Caring for your Teeth Archives - Page 5 of 12 - Eggert Family Dentistry Blog

Acute Jaw Pain: What Causes It and How Do We Treat It?

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Chronic or intense jaw pain can be debilitating, making it difficult to speak or eat properly. When the pain is severe enough, it can even disrupt your sleep or limit your ability to function normally in your everyday life.

Jaw pain can include jaw tenderness, pain when you bite down, pain in or around your ears, and headaches. There are many possible causes of jaw pain, so it can be challenging to diagnose what is causing it.

Read on to learn some of the common causes of acute jaw pain and how we treat it here at Eggert Family Dentistry using a device called the Aqualizer®.

Common Causes of Jaw Pain

While over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatories can temporarily reduce jaw pain, to properly treat it you need to determine the root cause.

There are several conditions that can contribute to severe jaw pain, some of which are related to dental health, but not all. It’s important to consult both Dr. Eggert and your physician to diagnose the cause of your jaw pain. They will do a thorough exam, which may include dental X-rays, CT scans, or blood work.

The most common causes of jaw pain include:

Decayed or Abscessed Teeth

Pain from tooth decay or a tooth abscess can radiate to the jaw. Treatment may include fillings, crowns, a root canal, or extraction, depending on the severity of the problem.

Gum Infection

A gum infection is usually caused by bacteria that multiplies due to poor oral hygiene. The most effective initial treatment is a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. Occasionally adding localized antibiotics can also improve the infection. Improved oral hygiene can help manage the gum disease caused by a gum infection and hopefully prevent future acute incidents.

Cluster Headaches or Migraines

A migraine typically presents as a throbbing headache on one side of the head, while a cluster headache usually starts as pain behind or around one of the eyes. Both can also send pain to the jaw. There are also times when overuse of the jaw muscles or jaw joint can send pain signals that manifest as cluster headaches or migraines.

Sinus or Ear Infections

Infections of the sinuses or ear canals can also cause pain to radiate to the jaw. When sinuses or ears become infected, often an excess of mucus puts pressure on the jaw joint, causing pain.

Heart Attack or Angina

Jaw pain can sometimes accompany a heart attack or angina. During a heart attack, pain can radiate to the arms, back, neck, or jaw. Women are especially likely to experience jaw pain on the left side when having a heart attack.

If you experience any of the following symptoms along with your jaw pain (even if you don’t have chest pain) you should immediately call 911:

Chest discomfort
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Nausea
Feeling faint

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition commonly caused by compression of the trigeminal nerve—a large, three-part cranial nerve that provides sensation to a large portion of the face, including the upper and lower jaws. This condition causes brief but excruciating jaw and facial pain on one side of the face. It can feel like shooting, stabbing, or electrical pain, and can mimic dental pain. Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia typically involves medication or surgery.

TMJ or TMD

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, or Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) are the most common causes of jaw pain. The temporomandibular joints are the hinge joints on each side of your jaw. Pain can originate in either the joints themselves or the muscles surrounding the joints. This condition can be difficult to treat because there are multiple potential causes, including: muscle pain, jaw joint injury, overstimulation of the jaw joint, a displaced disc, or arthritis of the protective disc that cushions the jaw joint.

Damage to the jaw joint or the muscles that control your jaw movement can be caused by several factors, including:

Grinding your teeth
Involuntarily clenching your jaw due to stress or anxiety
Jaw joint trauma, such as a sports injury or other facial injury
Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) and lack of reparative sleep

TMJ or TMD muscle tension can often be treated with muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, or a custom fitted dental orthotic (similar in concept and shape to a mouth guard). Joint dysfunction is generally treated with anti-inflammatories and sometimes arthroscopic surgery.

Bruxism

A person with Bruxism grinds or clenches their teeth, either while sleeping or even throughout the day—and in most cases, they don’t realize they’re doing it. Bruxism is generally caused by stress, and it can, in turn, cause jaw pain. Bruxism can often be treated using a custom fitted dental orthotic—a splint typically worn at night, but sometimes with some day use if needed.

