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Keep up to date with our news, tips & tricks, and latest information!

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Stressed? It could be affecting your oral health! At Kruckman Family Dentistry in Waconia, we acknowledge that stress can impact more than just your mind. Contact our team to learn more about the profound effects of stress on your teeth and how you can improve your oral health through stress management.

Bruxism

Stress often leads to bruxism, a condition where you grind or clench your teeth involuntarily. This habit can cause excessive wear on the enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity, fractures, and even the potential for tooth loss.

Dietary Changes

Stress can influence dietary habits, leading to increased consumption of sugary or acidic foods and beverages. These choices can contribute to tooth decay and erosion.

Dry Mouth

Stress can reduce saliva production, leading to dry mouth. Saliva plays a crucial role in neutralizing acids preventing tooth decay. A lack of saliva can...

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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!

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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!

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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As you age, you might be asking yourself quite a few questions about your health. For example, why are you all of a sudden developing cavities when you haven’t had an issue with them in years? As we age, older adults enter a second round of cavity prone years. One common cause is dry mouth, although that is not a normal part of aging. Dry mouth is, however, a common side-effect of many medications (over 500 of them), including ones designed to help with asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain, anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s diseases. This is why it is crucial that you tell your dentist about any medications you may be taking. Your dentist will be able to make recommendations to solve dry mouth symptoms and prevent cavities from forming. Here are some common recommendations:

  • Find an over-the-counter oral moisturizer, like a spray or a mouthwash.
  • Talk to your doctor about your medication and the dosage to see if there are any alternatives.
  • Drink more water. You can always carry a water bottle with you, and drink from it even...
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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...
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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!

...

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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...
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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...
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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...

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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...

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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...
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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...
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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...
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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...
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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...

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We all get a little tense sometimes and feel our teeth beginning to clench. However, some people cannot control this clenching when it happens while they sleep. Bruxism, or clenching and grinding, is a common problem that can seriously affect your teeth if it happens often.

Why is Bruxism Bad?

When you grind your teeth during your sleep, you are doing so unconsciously. Unfortunately, this means that you may be using pressure anywhere from three to ten times more than what you use when you chew your food! Since you are sleeping and not eating, this means that your teeth are receiving the full force of your jaw without that little food buffer in between.

Complications

When you put this much pressure on your teeth night after night, it can damage the enamel and possibly expose the dentin in your teeth. This can cause anything from sensitivity, to tooth decay, to fractured teeth. In some severe cases, it can even lead to dental surgery.

Treatment

You may not know if you are grinding your...

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If you or your child recently got braces, you may have had the orthodontist stress to you the importance of brushing thoroughly and effectively. But, what is the best way to do that? The cosmetic dentistry professionals at Kruckman Family Dentistry are here with the answers:

Brush Like Normal

Believe it or not, your braces won’t change much of your brushing routine. You still need to use a soft-bristled toothbrush that should be replaced every three months or so. We also recommend that you continue to brush for two minutes at a time to make sure you reach all surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue. The hardest part about oral care with braces is flossing. We recommend taking your time and possibly using a floss threader to get underneath the wires.

If You Don’t Brush Correctly

Should you, for some reason, neglect to brush thoroughly while you have your braces, it is possible to develop one of the following issues:

  • Gingivitis – This is a gum disease that can result from poor brushing or flossing...
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Your teeth are strong and can usually do quite a bit of work! However, what happens when you bite down the wrong way and crack a tooth? Chipping a tooth is actually quite a common occurrence, but you may be wondering if you always need to go to the dentist when this happens. No worries, your premier Waconia dentist is here with the answers!

When the Tooth Chips

You may not feel any pain if your tooth chips or breaks, but you can often feel a sharp piece of your tooth with your tongue. If it’s a major chip, you will likely feel immediate pain. You will also feel intense pain if the nerve endings are exposed to the air, hot foods and drinks, or cold foods and drinks.

What to Do

If the tooth is cracked, but your pain level is low or comes and goes, schedule an appointment with us! If the tooth is broken and painful, come in for emergency treatment. Until you get to the dentist’s office:

  • Rinse your mouth with warm water.
  • Use a tea bag or gauze to stop any bleeding you may experience.
  • Apply an ice...
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Can Pregnancy Harm My Teeth?

Pregnancy creates a multitude of changes in a woman’s body, and unfortunately, her mouth is no exception. This is often due to the change in hormone levels, such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones can often change the way gum tissues respond to problems like plaque.

Can My Teeth Harm My Pregnancy?

Unfortunately, yes. There has been some research indicating that there may be a link between preterm, underweight babies and gingivitis in the mother. Bacteria from your gums can enter your bloodstream and make its way to your uterus. This can cause prostaglandins to be produced, which many think may cause premature labor.

When Should I Go To My Dentist?

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon, you should immediately make an appointment with a Waconia dentist who can help. If you can schedule a cleaning appointment within your first trimester, your dentist will be able to help you plan for your oral health for the duration of the pregnancy. If you should...

