There is nothing that influences your smile as much as your eating habits. Develop good eating habits and your dentist will smile down on you too.

1. Rinse after eating
Rinse your mouth with a drink of water or brush your teeth after a meal. Folks who snack all day long prolong tooth exposure to sugars and food debris. Planned meals with brushing in between keeps your oral health on top.

2. Avoid sugary gum
Sugar free gum doesn’t leave sugar to break down on your teeth and spoil your hard earned healthy gums. If you are one of the many gum chewers, do your teeth a favor and go sugarless.

3. Avoid sticky foods
Sticky foods have a habit of clinging to your teeth with stronger chances for decay. Toffee, gummy candy, fruit snacks, even dried fruit can be problematic for smiles. Brushing doesn’t always remove the obstinate particles.

4. Consume nutritious foods
A balanced diet with a variety of vitamins and minerals can keep the immune system and able to fight infection.

5. Consume cheese
Cheese contains calcium and protects from acid that breaks down tooth enamel. (It’s essential not to go overboard as cheese is high in fat.)

6. Avoid acidic foods
Acid will eat away enamel over time: lemons, red wine, soda pop. Minimize direct, constant, consistent exposure. All things in moderation.

If you have concerns about enamel damage that’s already taken place on your teeth, need help with crooked, chipped or missing teeth, or just need to get in for a check up, call Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove today at 763-515-1171

We’ll answer your questions about cosmetic dentistry, dental bridges, and gum disease. We know braces, veneers, dental implants, oral sedation, and the cost of cosmetic dentistry can bring up questions and concerns. Dr. Jamie Sledd helps curb those worries and brings you to a place of knowledge and power. Make an appointment to discuss your dental goals.

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental: 763-515-1171

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

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

We dentists make a pretty big deal about fluoride and how good it is for your teeth. Truly, fluoride is the best cavity fighter out there, helping our teeth stay healthy and strong! But how exactly does fluoride do such an awesome job at keeping our mouths cavity-free?

Fluoride Prevents And Repairs Tooth Decay

The bacteria found in plaque produces acids that seep into tooth enamel and break it down. This process of breaking down enamel is what causes cavities over time. Where plaque breaks down the tooth, fluoride builds it up!

Fluoride, a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water, protects teeth from cavity-causing bacteria by making tooth enamel more resistant to bacteria’s acid attacks.

Fluoride also helps repair tooth decay in its early stages by building up the tooth in a process called remineralization. This cavity-fighting mineral even reduces the ability of plaque bacteria to produce acid in the first place!

Fluoride Is Available In A Variety Of Forms

Fluoride can be directly applied to the teeth through fluoridated toothpastes and mouth rinses. In fact, toothpaste with fluoride has been responsible for a significant drop in cavities since 1960.

Dental offices also offer fluoride application to teeth as a gel, foam or varnish. Getting a fluoride treatment periodically is important because it contains a higher concentration of fluoride.

Fluoride Intake Is Important At All Ages

Exposure to fluoride can be especially beneficial for infants and children. Between the ages of six months and 16 years, fluoride becomes incorporated into the developing permanent teeth, protecting them from cavity-causing bacteria.

However, adults and children alike need to get enough fluoride to protect their teeth. Just as important as strengthening developing teeth is fighting tooth decay, which fluoride will help you do even after your permanent teeth have come in.

Increased exposure to fluoride can be beneficial for people with certain health conditions. For example, if you have dry mouth, gum disease or a history of frequent cavities, your dentist may recommend additional fluoride treatments or supplements. Ask us if you could benefit from additional fluoride.

Tooth Decay Is Preventable

The take home message is this: fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. If you have any questions about fluoride, call us or come in! We would love to hear from you!

We love our patients and their smiles!

Top image by Flickr user bradfordst219 used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Hello! I’m Jamie Sledd, DDS, of Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove. I have been practicing quality general and cosmetic dentistry since 1992. Today’s post focuses on malocclusion, or bad bite.

Malocclusion is the dental term for a problem in the way your top and bottom teeth come together. The ideal bite is when the upper teeth are slightly forward of the lower teeth. You have probably heard of “overbites” and “underbites” but the two arches can be misaligned in many other ways as well. Crowded teeth can also cause a bad bite, as well as the opposite situation – teeth that are too far apart.

If the misalignment is very slight, there are often no related issues. However, if the malocclusion is moderate to severe, the patient is at risk for many other health issues such as difficulty chewing and speaking, headaches, hearing problems, increased decay, jaw pain, and gum disease.

The domino effect of these troubles can get pretty serious. For example, chewing difficulty can trigger ulcers and gum disease increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. Consider also how these problems can impact a patient’s emotional well-being and ability to perform their job.

Putting health issues aside, these problems can get pretty expensive to treat.

There are several effective treatments for malocclusion, but first you need a diagnosis. If you suspect that you have a misaligned bite, I hope this post has given you some good reasons to meet with Dr. Jamie Sledd. Call 763-515-1171 to schedule a consultation and exam, or for any of your general dentistry needs.

A healthy smile is priceless and superior dental care is a worthwhile investment in your quality of life. But the cost for treatment and precision restorations can sometimes be prohibitive. Knowing what to expect price-wise can make your dental visit more palatable.

