This month, we unveil our second core value: humility. Last month, we shared that the first core value that helps define this office’s culture is “caring for the community.”

“The reason we identified this is because humility keeps us all grounded,” says Dr. Eisenhuth, a pediatric and adult Minneapolis orthodontist and Invisalign provider. “This reminds our team to always improve and maintain an open mindset.”

We continually pursue excellence, and humility is what reinforces that we’re a team. The more we work together and the better we work together, the better we perform overall.

“No one person in this office takes credit for our success,” says the provider of braces for children and adults. “Our overall success is determined by how well we work together.”

The journey of identifying core values began in January. Together, Dr. Eisenhuth and staff have identified 10 core values, and we will continue to share them with readers and patients over the next several months.

“It isn’t enough to simply be present every day,” she says. “We want to put honest, genuine thought into why we’re here.”

Doing so involves considering not just orthodontic treatment and the level of customer service we provide our patients and their family members. It involves identifying what really makes us tick, why we do what we do, the ingredients that make us good as what we do, and the values behind them.

“We view the identification of our core values as a precursor for pursuing continued growth,” the Inver Grove Heights orthodontist says.

© 2012 Master Google and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Dr. Eisenhuth and Master Google, which maintains an SEO blog, is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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April marks the 13th annual Oral Cancer Awareness Month, which is sponsored by the Oral Cancer Foundation. In honor of it, we’re presenting information to thousands of children in local schools about the impact of tobacco use, different types of cancer, and the effects of oral, throat and lung cancer.

“Although we would love to believe that children will never pick up this unhealthy habit, we know that peer pressure will tempt many kids to at least try tobacco products at some point in their young lives,” says Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, an Eagan and St. Paul pediatric orthodontics expert. “Perhaps by sharing some eye-opening information, we can deter them from the temptation.”

Facts from the OCF that the adult and children’s orthodontist and her staff have shared during these speaking engagements include (http://oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/index.htm):

• Almost 37,000 Americans will receive an oral or pharyngeal cancer diagnosis this year
• Oral cancer claims the lives of more than 8,000 people annually
• Oral cancer death rates are higher than those of cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, laryngeal, testicular and endocrine system cancers

Oral cancer can affect the lips, mouth, the palate, gums and cheeks, according to bracesinfo.com. It develops slowly and its symptoms include:

• The appearance of an ulcer, lesion or bump that doesn’t heal after a week
• Trouble swallowing
• An unusual taste in the mouth
• Difficulty chewing

Children and young adults tend to gravitate toward flavored cigarettes, small cigars, and hookahs these days, studies published by the American Cancer Society show (http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/TobaccoCancer/ChildandTeenTobaccoUse/child-and-teen-tobacco-use-other-types). A 2010 study of high school seniors found that 30 percent of boys and 16 percent of girls had smoked small cigars in the past year.

“Smoking and using tobacco products is seen by many youth as a ‘grown-up’ or ‘cool’ thing to do,” says Dr. Eisenhuth, who specializes in early orthodontic treatment with traditional metal braces, as well as other orthodontic appliances. “We just want to open students’ eyes to the very ‘uncool’ side-effects of using tobacco.”

For more information on oral cancer, visit these websites: www.cancer.org and www.oralcancerfoundation.org.

© 2012 Master Google and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Master Google, a dental patient marketing company, is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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Whether it’s taking courses that enable us to provide more effective treatment options, attending seminars that help us run our practice more smoothly, or looking introspectively at what values define our core culture, we like to think of ourselves as constantly evolving.

Recently we embarked on a fact-finding mission of sorts to define our core values.

“We’re learning a lot about ourselves and what we want to be our driving forces,” says Dr. Eisenhuth, who is an Eagan and Minneapolis pediatric orthodontist, as well as adults.

The first core value that helps define this office’s culture is “caring for the community.”

“My staff and I see this core value as being more than a goal,” Dr. Eisenhuth says. “It’s our responsibility. We must be involved and we must give back. To us, caring for the community means being generous with our time, talents and treasures.”

