Finding the right pediatric dentist is vital for ensuring your child’s dental health and fostering a positive attitude toward oral care. At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing gentle family dentistry for our youngest patients. Here are four key factors to consider when searching for the perfect pediatric dentist for your child.

At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of dental care through the integration of advanced technology. The evolution of dental practice has transformed how we provide treatments, making them more efficient, comfortable, and effective. In this blog, we’ll explore how technology plays a vital role in modern dentistry and enhances your experience at our practice.

When it comes to achieving a straight smile, many patients at Kruckman Dental find themselves debating between Invisalign and traditional braces. Both options are effective, but Invisalign has gained popularity thanks to its numerous advantages. In this blog, we will explore why you should consider Invisalign over traditional braces for your orthodontic treatment.

Cavities can affect anyone, regardless of age. At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we believe that a proactive approach to oral hygiene is essential for maintaining dental health throughout all stages of life. By establishing healthy habits early on and maintaining them consistently, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing cavities. Here’s a guide to effective practices for the care of teeth at every age.

Introducing your child to the world of dental care is an essential step toward lifelong oral health. At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we understand that the first dentist appointment can be a bit overwhelming for both parents and children. However, with a little preparation and a positive attitude, this experience can lay the foundation for your child's dental health for years to come.

A bright, white smile can enhance your confidence and overall appearance. At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we understand that many of our patients are curious about teeth whitening options. However, with numerous products available on the market, it's essential to determine what’s right for you. This guide will explore various safe and effective whitening methods, helping you make an informed decision.

Maintaining good oral health is essential not only for a bright smile but also for your overall well-being. At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we understand the significant connection between oral health and general health. Understanding this relationship can motivate you to prioritize your dental care for the benefit of your entire family.

At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we pride ourselves on not just the quality of our dental care, but also on the team that makes it all possible. Our dental practice is built on a foundation of compassion, expertise, and a commitment to family dental health. We invite you to meet the friendly faces that will care for you and your loved ones!

Minnesota winters can be beautiful, but they also pose unique challenges to maintaining your oral health. Cold weather and holiday indulgences can lead to dental issues if you’re not careful. At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we believe every family deserves a bright smile, even in the harshest winter months. Here are essential tips to keep your teeth healthy and shining brightly during those frosty days.

Getting a filling is a common dental procedure that helps restore the function and integrity of your teeth. At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we prioritize your comfort and provide a stress-free environment, making the filling process as smooth as possible. Here’s what you can expect during your appointment.

Regular dental checkups are vital for maintaining optimal oral health. They help detect potential issues early and ensure your smile stays vibrant and healthy. From preventive care to thorough cleanings, these appointments are foundational to your long-term dental well-being and can save you from costly treatments down the road.

Choosing a pediatric dentist is an important decision. Your child's dental health will affect them for the rest of their life, so you want to make sure you're choosing the right practice. In this blog post, we'll share four things to look for when choosing a pediatric dentist. Keep these things in mind and you're sure to find the perfect practice for your child!

There are many ways that teeth can become stained, and it is important to find the most effective ways to prevent this from happening. Kruckman Family Dentistry in Waconia has some great tips on how to keep your smile looking its best. Follow these simple steps and you'll be on your way to keeping those pearly whites shining! Keep reading to learn more!

Keep Your Mouth as Healthy as Possible

Hello, and welcome back to our blog! Here at Kruckman Family Dental, we want to make sure that all of our Waconia area neighbors, no matter their age, are aware of the things that can have a negative effect on the health of their mouth. Making sure that your mouth is as healthy as possible is not only important for the health of your teeth, it is important for your overall health as well. Issues with oral health can quickly lead to issues in other areas of the body and it is in your best interest to make sure that you take the necessary steps to ensure that your oral health is as good as possible. In today’s post, we are going to continue where we left off last time and list out a few more types of candy that have the most negative effect on your teeth and overall oral health. Continue reading below to learn more.

Enjoy Candy in Moderation

Ideally, we would like all of our readers to avoid candy as much as possible. Overall, candy offers almost no benefits other than a quick sugar fix, however, we understand that people are still going to eat it anyway. For this reason, we hope that by at least spreading some knowledge on the worst types of candy, we are able to help people know which candy they should avoid. Below, we have listed out two more types of candy that can harm your teeth.

Don’t Let Candy Wreck Your Teeth

With Halloween fast approaching, millions of children across the United States (and probably just as many adults) are about to be inundated with candy. While Halloween is one of our favorite times of year here at Kruckman Family Dental, it is also one of the most stressful. As dentists, we know a little too much about how negatively sugar can affect a person’s oral health, especially a child’s oral health. Despite this knowledge, we want people to be able to enjoy Halloween as much as possible. In today’s post, we are going to go over the most harmful types of candy that children and adults are likely to come into contact with this Halloween. We hope that by the end of this post, our readers will take some extra precautions when consuming these candy types in order to make sure that they are not causing unneeded damage to their teeth. Keep reading below to learn more.

