Eggert Family Dentistry Blog -

Sip Smart This Summer: The Best Tooth-Friendly Drinks to Keep You Cool

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

When the summer heat arrives in Minnesota, you naturally reach for cold, refreshing drinks to help you cool down. Unfortunately, many popular summer beverages are loaded with sugar and acids that can quietly damage your teeth. At Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, Minnesota, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert often help our patients understand how everyday drinks can contribute to cavities, enamel erosion, and tooth sensitivity. The good news is that you do not have to give up refreshing summer drinks completely — you simply need to make smarter choices that protect your smile while still helping you beat the heat.

One of the biggest surprises for many patients is how much sugar is hiding inside popular iced coffees and lemonades. That “healthy-looking” flavored iced coffee you grab on the way to work may contain 30 to 50 grams of sugar — sometimes even more than a can of soda. Lemonade can be just as problematic because it combines both high sugar levels and strong acidity. Even if you sip slowly throughout the day, your teeth are constantly being exposed to sugar-loving bacteria and acid attacks that weaken enamel and increase your risk for cavities. Energy drinks, sweet tea, frozen coffee beverages, and sports drinks can create similar problems, especially when consumed frequently during hot summer months.

Fortunately, there are many refreshing drinks that are much safer for your teeth. Plain water remains the gold standard because it keeps you hydrated, rinses away food particles, and does not feed cavity-causing bacteria. If you want something more exciting, you can infuse water with fresh strawberries, cucumber slices, mint leaves, watermelon, or citrus wedges for flavor without adding large amounts of sugar. Sparkling water without added sugar can also be a refreshing alternative, although Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert generally recommend choosing options without citric acid whenever possible. Unsweetened iced tea is another excellent choice because many teas contain antioxidants that may even support your oral and overall health.

If you still enjoy sweet summer drinks occasionally, there are ways to reduce the damage to your teeth. Drinking sugary beverages with meals instead of sipping them all afternoon can help minimize prolonged acid exposure. Using a straw can also help limit direct contact between the drink and your tooth enamel. After finishing acidic beverages like lemonade or iced coffee, it is helpful to rinse your mouth with water to neutralize acids. However, you should avoid brushing immediately afterward because acidic drinks temporarily soften enamel, and brushing too soon can actually increase enamel wear. Waiting about 30 minutes before brushing is usually the safest option.

Summer should be enjoyable for both you and your smile. By choosing tooth-friendly beverages more often and limiting sugary drinks to occasional treats, you can greatly reduce your risk for cavities while still staying cool and refreshed. At Eggert Family Dentistry, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert are always happy to help you make choices that support long-term oral health. Small changes in your daily habits — including what you drink — can make a tremendous difference in keeping your teeth healthy, strong, and beautiful all summer long. Call us today for your summer recare appointment! Appointments are filling fast! 651-482-8412.

Composite Bonding Through the Years: How Your Smile Can Be Transformed at Eggert Family Dentistry

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

If you have ever wished you could close spaces between your teeth, repair chipped enamel, reshape undersized teeth, or improve your smile without aggressive treatment, composite bonding may be the solution you have been searching for. Over the years, Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, Minnesota has shared many inspiring patient stories highlighting how Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert use artistic composite bonding techniques to conservatively transform smiles. From teenagers with congenitally missing teeth to adults recovering from dental trauma, these stories demonstrate how customized bonding procedures can help you feel more confident, comfortable, and proud of your smile.

One of the recurring themes in these patient stories is helping young patients who have “space/size discrepancies” after orthodontics. In the blog article, “Say Cheese! – Composite Bonding and Veneers – Grace and Abigail’s Stories,” Dr. Elizabeth Eggert explains how conservative composite veneers can beautifully close spaces while still allowing for future growth and development. These minimally invasive restorations can often be completed in a single visit and help create a natural, balanced smile while preserving healthy tooth structure.

Another popular theme for composite bonding is the use to improve smiles where there are congenitally missing teeth. In the story of brothers Anders and Lars, composite bonding was used to reshape teeth and restore smile symmetry while they wait until adulthood for possible future implant treatment or porcelain restorations. The composite bonding gave these brothers the patients fixed, natural-looking solutions during their important teenage and young adult years. Dr. Jeff Eggert and Dr. Elizabeth Eggert want to emphasize that composite bonding allows you to improve esthetics and function while remaining conservative and flexible for future treatment options.

Composite bonding is not only useful for spacing and missing teeth – it can also dramatically improve smiles after dental trauma or enamel wear. In Sarah’s story, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert shares shared how bonding and cosmetic treatment planning helped restore confidence after years of discoloration and complications from a traumatic dental injury. Patients frequently report that they are surprised by how comfortable and easy the process feels and how natural their results look afterward.

