White Bear Smiles

White Bear Smiles

Gentle, Comfortable Dentistry
Gentle Dentistry at White Bear Smiles

At White Bear Smiles, we offer a gentle and comfortable dentistry experience from start to finish. Don't take our word for it, visit our office today.

Woman sitting in dental exam chair smiling l Gentle dentistry white bear lake
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Gentle Dentistry in White Bear Lake

Are you looking for gentle dentistry in White Bear Lake, MN? Has dental anxiety kept you from getting the dental care you need?

At White Bear Smiles, we hold no judgments. We only want to start you on the road to improved oral health.

One of the biggest concerns that patients have about coming to the dentist is that it will hurt. This concern is understandable. For decades, dentists have been portrayed as sadists—people who enjoy cruelty and causing others pain. Although this is intended to get a laugh, as a dentist, it’s hard to find it the least bit funny—especially considering modern advancements in dentistry like comfort technology.

In reality, a dentist in White Bear Lake is a regular person, just like you. We don’t want to cause you pain, and we take considerable care to avoid discomfort during your treatments. Dental anxiety is widespread, and about 10 percent of US adults are estimated to have a real dental phobia. While dental anxiety and usual fear can cause patients to postpone needed dental treatment, dental phobia can mean never seeing the dentist at all.

At White Bear Smiles, your gentle dentist wants to change the conversation and help patients understand that the dental office can be a relaxing place—not conducive to anxiety!

If you would like to schedule a dental exam or have questions about family dentistry in White Bear Lake, contact a member of our dental team today. Also, please continue reading to learn more about our easy approach to dental care.

How We Make Your Visits More Comfortable

At White Bear Smiles, we understand that visiting the dentist can make some people feel uneasy, but we’re here to change that. Our team takes extra steps to make your experience as gentle, stress-free, and relaxing as possible. Here’s how we do it.

Anesthetics

Our doctors use advanced techniques that significantly reduce the discomfort of injections, so you’ll barely feel a thing.

Laughing Gas

It's a gentle, safe, effective way to relax during your visit. And it won’t leave you groggy afterward.

Headphones and Music

Bring your favorite playlist, podcast, or audiobook, and let yourself unwind while we take care of your smile.

A Gentle, Caring Approach

We never rush and always make sure you’re completely numb and comfortable before starting any treatment. If there’s anything we can do to make your visit better, just let us know!

Frequently Asked Questions

Preventative Dental Care is Vital

This is a question dentists hear frequently. The answer is that by visiting a dentist periodically, you'll keep visits short and you'll drastically reduce the likelihood of developing a problem.

Gum disease, for instance, is responsible for 60 percent of tooth loss in the country. And gum disease can get underway long before you would be aware of it. The same is true for decay. Only your dentist will be able to see the beginning of a cavity. Having a small decayed area repaired is much easier – and cheaper – to accomplish than the repair of a large cavity, which may require some elaborate steps like a root canal and a crown.

Our Recommendation for Great Dental Health in White Bear Lake

The general recommendation is that you visit your dentist twice a year. Even if there's no dental problem, it's good to at least have your teeth cleaned. That is simply the removal of any plaque that may be collecting on your teeth. Cleanings are important for the prevention both of decay and gum disease. The process will also leave your mouth feeling fresh and clean. Talk to your dentist about a checkup schedule that's right for you.

We Want You to Have a Comfortableman sitting in dental exam chair smiling l dentist near me Experience

If you've never had a dental exam or if it's been a while since you had one, be assured that there's nothing to fear. The dentist in White Bear Lake will look at three main areas: your teeth, of course, but also your gums and the skin in your mouth.

Our Dental Exam Process

For the teeth exam, the dentist will use a small mirror and a probe to look for the general soundness of the teeth, for the accumulation of plaque and for any decay. The dentist will also check your bite.

The dentist in White Bear Lake will examine your gums to see if they are firm and pink. He may also use a periodontal probe to check the depth of the depression where the tooth meets the gum. If those depressions are too deep they could indicate gum disease.

The dentist also will examine the inside of your cheeks, your lips and your tongue for any discoloration or sores that could require not only dental but also medical attention.

We're Here for You - Contact White Bear Smiles Today

Your dentist is concerned not only with your smile and the state of your teeth, but she or he could be the first to detect a problem like oral cancer. Don't put off a visit at White Bear Smiles -- schedule your next appointment today!

Are you living with a toothache that's keeping you up at night? Maybe you experience pain, tenderness, or sensitivity when you chew and eat your food? These are the signs and symptoms of a tooth infection.

If your White Bear dentist has recommended root canal treatment for your tooth, you likely have a tooth infection. This can be very painful to the point where the discomfort may distract you from your normal daily activities.

Not delaying root canal treatment is essential because tooth infection will worsen if left untreated. In fact, it can actually spread to neighboring teeth and even into other critical areas of your body, like your brain.