Some Candy is Worse Than Others

Even though we would urge you to avoid eating candy as much as possible, we understand that people, almost overwhelmingly, love candy. The human body is wired to enjoy sugary treats and, in moderation, this isn’t exactly a bad thing. However, some candy is still worse for your teeth than other types and, in our opinion, should be avoided as much as possible. Below, we have listed a couple candy types that aren’t doing your teeth any favors.

A Place for the Entire Family

Hello there, and welcome back to the Kruckman Family Dentistry blog! As a dentist office in the Waconia area, we have spent a lot of time and energy making sure that we are able to provide the best family dentistry experience possible. Through a combination of a friendly, inviting atmosphere and comprehensive dental services, our dentist office is able to handle all of your family’s dental needs. Even though we know that our services are great, we realize that some people who read this post may not understand why a dentist that serves the entire family is something that they should even consider. To remedy this, we are going to use today’s post to go over some of the reasons that we feel family dentists are the best choice for families looking to make sure that all of their loved one’s dental needs are taken care of. Keep reading below to learn more.

Family Dentistry Brings it all Together

Traditionally, dentistry was split into two camps—pediatric and non-pediatric. It was thought that for adults and children to be able to receive the best in dental care, they needed to segregate the two fields. While this may have been an effective way to provide dental care in the past, we here at Kruckman Family Dentistry believe that providing services for the whole family under a single roof is the best way to go about providing exceptional dental services. Below, we have listed a few of the reasons that we feel this way.

Alcohol and Teeth Don’t Mix Well

Hello, dear reader, and welcome back to our blog! Because we are a dentist office operating in the Waconia area, we here at Kruckman Family Dentistry want to make sure that all of our neighbors are as well informed as possible when it comes to issues that may affect their oral health. Overall, people tend to make sure that they take care of their teeth. Between brushing and flossing, 90 percent of the care that needs to be completed for the average person’s mouth is taken care of on a day to day basis. However, external factors, such as the food and beverages that people choose to consume, can have a large effect on the overall health of their mouth. In today’s post, we are going to continue where we left off last time and continue to cover some of the negative side effects that are caused by alcohol use. Continue reading below to learn more.

Alcohol Consumption Can Cause Multiple Oral Health Issues

It is no secret that people enjoy alcohol. For as long as civilization has existed, it seems that alcohol has been a part of the lives of humans. Whether you enjoy your alcohol in the form of liquor, beer, or wine is largely unimportant; the important issue is the fact that alcohol can and will mess with your mouth if you are not careful. Alcohol is high in both sugar content and acidity, two things that spell trouble for your mouth when combined. In our previous post, we discussed the issues alcohol causes in relation to tooth decay and gum disease. While these issues are concerning, they are not the only issues that can be caused. Below, we have listed a few more negative effects that alcohol can have on your teeth.

How Bad is Alcohol for Your Teeth?

Hello, and welcome back to the Kruckman Family Dentistry blog! As a Waconia area dentist office, we want to make sure that as many people as possible are informed about oral health issues. While you might not think about it too much, the health of your mouth can greatly impact the health of the rest of your body. For this reason, it is important that everyone take the necessary steps to make sure that their oral health is as good as possible. In the first of a two part blog series, we are going to to go over the effects that alcohol can have on the overall oral health of a person. While alcohol is a substance that is enjoyed by millions of people in the United States, it is also a substance that should be treated with caution. Continue reading below to learn more.

Don’t Abuse Your Teeth

In life, we are given one set of permanent teeth to work with. Because of this, we assume that most people want to make sure that they take care of their teeth as well as they possibly can. While there are options available to replace your natural teeth, such as dental implants, dental crowns, and dentures, these options are something that should be considered a last resort, not a viable alternative to proper tooth care. Most people are aware of the fact that brushing and flossing are necessary to maintain proper oral hygiene, however, making a conscious effort to avoid food and drink that are harmful to your mouth is also necessary to make sure that your oral hygiene is optimal. While the effects of sugar on people’s teeth has been long documented and exposed to the general public, fewer people are aware of the fact that alcohol can be just as bad, if not worse, than drinking multiple sodas a day. Below, we have listed a few of the side effects that regular consumption of alcohol can have on your teeth.

Genetic tests these days are everywhere, meaning that they are becoming more and more popular for determining what we may be at risk for. However, at this time, this testing can’t determine how likely you are to develop cavities versus someone else on the street.

We know that there are several commercially marketed tests that say they can measure both the risk of a disease, as well as susceptibility to a future disease. They do this by taking a look at your DNA and searching for hints that might indicate that you are at risk for these conditions. In order to take the test, they gather a saliva sample and examine it in a lab. Occasionally, these tests are followed up with a consultation with a medical professional.