As you look back through years of composite bonding success stories on our Eggert Family Dentistry website and blog site, one thing becomes very clear: every smile is unique, and your treatment should be personalized to fit your goals, your age, and your long-term oral health. Whether you are hoping to close spaces, repair chipped teeth, improve tooth proportions, or explore conservative cosmetic dentistry options, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert will work closely with you to create a treatment plan designed specifically for your needs. The life-changing confidence that comes from loving your smile again is something the Eggert Family Dentistry team has proudly helped patients achieve for many years. Call us today at 651-482-8412 to get started with the “new you!”

A Better Bite, A Brighter Smile: Invisalign and Bonding – Sam’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Members of Sam’s family have been part of Eggert Family Dentistry for over 20 years and Sam joined in after aging out of her pediatric dental clinic. Although she already completed treatment with traditional bracket braces, she continued to experience crowding and bite issues into her early 20’s. She also struggled with frequent headaches and ongoing problems with her retainers, which led her to begin exploring a new solution for a healthier bite and a more confident smile. She asked Dr. Elizabeth Eggert what her options were and it seemed that Invisalign (orthodontics done with clear aligners) and composite bonding could help her achieve the smile she desired as well as address her pain issues.

What did Sam want?

Sam wasn’t ready to invest in the process right away, but after discussing possible options at her recare appointments, she was ready to move forward and explore Invisalign treatment. Sam felt strongly about continuing her care with Dr. Elizabeth and trusted her throughout the process. It was also convenient to complete the Invisalign with Dr. Elizabeth as Sam also wanted bonding for her front teeth to help with symmetry and color. Confident in both her dentist and the Invisalign system, Sam chose to move forward with treatment at Eggert Family Dentistry.

What was recommended?

Sam first went through the Invisalign records process. This included photos, a 3D digital scan, and x-rays of the tooth roots and jaw bones. These records were submitted to Align Technology, Invisalign’s parent company, and a 3D ClinCheck treatment plan was created.

ClinCheck is a virtual 3D treatment planning system that maps out the step-by-step movement of the teeth throughout treatment. This technology allows Dr. Elizabeth to carefully review and refine your smile’s projected final outcome using Align Technology’s software before the custom clear aligners are manufactured.

What was involved?

Sam completed her Invisalign treatment in approximately 16 months. The goals of Invisalign for Sam were to make her gum tissue alignment more symmetric as well as alleviate her crowding, improve her bite, and decrease the muscle tension that was causing her headaches. Once her teeth were in a better position, Dr. Elizabeth planned for restorations for Sam for only 2 teeth with composite bonding. Before starting the final planning stage, Dr. Elizabeth performed an equilibration for Sam to perfect her biting contacts. Dr. Elizabeth then recommended composite veneers for her right side upper incisors (one lateral incisor and one central incisor). Composite veneers use plastic filling material that bonds to the natural tooth enamel to help improve any chipping, gaps, or discoloration. Composite bonding can be a nice alternative to porcelain veneers because it can be completed in a single appointment. The initial investment is less than porcelain veneers as well, although it generally won’t last or hold up as long.

What does Sam think?

At Eggert Family Dentistry, it’s important to us to understand how our patients feel before and after treatment. Here’s what Sam shared about her experience:

Before treatment:

“I thought it would be very scary, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to do it. Moving my teeth felt intimidating, especially not knowing how everything would turn out – whether it would be better or worse. I also wasn’t sure if it would be worth the investment.”

During the process:

“It was completely worth the investment. The process went very smoothly. I really appreciated how much attention Dr. Elizabeth Eggert gave to every detail. I’d rather have it take a little more time now than have to go through it all again later.”

After treatment:

“I used to get headaches from my bite and now they’re gone, which is a huge relief! I feel less stressed and much more confident in my smile. Talking, biting, and smiling all feel better – it’s all much more functional now.”

Her advice to others:

“It’s really worth it – especially working with Dr. Elizabeth Eggert at Eggert Family Dentistry – because the team is so thorough and thoughtful.It’s worth the time and commitment for a lifetime of feeling better about your smile, chewing, and speaking.I’m so glad I did this!”

Congratulations, Sam! You look fabulous and we truly enjoyed working with you to help bring you the smile – and relief – you deserve.

Thank you for trusting us with your care. It means so much to know you’re happy with your results and we look forward to caring for your smile for many years to come.

If you’re considering Invisalign treatment or want to learn more about composite bonding, we’d love to connect with you. We are committed to our goal of “Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles.”

10 Tips for an Easier Alignment Experience & Making the Most of Your Invisalign Investment

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Your Confidence Is the Real Investment

At Eggert Family Dentistry, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert often remind patients that while Invisalign is designed to fit seamlessly into daily life, it still relies on commitment to achieve the best results. Choosing Invisalign goes beyond simply straightening your teeth; it represents an investment in your confidence, your comfort, and your long-term oral health.