Treating Acute Jaw Pain with the Aqualizer®

At Eggert Family Dentistry, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff use a device called the Aqualizer® to treat acute jaw pain.

The Aqualizer® is a self-adjusting dental splint used to diagnose how much a patient’s dental bite contributes to their jaw or facial pain. The extent that it helps relieve this pain indicates whether dental treatment will be an effective solution.

The Aqualizer® works by allowing the jaw muscles to automatically reposition the jaw to where it naturally works best. It allows the body to correct bite distortions to restore optimal function and balance. Biting down on the Aqualizer® causes the fluid contained in the device to distribute the bite force evenly across the bite, relieving jaw pressure and pain.

This device is meant to be used short-term and is helpful for acute jaw pain related to TMJ or Bruxism. In addition to treating jaw pain, it can also bring relief to chronic neck, shoulder, and migraine pain. It can be very helpful in narrowing in on a diagnosis for your problem.

Are You Suffering with Acute Jaw Pain? Schedule a Visit Today

If you are experiencing jaw pain, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff are here to help. Schedule an exam today to determine the cause of your jaw pain and to discuss your treatment options, including whether an Aqualizer® may be right for you. To schedule an appointment, call our office at 651-482-8412.

Oral Care for Cancer Patients

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

May is oral cancer awareness month. And although oral cancer affects more than 50,000 people each year, regular visits with your dentists at Eggert Family Dentistry can help detect early warning signs.

Regardless of whether you’ve been diagnosed with oral cancer or another cancer, you may notice changes in your mouth. Chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and other types of cancer treatments can have an impact on your mouth. Your gums, teeth, and salivary glands can be seriously affected.

However, with good oral care, you can help mitigate the side effects and lower the risk of other oral challenges.

Oral Sides Effects of Cancer Treatment

The type of cancer treatment you receive will affect the symptoms you have, as well as the oral care you need. The most common oral side effects of cancer treatment include:

Dry mouth
Thick saliva
Changes in taste
Mouth sores
Difficulty chewing and swallowing
Higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease

The Best Oral Care for Cancer Patients

The most effective oral care for cancer patients may feel similar to the best dental hygiene you could have. Oral care for cancer patients includes:
Brushing your teeth, but maybe more gently: Because your mouth can be more sensitive, be sure to use your soft toothbrush and brush more gently than you normally would.

Brushing your teeth more often: In addition to brushing your teeth gently in the morning and at night, consider brushing after every meal because of the decrease in saliva.

Maintaining your flossing routine: If you already floss your teeth, continue flossing, ideally before bed. However, if you haven’t been a regular flosser, start now, but be prepared for slightly more irritation in your gums at first.

Rinsing your mouth every 4 to 6 hours: An important part of oral care for cancer patients includes rinsing your mouth multiple times each day. The best rinses will be plain water, salt water, or baking soda water.

Keeping your lips moisturized: Because your mouth will produce less saliva than normal, it’s important to keep your lips moisturized. Apply a moisturizer (such as Aquaphor or Vaseline) every 4 to 6 hours.

Be prepared for yeast infections: Especially if you wear dentures, due to more limited saliva production, you will be more prone to yeast infections. Keep your dentures impeccably clean and rinse your mouth as described above.

Managing Oral Pain During Cancer Treatment

The right oral care for cancer patients can help alleviate mouth pain during cancer treatments. In addition to the steps listed above that you should add to your routine, there are other things that you may need to remove from your routine. During cancer treatment, you should avoid:

Alcohol and tobacco
Mouthwash, especially any that has alcohol or sugar
Salty food and strong spices
Citrus fruit and juice
Tomatoes and tomato sauce
Other acidic foods or drinks
Hard, dry, or coarse foods
Very hot or cold foods and liquids

Schedule an Appointment Before You Start Cancer Treatment

If you’re starting cancer treatment, it can be helpful to meet with the dentists at Eggert Family Dentistry first. Your body is going through a lot right now, and good oral care is essential in helping your mouth feel as good as possible. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff, call our office at 651-482-8412.

