Have You Visited Your Pediatric Dentist Chicago Recently?

You brush your teeth twice a day, flossing daily. You regularly rinse with mouthwash. You might even wear your retainer each night if you have received orthodontic treatment. Overall, you maintain great oral hygiene on a daily basis. However, you keep rescheduling that dental appointment. Don’t sell these visits short. Even if you maintain the best possible oral health on your own, you still need to keep your appointments with your pediatric dentist Chicago IL.

Depending on the state of your oral health, your pediatric dentist in Chicago will recommend a timeline of when you should be stopping in for an appointment. This could range from every couple months to twice a year. Whether you need more extensive dental care or just a regular check up, you need to keep these appointments in order to ensure that your oral health needs are met.

During a regular visit, your Chicago pediatric dentist will evaluate your gums and teeth, checking for the early signs of periodontal disease and/or tooth decay. Missing out on regular visits can increase your chances of developing gum disease and tooth decay. Your dentist might also take x-rays, check your bite, and look for any changes in your gums. You will also be screened for oral cancer. Next, you will receive a cleaning. Your dentist has special tools to clean off any tartar or plaque build-up that at-home brushing cannot remove. Your dentist will also polish and floss your teeth. Once your mouth has been evaluated and cleaned, your dentist will make recommendations and inform you of the state of your oral health.

While practicing good oral hygiene on your own is very important, your dentist serves as a great resource. Your pediatric dentist in Chicago IL can recommend brushing and flossing techniques that you may not be using, answering any questions you may have about the state of your oral health. Also, your dentist has the tools to give your mouth a deeper cleaning, rejuvenating your smile and offering dental care customized to your needs. 

When’s the last time you’ve stopped in for a visit with your pediatric dentist Chicago? In order to maintain your beautiful and healthy smile, it is critical to keep your appointments. Don’t put it off--call your dentist today.

Kevin Boyd

Blog Maintained By Identity Dental Marketing Company.

Pediatric Dentist Chicago - Pick Up A Pack (Of Chewing Gum)

If you are in the habit of chewing sugarless gum on a regular basis, you’ll be happy to know that this can have a positive effect on your oral health. It is a simple way to give your oral health a little boost. If you don’t typically chew gum, your pediatric dentist Chicago recommends picking up a pack. 

Chewing gum increases the flow of saliva in your mouth. Your saliva washes away acids, sugars, and food debris in your mouth, preventing tooth decay and cavities. The flow of saliva can help to strengthen your tooth enamel, helping you to maintain strong, beautiful teeth. Your pediatric dentist in Chicago recommends chewing gum right after you eat for about 20 minutes to best fight off cavities caused by food consumption.

Chewing gum has aesthetic benefits, as well. It can ward off bad breath and brighten your smile. By washing away the food debris that may have remained in your mouth from your last meal, chewing gum rids your mouth of any lingering odors. Additionally, it prevents the acids and debris in your mouth from staining your teeth, leading to a healthier, whiter smile.

Not only does chewing gum protect your teeth, but it can also help your gums. Chewing gum reduces plaque build-up, which is a way to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease. Although this is not a cure to gum disease, chewing gum is a helpful way to supplement your oral hygiene in between visits to your Chicago pediatric dentist. 

In order to maximize the benefits of chewing gum, your pediatric dentist in Chicago IL recommends that you look for sugar-free gum, specifically gum that has been sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol prevents harmful bacteria from lingering in your mouth, reducing your risk for cavities. Additionally, xylitol can help to repair damage to enamel, strengthening your smile.

While there are many benefits to chewing gum, there are also complications that can arise if you chew excessively. Frequent gum chewing can lead to inflammation and soreness in your jaw, causing TMD and TMJ. Also, you are putting stress on your facial muscles when you chew, which may cause headaches.

Although chewing gum can be beneficial to your oral health, it is still very important to floss daily and brush twice a day. Chewing gum should serve as a complement, not a substitute. Additionally, you should regularly schedule visits with your pediatric dentist Chicago IL to ensure that you maintain the best possible oral health.

Kevin Boyd

Blog Maintained By Identity Dental Marketing Company.

Pediatric Dentist In Chicago - Is Your Jaw Sore?

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) are issues you experience with your jaw, as well as the joint and facial muscles surrounding your jaw. This can cause stress and discomfort in your daily life. Symptoms of TMD include tension and tenderness in your face or jaw, difficulty with opening your mouth wide, locking or clicking or your jaw, difficulty in chewing, a tired feeling in your face, and swelling on the side of your face.