This isn’t a new concept for the office. Since the practice opened, we have participated in a wide variety of community programs, from sponsoring Independence Day celebrations in our community and summer reading programs at public libraries, to serving as Junior Achievement volunteers and providing equipment for youth sports programs. We also spend a great deal of time in area schools during National Children’s Dental Health Month in February and National Orthodontic Health Month each October. We spend time educating students on the importance of good oral hygiene habits and healthy eating habits that promote healthy teeth during these awareness months. We also give away toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss.

But since we defined “caring for the community” as a core value, our office and team are embracing the notion in a new way. We’re identifying causes to sponsor and other ways to give back to the community. At the end of the day, we want to be known as more than just an orthodontics office. We want to be part of the community.

“Until recently, we’ve never really said among our team that this was a core value,” says Dr. Eisenhuth, the orthodontist Minneapolis citizen. “We’ve just done it. But now we’re making it known this is what we’re about, and we want to encourage families to ask us for sponsorships of great programs in this community that we can be part of.”

This means we’ll be stepping up our community involvement. In addition to the causes and programs we’ve supported in the past, we’re branching out to find new ways of being involved, such as sponsoring walks that benefit cancer and leukemia societies.

Although every non-profit or community organization always needs funding, caring for the community is about more than writing a check. We plan to organize groups and invite our families and our patients’ families to join us in these community events. We envision having groups representing our office participating as teams in these upcoming benefit walks, for example.

Yes, we are in the braces business. We want you to come to us for Invisalign or Invisalign Teen treatment. Come see us if you want traditional or invisible braces. But we also want you to think of us when your group or organization is in need of an educational program speaker, a group of volunteers, or if we can sponsor a worthwhile community event.

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Sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, “Get Your Plate in Shape” is the theme for 2012.

“By eating healthy foods, you improve your oral health,” says Eagan and St. Paul pediatric orthodontics and traditional braces specialist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. “That’s important whether you are in orthodontic treatment or not.”

Oral health and overall health go hand in hand. It’s important to keep your teeth healthy because being able to chew and swallow your food properly helps your body obtain the nutrients it needs from the food you eat.

“It’s important to eat the right foods so your body absorbs the nutrients it needs,” says the dental expert, “and that also helps prevent cavities.”

It is best to limit the amount of sticky, sugary sweets that you eat, because these foods can really promote tooth decay. Candies such as gummies, caramels and taffies get stuck between teeth and in the grooves of your molars. The longer they are lodged in these areas, the more time the sugars have to eat away at your enamel.

Limit your intake of sugary drinks including soft drinks, sports drinks and energy beverages. It’s best to drink these with a straw and brush your teeth after consuming them. If you can’t do that, at least rinse your mouth out with water after drinking them, the Minneapolis braces provider says.

Oral health isn’t just about avoiding certain foods and beverages. There are many foods you can eat that help prevent tooth decay. Dairy products provide a great calcium source, so include yogurt, cheese and milk in your diet. Whole grains contain iron and Vitamin B, which promote healthy gums.

Other foods are good for your teeth due to their saliva-producing abilities. Saliva plays a part in protecting your soft tissue and resisting tooth decay. Fiber-rich foods including raisins, figs, apples, oranges and beans help keep saliva flowing. Celery also is a great saliva producer, and as a naturally abrasive food, it acts as a gum massager as well as helping to clean between teeth.

If you wear braces, you have to keep in mind foods to avoid due to their propensity for damaging your orthodontic appliances. Chewy, sticky candies fall into this category, and if you’re going to eat healthy foods that are crunchy and hard such as apples and carrots, cut them into smaller pieces and eat them that way instead of biting into them.

© 2012 Master Google and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Master Google, which offers press release distribution tips, is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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Not only is it important that children visit an orthodontist by age 7 to determine if a rapid palatal expander can be used as an alternative to tooth extraction, but also to detect tonsil/adenoid problems.

It comes as a shock to many parents when they find out that dental professionals often are the first to observe complications with tonsils and adenoids in adolescents.

Due to research conducted by the American Association of Orthodontists, orthodontists recommend that children should be examined by an orthodontist at least once by the time they reach 7 years of age.

