Which tooth paste would you recommend?

Of course, the one with the ADA seal on it , and that is true. But it is interesting how most of the toothpastes on the shelves of your local Walgreens or Costco will have the ADA seal and each one will be different from the other because of their teeth whitening properties, or cavity protective properties, or tartar control or desensitizing  properties. The regular tooth paste is at the bottom shelf and is surrounded by more expensive tubes. So after all is said and done,when properly applied with a good brush and good technique, your regular tooth paste will work just as fine as the other fancy counterparts.

Desensitizing toothpastes though are helpful for sensitive teeth and contain potassium nitrate that can reduce sensitivity.

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.

Night guards. For me?

Over the past years, I have recommended night guards for many patients and they have benefitted from wearing a night guard . The general opinion is that patients do not really  like to wear one. Night guards can be made in different materials and I usually prefer the soft lined night guards that have a harder outer layer for maximum efficiency and a softer inner lining for optimum comfort.

They have minimum to zero  tissue contact with your gums and can be worn in either your upper or lower jaw. Even though you deny grinding your teeth while you sleep, the asymmetrical wear patterns on your teeth can be at least partly linked to grinding or clenching your teeth either in the daytime or at night time.

You may not be a true bruxer, but a night guard will surely reduce the wear of enamel on your teeth. The only contraindication of a night guardis-Unwillingness to wear one!!

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.

How can I book an appointment at your office?

The usual way is to call our office at 630-793-9480, but if it is after hours, and you have the urge to make an appointment, then you could leave us a voicemail requesting an appointment or make an appointment via our website at www.glendaleheightsdentist.com.

Now, there really is no need to wait to make an appointment. We reserve time in our daily schedule to see patients who have a dental emergency.

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.

How do I choose a new dentist?

Have you recently moved into a new city or has your dentist’s office moved or the dentist has retired?

Some situations may arise that can keep you on the lookout for a new dental provider in your vicinity.

Here are some factors to consider while you make that decision.

1. Ask your prospective dentist if they accept your insurance plan? And also make sure to ask if they will take care of handling your insurance claims on your behalf .
2. What are their office hours? Do they have weekend hours or after work hours? Are they flexible in scheduling your appointments so that you do not have to miss work very often?
3. Where do your friends or family go? Ask them or ask in your local church or school or on Facebook.
4. Look at the website of the office and compare how one office is different from another or which appeals more to you interms of distance from your home, ease of parking , and other factors.

With these tips in hand, you will be adequately prepared to make an educated decision about choosing your oral health provider.

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.  

Manual or electric tooth brush?

Wondering if that hi-tech power toothbrush on display at your dentist’s office or in the commercials that hit us every day is really more superior to the manual tooth brush? And what about the power tooth brushes that operate on the AA batteries? Where do they stand?

The answer is not a simple one and like anything else, each have their own pros and cons.

The electric tooth brushes do have some some powerful features that make them an attractive choice like they come with an in built timer and the moving bristles are more effective in removing plaque.The downside is that they can get expensive and the ongoing cost of replacing heads can pile up in the long run. So ,you want to make sure you know what you are getting into.

Regularly replaced manual brushes will be more effective than worn out electric heads. Manual brushes are tried and tested , and do their job just right, if the correct technique is used for a sufficient amount of time. You have to do all the job. Some people fall into bad habits of simply swabbing their teeth .

So, which tooth brush is best for you? The one which you will use effectively and frequently. Also remember, no matter which tooth brush you choose to use, daily flossing and dental visits for teeth cleaning are absolutely necessary for good oral health.

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.  

What should I know about my wisdom teeth

For those who have their wisdom teeth placed correctly in a mouth that is big enough for them to erupt completely without tilting, wisdom teeth are usually harmless. But for many patients, wisdom teeth can cause many problems and these problems more often than not necessitate removal of the wisdom teeth.

Do you need your wisdom teeth removed?

Call your dentist in Glendale Heights for a consultation or visit us on the web at www.glendaleheightsdentist.com.

Post extraction care-

1.      Many times, more than one  wisdom tooth are removed at a singleappointment , so that recovery time is reduced. Patients should be prepared for a liquid diet at least for a day or two after wisdom teeth removal. You can have ice creams , mashed potatoes , pudding without any guilt after wisdom teeth removal.

2.      As with any tooth removal or minor surgery, expect some pain and swelling. These can be controlled by antibiotics and pain medicines.

3.      Brush very gently in the region of the extraction site and try to keep the socket free of food particles .

4.      Ice packs applied externally can help to reduce the swelling , if any.

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.  

Tips for surviving your next dental appointment

It is estimated that around around 20 % of  Americans do not go to the dentist due to fear and anxiety.  A great percentage of people will only go when absolutely necessary.

Dental appointments do not have to be filled with fear or phobia and here are few tips that can help you before you decide to knock yourself out during the appointment with Xanax or Laughing gas.

1.      Take your ipod with you - Music is a great stress buster and has a relaxing effect. It can make you run faster on your tread mill  and distract you after a stressful day at work. So, tune in to your favourite playlists and dream about being on a beach or a happier place while your dentist shines your pearly whites.

