Book an Appointment

How to Baby Your Teeth During Pregnancy

June 29, 2020

Pregnancy Teeth Tips - Woman researching teeth questions during pregnancy

If you’re not up on the latest oral-systemic link, it may seem odd that pregnancy affects your teeth, but it does! At the same time, your dental health has a very real effect on your developing baby. Many articles report that poor dental habits have been associated with premature delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. (Yikes!)

The positive news, however, is that you CAN take control over your hygiene and general oral health, and can likely sidestep that old adage “one tooth is lost with every pregnancy.”

First of all, that outdated saying is simply not true! Calcium is not lost from a mother’s teeth during pregnancy, BUT there are still some real dangers to be aware of – and we want to share a few preventative tips to help you maintain good oral health throughout your pregnancy.

Read on to learn about a few potential perils, and find ways to keep your mouth healthy for BOTH you and your new bundle of joy.

Watch Out for Those Sweet Treats

Are you constantly searching out ice cream to go with those pickles? Some say that sweet cravings forecast a baby girl (sugar and spice, and everything nice!), but when it comes to sugary snacks, a more concrete fact is that an increase in carbohydrates can negatively affect your oral health. Simply put: more sugar means a higher chance of tooth decay.

Pregnancy Teeth Tips - Help your teeth during pregnancy with healthy foods.

Choose healthy, lower-sugar foods to help ward off tooth decay.

To help ward off unwanted cavities, simply choose lower-sugar foods. In the event that only a sweet treat will satisfy your pregnancy craving, do your best to opt for a healthier option, like fresh fruit. BONUS: Strawberries are also said to have a teeth whitening effect (double score)!

It’s also wise to immediately rinse your mouth with milk or water after eating sugary foods. While brushing your teeth is undeniably better, if you’re feeling worn out and all you can muster is a swish of a beverage, it’s better than nothing – and hey, milk goes great with donuts … just saying.

Save Your Teeth from Morning Sickness

For many women, morning sickness is an unpleasant companion throughout pregnancy (specifically in the first trimester). If you’re feeling queasy and find yourself hunched over the toilet bowl, you have our most sincere sympathies.

The reason vomit affects your teeth has to do with the amount of acid your mouth is exposed to. Basically, stomach reflux and acids eat away at your tooth enamel (the outer covering on your teeth).

Pregnancy Teeth Tips - pregnancy morning sickness dental teeth tips

While it may seem like a good idea to remove the acid quickly, DO NOT brush your teeth immediately after vomiting. The vigorous, repetitive action of the toothbrush may actually scratch the tooth enamel while it’s still covered in stomach acids.

Instead, it’s best to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water, and follow up with a fluoride mouthwash or a dab of toothpaste applied with your finger. If you can, aim to brush about one hour after vomiting.

Prevent Hormonal Damage to Your Teeth

Another significant “bonus” about pregnancy: all those extra hormones! Hopefully you aren’t crying at car commercials, or experiencing any of the following pregnancy-related dental concerns, but if you are – just know that we are here to help you through them!

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Pregnancy gingivitis is basically an inflammation of the gums that causes swelling and tenderness. Have you noticed that your gums bleed a little (or a lot) when you brush or floss? While this is fairly normal, if left untreated, full-blown gingivitis can lead to more serious forms of gum disease, or worse.

We don’t want to freak you out, but gingivitis has been linked to low birth weight baby, or premature birth, so it’s definitely worth coming in for a routine teeth cleaning to check in on your gum health.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a chronic gum infection that is caused by untreated gingivitis. Pregnancy may worsen this condition, and it can actually lead to tooth loss.

Again, if you suspect you’re dealing with gingivitis, please schedule an appointment so we can help before it leads to periodontal disease, which can be much more serious.

Pregnancy Tumors

Pregnancy tumors are lumps that appear along the gum line and between your teeth (most often in the second trimester). They may bleed easily but are not harmful or cancerous.

