General & Preventive Dentistry
Complete and Personalized Dental Care in Mound and Chaska
Located in Chaska, our office has our offices have been serving people of all ages for over a decade. With our long-standing experience, we understand that a trip to the dentist can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! To make your visit as stress-free as possible, we offer compassionate care because we love to see you smile!
West Lakes Dentistry Works With Your Schedule
We offer convenient early-morning appointments so that your busy day goes uninterrupted. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, you can contact us by email, or by phone!
Our Patient-Focused Services Include:
Education: We will pass our knowledge on to you so that you can make a well-informed decision for your specific needs. This take-home information includes preventative hygiene methods that will keep you smiling for years to come.
Empowerment: It is important to us to give our patients the confidence they need to maintain their daily routines for a healthy mind and body. Keeping a schedule with our dental office is a solid way to stop a problem before it happens!
Convenience: We accept many forms of insurance and offer payment plans to give you affordable options for your care. With early-morning scheduling, you can get back to your busy day without any hiccups.
Our Practice Focuses On Patient Relationships
We want to invite you into our comfortable, relaxed space for optimal care because it is our priority to help you feel safe and comfortable enough to stick to your maintenance schedule. Our experienced physicians and staff will work with you on your individual needs, so you know that you’re in good hands!
Should I Seek Treatment?
By maintaining a schedule with our dentists for cleanings and check-ups, you are setting yourself up for dental success. Prevention and early detection can stop a problem while it’s small, saving you time and money on more extensive treatments such as root canals or tooth extractions.
See What Our Patients Are Saying!
Westonka is lucky to have West Lakes Dentistry in our community. Dr. Miner and Dr. Hendrix are the best in their field. Their entire team is passionate about dental health and preventative care. Their administrative team goes above and beyond to schedule appointments. Our entire family has found our forever Westonka dental home!
– Bobbie T.
What To Expect From Your Visit
What To Expect From Your Visit
We Welcome New Patients
Your first appointment with us includes a comprehensive evaluation of your current oral health. This means that we will often do:
- Documentation of progress.
- Digital radiographs.
- Intraoral photos.
From this, our doctor will create a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. Our goal is to identify any possible risks to your health and manage them.
We will also provide a standard cleaning, which is the process of removing any plaque or tartar buildup in addition to polishing your teeth. If we discover anything urgent such as a dental disease or broken tooth, we will do everything in our power to resolve it right away. Your health and well-being are our utmost priority!
A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Visit
- 1. Dental Imaging: This process involves taking X-rays of your mouth to identify any hidden problems such as cavities, tooth decay, or impaction. It’s done annually to track your ongoing oral health, but children may need this done more frequently as they grow.
- 2. Examination: A check-up of your overall oral health should be done every six months. Our doctors can see if there are any ongoing problems with the gums or enamel of the teeth. They will also check the alignment of the jaw and any possible inflammation.
- 3. Teeth Cleaning: We will then remove any plaque or tartar buildup and floss your teeth. Having a professional clean your teeth is far more effective than ordinary brushing at home, especially for those hard-to-reach areas!
- 4. Polishing: After the majority of plaque is removed, our dentist will then use a polishing brush to give your teeth a shiny, smooth surface. This isn’t just for looks! Plaque will have a much harder time finding places to latch onto, keeping your teeth fresh and healthy.
- 5. Fluoride Treatment: For that extra layer of protection, we can apply either a gel, foam, or varnish to your teeth. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth resistant to acids from plaque bacteria and even from sugars.
- 6. Education: Our dentist will then review your recommended treatment plan and what you can do at home to keep your smile shining! This includes habits like brushing after meals and before bedtime, remembering to floss, and using daily mouthwash.
Common Issues That We See
Plaque and Tartar
That yellow build-up on your teeth is known as plaque. It contains bacteria that feed on the food and drinks that you consume throughout the day, and that bacteria will also attack your teeth and gums. The damage they do can be permanent, which is why daily at-home care is so important.
If plaque is allowed to sit on your teeth and gums for over 24 hours, it begins to harden into what is known as tartar. Tartar then bonds strongly to the tooth’s enamel and a member of our staff will need to remove it. There is a greater risk for tartar if you have braces, dry mouth, crowded teeth, or if you smoke.
Cavities
Plaque and tartar will eventually eat away the tooth’s enamel and create a cavity. Cavities are one of the most common issues that affect people of all ages.
They can create bad breath, bleeding gums, swelling, toothaches, or tooth sensitivity. Dental checkups at West Lakes Dentistry can catch them before it becomes serious. If left untreated, cavities will turn into more serious issues that require a root canal or removal of the tooth entirely.
Depending on the severity of the cavity, our doctor will clean away the bacteria and fill the cavity. Fillings can be made from composite resin, silver amalgam, or gold. These days, technology allows us to perfectly match the tone of your tooth, leaving no visible filling behind.
Gingivitis / Periodontal Disease
This condition is most commonly caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar which then attacks the gumline. Irritation, inflammation, and bleeding are all signs of periodontal disease. Gum disease can be caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Even foreign bodies such as dentures may lead to gum line lesions.
Prevention is key, and here’s what you can do at home to help:
- Floss at least once a day.
- Use an electric toothbrush.
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily.
- Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash.
Toothaches
Tooth and jaw pain can range from just an annoyance to excruciatingly painful. There are several causes for such pain, all with available treatment methods:
Tooth Damage: Teeth that are chipped or broken, and damaged fillings, crowns, or bridges.
