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Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Causes of Tooth Decay

Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS wants patients to keep their permanent teeth for a lifetime, but depending on your dietary habits, this may or may not be an easy thing to do. Many different types of bacteria live on the teeth, and if these bacteria aren’t washed away through adequate brushing and flossing, tooth decay will occur. Tooth decay is the softening of tooth enamel and can cause damage to surrounding teeth.


Major causes of tooth decay include sugary beverages, foods that are heavy in carbohydrates and foods that stick to the teeth and provide no nutritional value to them. If your oral hygiene habits are poor, or if you suffer from dry mouth, these habits increase your risk of developing decay. If you notice symptoms of a cavity, such as pain or pressure in the teeth, contact Dr. Falsey immediately, as cavities are a form of tooth decay.


If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth decay, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

Monday, January 22, 2018

Winter Lip Care

Patients at Ross Orthodontics in Forest Lake and Hudson are accustomed to brutal winters. But still, undergoing orthodontic treatment makes it especially important to maintain lip care, which is why we want to provide some tips.


Cold air causes chapped lips because of its low moisture content. There’s not much we can do outside except keep our mouths tightly covered, but inside, we should try to keep the air as moist as possible by placing humidifiers in rooms where we have to spend a lot of time. Applying lip balm multiple times a day, including before bed, is a good idea if the wearer does not find menthol or other common ingredients irritating, so it is important to check the label and switch balms if the lips become red and swollen.


As is always the case, braces patients who find the insides of their mouths irritated by brackets should apply large amounts of dental wax. If a person suffers from dry mouth, it will probably be worse in the winter, so whatever is causing it is more urgent to address. Dry mouth makes chapping more likely, but it is a bad idea to use saliva to wet the lips because it evaporates very quickly. Also, avoid tucking the lips under the teeth, or they may cause the teeth to move further out of alignment.


To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.


 

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD)

If you have chronic pain in your mouth or jaw area and/or hear a clicking or popping sound when you chew, then you may want to discuss temporomandibular joint disorder with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS. Located on each side of the head, our temporomandibular joints work together when we chew, speak or swallow and include muscles and ligaments as well as the jaw bone. When these joints don’t work correctly, Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS may recommend fixing an uneven bite through orthodontic treatment.


TMJ/TMD symptoms include jaw joint pain, ear pain, muscle spasms in the face or neck, and/or difficulty chewing. If you are unable to open your jaw all the way, it’s time to discuss treatment options with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS. Depending on the individual case, treatment may only require a night guard or a mouth guard. TMJ can cause the teeth to grind which can lead to enamel wear and tear. It’s important to address the problem and seek treatment before it gets worse.


If you have questions or concerns regarding TMJ/TMD, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

Water Flossing With Orthodontics

A little floss goes a long way when it comes to oral health. Flossing is an important step to remove food particles that have been left behi...