Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Other

Adult and Geriatric Oral Health

At White Bear Smiles, we know unfortunately, the possibility of having dental problems doesn't necessarily diminish as we age. Although the baby boomer generation has benefited from water fluoridation programs and fluoride toothpaste, problems can still crop up in the adult's mouth.

The Problem of Gum Disease

Gum disease, for instance, remains a problem for adults. Some 14 percent of adults aged 45 to 54 have severe gum disease.

Signs and symptoms from soft-tissue diseases like cold sores are common in adults. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, about 19 percent of adults aged 25 to 44 are affected by such soft-tissue ailments.

Other Dental Problems

Every year more than 400,000 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are afflicted with oral problems like painful mouth ulcers, loss of taste and dry mouth as a result of malfunctioning salivary glands.

The CDC reports that employed adults lose more than 164 million hours of work each year because or oral health problems. So the message is to keep brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly. Don't sit back and relax. If you have further questions about to improve your own oral health care, call White Bear Smiles today!

Yes, you can return to eating normally after a root canal. However, doing so carefully and in accordance with your dentist's guidance are vital to ensuring a smooth and lasting recovery.

What Should I Eat After a Root Canal?

After root canal therapy, it’s crucial to proceed with caution before returning to eating as you had before the procedure. Right after the procedure, you may experience lingering numbness due to the anesthesia. At this point, try to avoid eating anything at all, at least until you regain full feeling in your mouth and don’t run the risk of accidentally biting the inside of your cheek or your tongue.

In the days following your procedure, try to stick to a liquid diet or foods that call for no (or at least minimal) chewing like soup, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and smoothies. Conversely, avoid hard, sticky, or potentially jagged foods that can disrupt prompt, proper healing.

Also, until you’ve got a permanent restoration, like a dental crown, it’s best to avoid (as much as possible) chewing with the treated tooth. And, of course, if you encounter persistent pain or swelling, contact your dentist immediately for guidance.

Pain-Free Root Canal Therapy in White Bear Lake, MN

If you’re in White Bear Lake and want to learn more about what to expect from a root canal treatment and tips for optimal aftercare, contact Dr. Ellen Swift and the excellent White Bear Smiles team to schedule a consultation.

Getting your family to their dental appointments can be tricky sometimes; between work, school, sports, and other activities, there aren’t enough hours in the day. When you’re working to keep your family’s teeth and gums healthy, you don’t want to worry about how you’ll pay for it. If you have dental insurance, you may have questions about whether you have coverage at White Bear Smiles.

Dental Insurance at White Bear Smiles

You’ll be relieved to learn that we accept most insurance plans. A dental team member would be glad to do a benefits analysis before any scheduled dental treatment. We understand how dental insurance works and want to help you maximize your benefits and achieve the best oral health possible.

We realize not everyone has dental insurance, so we offer a variety of payment options to help with dental care costs:

White Bear Smiles Membership Program – This program allows you to receive the dental care you deserve without worrying about deductibles, yearly maximums, or pre-existing conditions. Contact a team member to learn more.

CareCredit – This interest-free financing program allows you to make monthly payments for your dental treatment. You can apply and be accepted in minutes.

Need a Dentist in White Bear Lake, MN?

A dental team member will happily assist you with questions or concerns about your dental insurance. You can reach us by calling (651) 426-8998. 

Yes, we do! At White Bear Smiles, your dentist in 55110, we understand that quality dental care should also be affordable. We offer a variety of patient specials and discounts to help you access the dental services you need.

White Bear Smiles Membership Program

Our in-house membership program provides affordable dentistry to uninsured patients. With this program, there are no yearly maximums, deductibles, pre-existing conditions, or paperwork! We offer this membership to new and existing patients, including children.

With the membership, you can receive biannual cleanings, unlimited exams (including emergencies!), unlimited x-rays (except CBCT), 2 fluoride treatments, discounts on periodontal care, and other services in our dental office. 

CareCredit Financing

To help patients manage their dental care costs, we also provide the option of CareCredit financing. CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that allows you to finance your treatment and pay it off in affordable monthly installments.

