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How Thrush Infections Can Affect Your Dentures
Oral thrush is problem many denture wearers suffer from — but it doesn’t have to be. Here is some helpful advice on how oral thrush can be prevented.
Can Breathing Through Your Mouth Injure Your Teeth?
Are people who breathe through their mouths more likely to have oral health issues? A recent study warns, it just might be true. If you or someone you know is a mouth breather, you should read this!
For Your Info: Let’s Review The Ways We Can Improve Your Smile
Here’s look at some of the modern technological advances in the field of dentistry that enable us to reshape your teeth to a more natural appearance.
Calcium’s A Winner For Your Smile … Here Are Some Calcium Rich Recipes!
Everyone knows, calcium protects teeth and bones, but keeping levels high enough can be a challenge. Presenting six super foods packed with calcium, and some fun recipes to help you make them taste great!
How Thrush Infections Can Affect Your Dentures
Oral thrush is problem many denture wearers suffer from — but it doesn’t have to be. Here is some helpful advice on how oral thrush can be prevented.
Can Breathing Through Your Mouth Injure Your Teeth?
Are people who breathe through their mouths more likely to have oral health issues? A recent study warns, it just might be true. If you or someone you know is a mouth breather, you should read this!
Patching Up Leukoplakia: “What’d You Call It?”
Set the scene: You bolt out of bed to get ready for your first Zoom call. In the bathroom, you manage a glance at yourself in the mirror. Opening your mouth to see how white (or yellow) your teeth are going to look on camera, you notice a thick, white/greyish patch...
Acid Alert! Five Facts About Your Oral Health and Snacking
Did you know? There’s a right way and a wrong way to enjoy between meal snacks. Do it the wrong way and your oral health may suffer! Check out how to snack the right way…
Patching Up Leukoplakia: “What’d You Call It?”
Set the scene: You bolt out of bed to get ready for your first Zoom call. In the bathroom, you manage a glance at yourself in the mirror. Opening your mouth to see how white (or yellow) your teeth are going to look on camera, you notice a thick, white/greyish patch...
Acid Alert! Five Facts About Your Oral Health and Snacking
Did you know? There’s a right way and a wrong way to enjoy between meal snacks. Do it the wrong way and your oral health may suffer! Check out how to snack the right way…
Straighter Teeth? Better Bite? What’s The Right Solution?
With the growing number of orthodontic treatment options available today, patients and practitioners can choose from several kinds of braces. Which type is best for you?
The Hidden Dangers of Gum Disease
Chances are you’ve at least heard about gum disease and you know that it’s something that you don’t want in your mouth. What you may not realize, however, is just how much gum disease can put your general health at risk.
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The Hidden Dangers of Gum Disease
If you’ve been to the dentist recently or even browsed the oral hygiene aisle at the supermarket, chances are you’ve heard of gum disease – and you know it’s something you don’t want in your mouth.
What you may not know is just how much gum disease can put your general health at considerable risk. There are some pretty shocking links between poor oral health and the health of the rest of your body.
The Tie Between Gum Disease and Chronic Diseases
At its core, gum disease is an inflammatory condition caused by bacterial infection. Mild inflammation is called gingivitis and is usually relatively easy to reverse. Unaddressed, gingivitis can progress into full-blown advanced periodontal disease that can result in severe consequences for your teeth, gums, and overall health.
There is strong evidence to suggest that chronic gum disease can worsen other types of inflammatory diseases, including heart and lung diseases, as well as diabetes.
Because there is such an overload of bacteria present in the mouth with gum disease, it is inevitable that some of these bacteria will make its way to other parts of the body. They may settle in, on, or around organs that are already compromised due to inflammation, causing yet– more inflammation.
In conditions where inflammation already compromises the immune system and makes infection difficult to fight, such as with diabetes, the added stress of gum disease can wreak a special kind of havoc. One disease complicates the other and vice versa, making all symptoms much worse, much faster.
A Real Threat of Disability or Death
While it is unlikely that gum disease itself will kill you unless it leads to a severe abscess that goes untreated, it can contribute to life-threatening medical emergencies.
The same inflammatory response to toxins and bacteria that can exacerbate existing conditions can also create a perfect storm for a major cardiac event or stroke.
Inflammation causes arteries to narrow, which increases blood pressure, along with the risk of blood clots. It’s really only a matter of time before something goes terribly wrong.
Gum Disease and Pregnancy
Pregnant mothers who have gum disease face a substantial risk for preterm labor, which can create serious concerns for both mother and child.
