Common Myths and Misconceptions About Dentures

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According to the American Academy of Prosthodontics, about 23 people in the United States have no teeth at all, and 90 percent of those people do have dentures. For many years, dentures have been the go-to solution for people with no teeth, but there are also a lot of myths about dentures that prevent people who could benefit from dentures from actually getting them.

Myth: Dentures always look fake.

If someone has dentures that look fake, they have a low-quality set of dentures. You can go to those cheap denture places and get dentures made in a hurry for a low cost, but the best dentures are made taking several steps in the process. For example, when you get high-quality dentures, the dentist will:

  • Match the synthetic gum tissue to the shade of your gums
  • Take measurements of your mouth to ensure the prosthetic teeth are the proper height and shape
  • Use shading to ensure your teeth are not overly white for your skin tone

Myth: Dentures stain a lot easier than natural teeth.

On the contrary, dentures do not stain as easily as natural teeth. The teeth that dentures have are made out of a composite or resin material that has a sealant on it to thwart problems with stains. You can also prevent stains by brushing your dentures regularly, soaking them in a cleaning solution when you are not wearing them, and avoiding drinking or eating things that are likely to stain, such as coffee or soft drinks.

Myth: Dentures always move around in your mouth.

When dentures are made correctly, they will not shift around or move in your mouth when you speak or chew. Dentures should be made in a way that they almost adhere via suction to the top of your mouth. More people have issues with lower-arch dentures than they do upper arches. Nevertheless, most people can have success with a lower arch if they are made by a true professional.

Work with Dental Health and Beauty and Dr. Nicholas Polito DDS for New Dentures

When dentures are made by a team of skilled professionals, they can be a perfectly apt way to regain your smile. Reach out to us at Dental Health and Beauty and Dr. Nicholas Polito DDS in Libertyville, IL to schedule an appointment.

How Your Dental Health Affects Your Overall Life

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Dental health plays an integral role in your overall quality of life. Like many things you may not even realize how important your dental health is until something goes wrong. At that point, it becomes very clear all the ways that dental health affects your life.

Heart Health

Did you know that problems in your teeth and gums can cause heart problems? When bacteria in your mouth are allowed to propagate, that bacteria may be able to enter your bloodstream. Since all your blood eventually makes its way through your heart, cardiac health problems may arise. Surprisingly, if you have heart health reasons, it’s possible that dental health problems may be a contributing factor.

Social Success

If you have dental health issues with your teeth and gums, chances are high that you have bad breath fairly often. If this is the case, others around you may have noticed this issue. Unless it’s someone that you’re very close to, they may be hesitant about letting you know. On the flip side, if you’re aware of your bad breath issues, you may actually be less inclined to be socially active. You may feel like others will notice your bad breath and form a negative opinion about you.

Professional Success

Studies have repeatedly shown that those who smile often are more likely to be liked by others, trusted by colleagues and admired by peers. If you desire professional success, you should know that your dental health is a big factor. If you have stained, crooked or just bad looking teeth, you may avoid smiling as much as possible. This can lead to you missing out on job opportunities or improving your standing in your professional community.

As you can see, your dental health definitely impacts the other facets of your life. If you suffer from any of the circumstances mentioned above, you owe it to yourself to get the dental health attention you deserve. For more information about treatment options for bad breath, stained teeth, crooked teeth and other conditions, please contact our office today.

3 Ways Your Dental Health Affects Your Confidence

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Having crooked teeth, stained teeth, missing teeth or misaligned teeth is a surefire way to lower your confidence. For one thing, it makes you feel like you aren’t someone who practices good dental hygiene. If you’re in a relationship or dating, poor dental health can make you apprehensive about kissing someone. Dental health affects your confidence in many ways. That’s why it’s important that you have good teeth and healthy gums; because they play a big role in boosting your confidence.

1. A Subconscious Sign Of Health

Having good, attractive looking teeth is a subconscious sign of health and vitality. When you look in the mirror and see less than healthy teeth and gums, you don’t feel healthy. You know that your teeth and gums need professional attention. You may also be acutely aware that others may see you as less than healthy, too. This subconscious knowledge makes you feel less confident to go out in the world and do the things you enjoy.

2. Self-Conscious Near People

If you have bad teeth it will affect whether you feel comfortable talking near people. If you have a severe cavity or gum disease then very foul odors can emit from the mouth. You may fear that your bad breath, caused by mouth bacteria, might reach them. This can make you withdraw from people, which is not healthy for your social well-being.

