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 One drawback you may hear is no longer applicable: they can last just as long as silver fillings.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

 

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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

 

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Clear Improvement

Clear braces produce excellent results in many patients. Unlike traditional braces, there are no wires or brackets or rubber bands. Even better, they are almost undetectable to people who are standing just a few feet away from you. You can get clear braces from Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove.

Clear braces are so undetectable that some people call them invisible. Of course, they are not invisible, but they’re really close.

They look a lot like an athlete’s mouth guard. The proper term for such braces is “aligner.” They are made of clear plastic and are worn over your teeth to gradually bring them into alignment.

One of the things that people like best about clear braces is that they are removable. You can take them out at mealtime, and when you brush your teeth at night. You should wear them while you sleep, however. For the best results it’s recommended they be worn for at least twenty-two hours each day.

Clear braces are a great choice for adults who didn’t have braces when they were younger, but don’t want to wear traditional braces at work. They are not for everyone, however. They are not good for patients who, for example, have severely rotated teeth.

To find out if clear braces are right for you, schedule a consultation with Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove. We have clear braces from Invisalign. We also provide a full range of cosmetic dentistry services. Make 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

 

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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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

 

Aching Jaw?

Aching Jaw In Maple Grove?

The technical name for the human jaw is a real mouthful: the temporomandibular joint, more easily referred to as the TMJ. A lot of different things can result in jaw pain. At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove we treat jaw pain, in particular a painful condition known as TMD.

Your jaw is a complex joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. It is unique in that it lets you move your jaw from side to side, front to back, and open and closed. Disorders in this joint can cause pain in the joint itself, or in the muscles that let you move it.

Finding the exact cause of jaw pain can be difficult. It may be caused by sinusitis, the inflammation of the tissues that line your sinuses. When these tissues are inflamed, the sinuses exert pressure on surrounding areas. If the inflamed sinus is near the jaw, pain in the jaw joint may result. This commonly happens with a cold or allergies.

Apart from sinusitis, there are three common TMJ disorders:

  • Muscle complications. The muscles that move the jaw do a lot of work. Excessive chewing and talking, opening the jaw too wide, or clenching and grinding the teeth can all lead to pain.
  • Joint and disc displacement. These result from trauma to the joint or its disc, which is soft cartilage that acts as a kind of shock absorber.
  • Arthritis. Arthritis, unfortunately, can affect any of your joints. Arthritis in the jaw is usually caused by a missing or deformed disc.

At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, jaw evaluations are part of any routine dental exam. If we find any problems we can recommend a course of TMJ treatment. Other services include family dentistry. If you’re experiencing jaw pain or another dental issue, please 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

 

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Between-Meal Cleaning

At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, we want excellent dental health for all our patients, and constantly remind them to brush and floss after every meal. And most of our patients take that advice to heart. But what are you supposed to do in the middle of the day? You’re out and about, and your usual stuff – that favorite toothpaste, the container of dental floss – is at home in the bathroom.

What’s the best way to keep your teeth clean between meals?

One of the best things you can do is rinse your mouth with water after you eat. That alone will give your whole mouth a quick cleansing.

A quick brushing is good, too. An excellent trick is what we call dry brushing. That means brushing your teeth without toothpaste. Yes, it sounds a bit strange – but it’s effective, especially if you can use a little water, too. (We know of other dentists who do it themselves.) It isn’t the way you would brush at home, of course, but it’s going to clean the surfaces of your teeth – and that’s half the battle.

The other half of the battle is the stuff that gets between your teeth. A good solution here is using floss picks. They’re no substitute for regular dental floss, but because they have a little handle, you can do it one-handed and without the aid of a mirror. (Just be sure you use regular floss later on, before bed.)

Another effective trick is chewing sugarless gum. It only takes about five minutes of chewing to get the benefits. The gum will remove a lot of the surface debris from your teeth. It also gets your saliva going, which in turn promotes re-mineralization. That’s the process of replacing minerals in your teeth.

Still another good idea is to eat healthy snacks. Raw vegetables and nuts are always a better choice than a cookie or candy bar, or some other sugary treat. Not only that, these rough-textured foods help to scrub your teeth as you chew.

At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, we want each of our patients to keep their teeth clean during the day, and hope these suggestions help. We would also like to see you in the office every six months. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Call today to schedule your next checkup.

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