Low birth weight and underdeveloped lungs are just a couple of the potential complications for the child. Inflammation in the body can also make recovery for the mother slower and more difficult.
Since pregnancy itself can often put a woman at an increased risk for developing gum disease, this is a particularly important time to keep up with regular hygiene appointments.
A Quick Fix
Perhaps the greatest tragedy in all of this is how easy it is to prevent gum disease altogether. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups can stop gum disease in its tracks and avoid all of the unnecessary complications that come with it.
If you are not sure of the best way to prevent gum disease, ask your dentist or dental hygienist to show you proper oral care techniques. It only takes a few minutes per day and can prevent a lifetime of oral and general health issues.
Why Tongue-Cleaning Is No Gag!
If you care about the health of your mouth, there’s one more thing you probably could be doing that you don’t – cleaning your tongue. Check out this important step for better breath, healthier teeth and gums and more!
The Rub With Jaw Discomfort – How To Make It Go Away
You’re on your dream vacation in Paris. Suddenly, a nagging pain in your jaw turns a great day into a miserable one. What’s the source of this pain? Could be your TMJ!
Here’s what we can tell you about TMJ pain, and what to do if you’ve been diagnosed.
What’s a TMJ, exactly?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. This is the joint that connects your jaw to your head. You use this joint any time you speak or eat. Because your jaw is able to move up and down and side to side, your temporomandibular joint has evolved into a complex machine – a critical meeting point of bone, nerve and muscle. Needless to say, the TMJ can get out of joint (forgive the pun) very easily.
An estimated 4.8 percent of U.S. adults (11.2 to 12.4 million people) had pain in the region of the temporomandibular joint that could be related to TMDs.
Temporomandibular Disorders: Priorities for Research and Care
Bond et al. – The National Academies Press – 2020
TMJ disorder typically expresses with one particular sensation – pain. Symptoms could also include difficulty chewing as well as pain in other parts of the face, such as around the ears. Sometimes, TMJ disorders can cause a patient’s jaw to make a popping or clicking sound. In some cases, it can even cause a patient’s jaw to lock up.
What Causes It?
There are many reasons for TMJ pain. Some of the most common include stress, arthritis, injuries to the mouth and face, and bruxism (teeth grinding). Researchers aren’t sure why, but more women experience TMJ disorders than men. There is also some evidence that TMJ problems may be genetic.
How Are TMJ Disorders Treated?
The causes of TMJ pain are so varied, the field of possible treatments is wide open. For patients with mild TMJ disorders, self-care can usually minimize symptoms. Eating softer foods, applying ice, not chewing gum, taking over-the-counter pain relief, and performing simple jaw exercises, at least temporarily, are often recommended. Try to reduce the amount of stress in your life, which in turn should reduce teeth grinding or other habits causing the pain. Become aware of neurotic habits or ticks, such as moving your jaw from side to side.
In the case of teeth grinding, your dentist may prescribe a mouth guard for you to wear at night. In some serious cases, surgery may be recommended.
What definitely to do…
When and if jaw pain, jaw stiffness or other symptoms appear, it’s worth mentioning to your dentist on your next visit. And keep researching the issue on the Web – you never know what you’ll find.
Age-Related Tooth Loss — Why, Why, Why?
No one wants to lose their teeth as they age. It makes it inconvenient to chew, harder to talk and disrupts an otherwise nice smile.
The risk of tooth loss goes up with age — according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 13% of Americans between 65 and 74 are toothless. The percentage is even higher after the age of 74. Why is this?
The most common reason people lose their teeth is periodontitis — inflammation of the bones that support the teeth and hold them in place. Once periodontitis weakens the bones that give teeth support, teeth may loosen and fall out, or need to be extracted. As we age, the chances of this happening are increased.
What Causes Periodontitis?
If periodontitis leads to tooth loss, it’s something you want to avoid. You might wonder what causes it and what you can do to avoid it.
Periodontitis starts with the build-up of plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance that contains bacteria. It forms when you don’t thoroughly brush and floss your teeth. Plaque can build up and form a harder substance called tartar that’s difficult to remove through brushing and flossing.
Tartar irritates the gum line and causes inflammation and the entry of bacteria into the gums. The reason people get a professional cleaning is to remove tartar to hamper this process.
Over time, plaque and tartar can inflame gum tissue, to the point where pockets of bacteria and inflammation form. If these pockets that contain bacteria continue to expand, they can affect the ligaments and bones that support your teeth and hold them in place, causing them to weaken.