Keep in mind that many people will have the DNA marker for a disease, but that doesn’t mean everyone will develop that disease. This is because many of these diseases, including gum disease and cavities, have a lot to do with both your environment and your lifestyle. These factors are more likely to determine what you develop rather than any genetic marker can.

Lifestyle Matters

If you don’t know what you can do in your day to day life to prevent cavities, keep your lifestyle in mind. Are you a smoker? What do you eat and drink? How often to brush your teeth and floss? These questions will help you determine how likely you are to develop cavities or other issues with your teeth.

We all know that our bodies change as we age. As joints give us a bit more trouble, it can be easy to neglect things that don’t necessarily hurt—such as our teeth—even though we really should get them checked out. We hear people all the time say that losing their teeth is inevitable, but this just isn’t true. In fact, if your teeth are cared for properly, it’s possible that they can last you a lifetime.

Your mouth will change as you age. In fact, the nerves in your teeth will likely become smaller. While this isn’t a bad thing, it can mean that you are less sensitive to cavities or other problems. If you don’t get dental examinations regularly, it can lead to problems taking much longer to be diagnosed. In turn, that often means that the issue has worsened.

Caring for Your Own Teeth

If you want to ensure that you keep your teeth for a long time, it’s time to take the following steps to maintain your oral health:

• Brush your teeth twice a day, but be sure to use a toothbrush with bristles that are gentle. If you have a hard time keeping up brushing for two minutes without getting tired, try using an electric toothbrush.
• Use floss or another flossing tool to clean in between your teeth at least once daily.
• If you wear dentures at all, or partial dentures, clean them on a daily basis. You should be removing your dentures for at least four hours every day. We recommend taking them out at night.
• Drink tap water whenever you are thirsty! This water contains fluoride, which is wonderful when it comes to protecting your teeth from cavities and decay. This advice goes for all ages, including children.
• If you are a smoker, it’s time to quit. Aside from being at a higher risk for lung cancer and other cancers, smoking will also worsen any issues with gum disease, tooth loss, and tooth decay.
• Visit your dentist regularly! Only they can make sure that everything is working smoothly and that there is no need to dental surgery or other corrective measures.

You use your teeth each and every day, but there’s a lot you don’t know about your pearly whites! At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we believe in keeping all of our patients informed on the best ways to care for their teeth. Come and see us today to learn more about general care and cleaning tips that will help improve your oral health. In the meantime, we hope that you read on to learn some of the fascinating facts and history behind your teeth!

Dental care has been around for centuries.

Believe it or not, the first toothbrushes were twigs, and the frayed ends were used to clean teeth. About 5000 B.C., the Egyptians used ground animal hooves and crushed eggshells to keep their teeth clean and polished. Once the 1700s rolled around, a Chinese design became more widespread that was made with a bone handle and boar bristles that were secured with wire. The toothbrush with nylon bristles that we have all come to know and love arrived in the late 1930s, and electric toothbrushes were introduced to the public in 1954!

Your teeth can reveal stories about you.

Scientists can use teeth found in order to determine a person’s age, what they ate and drank, and possibly even where they may have lived. Our teeth also reveal truths about our overall health, including periods of intense stress or poor health that we have endured. Since our teeth respond so much to our lives, they can be a record of sorts of our time on earth.

Your little one may or may not have their teeth yet, but there are some things you need to know in order to keep your kid’s mouth healthy and strong. Here are the top ten things to know about your little one’s teeth and oral hygiene! After you finish learning about these great tips to protect your child’s health, contact Kruckman Family Dentistry to set up your appointment.

• Did you know that your baby is born with 20 teeth below the gums? They will usually begin to erupt in between the ages of six months and a year. Most kids will have all of their teeth in fully by the time they reach age three.
• Teething is an exciting time for both the baby and the parents! Know that as the teeth begin to grow in, your baby may become fussy, irritable, and sleepless. Some may even lose their appetite and drool quite a bit more than normal. Keep in mind, though, that fever, diarrhea, and rashes are not caused by teething. Your baby should be taken to the doctor if they are showing any of these symptoms.
• Believe it or not, decay can begin to a baby’s teeth as soon as they first appear. That means that as soon as you see these little teeth begin peeking out in your baby’s smile, it’s time to choose a fluoride toothpaste to keep them protected. Do your research and select a brand that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
• It takes very little toothpaste to get the job done well when cleaning your baby’s teeth. Until you know for a fact that your child knows how to brush their teeth on their own, you will need to brush their teeth twice a day with a brush designed for children. If your child is under the age of three, just use a smear of toothpaste. The size of a grain of rice is plenty! If your child is over three, you can use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• The first visit to the dentist should happen after their first tooth appears, but you should not wait until after their first birthday. We recommend this because babies can get cavities as soon as their teeth begin coming in.
• You can floss your child’s teeth either before or after they brush, just as long as you are sure to floss in between any teeth that touch. Some parents find it easier to find child-friendly plastic tools to reach the teeth in the back, so consider this option if you are having a hard time!
• Baby bottle tooth decay is a real condition, so you should do what you can to prevent this. It most often occurs in the upper front teeth, and it is caused by prolonged exposure to drinks that contain sugar. This happens most when babies are put to bed with a bottle or the bottle is used as a pacifier for a crying baby.
• It can be tempting to use your spoon at dinner to also feed your baby a bite of your food, but many cavity-causing bacterias are passed through saliva. You might actually be introducing germs when you do this! Instead, use their spoon to scoop the food and feed them.
• When your child is thirsty, offer them water. Water, especially with fluoride, has been shown to reduce cavities by up to 25 percent. While you may want to feed your child juice and sports drinks, these can still cause cavities. Sugary drinks can also lead to obesity and other health problems, so limit your child’s access to keep them healthy.
• Considering sealants is a wonderful option, as they create an extra barrier between cavity-causing bacteria and your little one’s teeth. School-age children with sealants usually have about three times fewer cavities than those without.

