The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Flossing   

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Do you floss every day? If so, you might have some lingering flossing questions for your dentist in Woodbury, MN. Here are the most frequently asked questions about flossing.

How often should I floss my teeth?

Flossing helps remove substances from between your teeth. It’s best to floss your teeth once a day. You don’t want to floss too much though, because over-flossing can damage your gums.

Should I brush first or floss first?

Most dentists recommend you floss before brushing your teeth. Flossing first will help break up the plaque between your teeth so your toothbrush can remove it. Additionally, flossing before you brush results in better fluoride retention between your teeth.

Are there any alternatives to flossing?

There are several alternatives to flossing; however, always talk with your dentist before making any changes to your dental routine. Here are the most common alternatives to flossing.

  • Interdental brushes
  • Water flossing
  • Dental pick
  • Pre-threaded floss
  • Soft-Picks by GUM®

Can flossing add years to my life?

Yes, flossing can add years to your life. This is because flossing helps prevent gum disease and it helps prevent heart disease. Therefore, helping to prevent both of these issues is what can add years to your life. That’s why it’s so important to schedule regular dental cleanings in Woodbury, MN if you want to maintain your oral health and your overall health.

Is it possible to floss too deeply?

Yes, it is. Flossing too hard or too deeply can cause damage to your gum tissues and the enamel of your teeth. When you floss too deeply, the floss goes below the gum line, which can cause bleeding, gum recession, and gum disease.

What is the best time of day to floss?

Most dentists recommend you floss at night before you go to bed and before you brush. This will prevent food particles from staying lodged in your teeth overnight. And by not allowing food particles to fester in your teeth overnight will also help prevent damaging bacteria from causing dental issues.

What’s Next?

If you need a dentist in Woodbury, MN, please Contact Woodlane Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality dental care in the area. And we have a highly skilled, friendly team that will go out of their way to make sure your dental experience with us is a comfortable one.

 

What Can I Do About Bad Breath?   

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Bad breath can be a big problem – especially if you can’t make it go away by brushing your teeth. When you experience bad breath, it can be embarrassing, and for some people, it can even get in the way of interpersonal relationships. Fortunately, there are things you can do to control your bad breath. By working with the dentist in Woodbury MN, and by maintaining good oral hygiene habits, you can stop bad breath and keep it that way.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Brushing your teeth won’t take away bad breath if you don’t maintain good oral hygiene habits. It’s brushing your teeth regularly and flossing that helps keep your gums and teeth healthy, and helps control the bacteria in your mouth. There are many things you can do to maintain good oral hygiene. Some tips:

Brush your teeth twice per day. If you’ve never been given a tutorial on how to brush your teeth from the dentist, you should. Brushing your teeth may seem like an intuitive process, but your dentist can show you how to get hard-to-reach places and eliminate problem areas that you might be missing when you brush.

Floss. Floss once per day to get rid of bacteria and food particles in between your teeth. Again, have your dentist show you how to floss your teeth to ensure that you’re doing it properly.

Brush Your Tongue

The tongue can harbor a lot of bacteria. Use a toothbrush to brush your tongue, going as far back as you can. At first, brushing your tongue can trigger a gag reflex, but after a while you’ll get used to brushing toward the back of your mouth.

See the Dentist Regularly

See your dentist at least once every six months. If you’re having a hard time getting rid of your bad breath, this could be due to a cavity, infection in the mouth or because of gum disease. Make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as you can. If you need gum disease treatment in Woodbury, MN, your dentist will let you know.

At Woodlane Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we can help patients struggling with gum disease and other dental problems. Call today to make an appointment.

 

A Look at the 3 Most Common Types of Cavities

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Got a cavity? If so, you are definitely not alone. This is one of the biggest reasons people have to visit a dentist for treatment outside of typical dental hygiene visits and checkups. While a cavity may be easy to recognize, you may not know that there are actually three major types of cavities. Each type can have bearing on how the dental filling treatment in Woodbury proceeds.

Smooth-Surface Cavities

Smooth-surface cavities develop on the enameled surface of a tooth, usually on a flat area. These cavities do develop relatively slowly, but they also need to be treated promptly to preserve the integrity of the tooth and prevent further deterioration. A smooth-surface cavity is considered to be the earliest stage of decay, so a standard filling and possibly even demineralization treatments may be recommended to help eradicate the problem.

