What is Dentin
The dentin contains a large numbers of pores or tubes that run from the outside of the tooth to the nerve in the center. When the dentin is exposed, these tubes can be stimulated by changes in temperature or certain foods.

How Do You Know If You Have Tooth Sensitivity
The best way to find out why a tooth is sensitive is to have your family dentist examine you. They can look for the signs of dentin exposure and even run tests to determine what the true cause of the sensitivity is. Your cause of the sensitivity may be due to abrasion or erosion, or the gums have receded, causing the roots to be exposed.

What Can You Do?
If your sensitivity is due to a cavity, a restoration can be placed. Also, if it is due to gum disease, the dental professional can perform a thorough cleaning of the area.

There are a number of dental treatments available, and a good family dentist, like Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa, can help you find what works for you depending on your situation. Always seek a dental professional’s help – do not try to diagnose this problem yourself because it may be more serious.

Having straight, nicely rounded teeth is definitely more attractive. The good news is, cosmetic dentistry has several ways to help get rid of that fang look. This includes veneers, reshaping, and contouring.

• Veneers can cover the pointy teeth to enhance its appearance.
• Contours can fill in gaps and chips to reduce the teeth’s pointy appearance.
• Reshaping can make the teeth appear more round and softer.

Not every dentist can do this type of work. You actually need to visit a specialist dentist to reshape your teeth without causing you health risk. Nevertheless, it’s best to find a cosmetic dental office that is knowledgeable in cosmetic dentistry. You may want to talk with them and ask for before-and-after pictures of some of their past clients to give you a good idea about the results.

A nice smile is easier to get than you think. Talk with a specialist dentist, such as ours, Dr. Jason McDowell, at Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa, to determine the best care for teeth and to finally get those rounded teeth instead of pointy ones. We are a Plymouth cosmetic dentistry that offers many types of cosmetic treatments including teeth whitening.

In the past, people found their dentist by simply choosing them from a phone book or solely based on insurance coverage. Today, there are many options. The search for the right dentist might take a bit of work but the results include better health and progress toward the perfect smile—making it all worthwhile.

The best way to find a reputable general dentist is really by referral from a friend or family member. They can tell you the good and the bad, and then you can make the final determination. However, what if you don’t get an informative answer from people? Maybe you’ve moved recently to a new neighborhood? Perhaps, like many Americans, you’ve simply put off going to the dentist for so long that you don’t know where to start.

For starters, finding the best dentist for you is really on individual and family preferences. In the end, it’s a personal choice. Your friend’s dentist may not have the personality or bedside manners that you or your children prefer. Nevertheless, asking your neighbor for a referral of a family dentist is an ideal place to start your search. Then visit the doctor and ask questions.

Aside from asking people you know, the internet is a great source of information. There are a myriad of dental sites and directories. A dentist’s website can tell you a lot about their practice from the type of insurance they take, to the doctor’s background, to the type of procedures to even what the waiting room looks like. They may even have a testimonials with recommendations from people and businesses.

If you are in the Plymouth area, visit our dental office at Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa. We offer an array of dental treatments including cosmetic dental work. If you have questions you can call and email us too.

Children who have had previous radiation therapy such as for childhood tumors and radiation therapy had increased chances of getting oral cancer.

Oral cancer may cause any of the following signs and symptoms. If you suspect you or your children have any of these symptoms, check with your doctor and family dentist.

• A sore in the mouth that does not heal.
• A lump or thickening in the oral cavity.
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsils, or lining of the mouth.
• Bleeding, pain, or numbness in the mouth.

You dentist or doctor may order several test to diagnose and stage oral cancer. They may include:

• Physical exam and history.
• X-ray.
• MRI of the head and neck.
• CT scan.
• PET scan.

Treatment of oral cancer in children usually include surgery for most benign tumors as well as chemotherapy, and radiation therapy for malignant tumors.

Although oral cancer is not seed in children, it is still important to understand the symptoms of this terrible disease. If you would like to talk with a Plymouth family dentistry, visit us at Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa. We work with a variety of preventative and restorative treatments and offer an oral cancer screening. Our office is child-friendly. Check us out online, where you can also make an appointment.

Today, at least 4 million preschoolers suffer from tooth decay. In fact, children now have much more sugar in their diets at an early age and bottled water — which usually doesn’t contain. Fluoride is important to maintain strong teeth.

How Does Tooth Decay Begin

Tooth decay begins with a group of germs that is related to streptococcus. Basically the bacteria feed on sugar and produce acid that eats away at the structure of teeth by depleting calcium. These bacteria also create plaque — a yellowish film that builds up on teeth and contains even more enamel-eroding acid. Once an area without calcium becomes big enough, the surface of the tooth collapses. The result is a cavity.

Interestingly enough, babies are born without any of these harmful bacteria in their mouth, and studies have proven that parents typically infect their children before age 2. It happens when you transfer your saliva into your child’s mouth — by repeatedly eating from the same spoon as your baby, for example, or letting your toddler brush his teeth with your toothbrush. And if you’ve frequently had cavities yourself, you’re particularly likely to pass the germs along.

There is no doubt about it. . . if you’ve had trouble with your teeth, you need to take responsibility for your child’s dental health — just like you’d be vigilant if you’ve had a family history of high cholesterol or skin cancer.

If you are looking for a family dentist, visit us at Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa. We are a Minnetonka family dentistry that can help you get your family’s teeth healthy and beautiful.

