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...]
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...]
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...]
You Teeth Are NOT Tools!
It cannot be stressed enough, taking care of your teeth is one of the most important things you can do to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Most of us know brushing, flossing and regular check-ups at the dentist's office are crucial, but did you know it's equally important not to use your teeth as tools. It's hard to resist the urge to quickly tear or break something open, but you should take the time to get a scissors. Using your teeth compromises the tooth structure and can break your teeth. If you look at an older person who has used their front teeth as tools their entire life, they have fractures everywhere, like old porcelain dishes. A fractured tooth can usually be fixed with fillings or crowns, but a restored tooth is NEVER as strong as the original tooth. It is so important to take care of your teeth. Implants, dentures, restorations are not the real thing, so the next time you want to rip open the popsicle wrapper with your teeth, take the time to get a scissors! … [Read more...]
Receding Gums
You may notice the gap between your teeth is slightly changing, or you've started to get a lot of food stuck in your teeth. This is due to receding gums and it's a bigger problem than you may initially think. When gums recede the tissue surrounding the tooth disappears, exposing more and more tooth structure, eventually exposing the tooth's root. The bone holding the tooth becomes compromised, your tooth becomes loose and could eventually fall out. What can you do to prevent this from happening? Regular check ups at the dentist help. Each appointment your hygienist is checking for pockets that can form around your tooth at the gumline. These pockets hold bacteria which destroys the gum tissue and the supporting bone that holds your teeth in place. The pockets of bacteria are what we call periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the number one reason for gum recession. Other causes for gum recession include; aggressive tooth brushing, insufficient dental care, hormonal … [Read more...]
Sleigh Rides
If you're looking for something fun this winter, go on a sleigh ride. Earlier this winter we were looking for a way to get together with family and I stumbled across Bunker Park Stable. We went right before Christmas. Our sleigh ride became a wagon ride due to lack of snow, but it was still a ton of fun! Their wagons/sleighs can accommodate up to 14 people, but they can send out multiple wagons/sleighs if needed. There were Covid-19 restrictions when we were there. Only 3 households and a maximum of 15 people could gather together, so make sure to ask about restrictions before booking. The stable also offers pony, trail rides and bonfires. Our wagon ride lasted about an hour. Our driver was very informative and kind. The trail we traveled on was beautiful. It felt like we were up north, not in Andover. You may even see deer, we did! After our wagon ride, we reserved a bonfire site. They had the fire lit and ready for us when we returned from our wagon ride. I brought … [Read more...]
Gingerbread Houses!
We wanted to make things feel as normal as possible at home, so we did plenty of holiday baking and that included making our annual gingerbread house! Our daughter takes charge of the house every year and I'm so grateful she still loves to participate. I'll include a recipe for a homemade gingerbread house HERE, but we chose to pick up a kit at Target this year. If you're looking for the easy way out, this is the best kit I've seen. The decorations are adorable and there is even a brace to help hold the roof together while it dries, making this kit unique to ones we have purchased in the past. I suggest decorating the side walls before standing them up. This keeps the icing from running and the candies in place. Once the icing has set, the walls can be assembled. If you end up with a kit that comes with a roof brace, you will want to wait on decorating the roof until it has been securely put in place. We made the mistake of decorating the roof before it was assembled which … [Read more...]
‘Tis the Season for Holiday Lights!
It has been way too long since I have posted, I will definitely blame it on the pandemic! The holidays, and a new vaccine, have renewed my hope and certainly my motivation. Here goes my first blog in 8 MONTHS! It was important to me to keep the spirit of the season, but what was that going to look like this year? I knew I was going to have to get creative, as so many of the things we enjoy during the holidays have been put on hold this year. What could we do that involves social distancing and keep us safe? For our first adventure of the season, we went to a drive-thru light display. I decided we would check out The Winery at Sovereign Estate, located in Waconia. I wasn't sure what to expect, but all-in-all it was a wonderful time! We went on a Saturday night; they do offer discounts on Tuesdays and children under 5 are always free. It was busy, but when we parked to walk around it didn't feel crowded at all. The gift shop is still open, the number of guests allowed inside … [Read more...]
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