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2233 North Hamline Ave.
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Roseville, MN 55113 (651) 636-0655

  • Personal Care Dentistry in Roseville, Minnesota

    Personal Care Dentistry was founded back in 1977 by Dr Walter Hunt, with a vision to create a different kind of dentist. Focusing on providing the same level of care he would want his own family to receive, Dr Hunt and his first three employees worked tirelessly to build the practice into what it is today.

    Things have changed a lot since the 70’s; our team has grown, technology has improved, and the world of dentistry has come a long way, but we’re proud to have held onto our roots. Personal Care Dentistry is operated like a family business, and all of our patients feel the difference compared to other practices.

    What Do We Do?

    Our expert team of dentists can provide a wide variety of different dental services. We can offer regular checkups to ensure that your teeth stay healthy, along with providing you with a range of cosmetic and hygiene-based services which don’t fall into your regular appointments. You can find some of the different services we offer below.

    • Teeth Whitening: It can be hard to feel confident when you aren’t happy with the color of your teeth. Teeth whitening can solve this, and our Roseville, Minnesota clinic has all of the tools required for this sort of treatment.
    • Dental Crowns: Crowns involve adding a small amount of filling material to the tops of your teeth, filling up gaps created by damage to your teeth, while also helping to protect against further damage in the future.
    • Veneers: In some cases, teeth won’t be in bad enough shape to warrant having them removed, but will still need work done to make them look better. Veneers sit on top of your teeth, covering them in a material which looks exactly like normal teeth.
    • White Fillings: In the past, fillings used to be extremely obvious, and a lot of people didn’t like to have them. White fillings can solve this problem, matching the color of your teeth while filling the gaps and cavities in them.
    • Periodontal Care: Scaling & polishing and Root Planing are both excellent ways to clean your teeth and prevent gum disease. We can offer both of these treatments, while also giving you help advice to keep your gums healthy in the future.
    • Dental Bridges: Dental Bridges are designed to replace missing teeth, using the adjacent teeth to support a false tooth. Not only will this repair your smile, but it will also help to prevent further tooth loss.

    Getting the dental help you need can be a challenging process. Our Roseville, Minnesota clinic is filled with expert dentists, all with a passion for keeping their patients healthy. Not all of the procedures we offer are designed to fix health problems, with some being purely cosmetic. Having the option to choose from both sides of the dental market in one place can be a huge benefit, though, especially when you’re unsure about the health implications of the treatments you choose. We’ll never do anything to your teeth which will damage or leave them unhealthy.

  • Tips to A Fresher Morning Breath

    Do you often wake up with breath that can clear a room? If you’re tired of bad breath in the morning – technically known as “halitosis” – we have six tips that can help you nip the problem in the (taste) buds!

    Reduce the caffeine.

    Caffeine inhibits the production of saliva, and saliva is the body’s natural method of cleaning your mouth. That means that caffeine-laden coffee, black teas, and energy drinks can dry out your mouth and allow oral bacteria to flourish. That leads to halitosis, since oral bacteria are the main culprit of bad breath. If you do need that jolt of caffeine in the morning, be sure to keep your mouth moist with lots of glasses of water to counteract the effects of the caffeine. 

    Quit the habit.

    Cigarettes are double trouble for your oral health. Not only do they stain your teeth, but they are purveyors of bad breath. The combination of chemical additives in the cigarette, along with the particles of smoke that stick to your throat and lungs, leaves your breath stale (and puts you at risk for lung cancer). Chewing tobacco is even worse for your breath. 

    Eat breakfast.

    Skip the cigarettes and caffeine – but be sure to sit down for a nutritious breakfast every morning. It doesn’t have to be complicated. An apple is great because of its water content and crunchiness. The combination helps eliminate bacteria that cause odors. Eggs or yogurt are also good choices because they boost the production of saliva and provide you with calcium and Vitamin D.

    Be more effective when you floss and brush.

