Colonial Dental Group Cosmetic Dentistry Blog - Dooley, Lewis, and Quezada

All forms of medical practice acquire their fair share of myths throughout the ages. The science of dentistry is no safer from conspiracy theories and popular mythology than any other type of technology that continually advances and improves.

Dealing with common dental myths is important for a number of reasons, not the least of which is myths are powerful and can cause some people to neglect getting the care they need for their teeth. At Colonial Dental Group, we work hard to ensure every patient is comfortable and safe, using the most advanced technology and implemented the latest discoveries into our practice.

Common Dental Myths

• Amalgam causes mercury to leak into your bloodstream - This myth has been debunked by the Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization, the United States Public Health Service, and the National Institute of Health. At Colonial Dental Group, however, we use only porcelain fillings, eliminating any worries concerned with the potential health risks of amalgams.
• Frequent brushing can damage enamel - While it is true that frequent brushing with a hard toothbrush and abrasive toothpastes can damage enamel, the doctors at Colonial Dental Group recommend the use of soft bristled toothbrushes, and non-abrasive, ADA approved toothpastes. All studies indicate that there is no danger to the enamel of your teeth if you follow these simple suggestions.
• Chewing sugar-free gum is just as effective as brushing - Some studies indicate that chewing sugar-free gum after a meal helps activate saliva which has natural antiseptic qualities. Sugar-free gum cannot, however, remove plaque and bacteria that can cause tooth decay.
• If there is no visible problem with my teeth, I don't need to schedule an exam - Regular dental exams are vital for spotting and treating potential problems before they become severe. Oral cancers, periodontal disease, and tooth decay can go unnoticed until it's too late. Only an experienced dentist can correctly identify and treat oral problems before they become severe.
• Children's teeth are going to fall out anyway, there's no need to take them to the dentist. Instilling proper oral hygiene routines in your children will ensure a lifetime of oral health. Additionally, baby teeth not adequately tended to can fall out too early causing bite problems, and issues with permanent teeth.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, and have stayed away from the dentist due to the fear or certainty associated with one of these dental myths, please contact the experienced dentists at Colonial Dental Group.

Keeping your natural teeth, or part of them at least, in your mouth is the main goal of dentistry. However, in some cases, a tooth may need to be extracted. Decay or trauma may cause some teeth to be damaged beyond the point where affixing a crown would be feasible. In these cases, the experienced dentists at Colonial Dental Group may deem it necessary to extract the tooth.

Tooth Extraction Process

The process for removing a tooth is quite simple. A local or general anesthetic will be administered depending on the location and extent of the damage. After you are sufficiently comfortable, the tooth will be gently removed and the healing process can begin.

After the extraction, pain relievers may be prescribed along with an oral hygiene routine to be completed until the socket is completely healed. After the socket is healed, our dental staff can discuss with you your options for replacing the missing tooth.

Solutions for Missing Teeth

There are many solutions for missing teeth. Depending on the location of the tooth, you may choose to just leave the tooth missing. If the missing tooth causes functional or aesthetic issues, you may want to consider one of our many options for replacing missing teeth. The two most common options are:

• Dentures - Dentures, both partial and full, are a nonsurgical alternative for missing teeth. With modern advancements in denture technology, these can provide a quick, easy, painless solution to restore function and beauty.
• Dental implants - Dental implants are artificial tooth roots secured into your jaw bone. Once the implant is in place, a dental crown is placed over the implant to provide a secure, reliable, natural looking tooth.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, and are experiencing pain or discomfort from a decayed or damaged tooth, please contact the experienced dentists at Colonial Dental Group today to discuss your options.

In an ideal world, all dentistry would be preventative. A regular at-home oral hygiene routine coupled with semi-annual visits to the dentist for cleanings and exams should be all it takes to maintain a beautiful, radiant smile for years to come. Unfortunately, factors ranging from environmental to personal choices and even genetics play just as important a role in oral health.

Proper Oral Hygiene

Not enough can be said about a regular at-home oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day will help keep your teeth their healthiest. Lifestyle choices like tobacco and alcohol use, eating sugary foods, and consuming high-sugar beverages however, pit your daily routine against almost insurmountable enemies. No amount of brushing and flossing can remove the damage done by personal decisions that lead to oral health issues.

Regular checkups and professional cleanings are a vital weapon in your arsenal against oral diseases. X-rays and oral exams provided by a skilled, experienced dentist can be used to spot and treat potential problems before they become severe. Thorough cleanings that only a dentist can provide help teeth maintain their brilliance and luster while removing tartar, excess plaque, and bacteria that your daily routine may miss.

Making sure you include regular dental visits with your daily oral hygiene routine may not guarantee you never have issues with you teeth, mouth, or gums, but it is certainly a necessary step towards maintaining optimal oral health.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, please contact the experienced oral hygiene professionals at Colonial Dental Group to schedule your cleaning and exam today. There's no time like the present to start ensuring excellent oral health for years to come.

Memories of Grandpa's teeth in a glass on the bedside table, or popular Hollywood and cartoon jokes of dentures flying out of the mouth, landing in someone's food, as well as chasing an animated cat around the room are the images conjured by many people when they consider dentures. Recent advancements in dental hygiene have made dentures less worrisome, more realistic, and much more functional than they were in the past.

Modern Dentures

New dental technology now allows dentists to custom create your dentures so they can be fitted exactly to into your unique mouth, and provide a natural looking, structurally durable alternative for missing teeth.

