Recare & Prevention Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Eggert Family Dentistry Blog

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.

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.

Keep Your Teeth Healthy Over the Holidays

By Dr: Elizabeth Eggert

We know you want to keep your teeth healthy every day of the year. It’s never fun to seek emergency dental care and it’s even more challenging over the holidays. You don’t want to be on a soft-food diet while everyone else is enjoying the holiday feast! So spend your quality time with your family, instead of with Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff, by following these tips to keep your teeth healthy over the holidays.

Never Use Your Teeth to Open Packages or Bottles

Opening a gift is supposed to be fun, not an invitation for a root canal or crown. Always keep the right tools handy for opening bottles and packages, and take a minute to find what you need instead of improvising with your teeth. Before you start the present-opening chapter of your holiday, gather some sturdy scissors and a utility knife. If you need to open a stubborn bottle, try pliers or another gripping tool.

Don’t Chew On Ice Cubes or Hard Candy

If you indulge in hard candy, let it dissolve slowly in your mouth instead of crunching it. Or better still, skip it or eat sugar-free versions for better dental health. Don’t chew on ice because it can crack or chip your teeth. Once again, it’s not worth a fleeting moment of satisfaction for a permanent impact on your teeth.

Never Crack Nuts with Your Teeth

You know it’s a bad idea to crack nuts with your teeth, right? Please don’t tempt fate, and always use a nutcracker. Yes, even for pistachios that haven’t split open properly. Using your teeth on a nutshell is a gamble that the nut will eventually win. Cracking a tooth is NOT worth it!

Skip the Chewy Treats

Chewy treats like taffy and caramel can pull out fillings. Resist the temptation, especially if you know you have lots of fillings or some precarious dental work that could suffer. Once again, not worth it if you end up hunting down a dentist on a holiday!

Wear a Mouth Guard

If you are prone to teeth grinding, make sure you wear your mouth guard diligently during the holidays. Many people find the holidays stressful, so stress responses like daytime or nighttime teeth grinding are exacerbated.

Quit Nail Biting

Nail biting is usually a stress-triggered behavior, and it’s bad for both fingernails and teeth. It’s linked to jaw problems, teeth grinding, clenching, and sensitive teeth. Try to quit this habit – it is the best holiday gift you can give yourself.

Here at Eggert Family Dentistry, we’re always happy to see you, but we’re the happiest when it’s for routine recare, not for sudden urgent dental treatments. Please enjoy your holidays while tending lovingly to your teeth, mouth, and gums, and we’ll see you at your next cleaning. Call us 651.482.8412 to set up your first recare appointment of 2022!

Toothbrush Hygiene and Replacing Your Toothbrush after Illness

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

It’s commonly recommended that you replace your toothbrush after you’ve had a contagious illness like a cold or the flu.

The idea behind this advice is that lingering germs on the toothbrush could re-infect you, so starting with a fresh toothbrush will help you stay healthy.

What do you think? Fact or myth?

We’re here to come down on the side of MYTH. While we do want you to replace your toothbrush on a regular basis, avoiding your own germs is not a good reason.

Why (Your Own) Germs on Your Toothbrush Are Not a Problem

Here’s the deal.

The very act of recovering from an illness demonstrates that you’ve got an immune system and it’s doing its job. Your immune system has produced specific antibodies to fight off whatever is causing your illness. You’ve got those antibodies within you, actively fighting this illness, so even if there are lingering cold or flu germs on your toothbrush, they won’t make you sick again. Since you are brushing at least twice a day (right?), it’s not like your body can’t keep up with the few germs or viral particles on your toothbrush.

Now, if you happened to share a toothbrush or toothbrush holder with someone while you were sick, it’s a good idea to replace all those toothbrushes. This isn’t for the sake of the recovering person, but for the sake of the other folks.

Only someone who is severely immunocompromised might have a reason to worry about reinfecting themselves with their own toothbrush, and that’s still a long shot.

This is even true for some of the more serious contagious illnesses. For example, a study demonstrated that even people with strep throat don’t leave significant germs on their toothbrushes.

Proper Toothbrush Hygiene

Here are recommended best practices for your toothbrush hygiene, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). If you have any questions, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff are happy to answer your questions too. You can also read our article on 8 Bad Brushing Habits.

To avoid cross-contamination, keep everyone’s toothbrush separate.
Don’t share your toothpaste or toothbrush.
Rinse your toothbrush after use to remove food particles and toothpaste.
Let your brush air-dry upright in an exposed container. Moisture invites bacteria to breed, so don’t cover it.
Don’t soak your toothbrush in disinfecting solutions or mouthwash. This can actually lead to the spread of germs if multiple people use the same solution.
Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or sooner if it starts to look worn.

Why Are Toothbrush Bristles Colored?