    Even if time is tight in the morning, don’t rush your dental routine. Particles of food stuck in your mouth, gingivitis and oral bacteria can all contribute to bad breath and even more serious oral health issues. If you want to give yourself an even deeper cleaning than just brushing and flossing, you might add a tongue scraper to your morning routine along with gargling with a non-alcoholic mouthwash (alcohol dries out your mouth). And if you are really tight on time, be sure you have a travel toothbrush, tube of toothpaste, and floss at your workplace or in your car. 

    Pay attention to your sleeping habits.

    How you breath when you sleep could be a contributor to your bad breath in the morning. If you breathe through your mouth when you sleep, you’ll dry out your mouth and the lack of saliva will give halitosis-causing oral bacteria a boost. If your situation is severe, your dentist my recommend surgery. If it isn’t that severe, try having a glass of water, a throat lozenge, or a humidifier handy when you go to bed to keep your mouth moist and your breath fresh. 

    See your dentist.

    If you try the first five tips on our list and you’re still waking up with bad breath, then be sure to make an appointment to see your dentist. Your persistent morning halitosis may indicate that something more serious is going on with your oral health. It could be a cavity, an infection in a tooth, or gum issues. Or it could be something even more severe, such as liver or kidney issues or diabetes. Your dentist can see if the issue with your bad breath is due to a mouth issue or if it’s a more systemic problem. If it’s an oral health issue, they will be able to give you a personalized action plan to permanently get rid of the problem.

    SOURCES: American Dental Association, WebMD, Mayo Clinic

  • 10 Tips to Enhance Your Smile in 2020

    Improve Your Oral Health This Year with These Resolutions

    You might not be a fan of making New Year’s resolutions, but if you want a brighter smile and better oral health in 2020, we have 10 tips that are worth committing to in the next 12 months.

    Switch to a white-teeth diet.

    Woman smiling with a bright smile.

    A good rule to follow is if the food you are consuming is dark in color, then your goal of whiter teeth will suffer. Cigarettes and cigars are also culprits in staining teeth. If you can’t give up those dark foods and beverages, you can reduce their impact by brushing immediately after eating or drinking them. Also, consider an apple as a quick and convenient tooth cleaner. You can also try a tooth whitening program – either from the store or from your dentist’s office (which is the better choice since the results are superior).

    Toss your toothbrush

    Your toothbrush is a great collector of bacteria, so be sure to change it every 2-3 months. If you use an electric toothbrush, change the head on the same schedule.

    Use the right angle

    Your twice-a-day brushing routine will be much more effective if you hold your toothbrush at 45-degree-angle and gently move it in a circular motion against your gums. Avoid using a back-and-forth motion.

    Scrape your tongue

    Remove plaque on your tongue and freshen your breath by using a tongue scraper in the morning. Bacteria is a major culprit of foul breath, so using a tongue scraper will help you reduce or eliminate that problem. You can use your toothbrush to brush your tongue, but it isn’t as effective as a tongue scraper (which are available at most drug stores).

    Use foods to help clean your mouth

    Crisp and firm foods are wonderful natural teeth and gum cleaners. Apples, celery, raw carrots, and popcorn are super ways to clean your teeth. Try to eat them last, especially if you know you won’t be able to brush right after your meal.

    Try apple cider vinegar to gargle with

    Start your morning oral health routine by gargling with apple cider vinegar. Brush after you gargle. The apple cider vinegar is effective at killing bacteria and removing stains from your teeth.

    Use baking soda weekly

    A good way to remove stains on your teeth is to brush with baking soda once a week. Use it in place of toothpaste.

    Keep your breath fresh the right way

    If you use mouthwash to freshen your breath, make sure it’s alcohol free. Alcohol dries out the tissues in your mouth, which gives bacteria a better opportunity to damage your teeth. Wondering if your breath smells bad? Lick your palm and smell it to tell. It’s an effective (and a bit unusual) way to check. Just be sure to wash your hand afterwards!

