Posted on March 5, 2014

While oral health is largely based on your oral health habits, your genetics can also play a role. Each person’s mouth is different, and genetics determine the physical makeup of your mouth, including tooth and jaw shape, the strength of your teeth, and other components of your smile. Although your smile is inherited, your dentist Buffalo Grove can help you maintain a healthy smile regardless of your mouth’s genetic makeup.

look
The structure or look of your mouth can play a role in your oral health. For example, if you have large teeth with a relatively smaller jaw, you might be more susceptible to crowding. Conversely, if you have small teeth with a relatively larger jaw, you could experience diastema, or a gap in your teeth. If you experience crowding or diastema, you should schedule an appointment with your Dentist in Buffalo Grove to explore your options.

Strength of Your Teeth
In addition, the strength of your teeth can impact your risk for developing cavities. If your teeth are inherently weaker than most, your Dentist Buffalo Grove IL might recommend that you consume more dairy products and pay stricter attention to your oral health habits than others. While genetics play a role in your oral health, your habits and behaviors also make a great impact.

Nutritional Preferences
Your preferences for certain foods and beverages are oftentimes inherited, which can also indirectly affect your oral health. It is important to be aware of foods and drinks that are harmful to your teeth so that you can keep your smile healthy. For example, if you are predisposed to favor sugary drinks over unsweetened tea, this can increase your chances of developing cavities if you do not resist the urge to consistently consume that type of beverage. Your dentist in Buffalo Grove IL recommends sticking to water, dairy products and unsweetened tea to improve your oral health.

Whether your genetics impact your smile in a positive or negative way, you can keep your smile healthy and beautiful by practicing good oral hygiene. You should floss daily, brush twice a day, and visit your Buffalo Grove Dentist regularly. Although genetics affect the look of your smile, the state of your oral health is in your control. You can prevent oral issues such as tooth decay and periodontal disease by keeping up with your oral hygiene and staying educated about oral health and advancements in dentistry. By using your knowledge of oral health to your advantage, you can keep your mouth healthy for your entire life.

Gary Morris

—–

Posted on February 24, 2014

—–

Posted on January 9, 2014

—–

Posted on January 9, 2014

—–

Posted on December 26, 2013

After having a tooth extracted by the dentist Buffalo Grove, 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 dentist in Buffalo Grove, 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 dentist Buffalo Grove 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 dentist in Buffalo Grove IL 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 Buffalo Grove dentist.

—–

Posted on December 26, 2013

If you have received a dental implant from your Buffalo Grove dentist, 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 dentist Buffalo Grove 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 dentist in Buffalo Grove. Your dentist can clean the areas that you are unable to reach. Additionally, your dentist in Buffalo Grove IL will be able to check the surrounding gums and bone to ensure that they are healthy.

As always, your dentist Buffalo Grove 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.

—–

Posted on November 14, 2013

There are nearly 26 million Americans who have diabetes. Diabetes is a group of diseases that affects how your body uses blood glucose, or blood sugar. Glucose is very important because it provides energy for your body and brain.

People who live with diabetes are two times more likely to develop gum disease. This is because diabetes makes the body more susceptible to bacterial infections. Gum disease develops gradually which is why it important to see your Dentist Buffalo Grove regularly to prevent gum disease from occurring or getting worse.

Tooth Decay: People with diabetes are more prone to tooth decay because diabetes is associated with dry mouth and low saliva production which promotes bacterial growth. Naturally, everyone has many forms of bacteria coating their teeth, which creates plaque. When you eat sugary or starchy foods, the plaque begin to release acid that attacks the enamel of your teeth. The more sugar you consume the more acid is released. Over time, the enamel of your tooth will break down resulting in cavities.

Early Gum Disease: Diabetes lowers your resistance to infection and slows down your healing process. Because so, you are at a higher risk of developing gum disease. When plaque isn’t removed promptly, it will harden and turn into tartar. Once tartar starts to build up and irritate the gum lines, you will produce an early form of gum disease known as gingivitis. With gingivitis, your gums will become inflamed and tend to bleed easily. Once gum disease is prevalent, only your Dentist in Buffalo Grove can help to maintain the disease and prevent it from progressing.