What to Expect at Your Next Recare Visit: It’s More Than Just a Cleaning

Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

When you think about coming to our dental office for your regular recare visit, you may think that all we do is remove plaque and polish your teeth. Although that’s part of your recare visit, that’s not it!. When you visit Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff at Eggert Family Dentistry, we do a comprehensive check of your oral health.

What’s Included In a Recare Visit?

At Eggert Family Dentistry, dental recare visit is more than just a cleaning. Our appointments include:

Oral cancer screening: Each year, oral cancer effects more than 50,000 people. One of the best ways to catch cancer early is by having regular oral cancer screenings. This is part of our standard recare visit.
Cavity risk assessment: Soft spots or pitting on your teeth are signs that bacteria are breaking the enamel and causing tooth decay. When Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff notice tooth decay, we recommend scheduling a follow-up appointment to clean out the area and protect the tooth with a crown or filling.
Gum health assessment: When bacteria hang along or under the gum line, they can cause substantial trouble for your gums. During your recare visit, we look for signs of gum irritation and gum disease, which can include swelling, redness, pocketing, or bleeding. Keeping your gums healthy is important for overall health and wellness.
Periodontal screening and charting: We measure the pockets of your teeth, which is the space between your teeth and the gum tissue surrounding it. Periodontal screening can help detect problems such as gingivitis and gum disease and is a key component to your diagnosis.
Fluoride treatment: Fluoride is an essential part of improved oral health. It supports healthy tooth enamel by remineralizing where the bacteria have destroyed enamel thickness. Fluoride treatment can help prevent cavities.
Annual x-rays: Radiographs, or x-rays, help us look between your teeth and under your gum line to spot early signs of infection and decay. They also allow us to follow your bone levels and when we take your full series of x-rays, we can see all of your tooth roots.

What to Expect After Your Recare Visit

When your teeth and gums are healthy, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff will wave goodbye and look forward to seeing you at your next appointment. However, if we see any signs of tooth or gum disease, we’ll schedule an appointment to meet with you again soon.

Many dental problems can get worse the longer they’re left untreated, so we make it a priority to schedule follow-up visits as quickly as possible.

Schedule Your Next Recare Visit

Whether it’s been 6 months or a few years since you’ve been to the dentist, you can schedule your next recare visit now. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff, call our office at 651-482-8412.

Common Dental Trauma We See During Summer & Ways to Avoid It

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Minnesota weather is finally starting to get warm, and we’re seeing signs that spring and summer may finally be here. As we move outside, go on vacation, and get more active, it’s still important to stay safe. If you have kids, you can help prevent dental trauma by encouraging them to wear mouthguards during summer sports and enforcing calmer play around pools.

Common Summer Dental Trauma

Whether it’s a game of baseball, a car accident, or jumping on the trampoline, dental trauma can happen to anyone. At our office, the most common dental trauma Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff see include:

Lost crowns and fillings
Damaged braces, brackets, or wires
Broken or chipped teeth
Partially dislodged teeth
Knocked-out teeth

How to Avoid Dental Trauma

For kids, the best way to prevent dental trauma is to encourage safe playing utilize the appropriate sports equipment, and maintain regular check-ups with your dentists at Eggert Family Dentistry.

Encouraging safety with sports and around the water is the most important step in preventing dental trauma. We know it can be hard to stop kids from running around the pool, but it’s easy to knock a tooth out from slipping on the pool deck or diving into the bottom of a shallow pool.

Wearing a mouthguard during summer sports can also help prevent dental trauma. When an opponent checks your child on the soccer, football, or lacrosse field, a mouthguard can make the difference between a bruise and a knocked-out tooth.

Finally, trampolines can be a great way for kids to release energy, but take care to limit the number of kids jumping at the same time. The most common cause for fractured teeth during jumping is when kids bump into their buddies and their teeth get in the way.

Steps to Take if You Have a Dental Emergency

If you suffer from dental trauma, the steps you take before you get to our office are important.