Substantially less invasive than other options for tooth replacement, modern dentures offer the assurance of a comfortable fit, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Dentures come in both full and partial sets, so whether you require replacement of just a few teeth, or an entirely new set of teeth, the dentists at Colonial Dental Group will be able to come up with a solution that fits your needs.

Dentures are convenient, offering a nonsurgical replacement for missing teeth. They require very little preparation, and provide an instant, pain-free solution to tooth replacement. Easy to clean and affix, today's dentures are a modern advancement for a classic solution.

The experienced cosmetic dentists at Colonial Dental Group will work closely with you to make sure your dentures both match you smile, and fit perfectly inside of your mouth.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, and are looking for a quick, pain-free solution for missing teeth, please contact the dental staff at Colonial Dental Group to schedule a consultation, and find out how modern dentures can exceed your expectations.

Any trip to the grocery or drug store can show you row after row of mouthwashes, all making specific claims about their effectiveness. Some contain naturally derived ingredients like vitamin C and baking soda. Others contain fluoride, antiseptics, tarter control ingredients, or whitening agents. Still others are little more than artificial sweeteners and strong perfumes. With all the claims made on mouthwash bottles, how is one to pick a product that will actually work?

What to Look for in a Mouthwash

All mouthwashes work to temporarily cover bad breath. This, however, is less a solution than an oral band aid, masking a larger problem, and not actually dealing with the specific causes of bad breath, or addressing larger oral hygiene concerns. The primary ingredient in any mouthwash is water and is what is added in addition to this determines its effectiveness.

• Looking for mouthwashes that carry the ADA approval symbol indicates that the mouthwash actually does what it claims to do.
• Choosing a mouthwash with antiseptic properties can kill bacteria that lead to plaque, bad breath, and periodontal disease.
• Mouthwashes with additional tartar fighting ingredients will help keep plaque at a minimum, making the removal of plaque easier during brushing.
• Fluoride is a strengthening agent that can help keep your teeth less susceptible to decay.

Of course, no amount of gargling is an adequate replacement for regular dental cleanings and exams. In some cases, like periodontal disease and dry mouth, our dentists may even recommend prescription mouthwashes. Still, these additional at-home oral hygiene steps are only supplemental to the thorough cleaning an experienced dentist alone can provide.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, please contact the dental team at Colonial Dental Group for a thorough examination and cleaning today. Regular checkups in conjunction with proper oral hygiene, including mouthwashes, can ensure your teeth stay their healthiest for years to come.

A quick trip down the toothpaste aisle at your local grocery store can be overwhelming with so many brands, colors, flavors, gels, pastes to choose from. What's more, the choices ranging from whitening, to tarter control, to baking soda, to sensitive, to natural and fluoride free can leave a person longing for the simpler days of Crest or Colgate.

Choosing a Toothpaste That Works for You

There are several things to consider when choosing a toothpaste. Taste, most certainly, is a very personal choice and varies greatly from individual to individual; but what other things should you look for?

No matter what tooth paste you choose, make sure it has the ADA approval symbol on it. This ensures the toothpaste you’re buying meets the rigorous standards of the American Dental Association.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has been proven effective in strengthening teeth and fighting tooth decay. While there has been some concern about fluoride and health issues, the ADA has determined that the trace amounts of fluoride in toothpaste is safe, and outweighs any potential danger associated with fluoride consumption.

Tartar control toothpaste will help reduce tartar build up that can be lead to gum disease, bad breath, and is hard to remove. Various agents are used to control tarter. Make sure your tartar control toothpaste is ADA approved.

Whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives that help scrub away stains and remove discoloration. Studies suggest that the agents in whitening toothpastes do not have an adverse affect to tooth enamel, and are as safe as non-whitening forms of toothpaste.

Toothpaste for sensitive teeth is specially formulated to attach to nerves that cause tooth sensitivity. If you have sensitive teeth, this toothpaste is your best option.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, please contact Colonial Dental Group for regular exams and help in choosing a toothpaste that will best suit your needs. The dentists at Colonial Dental Group have years of experience in helping people design an at home oral hygiene routine that works best for their unique individual requirements.

Many mouth sores are common and require no treatment at all. Though they may be painful or uncomfortable, most common mouth sores will heal on their own within a few weeks. There are some instances, however, that should be referred to your dentist.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are small ulcers that appear inside of the mouth. They are round, white or gray in color, and have a red ring on the outside. Most canker sores require no medical intervention and will go away on their own within a few weeks. If you have canker sore that lasts for more than three weeks, grows excessively large, starts to multiply, or causes extreme pain however, you should contact the dentists at Colonial Dental Group right away for a thorough examination and review of your treatment options.

Proper oral hygiene, and avoiding acidic foods may all help combat the appearance and irritation of canker sores. In some instances orthodontic devices like braces and dentures can aggravate canker sores, and these should be reported to your dentist immediately to avoid additional problem.

Oral Cancer

Cancerous growths inside the mouth can look like canker sores at the beginning. Oral cancer is not limited to the inside of the mouth, and can quickly change size and shape. Early detection of oral cancer through regular dental checkups is the most effective way to treat this disease before it becomes a problem.

Early detection is your best bet for combating oral cancer. Lifestyle choices like not using tobacco products and alcohol can also lower your risks for this disease.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois and have a sore in your mouth that has not healed within three weeks, or is causing you pain or discomfort, please contact us immediately. The experienced dentists at Colonial Dental Group will be able to examine, diagnose, and treat the problem in an effective and efficient manner.