Treat Your Loved Ones to Expert Bloomington Family Dentistry
Dr. Kenneth Weddell moved from Michigan to Minnesota to be closer to his grandson, and Dr. Harms has two children and four grandchildren of his own. Both of our dentists understand the importance of family – that’s why you and all your loved ones are welcome at our office for Bloomington family dentistry.
Dr. Kenneth Weddell on Family Dentistry
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Families are an enormous part of our practice and our business there. We have things set up so we can certainly take care of families. We have three hygienists, so that often if you have a family with several kids, they can all be seeing a different hygienist at the same time, and you don't have to sit there for three hours while they see the same one person. That's the advantage of our practice being a little bit larger than some single-dentist practices, but yet we're small enough that we know the families.
I love kids. I moved here to be close to my grandchildren, that's why I moved to Minnesota. I love taking care of kids, and they're fun to take care of. When we have to do some dental work on kids, we make a game out of it and they're great, they love it. We make it so happy for them they don't realize it was supposed to be hard. It's only those of us who grew up a couple of decades ago that think it's supposed to be hard for kids.
It's very important with kids to do what we call “tell, show, do.” I tell them what I'm going to do, and then I show them what's going to happen, and then I do it. But I'm not going to tell them in words that other adults do that are scary. I have different words I use and talk about, and they're not scary words and none of it's hard. Then I might shake their hand and say, “See? We're going to shake this,” and then we'll do something that does a little bit of rattling, and they're like, “Oh, this is no big deal. This is exactly what he said.” And that's a big thing with kids.
You can't lie to kids more than once, because they'll never trust you again, so you gotta explain it in terms that they understand and terms that make sense to them, and then it's not a big deal. It's like, “Oh yeah, I know this. He said that before.” We take great care of kids. No problems. Some of them we'll use the gas or the (inaudible), which helps them relax a little bit, but more than that, it blocks their view so they don't see my hands so it's not as scary, and I tell them what I'm doing. I mean, it's not like I could sneak in there and do something and then they never trust me again. That's not right. So, no, we take real good care of kids. They're fun.
Dr. Weddell has received a Mastership from the Academy of General Dentistry, and both he and Dr. Harms have helped many general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry patients during their 30-plus years in practice. We offer dental care for the whole family, including these services:
- Teeth Cleanings and Dental Exams
- ClearCorrect Orthodontics
- Teeth Whitening
- Dental Veneers
- Root Canal Treatment
- Wisdom Tooth Removal
Get great dental care for everyone. Call Weddell Dental today at 952-679-1365 to schedule your appointments! We’re located on Penn Avenue South, just down the road from Haeg Park.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit Puts Them on the Road to a Healthy Smile
We love kids! We do free exams and fluoride treatments for children under the age of 3. Fluoride can reverse cavities in their earliest stages and prevent future cavities. The American Dental Association recommends you bring your child in for their first dental visit within six months of the first tooth emerging.
Here are some helpful tips from Dr. Weddell and Dr. Harms for caring for your young child’s smile:
- Avoid putting them to bed with juice or milk, as doing so could lead to tooth decay.
- Clean their teeth with a soft cloth and progress to a toothbrush when they’re ready.
- Wait to use toothpaste until your child is 3, then use only a pea-sized amount.
Taking your child to the right dentist can make all the difference in their willingness to seek dental care as an adult. We will do all we can to give you and your child a positive experience.
Take Advantage of Dental Care For Adults & Seniors
As we age, caring for our teeth can become more challenging. Our team is here for guidance and to help keep your smile healthy. Below are some ways Weddell Dental can help:
- Teeth Replacement: Choose from dental implants, All-on-4® or All-on-6, dental implant dentures, and dental bridges.
- Sleep Apnea Treatment: Your risk of sleep apnea increases with age. If you’re concerned your snoring is a side effect of a larger health issue, we can diagnose and treat you for sleep apnea. A dental appliance may be all you need to get a full night’s rest.
- Gum Disease Treatment: Gum disease also becomes more prevalent with advanced age. Dr. Weddell or Dr. Harms can help you keep an eye on the state of your gums and provide treatment if needed. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss.
Get Bloomington family dentistry for everyone at our one convenient location. Call Weddell Dental at 952-679-1365 or use our online form to schedule your appointments.