and modalities. The ADA recommends that patients follow a standard oral hygiene regimen that includes twice-daily toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner, using ADA-Accepted products. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth help prevent cavities and keep gums healthy.”1

At Arbor Lakes Dental  in Maple Grove, we caution patients not to replace brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings/exams with oil pulling. We provide top-quality dental care for every member of your family. Services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment today.

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369

 

ArticleID 6532

Stay Out Of The Dental Danger Zone

Stay Out Of The Minneapolis Dental Danger Zone

You would never consider running a red light at a busy intersection, or crossing over a lane of orange construction cones on the freeway. But a word of caution from Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove: you might do some everyday things that are risky to your dental health.

What follows are some common habits that could be detrimental to the health of your teeth.

Crunching ice between your teeth might be refreshing, but it can actually break a tooth. It can also harm the soft tissue inside your mouth. If this tissue gets irritated, you’re more likely to get toothaches and have increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods.

Participating in your favorite sport without a mouth guard is a risk that no one should take. If there is a chance that a mouth injury could occur (and there is with most sports) then get yourself fitted with a mouth guard.

Using your teeth to open anything is a bad idea. Every time your teeth come in contact with foreign objects there is potential for chipping and cracking. Remember, there’s always a right tool for the job.

Now that you know how to avoid these risks, please take the appropriate precautions! It really doesn’t take much to protect your teeth, and it is totally worth the effort.

At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, we want all of our patients to have and keep healthy teeth and gums. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup today.

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369

 

ArticleID 4455

Sore Tooth? Don’t Wait!

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People who wait to have a sore tooth checked usually end up saying, “I wish I had seen the dentist sooner.” A toothache is sending a simple message. Something is wrong, and you should call Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove without delay.

A tooth may become sensitive to pressure when chewing or biting, or to hot and cold beverages. Or there may be a sharp pain or a persistent, dull ache. If you wait, the cost to treat it may rise as the pain gets more acute.

Mouth pain is never “normal.” We will determine the cause of the pain so proper treatment can begin. Possible causes of pain include tooth decay, gum disease, a broken crown, mouth sores, bite issues, and TMD (temporomandibular disorder). Let us take care of you and you will quickly be back to pain-free eating, grimace-free speaking and better sleeping.

At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, your dental health is important to us. We offer family and cosmetic dentistry and a full range of dental services. Schedule your next checkup with us today.

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369

 

ArticleID 6276

Do I Floss My New Dental Implant?

dentist-floss-implant-Jan-19.jpg

Dental implants are among the special procedures we perform at Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove. Patients usually ask a lot of good questions about their new implants. A really good one is: Do I need to change my flossing technique for an implant?

Brushing and flossing should be part of your daily dental care. Like your natural teeth, a permanent dental implant also requires brushing and flossing. Otherwise it is susceptible to the same plaque buildup. If it isn’t cleaned off every day, it could lead to a condition called peri-implantitis, which is similar to gum disease. It could result in the loss of the implant.

So keep that new implant clean! Here are some tips:

Criss-Cross Shoe Shine

Insert the floss behind the implant and bring both ends through to the front. Cross the strings, and trade hands so your hands aren’t crossed. Now move in a shoe-shine motion to clean all around the implant.

Some men and women prefer the tape style floss over the conventional type.

Gentle and Thorough

When brushing, use a soft toothbrush and low-abrasive toothpaste. Aggressive brushing can damage the soft tissues in your mouth and bring about gum recession.

Manual, Electric, or Sonic Brush?

You can use a manual brush, electric, or sonic type. If it is difficult for you to brush with a manual brush, try an electric or sonic style.

Some patients are advised to use an interproximal brush to clean around the implant area.

You may also be prescribed an antimicrobial mouth rinse. This is an measure of protection if you have diminished mobility or are susceptible to inflammation.

Dental implants have been called one of the great advances in modern dentistry. The implants from Arbor Lakes Dental look and function like natural teeth, but it’s essential you keep them clean, just like natural teeth. Our services include family dentistry. Schedule an appointment today.

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369

 

ArticleID 8089

Why White Fillings?

Like any other dental practice, we fill a lot of cavities at Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove. Did you know that more than ninety percent of American adults have had cavities at some point? That’s a lot of drilling and filling.

We use white fillings, also called composite fillings, and there are some good reasons for that. For one thing, they blend almost seamlessly with your teeth, so that no one is going to know they’re there, even when you burst out laughing.

Another good reason is that more and more people are concerned about the safety of old-style silver fillings. Silver fillings have been used in dentistry for more than a century, and are extremely durable. And make no mistake, they still have the approval of the American Dental Association and the World Health Organization.

But silver fillings contain tiny amounts of mercury, which is a known toxin. While the jury may still be out about whether they should be used, we use white fillings because we’d rather be safe than sorry.

Many of our patients also say they don’t want to take any chances, and who can blame them? White fillings are durable and resistant to fracturing. That means they are strong enough to withstand all the pressure put on them from constant chewing. They are especially good for filling small to mid-sized cavities.

Of course, it’s best if you don’t need any cavities at all. That may not be very realistic in the long run. But you can minimize your chances of tooth decay by brushing your teeth twice a day, and flossing at least once. It’s also essential that you see us at name of practice twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. If we find a cavity we’ll use white fillings. We also offer cosmetic dentistry. Make an appointment today!

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369