If your tooth is fractured, stabilize the portion of your tooth that’s still in your mouth. Then, control any bleeding by biting on a washcloth or towel. If you have the parts of your tooth that came out, keep them submerged in water or milk.
If your entire tooth came out, it’s important to handle your tooth by its crown (the part that you see in the mouth), not the root. It’s okay to rinse your tooth with water, but you shouldn’t wash or scrub the tooth. If you’re able to put your tooth back in its place correctly, do so. Then, bite gently on a towel to help control the bleeding and keep the tooth in place.

Regardless of the dental trauma you experience, time is of the essence. Call us right away because it may be important to see you within two hours.

Schedule Your Next Dentist Appointment

Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff are here to support you. Although we hope you never have to come to our office for a dental emergency, we’re prepared if you do. To schedule your next appointment or to let us know you’re coming after a dental trauma, call our office at 651-482-8412.

Eating Disorders and Dental Health

By Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

No one asks for an eating disorder. To even recognize and acknowledge one’s eating disorder is inherently challenging. Unfortunately, eating disorders have a lot of negative consequences, including on dental health.

There are two main ways in which eating disorders can have a negative effect on your teeth.

Nutritional Impact of Eating Disorders

First, eating disorders commonly go hand in hand with poor nutrition. People with eating disorders may severely restrict their consumption of food, or may obsessively avoid certain foods. In both cases, nutrition deficiencies can result.

These nutrients are particularly critical to dental health:

Iron: Iron is essential for transporting oxygen throughout the body. When a person’s red blood cell count drops, they are less equipped to fight infections. Low iron can cause mouth ulcers and fissures in the corners of the mouth.
Calcium: Calcium deficiency may cause teeth to loosen and even fall out. Inadequate calcium contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. Plus, your body will respond to low calcium intake by drawing it from both your bones and teeth. A healthy set of teeth depends on a strong and healthy jawbone. Low iron contributes to bone loss.
Vitamin D: Your body depends on vitamin D to help absorb calcium, and it also helps combat gum disease. As an anti-inflammatory, it boosts your immune system so you can fight infections better. Low vitamin D contributes to bone loss.
Niacin: A shortage of B3 (niacin) can cause bad breath and canker sores.

Corrosive Impact of Eating Disorders

The binge eating associated with some eating disorders can cause excess stomach acid. When that acid backs up into the esophagus, it results in reflux or heartburn. Should the stomach acid reach the mouth, it will deteriorate both oral tissues and teeth.

For some people, binge eating is followed by vomiting, which also introduces harsh acid stomach acids into the mouth. This wears away tooth enamel, which increases the risk of tooth decay while also increasing tooth sensitivity. When tooth enamel is softened by acid, brushing the teeth can actually further damage the enamel.

Both vomiting and poor nutrition can make the salivary glands decrease production. The resulting chronic dry mouth also increases acidity which increases risk of tooth loss, cavities, and infections in the mouth.

Minimizing Dental Damage from Eating Disorders

If you have an eating disorder, please have the courage to seek professional help. In addition, you can take these steps to protect your teeth.

Try gum, mints and toothpaste containing xylitol. This sugar substitute helps with saliva production, preventing dry mouth and cavities. You can also get a mouth guard that can reduce the effects of stomach acid on your teeth and get routine fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth enamel.

After vomiting, always rinse your mouth with tap water, and wait awhile before you brush your teeth.

Eating disorders are a tremendous challenge, and Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff have nothing but compassion for anyone on that journey. If you are dealing with one, we encourage you to take the best care you can of your teeth. We are here for you.

Teaching Kids to Floss

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Like every parent, you want the best for your child. We know you put so much energy into raising happy, healthy, well-adjusted kids.

One of the best ways to set them up for a lifetime of better health is by helping them learn good oral hygiene habits early. These habits will last them a lifetime, and help them keep their one precious set of adult teeth healthy and strong as long as possible.

Getting your kids started on a good brushing program is important, but you also need to help them on the path to a good flossing habit. Here are some tips from Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff on setting your kids up for a lifetime of strong, healthy teeth.

