J. A. Anderson, Jr. DDS PC

Tooth pain and aches

admin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:19:59 +0000

One of the most common tooth issues, toothaches, have a wide variety of causes and treatments. Tooth, gum, and jaw pain are sometimes confused with each other, and without the help of a professional dentist they can be extremely hard to diagnose. However, in many cases where teeth are hurting or sensitive to temperature changes it can be a sign of one of these ailments:

Tooth decay: Cavities–caused by acids, sugars, and bacteria penetrating the enamel–will eventually reach past the enamel, causing either direct sensitivity of the nerve, or microcavities in the teeth that are sensitive to heat, cold, and different types of pressure.
New teeth coming in: When adult teeth or wisdom teeth are erupting through the gums, the inflammation associated with it can make teeth sore.
Fractured tooth: Biting down hard on anything harder than the tooth can cause an internal or external fracture or crack in a tooth. In some cases a chipped tooth may be extremely painful, other times it may not cause any pain at all. Depending on how the tooth is damaged, it will be more or less sensitive.
Losing a filling: Fillings may fall out or be knocked out, resulting in a previously filled and cleaned cavity being opened. Because this part of the tooth may be hard to clean, it generally will degrade faster than the rest of teeth due to buildup of food or acids.
Infection of the gums: If there’s inflammation, swelling, or other signs of infection, pain in the gums can sometimes feel like pain in the tooth. It is important to treat infections soon because they can quickly damage the mouth or spread beyond it.

Using a fluoride-based toothpaste to brush, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash are generally good ways to avoid degradation of the teeth and avoid tooth damage. Healthy gums are also crucial to maintaining good overall oral health, and preventing toothaches. There are many other causes of a toothache, and many will vary with regard to sensitivity to temperature, sensitivity to sweets, and pain when applying pressure.

If you have a toothache that lasts longer than a few days, or is painful, call the office of Dr. Jay Anderson at 701-775-3989.

Jay A Anderson Jr. DDS, PC‎
3425 South Washington Street
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 775-3989

Molars and Wisdom teeth

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:56:09 +0000

Normally found in four groups of three, molars are sometimes accompanied by up to four wisdom teeth, or extra molars. It is possible to have more than or less than four, but most often there is one wisdom tooth behind each row of molars. Wisdom teeth develop much later in life than other teeth, often becoming ‘impacted’ or coming in at an odd angle, which usually leads to them being removed. Around a third of adults will never develop wisdom teeth.

Typically, impacted wisdom teeth are categorized into a few commonly found forms:

Mesioangular impaction, where the tooth is angled forward, accounts for half of all impacted wisdom teeth.
Vertical impaction is also common, happening when a wisdom tooth does not fully erupt through the gum.
Distoangular impaction and Horizontal impaction are significantly more rare, being seen in only a small percentage of all wisdom teeth. These types of impaction are when the tooth is angled backwards or sideways, respectively.

Because of the abundant levels of bacteria in the mouth, it often leads to pericoronitis, an infection of the gum mostly occuring in young people. When a tooth partially erupts from the gum, it exposes a flap of tissue that can trap bacteria and lead to infection. Keeping up with oral hygiene is extra important while wisdom teeth are breaking through the gums.

Generally, wisdom teeth are extracted quickly and painlessly. For many people, wisdom teeth will threaten to be impacted and change the bite or position of other teeth, and are generally considered to be unneeded. Others may not have wisdom tooth problems, or may not grow the teeth at all.

If you or someone you know is having an issue with a wisdom tooth affecting dental work, teeth, or gums, call the office of Dr. Jay Anderson at 701-775-3989.

Dr Jay A Anderson DDS‎
3425 South Washington St
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 775-3989

Dental health and your diet

admin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:10:12 +0000

Keeping your teeth from becoming damaged requires basic dental upkeep, but there are many minerals and vitamins that affect your tooth and gum health too. In addition to flossing, brushing, and having regular dental checkups, your diet should be diverse enough to cover the usual nutritional needs of your teeth.

Vitamins A, C, and D are important to the health of your teeth, both for protecting and building them.
Vitamins A and D help to maintain and develop strong and healthy teeth. The antioxidant vitamin C helps to keep connective tissues and the gums healthy, helping the healing process of scapes or cuts in the mouth. Calcium is also important for the teeth, creating a strong jawbone and foundation for the teeth. In order to keep up your oral health, make certain that your diet has some sources of these vitamins, or foods that contain them.

The following is a list of common sources of vitamins A, C, and D:

Vitamin A: Find it in dark green vegetables, eggs, liver, and fortified dairy products. Also sweet potatoes, cheddar cheese, pumpkin, cantaloupe melon, apricot, and papaya.
Vitamin C: Find it in oranges, spinach, raspberries, gooseberries, plums, kale, garlic, and raw cabbage. Animal sources include raw liver, raw oysters, and cod roe. Vitamin C supplements are also an easy option.
Vitamin D: Find it in catfish, mackeral, tuna, eggs, and fish or vegetable vitamin D supplements. It is also added to many calcium supplements, as these vitamins are harder to find in common foods than vitamins C and A.
Calcium: Found in milk, soymilk (when calcium is added), nuts such as almonds, and sesame seeds. Because dairy is the most common calcium and vitamin D source, vegans or those who avoid dairy due to lactose intolerance may need to include blackstrap molasses, beans, figs, quinoa, collard greens, or okra.