Collect Smile Dollars by Referring Friends 

Every time you refer a family or friend to our dental office, you will receive $40 in "Smile Dollars" as a thank you from our family to yours. You can redeem your Smile Dollars for services and goods at White Bear Smiles, and there's no limit on how many people you can refer. 

Contact Us Today! 

At White Bear Smiles, we are committed to making dental care accessible and affordable for all our patients in the 55110 area. If you have more questions about our membership plan, or payment options, don't hesitate to reach out to us!

The popularity of bottled water has surged in recent years. In 2000, according to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, annual per capita consumption of bottled water in the United States was 18.3 gallons. This year, they expect that figure to reach roughly 25 gallons per person.

Fluoride in Bottled Water

The American Dental Association has determined, however, that most bottled waters do not contain optimal levels of fluoride. Optimal levels range from 0.7 to 1.2 parts per million. The ADA has for decades supported fluoridation programs for water supplies. Fluoride at optimal levels helps prevent tooth decay. All ground and surface water in the United States contains some naturally occurring fluoride. And the ADA has supported efforts to add fluoride to drinking supplies when necessary to raise the parts-per-million number to at least 0.7 ppm.

If you are a bottled water drinker, examine the label on your favorite product and talk to your local White Bear Lake dentist about whether you are getting enough fluoride and how you may be able to supplement your diet if you're not.

The more your dentist knows about your overall health, the better he will be able to treat you. As the American population ages, dentists are seeing an increasing number of patients with problems like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, AIDS and hypertension. It's important that your dentist know of any health condition you have so that the treatment he administers doesn't compromise any existing condition.

Treating Patients with Medical Conditions

Dentists, of course, are trained to treat patients with other medical conditions. In some cases they will consult with a patient's general physician to devise the proper course of dental treatment. Generally they will get the information they need by asking questions of their patients.

Detecting Unknown Conditions

Dentists in White Bear Lake also often detect conditions unknown to the patient. For instance, while some 16 million people have diabetes, only about half of them have been diagnosed. It is often during the course of an oral exam that a dentist may notice a symptom that ultimately leads to a diagnosis. So share your complete medical history with your dentist.

Trust and Communication are Vital

As in any relationship, there are responsibilities on each side. The two of you need to share trust and communication. If, for instance, you are confused or want more information after your dentist has recommended a path of treatment, you should feel free to ask for more information. For example, you might ask which of the steps the dentist mentioned are optional and which are necessary. Your dentist should be able to outline a course of treatment that sets priorities and gives you some options.

Obtain A Second Opinion

If you are still uncertain about what to do, you might opt for a second opinion. Your local dental society should be able to refer you to another dentist. And your dentist should be comfortable discussing costs, payment methods and a schedule for payment. If you're new in town and choosing a dentist, feel free to shop around.

For your part, be a good patient and practice good oral hygiene at home, visit the dentist regularly and pay your bills promptly. Talk with your dentist in White Bear Lake about ways to keep the relationship healthy.

Food and Tooth Decay: The Connection

The food that you chew and eat leaves a residue in your mouth, and nothing could make the bacteria that live in your mouth happier. Bacteria love the sugars and starch found in many foods. If you don't clean your teeth thoroughly after eating, bacteria will use the sugars and starch to produce acids that can eat through the enamel on your teeth. After a while, tooth decay begins. The more often you eat and the longer food residue stays in your mouth, the greater the potential for damage.

At White Bear Smiles, We Recommend Eating to Minimize Tooth Decay

You may be surprised to learn that some foods that are otherwise very good for you are also high in sugars and starch. Just some examples are fruit, milk, bread, cereal and even vegetables. You don't have to stay away from these foods. In fact, they're part of a balanced diet.

But keep in mind that foods eaten as part of a meal – as opposed to a snack – cause less harm because you produce more saliva during a meal. That helps wash food residue from the mouth and lessens the impact of acids.

Finally, at White Bear Smiles, we recommend to limit your snacks. Each time you eat food with sugar or starch, acids attack your teeth for 20 minutes or more.

When in Doubt, Ask Your Dentist in White Bear Lake, MN

If you have further questions about how your eating habits contribute to tooth decay, contact our White Bear Lake office to schedule an oral health consultation today?

