Gummy Tummy from Carlson Orthodontics

At Carlson Orthodontics we know the rumors going around – mostly among young people – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing!

--Carlson Orthodontics

Is Invisalign® Really Customized for Each Patient? Carlson Orthodontics

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do at Carlson Orthodontics is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Carlson Orthodontics is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at 218-206-8209.

How To Stay Young & Healthy from Carlson Orthodontics

Whether you’re 5 or 50, your health depends on your awareness of what’s good for you. But in a world filled with fad diets, blaring advertisements, and unintelligible ingredient lists, we at Carlson Orthodontics know it can be difficult to determine exactly what is good for you – and what’s not.

For straightforward guidance on how to live a long, healthy life, we recommend Brush Your Teeth! And Other Simple Ways to Stay Young and Healthy by Dr. David Ostreicher. The book sums up good health in six fundamental principles: hygiene, diet, attitude, exercise, sleep and personal safety.

Drawing on nearly three decades of experience as an orthodontist and professor of health and nutrition, Dr. Ostreicher definitively answers age-old debates, like the best way to prevent colds and flu (your mom was right: wash your hands). He provides straight talk on a variety of diet choices including salt, fats, carbs and organic food, and he documents the importance of regular sleep, stress reduction and positive thinking to your overall health. His suggestions throughout are simple, clear, and inexpensive.

Dr. Ostreicher advocates a back-to-basics, common-sense approach to staying young and healthy. We at Carlson Orthodontics couldn’t agree more, and we’d like to repeat the title of his book as our favorite piece of advice: don’t forget to Brush Your Teeth!

Patient Testimonials of Carlson Orthodontics

Dr. Carlson and his staff focus on providing friendly service and quality orthodontic treatment to patients in the Duluth and Cloquet, Minnesota areas. We asked the patients about their experiences at Carlson Orthodontics, here is what they had to say:




The Carlson Orthodontics staff made my son feel very comfortable and at ease. They explained everything to him, in terms he could understand. ~ Danette S.

Dr. Carlson is easy to work with, and seems to keep up with technology. It's nice to go into the office and see things going on that help connect them to their patients. ~ Gordon Tate

Doctor Carlson is very personable and professional. I appreciate that they do not keep me waiting and that there are later appointments available for working patients. I am very pleased with results thus far. ~ Joan K.

Carlson Orthodontics has a convenient location, kid-friendly atmosphere, nice people, and great use of technology ~ Neil W.

I think Dr. Carlson is keeping up with the ever changing times very well. This makes it easy and convenient for the patient. ~ Holly R.

Dr. Carlson is very nice and he makes it so fun and easy to come to the orthodontist. I was kind of nervous at first but he made me feel right a home! I like the contests, and the tooth brushing station was a great idea! ~ Brooke N.

The entire staff is so very, very nice and very helpful. Very children-friendly! ~ Jayne M.