Does the snow falling make you think of whiter teeth? Me neither! But, I do think about how white my teeth used to be. As we age, teeth tend to get darker. The enamel that protects our teeth wears down over time. Brushing, chewing and acidic drinks all contribute to the degradation of our enamel. With less enamel, the darker dentin underneath the enamel makes our teeth appear more yellow or gray. Smoking, certain medications and foods can stain our teeth, making them less white as well. You can make your teeth whiter with very little effort. The fastest way to whiten your teeth is Zoom! Whitening. Zoom! Whitening is done in-office under a special LED halide light, your teeth become noticeably whiter in 1 visit. A less expensive option to teeth whitening is custom whitening trays with professional strength whitening gel. Custom trays are made in-office and can be ready for you to take home by the end of your appointment. You will see a difference after using your … [Read more...]
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
A good candidate for dental implants is a non-smoker with good bone density and healthy gums. Dr. Bomstad can do a bone graft during the tooth extraction for patients who don't have sufficient bone density to maintain an implant. A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed in your jawbone. There are three parts to dental implants. The implant, abutment and crown. The implant itself is a threaded post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The abutment is a connector that screws onto the implant to hold the crown. Lastly, the crown. It sits on the abutment. Getting an implant takes several visits to the dental office and months to complete. Once the implant is placed it needs to heal before placing the abutment. It takes several months for bone to grow around the implant and for the mouth to heal. When it's time to place the abutment, an impression will be taken at that appointment and sent to the lab for your custom crown to be made. You will … [Read more...]
How to Prevent a Dry Socket
Dry sockets can occur after a tooth is extracted. It is a painful condition that can develop when a blood clot fails to form or dislodges before the wound heals. A blood clot serves as a barrier to protect the bone and nerve after a tooth is extracted. Dry sockets generally occur 1-3 days after the tooth is extracted and is more common with wisdom teeth removal. Although they aren't very common, occurring 2-5% of the time, dry socks are very painful. Dry sockets cause the socket to become painful and swollen, trapped food will make it feel worse. The pain spreads through the nerves into the side of the face as well. To prevent dry sockets avoid straws. The suction can dislodge the blood clot from your socket. Don't smoke! Smoking increases the risk of complications and slows healing. Eat soft foods. Eating soft foods the first day helps protect the blood clot, hard foods can dislodge the clot. Rinse with salt water. 24 hours after the extraction it is important to … [Read more...]
Please Welcome our Newest Hygienist, Kate!
Kate is our newest hygienist. She is a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota. Kate is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but has made her home in St. Louis Park. Kate has one sister, who also works in healthcare-clearly the kind and caring gene runs in the family! Kate loves spending time outdoors when the weather is nice. She enjoys picnics, walks, boating, and gardening. In the winter, Kate likes to curl up with a good book and a warm cup of tea. Kate is looking forward to meeting and building connections with the patients of Bomstad Dental. We are so excited to have Kate and her effervescent personality join our practice! … [Read more...]
Tooth Whitening
It might be a fashion faux pas to wear white after Labor Day, but white teeth never go out of style. Whitening products purchased in stores are ok, but are nothing compared to custom dental trays or the Zoom! tooth whitening system. We offer both whitening products at Bomstad Dental. Custom dental trays are the more affordable option and do a wonderful job whitening teeth. Your hygienist can make your custom trays at your next cleaning appointment (if scheduled in advance to allow enough time). The trays will fit your teeth perfectly, helping to keep the whitening gel in place. In my experience teeth really start to lighten after the first two treatments. Zoom! tooth whitening system gives you instant satisfaction. Your teeth become whiter over three to four 15 minute sessions done in one appiontment. Custom trays come with Zoom! whitening to help maintain your white smile after you leave the office. White teeth definitely help take the years off, giving a more … [Read more...]