Additionally, foods containing lots of sugar are generally not great for the teeth. Sticky substances like chocolates or caramels easily get stuck to tooth surfaces for extended periods of time, breaking down the tooth surface and causing cavities.

For additional information, or to schedule a consultation, call Dr. Jay Anderson at 701-775-3989.

Dr Jay A Anderson DDS‎
3425 South Washington St
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 775-3989

When Plaque becomes Tartar

admin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:34:45 +0000

On the surface of all your teeth there is actually a gigantic, harmless biosphere of different bacteria called a biofilm, or plaque. This biofilm is a diverse habitat of bacteria colonies, which are attracted to the smooth surface of the teeth. In contrast to virtually all other parts of the body, teeth do not shed to replace their cells, only shedding once as baby teeth. Around 25, 000 bacteria species may be present in the biofilm; it is speculated that the body allows plaque to build as a way of stopping large amounts of dangerous bacteria from building up on the same surface.

However, this biofilm does not stay harmless for very long. In the beginning, the biofilm is soft enough to scrape or brush off, but after around 10 days sitting on the teeth, plaque becomes calculus, or tartar. Tartar is more solid and hard to remove, and while plaque and tartar are on the teeth, different processes and reactions created by the bacteria result in acid that may cause cavities. Tooth decay is the primary danger of plaque and tartar sitting on the teeth.
Saliva is an ideal environment for bacterial growth, acting as a pH buffer and keeping the pH around 7. Nutrients are also present in saliva, giving the bacteria food. To help prevent cavities and the damage from plaque buildup, brushing your teeth is essential- saliva cannot penetrate the surface of the biofilm to reduce the acidity.

The following is a simple list of oral hygiene methods to reduce acid buildup, plaque, tartar, and cavities:

Brush your teeth (for plaque removal)
Floss
Cleaning your tongue
Gum hygiene
Foods containing beneficial nutrients, like calcium, fluoride, and phosphate.
Chewing sugar-free gum after eating.

Regular tooth cleanings and checkups will remove tartar and plaque buildup on a level more than you can at home. Receiving a dentist’s cleaning two times a year is recommended for sufficient removal of built up tartar. Recieving a fluoride treatment is a common dental treatment that will help strengthen your teeth.

Whether you think you have a cavity or want to ask about teeth cleanings, call Dr. Jay Anderson at 701-775-3989 today to schedule an appointment.

Dr Jay A Anderson DDS‎
3425 South Washington St
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 775-3989

Teeth grinding information

admin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:29:48 +0000

Teeth grinding, or Bruxism, is the clenching, grinding, or biting of your teeth. It can happen during the day or night, on purpose or more involuntarily. Commonly found in children, nighttime grinding and chewing on the teeth can cause sensitivity and wear on baby teeth; when adults grind their teeth, the damage is more serious. The causes of teeth grinding are unclear, but daily stress, sleeping habits, and tooth alignment can play a factor.

Grinding your teeth may produce the following symptoms:

Because it is harder to stop teeth grinding during sleep other issues may arise.
Symptoms can lead to temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ) after they affect the muscles and other structures around the jaw. Symptoms can also lead to worn down teeth, a misaligned bite, or any of a large list of jaw-related problems.

Treatments for teeth grinding seek to reduce pain, prevent damage to the teeth, and reduce the time spent grinding or clenching the teeth. Mouth guards or appliances, such as splints, are recommended for the prevention of permanent damage to the teeth.

If you have any of the symptoms of Bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching), call Dr. J. A. Anderson, Jr. at 701-775-3989 immediately and schedule an appointment. There are many options available to resolve the issue, both for prevention and repair. Mouthguards can aid in preventing nighttime tooth grinding, while surgery for crowns or bridges may be needed for teeth that have been severely damaged.

While you’re waiting for your appointment, immediate fixes to ease pain include cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, applying ice or warm water to relieve soreness, relaxing and avoiding stress, and warming your face (with a warm washcloth or steam) to relax the jaw muscles before sleeping.

Dr. Jay Anderson
3425 South Washington St.
Grand Forks ND 58201
(701)-775-3989

I Need Dental Care In Grand Forks And I Live Out Of Town

melissa — Mon, 30 May 2011 04:23:06 +0000

Certainly, not having the right type of dentist in your hometown can pose a challenge. What if you live in a remote area were somewhere in the country? Can you still get the kind of dental care that you need? This is a most significant question that we will explore in this next video. Take a look.

Fortunately, modern medicine has made a number of significant advances in the past few decades. As a result of this, for most conditions, a patient can come to a dental office and not require extensive follow-up treatments. This makes it possible, under normal circumstances, for people to get what ever kind of care they need, No matter where they live.

