Bassett Creek Dental Newsletter
Dr. Lindell Kemmet
Bassett Creek is happy to introduce the newest member of our professional team, Dr. Lindell Kemmet. Dr. Kemmet has provided service to the United States Public Health System since his graduation from the University of Minnesota in 2007 and we are excited to have his energy and concern for patients added to our professional team. Dr. Kemmet is originally from North Dakota but he refers to the Twin Cities as his second home. He is a high school graduate of St. Croix Lutheran in West St. Paul and lived in Golden Valley throughout his training in dental school. For the past eight years, he has been highly involved as an advocate for both the patients and the profession of dentistry with his involvement in several professional organizations.
Outside of work, Dr. Kemmet also loves to cook and entertain for family and friends. Dr. Kemmet was raised on a farm in central North Dakota, nearly a mile from his nearest neighbor which can explain his aversion to Twin Cities rush hour traffic. His parents still live in North Dakota and he has two nephews living in South Dakota with his sister and her husband.
Dr. Kemmet is settling back into the community becoming very involved in local events and activities. Bassett Creek Dental would like to say, “Welcome, Dr. Kemmet!”.
Fluoride and Tooth Decay
The use of fluoride has been a major contributor to the reduction in tooth decay. It is naturally present in water, soil and many foods. Fluoride is easily absorbed into tooth enamel helping to strengthen it and has proven to be a safe and effective way to reduce cavities.
Fluoride reduces cavities in three ways:
Incorporating fluoride into a tooth surface makes it harder and more cavity resistant.
Fluoride reduces plaque’s ability to organize and cause cavities.
It can be absorbed into your tooth where a cavity is already forming helping to form healthier tooth structure.
How can you get adequate fluoride in your system:
Your municipal water supply - Cavities reduction is as much as 40-70 percent. If you only consume bottled water or use a reverse osmosis water filter you may be cheating yourself of cavity prevention.
Fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash – the topical application of fluoride in your toothpaste and mouthwash add additional cavity prevention.
Prescription level fluoride – if you have a greater risk of getting cavities, you may be prescribed a higher level of topically applied fluoride in a gel or toothpaste formula.
Professionally applied varnish
A newer application in the United States, it has proven to be an effective and much easier method to professionally apply fluoride. It takes less than two minutes to paint the fluoride onto your teeth and it adheres, slowly releasing the fluoride over several hours. Not only is it recommended for children with its ease of use, a lower rate of ingestion and lack of contribution to fluorosis, the adult population will benefit as well. Adults have increasing cavity risk factors today with mouth dryness due to age or medication use, increased gum recession, larger numbers of fillings and crowns and dietary influences. Fluoride varnish can help overcome these risk factors.
Ask your dentist or hygienist about the appropriateness of fluoride varnish for you. Prevention is an integral part of what we believe in at Bassett Creek Dental.