Wisdom Teeth
I find wisdom teeth fascinating. They are a third set of molars we don't need anymore, some people have four while others have none. Why is there such a discrepancy from person to person? Our ancestors needed a third set of molars to aid in chewing, as their diets consisted of tough foods. For example; roots, nuts, leaves, uncooked meat, etc. According to Crest, 85% of people with wisdom teeth will need their wisdom teeth removed in their lifetime. Wisdom teeth are generally removed because there isn't room in modern day mouths to fit all 32 teeth. Other reasons wisdom teeth are removed; they tend to come in crooked and are hard to clean causing decay. But not everybody has wisdom teeth, as we evolve it is becoming more common to be missing at least one wisdom tooth. Approximately 1/3 of the population isn't born with a complete set of wisdom teeth. Certain demographics have an increased chance of not having all four wisdom teeth. 41% of Koreans, 38.4% of Bangladeshis, and … [Read more...]
Oral Cancer: What you Need to Know
Oral cancer accounts for about 3% off all cancers diagnosed in the U.S. every year, it is largely preventable. An oral cancer screening is performed at each of your hygiene visits. A thorough examination of your tissues, especially those most likely to develop oral cancer will be looked at. These tissues include: lips, cheeks, jaw, roof of the mouth, side and bottom of the tongue, and throat. Many types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) can lead to cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx (throat). There are vaccines available to prevent HPV. Other risk factors for oral cancer include tobacco and alcohol use. Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer: If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure to address the issue with Dr. Bomstad during your exam. … [Read more...]
Marijuana and Oral Health
Dr. Bomstad has been noticing a correlation between oral health and marijuana use. He has been seeing an increase in gum infections with no obvious aetiology in patients who normally have healthy mouths. These infections have been the topic of conversation at recent continuing education classes. It is not just Dr. Bomstad who is noticing, but the dental community at large. At this juncture, it is unclear if the smoke or canabis is responsible for the gingival enlargement, but it is believed to be the canabis. As more states legalize the use of marijuana, more research needs to be done on the effects it has on oral health. We do know smoking any substance can cause periodontal disease, so smoking marijuana is no different, but those who smoke marijuana seem to have more oral health problems than those who smoke tobacco. Another problem Dr. Bomstad is starting to encounter; patients think canabis use before their appointment will be helpful. The opposite is true. Canabis … [Read more...]
Dental Anxiety
Coping with dental anxiety can be very difficult. The reality is regular visits to the dentist prevent big problems in the future. Brushing and flossing at home can make a difference in the condition of your teeth, but professional cleanings by a hygienist are still necessary. If you don't get your teeth cleaned every 6 months, or as recommended, it can lead to fillings, crowns, root canals or even extractions! Many people are afraid they will be in pain at the dentist. I'm telling you, dentistry has come a long way! There is very little discomfort involved in dental procedures anymore. Numbing gel is placed in your mouth before injections to eliminate feeling the initial 'poke'. Dr. Bomstad uses a dental wand to administer injections, you can't even feel the anesthetic going in. There are also excellent pain medications that can be prescribed after the procedure. Managing pain is the easy part. Managing anxiety is a bit harder. Dr. Bomstad and his staff take plenty of time … [Read more...]
Do You Have What it Takes?
This summer Dr.Bomstad's daughter has spent time working in the office as a sterilization tech. She has been contemplating a career in dentistry, and this job has allowed her to see all facets of the office. Have you ever wondered what it takes to work in the dental field? To become a licensed dental assistant you must attend dental assisting school. Most programs are 12-18 months long. There are 15 dental assisting schools in Minnesota. A minimum GPA must be maintained and dental clinical observation hours must be completed. Once a student has completed dental assisting school, they have to pass 3 different examinations before being licensed. Onced licensed, a dental assistant may perform patient procedures; like taking x-rays or placing temporary crowns or dental sealants. There are 10 different dental hygiene programs in Minnesota. College classes in English and science are prerequisites for hygiene school, a competive GPA over a 3.0 is needed to get accepted. Some … [Read more...]
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