The answer depends on your individual condition and needs. If you are a new patient, a dentist may very well recommend a complete x-ray, or radiograph, examination of your mouth and jaws to determine your current status and make sure there are no undetected problems developing. A set of x-rays also gives the dentist a baseline against which to compare future oral health developments.

Your Schedule for Dental X-Rays

The schedule for x-rays will likely not be the same for any two patients. Your schedule will vary according to your age, your risk of disease and any signs or symptoms of a problem that you display. Children need x-rays more frequently than adults because their teeth and jaws are still developing and because their teeth are more likely to be affected by tooth decay than those of adults. X-rays are particularly useful in detecting the start of new cavities and in determining the extent of gum disease, which may not be visible to the naked eye.

Dental X-Rays in White Bear Lake, MN

Talk to your dentist about any concerns or questions you have about x-rays.

Yes. Many people damage their teeth by brushing too hard! It doesn't take much pressure to remove bacteria, food, and plaque from your teeth. But many people apply three to four times the pressure necessary for effective cleaning. They are at risk for receding gums, sensitive teeth, notched teeth, and root cavities.

Better Brushing

It takes 2-3 minutes to adequately brush your teeth. Brushing your teeth for a longer time is far more effective than brushing harder. Most people spend only 30 seconds brushing.

Brushing longer, not harder is the key to removing bacteria. Check with your dentist for more tips on good brushing technique. The caring team at your local White Bear Lake dentist is happy to answer any questions about proper brushing habits for patients of all ages. 

Smokeless Tobacco Has Many Side Effects

The answer is a resounding “yes.” Smokeless tobacco can harm your oral health as well as your general health. The effects of using smokeless tobacco can range from merely unsavory, like bad breath and discolored teeth, to deadly, like cancer.

Using smokeless tobacco can also increase the risk of tooth decay because of the sugar that is added to smokeless tobacco. Nicotine blood levels in users of smokeless tobacco are similar to those found in cigarette smokers.

The use of smokeless tobacco can result in diminished senses of taste and smell, which in turn can lead to unhealthy eating habits. It also irritates the soft tissue inside the mouth and can lead to gum problems.

Danger Signs to Watch For

Here are some danger signs to watch out for: a sore in the mouth that does not heal, difficulty chewing, a sore throat that doesn't go away, any sort of restriction in the movement of the tongue or jaw, a lump or white patch in the mouth, or a feeling that something is in your throat. Everyone should see a dentist regularly and that includes anyone who uses any sort of tobacco product.

Some things, they say, are as easy as brushing your teeth. There may be no wrong way to brush your teeth, but as with any activity, there is a right way to brush.

Section Your Mouth for Proper Cleaning

Think of your mouth as having four equal sections – two on top and two on the bottom – each having an inside and outside surface. Brush each of these eight sections, inside and outside, one at a time. The back teeth are the hardest to clean thoroughly, so always start with them. To get at the outside surfaces of the back teeth, open your mouth only slightly. Opening it wide stretches the cheeks taut against the teeth.

Proper Brush Technique

Be sure in each of the sections to tilt the brush to a 45-degree angle and brush where the tooth and the gum meet. You want to make sure the brush's bristles work into the groove, also called the sulcus, where the tooth and gum meet. Keep the brush horizontal as you brush your teeth and keep the strokes very short, a quarter inch, or so. Move to the next of the sections and repeat.

After brushing, rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water.

Start With Fluoride

The first thing to know is to buy toothpaste that displays the ADA seal of acceptance. This means the American Dental Association has cleared the product both for safety and effectiveness. You want to make sure the toothpaste has fluoride, which remains the number one anti-cavity ingredient for both children and adults. Approved toothpaste will also contain a mild abrasive to help remove plaque.

Choosing Your Toothpaste

Some toothpaste is labeled for tartar control, which can help prevent tartar from forming above the gum line. Look on the label for triclosan, which can help combat gingivitis, which is the early stage of gum disease. If your gums have already receded a bit, you might look for toothpaste that contains a desensitizing ingredient, namely potassium nitrate, that will reduce any pain you might feel when your teeth are exposed to hot or cold food or liquid.

Approved toothpaste might also include a whitening agent.