When you think about going to the dentist, do you feel nervous? Afraid? Some people feel so anxious about what could happen at the dentist that they avoid going entirely, even if they suspect that something may be wrong with their teeth. Of course, that’s not what we want at all! Some people are worried about the pain. Others are more concerned about past poor experiences they had at a different dentist. While you may have some concerns about coming to see us, we would like to share some of the top ways to help overcome your fears and get closer to a healthier smile. Read on to learn more.

Communication is Key

To be perfectly honest, the best way we have found for our patients to overcome their fears is for them to communicate, and for us to do the same for them. When you feel informed about everything that is happening, you will be less likely to panic about what is going to happen next. While it’s super common for people to be nervous about seeing a professional, it can really cause an issue when it stops them from coming in for regular cleanings or even dental surgery when necessary. If you find yourself struggling with handling your dental anxiety, then it might be time to have a discussion with the dentist ahead of time. There are many safe and easy ways to make your dental routine less scary and stressful, and medication is not out of the question if the need should arise.

Choosing toothpaste should be easy, right? All you need to do is walk down the aisle of the store, grab a tube, and toss it into the cart. However, it never seems to actually be that simple. There are all sorts of toothpastes out there advertising that they will whiten your teeth, that they offer extra fluoride protection, or that they will combat tooth sensitivity. Which one should you choose in order to take the best care of your smile?

To be perfectly honest, most toothpastes have similar ingredients in them to control plaque buildup, tartar, and prevent gum disease. They also tend to include a chemical called “triclosan,” which has been shown to offer a clinical improvement in gum health. In the end, the specific type of toothpaste you choose is up to you. Many people choose their toothpastes based on flavor alone! However, we have listed the following types to help guide you as you make your choice.

Smoker’s Toothpaste

Those who smoke typically have a harder time keeping their teeth clean of stains, which is why some brands offer toothpaste specifically for smokers. These toothpastes usually contain stronger abrasives to remove the stains. However, keep in mind that vigorous or excessive brushing with these toothpastes may damage your enamel over time. If you would like to know if a smoker’s toothpaste would help your oral health, schedule a dentist appointment and allow a professional to assess what your teeth need.

If you are feeling severe pain near your molars and are expecting wisdom teeth, you may have an impacted wisdom tooth. Ouch! If you are experiencing this sort of oral pain, then it’s time to give our professionals at Kruckman Family Dentistry a call.

First of all, what is an impacted tooth? When a tooth comes in only partially, it is considered to be impacted. This issue can happen with any teeth, but it most commonly occurs as wisdom teeth are growing in between the ages of 17 and 21. Whether it happens because the area is too crowded for the tooth to emerge or because the surrounding teeth become tilted or twisted, this problem is much more common than many think. If this becomes too much of a problem, then your dentist may decide that tooth extraction is the best course of action. Read on to learn about the specific symptoms of impacted tooth pain.

Throbbing pain in your mouth near your molars

Pain near the front of your mouth might indicate a cavity or another issue, but when you feel a throbbing pain in the back of your mouth, that might indicate an impacted tooth. This pain will get worse as the surrounding teeth become affected by the tooth.

For those of you with athletic kids, we know that you are concerned about potential injuries while they play. Whether you are worried about a sprained ankle or a broken wrist, you might actually need to be more aware of damaged teeth! Some injuries can be so bad that they require major dental surgery and lead to dental issues in the future. We see a lot of chipped teeth and even the occasional knocked-out tooth, so do your best to prevent these! We’ve compiled a list of some sports that just tend to be a little bit rougher on our kids’ teeth than we may prefer. Encourage them to wear a mouthguard, and read on to learn more!

Skateboarding

Skateboarding, while a real thrill, can be quite dangerous. The most experienced boarders will choose to show off their skills on a half pipe, but even the beginners on the concrete might have issues with injuries after a particularly rough tumble. The momentum of moving forward combined with a fall can lead to broken bones, skinned knees, and even knocked out or chipped teeth. Keep your child away from handrails and other dangerous skateboarding thrills until they have enough practice to perform those moves safely.

