Studies have estimated as many as 90% of Americans suffer some form of periodontal disease or oral infection. Most remain unaware they are carriers. Gradually though, the bacterial infection will become impossible to ignore. Unfortunately, by this point irreversible damage most likely will have occurred not only to your oral health, but also quite possibly to your overall health. Is this really true?

If you have an ongoing infection in your mouth, medical science indicates a much higher risk of incurring other serious health complications, such as heart disease, diabetes or pre-term births. What you thought was just “puffy, red gums” can lead to so much more! Certain individuals are much more susceptible to oral bacterial infections because of their genetic makeup. Are you one of them?

Oral DNA testing can be done painlessly and in only a matter of minutes during your next dental appointment at Point Family Dentistry. Regular professional dental cleanings and testing are important. They allow our qualified dental staff to recommend, if necessary, a precise treatment plan individual to your specific bacterial infection, thereby helping you preserve not only your oral health but also your overall health.

Residents of Minneapolis, bring to our periodontics experts any questions you may have regarding Oral DNA testing or any other dental concern. Your health is our priority!

Dentistry advice for Lakeville: do not bite actual bullets

Start the year off right by getting rid of those old silver fillings with the help of some quality dentistry in the Lakeville area! Granted, a visit to the dentist is likely not on your list of enjoyable things to do at the start of a new year. On the other hand, it is the perfect time to bite the bullet and bring your oral health back up to top condition.

This is especially true when it comes to replacing your old silver fillings. While amalgam fillings are cheap and durable, the controversy over their potentially negative health effects continues. On top of that, the alternative porcelain fillings are long lasting, great looking, and safe. Switching to a higher quality of care seems only reasonable when you remember that it is your health and the beauty of your smile that is at stake. And it doesn’t have to be an arduous task – we’ll help you book a fast, easy, convenient appointment that fits into your busy schedule.

Make this year one in which you finally decide to really take care of yourself, starting with your oral health. You can feel great, inside and out, with a healthy mouth and a radiant smile – all with the help of your professional in high quality dentistry in the Lakeville area. You need only make the call.

What would you like to change about the look of your teeth and facial appearance? Many patients explain that it’s the unsightly staining or discoloration of the teeth. Others relate how crooked, unevenly spaced, chipped, or even missing teeth also weigh heavily on their self-esteem, as do obvious facial wrinkles. Can you relate? If so, you will be thrilled to know that Dr. Isaacson and his team at Point Family Dentistry and Orthodontics can address all of those issues through options such as:

Smile design

Teeth whitening

Implants and porcelain veneers

Metal-free fillings and dental crowns

Dentures

Periodontics and laser dentistry

Juvederm and Botox

Has the fear of having dental work done held you back from doing something about your teeth? You can put those fears to rest through the amazing beneficial option of sedation therapy.

You do not have to be stuck with the smile that you were “born with.” At Point Family Dentistry and Orthodontics, we can work with you in creating the smile you long for and deserve. Dr. Isaacson, your cosmetic dentist for the Minneapolis area, can boost the way you look, the brilliance of your smile, and the way you feel about yourself each and every day.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium that is attached to the jawbone. It provides an anchor that holds a porcelain replacement tooth, or bridge, in its place.

If you have lost a tooth, does it matter if or when you replace the empty space with an implant? Yes. Once a tooth is lost, the bone that supported that tooth will normally begin to shrink. The neighboring teeth may also begin to shift, contributing to bite and jaw misalignment, TMJ disorder, and a crooked smile.

Because the implants are attached to the jawbone, it is beneficial to arrange for an implant soon after the loss of a tooth, while there is still adequate bone to which it can attach. This gives the greatest opportunity for the successful placement of an implant, along with keeping the bone healthy and intact. Furthermore, these dental implants help prevent the other teeth from shifting. They offer comfort, stability, restored food chewing ability, and result in a more natural appearance of your face.

Don’t forget about the emotional benefits of having a full set of teeth. Instead of worrying about people staring at your unsightly teeth and empty spaces, with the aid of dental implants you can relax, smile, and focus on more important things.

Dr. Isaacson and his team at Point Family Dentistry are proud to be caring for the dental needs of the residents in the area of Minneapolis. With dental implants and all other services provided, they’ll use their expertise and high quality craftsmanship for the benefit of you and your smile.

Contact your Minneapolis Dentist, Dr. Isaacson for options for tooth loss and information on Minneapolis Dental Implants today!

Dental Help Near Minneapolis--What causes TMJ?

It has been estimated that there could be over 10 million Americans affected by a TMJ disorder. Minneapolis has TMJ sufferers as well. Dr. Isaacson and his team at Point Family Dentistry can help pinpoint some of the factors that cause it, as well as provide relief for residents in the surrounding areas of Minneapolis. What are some of the main culprits that can cause a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder?

1. Trauma to the jaw- Impact causing dislocations or fractures to the facial bones or jaw can result in TMJ. Whiplash caused from car accidents or other injuries can also lead to this painful disorder.

2. Bad Posture- Holding the head forward while looking at a computer all day, or holding a phone between the head and shoulder for extended periods can cause muscle strain in the neck and face.

3. Teeth Grinding- Unknowingly carried out while sleeping, teeth grinding can wear the cartilage lining of the temporomandibular joint. Daytime teeth grinding can also occur due to increased pressure and stress.

4. Teeth misalignment or dental issues- Problems with the way teeth meet together when the mouth is closed, or dental problems causing an individual to eat on only one side of the jaw can also cause TMJ concerns.

Around 80% of those suffering from TMJ endure headaches or migraines, and some 40% complain of facial pain and discomfort. Relief from these conditions is available. In the surrounding areas of Minneapolis, people with TMJ are turning to Dr. Isaacson at Point Family Dentistry. Having healthy teeth and a pain free jaw = a happy, radiant smile.