Have you seen the blue colored bristles on some toothbrushes? The reason for colored bristles is actually two-fold. First, the colored bristles serve as an indicator of when it’s time to replace your brush. When the blue has faded, toss your brush and get a new one. Second, the blue bristles on kids’ toothbrushes indicate where and how much toothpaste to apply. Kids can be over enthusiastic about applying toothpaste, and you don’t really need very much to get the job done.

While we want you to replace your toothbrush regularly, there’s no need to overdo it and send an extra piece of plastic to the landfill before its time. Keep on brushing, stay healthy, and we look forward to seeing you at Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, Minnesota. Give us a call today at 651.482.8412 to set up your next appointment!

Four Ways Drinking Water Benefits Teeth

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

We bet you’ve heard and read about the importance of drinking water for your health. Some authorities recommend six glasses per day, some recommend eight glasses per day. Some propose that we drink at least half an ounce of water for every pound of body weight. That translates into at least 80 ounces (10 eight-ounce servings) for someone who weighs 160 pounds.

There are many ways in which drinking water and staying hydrated contribute to your health, but drinking water also offers critical benefits to your oral and dental health as well.

Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff want to encourage everyone to drink plenty of water every day, for both their overall health and their dental wellness. This advice applies to children as well as adults.

How Does Drinking Water Benefit Oral Health?

Water Washes Away Food Particles

Even when we can’t brush, we can rinse food particles away from our teeth and gums by drinking water. Getting those particles away from our teeth and gums is a victory, but if we wash them away with soda or fruit juice it kind of defeats the purpose, right? Instead, rinsing with water leaves no sugar or material behind for bacteria to eat. It also dilutes the acid in your mouth, obstructing tooth decay. Rinsing with fluoridated water has the added benefit of lightly coating your teeth with a defensive layer that helps remineralize any damage to enamel.

Water Discourages Dry Mouth

You may not realize that tooth decay thrives in a dry mouth. This is because saliva contains minerals such as calcium and phosphate, which help discourage tooth decay. Drinking water helps promote more saliva production in your mouth, which is more ammunition in the battle against tooth decay.

Fluoride Fights Tooth Decay

One pivotal way that water strengthens teeth is due to the added fluoride. We’re lucky to be in the United States where fluoride is added to municipal water in nearly every jurisdiction. Fluoride is a natural cavity-fighter and promotes strong teeth. In kids, it strengthens the tooth enamel in their developing teeth and helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride in combination with saliva helps prevent plaque.

Water Discourages Bad Breath

Morning breath and general bad breath is often caused by a dry mouth. Drink water throughout the day, and you will promote saliva production, which helps discourage the unwelcome stinky bacteria working in the mouth.

How to Start a Healthy Water Habit

Make it easy for yourself and your kids to drink plenty of water. Keep a jar or bottle of water on your desk and by your bed. When it’s cold out and you need a hot “pick-me-up,” switch to unsweetened herbal tea to stay hydrated. Treat yourself and your kids to a special water glass so you can appreciate your water drinking experience all the better.

As always, your healthy water habit isn’t a “Get Out of Brushing Free” card. You still need to brush and floss to keep your mouth and teeth healthy, and come and see Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff for regular recare exams.

Give us a call today at 651.482.8412 to set up your next appointment!

5 Helpful Tips for Preventing Tooth Enamel Erosion

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Tooth enamel plays a critical role in overall dental wellness. Its hard, translucent coating protects the crown of the tooth from bacteria that could compromise its integrity and lead to plaque buildup and tooth decay.   Fortunately, most enamel erosion can be prevented. In this post, we’re going to share five main ways you can preserve your enamel so it can help keep your smile healthy and strong for life.

Causes of enamel erosion and preventative measures

In order to know how to prevent enamel erosion, it’s important to understand what causes it.

Cause: One of the biggest enamel-eaters starts because of sugar. When we consume sugary foods, the bacteria in our mouths break it down by producing acid. Not only does this acid break down the sugar but it also breaks down our enamel. The more frequently sugar is consumed, the more the enamel breaks down and the less protected your teeth are. Sugary foods can be anything from candy and energy drinks to even options considered healthy like sweetened yogurt and granola.

Tip #1: Prevent enamel erosion by limiting the consumption of sugary foods and beverages. If you do consume them, be sure to brush and floss an hour afterward to rinse your mouth and get any residual sugar out from inside, on or in between your teeth.

Cause: In our American diet, sugar or some form of sugar, is in nearly every mass-produced food. You can work to limit sugar by consuming more whole foods and choosing pure water to drink.

Also, keep in mind, soft drinks are a double whammy because they contain both sugar and acid.

