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Saturday, March 31, 2018

Bad Habits for Teeth

Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS wants patients to realize that teeth are a prized possession. Think about it. If you didn’t have teeth you wouldn’t be able to speak or eat the foods you love. You should never take your teeth for granted, as they could chip, crack, or fracture if you aren’t careful. Teeth may become sensitive if you are practicing bad oral habits such as these.



  • You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.

  • You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will leave you in pain.

  • You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.

  • You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.


If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontics, 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.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Braces Pain

Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS has transformed many smiles using braces.  Braces are a great way to straighten teeth but they are long process and there is some pain and discomfort along the way.  Patients with braces often feel a little discomfort after their wires have been tightened, and patients with new braces usually experience some uncomfortable chafing as their mouth gets used to braces.  These are both normal occurrences and you can ease the pain while getting to your perfect smile!  


With a new set of braces, the insides of cheeks and lips will rub against the brackets and wires.  The soft tissue will toughen as your mouth gets accustomed to the braces, but at first it can create sore spots.  Dental wax is a great defense against this.  Just a small piece can cover the edge of a bracket and relieve any chafing.  After a set of braces is tightened a patient will also feel some pain and soreness.  The patient should eat soft foods right after a tightening if they are experiencing discomfort.  If the pain continues, over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil and Motrin are helpful.  Please still contact the office if you experience any extreme or long-lasting discomfort.


To learn more about braces and all the services we provide, 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.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Caring for Invisalign

Invisalign is a clear aligner system that straightens teeth without the metallic look of traditional braces. Another perk of clear aligners is that they require less maintenance and don’t prevent you from eating any particular foods.  Although you won’t have to make too many changes, there are still guidelines you should follow to wear and care for your aligners.  You should remove Invisalign each time you eat, but if you do eat anything while wearing the aligners make sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards. It is also best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.  Ideally when wearing clear aligners, you would only drink water. Colorful drinks can stain the aligners and too many hot drinks can eventually warp the plastic.  If you do drink anything other than water while wearing the aligners you should rinse them with warm water afterwards. 


Cleaning the clear aligners regularly is important for your teeth and straightening treatment.  Clear aligners can become discolored over time without losing their effectiveness, but the color can show on your own teeth and continue to darken.  Invisalign offers its own brand of cleaning solution, and there are several soaking solutions available over the counter, but brushing the aligners is also a sufficient cleaning option.  Do not use toothpaste to brush the aligners because subtle abrasive properties of toothpaste could harm the aligner.  It is best to use mild dish soap and a soft bristle brush to clean the aligners each time you brush your teeth.


To learn more about Invisalign and all the services we provide, 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.

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Tooth Sensitivity

If you are one of the 40 million adults who suffer from sensitive teeth, it’s time to seek the help of Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS. Orthodontic appliances such as traditional braces or Invisalign clear aligner trays can cause sensitive teeth, but the primary culprit is usually a lack of oral care habits. If your teeth and gums wince when you eat hot or cold food and beverages, schedule an appointment, today.


Once, Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS diagnoses the cause of your sensitive teeth, he can begin to get the situation under control. When teeth become sensitive, it’s usually because some of the enamel has worn away. Though enamel can’t be replaced, the tooth can be repaired and restored to function normally. Tooth sensitivity can be reduced by using desensitizing toothpaste, having Dr. Ross apply dental sealants, and decreasing your acidic intake.


If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth sensitivity, 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.

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

If you’ve ever seen someone open a beer bottle with his or her teeth, or you are guilty of opening packages with yours, it’s time to report and stop these bad oral habits, immediately. Using your teeth as tools do more harm to them than good because you risk cracking the enamel, cutting your gum, and damaging the tooth overall. Many people damage their teeth by using them inappropriately, Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS does not want you to fall victim.


Bad habits like chewing on pens and pencils, using them to open packages, and biting your nails can leave cracks in the teeth, may cause them to fracture, and will damage them in the long run. Though your teeth serve many purposes, you should only be using them to chew your food and speak properly. It’s important to protect them and care for them by brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and visiting us for routine cleanings.


If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, 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.

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