Boxing, Martial Arts, MMA, etc.

Maybe you know the misfortune of having a yellowed smile, and maybe you don’t – either way, you’re curious about how tooth whitening works! Those of us who have struggled with tooth stains know how hard it can be to go through life feeling self-conscious about our smiles. If you are interested in Kruckman Family Dentistry cosmetic dentistry services, then it’s time to call us and schedule your appointment today. Read on to learn more about what happens when we whiten your teeth.

What are Tooth Stains?

Tooth whitening won’t help your cavities, but it will increase the brightness and shade of your teeth! Your teeth are made up of an inner dentin layer and an outer enamel layer that protects your teeth from being damaged by what you eat. When you put anything in your mouth from drinks, to food, to cigarettes, another layer slowly forms on top of your enamel. This creates what is knows as a “pellicle film” over the enamel layer. In order to prevent tooth stains, limit your intake of coffee, wine, and other dark liquids! However, no one can prevent tooth stains altogether. This is a natural part of aging, which is why we are happy to provide a whitening service that can help eliminate these stains.

The teenage years are difficult to navigate, both for the teenagers themselves and for their parents. There’s dealing with drama at school, interpersonal relationships, and of course, changing hygiene requirements. As far as oral health and tooth health are concerned, there’s the possibility of braces, those third molars coming in, and bad breath! Your teen is also probably busy with school, jobs, sports, and other social or extracurricular activities – not to mention, all the junk food they eat – and you are left with someone who probably isn’t prioritizing their teeth. If you are trying to help your teen get used to taking care of their teeth, then there are a few things you can do!

Encourage

Instead of yelling at your teen for not brushing, encourage good hygiene habits. For example, remind them to brush twice a day and floss at least once each day. Teens care a lot about how they look and how others see them, so you can explain that not brushing and flossing will lead to stains, bad breath, and even missing teeth if they aren’t careful about their regimen.

Set an Example

If you are thorough about your teeth, then your teen will see how important your oral health and hygiene is to you. Your warnings won’t seem hypocritical if they see you meticulously brushing in the mirror each and every morning and night. When you live up to what you’re telling your teen, your words automatically carry more weight.

Your kitchen is probably full of tasty beverages that you drink day in and day out – coffee, tea, energy drinks, juice, etc – but how many of these drinks are bad for your teeth? We at Kruckman Family Dentistry have compiled a list to show you the worst drinks on the market and why you should avoid them. If you are looking for cosmetic dentistry professionals who can help you brighten up your smile, it’s time to give us a call today!

Soda

This might be the most obvious beverage, but we need to include it on the list. Not only is soda bad for your health in general, but it can also seriously damage your teeth. The acids and sugar byproducts in the soda can greatly increase your chances of developing cavities by softening your teeth’s enamel and decaying them once they reach the more fragile parts.

Coffee

If you engage in a daily cup of Joe (or even an afternoon cup, too), then you might be staining your teeth. Coffee’s natural brown color can slowly turn your teeth into an ugly yellow by revealing the dentin beneath your enamel. And, assuming you don’t drink your coffee black every day, you are likely adding sugar and other sweeteners each day. This can increase your chances of developing a cavity just as much as soda can.

At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we believe in giving you the best service possible so you can have the brightest and healthiest smile ever! When it comes to your teeth, dental surgery, root canals, whitening, and more, our staff knows just what to do to keep them safe. If during your routine cleaning, we suggest that you get a crown, we understand that you may have some questions. We are here today to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about dental crowns and how they work. Read on to learn more!

What is a dental crown?

To answer simply, a dental crown is a cap that is permanently adhered over your tooth and looks like a natural tooth. These crowns are made from ceramics, metals, and porcelains (or a combination of the three) to create the desired fit and look. You can ask the dentist what your crown will be made from if you are curious!

Who needs a dental crown?

Many people need these crowns to protect their teeth, but always for a variety of reasons. A few examples include:

• If you have a tooth that doesn’t match the rest of your teeth, a crown can cover this tooth and even out the appearance of your smile.
• If your tooth has had a root canal, then the risk of this tooth breaking or cracking increases greatly. Placing a dental crown over this tooth can protect it from fracturing or breaking.
• If your tooth has been heavily restored, it is also more likely to break. The dental crown can lengthen your tooth’s lifespan and prevent cracking.

When it’s been a little while in between your dentist appointments, it can be all too easy to develop a cavity and not know about it. However, there are a few signs to look for that may indicate that your teeth need a little extra attention from a professional. If you notice any of the following signs, be sure to call our office at Kruckman Family Dentistry and schedule your appointment today.