It does get a little complicated, if you need very specialized treatment, Particularly the kind of treatment that may require a number of visits. Still, things are not what they used to be and the technological advancements are so significant that all but the most difficult cases can be resolved. Sit down for a full consultation with your dentist, even if the consultation needs to happen by phone. Ask every question you need answered and don’t stop asking until you feel completely satisfied.
We believe that life is better with great teeth and that you deserve a great smile. To that end, we will do everything we can to help you get that.

All the best,

Dr. Jay Anderson “Life is Better with Great Teeth.”

Dr. Anderson is a leading dentist in the Grand Forks, ND area. Call his dental office at 701-775-3989 to schedule your appointment.

How Do I Tell If I Need Dental Gold Fillings?

melissa — Sun, 29 May 2011 23:35:53 +0000

Many people truly love gold fillings. Others simply don’t. What about you? Is there a time when you should spend that money and fill your mouth full of gold? In this video we will explore that very question. Take a look.

The reality of it is that there are many options when it comes to what you put into your mouth. The choices are extremely personal and where one person might want a gold filling, the next one might opt for a porcelain veneer. The first person to explore both the question and your options is yourself. What do you want? What would make you feel great?

With the wide variety of options from silver fillings to those made of gold, from porcelain veneers and perfectly matched crowns, you have many choices. Remember that your mouth is very personal to you and at the end of the day you are the person that has to live with it all the time. Carefully explore what your options are as well as your preferences and ask your dentist for their opinion as well. Good luck with your decision!

All the best,

Dr. Jay Anderson “Life is Better with Great Teeth.”

Dr. Anderson is a leading dentist in the Grand Forks, ND area. Call his dental office at 701-775-3989 to schedule your appointment.

Is My Dentist A Specialist?

melissa — Sun, 29 May 2011 23:32:24 +0000

By the very definition, the term specialist refers to a situation where the needs are beyond normal, or you have “special” needs and hence the need for a “specialist”. The challenge is figuring out the difference between normal or average dental care needs and those more rare instances when we actually require something beyond that. Watch this video now to help you better assess your personal situation.

One of the challenges that often surfaces when we require more than an average visit to the dentist is the intimidation factor. Many of us are afraid or stressed out about expressing a special need. This can also apply to something that we want such as a cosmetic change, a better smile or even something as simple as whiter teeth. How much more intimidating can it be if we need a complicated implant or to have our receding gums treated through oral surgery?

At the end of the day you deserve to have the best possible care for what ever your needs may be. In that regard, sometimes you may truly need a specialist who has a higher level of training than your average family dentist and you should never feel afraid to ask questions and figure out what will give you the best possible results. We hope you found this video helpful and that you always receive the best care for you, whether you need a specialist or not.

All the best,

Dr. Jay Anderson “Life is Better with Great Teeth.”

Dr. Anderson is a leading dentist in the Grand Forks, ND area. Call his dental office at 701-775-3989 to schedule your appointment.

Dentures Are Not Your Only Option

melissa — Sun, 29 May 2011 23:28:33 +0000

As we grow older, our bodies are naturally going to go through the process of aging with us. This includes our mouth, gums and teeth. We may begin to lose a tooth here and there. A very common question that we hear is, do I really need dentures?
Are they my only choice? Watch this short video for the answer to that question.

The aging process can be a little taxing on the mouth. Not only may we lose a tooth or two, we may have other challenges such as gum disease or receding gums. This may require the help and support of specialist to correct. What if you have brittle teeth? What if you have leakage from old fillings that can lead to cavities and even infections?

The good news is that there are many options and your dentist can explain your choices in detail to help you determine what is right for you. At the end of the day, being properly informed will help you make the best possible choice–and that is exactly what we want for you.

All the best,

Dr. Jay Anderson “Life is Better with Great Teeth.”

Dr. Anderson is a leading dentist in the Grand Forks, ND area. Call his dental office at (insert telephone number) to schedule your appointment.

Is My Dentist In Grand Forks Accepting New Patients

melissa — Sun, 29 May 2011 23:25:13 +0000

Have you ever made a phone call to a dentist’s office in search of treatment for yourself or a family member only to find out that the dentist was not accepting any patients? How can that be? Does that not seem absurd?

Well, funny or not, it happens all the time! Want to find out why? Watch this short video…

Although this may seem silly, dentists are often like medical doctors. Their practices fill up, you do not have the infrastructure to support additional patients and therefore tell their front office staff to stop the patient flow. Then, as openings begin to become more prevalent, they start accepting patients again. The more specialized the dentist is, the more often this happens. Dentists who practice sedation dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and other advanced surgical procedures are more likely to fall into this group.

This is generally because they are only able to see a small number of patients each day. It is important for you to know whether or not your dentist of choice is accepting new patients before you spend any time speaking with their office. We hope you found this video valuable and that you can find the right dentist for your needs.

Yours Truly,

Dr. Jay Anderson “Life is Better with Great Teeth.”

Dr. Anderson is a leading dentist in the Grand Forks, ND area. Call his dental office at 701-775-3989 to schedule your appointment.