Tooth Decay: Cavities, abscesses, and periodontal disease are the most common cause of toothaches.
Gum Disease: Redness and swelling of the gums can also contribute to tooth pain.
There are even non-dental causes of toothaches!
- Cancer.
- Diabetes.
- Heart Attack.
- Drug Abuse.
- Viral Infection.
- Nerve Disease.
- Sinus Infection.
- Vitamin Deficiency.
- Cluster Headaches.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth.
- Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).
Whatever the cause of your toothache, our dentists will get to the bottom of it and provide the right treatment to get your tooth feeling better than ever!
Mouth Sores
The most common types of mouth sores are canker sores, cold sores, cuts or burns, or even allergies. They often clear up on their own within 1 to 2 weeks. However, more serious causes could be linked to cancer or celiac disease and should be seen by a dental professional.
To mitigate discomfort and help the healing process you should:
- Avoid hot, spicy, salty, acidic, and sugary foods.
- Suck on cold foods like ice or sherbert.
- Not pick at the affected areas.
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
- Gargle salt water.
Our dentists may prescribe pain medication, anti-inflammatories, or a steroid gel. If the mouth sores are caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, we will provide you with the appropriate prescription to treat them.
West Lakes Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions
Regular, 6-month checkups and cleanings can prevent more serious conditions from happening. However, if you experience any of the following common ailments, you should seek dental consultation. Our staff can assist you with any questions you may have.
- Bleeding after brushing or flossing: If you bleed often, this is a sign of periodontal disease and should be seen by a dental professional for assessment.
- Receding gums: Some recession can be a sign of gum disease. When caught early enough, treatment can stop or even reverse the process.
- Dry mouth: A healthy mouth is lubricated by saliva which neutralizes acids produced by plaque. Our dentist will recommend ways to restore that moisture.
- Loose or damaged teeth: If your teeth have been cracked or chipped, or even knocked out during an activity, seek treatment as soon as possible.
- Toothache/headaches/jaw pain: Jaw issues can cause ongoing headaches. Any pain or sensitivity could have multiple causes that should be diagnosed by a dentist.
- Abscessed tooth or severe swelling: These are signs of infection and will require professional diagnosis and a treatment plan as soon as possible.
- Discomfort with your smile: Whether you’re feeling self-conscious, or looking for a better, brighter smile, don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to your dentist about it.
- You’ve had dental work done before: Regular cleanings will keep your fillings, crowns, implants, or dentures in good condition.
- You have an ongoing illness: If you have a medical condition such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or even cancer, include our dentists as part of your medical team.
- You’re pregnant: Hormone changes can greatly affect your health, and that includes your dental health as well. Regular checkups should be part of your treatment plan.
- You have trouble eating: Difficulty swallowing, chewing, or opening your mouth is not normal. Try to eat soft, or liquified, foods until you can see one of our dentists.
- You use tobacco: Common issues with using tobacco range from just bad breath to more serious ailments such as oral cancer.
To keep your teeth happy and healthy, you should practice good oral hygiene daily.
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily for two minutes at a time. Use a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste to protect yourself from plaque and tartar.
- Add flossing to your daily routine. Your brush can’t reach those tight spaces between teeth, your mouth isn’t entirely clean until you’ve flossed!
- Use an antimicrobial mouthwash to remove any remaining food particles left behind after brushing and flossing. It also leaves your breath feeling fresh.
- A healthy diet that limits sugary food and drinks will protect your tooth’s enamel from further acid. This includes sour treats, as well.
- Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or even sooner if you notice your bristles are splayed, flattened, or worn down.
- Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings with West Lakes Dentistry. A professional cleaning is 40% more effective than just typical home care.
- Avoid the use of tobacco products. From traditional smoking to chews or pouches, all of these products will wear down your enamel and even your gums.
Helmets: High-impact sports such as skating, hockey, biking, or football pose a great risk to your head and mouth. A correctly fitted helmet will significantly reduce your chance of a serious injury.
Mouth Guards: The safest piece of equipment you can use for your teeth is a mouth guard. We recommend choosing our custom-made sports mouthguards to protect your smile! We offer discounted student prices, so be sure to check these out!
People of all ages should see a dental professional! For children, the recommended age is 12 months or 6 months after their first tooth appears. Their first exam will cover your child’s overall health, growth, and development to make sure they’re on the right track.
Persistent bad breath, known as halitosis, may be a warning sign of gum disease or even more serious illnesses including gastric reflux, kidney or liver disease, and even diabetes.
You should be visiting our office during your pregnancy. Hormone changes in the body can greatly affect your oral health with a greater risk of tooth decay and a common condition known as “pregnancy gingivitis.” This is an inflammation of the gums that causes swelling and tenderness.
WHY VISIT WEST LAKES DENTISTRY?
We understand that a trip to the dentist isn’t always thrilling, but we make it our mission to ensure a warm, welcoming environment that offers a unique experience to each of our patients. A beverage counter, children’s play area, and free wifi are just a few of the amenities we offer when you visit at our Chaska office.
Our services include:
- General & preventative dentistry.
- Hybridge® dental implants.
- Invisalign® clear braces.
- Sedation/anesthesia.
- Restorative dentistry.
- Children’s dentistry.
- Cosmetic dentistry.
- Gum health.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment at one of our offices, give us a call today! As we like to say; Be happy, be healthy, be you!