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Naperville IL Periodontist | Three Brushing Habits Causing More Harm Than Good

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We’ve been hearing it for probably just about as long as we’ve had teeth. Brushing twice a day, every day is the best thing you can do for your oral health. But there’s far more to it than that. Brushing your teeth may have become a habit, but don’t let it be a bad one. You could be performing bad habits regularly- some of which you consider beneficial. But don’t fear, you can fix these bad habits easily if you know what they are.

You brush too hard

We didn’t think it was possible either. But too much pressure can actually damage your teeth and irritate your gums. If you regularly bully your mouth it may even lead to scratches and infections.

It’s easier to remove plaque than you may think. Surprisingly loose, its only when it hardens to tartar that it becomes difficult to remove. Instead of trying to powerwash your teeth, gently massage, think soft strokes and a gentle massage. Be nice to your mouth and it will be nice to you.

You share your toothbrush

SURELY, this goes without saying, but just in case: Do NOT share a toothbrush. Even if you sometimes share food and drinks with your partner. Even if you regularly kiss each other. It’s gross and you should feel bad.

When you share a toothbrush you open your body up to all kinds of germs that it isn’t prepared to handle. Toothbrushes can harbor the flu, pneumonia, HPV, and not to mention that bacteria that causes tooth decay – streptococcus mutans- a scary name for a scary thing. Maybe you can’t bear to be separated from your partner, but trust us, this is the one exception you should make.

You’re brushing too quickly

The average American brushes spends 45 seconds brushing their teeth. That’s less than half the recommended time. If you’re one of the jokesters that’s rushin’ the brushin’, you should know that when you do so you’re leaving behind countless germs and bacteria that are damaging to your oral health. Additionally, some of the ingredients in your toothpaste, like fluoride, need time to do their job. Fluoride isn’t going to help protect your enamel in only 45 seconds.

To continue learning about the brushing habits that could be causing damage to your oral health, make sure that you check back in with our blog regularly. In the meantime, if you want to keep your best oral health schedule your next appointment with our office today.

Naperville IL Periodontist | A Glass of Red Wine Keeps the Dentist Away

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If you read the title of this article and began to immediately pour yourself a glass of cabernet, there’s good news and bad news.

The good news is that red wine offers a host of potential health benefits, including keeping the brain young, promoting hormonal health and preventing heart disease. Recently, scientists from the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid found that exposure to compounds found in red wine can also help prevent bacteria from sticking to your gums. This bacteria, if left in your mouth, is directly responsible for plaque and tooth decay.

The compounds the researchers studied are called polyphenols and they can also be found in things like coffee, cranberry juice and other kinds of berries.

Despite the promising findings, you shouldn’t start looking for wine flavored toothpaste just yet. The chemicals used in the study were much more concentrated than they would be in wine and the exposure times lasted up to 47 hours. You may have more pressing concerns if you are able to drink for that amount of time.

Instead, the research done is a preliminary look into how these compounds might be used in the future as preventative medicines that would fight against oral diseases. For now, make sure you stick to regularly scheduled appointments with our team to keep your oral health in great shape. Contact our office today to schedule your next appointment.

Naperville IL Periodontist | Reap the Total Health Benefits of Brushing and Flossing

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Brushing and flossing are not only good for a fresh breath and a beautiful smile. As it turns out, there are advantages for your entire body as well. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the ways brushing your teeth can help you keep you healthy from teeth to toes.

Brushing and flossing can help with your overall body weight in some pretty unique ways. For example, good oral health decreases your risk of diabetes and also increases your chances of maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet. It’s hard to eat well when your mouth is in constant pain from poor health. Also, brushing acts as a natural signal for your brain that you are finished eating. Brushing can also burn up to 3,500 calories per year. Every little bit counts. 

For mothers, oral health is important not only for yourself, but also for that of your baby. Women with chronic gum disease can have an increased chance of premature births and low birth weights for their children. When pregnant, not only are you eating for two, but remember that you’re also brushing and flossing for two. 

