Pediatric dentist Chicago - Periodontal Disease

In our mouths, we have numerous forms of bacteria. Some are helpful and some are harmful. Bacteria in the mouth can be helpful because it helps to sanitize the mouth and breaks down food particles. However, too much bacteria can lead to the development of gum disease which can be damaging to your oral health.  

When the bacteria start to collect in the mouth, it can create a sticky colorless substance known as “plaque” that sticks on to your teeth. If the plaque is not removed during brushing or flossing, the particle can harden and turn in to tartar. Over time, plaque and tartar becomes more difficult to remove at home so a professional cleaning with the pediatric dentist Chicago is important for maintaining your oral health and preventing decay and periodontal (gum) disease.

The longer the plaque and tartar remain on the teeth, the more harm they can cause to your oral health. Eventually plaque and tartar will create a mild form of gum disease called Gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gum tissue. Ideally, routine cleanings and proper oral care can prevent gingivitis from developing. Once gum disease is prevalent, only your pediatric dentist chicago il can help to maintain the disease and prevent it from progressing. 

In cases where gingivitis is not treated, it can then advance to periodontal disease. With periodontal disease, the inflammation now affects the soft tissue (gums) and the tooth and if left unattended, it can cause the tooth to loosen or fall out. 

Having periodontal disease also can affect your overall bodily health. In many studies, there have been connections with periodontal disease to diabetes and heart disease. It is important to regularly see the pediatric dentist in chicago for a routine, professional cleaning and examination to prevent gum disease.

With periodontal disease, the pediatric dentist in chicago il has solutions to help you prevent and maintain gum disease. A common solution for controlling periodontal disease is a deep dental cleaning, which can be performed by your Chicago pediatric dentist or certified hygienist.

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Pediatric dentist Chicago - Sensitive Teeth

When you eat hot or cold food does it make you wince? How about brushing or flossing your teeth, do you feel any pain? If so, you may have a condition of sensitive teeth. For many people, sensitive teeth are common. However, if sensitive teeth are frequent and really bother you, you may want to visit the pediatric dentist chicago to determine if it is a result of a more serious condition.

The Pediatric dentist chicago IL commonly see sensitive teeth affecting many people. It tends to develop over time and gradually creates hypersensitivity when using or caring for your teeth. Sensitivity is caused by an exposure of dentin which lies under the enamel of your teeth. Dentin is a soft tissue that is made up of small hollow tubes and canals and is near the nerves and cells inside your tooth. Once food particles or temperature reaches the exposed dentin, it then creates a surge of pain or sensitivity.

Sometimes sensitive teeth can be caused by a variety of dental conditions. If you are brushing too hard or tend to grind your teeth at night, that causes your teeth enamel to wear out and expose the dentin. Or if you have a gum disease such as gingivitis or have receding gums, then the gum tissue can become weaken or inflamed which then also causes the exposure of dentin. Be sure to see the Chicago Pediatric dentist regularly to help ease the pain of sensitivity. 

Sensitive teeth can be easily treated by changing your tooth paste that will help block the sensation of sensitivity from your teeth. Or if you feel that your situation may be more severe, then asking a Chicago IL pediatric dentist for suggestions of treatment would also be helpful.

However proper oral hygiene is the first step in preventing sensitive teeth. Your Pediatric dentist in chicago would be able to provide more information about how to properly maintain a healthy mouth.

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Pediatric Dentist Chicago - Dental Fluorosis

Fluoride is great compound to use to help children and adults prevent tooth decay and fight cavities. We use fluoride in our daily use of tooth paste, mouthwashes or scheduled routine cleaning from our dentist. However, over consumption of fluoride from common household products can lead to a diagnosis called Dental Fluorosis by your pediatric dentist 

What is it?

Dental Fluorosis is a condition that changes the appearance of permanent teeth causing the teeth to look discolored or rough. The teeth may have white lace-like or spotted markings that only the pediatric dentist Chicago can see. In more severe cases, the teeth may appear yellow or have a rough surface to the common-eye.  Fluorosis can only occur in children within their early ages of life up to age 8 because it only affects permanent teeth that are still within the gums and are starting to grow out. Once the permanent teeth grow out, the visual characteristics of fluorosis will appear.

How does fluorosis happen?

As stated earlier, fluorosis occurs when fluoride is overused or consumed. Young children may enjoy the taste of toothpaste or mouthwash and instead of spitting it out, children consume it.  Some other sources that may contain fluoride that children can overly consume may include drinking water, certain beverages or food that use fluoridated water or in some cases dietary tablets. To learn about fluorosis, you can always contact the pediatric dentist in Chicago

What are some treatment methods?

Fluorosis usually is very mild and doesn’t require any treatment. In the rare cases where fluorosis appears more severe, you may want to check in with Chicago pediatric dentist in order to learn about treatment options. These options might include teeth whitening, hard resin coating (bonding), inserting crowns, or veneers. The pediatric dentist in Chicago IL would be able to perform the necessary treatment to fix fluorosis.

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Pediatric Dentist in Chicago - It Starts With What You Eat

Have you ever wondered about natural ways to prevent cavities and tooth decay? Your refrigerator is a great place to look. In addition to getting regular oral exams and cleanings from your pediatric dentist Chicago, the American Dental Association recommends reducing the amount of sugary foods you eat.