Tip #2: Prevent enamel erosion by limiting the consumption of acidic foods. When you indulge in acidic foods or beverages, brush and floss an hour afterward to clean out your mouth so acid doesn’t linger and cause enamel damage. You don’t want to brush and floss right after consumption of food and drink with acid because the acidic pH environment will allow your toothbrush to abrade the enamel away quickly. If you wait at least an hour, your saliva has a chance to neutralize your mouth.

Cause: Some foods and beverages are highly acidic. When consumed, the acids in foods such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, chocolate or your morning coffee, eat away at your enamel. In addition to acidic food, gastric acid reflux or upper airway based laryngeal/pharyngeal acid reflux will increase acid in the mouth.

Tip #3: Prevent enamel erosion by making sure you’re using fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that, when added to toothpaste, mouthwash or your municipal water supply, helps remineralize lost calcium and phosphate ions and reinforce your teeth’s first line of defense, reducing chances of damage and decay.

Cause: Saliva helps neutralize acids in your mouth as well as rinse your mouth when you eat and drink. In some cases, medications can lead to a condition known as xerostomia or dry mouth. It can also be a naturally occurring phenomenon where a person’s salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to rinse their mouth frequently. In these cases, bacteria feed off food particles and sugars hanging around in their mouth, causing a rise in acidity and leading to more enamel erosion.

Tip #4: Prevent enamel erosion by keeping your mouth from becoming dry.

There are some easy ways to protect enamel and increase saliva production.

Sip water throughout the day. Bring a water bottle along to work or school to make hydrating easy.
Suck on sugar-free candy. This increases your mouth’s saliva production and helps rinse bacteria.
Chew sugar-free gum. This increases saliva production while at the same time helping to dislodge food particles and clean the surface of your teeth. All of these factors work towards preserving enamel and keeping your teeth strong.

Cause: Oftentimes, people ignore preventative care and consume large quantities of sugary and acidic foods and use chewing tobacco. Others binge drink which can lead to vomiting and ensuing enamel erosion. Then, when they start noticing tooth sensitivity or tooth decay, they finally make a dental appointment.

It’s important to remember that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”

Tip #5: Prevent tooth erosion by visiting Eggert Family Dentistry for regular cleanings! At your recare visits, we will polish your teeth to clean up your enamel, often lifting minor surface stains. We can also treat your teeth with fluoride to strengthen your enamel. We will assess the condition of your enamel and if it’s starting to wear away, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff will recommend the best course of treatment: bonding, crowns or veneers.

If you’re noticing tooth sensitivity, tooth discoloration, cracks, chips or indentions in your enamel or if it’s time to get in for your next recare visit, give our office a call at 651.482.8412.

Do You Think Your Wisdom Teeth Should Be Removed? Watch for These Common Signs

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Which dental procedure comes up most in conversation? You guessed it—wisdom teeth extraction. Upwards of 90% of U.S. adults have had their wisdom teeth removed at some point in their teen or early adult years. If you happen to be in the minority and still have your wisdom teeth, you’re surrounded by friends and family who live without that notorious third set of molars. Indeed, wisdom teeth removal is one of the two most common oral surgical procedures.

If you need your wisdom teeth removed, it’s critical to do so promptly so they don’t cause major damage to your bite…or your overall health. Here are five common signs that it’s time to make an appointment with an oral surgeon:

Sign #1: Pain and sensitivity in the back of your mouth

As wisdom teeth develop and move up towards and through the gum line, they can put a tremendous amount of pressure on existing teeth. If you or your child begin to experience pain, throbbing or sensitivity behind your 12-year molars, your wisdom teeth probably require attention.

Sign #2: Irritated gums in the back of your mouth

As wisdom teeth begin to emerge, they cause a flap of gum tissue to form behind the last molars. This tissue easily becomes irritated and inflamed. Gums may also bleed easily.

Sign #3: Tooth infections in the back of your mouth

Brushing your gums where your wisdom teeth are erupting can be challenging for several reasons:

This area is way in the back of the mouth and can be hard to reach with a toothbrush
The gum tissue is particularly sensitive as wisdom teeth erupt
The flap of gum tissue that forms at the site makes it hard to clean gums thoroughly

Consequently, bacteria often become trapped in the gum tissue and cause infections in the teeth and gums. This bacteria can also lead to halitosis, or chronic bad breath.

Sign #4: Jaw stiffness

As teeth emerge, especially if they’re coming in crooked or sideways, they will put pressure on the rest of your teeth. This pressure can make your jaw stiff and cause undue discomfort when talking, chewing or yawning. Also, swelling around the jaw can accompany jaw stiffness. Left untreated, a misaligned bite can lead to TMD.