Teach Flossing Early

It’s almost never too early to teach your kids how to floss. Once your kid has two teeth that touch each other, you can start teaching them how to floss. By the time they are seven or eight, they are fully capable of flossing daily, so be sure to talk about flossing and model good flossing habits for them. Encourage and reinforce the notion that flossing is something everyone does!

Encourage Consistent Habits

Flossing daily is the goal. For both you and your kids, it doesn’t really matter if it happens in the morning or at night. Likewise, the great debate of “floss first or brush first?” is not a big deal. You can go in either order. The best strategy is to pick one time of day and a consistent sequence, to really incorporate the habit of flossing.

Choosing Your Floss

Help kids feel invested in flossing by letting them choose their floss. Floss comes in a variety of flavors and textures, and once again, the most important thing is that it happens. If kids prefer a certain type of floss, try to accommodate them. Look for child-friendly dental flossers with kid-oriented themes.

You can also choose between traditional dental floss or dental flossers. Flossers aren’t quite as effective as traditional floss, but if kids (or adults) are more willing to floss using this type of tool, go for it!.

Make Flossing Fun

Approach flossing in a light-hearted, fun way. Do it together and make funny faces in the mirror. Set up a reward system with stickers and incentives for sticking to the habit. Give your kids loads of verbal praise and appreciation for flossing, and coach them gently to improve their technique. Need a primer on good technique? Check out our blog post on How to Get a Flawless Floss.

Incorporate some pro-flossing propaganda into your reading sessions. Some childrens’ books about flossing include “Rotten Tooth Ruth” by Ilana K. Levinsky, “Max Goes to the Dentist” by Adria F. Klein, and “Flossing Teeth” by Mari Schuh, among others. After reading about brushing and flossing, encourage them to draw a picture of themselves or the family, brushing and flossing together.

When your child comes in for their dental recare visit, you can count on Dr. Jeff and Dr. Elizabeth to reinforce your pro-flossing messages. Let us know if your child is struggling with flossing, and we can help them develop good technique and habits.

My Child Has Bad Breath. What Can I Do About It?

By Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Kids are just as susceptible to occasional or chronic bad breath as adults are. If you’ve noticed bad breath when your child comes in for a snuggle, there are remedies. If their bad breath is a chronic problem, it’s important to investigate why. Bad breath may have its roots in poor dental hygiene or in another underlying health issue.

Improve Oral Hygiene to Improve Breath

Halitosis, a fancy name for bad breath, can be a consequence of poor oral self-care. Kids are prone to resisting or neglecting their brushing and flossing routines, so sometimes getting them back on track in this respect can resolve issues of unpleasant breath.

Leftover food debris can make breath smell bad. Both food particles and plaque feed the ordinary bacteria that live in the mouth. When they consume these organic materials, they emit volatile sulfur compounds that don’t smell good.

Poor hygiene can lead to cavities, gum disease, infections and other disorders of the mouth’s soft tissues. All of these can contribute to unwelcome scents in the mouth. It’s critical to resolve the root cause in these circumstances, to make sure your child’s mouth stays healthy. The tongue can also build up a whitish coating that consists of food, bacteria and sloughed-off skin cells. Brushing the tongue will help remove this coating. If your child has any loose fillings or crowns, these can also trap food that feeds bacteria.

When your child comes to see Dr. Jeff or Dr. Elizabeth, please let us know if bad breath is an issue for your child, and we’ll help get to the bottom of the cause.

Other Causes of Bad Breath in Kids

Halitosis can also be caused by some non-dental related health issues:

Foreign object in the nose: Curious kids sometimes insert objects into their nostrils, which can lodge in the nasal passages. This can cause an ill-smelling infection.
Sinus infection: With a sinus infection, fluids collect in the nasal passages and throat, bacteria accumulates in these fluids and can multiply and up the smell level.
Swollen tonsils: Infected tonsils are red and inflamed, and may have white spots and smell bad. The infection itself can smell bad, and the swollen tonsils can trap food which can also lead to unpleasant odors.
Complex and rare health issues like kidney failure, liver problems, stomach infections, diabetes, and cancer of the mouth can promote bad breath in children. Chemotherapy can also contribute to bad breath.
Mouth breathing, dry mouth and low saliva levels: Saliva helps keep mouths healthy. It washes away bacteria and food debris, and it also neutralizes cavity-causing acids. The absence of saliva can promote halitosis.
Medications: Some medications cause a dry mouth and bad breath.
Diet: Garlic, onions, and other strongly flavored foods can cause bad breath, as can high-protein foods like fish, cheese and red meat.