They may be related to excess plaque and usually disappear after pregnancy, but if you’re feeling concerned, please talk to your dentist about removing them.

Prepare for Birth With Preventative Action

Maintaining your own health – both before and during your pregnancy – is an important facet of caring and planning for your developing baby.

Pregnancy DOES affect your teeth, and many studies reveal that maintaining healthy teeth and gums not only impact your overall health, but that of your developing baby.

Pregnancy Teeth Tips

Take action! Call your dentist to schedule an appointment today!

If you’re still in the planning stages of adding a new baby to your family, you would do well to visit your dentist and resolve any dental-related issues beforehand.

If you’re currently pregnant, please consider the points above, and schedule your appointment today! At the very least, a cleaning will set your mind at ease, and then you can focus on the fun parts of having a baby (like nursery planning and teeny onesies)!

How are you handling your changing body? Did any of these tips surprise you, or do you have any tips for other moms-to-be? Please share a comment below!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Re-posted with permission. Sourcehttps://www.roadsidedentalmarketing.com/?s=dental+articles&et_pb_searchform_submit=et_search_proccess&et_pb_include_posts=yes

8 Reasons to Choose Clear Aligners Over Metal Braces

Source from above. Odds are you probably need to get your teeth straightened.

Have you been putting off getting your smile straightened because you’d rather not be seen with metal brackets and wires all over your teeth?

Traditional braces can take years to successfully straighten your smile – all the while you are dealing with eating restrictions, the endless struggle of brushing and flossing around all those wires, and the embarrassment of smiling with a mouth full of metal.

What if you could get your teeth straightened using nearly-invisible aligners that allow you to avoid the traditional braces set-backs? Would you take the opportunity?

What Makes Clear Aligners a Great Choice?

Read on to learn why you should take a good look at clear aligners as your teeth-straightening solution.

1. Nearly invisible

Traditional braces are very noticeable when you smile. All those wires and metal brackets are a stark contrast from your natural teeth. Clear aligners use see-through custom fitting dental trays that slip on over your teeth and gently realign your smile. Most people won’t even notice you have them on!

2. Removable

Getting married? Having a photoshoot? Eating corn-on-the-cob? Clear aligners use removable trays that just pop off whenever you need them to. Get that picture perfect smile whenever a photo-op comes around and enjoy your favorite foods.

3. Easy Dental Care

The removable trays also allow you to brush and floss your teeth normally. No more getting special brushes and flosser tools to get around all those tiny brackets and wires. Saves you time and a couple headaches.

Source from above. Odds are you probably need to get your teeth straightened.

Source from above. Odds are you probably need to get your teeth straightened.

4. No Food Restrictions

Love corn-on-the-cob? Enjoy eating apples? Can’t resist movie theater popcorn (who has that much will power anyways)? Don’t worry, since there are no fragile brackets, you can eat anything you want! True freedom.

5. Metal-Free

Not only are metal braces unattractive, there is also a small percentage of people who have metal allergies and thus can’t use traditional braces. For those who suffer from metal sensitivities, plastic clear aligners are the perfect alternative.

6. Fewer Appointments

You’re busy and your time is valuable. With clear aligners, you’ll only have to come into the office every 4-6 weeks. Plus, anyone who has had traditional braces knows their visits are often full of being poked and pricked with wires. Not a problem with clear aligners .

7. Comfort

Those who use traditional braces can end up with scars on the insides of their cheeks from sharp wires catching the soft skin. Alternatively, smooth plastic aligner trays won’t scratch up the insides of your mouth.

8. Special Event Friendly

Don’t put off straight teeth because you have a big event coming up where you want your smile to be free of any orthodontic appliances. With clear aligners, you can always remove the trays for special events. Perhaps you’re getting married this year; weddings can be stressful, and with removable

clear aligners you’ll have one less thing to worry about for your big day!

Still unsure?