Crossbites may be diagnosed at this time. In the case of a crossbite, upper and lower teeth haven’t aligned properly. That means that on one or both sides of the mouth, upper teeth may fit inside the lower teeth.

“There are several reasons why crossbites occur,” says Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, an Eagan and St. Paul, Invisalign professional. “They can be caused by mouth-breathing, jaw size or heredity.”

Mouth-breathing causes problems because the tongue isn’t able to sit toward the roof of the mouth as it should. Children are forced to breathe exclusively through their mouths, which impedes he lateral growth of the jaw. According to eBody.com, a narrow jaw can’t accommodate adult teeth, so upper teeth are forced to crowd inward and fall behind bottom teeth when children bite down.

“Once we determine that mouth-breathing is at play, we have to discover why children are unable to breathe normally,” Dr. Eisenhuth says.

Tonsils and Adenoids
According to ear, nose and throat specialist Dr. Archana Jhawar, adenoids and tonsils are composed of lymphoid tissue. Their job is to aid in resisting infection by capturing bacteria and viruses that enter the body through the nose and throat. Some children are more susceptible to adenoid and tonsil infection than other children.

Returning to the topic of treatment options for crossbites, in many cases, orthodontists advise that patients have their tonsils and adenoids removed if it is concluded that they are the source of the problem. Orthodontic treatment can ensue after they are removed.

© 2012 Master Google and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Master Google, an advanced SEO company that provides press release distribution tips, is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

If you’re an adult, the most important thing to remember regarding orthodontics, St. Paul and Eagan orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth says, is that orthodontic appliances have come a long way.

“There are so many aesthetic options available today,” says the adult and children’s orthodontist.

The most frequently given reasons among our adult patients for getting braces are:

1. Alignment and Self- esteem

The general desire to have aligned teeth is the most common reason adults give for wanting braces, Dr. Eisenhuth says. Lots of adults are self-conscious of their smiles and if they have the money to make personal improvements, they often do so.

2. Oral health

There is a great deal of research that shows properly aligned teeth are easier to keep clean. They provide fewer areas in which food particles can become lodged.

“This is probably the second most common reason why adults pursue orthodontic correction,” she says. “Straight teeth lead to less periodontal issues and decay, and it’s easier for both the toothbrush and floss to do their jobs if teeth are aligned.”

3. They had braces as children, but their teeth have shifted through the years.

This often is due in part to a change in philosophy regarding retainer use, Dr. Eisenhuth says. Professionals once were of the opinion that a retainer could be worn for a year or two after treatment and then the patient could discontinue use. Today, orthodontists promote wearing retainers for life.

“You may not need to wear one every day for the rest of your life, but we recommend that you put it in every few days,” she says. “If you feel pressure on your teeth when you put it in, you should wear it overnight for a few days until your teeth adjust to it.”

If you have a fixed retainer and it breaks, we recommend that you see your orthodontist to have it replaced.

4. Their parents couldn’t afford orthodontic treatment for them when they were kids.

“We have lots of patients who now have the means to undergo treatment and they want to do so,” Dr. Eisenhuth says. “We applaud them for focusing on their oral health.”

5. No more metal brackets and wires.

Clear and tooth-colored brackets are available today, as well as Invisalign, which is a system of clear, plastic, removable aligners that are hardly seen when worn. Lingual braces- those that are affixed to the back of the teeth- are another aesthetic option.

With all of these options that are barely noticeable, fewer adults feel self-conscious about undergoing orthodontic treatment.

6. We live in a more aesthetic society.

Many people want to make themselves more marketable for jobs these days. Since the smile typically is the first thing people notice, it stands to reason that people who are competing for employment would pursue opportunities to improve their smiles.

The important thing to remember is that regardless of the reason for needing orthodontic treatment, you shouldn’t let your age deter you from making improvements to your smile.

“I’ve had patients in their sixties and seventies go through orthodontic treatment,” Dr. Eisenhuth says.

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The Early Bird Avoids Tooth Extraction

EAGAN AND ROSEMOUNT, MINNESOTA- There was a time when tooth extraction was a common element of pediatric orthodontics treatment if your child had severe crowding issues and small jaws.

