Dental Care During and After Pregnancy

Taking good care of your teeth and your gums isn’t only about you, it is also about the health of your baby. Your child’s teeth begin to develop during the 2nd trimester of your pregnancy. You need to eat a balanced diet rich in calcium in order to make sure that you and your baby are receiving adequate nourishment.

In addition to this, it is commonplace for pregnant women to observe an increased redness, bleeding and swelling of the gums. This is called as “pregnancy gingivitis”. It occurs due to increased hormone levels such as progesterone, which causes a stronger than normal response to plaque/tartar around your teeth. This type of gingivitis can be adequately kept in control by practicing good oral hygiene  by brushing and flossing regularly.  It is important to get your teeth cleaned by your dentist during pregnancy. Also, you may get busier after your newborn arrives, and it is easy  to neglect your oral health, once your bundle of joy arrives!

Remember, you can always ask your dentist in Glendale Heights at Lotus Family Denatal Care about how to maintain good oral hygiene during and after pregnancy .

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.

The changing face of oral cancer

Once considered as an old man smoker’s disease, oral cancer is rapidly changing its face. In recent times, cancer of the oral cavity is seen in a much younger population of males and females who may or may not have a history of tobacco and alcohol consumption or other earlier known risk factors. Human Papilloma Virus that causes cervical cancer is known to be responsible for oral cancer as well.

Almost 41,000 Americans are diagnosed annually for oral and throat cancers. It is alarming that the 5 year survival rate of oral cancer is only close to 64 %.

Early detection and treatment is the key to long term survival without undergoing significant surgery and resulting facial deformities.

During your initial dental visit at Lotus Dental Care, we do a visual examination of your oral tissues including, but not limited to the teeth, gums, cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth, tonsils, palate, followed by palpation of the head and neck regions to check for early signs and symptoms of oral cancer.

The symptoms of oral cancer could be as follows-

1. A sore or an ulcer that refuses to heal. If it persists for more than 2 weeks, it needs attention.
2. Recurring ulcers or sore spots.
3. White discoloration of the tissues in the mouth.
4. A lump, thickening, rough spot, or a crust.
5. Pain, tenderness or numbness of the lips, teeth or gums.
6. A change in the way your teeth fit when you close your mouth.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial research, the first thing you should do while being treated for oral cancer is visit a dentist. Make sure to check your mouth for any sore spots or lesions developing during radiation or chemotherapy.

For more information on this topic, visit this website - http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/oral-cancer.

Taking care of teeth with braces

There are few things that are more challenging than trying to brush your teeth and floss them while you have braces. Although slightly difficult , it is very important to brush and floss during your orthodontic treatment in order to ensure that you do not get new cavities at the end of your treatment. It is a common scenario that new decay develops in several teeth during the treatment especially in the hard to reach areas such as the last molars. Also, there may be discoloration of the teeth and the various attachments and brackets that are present in your mouth.

Few tips for maintaining good oral hygiene –

• Invest in an electric tooth brush as it will increase your efficiency of brushing.
  
  
• Floss before you brush – This makes sure that all the food particles dislodged while flossing are removed completely while brushing.
  
  
• Use a proxabrush each time. It does a really good job at removing food particles between the teeth. Utilise your regular tooth brush aslo along with the proxabrush.
  
  
• Visit your dentist for cleaning regularly, so that if cavities develop, then they can be caught early on .

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.

Lipstick shades and a whiter smile

How tricky it is to find that perfect shade of lipstick. Did you know how some lipstick shades can actually make your teeth appear whiter than they are , while some shades can make them look yellow.

For a brighter dazzling smile, try-

1. Rich reds and berries-These colors are perfect to make your pearly whites look brighter. Notice Emma Stone’s lipstick?
2. Lip colors with blue undertones-           .
3. Shimmery bright pink glossy shades- These reflect against greying enamel and create an illusion of shinier teeth.

Best shades to avoid-

1. Shades like coral or tomato have yellow and orange undertones and make the teeth look yellower.
2. Avoid frosts, matts and pale pinks- to avoid dull looking teeth.

Try these tricks for a dazzling smile and let us know if they work for you.

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.

The debate over mercury in silver fillings

Are silver fillings really that dangerous for your health as they have been claimed?

In 2013, Dr Oz sparked up a controversy in his hugely popular show stating the dangers and hazards of silver fillings attributing it to the high mercury content in them. That controversy was soon followed by a claim from the American Dental Association that as a physician he failed to educate his viewers and relied on sensationalism to prove something that is inaccurate. The ADA counter claim was supported by several authentic research studies.

Dental amalgam fillings are actually safe and effective ways to restore the back teeth and usually last much longer than tooth colored fillings. Of course, it’s best to not have any filling. Tooth colored fillings are obviously the only option for treating cavities in the front teeth, but if there is a cavity in one of your back teeth which will not be visible , you do have two choices , white fillings or silver fillings , and both the choices are healthy and safe for you. In fact, several dentists will prefer silver fillings in their own teeth, and ask your dentist the reasons for this preference.

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.

It’s not your average denture

The word denture conjures up an image of a set of artificially looking set of fake teeth set up on a pink base that fits moderately and looks average. Often , one would imagine using denture adhesive to make the denture fit well .But thanks to recent advances in technology and in dentistry, there are many better ways to replace teeth , and one of them is implant supported dentures.

What exactly is an implant supported denture, you may ask.It is a denture that is supported by elements embedded in the bone of the jaws. The mandibular/lower denture can benefit more from an implant supported denture , but they can be useful for both upper and lower dentures.

Existing dentures can be modified to fit onto implants or new dentures can be made after thr implants are placed.

It is finally possible to replace many missing teeth with dentures while maintaining a high level of function and omfort.

This article has been posted by Dr. Purvi Thakkar.

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.