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Patient Newsletter
Everyday Habits to Help Lengthen the Life of Your Teeth
May 15th 2013
Here’s a brief list of everyday teeth cheats, or simple habits you should adopt to increase the lifetime of your teeth. These little rituals are easy to fit into anyone’s daily routine, and can really save you extensive time (and money) that may otherwise be spent on tooth repairs and restorations.- 1. Keep a toothbrush and toothpaste in your purse, desk at work, or your car. Basically, have a toothbrush on hand wherever and whenever you snack. It’s important to brush right after eating (even if it’s just a tiny snack) to get rid of as much bacteria as quickly as possible.
- 2. Many people make a habit out of sipping coffee or tea all day. Unfortunately, both of these drinks can do some serious damage to your teeth, as they contain staining ingredients for your smile. You’ve heard it a million times, but that’s because it’s true: drinking water is the best thing that you can do for your body (and your enamel). If you prefer something hot, try simply heating up your water before drinking. If not, try to cut down your daily intake of other beverages.
- 3. Drink soda or coffee through a straw whenever possible. This minimizes the amount of enamel that the staining beverages come into contact with. Your pearly whites will thank you in the long run, and you’ll be able to continue to show off your smile.
- 4. Don’t use your teeth to open anything! They are specialized tools which are solely meant for biting foods and chewing. Think of it this way: opening a container with your teeth is like using a screwdriver to bang in a nail. You want your teeth to stay with you for life, so don’t do actively destructive things to them!
Set a Good Oral Health Example for Your Child
April 16th 2013
How much do you think you influence your little one? If you think the answer is “Not much,” guess again. According to a study published by the Journal of Dental Research, parents have an enormous amount of influence on their children, and that extends to areas of health and wellbeing. The study found that if a mother had a cavity, her child was twice as likely as other children to also have a cavity.
The takeaway? Teaching your son or daughter about brushing and flossing—not to mention practicing what you preach—can help your child develop healthy habits that will stick with them throughout their life.
Also important are regular dental visits every six months. Regular visits will give your doctor a chance to look for common oral health conditions and provide treatment if necessary. Conditions like gum disease and tooth decay need to be caught early so they can be treated quickly, before they have a chance to become more serious.
How long has it been since you or your child saw a dentist for a regular visit? If it’s been more than six months, call your local dental office today to reserve an appointment. During your and your child’s visit, your doctor can talk to you both about brushing and flossing and can offer helpful advice you both can use on a daily basis.
Remember, the behavior you model at home makes a real difference. Help your child develop diligent brushing habits by demonstrating them yourself.
How Gum Can Actually Help Your Oral Health
April 2nd 2013
When asked to come up with a list of foods that dentists hate, gum will almost certainly appears in your top five. After all, this sticky, chewy candy can leave your jaw sore and work its way into tricky places in your smile – not to mention that it’s a natural enemy of traditional braces. But have you heard that the treat can actually improve the health of your teeth and gums instead of hurting them? It’s true! The American Dental Association has officially recognized that specific types of sugarless chewing gum have been scientifically proven to bolster optimal dental health.
Chew Up a Storm and Keep Smiling
The act of chewing gum helps to increase the flow of saliva in your mouth, which can help clear away stray food particles and acids that are left by bacteria. Over time, these acids can wear down your tooth enamel and cause unwanted damage and decay. More saliva helps relieve this problem while also bringing with it more calcium and phosphate, which help to strengthen enamel. By chewing sugarless gum after meals for around twenty minutes, you can effectively keep your teeth cleaner than ever before!
Of course, chewing gum is not an adequate substitute or replacement for brushing and flossing. Instead, these techniques should be used in conjunction in order to ensure that your teeth and gums stay as healthy as possible through the years. The ADA recommends brushing twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride and flossing at least once.
Additionally, when choosing gum to chew, look for the ADA seal. This is a reliable assurance that the product will be safe and effective for your oral health. As of right now, the choices of gum that have earned this seal are sugarless, having been sweetened by non-cavity inducing products. While gum that contains sugar also helps to increase the production of saliva, it can also lead to an increased risk of cavities.
Be sure to talk to your local dentist if you have any concerns about chewing gum!
Oral Cancer Prevention
March 19th 2013
It’s common knowledge that the use of tobacco products can increase your overall risk of oral cancer, but there are other factors at play as well. Regular exercise, proper diets, and good habits are the
building blocks for any healthy lifestyle, but they can significantly lower the possibility of many diseases. As always, regular brushing, flossing, and other beneficial dental care are your best tools for preventing the development of many diseases, and can aid in the fight against cancer. If you are already affected by oral cancer, this information may also help during your treatment and after.
