Let’s face it, parents. Some teens don’t always practice healthy dental hygiene or eating habits. They may not be happy or comfortable with their adult teeth, leading you both to consider braces. At Arbor Lakes Dental, we want to keep your teen’s smile healthy for life. In addition to scheduling regular dental checkups and orthodontic consultations, it’s wise to make sure they’re also practicing health eating habits. Here are a few issues to look out for:

Eating disorders

Eating disorders affect everyone, but generally this behavior begins in adolescence. Eating disorders such as  bulimia can cause enamel erosion, decay, and even complete tooth loss. We strongly advise you to talk to your child immediately and provide appropriate medical care and counseling.

The importance of diet cannot be overstated. Many teenagers decrease their calcium intake–a danger to tooth and bone health–in favor of sodas and energy drinks. Make sure they’re drinking milk or taking calcium supplements, if necessary. Our experienced staff can help you spot these problems, so don’t hesitate to give us a call at 763-515-1171 if you have any questions.

Tobacco use, as well as the abuse of some illegal drugs, carries an increased risk of tooth decay and oral cancer. Oral piercings can be extremely detrimental. The health risks include tooth and gum damage, infection, allergic reactions, nerve damage, and excessive swelling that can block airways.

Teens who are undergoing orthodontic treatment often have a difficult time properly cleaning their teeth. It is a challenge to fit toothbrush bristles and floss under dental hardware. Toothbrushes and flossing devices that squirt water can help teens with braces adequately clean their teeth and gums.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following  guidelines for adolescent oral health:

Teens should drink fluoridated water.
Fluoride supplementation is recommended for high risk teens that don’t have access to fluoridated water (up to age 16).
Teens should use fluoridated toothpaste twice a day.
Teens should floss daily.¹

Your teenager should come in for twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings. Call us at 763-515-1171 to schedule an appointment. We’re dedicated to oral health for patients of all ages.

 

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental: 763-515-1171

Arbor Lakes Dental
12000 Elm Creek Blvd, Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota 55369

 

¹“Protecting All Children’s Teeth, Oral Health in Adolescence,” http://www2.aap.org/oralhealth/pact/, accessed September 17,  2014

Today’s Maple Grove Children’s Dental Blog focuses on the issue of caring for baby teeth. Why would you take care of something that’s just going to fall out and be given to the tooth fairy? It’s a good question and it has a even better answer.

Parents shouldn’t feel like they are wasting their time because baby teeth are more important than many people might think. Baby teeth are needed to keep the proper amount of space available for the permanent teeth that will come in later.

Baby teeth are also invaluable in the development of clear speech. This is especially important for parents who are dying to know what their child means when they point to something repeatedly and say ‘scklash’ or ‘grag-grag’.

Having healthy baby teeth will also help your child develop a healthy diet because difficulty chewing can lead to the rejection of many different foods.

And, finally, tooth decay and infection can be passed down from baby teeth to permanent teeth as they develop below them. That’s not what you want for the teeth that kids are going to have for the rest of their lives. You may be setting them up to need cosmetic dentistry procedures such as veneers and dental implants.

Hi. I’m Dr. Jamie Sledd, an experienced, kid-friendly Maple Grove dentist. I want my patients to have the best oral health possible. I also want them to look their best, so if you have any questions about a smile makeover or teeth whitening, give us a call at 763-515-1171.

At Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS we offer:

cosmetic dentistry
dental bridges
gum disease
porcelain veneers

Thanks for reading. Contact us today for all your dental needs!

The following website was used as source material for this blog:
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-your-childs-teeth, accessed on February 12, 2013

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS: 763-515-1171

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

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

Hello, Maple Grove! My name is Dr. Jamie Sledd. My dental practice, Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS, has been serving the area since 1992.

If you have questions about oral health, cosmetic dentistry, preventative dentistry, children’s dental sealants, tooth implants, oral sedation, safe teeth whitening, or invisible braces, come to Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS for answers.