There are also health benefits to having straight teeth. Those with crowded or overlapping teeth have a harder time keeping the areas between their teeth clean, which can then lead to periodontal and gum disease. Periodontal disease can lead to other more serious health conditions. When you decide to straighten your teeth you aren’t only choosing to improve your smile’s appearance but also your comprehensive health.

Choosing clear aligners will help you get a straight and healthy smile while keeping you happier and more comfortable throughout the process than traditional metal braces.

If you’re ready to take control of your smile, call your dentist and set up a consultation to learn more about the process.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Re-posted with permission. Sourcehttps://www.roadsidedentalmarketing.com/blog/dental-articles/

Helping Students in Your Area

July 26, 2018

The simple act of giving is one of the cornerstones of any thriving community, and there are no receivers more worthy of such gestures than children. That’s the philosophy that lies at the heart of the Apple Tree Donation Campaign, a local Midwestern tradition that has been going on for the better part of three decades now. (more…)

Oral Cancer Awareness Month: Are You at Risk?

April 7, 2017

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Are you familiar with this deadly disease? According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), an estimated 50,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer EVERY YEAR and 9,000 U.S. citizens will die from this horrifying disease.

Oral cancer’s mortality rate isn’t because it’s hard to diagnose, but because cancer is discovered late in its development. You can take action to stop this disease before it gets deadly.

Know the risk factors

Everyone is at risk for oral cancer. Whether you’re in your early 20’s or an active 40-year-old, you’re just as likely to get oral cancer. However, some factors increase your chances of getting oral cancer, including:

  • Smoking and chewing tobacco
  • Excessive drinking
  • Exposure to HPV (Human papillomavirus)
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Poor diet
  • Physical trauma

If any of these factors apply to you, consider changing your habits to lower your chances of oral cancer.

Learn the risks of oral cancer during oral cancer awareness month

Recognize the symptoms

It’s important to perform a self-examination every month to catch any signs of oral cancer before it gets worse. Using a bright light and a mirror, check your cheek, tongue, the inside of your lips, and gums for:

  • White or red patches of tissue
  • Sores that bleed easily
  • Abnormal lumps
  • A chronic sore throat
  • A mass or lump in the neck
  • Difficulty swallowing

If you’ve noticed these symptoms, it’s critical to contact your family dentist as soon as possible for an oral cancer screening.

Oral Cancer Awareness Month: Get screened

Getting regular screenings performed by your general dentist puts you in the best position to detect oral cancer in its early stages. This is just one more critical reason to keep up with your checkups and cleanings twice a year!

Schedule your appointment today, we’re open 6 days a week | 847-754-4480!

In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, help us spread the word by sharing this blog post. It could save a life!


The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Re-posted with permission. Source.

5 Reasons to Follow Us on Facebook

February 21, 2017

Learn why you should follow us on Facebook right away!

Do you follow us on Facebook yet? Following a business on Facebook is easy and beneficial. We work hard to ensure the content on our page is personal, entertaining, relevant, and interesting – but most importantly, we want it to be valuable and beneficial to YOU! Here are five reasons you should follow our Facebook page right away:

1. Because You Love Us

Many of you are part of our family. You have been a patient or a friend for many years. You personally know one or more of us and are interested in what we are doing. When you follow us on Facebook, you’ll see what we are up to and enjoy our journey with us! After all, we love to keep our patients and friends updated – Facebook is the number one way we do that.

2. Because You are Part of Our Community

We love our community! And as a team made up of members of the community, we like to talk to talk from time to time about things that are happening locally.

If you are interested in health, family, charity, local events, etc., following us on Facebook is an easy way to stay current and share in our excitement as we experience all that our neighborhood has to offer!

3. Because You Want to Get to Know Us

Are you looking for a dentist? Do you wonder who we are and whether we are a good fit for you and your family? Following us socially is a great way to check us out before coming in.