    Close your eyes…and floss

    You know your flossing technique is good if you can floss effectively without looking in a mirror. That can be important to master because it will allow you to floss just about anywhere – your car (not while you’re driving, though), at the office, or sitting watching your favorite TV show.

    Develop an in-and-out of bed ritual

    Be sure to brush when you first get up and just before you go to bed. That’s because saliva (which keeps cavity-causing plaque off teeth) dries up at night, so it’s best to have all plaque cleaned off the teeth before sleep. It’s also important to brush first thing in the morning to brush off plaque and bacteria (morning breath!) that may have built up as you slept.

    SOURCE: WebMD and Stealth Health/Reader’s Digest

  • 10 Tips for Dealing with Treats at Halloween

    The deluge of sugar-filled candy treats at Halloween can be overwhelming for both kids and their parents. Loads of sugar is definitely not good for a child’s oral health, and getting that message across without making candy seem even more irresistible can be tough. But if you follow the tips we have below, your child should be able to enjoy the fun of Halloween in all its sticky wonderfulness without their smiles ending up looking like the Jack-O-Lanterns on your front steps!

    Before your child goes trick-or-treating, be sure they eat a well-balanced meal. This will help reduce the likelihood that your child will want to fill up on candy on Halloween night.

    Beware of certain candy options. Chewy candies are tough on your child’s teeth because they get stuck in the spaces between their teeth and they can loosen or dislodge crowns, fillings, orthodontic appliances and space maintainer. Plus sour candies can break down the enamel on your child’s teeth because they are highly acidic.

    Be aware of starches and sugars that are hidden. While alternatives to candy such as cereal bars, flavored yogurts, fruit bars, pureed fruit pouches and juices can seem to be more friendly to your child’s teeth, they can actually be just as destructive on children’s teeth as traditional Halloween candy. Read the labels to see how much sugar is actually in the alternative.

    Set a regular time for treats. Constant snacking on candy can be very harmful to your child’s teeth. Set a specific time each day (right after dinner or when they get home from school) when it’s “candy time” for your child. This ritual treat time can last long after Halloween and help promote healthy thinking about treats and moderation.

    Pick a set number of treats. When your child returns from trick-or-treating or a Halloween party, sit down and go through their back of treats together. Have them choose a set number of treats that they want the most.  Letting children help decide what is a reasonable amount of candy to keep has benefits beyond good oral health.

    Put away the extra treats.  Donate them to a food bank, save them for future treat times or freeze them if you can’t bear to throw them out.

    Pick the best candy options for oral health. Good ideas include dark chocolate and sugar-free gum. Dark chocolate is loaded with good stuff for your child’s oral health, including antioxidants that can inhibit bacteria from sticking to the teeth, preventing infections in gums and battling tooth decay. Sugar-free gum made with xylitol promotes the growth of “good” bacteria that can make it touch for “bad” bacteria.

    Get swishy. Okay, we know that most kids aren’t looking forward to Halloween so they can eat dark chocolate and sugar-free gum. So if they are going to consume more traditional Halloween treats, be sure they drink lots of water during and after they eat their treats. Have them swish the water around before swallowing – it will help to dislodge particles of candy from between their teeth. Consider decorating a Halloween-themed reusable water bottle to encourage your child to drink lots of water.

    Double down on your child’s brushing and flossing habits. Let’s face it, the #1 way to protect your kid’s oral health from sugary sweets is to brush and floss regularly. Especially after their “treat times”!

    Figure out a healthy balance. You don’t have to deny your children some Halloween fun. Just be sure to balance those sugar-laden foods with healthy foods and talk about the difference between the two in their overall health.

    Sources: AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry), WebMD

  • Healthy Halloween Snacks for Goblins and Ghouls

    Get rid of the empty calories and heavy doses of sugar this Halloween when you give out treats to the little ghouls and goblins who knock on your door. There are a wealth of sensible snacks and healthy alternatives available, ranging from sugarless chewing gum to string cheese to Goldfish crackers.  Or if you want to offer treats that more closely resemble traditional Halloween candy – but without the heavy doses of sugar – we have five options available for you. We’ve included the company websites in case you want to order directly from them to stock your Halloween treats bowl.

