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.

With a society focused on physical appearance, it is natural to want nice, white teeth that look healthy. In fact, we all know that healthy looking teeth are a big confidence booster. However, during stressful periods, people sometimes make hasty or wrong decisions. So, what should someone seeking possible dentures do?

If you are considering dentures, you should seek counsel from an honest, passionate, and educated general dentist who may also be an expert in the area of cosmetic dentistry. He or she can advise you of the pros and cons of dentures versus saving your natural teeth.

The Process

• Before getting dentures, you need to have a full examination, a full set of X-rays, and a lengthy examination. But, just because you get dentures doesn’t mean all your dental problems are over. There is a common list of problems associated with full dentures.
• Due to the hard piece of plastic pressed against your delicate gum tissue, you will feel pain
• You will find that your dentures will get loose as the bone and gum underneath shrinks and realigns.
• Be aware of a clacking noise, which can be embarrassing to some people.
• If you are a food lover, dentures may affect the way food taste since your palate is covered by the upper denture.
• You may develop sores in your mouth.
• Dentures often look artificial.
• Your face looks older without them in.

In this age, keeping your natural teeth as long as possible with more cleanings and careful examination by your dentist and hygienist is certainly the way to go. If tooth loss occurs, permanent bridges or dental implants are a more natural option as they are most similar to your original teeth.

Visit an experienced cosmetic dentist, like Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa. We are a Plymouth cosmetic dentistry that can guide you in the right direction in regards to you dental treatments. We strive to make your smile healthy and beautiful.

Aside from eating sweets too often causing decay, like ice cream, other pregnant women suffer from an unusual eating disorder called pica. With pica, you will have cravings for ice, freezer frost, or even soil! Pica can have adverse effects on an individual’s oral health during pregnancy and also can be hard to diagnose and treat during those nine crucial months.

Pica is a compulsive eating disorder in which sufferers have a constant appetite for non-nutritious substances. Although the conditions’ association and cause during pregnancy are not known, some believe that depression or iron and zinc deficiencies during pregnancy could be a major factor. Nevertheless, pica can destroy the mother’s teeth since it can cause serious erosion of the tooth’s enamel, as well as sensitivity, thinning, and chipping.

While women often believe they should avoid dental care during pregnancy, and some dentist will wait until after the baby is born to treat cavities, it is very important for those suffering from eating disorders, like pica, to continue with their dental visits. Surprisingly, the family dentists are often the first to witness the physical effects of an eating disorder on an individual’s oral health.

Pregnancy is a time to make sure you take care of yourself, including your oral health. Consult with your family dentist for the best way to do this safely for you and your baby.

Today, tooth decay affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention even states that tooth decay, if left untreated, can cause pain and infections that hinder eating, speaking, playing and learning. Because of this, the controlled addition of a fluoride compound to public water supplies is considered to be the best and most cost effective way to prevent cavities and fight tooth decay. But are you getting it? If you or your family are drinking water in bottles that does not contain fluoride, then most likely not

How does fluoride work?
Fluoride makes the entire tooth structure resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which helps in repairing early decay before damage sets in. In fact, close to 150 million United States residents in more than 10,000 communities drink fluoridated tap water. This “benefit” provides an automatic defense against the harmful matter that causes oral health problems.

No one likes to get their tooth drilled to fix cavities and simply drinking more water that is fluoridated either in the store bottle or or a reusable water bottle or glass is a great way to make sure you get this extra cavity fighting power.

But, if you can’t get the fluoride in the water, what can you do? You may want to ask your dentist about varnish. Varnish, applied quickly and easily by a dentist, is one of the most concentrated products available commercially. Varnishes that contain sodium fluoride adhere to tooth surfaces when saliva is present, providing an excellent fluoride treatment.

If you suspect that you have a cavity, don’t wait. You should visit a general dentist, such as our office — Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa. Also, tell you family dentist if you don’t know whether your water is fluoridated. It will help your dentist determine if you are not getting enough fluoride to fight cavities and treatments that may remedy this.