Cavities are never any fun to deal with, and they can cause quite a few problems when left untreated. They are defined as decayed areas of the teeth, and they are quite common! However, it is essential that you get a cavity filled immediately, as an untreated cavity can mean infection, toothaches, and even tooth loss if it worsens too much.

Bad Breath

Decaying in teeth is not all that different from decay in other things – it leaves behind an odor that is less than pleasant to deal with. When a cavity is ignored, bacteria begins to reproduce rapidly and leaves behind an unpleasant scent that brushing alone will likely be unable to take care of. If you begin to notice bad breath even though you take regular and thorough care of your teeth and tongue, you should definitely go to the dentist to see if there is a possibility of cavities.

You already went through the whole process of giving birth and taking care of your newborn, but a new challenge has popped up – your baby is teething! When do you need to take them to the dentist? What is healthy teething behavior and what isn’t? We at Kruckman Family Dentistry are here to help guide you through this transition period and help you find ways to keep your baby comfortable during their teething process.

When Your Baby is Feeling Discomfort

All babies feel some pain as their teeth grow in, but there are a few ways you can handle the teething process and provide some relief for your little one. For example, rubbing petroleum jelly around the lips and sore areas can provide relief. Invest in a frozen teething ring that does not have floating designs inside. That way, your child cannot chew through the ring and choke on the designs. In a pinch, a wet washcloth your baby can chew on may provide some relief. Some doctors recommend topical teething ointments, but always make sure to check with your doctor before purchasing one of these items.

Some other strategies include:

• Chilled carrots
• Breastfeeding
• Gum massaging
• Chamomile tea
• Applesauce
• Clove oil
• Vegetable juice pops

We all know how important brushing our teeth is to our oral health, but today we’d like to discuss something that many people tend to neglect for the sake of a quick bedtime or morning routine: flossing! Although you may have flossed before, you might not know the proper technique to use while flossing and what methods work best for keeping your teeth and gums clean and strong. Read on to learn more from the professionals at Kruckman Family Dentistry!

Why Does Flossing Matter?

Flossing each day (at least once) is a wonderful way to get rid of the plaque and food bits that tend to get trapped in between your teeth that brushing alone cannot get rid of. By flossing every day, you significantly reduce your chances of developing gum disease and other gum problems. You also help get rid of your bad breath!

Schedule Your Appointment Today!

How Do I Floss?

Follow these steps and tips in order to floss effectively each day:

1. Use a good dental floss. If you’ve ever gone through the dental hygiene section in a store, you probably have seen many different types of floss that you can choose from. There are waxed flosses, unwaxed, flavored, and unflavored. However, even with all of these choices, floss comes in two forms:
   • Nylon floss – This floss is made from several strands of nylon fabric, which makes it stringy and fairly easy to break apart. This floss can come in waxed and unwaxed.
   • PTFE floss – This floss is made from a single thread or strand. Because of how thin it is, it can easily glide between the tightest spaces.
   • Keep in mind that some choices work better for others. If you have wide gaps in between your teeth, then tape floss or super floss are a good choice. PTFE floss is also usually a little more expensive, but it’s less likely to shred, and a container of PTFE floss will last for a very long time.
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Welcome to Kruckman Family Dentistry! We are located in Waconia, but we are happy to serve the residents of Victoria, St. Bonifacius, Mayer, Norwood, and Cologne. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

You may have heard some of your closest friends and family tell you that they haven’t been to the dentist in years and that their teeth feel fine. While this may be the case, that doesn’t mean that their teeth are healthy or that you should also skip the dentist for years at a time. If you are curious how often you should go to the dentist, we are here to answer your question and tell you exactly why.

Set Standards

Decades ago, when men were examined as they entered the military, people began to realize that Americans had some pretty bad teeth. In fact, most dentists at the time were more focused on fixing problems than preventing them in the first place. After much discussion, the dental and health organizations decided that they needed to set some recommendations. They decided that going to the dentist twice per year for a cleaning and a checkup was best This would allow cavities and gum disease to be more easily prevented.

Is Twice per Year Enough?

For some people, yes. If you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, then you should have healthy teeth. However, some people with dental issues do not see them or feel them until it may be too late to repair the damage. They may end up needing dental surgery or tooth extraction.

In our previous blog post, How Does Tooth Extraction Work? Part 1, we discussed the basics behind the anesthesia process, the method of extraction, as well as what tools your dentist uses to remove a tooth. Today we would like to discuss how the dental surgery may feel, as well as potential things that can happen after the process. To learn more about our extraction process, feel free to call us today!

How will the extraction feel?

In order to make your dental surgery as painless as possible, we always administer anesthesia before removing a tooth. This helps to numb your mouth by blocking the nerve fibers that cause you to experience pain. However, they do not block the nerves that transmit feelings of pressure. This means that you can expect to feel pressure during the procedure, but you should not expect to feel any pain as a result.

What happens if I do experience pain?