3. Reluctance to Smile

When your teeth and gums are unattractive, you may be reluctant to smile. Smiling is a socially accepted way to indicate friendliness and confidence. When you fail to smile, people may get the impression that you are unfriendly or don’t want to get to know them. In turn, they will turn away from you and seek someone who appears more friendly. This turning away impacts your self-confidence and makes you feel that others don’t like you. In reality, others are simply picking up cues from you.

Finally, having clean, healthy teeth and gums in general just makes you feel good and refreshed. You’re more likely to smile easily and seek social interaction with others. As you can see, taking care of your teeth and gums goes far beyond physical health. It also impacts your emotional health.

Woman smiling

Keeping Your Smile as Healthy and Beauitful as Possible — Four Things You Need to Know

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If you’re like most people who’ve been blessed with a naturally beautiful smile, you don’t give it much thought until something happens to take its sparkle away. However, preventive measures exist designed to keep your teeth looking as good as possible. The following are just four things you can incorporate into your routine to help ensure that your smile continues to dazzle.

Wear Mouth Protection When Engaging in Physical Activities

Nothing ruins a smile more quickly than a tooth or teeth that have been knocked out or chipped. Wearing mouthguards while playing sports is a good way to keep this from happening, but keep in mind that wearing mouth protection is a good idea when engaging in physical activity that doesn’t fall under the technical definition of sports. If you use a bike to commute to and from work, for instance, wearing a mouth guard keeps your smile safe in the event of an accident.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

This one should be a no-brainer, but you might be amazed to know how many people decide to skip brushing and flossing at the end of the day because they’re tired. Unfortunately, bacteria and plaque build-up overnight, so it’s never a good idea to skip your oral hygiene routine even if you’re absolutely exhausted. Scheduling brushing and flossing for sooner in the evening helps circumvent this, and keep in mind that if you’re too tired to brush and floss before bed, you’re probably not getting enough sleep.

Guard Against Staining

Many people can’t bear the thought of giving up their favorite foods and beverages in order to keep their teeth as white as possible, but there are things you can do to help prevent your teeth from developing stains. Drinking beverages through a straw, for instance, helps limit their contact with your teeth. If it isn’t possible to brush your teeth after eating or drinking items that cause staining, swish your mouth out thoroughly with clean water.

See Your Dentist Every Six Months

Scheduling an appointment for a dental checkup and cleaning every six months ensures that your dentist can identify issues that might affect your smile while they’re still in the early, highly treatable stages. Please feel free to contact us for more information on maintaining a healthy and gorgeous smile.

 

Need an Extra Layer of Professional Polish? How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Help

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If you’re like most people trying to make it in today’s competitive job market, you’ll undoubtedly already aware that the right look is an essential component of coming across as polished and professional — and you probably also know that even the best educational credentials won’t matter to prospective employees if you don’t present the right image. For instance, you’ve probably got at least one interview suit in your closet for the purpose of impressing potential employers during job interviews. However, even the most polished, professional appearance can be diminished significantly if your smile isn’t up to par. Following are just three ways that cosmetic dentistry can help you put your best face forward when it comes to applying for jobs and otherwise functioning in the professional sphere.

Teeth Whitening

Dingy, stained teeth never make a good impression. Your dentist can advise you on which teeth whitening strategy best suits your individual needs and preferences as well as recommend strategies designed to keep your teeth from becoming stained in the first place. For instance, certain types of foods and beverages, such as blueberries, coffee, and red wine, should be avoided by those whose teeth stain easily.

Teeth Straightening

Many adults who struggle with crooked teeth don’t like the thought of getting traditional braces because of how they look — after all, it’s hard to present yourself as a professional when you’ve got a mouthful of metal like a middle school student. Fortunately, options exist in the form of clear braces that are so discreet that it will be hard for others to tell that you’re wearing braces at all. You can even remove them for important meetings and events.

Caps and Crowns

Teeth that are chipped, broken, or stained to the extent that whitening treatments won’t help don’t have to hold you back professionally — talk to your dentist about caps and crowns. These are bonded to the teeth using a special type of cement made for dental use, and today’s caps and crowns have such a realistic appearance that no one will even know they aren’t your real teeth.

Please give us a call today for more information on how cosmetic dentistry can give you that extra layer of polish that makes all the difference.

Girl after teeth whitening

Keep Your Teeth Dazzling White with These Tips

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Once professional teeth whitening has your smile just how you want it, you must do the heavy lifting to ensure it stays that way. Otherwise, the stains may come back with a vengeance. Oftentimes, just from eating and drinking the wrong things or improperly caring for your teeth. So, taking the time to figure out what it takes to keep your teeth dazzling white is well worth the effort. Here are some tips to help you out.