Small, intentional habits make a big difference in how smoothly your Invisalign treatment progresses from start to finish. When you stay on track with your care routine, you not only protect your Invisalign investment, but you also take the first step towards a more confident future — and, just as importantly, you also help ensure your overall treatment plan stays on schedule.

🦷If you’re still deciding whether Invisalign is the right option for you, comparing it to traditional braces can be a helpful first step: Braces vs. Invisalign: Which Orthodontic Option is Right for You?

So if you’re ready to make the most of your Invisalign investment, these practical tips will help guide the way.

1. Wear Your Aligners Consistently (22 Hours a Day)

Consistency is the single most important factor in Invisalign success. Your aligners are designed to apply gentle, continuous pressure to guide your teeth into alignment, and that process only works when they’re worn as directed.

For most patients, this means keeping aligners in for about 22 hours each day. They should only be removed when eating, drinking anything other than water, and cleaning your teeth. Even short periods without your trays can slow progress and significantly delay results.

🦷 Speaking of results, check out Ashley’s story, which highlights her successful Invisalign journey. She’s a great example of what’s possible when patients stay consistent with wearing their aligners for 22 hours a day. By closely following the guidance of Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert, Ashley completed her treatment right on schedule and didn’t require any additional refinements.

2. Keep a Routine

Building a consistent routine makes Invisalign feel effortless over time. Pairing aligner habits with daily activities, such as brushing after meals or reinserting trays immediately afterward, helps reinforce consistency.

Some patients find it helpful to set reminders on their phones, especially during the early weeks of treatment. These small prompts can prevent accidental lapses in wear time and keep your progress on track.

When your routine becomes second nature, your Invisalign experience becomes smoother and more predictable.

3. Always Remove Aligners When Eating

It may be tempting to leave your aligners in for a quick snack, but doing so can cause unnecessary problems. Eating with aligners can lead to cracks, warping, or staining, all of which can interfere with proper tooth movement — thus jeopardizing your Invisalign investment.

Food particles can also become trapped between the aligners and your teeth, creating an environment where bacteria thrive. This increases the risk of cavities and gum irritation.

Taking a moment to remove your Invisalign before meals protects both your trays and your oral health.

4. Skip Gum and Sticky Habits

Chewing gum and sticky foods can create complications during Invisalign treatment. Gum easily adheres to aligners and can be difficult to remove completely, leaving behind residue that affects cleanliness and comfort.

Sticky substances can also put pressure on the trays in unintended ways, potentially damaging them or altering their fit. Maintaining a simple, aligner-friendly routine helps keep everything functioning as intended.

🦷 That doesn’t mean chewing gum is all bad! In fact, it can offer some benefits for your overall oral health. Learn more in Dr. Elizabeth Eggert’s blog: Chew on This: Is Chewing Gum Bad for Your Teeth?

During Invisalign treatment, though, it’s best to hold off on that crisp, minty stick of gum until your aligners are no longer part of your daily routine.

5. Be Mindful of What You Drink

When it comes to protecting your Invisalign investment, water is the only safe beverage. Drinks like coffee, tea, soda, and wine can stain your trays and your teeth, affecting both aesthetics and hygiene.

Sugary and acidic beverages also increase the risk of tooth decay, especially when trapped between your teeth and aligners. If you do enjoy these drinks, remove your trays, rinse your mouth before reinserting them, and brush when possible.

Being mindful of your choices helps preserve the quality of your aligners and the health of your smile.

6. Clean Your Aligners Daily … the Right Way

Keeping your aligners clean is essential for both hygiene and appearance. Each time you remove them, give them a quick rinse to prevent saliva and bacteria from drying on the surface.

For deeper cleaning:

Gently brush aligners with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water
Avoid rigorous brushing, as it can scratch the plastic and cause cloudiness
Use Invisalign-approved cleaning crystals or solutions as needed
Soak aligners using denture cleaner to keep them clear, fresh, and sanitized

A clean Invisalign aligner not only looks better, but also supports a healthier smile throughout your treatment.

7. When Not in Use, Store Aligners Safely

Because Invisalign is designed to be nearly invisible, it can also be (not-so-surprisingly) easy to misplace if you’re not careful. Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert often see patients who innocently assumed wrapping their Invisalign in a napkin or setting it down on a table was harmless in the moment, but it often leads to accidental disposal or damage.

Using your designated aligner case every time you remove your trays keeps them protected and easy to find. This simple habit can save you from unnecessary stress and the inconvenience of replacing lost aligners.

Taking care of your Invisalign aligners ultimately supports the bigger picture: protecting your progress, your confidence, and your long-term oral health.

8. Stay on Schedule With Tray Changes

Each set of aligners is carefully designed to move your teeth in small, precise increments. Following the schedule provided by Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert ensures that each stage builds correctly on the last.