    UNREAL Candy

    Go-to Flavors: Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars, Dark Chocolate Crispy Peanut Butter Cups

    If you’re a sucker for the major players on Halloween (we’re talking Mounds bars, M&Ms, and Reese’s) but aren’t thrilled about artificial ingredients, UNREAL has got you covered. The company’s mission to reinvent our favorite candies with “only the good stuff” led to the creation of varieties identical in taste to their processed counterparts, but with only all-natural ingredients. With no GMOs, preservatives, or hydrogenated oils, these treats allow you to indulge your sweet tooth guilt-free.

    SkinnyPop Popcorn

    Go-to Flavors: Original, Sweet & Salty Kettle

    Are you a popcorn-ball lover? The holiday treat may be delicious, but it’s packed with salt and artificial flavorings that can give cholesterol levels a scare. Get your popcorn fix and hand out a unique Halloween treat – the healthy way by digging into a 100-calorie bag of SkinnyPop made with just three ingredients. The perfectly-portioned bags make for a convenient treat to pass out on Halloween night. Flavors range from Aged White Cheddar to Cinnamon and Sugar.

    KIND Bars

    Go-to Flavors: Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew, Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate

    Many people reserve granola bars for on-the-go breakfasts or an afternoon pick-me-up, but with KIND’s assortment of decadent, dessert-flavored bars, they can be a smart way to satisfy a sweet tooth as well. At below 200 calories each, they easily have fewer calories than a candy bar, not to mention a dose of antioxidants and filling fiber. The combo of all-natural nuts, fruits, and whole grains, plus delicious chocolate, makes for a healthy treat that tastes guilt-worthy.

    Snack Well’s 100-Calorie Packs

    Go-to Flavors: Mini Fudge Dipped Pretzels, Chocolate Crème Sandwich Cookies

    The salty-sweet combo of chocolate-covered pretzels is hard to resist on a normal day, let alone on Halloween when chocolate treats are calling your name from every direction. These 100-calorie packs are perfectly portion controlled, allowing you to indulge your cravings but keep you from going overboard.

    Square Bar

    Go-to Flavors: Chocolate Coated Crunch, Chocolate Coated Mint, Chocolate Coated Coconut

    If candy bars are your go-to sweet treat, then the Square Bar is a perfect treat to hand out at Halloween. Made with all organic ingredients and no added flavors, each bar boasts an impressive amount of protein that makes for a more satisfying bite. The chocolate-coated crunch flavor rivals a Nestle Crunch bar in taste, while saving you 10 grams of sugar per serving and providing 12 grams of filling protein that will power you through Halloween night! If you have lovers of Andes Chocolate Mints in the house, reach for the chocolate-coated mint variety, and the chocolate-coated coconut flavor will appease a Mounds craving!

  • Personal Care Dentistry – Your General Dentist in Roseville, MN

    When it comes to finding a dentist that ticks all of the boxes, it can be extremely challenging. Dentists can draw fear into the hearts of many and anxiety into the minds of pretty much all, so finding the best dentist to meet your needs is always going to be imperative.

    Personal Care Dentistry may just be what you are looking for; Personal Care Dentistry is a dentist in Roseville that offer an array of services for everybody. The best thing about them is the level of patient understanding; they take extra care in making the patient feel comfortable from the moment they walk in the door.

    Services Offered

    Personal Care Dentistry offers a plethora of services and treatments to make sure the experience offered is as comfortable as possible. Below are just some of the services offered by Personal Care Dentistry:

    • Cleaning & Prevention
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Periodontal Disease Treatment
    • Reconstruction
    • Extractions
    • Emergency Dental Care

    As you can see Personal Care Dentistry offer services to cover just about every one of the needs you could require from a dentist in Roseville.

    Why Choose Personal Care Dentistry?

