Dawn Frein, DDS graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 2007 and has been with Family 1st Dental since 2010. Dr. Frein enjoys spending time with her 2 children, Lauren and Owen, her 2 dogs, Buddy and Finn, family and friends. She also enjoys being outdoors and golfing. Dr. Frein was recently certified by the American Academy of Facial Esthetics to provide TMJ therapy and facial cosmetics.
Johanna Halbur, DDS graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. She enjoys spending most of her time outdoors, pheasant hunting, watching detective shows, and spending time with family.
Even a healthy mouth is lined with bacteria. Normally, your daily oral hygiene routine helps prevent oral health complications. However, it is possible to develop an excess of bacteria and fungi, which can lead to additional problems. Heres what our dentist in Sioux City, IA thinks you should know about oral thrush and what you can do to prevent it.
Oral thrush is caused by a collection of the fungus Candida in your mouth. Bacteria and fungi occur naturally in your mouth, but it is important that they are not permitted to build up. Thrush can appear as white, thick scrapes on your tongue or inner cheek. It may also look like patchy, white sores.
Young children, infants, and the elderly are at a higher risk of developing oral thrush. If you have a weakened immune system or diabetes, it is even more important that you stay active to keep your mouth healthy and prevent issues like oral thrush. Smokers also tend to develop oral thrush more than other patients.
Oral thrush can lead to trouble swallowing and tasting. As it develops, it can become painful. Oral thrush can make affected areas feel like they are burning, and slight bleeding can occur if you are scraping your tongue or cheeks. Some describe the feeling as having cotton in their mouth.
Our best recommendation for preventing oral thrush is a vigilant daily oral hygiene routine that includes a thorough brushing and flossing of your teeth, and includes your tongue. We sometimes recommend a patient use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue. Just like brushing your teeth, your tongue depends on daily cleaning to stay healthy and free of germs and bacteria.
The American Dental Association recommends that for some patients it might be helpful to consider an antimicrobial toothpaste or mouthwash. Check with our doctor to see which solutions might be best for you.
We cannot overstate the importance of regularly scheduled dental exams and dental cleanings. If you are a diabetic, it is even more important that you schedule regular visits to our office. By having your mouth checked by our staff, we can work with you to prevent oral health issues like thrush.
The hazards surrounding vaping are not entirely clear. More research is needed in this area, but a recent study indicates that e-cigarette vapors could be damaging to your mouth. Heres what our dentist in 51104 needs you to know.
Electronic cigarettes are not regulated in the same way tobacco cigarettes are, meaning that their contents can be inaccurately labeled without any oversight. Contents that e-juice usually contains include nicotine, glycerin, chemical flavoring, and propylene glycol. Some of these substances are safe in food, such as chemical flavors, but the effects of inhaling them is not well researched. Heating these chemicals can form dangerous carcinogens such as formaldehyde. E-cigarettes might also include tiny metals and particles that you inhale while smoking.
A recent study from UCLA found that vapors from an e-cigarette can kill the cells in your oral cavity, or the area of your mouth beyond your teeth and gums. The study placed oral cells in an environment where electronic cigarette smoke was produced for 24 hours, in a machine simulating how a person would smoke. During the test, 85% of the cells died. According to the lead author of the study, they plan to move forward to test the impacts in humans.
Another study by the University of Rochester Medical Center concluded e-cigarettes are just as bad for your gums as tobacco cigarettes are. Nicotine, which both types of cigarettes contain, is a known factor in contributing to gum disease.
Since the e-juice industry is largely unregulated, it is best to avoid smoking electronic cigarettes. The carcinogenic contents pose serious risks to your health, especially to your mouth. Your mouth relies on the functions of these important cells to defend itself against dangerous bacteria and other substances. Without your mouths natural defense system, you open yourself up to oral disease.
Make sure you are regularly visiting our office, especially if you are a smoker of either tobacco cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes. Our experienced dental team will perform a complete oral examination during your visit to check for signs of oral disease. Being proactive is your best defense against combating oral disease.
Reviews
Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 68 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestPeggy Ann
2 years ago
Katrina is a thorough competent Dental Hygienist! It was obvious that Katrina wanted the best care for me and Katrina provided it!!
John I. Farmer
2 years ago
Friendly staff,love my dentist, would highly recommend them to anyone.