There’s no need for kids (or their parents) to suffer needlessly with bad breath. Most causes of halitosis can be addressed with improved oral hygiene, and if that doesn’t work, it’s worth getting Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff involved. Let us know if bad breath is a chronic problem for your child, and we’ll help investigate the issue.

Dentistry Is Not Expensive–Neglect Is!

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

If you want to save money on dental care, invest in floss, toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste!

The good news is that you can have a huge impact on how long you keep each tooth, and how healthy it is. When you take good care of your teeth, you defer or prevent the investment in dental procedures altogether. For some people, this is highly motivating. Whether you are motivated by money, vanity, or health concerns, we are here to help you take the best possible care of your teeth, which is the best way to avoid the cost and time involved with dental procedures.

Please follow these tips, and reach out to Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff if you have any questions about how to take the best possible care of your precious teeth and smile.

Brush Properly

It’s important to use good technique to get the most out of brushing. Remember to be gentle, move your brush in circular motions, and brush all surfaces. Better brushing means less plaque, less gum disease, and longer-lasting teeth.

Never Go To Bed without Brushing Your Teeth

The best time to brush is about an hour after you eat. The ideal practice is to brush after every meal and snack. However, many people shirk their brushing practice right before bed because they’re too tired. However, this is the most important brushing session, because any germs and plaque that remain on your teeth when you go to bed have at least eight hours or so to do their damage.

Brush Your Tongue

Plaque also accumulates on your tongue, which can this lead to bad breath and other oral health problems. Always gently brush your tongue each time you brush your teeth.

Use Fluoride Toothpaste

We recommend using fluoride toothpaste for best oral protection. It helps remineralize damage to enamel caused from bacteria and acid in your mouth.

Be as Dedicated to Flossing as to Brushing

Flossing removes stuck food particles, but it also stimulates the gums, reduces plaque, and help reduce gum inflammation. Please floss at least once daily. If you find it challenging to floss, look for alternate remedies such as disposable dental flossers.

Use Mouthwash

Mouthwash has multiple benefits, depending on the product, including reducing acid in the mouth, cleaning hard-to-brush areas in and around the gums, and re-mineralizing teeth. It’s particularly helpful for people who don’t do a great job of brushing, such as children and the elderly.

Eat Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables

Our teeth evolved to benefit from a workout, so it’s good for our jaws and teeth to eat crunchy, chewy things. Instead of soft processed foods, eat crunch raw vegetables and fruits, and whole grains. Giving your jaw a workout is good for your teeth and your breathing habits, too.

Avoid Sugary and Acidic Foods and Drinks

Acid erodes tooth enamel, which causes cavities. The bacteria in the mouth can also convert sugar to acid in the mouth. While few of us will give up all acidic foods such as coffee, tea, and fruit, be mindful of eating these things, and rinse after consuming them.

Drink Lots of Water

Water is good for your overall health as well as your oral health. It helps wash food residue and particles out of your mouth and reduce the impact of sticky and acidic foods and beverages. Drink water with your meals, and swish out your mouth a few times after your last bite.

See Us at Least Twice Yearly

Professional cleanings are a necessary component of dental care. It is not possible for you to be able to clean every area effectively on your own. We will also look for cavities and any other issues that may need treatment. Prompt treatment is the best way to minimize both discomfort and expense.

Dr. Jeff and Dr. Elizabeth want the best for your mouth and your health, so let us keep a professional eye on your teeth and gums so you can get appropriate and timely treatment. Give us a call today at 651.482.8412 to set up your next recare appointment.

Four Fun Facts About Smiling: Great Reasons to Smile More

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

As your dentists, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff are dedicated to the care and upkeep of your smile. There’s no question that a good smile has a positive social impact. It’s also a no-brainer that healthy, clean teeth and good dental care improve your smile.