One of the many cavity preventers that your Chicago pediatric dentist recommends is cheese. Cheese contains the protein, casein, which helps re-mineralize teeth and increase the calcium levels in the mouth. In addition to cheese, unsweetened kefir or yogurt contains calcium and phosphorus which help strengthen the enamel and other minerals found in your teeth. Another cavity preventer that reduces bacterial growth is apples. Not only do apples and cheese prevent tooth decay, but your local dentist also recommends cranberries as well. Cranberries, like apples, contain traces of flavonoids which help prevent bacteria from sticking to the surfaces of your teeth. Peanuts are another great cavity preventer. Your pediatric dentist in Chicago recommends eating foods that require more chewing because they tend to decrease plaque build-up.

Your pediatric dentist in Chicago IL also firmly believes in drinking properly as well. Drinking water regularly helps your mouth and gums to stay hydrated and provide your teeth with fluoride. Another beverage that can help to prevent cavities is black tea. Black tea contains flavonoids and fluoride to help strengthen the mineral composition of teeth, much like water and apples. Although there are many benefits to drinking tea, drinking too much tea can cause staining and darkening of your teeth, so it is important to maintain good oral hygiene in order to prevent this from occurring.

In addition to eating and drinking a few of these oral promoters, regular visits to your Chicago IL pediatric dentist not only saves money, but it also helps you to maintain a beautiful smile for the rest of your life.

 

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Pediatric Dentist Chicago - Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening, also known as tooth bleaching is a procedure most commonly practiced in cosmetic dentistry. Bleaching the tooth lightens the tooth to its natural color. Many methods of whitening are available as over the counter products to be used in the privacy of your home, but also include dentist-supervised teeth whitening that is done in office. The common home remedies include whitening toothpastes, rinses, strips and gels. 

In office teeth whitening, like your pediatric dentist Chicago may offer in their office, is the most effective way to whiten your teeth. Most treatments apply the whitening ingredients directly on the teeth. Your pediatric dentist in Chicago then shines a LED light on the teeth. The whitening ingredients work with the light to whited deep in the tooth and to lighten the stains. This procedure has the best results that last the longest. This procedure is is done with delicate care of the doctor. 

Your Chicago pediatric dentist may also suggest home treatments that could be very effective as well, and will improve your dental health. Whitening toothpastes can remove surface stains but not stains that are deep in the tooth. The mild abrasives that are in whitening toothpastes help prevent stains caused by food and beverages as well. Whitening toothpastes are gentle and won't make your mouth sensitive like many other whitening processes will. Your pediatric dentist Chicago IL recommends whitening rinses that are more commonly known as mouth washes. Rinses are also gentle, yet very effective. Even though the actual rinse is only touching the surface of your teeth for about 60 seconds, the rinse includes powerful ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide to help fight stains. Rinses also freshen your breath and help fight plaque and gum disease. Over-the-Counter whitening strips and gels are the most effective way to whiten your teeth at home. They are applied directly to the teeth and sit on the teeth for 30 minutes. 

You should visit yourpediatric dentist in Chicago IL to get a consultation on which treatment is best for you and the health of your teeth. Your Chicago pediatric dentist will give you the best option for you to get a whiter, brighter smile!

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Dental X-Rays Won't Kill You!

I’ve often seen patients who are concerned with the amount of radiation they receive when having their dental x-rays taken. I’d like to take a moment to put things in perspective for you and discuss the benefits and risks of receiving x-rays while visiting your pediatric dentist Chicago.

Why should you even get dental x-rays?  If you thought they were only good for finding a break in your arm, you’re in for a surprise.  X-rays of your mouth, also known as dental radiographs, are capable of detecting several potential issues in your teeth and gums.  From unseen decay to ingrown molars, your dental x-rays can assist your orthodontist Chicago in diagnosing and correcting problem areas in your oral health.  Without them, any decay present below the gumline could remain undetected and run rampant through your system.  This could result in you needing a root canal or having teeth removed. Untreated decay could also amplify the effects of periodontal (gum) disease, which can spread infection to the rest of the body and has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Suffice it to say, dental x-rays can be pretty important.  Well, what about the ever-dreaded radiation?  This Chicago pediatric dentist, for one, can assure you that the risks are minimal.  Did you know that the average person is exposed to radiation every single day of their life?  It’s true!  Your body is constantly absorbing minute amounts of radiation from sources such as the food you eat, the ground beneath your feet, and even outer space.  Your typical dental x-ray only produces about half as much radiation as you are normally exposed to on any given day!  You are exposed to over twice as much radiation just by taking a plane ride across the country, not to mention those full body scans the bigger airports have been putting in.

As you can see, the risks are probably already lower than you originally thought.  But if you’ve ever had an x-ray, you are probably familiar with the heavy coverings that the technician drapes over your body surrounding the area being imaged.  You can probably find at least one lead collar or apron in the office of every Chicago orthodontist.  In addition, dentists will use only the shortest exposure time necessary to capture a good image.  These measures combined help block the rest of your body from being exposed to excess radiation.

Now that you know more about dental x-rays, I hope you see that the advantage far outweighs the danger.  Feel free to ask your pediatric dentist Chicago for more information on the risks and benefits of having dental x-rays taken.


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