Switching aligners too early can disrupt this progression, while delaying changes may slow your overall results. Sticking to the recommended timeline helps maintain steady, controlled movement throughout your treatment.

🦷 To better understand how Invisalign actually moves your teeth (which determines how your treatment schedule is decided), check out Dr. Elizabeth Eggert’s blog: Invisalign: How Effective Is It at Moving Teeth?

If you ever have questions about your schedule, Eggert Family Dentistry is always there to guide you.

9. Keep Up With Your Recare Visits

Regular visits to Eggert Family Dentistry play an important role in your Invisalign journey. These appointments allow Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert to monitor your progress, ensure your aligners are working as intended, and make any necessary adjustments.

Recare visits also help maintain your overall oral health. Professional cleanings and exams reduce the risk of cavities or gum issues that could interfere with your Invisalign investment.

Consistent check-ins provide reassurance that everything is moving in the right direction.

10. Trust the Process and Be Patient

Invisalign works gradually, guiding your teeth into alignment over time. It’s normal to experience mild discomfort when switching to a new set of aligners, as this signals that they are doing their job.

Progress may feel subtle at first, but consistent wear leads to noticeable changes. Staying patient and committed allows each stage of treatment to unfold as planned.

🦷 And in some cases, that journey may include more than just aligners. Cathy’s story is a great example of how exploring alternative treatments (like adult orthodontics and porcelain veneers) can lead to a result that truly fits your goals.

Every step brings you closer to the confident, healthy smile you’re working toward.

Your Effort = Your Results

Invisalign works best when you do your part. The habits you build each day play a direct role in how effective your treatment will be and how smoothly everything progresses from start to finish.

At Eggert Family Dentistry, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert often see that patients who stay consistent and engaged in their care experience the most rewarding results. Your Invisalign investment goes far beyond the aligners themselves — it’s an investment in a lifetime of confident smiles and lasting oral health.

Ready To Take the Next Step?

If you’re considering an Invisalign investment or want to learn how to get the most out of your current treatment, Eggert Family Dentistry is here to help. Schedule a consultation or ask about Invisalign at your next visit and take the next step toward a lifetime of confident smiles.

If you’re ready to get started, we invite you to schedule an evaluation. Call 651.482.8412 to schedule your next appointment.

We can’t wait to see you soon!

My TMJ Journey to a Healthy and Beautiful Smile – Kathy’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Kathy has been a patient of Dr. Elizabeth Eggert for well over 10 years. When she came as a new patient, she started by seeking guidance about how to proceed with treatment recommended previously by her former dentist. She shared that her past dental experiences had not always been positive and that she was looking for a provider she could trust, someone who would take the time to understand her concerns and help her move forward with confidence.

At the time, Kathy told Dr. Elizabeth that she often had significant jaw discomfort related to her “TMJ” or temporomandibular joint. Pain at the TMJ is often referred to as TMD or temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This condition often involves the joints themselves, but can also be related to muscles or nerves, as well as alignment, sleep, airway, or mental health issues. Common symptoms include pain in the face, neck, and jaw, as well as clicking, popping, or even locking of the jaw. In Kathy’s case, she reported increasing jaw pain following prior dental work and had developed a habit of chewing primarily on one side to avoid discomfort.

TMD can be influenced by several factors, including stress, bruxism, joint injury, or underlying conditions such as Arthritis. Kathy’s dental history was complex, involving multiple restorations, including crowns, bridges, and root canal treatments, all of which required careful evaluation as part of her comprehensive care plan.

What was recommended?

Initially, Kathy wasn’t looking for a comprehensive plan, and she was able to manage her TMD, so Dr. Elizabeth did the treatment Kathy needed, including replacing a bridge due to decay. But, over the years, Kathy experienced a number of medical systemic issues, and her TMD got harder for her to manage on her own. Dr. Elizabeth then talked to Kathy about undergoing the Records Process to better understand the underlying causes of her discomfort and guide her to appropriate treatment. It took Kathy nearly six years – and several additional crowns and fillings before she felt ready to move forward with this recommendation, but eventually she was ready.

The Records Process is a detailed diagnostic approach that allows Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff to evaluate not just the teeth, but the entire system. In Kathy’s case, it really helped both Kathy and Dr. Elizabeth understand that Kathy’s bite was playing a large role in her TMD.

The first recommendation for Kathy was for her to undergo splint therapy with an Anterior Deprogrammer splint. This type of appliance is designed to help relax the jaw muscles, reduce strain on the joints, and to help determine the position where Dr. Elizabeth could help create a more stable, comfortable bite for Kathy. It would be an important step in managing her TMD.

What was involved?