That’s not the case anymore thanks to palatal expansion, and provided the problem is identified early enough, says Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, an Eagan and Rosemount Invisalign Teen and traditional dental braces provider who specializes in orthodontics for children and adults.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be evaluated by an orthodontist by age 7.

”Sometimes parents question this recommendation, because they feel like that’s so young to consider braces,” Dr. Eisenhuth says. ”But an evaluation does not mean braces will be needed.”

Most often, patients don’t need treatment at this age. But it is important to assess your child’s teeth to determine whether early treatment could prevent the need for tooth extractions and more extensive orthodontic treatment down the road.

The Rapid Palatal Expander
When young patients come to us with teeth crowding issues in theirupper jaw, time and technology are on our side. A rapid palatalexpander can be installed to widen the palate and make more room for existing teeth, as well as those that haven’t yet erupted.

It is used in growing children- typically girls younger than 14 and boys younger than 15. Prior to reaching this age, children’s skeletal growth still is taking place, which makes it possible to achieve the expansion necessary to accommodate all of your child’s teeth.

Once the expander is installed, you will insert a key daily to turn it. Over time, this does exactly what its name implies- widens the palate.

”Although it isn’t new, it remains an incredible piece of technology,” Dr. Eisenhuth says. ”This device can prevent tooth extractions, which prevents several long-term side effects.”

Tooth extractions can effect a person’s facial shape over time. The teeth support the lips and cheeks, so removing some of them alters a person’s profile slightly.

”There is the belief that tooth extractions could make people look older before their time,” she says.

Other Benefits of Palatal Expansion
In addition to making room for crowded teeth, studies have shown that palatal expansion has other benefits:

• In some cases, it can help increase nasal passages in children who are mouth breathers and/or have snoring issues
• It corrects crossbites
• It is used to address functional and skeletal growth problems

Nasal breathing is important in facial development, according to an article written by Dr. Michael C. Alpern. Chronic breathing through the mouth is abnormal and can lead to the jaws failing to grow to their proper width, which in turn can create less functional room for the tongue. Undergoing treatment to expand the palate can correct these problems.

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In fact, the opposite is true, said Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, a Mendota Heights braces specialist. Baby teeth play an important role in a variety of ways, such as maintaining adequate spacing for adult teeth once they begin to erupt.

“The baby teeth act as guides for the adult teeth,” Invisalign teen expert Dr. Eisenhuth said. “If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, its adult replacement could erupt improperly.”

Other functions of baby teeth include promoting routine jaw bone and muscle development, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/space.asp).

If your little one loses a baby tooth early as a result of decay or trauma, it is important to schedule a dental visit and ask for treatment recommendations. Your dentist might recommend consulting an orthodontist so a determination can be made as to whether the tooth loss might pose orthodontic problems down the road. Some adult teeth don’t erupt until children are 12 to 14 years old, which provides a significant window in which spacing issues can develop. That could necessitate more intensive orthodontic treatment.

The bottom line is that your child might need a space maintainer for that time between a baby tooth being lost and the adult tooth erupting. Space maintainers come in multiple varieties and typically are constructed from steel, plastic or a combination of both. They can removable or fixed, according to information posted on Colgate’s website (http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/Cosmetic-Dentistry/Orthodontics/Braces-and-Other-Appliances/article/Space-Maintainers-for-Premature-Tooth-Loss.cvsp#Types_of_Space_Maintainers).

One instance when a tooth lost prematurely doesn’t result in the need for a space maintainer is the loss of any of the front four upper teeth. That space remains open on its own until the adult teeth erupt, Dr. Eisenhuth said.

If the adult replacement is about to erupt, your dental professional may decide that a space maintainer is unnecessary.

But if a space maintainer is indicated, going that route immediately could save you money on future orthodontic treatment, she said.

“It often is simpler and less costly to use a space maintainer to keep the remaining teeth in their proper position now, rather than turn to orthodontic treatment at a later date to move shifted teeth back into place,” Eisenhuth said.