Obviously, the cost of some procedures such as crowns versus fillings are dependent upon unknown factors. X-rays can show the basic problem but sometimes the extent of the damage isn’t clear until we get in there. Our caring staff works to offer estimates based on best-case and worst-case scenarios.

Nailing down the cost is much easier once the overall treatment plan is established. Dr. Jamie Sledd performs an oral exam, reviews the patient’s dental history, and consults with the patient before creating an estimate. The price is influenced by the patient’s current condition, cosmetic goals, and long-term functionality.

Usually, the cost of treatments such as teeth whitening, dental implants, veneers, denture fittings, and the price of cosmetic dentistry can be explained at the initial consultation with Dr. Sledd. We encourage our patients to take some time to review the options before they choose  which elective procedures to pursue. We never pressure our patients to make a quick decision about something as critical as dental treatment.

Here at Arbor Lakes Dental, we are committed to customized patient-focused care. Often the treatment plan will be extended over several visits to allow healing and adjustment in the mouth before doing more work.

With restorations, the most conservative treatment is always preferred. The cost is weighed with priority for adequate eating and speaking functionality. Personal confidence in appearance is also taken into account and given priority.

Dr. Sledd has been practicing fun dentistry since 1992. If you are in the market for porcelain veneers or dental bridges but are worried about how much it will set you back or whether your insurance company covers the procedure, then call 763-515-1171 today and let us look into it for you.

Feel free to shop around and compare our affordable prices to other dentists in the area – but be wary of bargain-basement dental advertisements. Many ads present a false picture of the actual cost of the treatment. And, do you really want to trust your smile to the lowest bidder?

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Many residents in our Maple Grove community experience dry mouth occasionally. Some develop dry mouth in social situations or when they are under a lot of stress. Sporadic or infrequent dry mouth is usually not a serious problem. Constant dry mouth, or xerostomia, is not only irritating, it can lead to acute health problems.

Maple Grove people should not take their saliva for granted. Your saliva plays an essential role in maintaining your health. One of its roles is to help digest your food. The moment food enters your mouth, saliva starts breaking it down so your body can metabolize it. If you don’t produce enough saliva to carry out this task your body may not be getting essential nutrients needed to stay healthy.

Saliva also functions as a disinfectant by cleansing the mouth of leftover food, bacteria, and fungi. This helps prevent tooth decay and infections. Many Maple Grove residents don’t realize that many of the foods we eat are very acidic and our saliva helps counteract those acids in our mouths.

I am Jamie Sledd and my staff and I at Arbor Lakes Dental have been treating xerostomia since 1992. I recommend cutting back on caffeine in such drinks as cola, coffee, and tea. Not only do these beverages stain and discolor your teeth, the caffeine can contribute to dry mouth. I also recommend drinking water throughout the day to make sure you are adequately hydrated.

Tobacco and alcohol can also contribute to dry mouth. Consult your Minneapolis physician if you are taking medication that is causing your dry mouth.

Dry mouth is not a natural part of aging, so call Arbor Lakes Dental today and schedule an appointment if your dry mouth is getting worse as you grow older. 763-515-1171

Looking for a gentle family dentist who focuses on preventative dentistry?  I invite you to come visit my practice at 12000 Elm Creek Blvd, Ste 230 in Maple Grove. My fun team at Arbor Lakes Dental make sure you have a pleasant experience whether you visit us for a cleaning and exam or a complete smile transformation.

Our dental menu includes teeth bleaching, crowns and bridges, veneers, short term braces, oral cancer screenings, inlays/onlays, cosmetic dentistry, and sports dentistry.

Your brilliant smile starts with healthy teeth.

Jamie Sledd
Arbor Lakes Dental
12000 Elm Creek Blvd, Ste 230
Maple Grove Minnesota
763-515-1171
https://www.arborlakesdental.com/about-arbor-lakes-dental

If you are scheduled for cancer treatment due to a recent diagnosis or relapse, oral health is probably not your first priority. However, the team at Arbor Lakes Dental urges you to give some attention to your teeth to prevent or minimize common cancer-related dental complications.

According to the National Institutes of Health, cancer treatment often takes a heavy toll on dental health.

Common Complications of Chemotherapy and/or Radiation

Inflammation of the mucous membranes
Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections
Mouth dryness (increases risk of cavities)
Poor nutrition due to eating difficulties
Mouth pain
Oral bleeding
Lifelong risk of tooth decay
Loss of elasticity of masticatory muscles (may make opening mouth difficult)
Bone recession due to decreased blood flow
Tooth loss

Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove wants to help you maintain oral health before, during, and after your cancer treatment. We offer comprehensive preventative and restorative dental services including: cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers, dental bridges

We extend to our dental patients battling cancer our sincere hopes for your successful treatment. It is a pleasure to serve your dental needs.

“Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment: What the Dental Team Can Do,” National Institutes of Health, http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/CancerTreatment/OralComplicationsCancerOral.htm, accessed on May 27, 2014

Cosmetic Dentistry
Restorative Dentistry
Dental Implants
Family Dentistry
Teeth Whitening