2.      Communicate- Most people are scared of the unknown. Ask questions about the procedure to be performed  or the instruments used. Don’t suffer in silence.

3.      Schedule your appointments on a relaxed day and avoid coming in after a stressful day at work.

4.      You should be able to completely trust your dentist. If you do not trust your dentist, look for another one.

5.      Your child’s first visit should be more fun than fear. As an accompanying parent, you should be able to relax and not impose your fears on the child.

6.      A recent trend is dentistry in a spa atmosphere, but do not expect your insurance to pick up the pedicure tab.

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.  

Dental Humor

Everyone needs a little humor to get them through the day. Whether you need  little break from work, or school work, these one liners are sure to give your facial muscles a little exercise-
1. What does the dentist of the year get-
A Plaque.

2. Where does the dentist get his gas?
At the filling station

3. Patient- Doctor, I am very nervous, this is my first extraction.
Doctor- Don’t worry, mine too.

4. Mom- Has your tooth stopped hurting yet?
Son- I don’t know, my dentist kept it.

5. A little boy was taken to the dentist for filling a cavity. The dentist asked-  Young man, what filling would you like ? The boy replied- Chocolate please.

And one more chuckle for you-

6-What was the dentist looking for in Panama?
Ans- The root canal.

So What’s your favorite dentist joke?
Share with us via Facebook or visit us on the web at www.glendaleheightsdentist.com.

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.  

Healthy Teeth Healthy Heart

Experts say that your oral health could clue you in to the condition of your heart — so listen up! Here's what you should know about the links between your teeth, gums, and ticker.

You brush, floss and follow all your dentist’s commandments for healthy teeth. But did you know that these mouth healthy habits can keep your heart healthy too?

Research has found a surprising number of links between healthy teeth and gums and a healthy heart. In fact we now know that people who develop gum disease ( gingivitis) and periodontitis( infection of gums and tissues below the level of the teeth) are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease. Another study suggests that half the patients with heart disease have bleeding gums, gum disease and missing teeth.

When there is an unusually high amount of bacteria in the mouth , the bacteria enters the bloodstream and travels all the way to the heart , therefore leading to inflammation in the heart and blood vessels.The bacteria can lead to increased chances of clot formation that can block the blood flow to your heart. Meanwhile researchers are also studying the relationship between gum disease and stroke, osteoporosis, diabetes, preterm babies , and even respiratory disease.

If you have bad breath, bleeding gums, or loose teeth, swollen gums,  you could be suffering from gum disease . To know more about gum disease treatment, call your dentist in Glendale heights at 630-793-9480 or visit us on the web at www.glendaleheightsdentist.com

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.  

Tips for Fresh Breath

Dentists say it all the time- If you brush twice a day, floss and scrape your tongue, it is the first step towards battling bad breath. Your mouth contains millions of bacteria, so remember, your food supply is  their food supply .

Drink plenty of water- Hydrate hydrate – It is not only good for your skin, and the entire system by flushing out toxins, but it’s a very simple and easy way to clear stubborn food particles from your mouth and eliminate dryness of your mouth,which can cause bad breath. Saliva helps keep the oral tissues moist, so saliva along with ample of water intake can help prevent dry mouth. Alcohol too contributes to dry mouth, so eliminate intake of alcohol.

Eat foods that are high in vitamin C rich foods like melons, citrus fruits and fiber packed foods like apples and celery.

Opt for sugar free gum instead of sugary mints which do more harm than good by leaving behind a sugar residue on the tongue .

If you are following all the above tips and still have less than ideal fresh breath, contact your Dentist In Glendale Heights at 630-793-9480 or make an appointment online via www.glendaleheightsdentist.com.

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar. 

Dental Myths

It is amazing how many dental myths are floating there , whether they are about general oral health, dental treatment or certain kinds of food. There is a lot of information that may not be 100 % true.
It is hard to make good health decisions without having the right knowledge.
Here are a few myths that we come across on a very regular basis from our patients-

1. Teeth whitening weakens your teeth-The truth is that teeth whitening does not weaken the teeth at all,and are harmless if performed correctly. It can cause teeth sensitivity which is transient and limited to plain sensitivity, it is not related to the strength of the teeth .
2. The more sugar you eat, the worse it is for your teeth-

The amount of sugar you eat is not as crucial as the duration for which it is consumed. The longer the time tha sugary foods stay in contact with your teeth, the longer your teeth are exposwed to the ill effects of sugar and more bacteria can feed on them, thus leading to tooth decay. Thus eat your candy quickly instead of eating sugary foods over a prolonged period of time to limit the incidence of cavities.

1. Brushing your teeth is bad for bleeding gums – If your gums are bleeding when you brush your teeth, it is no reason to stop brushing them.Bleeding gums are a sign of food particles stuck between your teeth and under the gums and need to be removed carefully to treat bleeding gums by brushing and dental cleaning by your dentist or hygienist.
2. Did you fall for any of these legends or do you know of any popular myths about your teeth or oral health?

Share it with us online or come visit your Glendale Heights Dentist at Lotus Family Dental Care – 522 North Avenue, Glendale Heights, Il 60139.

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.