Sign #5: A change in teeth positioning and bite

If you start to notice that your teeth are moving out of alignment, particularly if this is in combination with any of the signs above, you’ll want to consult with an oral surgeon right away. Unaddressed for too long, your once beautifully-straight teeth can become permanently misaligned and require dental or orthodontic intervention to remedy.

At Eggert Family Dentistry, we advocate for your oral health. One way we monitor your wisdom teeth is through routine x-rays of the area. If we foresee an issue with wisdom teeth eruption or we see evidence that they’re causing problems in one of many ways, we will refer you to our most trusted oral surgery colleagues for a consultation.

As always, we’re here to serve your dental needs and the needs of your loved ones! We can be reached at 651.482.8412.

Crossbites: Everything You Need to Know to Regain a Healthy Smile

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

You’ve heard of an overbite and an underbite but have you ever heard of a crossbite? Perhaps not. However, crossbites are fairly common, affecting upwards of 16% of the population. In this post, we want to take a little time to explore this form of malocclusion so you know how to identify it, how to treat it and why treatment is important.

What is a crossbite?

A crossbite occurs when teeth are misaligned in such a way that the upper teeth fit behind the lower teeth when your mouth is at rest. If the crossbite affects the front teeth it’s referred to as an “anterior crossbite.” If the crossbite affects teeth in the back of the mouth it’s called a “posterior crossbite.”

What causes a crossbite?

There are several reasons why a crossbite can develop:

Genetics
Thumb sucking or tongue thrusting
Mouth breathing
Delayed loss of baby teeth and growth of adult teeth

What are symptoms that can result from a crossbite?

You may experience jaw pain or TMD, headaches, neck and shoulder pain or cranial tension stemming from any form of malocclusion, including a crossbite. Also, because teeth don’t line up properly, they can wear unevenly. They can also be difficult to brush well, resulting in tooth decay and gum disease. In severe cases, a crossbite may affect facial structure and cause issues with sleep apnea.

How are crossbites treated in children and adults?

A crossbite can be treated at any stage of life. However, because a child’s jaw is still developing, in many cases a palatal expander accomplishes the task. These expanders widen the upper palate so the upper teeth can sit properly against the lower teeth. Braces and orthodontic headgear are also common solutions for children with crossbites.

For adults, braces can also be effective, however, for adults with severe crossbites, surgery is often the best path forward.

In some cases, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff can treat your mild crossbite with Invisalign orthodontic treatment or they can restoratively mask a crossbite by bonding, crowning or reshaping your teeth for a more even bite. However, in the case of a severe crossbite, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff will likely refer you to an orthodontist and perhaps an oral surgeon for a consultation.

If your bite is misaligned, we recommend you come into our office for a consultation. The benefits of correcting an underbite, overbite or crossbite go far beyond aesthetics.

We would love to share our knowledge and experience with you so you can achieve a healthy smile with lifelong benefits! Give us a call at 651.482.8412.

HPV and Oral Cancer

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

HPV, or Human Papilloma Virus, is the most common sexually transmitted disease in our country. There are more than 100 strains of HPV in existence and approximately 14 million new cases of HPV each year. While a person’s immune system can potentially fight it off, in many cases the symptoms persist. Most people have at least a basic knowledge of HPV but few people are aware that there’s a connection between HPV and oral cancer.

How does HPV cause oral cancer?

HPV is spread through various sexual practices including oral sex, but because HPV can be transmitted in saliva, even kissing can spread the virus. It can take many years for symptoms to show up, but HPV often leads to oral or oropharyngeal cancer. Oropharyngeal cancer is cancer that affects the mouth and throat. While there can be other causes of oropharyngeal cancer, HPV is thought to cause 70% of all cases in the U.S. Oropharyngeal cancer typically develops in the back of the throat and in the folds of the tonsils.

Signs and symptoms of oral cancer

There are a variety of things to watch for when it comes to detecting oral cancer. Some common signs and symptoms include:

Persistent sore throat
Persistent earache
Hoarseness
Unexplained weight loss
Swollen lymph nodes
Lumps or thickening tissues
Difficulty or discomfort moving the tongue, chewing and swallowing

Prevention

The best way to prevent oral cancer is by reducing your likelihood of contracting HPV strains that can lead to oral cancer. Preventative measures include abstinence, limiting your number of sexual partners, instituting the use of condoms during sexual intercourse and getting the HPV vaccine. It is recommended that children, both boys and girls, get the HPV vaccine (commonly known as Gardasil 9) around the age of 11 or 12, but anyone not previously vaccinated should consider the vaccine even up until age 26. It is also recognized that smoking can increase the chances of developing HPV because it reduces your immune system’s ability to fight infection and it damages cells in the mouth.

Early detection

Regular dental exams are crucial. If you have HPV, it’s important that you share this information with Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff so they can keep a close watch for early-stage evidence of oral cancer.