Following five months of splint therapy, Kathy experienced significant improvement in her comfort and jaw function. With the information Dr. Elizabeth got from splint therapy, she was able to help Kathy understand that the current positions of her teeth were contributing to her TMD. It would take a lot of dentistry or some dentistry and orthodontics to position Kathy’s teeth into a more stable bite. Kathy elected to change her teeth and forgo orthodontics so a plan was developed to redesign her whole dentition.

A laboratory wax-up was completed to serve as a precise “blueprint” for Kathy’s future restorations. This step ensured that both Kathy’s functional goals and aesthetic expectations were carefully aligned.

Over the course of two appointments, nearly all her teeth were meticulously prepared for the placement of custom porcelain crowns and veneers. These restorations were designed to improve her bite and overall function, but Kathy was also satisfied that they enhanced the appearance of her smile as well. Kathy didn’t complete all of her treatment at once, and so she initially continued to have some issues with her bite instability and TMD, but as she finished the work on all her teeth, she noticed a vast improvement for her stability and pain.

What does Kathy think?

Patient feedback is an essential part of how we evaluate and continually improve the care we provide. We asked Kathy to share her perspective – what she thought before beginning treatment, how she feels now that it’s complete, and what she would say to others considering a similar procedure.

Kathy told us that before treatment, she was probably a little skeptical, which is why it took her a while to get started. But, now that her treatment is complete, she said, “It’s fixed problems I should have addressed a long time ago. I probably should have done it sooner. It’s helped relax my jaw, and of course, the teeth look wonderful!”

Her experience reflects the kind of functional and esthetic improvements often seen when underlying bite issues and temporomandibular joint dysfunction are properly diagnosed and treated.

When asked what she would say to someone considering this type of treatment, Kathy added,

“It’s worth it, especially if you’ve had ongoing problems like I did. Just be prepared, it’s a process. You have to have patience and put your trust in Dr. Elizabeth.“

Congratulations, Kathy! Thank you for placing your trust in our team throughout this journey. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we are committed to helping our patients achieve a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles and yours is a shining example of what’s possible with thoughtful, comprehensive care.

It has been a privilege to guide you through each step of this process, from addressing your temporomandibular joint dysfunction to restoring both your function and esthetics. We look forward to continuing to care for you and your family for many years to come!

A New Bite, A New Life: How Full Mouth Reconstruction Can Transform Your TMJ and Breathing

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

If you’ve been living with jaw pain, worn teeth, or chronic discomfort, you may not realize how much your bite is affecting your entire body. A full mouth reconstruction—essentially rebuilding and rebalancing all of your teeth—is about far more than just a beautiful smile. At its core, this treatment is designed to bring your teeth, muscles, and jaw joints into harmony. When everything works together the way it should, you can experience less pain, better function, and even improvements in how you breathe and sleep.

When your bite is off, your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and surrounding muscles are forced to compensate. This imbalance can lead to TMD (temporomandibular disorder), which may show up as jaw pain, headaches, clicking, or even neck and shoulder discomfort. As we’ve noted in previous blog articles, misalignment places excessive pressure on certain teeth and muscles, leading to inflammation and dysfunction. By rebuilding your bite through a full mouth reconstruction, you help redistribute those forces evenly—allowing your jaw muscles to relax and your joints to function the way they were designed to.

What many people don’t realize is that your bite and jaw position can also influence your airway. At Eggert Family Dentistry, advanced diagnostic approaches—including our CBCT technology—help us view the TMJ and the airway like never before. This also helps us better understand how your jaw position impacts breathing, which gives us an inkling as to why you may overwork the jaw muscles like you do. In some cases, adjusting the position of your teeth and jaw through a full mouth reconstruction can help open your airway, encouraging more nasal breathing and better sleep. Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert use a step-by-step approach to find an ideal jaw position for you. They can demonstrate how closely connected your bite, breathing, and overall health truly are.

When you undergo a full mouth reconstruction at Eggert Family Dentistry, you’re not just getting new teeth—you’re getting a comprehensive plan tailored specifically to you. As described on our website, the process begins with detailed records and a thorough evaluation of how your muscles, jaw, and teeth all work together. From there, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert of North Oaks, MN design a step-by-step treatment plan using restorations like crowns, veneers, or fillings to create a balanced, functional, and esthetic result. The goal is to bring your entire system into harmony so everything “works and looks just right.”

What truly sets this care apart is the life-changing impact it can have. Many patients who complete a full mouth reconstruction report not only a more confident smile, but also significant relief from chronic discomfort and improved day-to-day function. While not every patient needs this level of treatment, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert have the advanced training to identify when it is appropriate—and the results are transformative. If your bite has been holding you back, this comprehensive approach could help you feel better, sleep better, and live more comfortably than you have in years.

Learn more and schedule your comprehensive evaluation to see if this treatment is right for you. Call Eggert Family Dentistry at 651.482.8412.