During a root canal, your dentist carefully removes the compromised tissue inside your tooth, ensuring it's infection-free before sealing it temporarily with a filling. After allowing it time to heal, you'll return to your dentist to strengthen your tooth with a crown to ensure you can eat and chew with ease again. 

Root canal treatment eliminates your tooth infection while protecting the integrity of your natural tooth.

If you have questions about root canals in White Bear Lake, MN, we encourage you to contact our team online or by calling (651) 426-8998 for more information.

Root canals in White Bear Lake, MN, relieve oral pain and restore your tooth to health. If your dentist says you need a root canal, it means infection at the tooth root center, where nerves and pulp live. The pain can be excruciating withoutman looking at mirror smiling | root canals white bear lake mn treatment and even cost you your tooth.

We offer gentle root canal treatment in our dental office.

How Does The Root Canal Process Work?

The first step is diagnosing the source of your tooth pain and gum swelling; typically, it's a root infection. The next step is anesthesia to keep you comfortable as the dentist extracts the infected materials from the tooth's center. Afterward, we clean the canal and provide a temporary filling to keep the tooth's interior clean and promote healing.

You come back in a few weeks for a tooth-colored filling or dental crown. We use a filling if the tooth's structure is still sound, but you'll typically need a crown after this infection to prevent future breakage.

We wait to place your crown because the tooth needs a week or two to heal from the infection and the pain-relieving treatment.

For Root Canal Treatment in White Bear Lake, MN, Contact Us

We treat dental emergencies, including root infections, as soon as possible. So if you have a toothache or other oral health concerns, we want to hear from you as soon as possible.

You're Not The Only One Facing Dental Anxiety

People are afraid to go to the dentist for a number of reasons. They might be embarrassed about their teeth. They might even think that their teeth have gotten so bad that having a smile they like is completely impossible. Or maybe they've had a really bad experience in the past and are now fearful of the dentist. It could also be that finding a new dentist for their family is a nuisance and they're afraid of making the wrong choice. 

We Want to Help You in White Bear Lake

If any of these situations resonate with you, please give us a call and let us know. 

We have helped many people who are just like you, who felt they would never be able to get through a dental appointment. Instead, they found new hope at White Bear Smiles. Just because you haven't succeeded in the past doesn't mean you can't in the future. Our friendly team will show you empathy and compassion, and our doctors have a gentle touch that our patients appreciate. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities, and we'll discuss your concerns and your options to create a plan that's just right for you. 

Call us. We can help.

What Causes Dental Anxiety?

multi-generational family smiling l dentist white bear lakeDental anxiety is similar to other types of stress. Often when a patient fears something, it can be traced to an incident from childhood—perhaps an impatient dentist or dental professional.

If you find yourself feeling anxious or phobic about specific issues or places, we do recommend seeking professional guidance through a therapist or your medical doctor. Often, getting to the root of the problem helps.

At White Bear Smiles, we have had a lot of success with anxious patients. They are often surprised by how relaxing a dental office can be and by our gentle approach.

In some cases, it may be your child who feels anxious. Our team is equally good at helping children love the dental office.

Meet Our Doctors:

Dr. Ellen Swift at White Bear Smiles

Ellen Swift DDS

Dr. Ellen Swift was raised in Mahtomedi, MN by her father, Dr. Paul Anderson, and mother, Mary, a dental hygienist. Inspired to pursue a dental career, Dr. Swift earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the ...

Dr. Paul Anderson | White Bear Smiles | White Bear Lake, MN

Paul Anderson DDS

After earning his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Anderson continued at U of MN Dental School, earning his DDS degree and graduating with honors. He then completed a select ...

Let's Change the Story

At White Bear Smiles, we are determined to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. We’ve taken the time to create a comforting, welcoming atmosphere that helps put our patients at ease. Your dentist in White Bear Lake would have it no other way! We’ve also hired friendly, compassionate people who make your comfort and care their top priority.

We’ve listened to our patients' concerns and addressed every one of them:

Special anesthetic techniques – We know that nobody wants to get a shot at the dentist, but we need to anesthetize parts of the mouth to work on them without causing any pain. Our doctors have extensive experience using special techniques that eliminate most of the discomfort of the injections.

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) – If you feel tense and anxious about your appointment, ask about sedation with nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is safe enough to use on children and doesn’t cause lingering after-effects the way other forms of sedation can. Dentists have been using nitrous oxide for decades because of its calming effects.

Headphones and music – Comfortable dentistry is often a matter of distraction! If you have something else to focus on to take your mind away from worry, you’ll find the entire experience to be much more relaxing. Unwind with your favorite tunes or podcast. Your dental appointment might be the most relaxing part of your entire day!

