Blog

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

Perhaps it is because we’re an office full of moms…? Whatever the reason, we are extremely passionate about kids’ dental health and creating trusting relationship between children and their dental care providers from the very FIRST experience. We proudly join The American Dental Association in celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month every February. Here is […]

A Wonderful Year In Review

Seasons greetings to the best patients in town! We are taking the opportunity to reflect on what has ended up being one of our BIGGEST years yet. As we look back on 2018, we realize there are so many accomplishments and milestones that we are proud of and excited about. We thought we would share a […]

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

What is Oral Cancer? Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage to surrounding tissue. In the simplest terms, oral cancer is any cancer of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses and pharynx. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, nearly 49,750 Americans will […]

Two is good. Four is Better.

At Northstar Family Dental, our philosophy is preventative care. It is much easier to prevent gum disease and other common oral health issues than it is to treat them. Plaque and bacteria, which are a leading cause of gum disease and tooth loss, can rebuild in as little as 90 days! Which is long before the traditional six-month cleaning […]

The Facts on Fluoride

If you’re a Northstar Family Dental patient, you have probably been offered a fluoride treatment during one of your routine visits. We’re often asked about the benefits, restrictions after treatment and the myths about negative effects of fluoride. So we thought we would answer the questions that we hear the most all right here! Fact […]

Halloween Doesn’t Have to be a Nightmare for Your Kids’ Teeth

It’s that time of year again and we’re here to reassure you that Halloween treats – in moderation – are nothing to worry about. In fact this fun holiday can even present an opportunity to teach your children about good oral health habits. Our top tips for a successful Halloween season: Moderation. Once your child […]

Why Your Child’s First Dental Visit is So Important

“Amazing experience with my anxious 7 year old son. Friendly and accommodating staff and a superbly clean office. Awesome list of “comfort” items helped ease my sons fears (he thinks watching TV while getting dental work done is the best thing ever!) This is the third dentist we have been to with him, and as […]

Is Botox, Juvederm or Radiesse right for you?

Are you unhappy with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? Consider BOTOX® Cosmetic, the only FDA approved treatment to temporarily improve both moderate to severe frown lines between the brows and fine lines around the eyes (commonly referred to as “crows feet”) in adults. This simple, yet effective, treatment typically takes only about 10 minutes to complete […]

Why the need for Dental Implants?

Despite continuous advancements in dental technology and improvements in oral health, millions of Americans still struggle with tooth loss. This is typically the result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, or injury. For many years, bridges and dentures were the only treatment options for people suffering from tooth loss. Not anymore. Today, oral surgeons can offer a different […]

Why is My Tooth Sensitive?

Tooth sensitivity, tooth pain, biting pain, gum pain — they are all uncomfortable, annoying, and scary occurrences…  A sensation in your tooth can be cause by a multitude of things, ranging from gum recession and root exposure, to sinus pressure, to tooth decay and infection. Causes of Tooth Sensitivity: 1. “Idiopathic Hypersensitivity” A tooth may […]

Thinking About Having a Baby, or Recently Pregnant?

When you’re planning a family, visiting the dentist may not be at the top of your priority list.  However, if you’re thinking about having a baby or are recently pregnant, a dental cleaning and check-up is best done sooner rather than later. Good oral health is a component of good overall health, both for you […]

Our Philosophy

Our philosophy at Northstar Family Dental is simple:  We strive to provide high quality, comfortable, comprehensive care with a strong focus on prevention and education.  Overall, we treat each patient as an individual, keeping their own goals, concerns and personal philosophies in mind.  I want to break down each part of our philosophy, in order to describe in […]

Is Sleep Apnea Affecting Your Quality of Life?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) affects millions of adults in the U.S. — an estimated 1 in 5 Americans— yet studies show that up to 80% of these cases are undetected. OSA is caused by obstruction of the airway that occurs when the jaw falls back during sleep, collapsing the airway.  As a reaction, the brain is triggered, causing […]

Cleft Lip & Palate Facts

What’s a Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate? Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects — they happen when a baby is developing. Cleft lip is a split in the upper lip — either one or two sides of the lip — creating a wider opening into the nose. Cleft Palate is a split in the roof of […]

3 Warning Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, the last teeth in the mouth to break through the gums and located furthest back in the mouth, usually begin to form in pre-teen years. By late teen years, the these teeth will begin to erupt into the oral cavity… if there is room. More often than not, our mouths lack the adequate […]

Banish Bad Breath!