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
Tobacco usage, especially smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco, is the only known cause of oral cancer. The best way to prevent oral cancer from developing is to completely stop the use of tobacco products. We know that it can be hard to quit this addictive habit, but it’s one of the best things that you can do for your health, and the health of your loved ones (secondhand smoke is a proven cause of other types of cancer). Your dentist and doctor can give you great advice and other tips to help you quit using tobacco products. Please turn to them for advice and let them know that you want to quit. They will be 100% supportive, which can really make a difference in your quest to stop!
If you drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day, you have a greater chance of getting oral cancer, as well as additional health problems. Drinking and smoking often coincide, which may attribute to the high cancer rates in those who use drink. However, studies have shown that frequent binge drinking also corresponds with an unhealthy diet, which can increase one’s risk for cancer. The best way to control these factors is to limit alcoholic beverage intake, and choose healthier foods. Leafy, green vegetables, foods which are high in vitamin B, green tea, and other antioxidant-rich foods have been continually linked to fighting or preventing cancer. You should avoid frying the vegetables as well, as this form of cooking effectively zaps the foods of any nutritive content.
Vitamin D is great for overall health, and has been known to lessen chances of acquiring cancer. High levels of vitamin D enable bones and teeth to absorb the calcium they need to stay strong and healthy. The natural way of getting vitamin D is from safe levels of sun exposure. Unfortunately, sun exposure is a risk factor for oral cancer on the lips, and for other types of cancer on other places in the body. Regular sunblock and limited time in the sun can help deter these unwanted effects. If you want to play it safe or if you’re exposure to the sun is already limited, you may want to talk to your dentist or doctor about vitamin D supplements. Adding these to your healthy diet could help you avoid oral cancer.
Need help? Don’t hesitate to ask!
If you’re unsure about your chances of developing oral cancer or other cancers, please turn to your healthcare professional. Your dentists and doctors want what’s best for your well-being, and should be able to provide helpful tips, or refer you to a trusted colleague who can. It’s never too late to improve your health!
Protection for Your Smile This Spring and Summer
March 4th 2013
Now that we’re heading into warmer weather, people are likely to spend more time outdoors doing a variety of activities, including sports. Taking advantage of the higher temperatures to get some exercise and to spend time with friends is a good thing, of course, but athletes should keep a few pointers in mind related to their oral health.
Don’t forget your mouthguard
A large percentage of sports-related injuries—perhaps as many as 40%–involve the face. That’s why wearing a mouthguard is so important. With a custom-made mouthguard from your local dentist, your chances of experiencing tooth loss are almost completely eliminated. It’s also been shown that a custom-made mouthguard can significantly reduce the risk of having a concussion. All of this can, in turn, improve your performance and keep you safer as you play, no matter what your sport is.
Limit your consumption of sports drinks
Sports drinks may have a refreshing taste, but they’re not good for your smile. That’s not just because they contain high amounts of sugar; it’s also because of their acidity. Consuming too many sports drinks can eventually lead to tooth erosion, hypersensitivity, and staining. To protect your smile, limit how many sports drinks you consume. You will also want to use fluoride toothpaste and even a fluoride mouthwash to strengthen your smile by re-mineralizing teeth.
Stay hydrated with water
If acidic sports drinks can damage teeth, fluoridated water can help you strengthen them. That’s because fluoride draws important minerals and nutrients to teeth. Outside of that, water can help you keep your smile clean and will help you keep your keep your body cool and hydrated. Best of all, you can drink as much as it as you want without any ill effects.
Do you questions about how else you can protect your smile and your body this summer as you hit the field? Talk to your local dentist today.
Did you know?According to a study by the Gallup Organization and Consumer Reports, dentists are among the top five most trusted professionals. What do powdered fruit, talc, honey, dried flowers, mice, and lizard livers have in common? They have all been ingredients in ancient toothpaste and powder. Yum. Attention Chocolate Lovers… Many dentists agree, raisins can cause more tooth decay than chocolate. Sticky foods, such as raisins and dried fruits, can stay on the teeth longer and cause more decay. According to a study at the University of Connecticut, too much toothpaste early in life is responsible for more than 70 percent of fluorosis cases (staining or mottling of tooth enamel that develops when children swallow fluoridated toothpaste). Although this problem is only cosmetic, it is recommended children under six use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and be reminded to spit it out after brushing. |
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Something to Smile About
Caring for your oral health includes regular teeth and gum care. Neglecting your gums can eventually lead to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, which is a culprit for the deterioration of your overall oral health. Periodontal disease affects 75 percent of adults over 35 years of age and is responsible for approximately 70 percent of all adult tooth loss. Since symptoms of periodontal disease are mild, some people never realize their mouth is under bacterial attack.
Highly recognized as a greatly progressive disorder, periodontal disease is triggered by preventable factors, like plaque buildup, tobacco use, certain medications, and stress, as well as unpreventable causes, like systematic disease and fluctuating hormone levels during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. Research proves up to 30 percent of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease.