Brushing and flossing are also great ways to keep your gums healthy. Recent studies have linked gum disease to cognitive dysfunction and even Alzheimer’s disease. Gingivitis was found to be connected to poor cognitive function and health throughout a patient’s lifetime.

While it certainly won’t replace regular exercise and a healthy diet any time soon, brushing your teeth can have a real impact on your wellness. To see the best results, be diligent in your brushing regimen and remember to contact our office and schedule your next appointment today.

Naperville IL Periodontist | Flossing or Waterpik? Which is Better for Your Oral Health

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Naperville IL Periodontist | Flossing or Waterpik? Which is Better for Your Oral Health

In 1962 the waterpik was first invented. Since then, people have been curious to know which is better for your oral health, regular flossing or water picking? Which one do dentists recommend? Before we skip directly to the answer, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each of the techniques.

Flossing

It may just seem like a boring piece of string, but it’s so much more. Flossing is a great way of removing food that is in between the teeth or below the gum line. It’s a very efficient method of doing so and it’s probably one of the cheapest things you’ll ever buy. Flossing is quick, easy, and you can get it done just about anywhere.

Unfortunately, in unpracticed hands, normal flossing can make it hard to reach some areas of the mouth. It can also cause minor bleeding, worsening or causing gum sensitivity.

Water Picking

Today, we’re more dependent upon our technology than ever before. The waterpik is a special machine that shoots a stream of water into the mouth, using pressure to massage the gums and push food away from your teeth. It’s incredibly easy to use, making it a great choice for people with braces or other types of dental work. The massaging effect can be a great benefit to gum health. Water picking is also easier to maneuver, getting to those hard to reach places that regular floss just can’t seem to reach.

However, Waterpiks can be expensive and clunky to store in your bathroom. It also requires access to electricity and clean water too, meaning that you can’t travel with it as well as you can with a handy pocket sized floss container.

The truth is, there really is no right answer as to which is the better flossing option. Depending on your needs and your circumstances, both are great options to get your flossing done. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry found that water picking reduced plaque by 74.4 percent while flossing only reached 57.7 percent. Water picking can also reduce your chances of gingivitis or bleeding gums when compared to traditional floss. However, many dentists still recommend string flossing as the best way to clean the gaps between your teeth.

Whatever you decide, our experienced dental team is here to help you maintain your oral health for life. Contact our office today to schedule your next appointment.

Naperville IL Periodontist | A Glass of Red Wine Keeps the Dentist Away

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If you read the title of this article and began to immediately pour yourself a glass of cabernet, there’s good news and bad news.

Naperville IL Periodontist | A Glass of Red Wine Keeps the Dentist Away

The good news is that red wine offers a host of potential health benefits, including keeping the brain young, promoting hormonal health and preventing heart disease. Recently, scientists from the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid found that exposure to compounds found in red wine can also help prevent bacteria from sticking to your gums. This bacteria, if left in your mouth, is directly responsible for plaque and tooth decay.

The compounds the researchers studied are called polyphenols and they can also be found in things like coffee, cranberry juice and other kinds of berries.

Despite the promising findings, you shouldn’t start looking for wine flavored toothpaste just yet. The chemicals used in the study were much more concentrated than they would be in wine and the exposure times lasted up to 47 hours. You may have more pressing concerns if you are able to drink for that amount of time.

Instead, the research done is a preliminary look into how these compounds might be used in the future as preventative medicines that would fight against oral diseases. For now, make sure you stick to regularly scheduled appointments with our team to keep your oral health in great shape. Contact our office today to schedule your next appointment.

Dental Implants Naperville | 3 Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums

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Our experienced dental team wants to remind you that no matter how busy life gets, your oral health and wellness are equally as important. With that in mind, here are three easy tips to keep you out of the dentist’s chair and enjoying your life with beautiful teeth and gums.  