Pit and Fissure Cavities

Pit and fissure cavities show up in the pits and crevices that are a natural part of the tooth. For example, if you look at one of the larger molars in your jaw, the tooth will have a deep ridge that runs through the center. A pit or fissure cavity is seated right along the low points in your tooth, which means it can be more likely to lead to extensive decay. These cavities may or may not reach into the dentin of the tooth, so getting a filling as soon as possible is important.

Root Cavities

Root cavities are some of the most severe types of cavities. These points of decay are more common among older adults but can happen to a younger person who develops a cavity and never has that cavity properly treated. Root cavities may require n extraction, but they may also be treated via a root canal if the dentist feels the tooth is salvageable in spite of the internal damage.

Need a Cavity Filled by a Woodbury Dentist?

Even the smallest cavity can mean a tooth is at risk of greater decay. Therefore, it is important that you speak with a Woodbury dentist for treatment right away for treatment. If you need an appointment, reach out to us at Woodlane Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.

The Top 10 Foods and Drinks That Can Stain Your Teeth

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With the holidays here, you might find yourself enjoying plenty of special treats and goodies. At Woodlane Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we encourage our patients to enjoy the decadence that the holiday season has to offer, but to do so with a bit of caution.

Why?

Because many of your holiday favorites could end up staining your teeth—not exactly the kind of gift you want to get.

The Top 10 Foods and Drinks That Will Stain Your Teeth

Teeth become stained when pigments from certain foods and drinks build-up in the thin film of protein covering tooth enamel. Some foods also contain a compound called tannin which increases the risk of teeth staining. In addition, highly acidic foods can wear down tooth enamel, further increasing your chances of discolored teeth.

With this in mind, here are the ten most notorious foods and beverages that can lead to stains:

  1. Coffee
  2. Red wine
  3. Tea
  4. Pop
  5. Fruit juices
  6. Tomato-based sauces
  7. Soy sauce
  8. Curry
  9. Balsamic vinegar
  10. Starchy foods, including pasta

You might be more likely to experience teeth discoloration if you have certain risk factors, including underlying dental disease, older age, a history of oral trauma, the use of certain medications, or even a genetic predisposition.

Fortunately, there are things you can do.

3 Quick Tips for Bright, Healthy-Looking Teeth From Our Woodbury Dentist Staff

  1. Avoid stain-causing foods and beverages—meanwhile, eat plenty of nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains to support optimal oral health.
  2. If you do consume any of the stain-inducing foods, be sure to brush your teeth immediately after consuming them.
  3. Treat yourself to professional teeth whitening services. While some over-the-counter options can work, they often cause unpleasant side effects like tooth sensitivity, and their results may not be as pronounced as you’d hope. Professional teeth whitening with our Woodbury dentist staff is effective and effecient so you can feel confident in your smile.

Do you live near Woodbury, MN and are looking for a family dentist who can help you and your loved ones have white healthy teeth throughout the year? Contact Woodlane Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today at (651) 731-1560 to schedule your next appointment with our Woodbury dentist team, Dr. Erlandson and Dr. Roehrich.

Why Flossing Is More Important Than You Think

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Even families who have good dental hygiene practices sometimes overlook daily flossing. And if you have young children who are just learning all there is to know about keeping healthy teeth and gums, flossing should be part of the routine. At Woodlane Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re committed to helping your whole family maintain beautiful smiles for life. Here’s why flossing several times a day can help make that happen

Dental Floss Reaches Places Your Toothbrush Can’t

Regardless of which type of toothbrush you buy or how much you pay for it, it’s simply not going to reach all the crevices between your teeth. This is especially true for teeth that fit tightly, neatly together. It’s easy to brush after every meal and still miss small particles of food that can cause plaque buildup and cavities. But when you use floss to get between teeth and into tight corners, even the tiniest debris gets flushed away. In this way, your mouth stays cleaner and you run less of a risk of tooth decay.