    Personal Care Dentistry offers more than just a dentist service; they offer an all-around package. When it comes to dentists, finding one that understands the nerves and anxiety of the patient can be difficult. Personal Care Dentistry get to know the patient and create a personal care plan in order to suit your needs. Personal Care Dentistry also offers sedation dentistry for the most nervous of patients, so as you can see, if you require a dentist in Roseville, Personal Care is the answer.

  • What are the Causes of Swollen Gums and How to Fix Them

    When it comes to swollen gums, this is one of those things that goes untreated but shouldn’t. In general, swollen gums are caused by gum disease. Today, let’s take a look at the causes of these swollen gums and how to fix them.

    A Major Cause of Swollen Gums

    One major cause of swollen gums can be gum disease. Gum disease is where plaque builds up around the teeth and gums. This plaque contains bacteria, and if this plaque is left untreated, it will spread below the gum line. This spread will eventually lead to irritation that will give you a sore and painful mouth.

    How to Spot The Signs of Gum Disease

    Taking some time when you are brushing your teeth to check your gums is vital in the identifying of gum disease. Healthy gums will appear pink. If your gums are sore or bleed when you touch them, you should consider visiting a dentist as soon as possible.

    Types Of Gum Disease

    Red and swollen gums usually indicate a presence of gingivitis. If gingivitis goes untreated, it will eventually develop into periodontitis. Periodontitis will eventually lead to abscesses and tooth loss. 

    Fixing The Issues

    The majority of the time, mild levels of gum disease can be controlled by the introduction of a better oral hygiene regime. You should always be brushing twice per day and flossing throughout the day.

    The best recommendation is to visit a dental professional should you have swollen gums. A dental professional will not only be able to advise on the best course of action, but they will also offer treatment plans should the gum disease be quite far in its path.

  • Falcon Heights, MN Dentist

    About us

    If you are looking for a dentist in Falcon Heights, MN, that is able to not only meet all of your dentistry needs but also make you feel at ease, then look no further. Personal Care Dentistry takes pride in delivering a personal service and matching it with the best patient care.

    Stepping into the dentist can be an intimidating experience, at Personal Care Dentistry, we realize this and make sure we accommodate your personal needs. We know that going to the dentist often comes hand in hand with anxiety. This is why we take extra care with all of our services, to ensure that we give you the best possible treatment, while keeping you relaxed and happy.

    About Falcon Heights, MN

    If you are on the lookout for a Falcon Heights, MN dentist then Personal Care Dentistry have you covered. Falcon Heights is a beautiful place to visit, and only ten minutes away from the Minnesota State Fair. This incredibly popular state fair generates over two million visitors per year. Having the fair so close is a great opportunity to finally persuade the often nervous children to go to the dentist.

    Whilst visiting Falcon Heights, you can take in the local beauty and appreciate the warm and welcoming atmosphere that is everywhere you look. 

    At Personal Care Dentistry, we are proud to serve the Falcon Heights area, and we listen to you, the patient. So no matter what your dentistry requirement may be, we will be here to make you feel relaxed and give you the personal care you need. 

  • Nine Foods That Are Nice for Your Teeth

    We all know that brushing and flossing your teeth daily is the best route to good oral health. But did you know that eating a diet rich in certain foods can be just as important to your teeth and gums? Your teeth are irreplaceable, so taking advantage of adding some power to your daily oral health care is a good idea.

    Grab some healthy fruits and vegetables and have a snack while you’re reviewing these nine foods and beverages that will leave you with a brighter smile.

    1.    Green Tea is full of natural antioxidants that stop plaque from accumulating on your teeth. Which of course reduces your risk of cavities (and as a bonus, reduces bad breath). In addition, you’ll find fluoride in some green teas (take a look at the label).

    2.    Dairy products (think milk and yogurt) are low in sugars and acids, which makes them super as a healthy snack or for quenching your thirst. Remember, sugar and acids are tough on teeth, causing erosion and decay. Plus dairy products are packed with calcium, which helps your teeth and bones.