Finding Balance: How Dental Equilibration Can Transform Your Bite and Comfort

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

When your bite feels “off,” you may not immediately realize how much it can affect your daily life. Dental equilibration—also called occlusal adjustment—is a precise procedure designed to help your teeth come together in a more balanced, harmonious way. Essentially, it involves carefully reshaping small areas of enamel so your upper and lower teeth can meet evenly when you bite. When your bite is properly aligned, the forces of chewing are distributed evenly across your teeth, which helps protect your smile, helps your muscles and joints function well together, and supports overall oral health as well as whole-body health.

You might consider dental equilibration if you’ve been dealing with symptoms like jaw pain, headaches, tooth sensitivity, or excessive wear on certain teeth. An uneven bite can place extra stress on specific teeth and the jaw joint, often contributing to conditions like TMJ disorder (TMD). According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, millions of adults experience TMJ-related discomfort, and bite imbalance is often a key factor. When your bite is corrected through equilibration, the pressure is redistributed, allowing your jaw muscles to relax, reducing pain and strain.

At Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, MN, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert take a comprehensive, whole-mouth approach when determining if equilibration is right for you. They don’t just look at your teeth—they evaluate how your muscles, jaw joints, and bite all work together to function. As highlighted on their website and blog, their process begins with detailed diagnostics to analyze how your teeth come together and move against each other. From there, they create a personalized plan to restore balance and function, ensuring your bite supports long-term oral health.

If equilibration is recommended for you, the procedure itself is typically simple and surprisingly comfortable. Using precise instruments, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff will identify areas where your teeth are hitting too hard or too early and gently adjust those spots first. These adjustments are minimal—often so small they don’t change how your teeth look—but they can make a significant difference in how your bite feels. Many patients report noticing improvement almost immediately, with reduced tension and a more natural, comfortable bite.

What truly sets Eggert Family Dentistry apart is their commitment to advanced training and comprehensive care. While not every dental office routinely performs equilibration, Drs. Elizabeth and Jeff Eggert incorporate this technique as part of their broader philosophy of creating “Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles.” By focusing on how your teeth function together—not just how they look—they help you avoid long-term damage like tooth wear, mobility, or jaw discomfort. They also help your dentistry last longer since they work hard to get down to the bottom of why there is dysfunction in the first place and they use equilibration as part of their toolbox, if necessary.

If you’ve been living with bite issues or unexplained dental symptoms, equilibration may be the missing piece that brings your smile back into balance and comfort. Call us today or send us a text at 651.482.8412 to schedule your next appointment for comprehensive dental care that truly makes a difference!

Could Your Jaw Be Affecting Your Breathing? The Hidden TMJ-Airway Connection

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

A lot of patients come into Eggert Family Dentistry thinking they have just one issue. Maybe it’s jaw pain that won’t go away, or maybe it’s snoring that’s starting to affect their sleep. Some people don’t even notice a specific problem; they just feel tired, foggy, or uncomfortable throughout the day.

When Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert start asking a few more questions, a bigger pattern often begins to show. Symptoms that seem unrelated at first (like jaw-clenching and trouble breathing) can actually be very much connected. And in many cases, the airway is a big part of that story.

What Is the TMJ?

Put simply, the TMJ (temporomandibular joints) are the connected joints that allow your jaw to move. You have two TMJ’s, located by your right and left ears. Unlike any other joints in the body, your TMJ’s are splinted together by your mandible (lower jaw bone) and all your teeth affect how your TMJ’s function. Therefore, the TMJ’s are not independent joints and they have heavy influencers.

Most people think of TMJ problems as just jaw pain or clicking. Those certainly are common symptoms, but there are a lot of other signs to keep an eye out for. At Eggert Family Dentistry, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert often see patients with TMJ problems (known as temporomandibular joint disorder, TMD) who also experience:

Breathing difficulty or shortness of breath
Snoring
Headaches
Facial pain
Difficulty chewing or opening the mouth
Ear pain
Tooth pain or damage

These symptoms don’t always point clearly to a single cause, which can make TMJ issues more complex than they first appear — and in many cases, they overlap with concerns related to airway health (especially when breathing or sleep is affected).

👉Learn more here: Understanding TMD: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

When airway-related symptoms are part of the picture, a deeper connection needs to be explored.

What Do We Mean by “Airway Health?”

Airway health is all about how easily air moves through your nose, mouth, throat, lungs, and really your whole body. Ideally, you breathe through your nose, which helps filter and prepare the air before it reaches your lungs.

👉Nasal breathing can be challenging this time of year! Check out Dr. Elizabeth Eggert’s blog: Breathe Easier: How to Improve Your Nasal Breathing During Allergy Season

But many people (especially during sleep) breathe through their mouth or have some level of restricted airflow. When that happens, the body starts to adapt. Over time, those changes can affect how the muscles in the face and jaw work, as well as posture and even the TMJ-airway connection.