First of all, be absolutely certain that what you are feeling is pain instead of pressure. If you are experiencing pain, let your dentist know so they can administer more anesthetic. Second, know that no matter how much anesthetic your dentist gives you, the feeling of pressure will not go away. It’s also important to note that extra amount of anesthesia will put you at a higher risk for complications and injury during the dental surgery.

If you are in need of dental surgery, we know how nervous you might be. However, when you come to the tooth extraction professionals in Waconia at Kruckman Family Dentistry, you can trust that you are in good hands. If you were wondering how dental surgery works, we are here to ease your concerns and walk you through the process. To be honest, tooth extraction always goes much more smoothly when the patient understands what is happening and cooperates to the best of their ability.

Patients who struggle with keeping still can experience a longer, difficult, and more drawn-out process. As long as you take the time to understand everything that is normal and abnormal in a tooth extraction procedure, you will be fully prepared to handle your extraction smoothly.

Numbing

The procedure begins by the dentist numbing your tooth and the gum and bone tissues surrounding it. This will be done by an injection. Some people report experiencing pain during this shot while others do not.

Extraction

Your tooth has a root that will not want to give when it comes to extraction. This root is encased in bone and is held in place by a ligament that binds the bone and your tooth together. In order to successfully remove the tooth, we will need to widen the socket and separate the root from its ligament. This is called “expanding,” which is done by rocking the tooth back and forth in its socket. Since the bone around your tooth’s root is spongy, the bone compresses and makes it easier for the socket to expand. After a little bit of work, your tooth will be loose and will come free!

Did you know that more than five million teeth are knocked out every year? Ouch! If this happens to you, it may seem like a terrible, end-of-the-world situation, but you can actually save your tooth and put it back without much of an issue, assuming that you take the proper course of action. Make sure to follow the instructions below, and immediately go to a dentist or endodontist! If you choose a dentist, come see us for dental surgery at Kruckman Family Dentistry.

1. Pick up the tooth from the surface you chew with. Your instinct may be to pick up the tooth from anywhere, but it’s extremely important that you hold it by the hard chewing surface, rather than the root. If you damage the root, you may not be able to put it back!
2. Clean the tooth if it is dirty with water. If you were playing tackle football outside and lost a tooth into the mud, you definitely want to clean it off. However, just gently rinse the tooth with water. Avoid scrubbing the tooth or using soap, and do not dry the tooth with a cloth or tissue.
3. Put the tooth back in the socket if you can. We know that this is easier said than done, but the sooner the tooth is put back in place, the more likely it is to be saved. In order to put it back in, gently push the tooth back into the socket with your fingers. If this does not work, put the tooth above the socket and gently bite down to press it back into place.
4. Keep the tooth moist! If the tooth cannot be put back in your mouth, it’s essential that it stays wet. Put it in one of the following to keep it moist:
   1. An emergency tooth preservation kit. These should be available at any drugstore.
   2. Milk
   3. Mouth – Keep it in between your cheek and gum line.

      *Note: Avoid putting the tooth in tap water to keep it wet! The root cells on the surface do not react well to water for long lengths of time.

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When it comes to playing contact sports, wearing your mouthguard is vital. Not only can it protect your teeth from damage, but it may even be able to help you prevent getting a concussion. As dentists in Waconia, we know how hard it can be to get your kids and teens to willingly wear a mouthguard. However, as long as you explain how important the mouthguard is to their oral safety, we hope that they will be a little more enthusiastic about plopping that plastic in their mouth before they hit the field.

Mouthguards Protect Your Teeth from Fracturing

Your teeth are bones, which means that they can break and crack! The primary function of a standard mouthguard is to protect the teeth from breaking. When you don’t protect your teeth, it can lead to:

• Crown fractures – These fractures occur on the visible part of the tooth. Your dentist can apply a filling on the tooth to replace the area that was fractured.
• Tooth fractures – When tooth fractures are severe, they can expose the dental pulp and cause extreme pain. The dentist can perform a root canal or pulpotomy, as well as a filling, to replace the parts of the tooth that need to be redone.
• Root fractures – The root of the tooth can fracture, and that usually means that the tooth will need to be removed. However, if the root fractures by the end of the tooth, it’s more likely that it can be saved.

If you’ve begun to notice stains on your teeth, you’re not alone! Many factors can lead to some of us losing a little of the pearly whiteness we cherish so much, including smoking, eating, drinking, aging, and certain medications. When you become self-conscious about your smile, it might be time to consider cosmetic dentistry! At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we are ready to whiten your smile and give you teeth that you can be proud of. If you want to learn more about how tooth whitening works, read on!

How Does Tooth Whitening Work?

As it turns out, whitening your teeth is a simple process! All whitening products contain one of two bleaches: Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These are both bleaches that work by breaking down stains into smaller pieces, concentrated pieces. This breaking up of stains will help to make your smile much brighter.

Does Whitening Work on Everyone’s Teeth?

