Our experience tells us that flossing is the hardest good oral hygiene habit to adopt. Few will argue the benefits of flossing: prevent bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. Yet the adult who consistently flosses on a daily basis is often the exception rather than the rule. The reasons (or for us excuses) are many and varied. However, we believe it is less to do with the hassles of flossing and more to due with the habits instilled in us as children.
Parenting is no easy feat and we celebrate when children come in with established brushing habits. Unfortunately, there is a misplaced assumption that flossing should come “later”. Seeing 3 and 4-year-olds come in with cavities between several back teeth is proof that flossing is as important for kids as it is for adults.
Here are some tips from your family dentist in Mankato that will help you turn your little one into a lifelong flosser.
Summer! It’s the time of year when you plan awesome road trips to your favorite tourist destinations, get away for a weekend or two at the lake, and enjoy all the warmth and glory of summer sunshine. Unfortunately, it’s also the season when lots of people reach for lemonade, sports drinks, soda, and other sugary beverages in order to cool down. And let’s not forget about all the outdoor activities that could result in a dental disaster. How can you make sure that summertime treats and outdoor fun don’t ruin your teeth? Here are a few tips from your 
Patients who need orthodontic treatment often choose 
Everyone wants to have a complete, attractive smile, which is why many people focus so much on the cosmetic benefits of replacing missing teeth. But the advantages of filling in those gaps go so much further! Not only can dental implants in Mankato improve your appearance and boost your confidence, but they can also deliver significant benefits for your overall health.
Toothbrushes have been around for hundreds of years, but as humans have learned more and more about dental care, the tools we use to maintain our smiles have evolved. Modern toothbrushes offer all sorts of features, and the huge variety of available options may leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed. How can you choose the tooth cleaning tool that’s right for you? Here are four handy tips from your family dentist.
As a baby, your little one probably has more pictures than you know what to do with. There are many milestones to capture: a first tooth, a first step, and a first birthday have all been documented. Your family dentist in Mankato, Dr. James Kalina, would like to recommend another first that we think is definitely worth taking a picture—your child’s first dentist appointment!
When your infant gets a random fever, and won’t stop fussing it can be frustrating. When these random fits strike, it feels like there’s nothing that can help your little one feel better. Unfortunately, these hysterical episodes can be caused by your child’s teeth erupting.
Did you know that nearly 46,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year? The disease kills roughly one person every hour, 24 hours a day! These are appalling statistics, but guess what? When caught early, oral cancer has an amazing survival rate. That’s why your dental team completes oral evaluations during each regular dental appointment, including an oral cancer screening. Early detection is the key to survival!
Did you have braces as a child? When braces are mentioned, do you flashback to the painful memories of soft tissue sores from your metal brackets? Don’t even mention the exhausting dental hygiene routine that your parents made you keep up. But to make matters worse, you never wore your retainer!
When you smile or laugh, it’s become second nature for one of your hands to come up and cover your teeth. In most pictures, you tend to give a toothless, cheeky smile or avoid taking them all together. You know the kind of smile where the photographer peeks around the camera and says, “Come on! Give us a real smile!” You shouldn’t have to hide your teeth because you’re less than confident about how your smile looks, especially if you choose to visit the office of 