Flossing Helps Prevent the Onset of Gum Disease

The bacteria present in plaque are instrumental in causing gum disease. This is a condition that may cause gums to bleed and teeth to loosen. Gum disease causes other problems, too. These include:

  • Bad breath
  • Tooth loss
  • Gum infections
  • Pain and discomfort

If you have gum disease, your teeth may bleed when you brush them. This condition may also cause your gums to recede from your teeth and may even contribute to bone loss. Brushing your teeth regularly and flossing once daily goes a long way toward preventing gum disease.

Your Breath Stays Fresher With Flossing

All those little particles of food that lodge between teeth and linger cause bad odors inside your mouth. This can lead to chronic halitosis or constant bad breath. By flossing away debris before it has time to ferment or decay, you can keep the inside of your mouth smelling fresh.

Come see us today at Woodlane Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Woodbury, MN, for all your family’s dental health care needs. Offering convenient office hours and friendly staff, we’ll help keep your family in dazzling smiles for life. Call us today, or stop by to book your next appointment.

Listen to Your Tongue! It May Be Telling You About Your Oral Health

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The tongue is one of the most used muscles in the body, and yet, the average person rarely gives their tongue any real attention. One thing you may not know about the tongue is it can speak volumes about your oral health. In fact, every good dentist will examine your tongue during a visit. Here is a look at a few things your tongue can tell you about your oral health.

1. Your tongue appears white.

The tongue has these finger-like formations referred too technically as papillae. If these papillae get inflamed, they can appear to take on a white appearance because bits of food and bacteria will collect between the formations. Many things can lead to the appearance of a white tongue with papillae inflammation as the root cause, such as:

  • Not drinking enough water
  • Smoking
  • Poor oral hygiene habits

The tongue may not even be consistently white; you may also notice white patches on certain parts of the tongue.

2. Your tongue has a darker tone or may even look black.

Believe it or not, black hairy tongue is a legitimate oral health condition. If your tongue appears black and even looks like it has grown some kind of weird growth, this rare condition may be to blame. Once again, this kind of issue is normally caused by the overgrowth of papillae on the tongue. However, with a darkened tongue, it can mean the papillae have collected stains from foods you eat or bacterial growths. Thankfully, this unsightly and uncomfortable condition tends to rectify itself quickly with a good oral hygiene plan and perhaps some dentist advice.

3. Your tongue always feels dry.

The tongue should feel moist and supple pretty much all the time. Due to the fact that the tongue is used for speaking and chewing and swallowing food, a dry tongue can get in the way of normal everyday actions. If your tongue always feels dry or appears dry, there may be a health problem to blame that deserves professional attention. A dry tongue may be a sign that you are not taking in enough fluid, which is easy enough to solve. However, the condition can also mean you have elevated blood sugar levels, you are breathing with your mouth open more often than you should, or have certain autoimmune diseases.

Ready to Talk About Oral Health Care in Woodbury?

You may not always give your tongue attention, but it is deserving of some observance when it is trying to tell you something is wrong with your oral health. If you see something odd about your tongue, reach out to us at Woodlane Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule an appointment.

 

Does it Matter Which Mouthwash I Use?

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For many people after brushing and flossing, they take a swig of mouthwash to freshen their breath and make their mouth feel cleaner. However, since there are so many types of mouthwash available today, you may wonder if it matters what type of mouthwash you swish around your teeth and gums. To help answer your questions here is some information about which mouthwash might be right for you and your mouth.

Fluoride Mouthwash

Containing sodium fluoride, fluoride mouthwash is best used if you are mainly concerned about preventing cavities and tooth decay. However, you may want to use this sparingly. Since fluoride is commonly found in toothpaste and tap water, too much fluoride can actually be detrimental to your health, so you should always discuss this with your dentist.

Antiseptic Mouthwash

The most common type of mouthwash and the one used by most people today, antiseptic mouthwash does contain alcohol. As for what it does for you, its primary benefit is stopping bacterial growth in people who may have a mouth infection. Along with this, it is also very helpful in combating halitosis, commonly known as bad breath. When used in conjunction with regular brushing and flossing, antiseptic mouthwash can be very effective. However, using it too often can result in tooth discoloration.