What Causes Bad Breath Bacteria. And bacteria’s food is your food. Therefore, to avoid bad breath, the most important habit to maintain is to keep your mouth clean — brush, floss, rinse, and even use a tongue scraper. If you clean away their food, the bacteria can’t proliferate and bad breath is tamed. Cavities and periodontal […]

Invisalign Experience

Ever wondered what Invisalign is like from a patient’s perspective? Watch the video below to hear our patient’s first-hand account. Ashley details what she liked about the treatment, the difficulties she faced, and her overall experience with our team. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/RznFnHnRC_0

Top 10 Dental Tips

No dental insurance? No problem!

Dental treatment doesn’t have to cost a fortune, even if you don’t have dental insurance coverage. We don’t want you to avoid or delay treatment due to cost, which is why we offer a great in-house dental savings plan. For a membership fee of $279 (single membership. Dual and family memberships also available for an […]

Sedation Dentistry

For many people, visiting the dentist can be difficult due to anxiety, stress, or discomfort sitting for long periods of time. At Northstar Family Dental, your comfort is our priority, which is why we offer sedation dentistry as a way for people to completely relax during their visit. We offer three forms of sedation; Nitrous Oxide […]

Bruxism – Tooth Grinding

Does your spouse complain about the strange noises you make at night?  Do you wake up still tired, with a sore jaw?  Do you suffer from tension headaches?  Do your teeth always seem to be chipping and breaking?  You may be suffering from bruxism, or tooth grinding. Studies have shown that up to 1/3 of […]

Natural Dental Products

I am so excited to introduce 2 new products into our office: Dental Herb Co.’s Tooth & Gums Tonic and Tooth & Gums Paste. I learned of these products in a seminar and Dental Herb Co. was kind enough to send me a patient kit, which I passed along to a someone that I hoped it would benefit. Honestly, […]

All About Invisalign

Could Invisalign Work for Me? Yes! Invisalign is a predictable orthodontic treatment method that could be of benefit to almost everyone. Potential cases include: Orthodontic relapse.  For example, if you stopped wearing your retainer, causing your teeth to shift out of alignment. Crowded teeth Spaced teeth Bite discrepancies, including overbites and underbites To align teeth in preparation […]

Acid Attack! Acid Erosion and Teeth

Could you be causing irreversible harm to your teeth every day? Many of the foods and drinks we consume daily are acidic. In addition, health conditions such as GERD (acid reflux) and eating disorders subject one’s teeth to damaging acids.  Did you ever do that “science experiment” as a child when you put a dirty penny in Coca […]

Tips for Parents: Brushing

Let’s be real…  It is HARD to get kids to brush their teeth!  Children generally do not consider brushing enjoyable, or even a priority.  They would rather be watching cartoons, playing outside, playing with toys…  Below are tips that will help you to incorporate regular toothbrushing into your young child’s life. 1.  Have a proper introduction […]

Dental X-Rays and Radiation Exposure

Once a year, your friendly dental hygienist cheerfully exclaims that it is time to update your x-rays.  Yayyy, you think……Ok, probably not.  We know that these x-rays take extra time out of your appointment, they are generally uncomfortable, and yes, they expose you to a small dose of radiation.  However, they are of a great benefit […]

My Favorite Dental Products

Here is your glimpse inside my medicine cabinet. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite at-home dental products for your enjoyment. I know it can be hard to choose the right products when the aisle at the store seems endless, but keep in mind that what works for me may not be right for you. […]

Laser Treatment: Cold Sores & Canker Sores

Chances are, you or someone you know suffers from oral cold sores or canker sores. An estimated 57% of the population suffers from “cold sores,” (AKA oral herpes simplex), while an estimated 10% of the population has “canker sores.”  Today I want to discuss how these painful and stubborn mouth sores can be treated by us with our […]

Tooth Whitening FAQ

Who doesn’t want a white, bright smile?  Since tooth whitening has become so popular, I wanted to share some important information on who should bleach, how and when to do it, what to expect, and different products that can be incorporated into your whitening protocol Contraindications to Whitening Being too young.  “Young” teeth have larger nerve […]

What is a Root Canal?

It’s always difficult for me to tell a patient they need a root canal, because I always anticipate them to cringe.  For whatever reason, root canals have a bad reputation, but they are truly a comfortable procedure.  In addition, they  have little to no recovery time, and they save a tooth!! Why may your tooth […]