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When you take a stroll through the oral health aisle at your local store, what do you see? Toothpaste, dental floss, and toothbrushes are always present, and so is mouthwash. You always hear your dentist telling you to brush and floss, but you hardly ever hear him tell you to use mouthwash, too!

How Important is Mouthwash?

Mouthwash can be used for many reasons! Some are small, such as a quick breath freshener. Others are a bit more important, like controlling tooth decay and eliminating plaque. Not everyone needs mouthwash, but your Waconia dentist can recommend whether you should be using it or not.

Can Mouthwash Replace Brushing?

Mouthwash can never replace brushing! Brushing your teeth is crucial to eliminating the bits of plaque that can settle near your gums and help protect your teeth against harmful bacteria. Mouthwash is useful only when used after brushing and flossing to reach any spaces they may have missed.

Which Mouthwash is Right for Me?

The good news is, there are many different...

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“Root canal” sounds scary, especially when your dentist says you may need one! This is often because of the rumors that surround dental surgery procedures, like root canals. Today, Kruckman Family Dentistry is going to bust some of the myths you may have heard about root canals:

MYTH: Root Canals Are Painful

Root canals are made to relieve pain, not cause it! Most of the rumors about the pain accompanying a dental surgery like root canal often stem from an understanding of older technologies. Anesthesia has become very effective, and root canals are no more uncomfortable than getting a cavity filled for most patients.

MYTH: Root Canals Cause Illness

A discredited doctor, Dr. Price, first declared that root canals lead to illness. However, his research is a century-old and has been disproven! Root canals are designed to actually eliminate bacteria from the root and prevent further infection. Root canals prevent illnesses; they do not cause them.

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You may have a wonderful habit of brushing your teeth twice a day, but are you brushing your teeth correctly? As it turns out, brushing isn’t just about rubbing some toothpaste around your mouth for ten seconds before you rush out the door. To keep your smile clean and white, make sure you avoid the following most common brushing mistakes:

Take Your Time

Not only should you brush twice a day, but you should also spend two minutes brushing during each session. Two minutes can seem like a long time to brush, so feel free to listen to a song on your phone to pass the time.

Be Gentle

Make sure not to brush your teeth more than three times a day. This can wear down your enamel and even damage your gums. Also, be careful not to press too hard with your toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are a great choice because they allow you to just guide the bristles along your teeth. It does not take much to remove plaque, so be kind to your teeth.

Store Your Toothbrush Wisely

Most of us keep our toothbrushes in...

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Imagine you recently took a family photo. Everyone in the picture is grinning brightly, but you notice that your teeth look a little bit yellowed and stained. While photo editing can remove the evidence, you can’t hide your stains in real life. What causes these stains, how can you get rid of them, and how can you prevent them from ruining your smile in the future?

Stain Causes

The culprits of teeth stains are typically what you put into your mouth. Your enamel weakens over time, which makes it easier for stains to stick. So what foods should you be on the lookout for?

  • Tea: It’s common knowledge that coffee can stain your teeth, but it turns out that tea is an even bigger problem! Tea contains tannins that help stains stick to your teeth. However, the frequency is key. If you have three cups a day, you might be in trouble. One cup a week won’t have as much of an impact.
  • Wine: Both red and white wines are acidic and contain tannins. While white wine’s color won’t leave stains behind, the acid makes your teeth fair game to other...
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To maintain a clean, healthy mouth, constant vigilance is required. Nobody knows that better than Dr. Jalissa Kruckman, Waconia’s leading provider of general and cosmetic dentistry. At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we encourage our patients to brush, floss, and use mouthwash on a daily basis. Even so, we know there are times when caring for your teeth might take a backseat to other priorities. Here are some situations where you may be vulnerable to lapses in your dental care.

When You Go On A Trip

Going camping, on vacation, or out of town to visit with friends is a disruption of your routine, and as a result you may be tempted to neglect your teeth. At the bare minimum, a toothbrush and floss should be included in any travel bag. For some, having dedicated oral care supplies that are only used when traveling may keep you from leaving them behind.

When You Go To Sleep

If you’re tired at the end of a long day, the only thought on your mind may be your bed and how fast you can get...

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If your home has one or more teenagers, you face parenting challenges on a daily basis. Emotions run high, arguments erupt over the smallest of provocations, and bitter disputes over personal behavior and appearance can smolder for years. And while it is important to allow your teenagers to express their individuality and experiment with the way they represent themselves to the world, exceptions must be made when your child may be putting their health at risk. As a leader in family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and dental surgery across Waconia, Carver, and Victoria, Kruckman Family Dentistry would like to caution you against letting your teenager getting their tongue pierced. Here’s why.

Risk Of Infection

After the tongue is pierced, it requires up to a month to heal. During this time, pathogens have lots of...