It’s true — many of our past ancestors just accepted the idea that they would have no teeth in their later years. Some of us may even remember seeing teeth floating around in a glass by the bed or when fake teeth could not be located.

Today, adults in their 50s and 60s don’t have to accept bad or no teeth as they age. Advanced cosmetic dentistry has made it possible for most aging adults to keep their own teeth for a lifetime. On top of this, aging teeth can still look beautiful and healthy as well.

Should you consider cosmetic dentistry?

• You don’t have to live with stained, crooked or missing teeth or receding gum lines anymore. Treatments to consider include porcelain crowns, acrylic veneers, advanced whitening, and bonding procedures and implants.
• Start with healthy teeth and gums. More research shows that unhealthy teeth can lead to certain diseases, including heart disease and even Alzheimer’s.
• Decayed or rotten teeth not only look bad but can result in an unhealthy body in later years.
• It is true that you can stall aging for a while with face lifts, Botox and hair coloring, but these don’t last forever. However, if you take care of your teeth, it can last you for the rest of your life.

If you want to keep you youth, look at your teeth. A great healthy white smile–and the confidence that comes with it–is priceless. You will also look like you found the fountain of youth too!

Many cosmetic dentists know that there’s a delicate balance in making a person look younger and also unnatural – with teeth that are too perfect. In fact, teeth should have more shape to them, and different angles, so they don’t look cookie-cut.

Cosmetic dentists, like Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa, work with veneers to make them look more natural. Our Plymouth dental office also offers whitening treatments that will give you natural clean, healthy teeth that are white but not fake. If you need straightening, we also offer Invisilign that is worn like traditional braces without the unattractive metal brackets.

If you want a smile that is natural, perhaps your own smile, make a visit to our dental office. We can guide you through the treatments and suggest ways to make sure you have a smile you are proud of and looks like it belongs on your face. You can make an appointment online too!

• The type of toothbrush IS important. There are many types of toothbrushes, but you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush to reach every surface of each tooth. If the bristles on your toothbrush are bent or frayed, it is time to buy a new one. If you have been sick, make sure you replace your toothbrush after you become well and also every three months.
• Most toothpaste has fluoride but some don’t. Choose toothpaste with fluoride. This can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40 percent.
• Take the time to brush your teeth properly. Position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a circular motion using short, gentle strokes. To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Spend at least three minutes brushing.
• You MUST floss. Brushing is not enough. Gently insert floss between teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or snap it into place. Curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and then the other. Get a recommendation from your dentist on the best type of floss – they may even have some samples!

If you have been searching for the best dentist for you and your family, why not visit our office, Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa. Our Plymouth family dentistry offers general dentistry for your entire family plus cosmetic treatments to get your teeth in tip-top-shape. You can even make an appointment online!

The Vitamins and Minerals That Are The Best For Oral Health
Many types of minerals and nutrients are good for the entire body. However, there are some there are specifically good for the teeth, mouth and gums.

• Calcium. Milk does your body – and teeth — good. We’ve all heard this before. Your teeth and jaws are made mostly of calcium. Without enough calcium in your diet, you risk developing gum disease and tooth decay.
• Vitamins B12 and B2. Mouth sores are indicators of the lack of this vitamin. You can find this in red meat, chicken, liver, pork, fish, as well as dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese.
• Vitamin C. If you lack Vitamin C, you will mostly likely get bleeding gums and loose teeth. Find this vitamin in oranges, red peppers and other red or orange fruits and vegetables.
• Vitamin D. It is very important to consume enough vitamin D because it helps your body absorb calcium. Burning mouth syndrome is a clear indicator of the lack of vitamin D. Symptoms of this condition include a burning mouth sensation, a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth, and dry mouth. Milk and eggs are good sources for this.
• Iron. Without iron, your tongue can become inflamed, and sores can form inside your mouth. Iron is found in many foods, including liver and red meat. Some cereals are fortified as well.
• Vitamin B3.A lack of vitamin B3 can cause bad breath and canker sores in the mouth. Chicken and fish carry this important vitamin.

Aside from a good diet, you need to go to the dentist for regular check-ups. Visit Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa for your cleanings and also your cosmetic dental needs.

Women are more aware of their appearance for interviews and make sure their smile looks healthy and clean. In fact, men are less likely to visit the dentist than their female counterparts, which means their smiles are a bit on the “yuck” side. People look at the mouth often, and a healthy smiles shows their potential hire is confident and can take care of things.

Why are men avoiding dental visits?

Men don’t see a need to go to the dentist because of time or the pure “hassle” of it. Some just don’t have a dentist and maybe a bit on the lazy side to find one. However, studies are showing the economy is helping more men get into the dental chair . . . for cosmetic dental work.

Teeth bleaching, veneers and bonding are requested often by men because they notice the positive effects from a colleague’s nicer smile and learn the winning smile moves them up in the business world. And, we all know that moving up means more money.

With downsizing, lay-offs and company closings all across the country in every industry, men and women need to do anything they can to get a competitive edge. This may mean losing weight and getting better teeth. Employers are pickier these days and considering appearance, whether they admit it or not, as a big factor.

Although men are still avoiding the drill or the check-ups. However, the cosmetic dental treatments that they are appealed to are encouraging men to take care of the teeth a bit better.

If you need to improve your smile for an upcoming job or just need to see the dentist for a routine cleaning, visit our office at Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa. We are a Plymouth cosmetic dentistry that offers cosmetic dental treatments including teeth whitening. We’ll make sure to get your smile “interview” ready.