James J. Kalina DDS Blog

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 dentist in Mankato.

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Patients who need orthodontic treatment often choose Invisalign in Mankato because it is discreet and convenient. It is ideal for many adults who want to enjoy straighter, healthier teeth without dealing with the hassle and discomfort that come with traditional metal braces. However, to get the most out of Invisalign and make sure that your treatment goes as smoothly as possible, it is important that you follow a few simple guidelines.

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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.

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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!

Your child’s very first dental visit marks the beginning of a lifetime of good oral health. Now THAT is a milestone to document! Read on to learn more about this most important visit for your child.

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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.

Babies must go through a period of teething to allow their teeth to burst through their gums. There are many different practices that people try to help their child get through this painful period in their lives.  Dr. James Kalina is here to help you dispel what works, what’s a myth, and explain the safest practices for your baby.

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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!

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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!

As you’ve matured, you’ve realized how much a straight smile can do for you and wish to correct it for good. There are many patients just like you who want to improve their smiles as adults, but don’t want to deal with braces. That’s why your cosmetic dentist, Dr. James Kalina, offers an alternative option for patients that want a straighter smile: porcelain veneers.

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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 Dr. James Kalina. Dr. Kalina can fix even the most severe flaws in our patient’s smiles with porcelain veneers in Mankato! With extensive experience in the dental field, our office understands how important it is to have a beautiful, healthy smile. We can’t wait to help restore your confidence!

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You spent the night carefully planning your very busy day and are ready to go before you go to bed. You wake up to the alarm the next morning and groan with that nagging headache and sore jaws. “Oh, no! Not  AGAIN! Not TODAY!” You know you won’t be as productive and this adds even more stress to your day.

That heading and jaw pain could be a symptom of nighttime teeth grinding.  But try not to stress yourself too much—stress can actually aggravate your bruxism (teeth grinding). Dr. James Kalina, your thorough dental professional, is here to help you better understand what may be causing your teeth grinding in Mankato. He can offer solutions to relieve the symptoms of teeth grinding – head, mouth, and jaw pain.

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You have likely heard this (and perhaps said it?) before. The problem with dental disease is that by the time it hurts, the damage can be quite severe. And the more damage done, the more extensive (and costly) the treatment needed to correct it. Delay in intervention can also result in loss of some treatment options.

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