A gentle hand – At White Bear Smiles, we always make sure the area we’re working in is thoroughly numb before beginning any dental work. We also make sure that you trust the situation and feel safe under our care. We don’t mind spending time. In fact, if we can do anything to make your experience even more comfortable, we welcome your input.

LOVE THEM!!! - GREAT STAFF

Dr's Anderson and Swift are Great!  I've been at WHITE BEAR SMILES for about 20 - some years, along with my kids, who as adults now continue to get their dental care at WB Smiles.   LOVE THEM and all of their Great Staff!!!

Our Gentle Dentistry in White Bear Lake

male dental patient smiling in dental chair l family dentist white bear lake

Our dentists have a lot of experience treating patients of all ages and at every level of anxiety—from the somewhat unsure to those who have dental phobia.  

In our dental office, we offer various preventive, general, and cosmetic dentistry services—all administered with a gentle but thorough hand.

Preventive Dentistry

Our preventive dentistry services include comprehensive dental exams, periodic x-rays, and professional teeth cleanings. To help prevent cavities, root infections, and periodontal disease, your gentle dentist in White Bear Lake recommends visiting our dental office twice per year for these services.

Additionally, you should brush and floss at least twice daily to complement your dental care. Remember, an excellent preventive program means fewer trips to the dentist because you’ve lowered your risks for cavities and gum disease!

General Dentistry

Our general dentistry includes the dental services you need to restore oral health, including:

  • Fillings
  • Root canal therapy
  • Periodontal treatment
  • Crowns

We also offer tooth replacement options like bridges, dentures, and dental implant restorations.

Cosmetic Dentistry

For those seeking cosmetic dentistry, our services include:

  • Professional teeth whitening with BOOST
  • Tooth-colored fillings
  • Dental bonding
  • Veneers
  • Dental crowns

We also treat dental emergencies and always work hard to get you in front of one of our dentists immediately.

At White Bear Smiles, we genuinely believe that dentistry can and should be a comfortable experience. We are eager to dispel the myths about fillings and root canals. We are excited to show you the White Bear Smiles difference.

Gentle, Comfortable Dentistry Technology

Gentle Ultrasonic Cleanings at White Bear Smiles in White Bear Lake, MN

Gentle Ultrasonic Cleanings

We think that your dental cleanings in White Bear Lake, MN should be two things – gentle and thorough. Our ultrasonic instruments allow us to achieve both of these.

Gentle dental cleanings mean comfortable cleanings, and thorough cleanings mean a significantly decreased risk of cavities and gum disease

High-Quality Patient Care You Can Count On

young girl smiling in dental exam chair l gentle dentist white bear lakeDr. Anderson and Dr. Swift’s extensive experience has given them a wealth of information about helping patients have a fantastic dental experience. They take patient comfort very seriously, and if there’s anything you need to make your experience at White Bear Smiles any better, don’t hesitate to let us know! Our family dentists in White Bear Lake and their entire team are here for you.

One of the most important things that Dr. Anderson and Dr. Swift do when it comes to enhancing patient care is listening to patients and getting to know them and their concerns. At White Bear Smiles, you are never treated like a number on a chart. We treat you like a unique person with essential needs and concerns—because that’s exactly who you are!

We also believe that relaxation and comfort stem from patient trust. We want to earn your trust through quality dentistry that does not cause undue pain.

Our dentistry for all ages includes children, senior citizens, and everyone in between. We hope you will make White Bear Smiles your new gentle dental home.

Schedule Your Gentle Dental Exam Today at White Bear Smiles

Are you ready for an all-new dental experience with a gentle dentist and a skilled, friendly, and compassionate team? That’s who we are, and that’s what we do.

To become a patient at our dental office, give us a call, and we’ll find an appointment time that works for you.

Featured Blog Posts - Gentle, Comfortable Dentistry

March 11, 2024

Nervous? We Understand, and Can Help!

treating dental anxiety in white bear lake, mn
At White Bear Smiles, we feel a special affinity for the apprehensive patient. Let’s face it, while modern dentistry is mostly a quite comfortable experience, it’s not everyone’s favorite place to be. So, we take our time, listen, and create a dialogue about you and your concerns. Then, we adequately ...
October 23, 2021

What Are Root Canals?

man in red shirt smiling l dentis white bear lake mn

Officially, root canals are located deep in your tooth and encase the nerve and pulp. However, “root canal” is also the treatment term used when this tooth section becomes infected.

If you have a root infection, a root canal treatment often saves your tooth from extraction and stops the spread ...

April 30, 2021

How We Provide Gentle Dentistry in White Bear Lake

woman receiving dental exam l white bear lake dental

Your general dentist in White Bear Lake takes a multipronged approach when it comes to making patients feel at ease in our dental office.

We concentrate on everything from the aesthetics of our exam rooms to the demeanor of our team. When you’re with us, you can rest easy knowing that ...

Don't Fear the Dentist in White Bear Lake
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