We try to stay as transparent as possible so that you can get to know each one of us through our Facebook page. Keep up with the latest:

  • Read reviews from current patients.
  • See what we are up to in our office.
  • Be the first to know when we add new technology or services.
  • See the faces and personalities of our friendly team.
  • Get current information about our location, opening times, services, and more.
  • Get a behind-the-scenes look at our practice.

Do you follow us on Facebook? Learn 5 reasons you should.

4. Because You Want to Interact With Us

As a business, we feel it’s very important to listen and respond to everyone. Following us on facebook creates a channel where you can interact with us easily.

Do you wish to leave a review? Do you have a question you’d like to ask? Is there some way we can serve you better? Let us know and we’ll do the best we can to improve or educate you more fully to the best of our ability. Get speedy responses and interact with our team on a personal level.

5. Because You are Interested in Getting Great Value

A final advantage to following us is that you can receive exclusive offers that others just won’t get. You’ll become a VIP – very important patient – and we feel it’s important to reward that from time to time! Be the first to know about valuable money-saving offers; they’re easily accessible directly from our Facebook page.

Please take the time to follow us on Facebook today. We are sure you’ll be glad you did!

Re-posted with permission. Sourcehttps://www.roadsidedentalmarketing.com/blog/dental-articles/

February is American Heart Month – Are You Listening?

February 12, 2017

Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer for women in America?

Since 1964, American presidents have been warning the American public about the very real danger of heart disease. Why? Each year, one out of every three deaths in America is caused by heart disease. This is more than any other deadly disease, including cancer.

Because of this, the month of February has been designated as American Heart Month. Each year, focus is given to education and awareness about heart health.

Heart Disease Awareness

Awareness of the facts surrounding heart disease can save lives. Here are some helpful sites that can save your life:

  • Facts. Watch, Learn, and Live using the American Heart Association’s Interactive Cardiovascular Library.
  • Risk factors. What is your heart disease risk factor? Use this tool from the Mayo Clinic to calculate your risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • Prevention. The World Heart Federation explains how you can reduce risk by making specific lifestyle changes.
  • Barriers. The Million Hearts® website lists some common barriers that prevent some from taking needed actions.
  • Symptoms. Learn the five AHA’s Common Heart Attack Warning Signs. Pay attention to your body and act quickly if you feel these symptoms.

February 3rd – A Focus on Women’s Heart Disease

On Friday, February 3, 2017, people across America will be wearing red to raise awareness about women and heart health. This awareness event is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute which is part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer for women also? Facts show that in 2010, one out of four deaths of women were because of this disease. And the truth is that it can happen to women of all ages, not just the elderly.

A red dress has been chosen as a symbol to remind women of the very real dangers of cardiovascular disease. Look for the red dress and its accompanying message this month as a reminder for women to take action and lower their risk of heart disease.

Conclusion

How has heart disease affected lives? Read these real stories. If you have a story or comment to share we’d love to hear it!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Motivate Your Kids to Brush with the Brush DJ App

November 2, 2016

Child standing toward the sink brushing teeth with the Brush DJ App

Need a motivational tool to get your kids brushing their teeth regularly and correctly? Look no further! The Brush DJ App was created for just this purpose. You can download Brush DJ for free on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.

Creating good oral hygiene habits doesn’t just happen. It takes time and attention, and most parents will no doubt welcome a tool that makes the process easier.

Download the free Brush DJ app

To try this app, simply download it and start it up. After agreeing to a couple of disclosure messages, you can begin the setup process.

Your first choice will be to customize the colors. What color do you want the background to be? How about the timer? Set the colors to match your bathroom, toothbrush, or simply choose your favorite color.

Next, set the music you want the Brush DJ to play. You have the choice of locating and playing music already on your device, music from an online service, or defaulting to tunes that are included in the Brush DJ app.

Set important reminders

Good habits require reminders and there are plenty of reminders built into this app. Scrolling across the top are messages that remind you to floss, how to brush, and to turn the water off while brushing.