Morgan Branum
2 years ago
Amazing service! Super easy to get in theyre so helpful and kind!
A C
2 years ago
I am glad I found this dental practice. The staff are always friendly and accommodating to my schedule. They work their best to try to get me in quickly if I have issues such as a toothache. My hygienist does a very thorough job, and my dentist, Dr. Frein is the best! She is very down to earth and easy to talk to. Most importantly, the team is conservative with treatment, not recommending extra procedures to pad their pocketbooks. Dr Frein will explain what's going on and allows the patient to decide if they want to proceed or "wait and see", never being pushy or coercive. My son, who generally hates going to the dentist, at his last dental appointment said he didn't mind going to the dentist and will go back again :-)
Rhonda Mersch
2 years ago
Always a friendly experience with professional people! Laughter of the workplace tells it all about WHO works here!! I do not like "dentists", extremely high anxiety. But going here has always been the best experience, Dr's here care about you!! TY
Danika Kessenich
2 years ago
The staff at Family First is always so kind and welcoming! Everyone provides an amazing and comfortable experience. I will be going to this clinic for several years to come!
Jonathan Blum
2 years ago
Professional, responsive, caring and innovative. Worth a 30 minute drive for me to get this care.
Aly Porter
2 years ago
Let's be honest I know I have bad teeth after having my kid over 8 years ago. But I also have dental anxiety but each time I have had to force myself to go, I feel like I am walking into a non-judgement zone. Didn't make me feel embarrassed ...
Aly Porter
2 years ago
Let's be honest I know I have bad teeth after having my kid over 8 years ago. But I also have dental anxiety but each time I have had to force myself to go, I feel like I am walking into a non-judgement zone. Didn't make me feel embarrassed to get my teeth done. I actually feel like going back. Even though the dentist who took my emergency appt told me I had a cement tooth :')
krissy bearce
2 years ago
It was great as always!! Everyone is very friendly! Love my hygienist and dentist!!!!
Mary Hernandez
2 years ago
Excellent service, hygienist and doctors are amazing.
Nick Beaver
2 years ago
I started treatment with Dr. Kirth, and she seemed as though she actually wanted to help since I have had nothing but bad experiences with dental hygienists. She was no exception. I was charged 500 for a implant which was two mini teeth ...
Nick Beaver
2 years ago
I started treatment with Dr. Kirth, and she seemed as though she actually wanted to help since I have had nothing but bad experiences with dental hygienists. She was no exception. I was charged 500 for a implant which was two mini teeth that looked horrible. They decided to make it one ridiculously giant tooth that looked equally as bad. She referred me to someone in the lower level for a root canal as well. I went for the follow up with her and she addressed the situation of him not putting a crown on like he was supposed to that I was charged for, but never did anything about it. She refused to see me again until I had the 600 dollars owed for the implant and visit. Within two weeks the tooth that had the root canal and no crown fell out. I contacted the office manager many times. No response ever. I contacted many people with family first but never had anything done with it. This was by far the worst experience I have had with a dentist, and will not recommend anyone going to them. I believe a lawyer is the next step. Take your chances if you want to deal with what I dealt with. Make sure you read the other reviews they won't address as well. It's not just me. The good reviews are most likely from employees, friends and family.
carolyn mckenzie
2 years ago
Had my initial visit at the Hamilton office. Very welcoming the moment you enter. Jamie was excellent informative and thourough. I felt very comfortable. Teresa was the best helping me to get fit in for my appointments making sure all my needs were met efficiently and going the extra mile.
Michael Morse
3 years ago
Awesome staff and Dr's! I was greeted upon walking in and have only had great experiences since I became a patient in 2020. Highly recommend!
Priscilla Stokes
3 years ago
The best service ever. Dr. Halbur is awesome! She is kind, caring and painless.
Lucy Colt
3 years ago
The staff is wonderful, kind, helpful!!
Mark A
3 years ago
Friendly staff and great care for your teeth!
Deb S.
3 years ago
LOVE the people that work at Family first Dental. Jamie does aa AMAZING job making me feel comfortable before she starts cleaning my teeth. And Dr. Jade is a FANTASTIC Dentist. The Ladies when you walk in are always VERY friendly. If you need a GREAT dentist I would check them out!!!!
Kevin Poss
3 years ago
This was the most thorough cleaning and evalutation of my teeth.
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