Your pediatric dentist Chicago can examine your jaw in order to diagnose TMD. Your dentist will check for locking of the jaw while opening and closing your mouth. Additionally, your bite and facial muscle function will be examined, and your dentist will evaluate your jaw pain and tenderness. In some cases, x-rays will be taken to check your jaw, jaw joint, and teeth for irregularities.

It can be difficult to diagnose TMD and TMJ because the symptoms of these are similar to symptoms of other health issues such as toothache, arthritis, and sinus problems. However, you should schedule an appointment with your Chicago pediatric dentist if you experience any of the symptoms of TMD and TMJ.

There are precautions your pediatric dentist in Chicago recommends to avoid TMD and TMJ problems from arising. First, you can avoid hard foods and excessively chewing gum. Although gum can have many oral health benefits such as preventing cavities and tooth decay, it can tire your jaw and cause some soreness if you are not accustomed to regularly chewing gum. 

Another way to prevent TMD problems is to develop and practice relaxation techniques to reduce tension in your face and jaw. Clenching, especially in your sleep, can cause tension in your jaw, so you can reduce soreness by learning to relax your jaw. For example, by placing the tip of your tongue at the roof of your mouth, your jaw will automatically relax, reducing some of the tension. If you struggle with clenching your jaw while you sleep, you may want to consider getting fitted for a mouthguard from your pediatric dentist in Chicago IL.

If you are feeling soreness or tenderness in your jaw, you should schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist Chicago IL in order to receive a proper diagnosis and to explore your options. Your dentist can help you to maintain a beautiful, healthy mouth that is free of discomfort.

Kevin Boyd

Blog Maintained By Identity Dental Marketing Company.

Chicago Pediatric Dentist – Your Oral Health & Alzheimer's Disease

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive mental deterioration which leads to loss of neurons and intellectual abilities such as memory and reasoning. This can occur in middle or old age, and it hinders social and occupational functioning. Alzheimer's Disease is caused through a combination of hereditary, lifestyle, and environmental factors, affecting the brain over time and leading to brain shrinkage. Alzheimer's is a terminal disease, and while the average life expectancy after diagnosis is eight to ten years, some people may live up to twenty years with it.

Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

The following are warnings signs to the onset of Alzheimer's Disease:

• Confusion with time or place
• Difficulty with problem-solving
• Loss of memory, specifically short-term memory
• Issues with spatial orientation and visual image comprehension
• Changes in mood and/or personality

The Link Between Oral Health & Alzheimer's Disease

Although studies have not yet yielded conclusive results, research suggests that there is a possibility that exposure to inflammation in the mouth can quadruple your risk of developing Alzheimer's. This inflammation can be caused through chronic periodontal disease, which your pediatric dentist Chicago says is a preventable risk factor. If this link is confirmed, scientists will have proven that the prevention of periodontal disease can also help to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's later in life.

What Does This Mean For You?

While the studies are still inconclusive, this link has the potential to further demonstrate the importance of maintaining good oral health for your overall well-being. Your pediatric dentist in Chicago highly encourages daily brushing and flossing in order to reduce the risk of periodontal disease and inflammation in the mouth. Additionally, regular visits to your Chicago pediatric dentist will help you to maintain a beautiful smile, as well as overall good health.

If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health, you should not hesitate to schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist Chicago IL. Your dentist wants to help your beautiful smile to last a lifetime, especially since your oral health contributes to your overall health.

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Chicago Pediatric Dentist – Preventing Dry Socket

After having a tooth extracted by pediatric dentist Chicago IL, it takes time for your mouth to heal. You have just undergone a procedure that will benefit you in the long run, and you are looking forward to your once-again healthy smile. During the healing process, though, it is important to take certain precautions to avoid a condition called alveolar osteitis, or dry socket.

When you have a tooth extracted by Chicago pediatric dentist, a blood clot forms over the socket in order to keep the bone and nerves protected. Sometimes, though, this blood clot can become dislodged prematurely. If the mouth has not healed sufficiently at the time of the dislodging, the bone and nerves are exposed to air, liquids, and food, and dry socket occurs. It is an uncomfortable experience that can last for about five or six days.

While dry socket is definitely something to keep on your radar, it is an uncommon occurrence in most patients. Dry socket is most likely to develop within the first week or two after you have had a tooth extracted, and only about 2% to 5% of patients develop this condition. Still, the pediatric dentist in Chicago IL recommends the following precautions in order to prevent this from happening to you.