  1. Moderation is Everything  – The world is full of delicious food that we can’t wait to try. Unfortunately, some of that food can negatively impact your teeth and gums. Sugary drinks, such as lemonade, sweet tea, soda and alcoholic beverages have acids and sugars that can soften tooth enamel. Foods like corn on the cob and bone in meats not only stick in between teeth, but can also cause injury. Make sure to keep some floss handy. While it’s no fun to try and avoid all the sweets, neither is a painful toothache, so remember to limit your consumption of sugar. 
  2. Your Teeth Should Not Be Used as a Bottle Opener – We’ve all seen someone try it, or maybe done it ourselves. You struggle to open a bottle and in your haste to get back to the festivities, you use your teeth. But teeth aren’t meant for this purpose. This can leave you with a painful, broken tooth. While it may seem like a quick and easy solution, take a few seconds and reconsider. Your teeth are precious, don’t treat them like a tool.   
  3. Safety First – According to the American Dental Association, more than 200,000 oral injuries are prevented each year by wearing a mouth guard. Whether you’re a professional athlete, or play recreationally, it’s important to remember the proper mouth protection to make sure you keep your teeth.   

The best thing you can do for your oral health is to stick to your normal oral hygiene routine. Brush at least twice a day, floss daily, and be sure to schedule your next appointment with us to keep your teeth and gums healthy for all that life has to offer. 

Periodontist 60540 | Gums: The Foundation for a Healthy Smile

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Periodontist 60540

When people think of a healthy smile, they think of perfectly aligned white teeth. Many don’t realize that without healthy gums, your mouth and your body isn’t healthy either. Your gum and periodontal health is not something to take lightly, as it is the foundation for a healthy mouth.  

Gums Hold and Support your Teeth 

Your gums are what hold your teeth in place and allow you to bite and chew. Healthy gums attach to the root of the tooth and the tooth socket . The gum helps to protect the teeth and jaw bones from disease and physical damage. 

Gum Disease is Linked to Systemic Disease 

Your mouth is the gateway to your body. If you have a persisting infection in your mouth, other areas of the body are also prone to disease. Gum disease has been directly linked to heart disease, diabetes and stroke. If you have signs of gum disease, it is imperative to seek professional periodontal care.  

How to Know if your Gums are Healthy 

Healthy gums are colored light pink and are tight to the teeth. They shouldn’t bleed when you properly brush and floss. If you have any questions regarding your gums and oral health, please contact our office.  

Periodontist Naperville IL | Gum Health Alert: Periodontal Pockets

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If you have red, swollen gums, receding gums or experience bleeding while brushing, you could be at risk for gum disease.  

What is a Periodontal Pocket? 

Periodontal pockets form along the gum line and are one of the major signs of gum disease. A healthy tooth will have gums that fit snug and are a light pink color with pockets no more than 3 millimeters in depth. If a tooth is suffering from gum disease, the gum begins to recede from the tooth and form a pocket. These periodontal pockets act as a place for more plaque and bacteria to collect, furthering the progression of the disease. If not treated, periodontal pockets can lead to further infection and could lead to tooth loss.  

Periodontal Pocket Treatment 

Treatment often begins with a periodontal cleaning which allows for thorough removal of infection and bacteria below the gum line. This keeps the disease from progressing.  

Periodontal Pocket Prevention 

Practicing optimal oral hygiene is the best way to prevent gum disease and periodontal pockets. Using a soft bristled brush to gently clean along the gum line twice a day and flossing once a day, along with keeping regular professional dental care will help to prevent this disease.  

Contact us today to schedule your next professional exam and cleaning. 

Naperville Perio Phone: (630) 355-5010 Fax: (630) 355-4317 Url: https://napervilleperio.com/ 10 W. Martin Ave. Suite 211 Naperville, IL 60540

Periodontist in Naperville | Dental Radiographs (X-Rays) and Your Oral Health

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60540 Periodontist

Radiographs, or x-rays, provide important diagnostic information for your dentist, allowing for proper and accurate treatment. The technology behind radiographs has improved rapidly over the last few decades, becoming safer, more accurate, and easier to use. Read our guide on what makes dental radiographs an important step to protecting your oral health.

What exactly are dental radiographs?

