The best beverages for your smile

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Cavities and periodontal disease are the two main threats to teeth and gums. While we know that cavities can form and be treated with fillings, it is best to avoid them in the first place. With the team at Broadway Family Dentistry in Minot, ND, you can rest easy knowing that you have the attention of our team and the knowledge about caring for your smile. Many patients who visit Drs. Stanley Hirst and Bethany Jensen have questions about their diet and how it affects their smile. This is especially true for many of the beverages our patients enjoy.

What are the best drinks for the teeth?

  • Water. Our bodies need water to stay hydrated, but water is also needed to maintain proper saliva production. It is a calorie-free, fat-free solution to thirst! City water also has added fluoride, which can strengthen teeth and protect against cavities. There is no added sugars or acids to worry about, making it appropriate for all ages.
  • Milk. Milk contains three ingredients well-known for supporting strong, healthy teeth. This includes calcium phosphorus and vitamin D. In addition to strengthening teeth, these ingredients also replace lost minerals. Caseins in milk also create a protective barrier for the teeth to keep acids from eating away at natural tooth enamel.
  • Unsweetened dairy alternatives. For those unable to tolerate dairy products but want to enjoy the benefits of milk, alternative dairy products such as soy, almond, and rice milk can be a great swap. Choose those that have added calcium to maintain strong teeth.

Request a visit with Broadway Family Dentistry today!

Taking care of your smile means more than just daily brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist. What you consume can also impact oral health. If you have questions about caring for your smile, the team at Broadway Family Dentistry is here to help! Drs. Stanley Hirst and Bethany Jensen work with you to provide the care you deserve and educate you on what is best (and worst!) for your teeth and gums. Call 701-839-1299 to request a consultation visit and initial evaluation with our team.

What to do about a gummy smile

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A beautiful smile is one that is bright, balanced, and well-aligned. But what if your otherwise perfect smile is being overshadowed by excess gums? Also known as a “gummy smile,” this imbalance can have a negative effect on the appearance of the smile as a whole. In situations such as this, the team at Broadway Family Dentistry of Minot, ND may suggest an aesthetic procedure known as gum recontouring. 

How does gum recontouring work? 

With gum recontouring, patients who have excess gum tissue that makes their teeth appear short or result in an imbalance in gum tissue versus teeth can find a solution! During this procedure, the dentist will remove some of the gum tissue which not only reduces the amount seen when a patient smiles, but helps in lengthening the appearance of the natural teeth instead. This can create the harmony patients desire for achieving a more attractive look to the teeth and gums. 

With gum recontouring, laser recontouring is the most desirable solution. This is because the soft tissue lasers can minimize the amount of bleeding and swelling and ensures faster recovery and healing. The laser light also allows for more precision shaping of the gum tissues around the teeth and allows for patients to look and feel their best sooner following the procedure. 

What can I expect with gum recontouring? 

The procedure is done right in our office under the care and attention of our trained and experienced staff. Drs. Stanley Hirst and Bethany Jensen provide sedation if needed, and offer anesthetics to ensure patients are comfortable from start to finish. Patients relax in the treatment chair as we remove gum tissue and restore balance to the teeth and gums for a less “gummy” smile than before. This is a fast, effective, and affordable way to enhance the appearance of the smile and help patients regain the self-confidence they need each and every day! 

Schedule a visit with the team at Broadway Family Dentistry 

If you reside in the Minot, ND area and want to speak with Drs. Stanley Hirst and Bethany Jensen about the benefits of treatments with our team, we welcome you to book a consultation appointment by calling (701) 839-1299. Broadway Family Dentistry is conveniently located at 1839 South Broadway Street and accepts new patients and families in the community and surrounding areas.

What are the wisdom teeth?

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During oral examinations at Broadway Family Dentistry, our dentists can evaluate a patient and determine the positioning of the wisdom teeth. The wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are teeth that have the potential to become problematic for many of our patients. The wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt through the gumline, and often make their appearance in the late teens or early adulthood. When they develop, they can either become impacted underneath the gums and cause extreme pain, or they can erupt and cause misalignment or increase the risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay. In many situations, Drs. Stanley Hirst and Bethany Jensen may recommend removal.

Why remove the wisdom teeth?

The wisdom teeth can become extremely troublesome if patients are not prepared for them. Patients who have had orthodontic work done to straighten their smile may want to ask their dentist about proactively extracting the wisdom teeth. This may be done to keep them from coming through the gumline and cause misalignment. Additionally, those who have their wisdom teeth in place may find them difficult to brush and floss because of their positioning. This can make them at a higher risk of developing cavities or periodontal disease. For many of our patients, removal of the wisdom teeth is often a recommended course of action.

How are wisdom teeth removed?

There are two ways in which the wisdom teeth can be extracted from the smile. Teeth that have come through the gumline may require simple extraction, which is fast and done quickly in the dental chair. However, if the teeth are impacted or have not come through the gumline yet, surgical extraction may be recommended. Surgical extraction is more invasive, but allows patients to be proactive in removing these teeth and keeping further issues from arising with time. Both procedures are done with proper sedation and anesthetics to ensure comfort.

Should I have my wisdom teeth extracted?

The best way to answer this question is to request a consultation appointment with Drs. Stanley Hirst and Bethany Jensen of Minot, North Dakota. Call (701) 839-1299 to speak to the front office team at Broadway Family Dentistry to schedule your visit and ask about this and other dental treatments available at 1839 South Broadway Street.

Gum Disease Minot, ND

4 Ways You Can Protect Your Mouth From Gum Disease

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Gum Disease Minot, NDGum disease begins with plaque build up and ends (if left to itself) with tooth decay. Fortunately there are several specific steps you can implement to help prevent gum disease.

What is gum disease?

First, let’s address what gum disease is. Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease and can destroy tissue, then eventually end in tooth loss. Gingivitis is a condition that typically begins before gum disease sets in. When gingivitis begins, the bacteria in plaque cause gum inflammation and easy bleeding. At this point, the gums may be irritated, but no bone or tissue damage has happened yet.

If left untreated, gingivitis will lead to periodontitis. At this point, the inner layer of bone and gum move away from the teeth, creating pockets. Debris and bacteria get stuck and lodge into these pockets, causing them to become infected. The toxins created by the bacteria as well as the body’s enzymes that fight infection, begin to break down the connective tissue and bone. This bone and tissue is required to keep the teeth in place. As periodontitis progresses, the teeth lose stability and tooth loss results.

How do I prevent gum disease?

Here are four suggestions to help you prevent gum disease.

  1. Stop smoking immediately: Tobacco products pose a significant threat to dental health. In fact, if you smoke you are seven times more likely to get gum disease than a non smoker.
  2. Cut the stress: Stress makes it hard for the human body to fight off infection (like the bacteria found with gum disease). To ease your stress level, try exercising, meditation, counseling, or changing your diet to include healthier foods.
  3. Maintain a proper diet: Good nutrition is a great starting point in preventing gum disease or other bodily ills. Eat foods containing antioxidants, vitamin E and vitamin C. All of these can assist the body in fixing damaged tissue.
  4. Stop grinding or clenching your teeth: The excessive force created in the mouth when clenching or grinding can contribute to tissue breakdown in the mouth.

Arrange an appointment

For more information about how to prevent gum disease, contact Broadway Family Dentistry today.  You can reach our office at (701) 839-1299. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy and happy smile.