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Cosmetic Dentistry for Teens: What Parents Need to Know
Does your teen need a confidence booster? Learn about teeth whitening, orthodontics, veneers, and more! It could mean a lot to your teen!
Pop Quiz: How Much Do You Really Know About Maintaining Your Oral Health?
Do you have the knowledge to make sure your smile and mouth remain healthy? Take this quick quiz and see if you’re doing all the right things. Good luck!
Cosmetic Dentistry for Teens: What Parents Need to Know
Does your teen need a confidence booster? Learn about teeth whitening, orthodontics, veneers, and more! It could mean a lot to your teen!
Pop Quiz: How Much Do You Really Know About Maintaining Your Oral Health?
Do you have the knowledge to make sure your smile and mouth remain healthy? Take this quick quiz and see if you’re doing all the right things. Good luck!
Look and Sound Like A Star On Your Next Video Call!
What things make for success on video calls? A lot! Etiquette, lighting, makeup, color pallette, and of course, a great smile! Click on this post to explore what you can do to succeed online.
10 Secrets About Your Mouth You May Have Forgotten Or Never Learned
There so many knowledge nooks and crannies affecting your oral cavity. Here are some interesting “secrets” about your mouth that can help you live longer and better. Take a bit out of this post!
Look and Sound Like A Star On Your Next Video Call!
What things make for success on video calls? A lot! Etiquette, lighting, makeup, color pallette, and of course, a great smile! Click on this post to explore what you can do to succeed online.
10 Secrets About Your Mouth You May Have Forgotten Or Never Learned
There so many knowledge nooks and crannies affecting your oral cavity. Here are some interesting “secrets” about your mouth that can help you live longer and better. Take a bit out of this post!
So You’re Using Clear Aligners – Here’s What and What Not To Do
Clear aligners are a great way to correct a less-than-perfect smile, but patients need to follow recommendations. Here are five things to do during the crucial treatment period…
Do These DIY Whitening “Wonders” Work?
Have you heard that teeth whitening is possible without help from a dental professional? Don’t fall for one of these popular dental whitening myths. They just might do you more harm than good!
So You’re Using Clear Aligners – Here’s What and What Not To Do
Clear aligners are a great way to correct a less-than-perfect smile, but patients need to follow recommendations. Here are five things to do during the crucial treatment period…
Do These DIY Whitening “Wonders” Work?
Have you heard that teeth whitening is possible without help from a dental professional? Don’t fall for one of these popular dental whitening myths. They just might do you more harm than good!
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Smile Science: How a Smile Affects Your Brain and Body
Smiling is a universal human behavior often associated with positive emotions such as happiness, joy, and contentment (nothing new).
But smiling is not just a social cue — it also has a profound effect on our brain and body. When we smile, our brain releases a cocktail of chemicals that have a positive impact on our overall well-being. Here are some of the ways smiling affects your brain and body…
Releases Endorphins: Endorphins are neurotransmitters that are responsible for feelings of pleasure and pain relief. Smiling triggers the release of endorphins, which can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Reduces Cortisol Levels: Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress. High cortisol levels can lead to a number of health problems, including weight gain, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system. Smiling can reduce cortisol levels and help you feel more relaxed and calm.
Boosts Immune System: Smiling boosts your immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells. These cells help your body fight off infection and disease.
Lowers Blood Pressure: When you smile, your blood pressure decreases, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Enhances Relationships: Smiling is a social cue that signals warmth, friendliness, and approachability. Smiling can help you build stronger relationships with others and improve your overall social life.
In addition to these benefits, smiling can also improve your mood, increase your energy levels, and even make you look younger. So the next time you’re feeling down, try smiling and see how it affects your brain and body!
How defects can put a damper on your smile success
If we all had perfect smiles, then bringing ourselves to that better place would be a snap — just smile! Unfortunately, most of us are saddled with defects, which can lead to insecurities. A beautiful smile can make a person feel more confident, while a flawed smile can make one feel self-conscious and less attractive. Here are some common dental defects that can lead to insecurities:
Crooked or Misaligned Teeth: Crooked or misaligned teeth can make a person feel self-conscious and less attractive. It can also lead to difficulties in chewing, speaking, and cleaning teeth, which can affect oral health.