Talk to your dentist about choosing the toothpaste that is right for your needs.

During childhood, tonsils and adenoids work as part of the body's immune system. They filter out germs that try to get into the body and they help develop antibodies to germs. The tonsils are two masses of tissue on the back of the throat. The adenoids are high in the throat behind the nose and roof of the mouth. Adenoids are not visible without the use of special instruments.

What happens when tonsils and adenoids are removed?

Tonsils and adenoids are less useful as a person grows older. People who have them removed as children suffer no loss in their resistance to disease when they get older. The most common problem with the tonsils and the adenoids is recurring infection and significant enlargement that can cause difficulty with swallowing or breathing. In turn, that difficulty can cause snoring and restless sleep. Some orthodontists believe that chronic mouth breathing caused by enlarged tonsils and or adenoids can cause malformation of the face and improper alignment of teeth.

Since the tonsils are visible at the back of the throat, your dentist may be the first person to notice any irregularity in their appearance. Contact our comfortable dental office in White Bear Lake, MN to schedule a dental check up. 

Digital radiography is in effect a high-tech replacement for traditional dental X-rays and has several advantages over the latter.

• Less Radiation – The equipment used in digital radiography significantly reduces radiation exposure to the patient by another 40 to 80 percent. This is a great benefit and service to our patients.
• Shorter Appointments – With traditional X-rays, patients had to wait while the dentist develops the film. With today's digital radiography, the X-ray image captured by the sensor is processed and projected onto the display screen almost instantly.
• Better Diagnostics – Where traditional X-rays were a standard size that can make viewing difficult, digital X-rays can be magnified for a better visual of the tooth's structure. Levels of brightness, contrast, and color can be adjusted dynamically, allowing your dentist to see pathology more clearly and in less time. Dentists are also able to electronically send images to specialists.
• Increased Patient Education – Dentists in White Bear Lake are able to share an X-ray with the patient on a 19-inch screen, allowing you to better understand problems and options.
• Environmentally Friendly – Just as with digital cameras, this technology allows us to do away with film and messy chemicals.

Have More Questions? Reach Out Today

At White Bear Smiles, we can enthusiastically say that digital radiography has improved our practice and our service to our patients in White Bear Lake, MN and beyond!

Keeping Your Mouth Moist

Saliva is the substance that keeps the inside of your mouth moist. You have three pairs of major salivary glands and numerous minor glands in your cheeks and lips. Your saliva glands generally secrete a small but steady amount of saliva, which is a mixture of water, mucus and other substances.

But food – and sometimes just the thought of it – can trigger a heavy flow of saliva. That's where the notion comes from of your mouth “watering” when you see a delectable morsel. Among the functions of saliva is to moisten and bing together the food that you chew so that you can swallow it.

Saliva Helps Us Taste

Saliva also helps us taste. Taste buds do not react to dry food. Saliva helps fight tooth decay. Working with your tongue, it helps wash away food particles left in the mouth. It also contains calcium and phosphorous which strengthen teeth's enamel.

The three major salivary glands are the parotid, which is back near the base of your ear; the sublingual, which is under your tongue; and the submandibular, which is under your jawbone.

The Pulp of a Tooth

Pulp is the technical name for the nerves, tiny blood vessels and connective tissue that make up the center of a tooth. Dentists, like your dentist in White Bear Lake, generally refer to the pulp as “the nerve” of the tooth because of its sensitivity when it's exposed. Through tiny openings in the tips of the roots of the teeth, the vessels and nerves in the pulp connect with the arteries, veins and nerves of the jaw, and on to the circulatory and nervous systems of the body.

The pulp is essential to a healthy tooth: it provides the nutrients that contribute to the ongoing formation of dentin, the highly calcified material that accounts for some 75 percent of the bulk of a tooth. As a person ages, the pulp decreases in size. If the pulp becomes infected and dies, the dentin does not get the nutrition it needs. Gradually it will dry up and the tooth will become brittle. If the dead pulp is not removed through root canal therapy, the tooth may turn yellow, gray or black. One of the goals of a good oral hygiene program is to prevent decay of the enamel and dentin that protect the tooth's pulp.

Learn More

• What do tonsils and adenoids do?