Caring for Space Maintainers
If your child has been fitted with a space maintainer, there are some steps you can take to ensure it remains functional until it is time to be removed. Your child should not chew gum or eat sticky sweets, which could result in the maintainer becoming dislodged.

Remind your child not to play with the maintainer by tugging on it or pushing it with their fingers or tongue, the AAPD site stated.

Make sure your child cleans the maintainer when brushing and flossing his or her teeth, and keep your child current on dental checkups and professional cleanings.

“The important thing to remember is that we don’t want parents to just assume that they don’t need to take action if their child loses a tooth early,” said Eisenhuth, who treats patients using a variety of types of braces. “Taking no action might be alright. But it might also create greater challenges down the road when it’s time for the child to get braces.”

© 2012 Master Google and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that dental advertising expert Master Google is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
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It’s a fairly common problem- one in five adults experience teeth sensitivity- but there are some measures that can be taken to help alleviate it.

But before we get to our recommendations for alleviating tooth sensitivity, let’s discuss for a moment what causes it. Here at our Eagan orthodontic office, we occasionally get patients who complain of sensitivity after getting their braces. There’s a difference between sensitivity and soreness, however. The “sensitivity” that someone new to traditional or invisible braces may experience is short-lived and goes away once the teeth have adjusted to having appliances on them, says Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth.

That lingering sensitivity that comes with eating sweets and hot or cold foods is what we’re talking about today. The American Dental Association lists the following as the primary causes:

• Cavities
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Worn tooth enamel

Worn tooth enamel can be the result of brushing your teeth too vigorously, eating highly acidic foods, or simply by the aging process, Dr. Eisenhuth says.
How do these things lead to sensitivity? Healthy teeth have porous tissue called dentin that tooth enamel and your gums protect. Dentin can become exposed if your gums recede or your teeth erode. Little holes in the dentin, called tubules connect to the nerve and trigger pain when they become irritated by some foods and beverages.

“Because this is such a common problem, many makers of oral hygiene products have created products designed specifically to alleviate sensitivity,” she says.

Desensitizing toothpastes and rinses, soft-bristled tooth brushes, and even dental floss for sensitive gums are available over-the-counter.

“If over-the-counter products don’t seem to be doing the trick, you should speak to your dentist to see if there is a professional-grade product available,” says Dr. Eisenhuth who specializes in child and adult orthodontic treatment.

© 2011 Master Google and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Master Google, which can help get your website to the first page on Google, is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

We have collection boxes in our office and now through Dec. 19, you can donate new, unwrapped toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.Giving not only will make you feel good; you’ll get something in return. Our patients who donate toys will be rewarded with tokens, which you can collect and redeem for great prizes.

“We have a history of taking part in a variety of community-oriented causes, and Toys for Tots is a great way for us to encourage our patients to get involved, too,” says Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, an Eagan and Mendota Heights braces expert who provides braces for adults and children.In the five years the orthodontic braces office has participated in the program, Dr. Eisenhuth’s patients have really exhibited a generous spirit, says the invisible braces specialist. Last year, local Marines had to come pick up toys three times because so many were donated at our office.

“We have some of the best patients in the world,” Dr. Eisenhuth says. “They understand that times are tough for some people, and they genuinely want to take part in making the holidays better for a child in need. It warms your heart to see that in action.”

Toys for Tots got its start in 1947, when USMCR Maj. Bill Hendricks and a group of Los Angeles Marine Reservists collected and distributed 5,000 new and refurbished toys to underprivileged children.
In 1980, the Marines began collecting and distributing only new toys.Why do the Marines collect and donate toys? The organization’s goal is to deliver a message of hope to needy children, in hope that it prompts them to become “responsible, productive, patriotic citizens,” according to the organization’s website.

Learn More
If you would like more information about the Toys for Tots donations or you are interested in scheduling a free consultation with Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, visit her website, doctorjennifer.com, or call (651) 406-8100. Dr. Eisenhuth’s office is located at 3340 Sherman Ct. in Eagan.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.
Dr. Eisenhuth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Apple Valley and Eagan, Minnesota.
Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

© 2009 Master Google and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Master Google, an SEO management company, is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.