Stained or Discolored Teeth: Teeth stains can be caused by smoking, certain foods and drinks, and poor oral hygiene. Stained or discolored teeth can make a person feel embarrassed and insecure about their smile.
Missing Teeth: Missing teeth can affect a person’s ability to speak and eat properly and can also make them feel self-conscious about their appearance.
Gummy Smile: A gummy smile is a condition where a person’s gums appear more prominently than their teeth when they smile. This can make a person feel insecure about their smile and avoid smiling altogether.
Uneven Teeth: Uneven teeth can make a person’s smile look asymmetrical and unattractive.
At our office, we offer a complete menu of techniques that address these dental defects and help you achieve a beautiful, confident smile. Common treatments include:
- Clear aligners to correct crooked or misaligned teeth
- Teeth whitening to address stains and discoloration
- Dental implants, bridges, or dentures to replace missing teeth
- Gum contouring to correct a gummy smile
- Veneers or dental bonding to correct uneven teeth
By addressing these dental defects, we can help improve your oral health, boost your confidence, and help you feel better about your smile.
Contact us today for a full evaluation — and keep smiling!
Fluorosis Unmasked: The Truth About Excess Fluoride and Your Teeth
How can something so good for your smile also be bad for your smile? Your ingestion of fluoride is crucial for dental health, but in large quantities, can cause problems. See what we mean…
Don’t Turn Your Crown Into A Dog – Some Tricks
There are many good reasons to get a crown (a dental crown, that is) – for structural or aesthetic restoration…
Crowns are made to last, and they can serve you for many years before you have to have them replaced. However, the only way to keep your crown around for this long is if it’s properly maintained. So, what is the right way to care for a dental crown?
1. Avoid Sticky Foods
Your dentist used special glue to keep your crown in place for a long time, but it’s a good idea to play it safe to avoid chewing sticky foods like toffee and, yes, the beloved candy apple.
2. Avoid Hard Foods
As strong as crowns are, they have their limits. Eating foods that are very hard can cause them to chip, crack or break. Hard sweets and nuts are just a few of the foods that you should try to avoid. Some seemingly soft foods may contain ingredients that are harder inside.
Pay attention to what you’re eating. There are few things worse for your crown and teeth in general than biting down on something harder than anticipated.
3. Avoid Very Hot or Very Cold Foods
Food and drink consumed at “extreme” temperatures can trigger sensitivity in that tooth supporting your crown. Although the crown may not be damaged by this, the nerve under the real tooth under the crown (that’s a lot of under’s) could be sensitized leading to pain.
4. Regular Brushing and Flossing
One of the main advantages of dental crowns is that caring for them is much like caring for your regular teeth. The most important thing you can do is brush and floss your on a regular basis, preferably twice a day. So, although crowns are made from artificial materials, they can still be affected by poor dental hygiene.
It’s important to note that the base of a crown is a living tooth and that tooth may further be affected by cavities, and gum disease, often the result of poor oral hygiene. If the tooth covered by the crown or the bone holding the tooth in place is weakened, you’ll have more than a crown to worry about.
5. Visit Us Dentist Regularly
These pointers will help you care for a dental crown so that it lasts as long as possible. One last thing to remember is to get regular checkups. Having your teeth examined by a dentist on a regular basis is very important, and this doesn’t change when you get crowns.
In fact, the need to see the dentist may be more significant in the period after getting a crown. The dentist will need to ensure that there are no complications as a result of the procedure as well as give you additional pointers on caring for your dental crown. Make an appointment today!
Crowns | American Dental Association
The ABC’s of Smile Makeovers (or is it 1,2,3’s) — Part One
What do George Clooney, Jessica Alba, Zac Efron, Jennifer Aniston and Tom Cruise have in common?
Besides the fact that they are world-famous, it’s their teeth! Yes, these stars are all thought to have had what we call a smile makeover. In Part One of this series, we’ll explore the most common aspects of what could be one of the best ways to improve your smile — and your life!
What is a smile makeover, you ask?
Should you get a smile makeover?
Enhanced self-confidence and self-esteem: It’s no fun being reluctant to express yourself to others and to be “in the moment”. If you have problems smiling because you’re embarrassed by defects in your oral cavity, you may want to consider a smile makeover.
Improving oral health and function: Sometimes, it’s got nothing to do with cosmetics — you may have a problem simply chewing, swallowing — even breathing! Correcting the physiology of your mouth can be a source of tremendous relief, and might even improve your health.