• What is the importance of saliva?

Assuming you've already picked up some recommendations from your prior dentist or co-workers or from the American Dental Association website – www.ada.org – here are some points to consider in making your selection:

Research Your Dentist in White Bear Lake To Find The Right Fit

Go talk to the dentist in White Bear Lake. Does the dentist's schedule fit yours? Is the office convenient for you to visit? When you visited the office, was it clean and orderly? Does the dentist seem willing to talk to you about steps you can take to prevent problems? What arrangements does the dentist make for handling emergencies that fall outside regular hours? Is the dentist forthcoming about fees and amenable to payment plans for work? Importantly, is the dentist a member of the ADA? This is important because ADA members voluntarily agree to work by the high ethical standards set forth in the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct.

Call Our Dental Office To Ask Any Further Questions

Don't be bashful about asking any other questions that come to mind. You and your dentist should be in a comfortable partnership to preserve your oral health. Contact White Bear Smiles today to schedule your next dental appointment with us.

White Bear Smiles is centrally located just off US-61, allowing us to be the dental home for individuals and families in many locations, including Vadnais Heights, Hugo, Mahtomedi, Dellwood, Grant, Lino Lakes, Centerville, Maplewood, and Forest Lake.

You’ll find our dental office in downtown White Bear Lake, at 4778 Banning Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets.

After visiting the dentist, there are various places to explore or enjoy a meal in the area—many within walking distance.

• Keys Café and Bakery
• Brickhouse Food and Drink
• White Bear Lake Records
• Indulge Salon and Spa

Besides our convenient location and local shopping and dining, we offer a wide range of dental services for all ages, including:

• Family dentistry
• Preventive dentistry
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Same-day crowns
• Emergency dentistry
• Tooth replacement
• Mouthguards
• Gentle dentistry

And ask a team member about our White Bear Smiles Membership Program. This program means affordable dentistry in White Bear Lake for those without dental insurance.

Our White Bear Lake Dental Team Is Here for You

If you would like to arrange your first dental exam with a dentist near me, or if you have any questions about our services, we welcome you to give us a call today.

Causes of Bad Breath

Don't worry. Most people, at some point, are going to have a problem with bad breath. And the problem stems from bacteria. We all have bacteria in our mouths. The bacteria produce sulfur compounds, which have a pungent odor. While most people's systems keep the bacteria in balance, some people simply produce more bacteria than others. Some 25 percent of the population has a chronic problem with an overabundance of bacteria.

How to Prevent Bad Breath

The American Dental Association recommends that you drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. This helps produce the saliva that washes away excess bacteria.

Another place where bacteria can collect is on your tongue, especially on the back of it. This is considered to be the main source of bad breath. What we recommend is that everyone use a good tongue scraper every morning. After a thorough scraping, then brush your teeth and tongue with an ADA approved toothpaste. This will also help with gingivitis and gum disease, the second most common reason for bad breath.

Contact Our White Bear Lake Office For Prevention Tips

If bad breath is a periodic or constant problem for you, talk with your dentist about ways to address it. Call our office in White Bear Lake, MN for an expert consultation. 

Don't feel bad. Sour breath in the morning is not an uncommon complaint. Remember, saliva is a natural mouthwash. It not only enables us to chew and swallow dry food, it washes away particles of food in our mouths as well as bacteria.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Bacteria found on teeth, in the crevices and on the taste buds of the tongue break down food particles and produce foul-smelling sulfur compounds. The problem is that when we sleep, our saliva flow decreases significantly. Through the night, the bacteria are doing their work. The result is unpleasant morning breath.

How to Prevent Bad Breath

What can you do? Floss, brush and rinse thoroughly before going to bed. Also, sleep with a pillow under your head. That will keep saliva flowing to your stomach while you sleep, and prevent the possibility of reverse stomach acid flow, which also can contribute to morning breath. Use a tongue scraper every morning before brushing. And here are some general tips on keeping the saliva flowing: Drink plenty of water. Quit smoking. Smoking dries the membranes of your mouth and interferes with a healthy saliva flow.

Contact your local White Bear Lake dentist about other ways to keep your breath fresh – even in the morning.