Other reminders can be customized. Why not use them to manage all the different aspects of your child’s oral hygiene? Some of these helpful reminders include:

  • When to brush in the morning.
  • When to brush in the evening.
  • When to use mouthwash (hint: it’s at a different time than brushing).
  • When to go to the dentist, hygienist, orthodontist, etc.
  • When to replace your toothbrush.

Like an oil change sticker on your windshield, you can easily see the benefit of having this data stored simply and neatly in one place, reminding you exactly when to do each thing.

In addition to reminders, the app also teaches your child age-specific oral health information (sourced from the Public Health England toolkit Delivering Better Oral Health).

Time to have some fun!

Hit the “run” button and your favorite tune will start to play. As time ticks down, the little circles will change showing your progress as you brush your way through the two-minute DJ session.

While brushing, reminders will scroll across the top, helping you to do the best job possible, and will even advise on how to finish. Did you know that you should not follow brushing with mouthwash?

Finally, at the end of two minutes, the music will stop and you’ll be good until your next session.

Summary

Helping your child develop good brushing habits at a young age is always a good idea! Good oral healthcare habits can prevent tooth decay and gum disease now and further down the road, and the Brush DJ app is a great tool to make brushing fun for kids of all ages!

How do you get your child to brush regularly and properly? Please share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Re-posted with permission. Sourcehttps://www.roadsidedentalmarketing.com/blog/dental-articles/

Flossing: Important or Not? [Infographic]

September 8, 2016

To floss or not to floss? The importance of flossing has recently been questioned.

There has recently been some controversy over the importance of flossing – is flossing really necessary to maintain healthy teeth? Despite conflicting reports, dentists defend keeping flossing a priority. Don’t toss your floss into the trash just yet – there are several sound reasons to keep flossing a part of your daily oral care routine.

According to the American Dental Association, flossing is “an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.” Flossing removes more food particles than brushing alone. If left unchecked, those food particles can lead to plaque buildup, which could then result in cavities, gum disease, and more serious health issues. Learn more about the importance of flossing (and how to do it effectively) in the infographic below:

Dentists continue to defend the importance of flossing. Learn how to do it right in this infographic.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Re-posted with permission. Sourcehttps://www.roadsidedentalmarketing.com/blog/dental-articles/

Have You Seen Our New Website? Checkout These Amazing Features!

April 12, 2016

If you haven’t heard, WE LAUNCHED OUR NEW WEBSITE! Your Arlington Heights dentists understand life is busy, but dental care is important and should never be skimped out. That’s why we’ve partnered with Roadside Dental Marketing to build and design us a website that makes your life easier when it comes to dental care.

Just at glance, our website allows you to:

  • Request an appointment right on our site.
  • Call and get directions to our office right on your mobile device.
  • To learn about our modern services and why patients love us!
  • Download patient forms right on your computer

Connect With Us Online

 

RAA Form

Ready to schedule your appointment? Easy! Click on any button that says “Request an Appointment” and you can email our office staff when you and your children are available for an appointment. Someone from our office will get in touch with you to set it up.

 

We’ve Gone Mobile!

 

Mobiledesign

Now you can get to our website on any device of your choosing! Need to call or get directions? Just click on the phone icon to or map icon to get directions to Westgate Dental Care.

 

Get to Know Us

 

uniqueness

We believe your dental experience should anything but have the WOW EXPERIENCE! With Roadside’s help, our website will guide you through how we can make your dental visit memorable. We address anything about dental anxiety, finances, and time. We have it all! Take a look around and see it for yourself.

Downloadable AND Fillable Forms

 

Websiteform
“I love showing up 10 minutes before my appointment to fill out paperwork,” said no one ever! You can download new patient forms right on our website and fill them out at your convenience before your appointment. PLUS, we provide details on what you can expect on your first visit. Get your forms and appointment walkthrough HERE.

What do you love about our new website?

We’re curious to know your favorite parts of the website! Share them by commenting below!