A brighter, whiter and more youthful smile: Some people, not all, say, nothing makes you look older than stained or discolored teeth. Take a gander in the mirror and try to imagine what you would look like with a whiter smile, even just a little. If you see a younger-looking person, it may be time to try a smile makeover.
A more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing smile: For some people, a misaligned smile such as a gap between the front teeth, can make you look profound or quirky — possibly not for you. If you’ve always wanted a more aligned smile, a smile makeover presents a number of ways to make your dream a reality.
A more harmonious balance between facial features and teeth: Interesting question — Does what your teeth look like match what your face looks like? A smile makeover removes the incongruity, to make you look like, well, you!
What are some typical solutions built into a smile makeover?
Teeth Whitening: You know this one. Usually, the big decision is whether to…
- go your own way with commercial products like whitening strips
- use customized solutions we prepare for you to take home
- have us do the treatments for you in the dental office
These solutions are not equally effective — you may not even be a good candidate for teeth whitening. We say, for maximum benefit, let us evaluate and help you make the right decision for you at your next appointment.
Dental Veneers: These are custom-made, thin shells of dental ceramic bonded to the front of the teeth to cover imperfections such as chips, cracks, gaps, and permanent discolorations. Veneers present some pluses and some minuses, depending on your personal lifestyle, habits, and issues with your teeth. Again, it’s best to evaluate the appropriateness of this option with us first, but often, dental veneers are just the thing to help change your look for the better.
Dental Crowns: A crown is a cap that fits over a partially damaged or decayed tooth, restoring its strength, shape, and appearance. A root canal procedure may require a dental crown if an affected tooth is significantly damaged, but they can be an excellent solution to help bring out the best in your smile.
Dental Bridges: These are dental appliances used to replace missing teeth by attaching to adjacent teeth, creating a bridge-like structure (no toll required) :). Bridges are a great solution in a variety of situations, and may have to be used as a substitute for dental implants. Ask us for more info.
Dental Implants: These technological marvels can preserve the integrity of your jaw over the long haul and are one of the best solutions for replacing missing teeth. In a nutshell, a metal post is inserted into the jawbone. After the healing process is complete, a dental crown it fastened to it. Implants can be just like smiling, biting and chewing with a real tooth. Ask us if you are a good candidate! These are just some of the techniques we can use as part of our cosmetic dental plan.
The bottom line…
In Part Two of this series, we’ll tell you more about smile makeovers. In the interim, if you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call. Your smile is important to us!
It's Saturday 10:38 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.
Read This! Must-Do’s During A Dental Emergency
Your child falls off a swing and knocks out a tooth. Your spouse is having constant pain in his or her mouth, and the gums are starting to swell. You manage to crack a tooth when you inadvertently bite down on a small pebble hidden in your granola…
All of these are events that should be immediately treated by a dentist, to avoid tooth and health problems down the road. But what if you can’t get to a dentist right away?
If a tooth has been knocked out…
Make sure that your hands are clean, and never hold the tooth by the root end.
Rinse the tooth in water, especially the root. Remember, rinse, don’t scrub. Don’t even remove any tissue that might still be clinging to the tooth. If you can get the tooth back in its socket, that would be best. And, of course, make sure the tooth is facing in the right direction when you put it back.
If you can’t put the tooth back, put it in a cup of milk, or water with a pinch of salt. Immediately call your dentist. If you can see the dentist within an hour of having the tooth knocked out, there is a much better chance of the tooth being saved.
If a toothache is the problem…
Try rinsing with warm water first. Floss to remove any food between the teeth (often, this may solve the problem without doing anything further). For swelling, use something cold, like an ice pack, on the cheek. Never use a cold pack on the gums themselves; it could damage the dental tissue.
If there is swelling due to infection, never try to treat the infection on your own; remember that a toothache with swelling can also be a sign of gum disease. Call your dentist right away.
For cracked, chipped or broken teeth…
Save the pieces, if there are any. Rinse your mouth to make sure there aren’t any chips left. If you’re bleeding, press on the wound with a piece of gauze, a paper towel, a clean cloth, or whatever you have handy (a finger will do in a pinch) for about ten minutes or until the bleeding stops.