Radiographs are a form of electromagnetic radiation similar to visible light or radio waves that can be used to map out the inside of your body. Soft tissue such as skin or muscle allow most rays to pass through, creating a darker image, while denser materials like your teeth and bone tissue cause a brighter image. These radiographs can be used to help diagnose and examine anything from tooth decay to broken bones.

Are they safe?

Radiographs are completely safe, exposing you to even less radiation than the average exposure you receive from your typical environment. In addition, digital x-rays require even less radiation than traditional film x-ray technology.

Why do I need them?

Using radiographs allows us to observe your oral health in ways that we cannot examine with the naked eye. Our team can check for tooth decay, bone damage, or endodontic issues in your mouth. We can observe the position of your teeth to determine if any are impacted or experiencing crowding. Deeper concerns that are difficult to otherwise notice such as cysts, tumors, or abscesses show up easily on radiographs. By seeing the internal state of your mouth, we can plan treatment that will ensure your oral health is optimal.

Radiographs are important tools to give us insight into your oral health, screen for oral cancer, and help us to recommend treatment plans. They allow us to serve you with accuracy and confidence in our work. To schedule your next dental visit with our team, contact our office today.

10 W. Martin Ave, Suite 211, Naperville, IL 60540

Periodontist in Naperville | Oral Health and Overall Health

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Poor oral health is usually linked with bad breath, and rightfully so.  But as it turns out, keeping your gums healthy helps lower your risk for many diseases, including the following:

Arthritis:

Periodontal (gum) disease is an inflammatory disorder where the gums become inflamed and the immune system starts to attack its own tissues.  This is precisely what causes the pain that many people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). There have been several studies done that show there is a link between RA and periodontal disease, but now there is some evidence that there may be a direct causation.

The European Congress of Rheumatology did a study on 636 patients with varying levels of teeth lost from gum disease.  They found that the participants with 10 or fewer teeth were 8 times more likely to have arthritis than those who retained all of their original teeth (32, including wisdom teeth).

Cardiovascular:

While more circumstantial, there is evidence to show that there is a strong link between good oral and heart health.  Because periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition, patients may be at a higher risk of developing atherosclerosis, which is hardening of arteries due to inflammation.  Having healthy gums reduces your risk for heart attack and stroke.

Respiratory Infections

Your mouth and lungs are both a part of respiratory system, so it is possible for the bacteria in the mouth to travel to the lungs.

Most types of bacteria in your mouth are benign and do nothing more than aid in digesting food particles in the mouth.  However pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria can enter the mouth and, with poor oral care, may find a prime environment to thrive before spreading from the mouth into the lungs where they can cause health problems.  The good news is that keeping your mouth clean with regular brushing and flossing lessens their impact, and helps keep the rest of you healthier, too!

Pregnancy Complications

Up to 70% of women develop gingivitis during their pregnancy, creatively referred to as “pregnancy gingivitis.”  Hormone levels change during the pregnancy which cause an inflammatory response that then can increase the risk of developing periodontal diseases.

Studies have shown a strong link of periodontal disease with preterm labor.  In a normal pregnancy, a balance of inflammatory proteins is counterbalanced by anti-inflammatory proteins.  However, when a pregnant woman has gum disease, the high levels of inflammation protein can induce preterm labor or other complications, putting the health of both the mother and the developing baby at risk.

Cancer

A U.S. study found that people with severe gum disease are not only at risk of losing teeth, but also at a greater risk for cancer.  The study found that those with healthy gums had a 24% less chance of having any kind of cancer, and a 50% less likelihood of developing lung cancer.

Good News

Fortunately, gum disease is highly preventable!  For more information on how a healthy mouth makes for a healthy body or to make an appointment, call our office today!

Sources:

https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/comorbidities/gum-disease/ra-and-gum-disease.php

https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/periodontal-disease-heart-health#1

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/gum-disease/how-periodontal-disease-affects-your-lungs-0815

http://theconversation.com/how-gum-disease-in-pregnant-women-poses-a-risk-to-their-newborns-55484

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-periodontitis-cancer/cancer-risk-elevated-with-severe-gum-disease-idUSKBN1FJ2CA

10 W. Martin Ave, Suite 211, Naperville, IL 60540