First, you should avoid intense exercise for at least 24 hours after the extraction. It is important to rest up and avoid excessive movement while your mouth begins to heal. Your pediatric dentist in Chicago also recommends that you avoid drinking through a straw for at least a week after receiving an extraction. The suction from the straw could cause the blood clot to dislodge. Additionally, you should avoid spitting in order to reduce the risk of dry socket. After the initial 24 hour period, you should begin gently rinsing with warm salt water about four times a day in order to remove any food particles in the area.

Although some patients have a greater risk of developing dry socket than others, all patients can avoid this condition by closely following after-care instructions from the pediatric dentist Chicago.

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Pediatric Dentist Chicago - Caring For Dental Implants

If you have received a dental implant from pediatric dentist Chicago, you have invested both time and money into the future of your smile. It is important to protect this investment in order to maintain good oral health. There are certain steps you should take after undergoing a dental implant procedure in order to care for your mouth.

After the procedure, your mouth might be tender at first. This tenderness only lasts about ten to fourteen days. Your Chicago pediatric dentist recommends a diet of warm soup, soft foods, and cold foods during this time. Additionally, you should refrain from smoking. Although the healing time for a dental implant tends to vary depending on the patient and the situation, it generally takes between two and four months for your mouth to fully heal after receiving a dental implant. You will not experience discomfort throughout this period, though.

Once your mouth has healed, caring for an implant is very similar to caring for a natural tooth. Although an implant cannot develop a cavity, it can still undergo the same wear-and-tear as a normal tooth. When not maintained properly, there is a risk for peri-implantitis to occur, which is similar to periodontal disease. However, this is easily preventable through regular check-ups, as well as daily brushing and flossing.

In order to maintain good oral health, it is important to continue to regularly visit your pediatric dentist in Chicago. Your dentist can clean the areas that you are unable to reach. Additionally, your pediatric dentist in Chicago IL will be able to check the surrounding gums and bone to ensure that they are healthy.

As always, your pediatric dentist Chicago IL recommends thorough brushing and flossing on a daily basis. Paying attention to your oral hygiene will ensure that your implant survives. If you continue to maintain good oral hygiene, your implants can last a for the rest of your life without a need for replacement.

Blog Maintained By Identity Dental Marketing Company.  

Pediatric Dentist in Chicago - Dental Emergencies

Accidents happen all the time. Teeth get knocked out, fillings or crowns fall out. But when dealing with any type of discomfort, pain or injury to your gums or teeth, it is important to take care of the issue immediately. Be sure to contact your pediatric dentist chicago with any dental issues or concerns you may be having. If left ignored, you are potentially putting yourself at risk of further damage that may need more extensive care and treatment later on. Below, is a brief guide to help you cope with some of the most common dental issues as you make your way to the dental office. As always, be sure to consult your pediatric dentist in Chicago IL first about any dental issues you are having.

Toothaches: If you notice any discomfort or sharp pain from your teeth, be sure to try and clean it as best you could first. Be sure to floss and rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water and see if the pain goes away. Apply a warm washcloth on the outside of your cheek if you notice any swelling. If you do notice that your mouth or gums around the tooth is swollen, or if you have a fever then you may have an affected tooth that needs immediate attention. Be sure to see your Pediatric Dentist Chicago IL immediately if any of these symptoms occur. Your dentist can help recover your tooth and relieve any pain or discomfort you may have so be sure not to wait any longer than 2 days to see your dentist.

Tooth Loss: Loosing a tooth for a child is normal and happens all the time, however if the tooth was lost during an accident, be sure to see your Pediatric Dentist in Chicago immediately. Your dentist will be able to determine how to restore or salvage your lost tooth. If you are able to retrieve your lost tooth, be sure to hold it by the crown (not the root) and rinse it off thoroughly with warm water without scrubbing. Then if you are able, try and place the tooth back in the place or put it in milk until you are able to see your dentist.

Lost Crown: Loosing a crown can be very painful because it exposes the tissue of your tooth to air and temperature causing extreme amounts of sensitivity. If you loose a crown, be sure to contact the Chicago Pediatric Dentist immediately and if you are able, bring the crown with you to the dentist. To help you relieve any pain or discomfort as you make your way to the dentist, use a cotton ball and apply clove oil which can be found at your local drug store to the sensitive area. If you have the crown with you, you can also apply it back on your tooth temporarily, as you make your way to your dentist. Before doing so, be sure to rinse the crown thoroughly first. You can then apply the crown back on your tooth by adding dental cement, tooth paste, or denture adhesive to the inside of the crown.

The Chicago IL Pediatric Dentist only wants to help relieve any pain or discomfort you may have or help restore your smile, so be sure to contact your Pediatric Dentist Chicago first before handling any dental issues on your own.

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