Once the infection and inflammation reach the bone, it’s called periodontitis. The early stages where only the gums are involved are called gingivitis. Periodontitis comes from untreated gingivitis or gum disease.
Preventing Periodontitis
Lowering your risk of periodontitis, so you can keep your teeth for a lifetime, starts with taking care of your teeth and gums, preferably from an early age. Dentists recommend brushing and flossing twice per day to remove plaque and prevent the build-up along the gum line.We also recommend a professional cleaning every 6 months to remove tartar build-up.
Some people are at a higher risk of developing periodontitis based on genetics. If you have a family history of gum disease or tooth loss, even more of a reason to take it seriously and get regular dental exams, and be diligent about brushing and flossing. Learn the proper techniques of doing so. If you’re brushing properly, it should take around two minutes to cover all the teeth in your mouth.
Other risk factors for periodontitis and tooth loss include:
- Smoking
- Taking medications that dry out your mouth
- Autoimmune conditions that cause a dry mouth
- Recreational drug use
- Obesity
- Diabetes mellitus
- Being deficient in Vitamin C
Periodontitis May Cause Other Health Problems
Even if you don’t mind losing your teeth, periodontitis may be harmful to your health as a whole. Studies link periodontal disease to a higher risk of stroke, heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease.
Why would there be a link between periodontitis and health? The missing link may be inflammation. Periodontal disease creates inflammation and increases the amount of inflammation your body has to deal with. Whole body inflammation causes inflammation of blood vessels, which contributes to stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and heart disease. Anything that causes uncontrolled inflammation is harmful to your health.
The Bottom Line
Now you know why tooth loss becomes more common with age. The risk of periodontitis rises as the decades pass, mainly due to poor dental hygiene and untreated gum disease that spreads to the bone. You have a chance to prevent the same fate for your own teeth — take care of them!
To properly screen for periodontal disease, be sure to make sure you visit our office regularly so we can detect any periodontal issues early!
Other References:
Jacobi N, Walther C, Borof K, Heydecke G, Seedorf U, Lamprecht R, Beikler T, Debus SE, Waldeyer C, Blankenberg S, Schnabel RB, Aarabi G, Behrendt CA. The Association of Periodontitis and Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease in a Prospective Population-Based Cross-Sectional Cohort Study. J Clin Med. 2021 May 11;10(10):2048. doi: 10.3390/jcm10102048. PMID: 34064657; PMCID: PMC8152001.
“Gum disease and heart disease: The common … – Harvard Health.” 15 Feb. 2021, .health.harvard.edu/heart-health/gum-disease-and-heart-disease-the-common-thread.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(12), 6430; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126430.
It's Friday 12:34 PM — We’re currently closed, but please do contact us online, or leave a message. Thank you!
| Monday | 8:00 AM — 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM — 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM — 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM — 4:00 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Chicago dentist, John J. Kelly, DDS, practices Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry at his Chicago dental office in Edgebrook.
Straighter Teeth? Better Bite? What’s The Right Solution?
With the growing number of orthodontic treatment options available today, patients and practitioners can choose from several kinds of aligners. Which type is best for you?
So many braces, so little time! Naturally, the decision which system to use must be made by you and an experienced professional orthodontist and/or dentist. So much depends on the nature and severity of your condition, which may include…
- Overbite/deep bite
- Overjet
- Underbite
- Spacing issues
- Open bite
- Crowding issues
- Crossbite issues
- Teeth straightening
- A combination
In addition, your social needs, comfort and other factors play a role in which method you and your practitioner (hopefully, us) decide upon. Here are some general choices but note, there are many more…
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the ones you automatically picture when someone says “braces.” Stainless steel brackets are cemented to your teeth and connected to archwires with colorful elastic rubber bands. Sturdy and reliable, these braces are capable of handling tooth and bite problems that other types of braces simply can’t.
Self-Ligating Braces
Much like traditional braces, self-ligating braces use brackets cemented to the teeth and an archwire. However, instead of elastics, a specialized clip is used, resulting in less friction on the tooth. Many orthodontists use the Damon System of self-ligating braces, which offers both traditional metal and clear brackets.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces use brackets made of clear ceramic instead of metal. Also known as clear braces, these braces are less noticeable than their metal counterparts. They’re also more brittle, which means they aren’t appropriate in all situations.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are traditional braces placed on the back side of the teeth. While this is appealing for cosmetic reasons, it can be more difficult for you to keep your teeth clean and for your orthodontist to make adjustments. You may also notice issues with your speech.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners replace traditional brackets and arch wires with a series of computer generated acrylic trays. Each tray is worn for a few weeks at a time. Although the technology is improving, clear aligners can’t treat all orthodontic problems, and they usually require longer treatment times. But they have one definite advantage: unlike all the other types of braces, clear aligner trays are removable.