However, did you know that the act of smiling is literally beneficial to your health?

Yes, smiling is good for you. The benefits of smiling have been quantified in scientific studies.

We’re here to help you make the most of your smile by keeping your teeth clean and healthy, as well as providing cosmetic dentistry services such as whitening, veneers, and full-mouth reconstruction. If you’re proud of your smile, you just might smile more often, and boost your health in the bargain!

Here’s how smiling has measurable health benefits.

Smiling Elevates Mood, Triggering Biological Benefits

Even faking a smile can improve your mood. It can actually trick your brain into releasing hormones that make you feel good, including dopamine and serotonin. This starts a cascade of positive effects, including reduced stress, lower heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and improved mood. If a pretend smile can have all these benefits, a genuine smile is probably even better! Smiling is the simplest, easiest, cheapest and most pleasurable way to improve your cardiovascular health.

Improve Your Immune Function with a Grin

All of these physical benefits reinforce your immune system. Decreased stress levels contribute to increased white blood cell count, which releases the beneficial antibodies we depend on to combat infection and disease.

Smiling Can Extend Your Lifespan

Those biological benefits can help you live longer. One study started in the 1950’s followed a group of Major League baseball players. Those pictured with major smiles lived five to seven years longer than their fellow players.

Grinning for Pain Reduction

A smile can help moderate discomfort — even a fake one. A study compared the reported pain level of patients receiving injections. Those who smiled experienced up to 40% less pain than the straight-faced.

In other words, tending to your dental health can have a positive impact on a huge range of health factors. If you’re self-conscious about your smile, please talk to us. Let’s turn your frown upside-down, and you can smile your way to better health.

If your smile is less than perfect, contact Eggert Family Dentistry today. Our focus is creating “Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles” and we are dedicated to providing the cosmetic dentistry you need, such as veneers, whitening, and full-mouth reconstructions. Give us a call today at 651.482.8412 to set up your next appointment!

An Inside Look at the Zoom Whitening System for a Whiter Smile in 2022!

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Tooth whitening is a wildly popular component of dental care. Lots of people pursue dental whitening and bleaching options in their quests for a bright, attractive smile.

While there are many natural and healthy shades of tooth enamel, teeth can get yellowed and stained over time, even with the most dedicated dental hygiene. Some particularly troublesome darkening culprits include coffee, tea, red wine and smoking.

If you long for brighter, whiter teeth, you might want to join the multitude of people who are choosing tooth whitening. In fact, in 2017 over 39 million Americans utilized some kind of teeth whitener.

There are options for use at home such as strips, trays and toothpaste, but these options tend to show subtle results, and many users experience tooth sensitivity or temporary gum irritation as a result.

Professionally Administered Tooth Whitening

If you’d like to make a brilliant, noticeable difference to your teeth, talk to Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff about our fast, easy and effective Zoom Whitening. In a single two-hour appointment, we can make your teeth four to ten shades lighter.

Here’s how it works:

We check your current shade as a baseline
We prep your mouth for whitening
We apply a layer of advanced whitening gel to your teeth
We shine a blue LED lamp onto your teeth to accelerate the whitening
We repeat this process three times in 15-minute intervals
We verify with you that you’ve attained your desired shade
We apply a post-treatment gel to help protect enamel and reduce sensitivity

In addition, we’ll send you home with customized whitening trays and a take-home whitening kit at no extra charge. With your kit, you can boost your brightness at home when needed to help maintain your new beautiful smile!

See a Brighter, Whiter Smile in the Mirror

Come to Eggert Family Dentistry if you want to see a lighter, brighter smile in the mirror. Choosing professional, proven whitening techniques is the best way to ensure a comfortable, successful experience with dazzling results.

We’re here to assist you with all aspects of your dental hygiene and dental aesthetics. Next time you’re in one of our chairs, ask us about whitening. We’ll be happy to describe the process in detail and offer you a professional opinion about the results you can expect. Call us today at 651.482.8412.