Periodontal disease begins when the bacteria in the sticky film which forms on the tooth surface, what we call plaque, causes gum inflammation. If the irritation is ignored, plaque will release toxins to break down the natural fibers that hold your gums to your teeth, permitting even more bacteria and toxins to invade. Plaque deposits quickly harden into calculus or tartar, which is a rough, porous substance that cannot be removed by brushing. Over time, this progression can lead to severe inflammation, bone loss, gum recession, and tooth loss.
Symptoms and signs include:
Red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums- Gum recession, or gums pulling away from teeth
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between the gum and tooth
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
- Bite changes
- Change in the fit of partial dentures
If you have noticed any of the above signs or symptoms, please call us immediately to schedule a consultation and assessment. Together, we can win the battle against periodontal disease and maintain your fresh and healthy smile.
Dr. Neal is very concerned with gum disease and the devastating effect it can have on your overall health. He now offers laser gum treatment to treat gum disease with the Periolase. It is the only patented, FDA approved laser for gum treatment. Dr. Neal is the only dentist in McHenry County to offer this advanced, comfortable, patient friendly treatment.
How to Handle a Dental Emergency
We haven an entire page with tips on dental emergencies and injuries.
Click here to learn about dental emergencies
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Crystal lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court, Crystal Lake Illinois 60014
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Learn more about laser gum treatment
From Dull to Dazzling: Enhancing Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry
Some people only visit the dentist for checkups or toothaches. However, dentistry is no longer reserved for preventive care and routine maintenance. Today’s dentists are artists, as well as doctors. Cosmetic dentistry seeks to create a more aesthetically pleasing and healthy smile. Many doctors practice functional aesthetics, which means they’ll create a smile that’s beautiful and functional through a combination of procedures uniquely designed to suit your needs.
Even patients who are meticulous about their dental care routines can have a less than spectacular smile. Drinking coffee, tea, or wine, smoking or chewing tobacco, and simply growing older can take a toll on your teeth, causing them to look dull and stained. Some medications can also cause discoloration. One easy, safe way to restore your smile is through teeth whitening.
Restorative and aesthetic procedures can be combined to create a smile that’s perfect for you. 
For instance, cracked, chipped, or unevenly spaced teeth can be made to look fresh and new with bonding or veneers. In fact, your dentist can even reshape your front teeth to create the smile you’ve always wanted. Crowns can restore function and beauty to instable teeth, and all-porcelain crowns leave no dark lines at the gum, so your smile will maintain an all-white, natural beauty. Bridges or implants can replace missing teeth and restore the underlying structure that makes your face full and youthful. These dental procedures will not only give you a more beautiful smile, but they will also restore full oral function, as well as your self confidence.
If you are not satisfied with your smile and want to transform it from dull to dazzling, ask us about cosmetic dentistry. We can’t wait to make you smile!
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815 459 2202
Crystal lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court, Crystal Lake Illinois 60014
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learn more about cosmetic treatment options
see before and after photo gallery
Smile Renovation
We’re rough on our teeth. How many times have you chewed on ice or played sports without wearing a mouthguard? If you also skip semi-annual dental appointments and neglect a rigid homecare regimen of brushing and flossing, you compromise your smile even further. People damage or lose teeth every day from injury, disease, or decay. A damaged tooth can destroy oral function and cause pain, and a missing tooth will leave a gap in your smile. Your mouth must compensate for the lack of chewing power when a tooth is missing, so the chewing force may move to another part of the mouth. This causes the remaining teeth shift out of place and further destroys your smile.
We always suggest taking care of your teeth because preventive care can save you time, hassle, and money. But when accidents happen, we have solutions.
Simple dental procedures can restore your damaged tooth, replace your missing tooth, and return your smile’s natural, fresh beauty. A crown snugly covers the complete visible surface of a structurally unsound tooth to add strength and stability, while restoring the tooth’s natural shape and size. Crowns can be made of precious metal, porcelain pressed to metal, or all-porcelain. For damaged teeth, crowns restore beauty and function.
A bridge can actually replace missing teeth. Fused between two porcelain crowns, a bridge can replace one or more teeth to complete your smile. If you prefer a more stable and long-lasting prosthetic, a dental implant may be the right choice. Dental implants closely mimic nature in that they start with a firm foundation – a titanium post inserted into the missing tooth’s socket. This post creates a prosthetic tooth root that bonds with natural bone tissue. On the top of the implant, we can place a beautiful prosthetic tooth, a dental implant restoration, that will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth.
The moral of the story is to be nice to your teeth, be diligent with your oral hygiene, and visit your dentist regularly. Your teeth are hard workers, but they’re also precious part of your body that you should care for and respect. However, if the damage is already done, see us immediately. We can help you decide on the best treatment to restore your smile. Your teeth will thank you for it.
Make an appointment
Call
815 459 2202
Crystal lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court, Crystal Lake Illinois 60014
or
to contact us