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.

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!

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.

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.

An antioxidant known as Catechins was identified as responsible for resolving symptoms of periodontal or gum disease. Gum disease is an infection of the gums and bone supporting the teeth and has been known to become a precursor of cardiovascular disease, lung disorders as well as diabetes.

So how does Green Tea help?

The way it works is it prevents the growth and sticking of disease-causing bacteria or virus to teeth and gums. Antioxidants are substances that protect our cells against the effects of free radicals which are molecules produced when our body breaks down food or by being be exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation.

Not a lot of tea is required for general oral health. Just about 1 cup of tea per day gives indication of healthier gums and teeth.

Aside from watching what you eat and increasing the foods that maybe good for your teeth, such as Green Tea, visiting your dentist for regular cleanings and dental checkups are important steps to maintaining good oral health. If you are looking for a dentist in the Minnetonka area, why not consider our office, Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa. We are innovative – just take a look at our office – and will lead you to dental success!

What are they?

Here’s a list of the top foods to eat for white, healthy teeth.

• 1. Green Tea has a well-deserved reputation for providing many benefits. With teeth, green tea offers up natural antioxidant compounds that prevent plaque from accumulating, therefore reducing the risk of cavities and bad breath.
• 2. Anything dairy is low in acidity and sugar making them great choices to quench your thirst or have as a healthy snack. This is good news for both tooth erosion and tooth decay.
• 3. Fruit is great for your teeth especially when eaten in whole, raw form. It keeps down plaque and massages your gums.
• 4.All kinds of vegetables are another good idea if you are trying to build a good foundation for your teeth. Broccoli, carrots, sweet potato and pumpkin are rich in Vitamin A – great for your teeth.
• 5.Oh, the stinky onion – yes onions — are rich in powerful anti-bacterial sulphur compounds, which kill the bacteria that harm your teeth and gums.
• 6. Celery is another great friend of the dentist. Eat it raw and it will not only massage your gums, but clean your teeth. This is a natural toothbrush.
• 7. Sesame seeds, which are best combined with bread and rolls, dissolve plaque and help build tooth enamel. The tasty seeds are also rich in calcium, which will keep your teeth and jawbone healthy.
• 8. Water is great for your health and teeth! Drink more of it.

Visit us at Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa for the best dental care. You can even make appointments online.

Teeth grinding is something to laugh about. It can get become serious and cause damage to your teeth, chewing muscles, and jaw joint. It can even change your everyday facial expressions, so knowing whether or not you grind at night is a crucial step in preventing disfigurement of your teeth and chronic pain.

The dangerous part is that grinding teeth is that we have no idea that we’re doing it. Most grinders and clenchers do not know what they are doing since they have been doing it so since they were kids and really have become used to it. In fact, most people are quite surprised when they find out they do this at night. Most family dentists can spot people with this problem from across a room! They notice people with teeth that are flat. Some people will even compliment bruxers on how nice and straight their teeth are because a teeth grinder’s teeth appear to be the same length, after being worn down by constant grinding every night.

Teeth grinding can cause many problems. Most grinders will complain about neckaches and pain in their face. When they chew something like gum, their face will feel tired. Another sign is when bruxers visit the dentist and their cheeks start hurting when open as the chewing muscles tire quickly. A clear sign is that the jaw joint may make clicking or make an odd popping noise.

A simple diagnosis, aside from how you generally feel in your jaw, is to take a look in the mirror at your canine teeth, upper or lower. You can easily determine if they are pointy or are they flat. Flat teeth at any age may mean you are a bruxer.

An interesting fact is that teeth grinding also has a genetic component. Do your parents or siblings brux? This is a habit that runs deep in the family. In fact, fetuses exhibit bruxing behavior in the utereo.

If you discover that you are grinding your teeth at night, visit us at Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa. We are a Plymouth family dentistry that can diagnose your problem and help you find a solution to your teeth grinding.

The most common includes tooth sensitivity, which typically doesn’t require a dentist’s attention unless it gets worse. Other problems include an easy fix such as a filling that doesn’t fit properly, exposed to another kind of filling material or produced from a material the patient is allergic to. With these problems, your family dentist can easily repair or replace the filling. But, if the tooth pain occurs because of continuing decay, then it’s more serious. The dentist might try to remove the remaining decay or perform a root canal.

The normal pain after a filling a cavity is more similar to tooth sensitivity than to severe dental pain. The tooth might become sensitive to temperatures – hot or cold. The patient might experience tenderness when speaking or biting down. Normally, this sensitivity will decrease with time but if it doesn’t decrease or even becomes more of a problem, the patient should see the dentist right away.

If the problem is because the patient is allergic to the material used as the filling, the dentist will have to refill the teeth. The most common dental filling materials used are porcelain, gold, a silver mix consisting of silver, mercury, zinc, tin, and copper, and composite resin, which are tooth-colored plastic and glass materials. A family dentist that also works in cosmetic dentistry will also be able to help you create a natural smile with the correct type of fillings.

However, the most urgent causes of tooth pain after filling a cavity is leftover tooth decay or an infection. A dentist removes the decay before filling a tooth, but sometimes some decay is left behind. Also, there are times when the decay is too close to the tooth pulp. When either of these situations happens, the decay can continue to spread under the filling and cause the tooth to hurt or even cause an infection. The dentist might be able to correct the problem or he might need to perform a root canal and remove the tooth nerve.

Getting a cavity filled is normally an easy process for both the dentist and the patient but you still need to be aware of how the tooth feels in case there is an underlying problem. If you need a cavity filled or other dental treatments such as teeth whitening, crowns or veneers, contact Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa. We are a Plymouth family dentistry that offers dental treatments from restorative care to cosmetic dentistry. Check us out online!