    3.    Cheese also has major benefits for your teeth and gums. It’s also packed with calcium, and as a bonus also has phosphate. Both help promote healthy teeth. Cheese also does a great job of balancing the pH in your mouth, helps create more saliva, rebuilds the enamel on your teeth, and eliminates bacteria that are the cause of gum disease and cavities.

    4.    Fruit in raw form is a good choice for healthy teeth. It reduces plaque and the Vitamin C in the fruit helps your body’s cells. A lack of Vitamin C can eventually lead to gum disease.

    5.    Vegetables are full of Vitamin A, which helps create tooth enamel. Vegies full of Vitamin A include broccoli, carrots, sweet potato and pumpkin. Eat them raw and you’ll increase the amount of Vitamin A you are getting plus the raw vegetables will clean your teeth and massage your gums (raw celery is a great choice). Plus the vegies will help you produce more saliva, which washes away cavity-causing bacteria.

    6.    Onions are a vegetable, but they are unique in that they contain tons of powerful anti-bacterial sulphur compounds, which kill the bacteria that harm your teeth and gums. Best results will come if you eat the onions raw, although that might make it tough if you want to be around other people!

    7.    Sesame seeds are wonderful at dissolving plaque and helping to build enamel on your teeth. In addition, they are full of calcium, which is good for your bones and teeth.

    8.    Meat-based proteins are rich in phosphorus, which when combined with calcium and Vitamin D help strengthen our teeth and bones.

    9.    Water is a powerful oral health ally. It cleans bacteria and food debris out of your mouth, encourages the production of saliva, and provides hydration for your gums.

    Source: Dental.Net

    green_tea_pot

    eggs

    super-broccoli

  • How to Be the Boss of Your Floss

    Brushing and flossing your teeth are the foundation of good oral health (along with regular visits to your dentist). But for many people, it’s the flossing part of that foundation that leaves them a bit puzzled. Is there a proper way to floss? What’s the most effective approach? Do I really need to floss if I’m brushing twice a day?

    To help you become the boss of your floss, we have a set of helpful tips in this week’s blog.

    Tip 1 – Floss daily

    According to the American Dental Association (and every dentist you ask), you should be flossing daily. That’s because flossing will remove plaque that your toothbrush can’t get rid of from between your teeth and at your gum line. Plaque is the first step on the road to a cavity since it hardens into tartar.

    Tip 2 – Anytime is floss time

    Patients often ask us when they should floss. After they brush? Before they brush? After a meal? Before bed? We recommend you choose a time once a day when you aren’t too tired and have a couple of minutes and then get in the habit of flossing then.

    Tip 3 – What type of floss is best?

    There are two main types of floss to choose from – nylon (also called multifilament because it is made of multiple strands) and PTFE floss (monofilament, which is single strand). Nylon floss can tear of shred if you have tight spaces between your teeth. You generally won’t run into the same problem with PTFE floss, but it is more expensive. Talk to your dental hygienist or your dentist for recommendations that would work best for your teeth.

    Tip 4 – Proper flossing technique

    Here are five simple steps to help you flawlessly floss:

    1. Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with;
    2. Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth;
    3. Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue;
    4. Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth; and
    5. To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth.

    Be sure that you don’t floss too hard and damage your gums. If it hurts, go easier. If you haven’t flossed regularly, it will probably take a couple of weeks for the slight discomfort to go away. If you have recurring pain, be sure to see your dentist.

    Tip 5 – What about using a flosser?

    For a fair number of people, using a flosser is easier and more convenient. If you haven’t used one before, here’s a quick guide to success! Hold the flosser handle firmly and point the flossing tip at an angle facing the area you want to floss first (either top teeth or bottom teeth). Guide the floss gently between two teeth and be sure to avoid snapping or popping the floss. Use the same zigzag motion that you would us with standard floss. Bend the floss around each tooth and slide it under the gum line and along each tooth surface.

    Sources: MouthHealthy.org, Oral B, Colgate, American Dental Association

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