Cosmetic Mouthwash

Though a cosmetic mouthwash doesn’t generally contain any ingredients aimed at helping prevent tooth decay or gum disease, it can be very effective if you simply need something that can freshen your breath or hide bad breath for a little while.

All-Natural Mouthwash

Gaining in popularity with more and more people, an all-natural mouthwash is very similar to antiseptic and fluoride mouthwashes in that it has ingredients that help prevent cavities, tooth decay, infections, and halitosis. However, the key difference is that an all-natural mouthwash is alcohol-free and uses only natural ingredients. When compared to other types of mouthwashes, many people like an all-natural option because they feel its ingredients make it safer to use.

No matter which type of mouthwash you choose to use, you’ll reap quite a few benefits from doing so. By making the use of mouthwash a regular part of your dental care routine along with brushing and flossing, your teeth and gums will thank you.

 

3 Mistakes People Make While Flossing

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Flossing should be an everyday part of your oral care routine. Even though the American Dental Association recommends flossing daily to thwart issues with plaque, decay, and gingivitis, many people neglect to floss or even when they do it, they neglect to do it right. Take a look at some mistakes you may be making when you floss your teeth.

Mistake: Not flossing on both sides of every tooth.

It’s easy to skip a few spots when you are flossing in a hurry and trying to get finished. However, you should never stop flossing until you have gotten both sides of every tooth. Not getting both sides of every tooth leaves food particles and debris stuck in between the space and it can encourage tooth decay.

Mistake: Assuming you should stop flossing if you see blood.

It is actually far more normal than most people realize to see a little blood when you floss your teeth. As the floss rubs against the soft tissue of the gums, it can cause a bit of blood, and that is perfectly OK. It is never safe to assume that you should stop flossing altogether because your floss is getting tinged pink with bloody saliva. If the bleeding is severe, make sure you speak to a dentist about the issue, but do not stop flossing.

Mistake: Flossing so fast that you miss food particles.

Flossing your teeth should take you about two minutes once you get in the habit of doing so. With the availability of flossing picks, the time can even be reduced. However, make sure you are allowing a sufficient amount of time with every tooth as you floss. If you are simply running the floss between your teeth rapidly just to get through, you may not be getting all the debris or food particles.

Reach Out to Woodlane Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for Oral Hygiene Needs

Flossing is an important part of your everyday oral health routine, and it makes a huge difference between professional dental hygiene appointments. If you need to learn how to floss properly or would like to make an appointment for teeth cleaning, reach out to us at Woodlane Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Woodbury, MN for help.

3 Best Ways to Prevent Cavities

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Cavities aren’t fun for anyone, yet they seem to be very common. If you think that cavities are a necessary part of life, though, you’re mistaken. Some people have never had a cavity in their lives. Others get cavities very often. Why is it that some people never experience cavities while others can’t seem to be rid of them? The answer is that some people practice certain dental hygiene tips that prevent cavities. Here are the best ways you can use to prevent cavities, too.

1. Floss After Each Meal

You already know you should brush after each meal, but did you know you should floss after each meal, too? Flossing gets rid of food debris that gets stuck in between teeth. If you don’t floss after each meal, that leftover food debris could lead to the development of cavities.

2. Avoid Sugar

Bacteria feed on sugar. When you eat sugar-laden foods, bacteria in your mouth have plenty of sugar to eat, and then the bacteria count grows in number. When you have more bacteria, that means they will end up eating into your teeth, which means you will likely develop cavities. Avoiding sugar means much more than not opening up a sugar packet. You should start reading the labels on the foods you eat to check for added sugars. Unfortunately today, many processed foods do contain added sugars. To be on the safe side, just eat whole foods as much as possible and cook your own foods from home.

3. Get Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a treatment that is available through your dentist’s office. It’s basically a clear coat that helps to fill in pits and cracks in your teeth that can be an entry point for bacteria to cause cavities. Dental sealants also create an added layer of protection over your teeth enamel. The dental sealant treatment is completely non-invasive and 100% painless. If you’re interested in dental sealant treatment, contact your dentist.

It’s hard to prevent cavities, but not impossible. Use the three tips mentioned above to help keep cavities from forming in your mouth.