In children, this is especially important. Snoring or mouth breathing can be a sign that airflow is partly blocked. Even if a child is growing or the pediatrician says the child is developing fine, disrupted breathing at night can affect sleep quality, growth, and focus during the day.

👉Learn more here: What Thumb-Sucking, Pacifiers, and Snoring Mean for Children’s Oral Development

Mouth breathing also changes how the tongue and jaw develop. Instead of supporting normal growth, the mouth will develop with less space, which can lead to crowding or bite issues over time.

That’s why Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert at Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, MN look at airway health as part of the bigger picture; it can affect breathing, sleep, and oral development more than most people realize.

How the TMJ and the Airway Are Connected

Your TMJ and your airway are closely connected. The position of your jaw directly affects where your tongue rests, and that, in turn, affects how open your airway is.

🦷 Try it now — take a nice, deep breath in your neutral position. Good, right?

If the jaw sits too far back or moves in a certain way, it can reduce the space available for airflow, prompting the body to naturally adapt. One common response is to shift the jaw forward to help open the airway (especially during sleep). Over time, this repeated adjustment is very hard on your muscles and it will lead to changes in the bite and increased stress on the TMJ.

🦷 Now, try it again — move your jaw forward. Take a deep breath. Notice how your tongue moved too? And how your jaw felt a little strained? Imagine breathing like that all night! Of course, if you already breathe “normally” in this forward position, try putting your jaw back and notice if you struggle more to breathe.

This TMJ-airway connection goes both directions. TMJ dysfunction can influence the airway by affecting muscle balance and jaw position, while airway obstruction can lead to habits like clenching or grinding that strain the joint and muscles. This creates a cycle where breathing issues and jaw problems continue to reinforce each other over time.

TMJ dysfunction → Airway becomes restricted → Breathing becomes harder → Body compensates → TMJ strain (or strain in other areas of the body) → Repeat

How Eggert Family Dentistry Can Help

Many people don’t realize that dentists like Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert can play an important role in identifying airway-related issues. Because they routinely evaluate the teeth, jaw, tongue, and surrounding structures, dentists are uniquely positioned to notice patterns that might otherwise go overlooked. Unfortunately, not everyone in the dental profession understands this link. At Eggert Family Dentistry, Dr. Jeff and Dr. Elizabeth have studied these links over many years and have dedicated hundreds of hours to continuing education (CE) courses to learn more so you can stay healthier!

👉Dr. Elizabeth Eggert explains it more here: The Link Between Airway and Dental Issues

At Eggert Family Dentistry, care begins with a thorough evaluation that may include:

A physical exam
A discussion of symptoms and sleep habits
An assessment of jaw function
Imaging, when needed, to better understand underlying structures

Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert take a comprehensive approach, connecting the dots between symptoms rather than viewing concerns like jaw pain or breathing issues in isolation.

Treatment Approach

Depending on the patient’s needs, treatment options for issues with the TMJ-airway connection always starts with The Records Process, but then may include:

Custom oral splints
Stress-management techniques such as exercise, meditation, and breathwork
Occlusal equilibration (a process which involves subtly and precisely reshaping the biting surfaces of the teeth to correct the alignment of the bite and the position of the jaw)
Orthodontics
Jaw surgery, which may include specific surgeries related to TMD

At Eggert Family Dentistry, the goal is to go beyond just relieving symptoms. Tackling the root cause helps patients breathe more easily, sleep more soundly, and reduce long-term strain on the jaw, muscles, and teeth.

👉 Check out a real patient success story: Ann’s Story. See how Dr. Elizabeth Eggert guided Ann through a comprehensive evaluation that uncovered how her airway was being affected. Along the way, Ann gained a deeper understanding of what was happening and felt confident choosing a treatment plan that truly fit her needs.

Eggert Family Dentistry’s Whole-Health Approach to the TMJ-Airway Connection

If you’ve been dealing with jaw pain or breathing issues, you don’t have to figure it out alone. These symptoms are often connected in ways that aren’t immediately obvious, and getting the right perspective can make all the difference.

At Eggert Family Dentistry, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert take a whole-health approach, looking beyond individual symptoms to understand how your jaw and airway work together to contribute to your overall wellness. It’s about so much more than simply relieving discomfort; it’s about helping you breathe and feel better every day.

If any of this sounds familiar, we invite you to schedule an evaluation and see us for comprehensive dental care. Call 651.482.8412 to schedule your next appointment.

We can’t wait to see you soon!

Piercing the Truth: What Your Mouth and Facial Jewelry Could Mean for Your Smile

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

When you’re considering a mouth or facial piercing, you’re likely thinking about self-expression and style—but it’s just as important to understand how that decision can affect your oral health. While piercings can be a meaningful way to express your individuality, research shows they can also introduce risks that may impact your teeth, gums, and it can even affect the way your dental team at Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, MN is able to evaluate your oral health. Knowing the facts helps you make the best decision for your long-term smile.