My fun staff has helped me create an atmosphere of active listening. We enjoy getting to know our patients and determining each patient’s unique needs. We want to understand your dental goals and challenges and help you understand the hows and whys of recommended treatment.

We are currently accepting new patients. If you are seeking a friendly children’s dentist or cosmetic dentist in Maple Grove, we invite you to come in and meet our fun team.

Many of our new dental patients ask us about cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening, smile makeovers and dental implants. We would love to meet with you about these procedures as well as our other dental services.

If you have small children, it is important for you to make decisions about protective sealants and fluoride supplements. If you have older children, it is helpful to discuss braces, sports mouthguards, and tooth decay prevention. If you are not happy with your smile, we would like to introduce you to the latest in cosmetic dentistry. If you are missing teeth, dental implants may be the prime solution. If you have a family member with a chronic illness, we can counsel you about the impact their condition has on oral health. Oral cancer screenings are essential for patients of all ages.

Thank you for visiting our dental blog and taking the time to learn more about Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS. Call today to schedule a consultation.

It’s About You, Your Smile, Our Relationship and Your Trust

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS: 763-515-1171

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

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

It has now been over 150 years since the first dental license was issued to Sir John Tomes. Minnesota dental patients should be grateful for the advances made in dentistry during the past century and a half.

There was a time when Minneapolis blacksmiths and wig makers would also extract teeth with forceps to make a little extra money. Anyone could call themselves a dentist. Often these untrained people broke the jaws of the person they were trying to help. Ouch!

At Arbor Lakes Dental, we celebrate with the Minneapolis dental community and marvel at the many advances made in the history of dentistry, particularly cosmetic dentistry.

One of the modern treatments that has helped countless Maple Grove patients is invisible braces. This non-visible orthodontic therapy is custom made for each patient. They are transparent and removable and will help you achieve your desired smile in about 3 to 18 months.

I am Dr. Jamie Sledd. My training didn’t end when I graduated from dental school and opened my practice in Maple Grove. As a cutting-edge dentist, I continually seek training so I can expertly perform the latest procedures. In addition, our practice uses the most advanced dental materials available.

If you are one of the many Maple Grove residents who has dreamed of an esthetic improvement to your smile, we invite you to make an appointment with Arbor Lakes Dental to discuss a smile makeover. Complete smile transformations are performed as quickly and professionally as possible – sometimes in just one visit!

One of our most sought after treatments at Arbor Lakes Dental is restorative dentistry and many Maple Grove patients are enjoying a brighter smile because of family dentistry.

At Arbor Lakes Dental we have been serving the residents of zip code area 55369 since 1992 and would love to provide you and your family with professional, friendly dental care.

Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove serves patients of all ages and provides general dentistry for children. Our fun staff takes special care of our youngest patients to make sure they are comfortable and safe.

A little extra patience with our child patients is critical. We understand that going to the dentist can be a bit frightening for a child, so we make sure they are comfortable with their surroundings, and always invite mom or dad to join them in the room. We make sure they understand the necessary procedures and answer their questions.

Children’s dentistry requires more than just comfort, however. Dr. Jamie Sledd understands how children’s dentistry differs from the treatment for older patients. If you have questions about cleaning your baby’s teeth, communicate with us about thumb sucking, dental sealants, fluoride supplements, tooth protection for kids’ sports, and orthodontia, call 763-515-1171 today to schedule a consultation.

The American Dental Association recommends that children see a dentist when their first tooth erupts or around one year of age. By starting regular dental visits at the toddler age and teaching proper hygiene, we can help you reinforce important oral care habits and lifestyle choices that will produce strong and healthy teeth.

In addition to children’s dentistry, Arbor Lakes Dental offers:

• gum disease
• teeth whitening
• cosmetic dentistry
• porcelain veneers

We are currently accepting new patients of all ages. We look forward to meeting you and your child.

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental:

763-515-1171

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

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