Avoid swelling by using an ice pack against the cheek or mouth near the injured tooth. Call the dentist, let them know your situation, and get an appointment as soon as possible. Remember, these types of injuries, left untreated, can cause additional damage to other parts of your mouth, or lead infection in the tooth.
Here’s a great little video from Delta Dental that speaks to a classic dental emergency.
Some of us tend to ignore dental problems because we just don’t have the time to fix them, or are worried about the expense. Here are two important notes…
First, if you are delaying calling your dentist because you don’t think they’re available, or you don’t want to inconvenience them, remember that, just like other doctors, dentists factor in time for emergency patients. They know that accidents happen, and they want to be sure their clients are taken care of.
Second, ignoring the situation now might save money in the short term, but damage to your teeth or an infection can lead to other more serious health problems down the road. For example, studies show that people with gum disease have a higher chance of developing heart disease and strokes.
The net-net: If you have a dental emergency, take care of it quickly. You may be saving more than just your teeth.
Smile Science: How a Smile Affects Your Brain and Body
Smiling is a universal human behavior often associated with positive emotions such as happiness, joy, and contentment (nothing new).
But smiling is not just a social cue — it also has a profound effect on our brain and body. When we smile, our brain releases a cocktail of chemicals that have a positive impact on our overall well-being. Here are some of the ways smiling affects your brain and body…
Releases Endorphins: Endorphins are neurotransmitters that are responsible for feelings of pleasure and pain relief. Smiling triggers the release of endorphins, which can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Reduces Cortisol Levels: Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress. High cortisol levels can lead to a number of health problems, including weight gain, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system. Smiling can reduce cortisol levels and help you feel more relaxed and calm.
Boosts Immune System: Smiling boosts your immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells. These cells help your body fight off infection and disease.
Lowers Blood Pressure: When you smile, your blood pressure decreases, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Enhances Relationships: Smiling is a social cue that signals warmth, friendliness, and approachability. Smiling can help you build stronger relationships with others and improve your overall social life.
In addition to these benefits, smiling can also improve your mood, increase your energy levels, and even make you look younger. So the next time you’re feeling down, try smiling and see how it affects your brain and body!
How defects can put a damper on your smile success
If we all had perfect smiles, then bringing ourselves to that better place would be a snap — just smile! Unfortunately, most of us are saddled with defects, which can lead to insecurities. A beautiful smile can make a person feel more confident, while a flawed smile can make one feel self-conscious and less attractive. Here are some common dental defects that can lead to insecurities:
Crooked or Misaligned Teeth: Crooked or misaligned teeth can make a person feel self-conscious and less attractive. It can also lead to difficulties in chewing, speaking, and cleaning teeth, which can affect oral health.
Stained or Discolored Teeth: Teeth stains can be caused by smoking, certain foods and drinks, and poor oral hygiene. Stained or discolored teeth can make a person feel embarrassed and insecure about their smile.
Missing Teeth: Missing teeth can affect a person’s ability to speak and eat properly and can also make them feel self-conscious about their appearance.
Gummy Smile: A gummy smile is a condition where a person’s gums appear more prominently than their teeth when they smile. This can make a person feel insecure about their smile and avoid smiling altogether.
Uneven Teeth: Uneven teeth can make a person’s smile look asymmetrical and unattractive.
At our office, we offer a complete menu of techniques that address these dental defects and help you achieve a beautiful, confident smile. Common treatments include:
- Clear aligners to correct crooked or misaligned teeth
- Teeth whitening to address stains and discoloration
- Dental implants, bridges, or dentures to replace missing teeth
- Gum contouring to correct a gummy smile
- Veneers or dental bonding to correct uneven teeth
By addressing these dental defects, we can help improve your oral health, boost your confidence, and help you feel better about your smile.
Contact us today for a full evaluation — and keep smiling!
Fluorosis Unmasked: The Truth About Excess Fluoride and Your Teeth
How can something so good for your smile also be bad for your smile? Your ingestion of fluoride is crucial for dental health, but in large quantities, can cause problems. See what we mean…
Don’t Turn Your Crown Into A Dog – Some Tricks
There are many good reasons to get a crown (a dental crown, that is) – for structural or aesthetic restoration... Crowns are made to last, and they can serve you for many years before you have to have them replaced. However, the only way to keep your crown around for...
TIMES TO SMILE
It's Saturday 10:38 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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