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When it comes to maintaining a mouth full of healthy teeth, an understanding of the foods we eat is critical. We must be aware that substances like sugar have the ability to wear down our tooth enamel, paving the way for cavities and infection. To prevent such unfortunate circumstances from ever having a chance to develop, your Waconia dentist wants you to understand what foods contain sugar, including some that you might not expect.

Milk & Juice

You might not expect milk to be sweetened, but even a cup of skim contains 12 grams of sugar. Powdered milk is much worse, with 49 grams per cup. Juices such as grape, apple, and orange are obviously sweet, but don’t be fooled that it’s harmless “natural” sugar. Sugar in juice is highly concentrated, and if you read the label you’ll typically find as much as 25 to 35 grams per cup.

Yogurt

In general, yogurt is a great source of calcium (which your teeth love!), protein, and probiotics. But all yogurt available in the store is...

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As Waconia’s trusted dentist’s office, Kruckman Family Dentistry provides effective and gentle dental care for the whole family. In order to provide the very best dentistry for kids, we want to keep parents informed of what they can do to encourage dental health and hygiene at home. When used carefully, the Tooth Fairy is a great way to support your child’s oral hygiene. Here are a few tips from your Minnesota dentist.

Money For “Healthy Teeth”

Tell your child that the Tooth Fairy likes to see healthy teeth, and if they find one under the pillow, they will reward them with money. Now, unless you’re feeding your kid excessive amounts of soda and candy, you shouldn’t really be able to see signs of decay on a baby tooth. But you can always base your judgement of a “healthy tooth” on your child’s interest in brushing and keeping their teeth clean.

Don’t Give Too Much Money!

A dollar or...

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With the explosion in popularity of home teeth whitening products in recent years, one might reasonably wonder why anybody would ever go to have the procedure performed by a professional dentist. Kruckman Family Dentistry offers cosmetic dentistry services, including teeth whitening, to Waconia, MN and the surrounding areas. Here are just a couple of the reasons to have your teeth whitened at our modern dental facility.

Safety is the first and most important reason to have your teeth whitened by a professional. The whitening agents used to lighten the shade of your teeth contain harsh chemicals that result in damage to your gums and other tissues in your mouth. What’s more, overexposure to these chemicals can lead to chronic flashes of severe tooth pain. A professional cosmetic dentist like Dr. Jalissa Kruckman knows how to avoid these effects through careful use of whitening agents.

Effectiveness is another good reason to have Dr. Kruckman whiten your teeth. Because of the danger of the chemicals mentioned above, home whitening treatments are not as strong as what’s...

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At Kruckman Family Dentistry, we are committed to providing the residents of Waconia with the best care possible, every time. That means making sure our patients benefit not only from the most modern and effective dental care techniques and facilities, but also making sure their experience is as comfortable and pain free as possible.

People may need to have a tooth pulled for a number of different reasons. Young patients often have teeth extracted to make room for incoming adult teeth. Adolescents and young adults may need their wisdom teeth removed to avoid compaction. Others may have damaged or rotting teeth that cause them pain. Whatever the reason may be, if a tooth needs to come out, you can trust Kruckman Family Dentistry to do the job quickly and painlessly.

Dr. Jalissa Kruckman, DDS has a firm command of all the modern pain management techniques to help patients both before and after their dental surgery. She can perform the tooth extraction you need to clear the road to a healthy, happy mouth. While many people fear visiting the dentist in general and having...

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Kruckman Family Dentistry is committed to the oral health of Waconia, Minnesota. While we provide regular cleanings and other forms of preventative dentistry, our number one goal is to help our patients avoid dental problems through any means necessary. Cavities are one of the most common examples of a treatment that can be easily avoided with a little vigilance at home. Here are some tips to help you prevent cavities at home, making your next dentist’s office visit an easier one.

Brushing should go without saying, but unfortunately, there are still many people who do not take it seriously. Dedicate four minutes of your day to brushing – two in the morning when you wake up, and two in the evening before you go to bed. Brush using an up-and-down motion, never side-to-side. Sonic toothbrushes are even more effective at removing tartar and other substances.

Flossing should also be done on a regular basis in order to remove bits of food that has become wedged between your teeth and gums. While it is not necessary to floss twice a day, the more often you do it, the less...

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We are extremely proud to announce the new arrival of Kruckman Family Dentistry! Dr. Jalissa Kruckman, DDS has chosen to bring her family dental practice to Waconia, MN, and has had a modern facility custom-built to handle the dental needs of the area. Come and see what we have to offer!

For everything from regular cleanings to cavity filling to tooth extraction to orthodontics to root canal treatments, Jalissa Kruckman is the dentist who can help you to keep your smile clean, healthy, and happy! We also offer cosmetic dentistry services such as veneers and teeth whitening to help restore your teeth to their former beauty. Dr. Kruckman has the ability to treat all of her patients, both young and old, with special attention to making their time in the chair as comfortable and pain free as possible. Her training and experience have given her a command of the most modern and effective techniques for treatment of a wide array of dental issues. With affordable pricing, we are the ideal dentist’s...

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