One of the most immediate ways oral piercings affect your dental care is through radiographs (X-rays). Because most oral jewelry is made of metal, it can create significant “artifacts” or distortions on dental images. These streaks and shadows can obscure important structures, making it harder for us to detect cavities, bone loss, or other conditions accurately. This is why we ask you to remove your jewelry before imaging to ensure your radiographs are diagnostic and complete—because clear imaging is essential for catching problems early and protecting your health. We find some piercings can be very difficult to remove.

Beyond imaging challenges, the physical presence of lip, tongue, or intraoral piercings can directly affect your teeth and gums. Scientific studies consistently show an association between oral piercings and gingival recession, tooth fractures, and even tooth mobility. In fact, research has found gingival recession in up to 39% or more of piercing sites, along with complications like chipped teeth and soft tissue damage. You may not even notice these changes at first, which makes regular dental visits even more important for early detection and prevention.

The reason for these issues often comes down to repeated trauma. When jewelry rubs against your gums or teeth—or if you find yourself playing with it subconsciously—it can gradually wear away gum tissue and weaken the enamel. Over time, this can lead to exposed roots, increased sensitivity, and a higher risk of periodontal problems. Studies also show that lip piercings, in particular, are strongly associated with localized gum recession. But, even tongue piercings will contribute to chipped teeth and recession because the tongue is nearly always moving.

At Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, MN, you’re supported by a team that understands your desire to express who you are—whether that includes piercings or not. Our goal is never to judge, but to make sure you have clear, science-based information before making decisions that affect your health. If you’re thinking about getting a piercing—or if you already have one—we can help you understand the risks, monitor any changes, and guide you toward protecting your smile for years to come. Keep in mind as well that your safety during dental procedures is a top priority for us and with some piercings, the chance of pulling or tugging on the jewelry could cause some serious damage.

Ultimately, you deserve to feel confident in both your self-expression and your oral health. Before moving forward with a mouth or facial piercing, we recommend that you take the time to weigh the potential risks and benefits. And if you already have one, staying proactive with your dental care is key. If it’s been a while since your last visit, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment with Eggert Family Dentistry—because your smile deserves expert care, no matter how you choose to express yourself. Call or text us today at 651.482.8412!

Celebrating the Women Who Shape Your Smile: A Women’s History Month Tribute

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

When you think about your dental care, you might picture your next cleaning or checkup—but behind every healthy smile is a long history of pioneering women who helped shape the profession you rely on today. During Women’s History Month, you have a special opportunity to reflect on the trailblazing dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants who broke barriers and elevated the standard of care you experience every time you sit in the dental chair.

You can trace the roots of modern dentistry to influential women like Lucy Hobbs Taylor, the first woman to earn a dental degree in the United States. She paved the way for women to enter the profession at a time when it was overwhelmingly male-dominated. You also benefit from the work of Irene Newman, one of the first dental hygienists, who helped establish preventive dental care as a cornerstone of oral health. These women didn’t just participate in dentistry—they transformed it, helping shift the focus toward education, prevention, and patient-centered care that you still experience today.

As you continue to explore the history of dentistry, you’ll find that dental assistants have also played a vital role in advancing patient care. Early pioneers in dental assisting helped create more efficient, comfortable, and supportive clinical environments, allowing dentists to focus more fully on your needs. Their contributions helped shape the team-based approach you benefit from today, where every member of the dental team plays an important role in your overall experience.

Right here in North Oaks, MN, you are supported by a truly exceptional, women-led team at Eggert Family Dentistry, even though we have Dr. Jeff Eggert, every other member of our magnificent team is a woman! From the highly skilled Dr. Elizabeth Eggert to our compassionate hygienists – Lea, Anna, and Lisa, as well as our dedicated dental assistants – Tracy and Heather, you are surrounded by professionals who embody the same spirit of care, innovation, and leadership as the women who came before them. Of course, we can’t forget our amazing administrative team as well – Kristina, Bekah, and Rebecca, without them the clinical skills would fall to the wayside and we might just break apart!

When you visit, you can feel confident knowing that each team member is committed to helping you achieve your best oral health in a welcoming and supportive environment. Our passion, expertise, and teamwork make every visit a positive one—and that’s something worth celebrating.

So as you honor Women’s History Month, why not celebrate by prioritizing your own dental health? You deserve to be cared for by a team that reflects the very best of dentistry’s past and present. Go ahead and call Eggert Family Dentistry to schedule your next appointment—because honestly, who wouldn’t want to be around such an amazing group of women (plus Dr. Jeff) while taking care of their smile? Call or text us today – 651-482-8412!