Patients aren’t restricted from sticky or hard foods and can floss easily. Practically invisible, they’re appealing if you don’t want to look like you’re wearing braces. Some brands of clear aligners, is available for teens and adults.
In recent years, mail order clear braces have become more popular as a convenient, lower-cost solution, but it is acknowledged that proper measurement and treatment of crooked teeth require careful monitoring by an experienced professional. So we do not recommend them.
Ask Your Dentist, Make A Choice – Together!
Finding the best type of braces for you or your child involves considering your orthodontic needs and your preferences regarding appearance. Complex orthodontic problems may require traditional metal or self-ligating braces, but patients with simpler issues will likely have the option of selecting more discreet styles like ceramic braces or clear aligners. Speak with your dentist first.
If you are interested in improving your smile, make an appointment with us today. Together, we can determine how best to brace yourself for the future! 🙂
The Hidden Dangers of Gum Disease
If you’ve been to the dentist recently or even browsed the oral hygiene aisle at the supermarket, chances are you’ve heard of gum disease – and you know it’s something you don’t want in your mouth.
What you may not know is just how much gum disease can put your general health at considerable risk. There are some pretty shocking links between poor oral health and the health of the rest of your body.
The Tie Between Gum Disease and Chronic Diseases
At its core, gum disease is an inflammatory condition caused by bacterial infection. Mild inflammation is called gingivitis and is usually relatively easy to reverse. Unaddressed, gingivitis can progress into full-blown advanced periodontal disease that can result in severe consequences for your teeth, gums, and overall health.
There is strong evidence to suggest that chronic gum disease can worsen other types of inflammatory diseases, including heart and lung diseases, as well as diabetes.
Because there is such an overload of bacteria present in the mouth with gum disease, it is inevitable that some of these bacteria will make its way to other parts of the body. They may settle in, on, or around organs that are already compromised due to inflammation, causing yet– more inflammation.
In conditions where inflammation already compromises the immune system and makes infection difficult to fight, such as with diabetes, the added stress of gum disease can wreak a special kind of havoc. One disease complicates the other and vice versa, making all symptoms much worse, much faster.
A Real Threat of Disability or Death
While it is unlikely that gum disease itself will kill you unless it leads to a severe abscess that goes untreated, it can contribute to life-threatening medical emergencies.
The same inflammatory response to toxins and bacteria that can exacerbate existing conditions can also create a perfect storm for a major cardiac event or stroke.
Inflammation causes arteries to narrow, which increases blood pressure, along with the risk of blood clots. It’s really only a matter of time before something goes terribly wrong.
Gum Disease and Pregnancy
Pregnant mothers who have gum disease face a substantial risk for preterm labor, which can create serious concerns for both mother and child.
Low birth weight and underdeveloped lungs are just a couple of the potential complications for the child. Inflammation in the body can also make recovery for the mother slower and more difficult.
Since pregnancy itself can often put a woman at an increased risk for developing gum disease, this is a particularly important time to keep up with regular hygiene appointments.
A Quick Fix
Perhaps the greatest tragedy in all of this is how easy it is to prevent gum disease altogether. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups can stop gum disease in its tracks and avoid all of the unnecessary complications that come with it.
If you are not sure of the best way to prevent gum disease, ask your dentist or dental hygienist to show you proper oral care techniques. It only takes a few minutes per day and can prevent a lifetime of oral and general health issues.
Why Tongue-Cleaning Is No Gag!
If you care about the health of your mouth, there’s one more thing you probably could be doing that you don’t – cleaning your tongue. Check out this important step for better breath, healthier teeth and gums and more!
The Rub With Jaw Discomfort – How To Make It Go Away
You’re just sitting there minding your own business when along comes this awful pain in your jaw. What the…? We explore the topic of TMJ pain and what to do about it.
TIMES TO SMILE
It's Friday 12:34 PM — We’re currently closed, but please do contact us online, or leave a message. Thank you!
| Monday | 8:00 AM — 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM — 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM — 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM — 4:00 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
MEET DR. JOHN J. KELLY
Chicago dentist, John J. Kelly, DDS, practices Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry at his Chicago dental office in Edgebrook.
He delivers a wide range of dental therapeutics, in addition to treatment of Sleep Disordered Breathing, including Sleep Apnea, Child Facial Development issues and TMJ/Jaw Pain. MORE ON DR. KELLY
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