Visit your Minneapolis Dentist Dr. Timothy Isaacson today for more information!

How do we do this? Our dedicated team at Point Family Dentistry makes it a priority to stay up-to-date with the latest in dental technology. It was a privilege therefore to participate November 13-14, 2011 in a hands-on training seminar regarding “Computer-Aided Occlusal Evaluation”, held in Las Vegas. How does this translate into something that actually benefits you?

First, understand this: The rest position for a jaw exists when your upper and lower teeth are not touching; there should be an air space of one or two millimeters between. This position permits opening and closing jaw muscles on both sides of your head to remain at a full resting length. Except for those minutes spent speaking, eating or swallowing, you should be able to maintain this position of true rest with ease.

Problems occur when the resting distance between the upper and lower teeth no longer hold at the one to two millimeter mark. This keeps your jaw muscles in a constant state of work, not rest – resulting in muscle fatigue, dysfunction or spasm. Numerous dental health issues can result.

At Point Family Dentistry, we’ve received a comprehensive understanding regarding how to best use the technology now available for diagnosing your particular TMD (TMJ) dysfunction and in selecting the best treatment course. The dental care of our Bloomington MN neighbors is of utmost importance to us, so please call today and share with us your dental concerns!

If you’re not thrilled about the color of your teeth, it’s always suggested whitening should precede any placement of porcelain veneers. Then the veneers will be color matched to your new preferred shade of white. If you attempt to do this in the reverse order, the story isn’t so simple.

Tooth whitening only works on natural teeth and won’t color affect your crowns, bridges, veneers or other dental work. This means if you take your natural teeth to a lighter, whiter shade and expect your veneers magically to match you’ll be disappointed. They will remain unchanged. What are your options in this situation? It may be a good time to update your dental work in order to receive a color shade more pleasing to you.

The American Dental Association warns that by applying whitening agents without the guidance of a dental professional you risk damaging both your teeth and gums. Dr. Isaacson can attest to this and wishes to save you from a whitening nightmare. If you’re considering teeth whitening, visit our Bloomington MN dental office today and have a successful whitening experience!

Point Family Dentistry Provides for Minneapolis Sports Enthusiasts!

Potential safety hazards occur when you combine the hard surfaces of ice, boards, speeding pucks, and collisions all into one fast game. Point Family Dentistry celebrates Minneapolis’ active spirit and is determined to do what they can to show this support.

There’s an expression: All’s fun and games ’til someone loses a…tooth. Losing a tooth or multiple teeth can have devastating consequences to one’s oral health and self-confidence. Though we’re very capable when it comes to restorative dentistry, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure always!

For this reason, as this year’s hockey season began gearing up, our Point Family Dentistry clinic was pleased to offer custom fit mouth guards free of charge for players of the Bloomington Amateur Hockey Association during the month of September. This was important to us after reading the statistics provided by the American Dental Association which reported, “more than 200,000 injuries are prevented each year” simply because of the use of mouth guards!

In days past, many hockey players had missing front teeth because of a failure to protect them. Today, comfortable mouth guards are readily available from our clinic to soften those blows!

Point Family Dentistry always keeps Minneapolis residents dental needs, including those of our sports enthusiasts, foremost in mind. Consult with us today!

Pucker up and kiss tooth decay goodbye!

What does our dental team in the Minneapolis area have to do with Superman and Kryptonite? Enamel (the protective coating on teeth) is the hardest substance in the human body. But just as Kryptonite weakened Superman’s strength in his comic book adventures, enamel too has a nemesis that can lower its defensive resistance and result in dental erosion.

The culprit is the acid found in the everyday acidic foods and drinks that we consume throughout the normal course of our lives. Various wines, along with vinegar-based salad dressings contain higher acid levels. Some pucker up and suck on lemons, perhaps in an attempt to whiten their teeth or to flavor beverages and foods, but many fruits and fruit juices also contain high citric acid levels. Interestingly, it is not just the “regular” but also the “diet” carbonated beverages that often contain both phosphoric and citric acid.

These acidic foods and drinks contribute to a lowering of the pH level in the mouth. This acid temporarily softens the enamel on the teeth. Prolonged exposure can thin the layer of enamel until there is no longer that important level protection for the teeth. This can lead to serious dental problems. Therefore, controlling what and when we eat/drink is vital in protecting teeth. Remember to cleanse your mouth by brushing after each meal and be aware of drinking highly acidic beverages in the middle of the day when the opportunity to clean your teeth may not be available.

Regular dental visits in the Minneapolis area are also essential as they provide a professional cleaning and early detection of any concerns with your oral health. Through technology, such as the use of a dental light, your dentist can see signs of dental erosion that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Though none of us may wear the blue tights, cape, and big “S” on our chest like Superman, we all encounter the “Kryptonite” that can weaken our teeth. Please contact us today, and allow our dental office nearby Minneapolis to help you have the healthy teeth and smile that a super hero deserves.

Call your Dentist in the Minneapolis area Before it’s Too Late!

You’re working away on your laptop when the calendar catches the corner of your eye. All at once it hits you that you have only got one month left to use the rest of your dental insurance for the year. You lunge for the phone to make an appointment with your dentist. Minneapolis area residents have all likely had a similar experience, at the very least now that you are reading this blog. The good news, however, is that you’ve still got some time left.

Whether it is that toothache that has just been getting worse, or that you have finally decided to do something about that snoring habit, you can count on a full range of services like Bridges and Crowns, TMJ treatment, and hygienic cleanings. Your dentist’s office will help you make the most of the funds available to you in your policy and prevent you from missing out on any important oral wellness opportunities.

Give yourself the gift of revitalized oral health and start the coming New Year off right. Make an appointment with your dentist in the Minneapolis area today!