A cavity is caused by the bacteria in your mouth building up and turning to plaque. If the plaque is not brushed away, it can turn to tartar, which is a harder substance that your Wheeling Dentist uses special equipment to remove. If the tartar and plaque are not removed, either by the dentist or by practicing good oral hygiene at home, it will begin to eat away at the enamel on your teeth, leading to decay, and a cavity will eventually form.

Although many people know that cavities are caused by poor oral hygiene, there are several myths about cavities circulating. It is important to have a better understanding of cavities so that you can take the necessary steps in maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile. Your Wheeling IL Dentist has debunked some of the myths that have been going around to help you stay better informed.

If I have a cavity, I’ll know about it. In the beginning stages, cavities do not show symptoms. You will start to experience discomfort when the decay has advanced to a more severe stage, causing damage to the nerve.

If I brush, it’ll go away. Although brushing and flossing are great tools to prevent cavities, a cavity should not go untreated. This can cause the condition to worsen, which could lead to emergency, restorative dental care such as root canal therapy. By making regular visits to your Dentist in Wheeling, your dentist will be able to detect the cavity and treat it before it escalates any further.

Cavities are the leading cause of tooth loss. Although cavities can cause tooth loss, this is not the leading cause. Periodontal (gum) disease is the true leading cause of tooth loss. It is especially important to visit your Dentist in Wheeling IL if you are experiencing any symptoms of periodontal disease such as swollen, bleeding gums or atypical teeth sensitivity.

If you suspect that you have a cavity, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with your Wheeling Dentist. The sooner you catch a cavity, the more easily and comfortably it can be treated.

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 dentist in Wheeling IL 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 dentist Wheeling if you experience any of the symptoms of TMD and TMJ.

There are precautions your Wheeling dentist 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 dentist Wheeling IL.

If you are feeling soreness or tenderness in your jaw, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist in Wheeling 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.

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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 dentist Wheeling 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 dentist in Wheeling IL 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 Wheeling dentist.

In order to maximize the benefits of chewing gum, your dentist Wheeling 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 dentist in Wheeling to ensure that you maintain the best possible oral health.

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

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

As always, your dentist in Wheeling 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.

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 in wheeling 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 wheeling il 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 Wheeling 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 Dentist wheeling 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.

October is finally here and soon approaching, is Halloween. As much as the Wheeling 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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling, you should be able to prevent tooth decay from progressing. But if cavities do form, be sure to see the Dentist Wheeling 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 Dentist in Wheeling 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 Wheeling IL for more information.