Periodontitis: If gingivitis is left untreated, the infection becomes more serious and moves from your gums to the soft tissue and bone structure of your teeth. This more serious condition is called periodontitis. Having periodontitis can result to tooth loss and increases your chances of stroke or heart attack. Also with periodontitis, it can make diabetes harder to control. Be sure to consult with your Buffalo Grove Dentist for periodontitis solutions.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene every day can help you reduce the risk of developing gum disease. It is important to remember that living with diabetes requires a lot of special attention to your health, including oral health. Be sure to see you buffalo Grove IL dentist regularly to help prevent gum disease from progressing. Also, it is important to notify your dentist that you have diabetes so that they will be able to better assist you.

—–

Posted on October 15, 2013

October is finally here and soon approaching, is Halloween. As much as the Buffalo Grove Dentist would love for patients to choose healthier options for Halloween treats, it is inevitable that they will choose to eat candy and sweets. So the Buffalo Grove IL dentist has provided you with a few tips on how to keep a healthy smile for you and your family this Halloween.

The Negative Effects of Candy

As delicious as candy can be, it can have a negative effect on teeth. When you eat sweets, it coats your teeth with a clear sticky substance called plaque which contains bacteria. The bacteria in plaque feeds off the sugar you consume and creates acid which attacks your teeth after you eat. Over a period of time, this can result in tooth decay, cavities and even tooth loss.

With a regular trip to your Dentist in Buffalo Grove, you should be able to prevent tooth decay from progressing. But if cavities do form, be sure to see the Dentist in Buffalo Grove IL right away to prevent any additional damage that can occur to your tooth or to relieve any discomfort you may feel.

Healthy Teeth Tips for Halloween:

Here are a few suggestions for keeping yours and your family’s teeth healthy this Halloween season:

1. To your basket of candy, mix in some Halloween-themed pencils or stickers. You will be surprised to see how many children choose these items over candy.
2. When enjoying candy, try to avoid the gooey or chewy ones that can linger on teeth after eating.
3. After eating candy, try to brush or rinse your mouth with water to remove any leftover sugar in the mouth. The bacteria in the mouth can attack your teeth up to 20 minutes after consumption, which can lead to tooth decay so it is important to remove it as soon as possible.
4. After the first day of receiving candy, try to get rid of any leftovers. Eating candy once every day can really affect the health of your teeth and increase the amount of attention they need to be cleaned.

Overall, it is important to practice proper oral care. Children usually follow the footsteps of those who set positive healthy habits so be sure to talk with your children about the importance of practicing a twice-a-day brushing and flossing routine. Your Bufffalo Grove Dentist can also provide different options to help keep your child’s teeth healthy, such as dental sealants or fluoride rinses. If you have any questions about maintaining a healthy and clean smile for you or your family, be sure to contact your Dentist in Buffalo Grove for more information.

—–

Posted on August 19, 2013

Fluoride decreases dental decay. Since 1945 the U.S. Government has advocated the controlled addition of fluoride to public drinking water. In small amounts, ingested fluoride seems to strengthen the enamel while it is being formed in young children or pregnant women. Recommended levels of fluoride in water should range from 0.5mg – 1.0mg per liter of water with 0.7mg per liter as optimal. Too much fluoride in water will change the appearance of the enamel making permanent teeth look discolored and pitted. Applying fluoride topically to the teeth in the form of toothpaste or gels stimulates the re-mineralization of the enamel and topical fluoride gel can also decrease the sensitivity of exposed root surfaces. Fluoride treatment is recommended as an adjunct to your scheduled dental cleanings. If your water supply is from a well, take a sample of your water to the county and have it tested for fluoride levels. If there is an insufficient amount, please contact our office at 847-215-1511 for advice on how to ensure your teeth are adequately protected.

—–