Unfortunately, no. That’s why we encourage you to talk to Waconia’s professionals at Kruckman Family Dentistry about the best cosmetic dentistry choice for you and your teeth. Whiteners cannot correct all discoloration! Yellow teeth will likely bleach without any issues, but teeth with brown or gray tones may not see any improvement whatsoever. Also, if you have any caps, crowns, fillings, or veneers, whitening will not work. It’s also unlikely to work if you have discoloration due to any medications you have taken or a tooth injury.

We hear all sorts of rumors and myths about fluoride and its effect on teeth, but what’s the truth? Kruckman Family Dentistry is here to help you understand fluoride and how it impacts your family’s teeth and your own.

Fact: Fluoride naturally occurs in water, but it isn’t enough to protect your teeth. It’s true, fluoride exists in almost all water supplies! The good news is that there are several proven teeth benefits to having the right amount of fluoride in the water. In fact, in 2011, federal health officials officially recommended that all water have a new level of fluoride: 0.7 parts per million!

Fact: Fluoride is an important nutrient for healthy teeth. Fluoride isn’t a vitamin or medication by any means, but the right amount of this mineral in our drinking water has been shown to strengthen teeth.

Fact: Fluoride is the most cost-effective way to build healthy teeth and prevent decay. Studies have shown that, in most cities, every dollar invested in fluoridation actually saves about $38 in dental repair costs.

Fact: Fluoride-rich water is the number one way to protect everyone’s teeth from decaying. The combination of fluoridated water and toothpaste seems to be the perfect pair to keep teeth nice and healthy! In fact, many pediatricians and dentists will prescribe fluoride tablets to kids who live in non-fluoridated areas.

Have you ever found yourself in a hard situation, then quickly realized that you had been clenching your jaw? As common as this is, some people have a very hard time avoiding the clenching – especially while they sleep. This problem is called bruxism, and even if you haven’t heard of it before, we are sure you know a person or two who has a problem with grinding their teeth. Regardless of whether you’re the teeth-grinder or your partner is, it’s important to know what can happen should bruxism go untreated.

What Classifies as Bruxism?

Bruxism is a fairly broad term, and it applies to anyone who struggles with gnashing, grinding, clenching, or gritting of teeth. This can mean during the daylight hours under periods of stress or frustration, or it can mean in your sleep. This grinding can be caused by anything from high levels of stress to crooked teeth and an abnormal bite. We know it may not sound extremely serious, but researchers say that your cheek muscle that helps you chew, the masseter, can exert up to 600 pounds of force per square inch on your molars. This amount of pressure can cause some serious damage to your teeth!

Who Has Bruxism?

Bruxism is more common than you may think since the symptoms vary in their severity. Some people just clench infrequently while others end up seriously grinding their teeth. Unfortunately, about 10 percent of those who suffer from bruxism end up grinding their teeth so harshly that they reduce their teeth down to nubs and require dental surgery in order to repair the damage. Those people who suffer from bruxism may have long periods in their lives with no difficulty, as the symptoms can come and go during their lives. Others have bruxism as a side effect of another medication that causes jaw tension.

If you have kids, you know how hard it can be to get them to brush their teeth. Whether they are fighting back, just wetting the toothbrush to convince you that they actually brushed, or just smearing toothpaste in their teeth, kids know how to get out of brushing with surprising ease! However, you might be making some mistakes of your own while brushing your teeth that teach your children bad habits that won’t help their oral health. Check out the following mistakes you might be making:

Setting a Poor Example

Your children watch everything you do and want to be just like you! Brushing your teeth is no exception. However, we understand that you may not know if your child has poor brushing technique simply because you might not know if you have been brushing your teeth incorrectly. Be sure you are doing the following every time you brush:

• Brush twice a day for two minutes each time.
• Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use and up-and-down motion.
• Brush all tooth surfaces, your molars, and your tongue.

If you have been neglecting these techniques (which most people do!), then be sure to correct your own habits while also correcting your child’s.

You’re at the dentist and going through a routine cleaning when you hear the dreaded, “uh oh” come out of your dentist’s mouth. Whether it was your poor brushing habits, a time when you bit down wrong on a tooth, or whatever the reason, now you need dental surgery. If you’ve never undergone a dental procedure before with anesthesia, this may sound like a scary thing! However, we at Kruckman Family Dentistry in Waconia want you to be able to relax during your procedure, which is why we’d like to explain the different types of anesthesia in today’s blog post.

Not All Anesthesia is the Same

Whatever dental procedure you need to have is what will determine what sort of anesthesia or sedation you may need. Some of these anesthetics help control pain, others put you to sleep, and some just help you relax during the procedure. Depending on the procedure, your health, your allergies, and your anxiety level, you and your dentist will be able to discuss which method of pain relief and control might work best for you. As long as you go into your procedure knowing that each type is different, you can keep an open mind when it comes to which anesthesia choice is right for you.