Skip the Coffee, Soda, and Similar Drinks

Coffee, soda, and similar beverages are bad news for teeth. Their acidic compounds and deep pigments can quickly cause stains to set in along with a host of other problems. As you invest in the health and appearance of your teeth, it just makes sense to ditch these drinks for good. If you just cannot hack it, then use a straw whenever you have to have your morning cup of Joe.

Rinse Your Teeth After Eating

Food also has the potential to leave your teeth with stains, decimating your professional teeth whitening results. Although it is mostly the deeply-pigmented foods, like berries, that are the problem, you should be proactive after every meal by treating your teeth to a quick rinse. Just plain water is enough, though you can use mouthwash if you wish. By washing away food particles after eating, you protect your tooth enamel from stains and keep bacteria at bay at the same time.

Brush, Floss, and Rinse Daily

Proper oral care is paramount when it comes to keeping your teeth looking and feeling their best. You should aim to brush twice a day, morning and night, for at least two minutes at a time. Consider switching to an electric toothbrush to improve your efficiency in removing food particles and tartar when you brush. After brushing, use a quality floss and mouthwash to clean between your teeth and wash away any lingering debris.

When you follow these tips, you can keep your professional teeth whitening results around for far longer than you ever thought possible. If you need any help keeping your teeth white and stain-free, schedule follow-up treatments with your trusted dentist in Libertyville, IL. Give us a call at 847-367-1133 to schedule your appointment today.

Routine Dental Care Limits Dental Health Risks

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Keeping your teeth as healthy as possible is always the best route to take. Routine dental care allows you to avoid many of the most common oral health problems, including cavities and gum disease. What type of preventative care do you need?

At Home Dental Care

Preventative dental care starts at home. Brushing your teeth at least two times a day is recommended. Use a medium softness brush. And, be sure to brush your tongue, too. This helps to keep bacteria levels low. It’s also necessary to floss daily and use a mouth rinse as well.

Eat a Healthy Diet

What you eat contributes to your oral health. A balanced diet for oral health should limit the amount of sugary foods you consume. Sugar feeds bacteria and makes it more challenging to fight off cavities. It’s also important to limit carbs, consume more water, and eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Visiting Your Dentist

It’s best to visit your dentist at least one time every six months. When you do, you’ll receive a full oral exam and teeth cleaning. This is also the best time to learn about any types of dental problems such as gum disease or cavities. If you do have any type of decay occurring, getting help for it right away helps limit the risk of a more complex problem.

Additionally, preventative dental care also gives your dental team the ability to spot more complex problems early on. This includes enamel loss and periodontitis. It’s a good time to talk about your cosmetic dental needs as well.

Why You Need Preventative Dentistry

When you have good oral health, you see numerous benefits:

  • Your teeth remain healthy and white longer
  • You may minimize secondary health complications such as diabetes and heart disease
  • You may extend the life of your teeth as well

Get the Preventative Care You Need Today

Protecting your teeth is critical. Coming in for a routine checkup at least one time every six months is ideal. For all of your dental health needs, visit Dental Health and Beauty and Nicolas Polito, DDS. Give us a call now at 847-367-1133.

woman dentist

Cosmetic Dentistry FAQ

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When you are ready to improve how your smile looks, consider the services of Dental Health and Beauty. Our dentist Nicholas Polito, DDS is ready to assist you with cosmetic dentistry treatments. We specialize in teeth whitening, dental implants, cosmetic bonding, and other types of common cosmetic dental procedures. Find out more about these kinds of treatments and how you can get started at our dentist in Libertyville, Illinois.

When Should I Ask for Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments?

If you are interested in improving the look of your smile, whether due to missing or discolored teeth, now is a perfect time. We can use cosmetic dental treatments to restore one or more teeth. In addition, we offer bonding and veneers as a way to bring the best out of your smile. All of these services are available today to benefit you and your family members. Best of all, we are an affordable choice for dental care in Libertyville, IL.

woman dentist

If I Have Decayed Teeth is Cosmetic Dentistry the Right Choice?

We can help you improve the look of your teeth, even decayed teeth. We will start by evaluating your oral condition to determine the underlying oral health concerns. Then we can treat this dental problem at the root, literally, so you can have a smile that is as healthy as it looks.

Are Porcelain Veneers a Safe Procedure and How Long Do These Last?

An increasingly popular cosmetic dentistry procedure that patients request is porcelain veneers. Our veneers are designed in all-natural hues to best mimic the actual look and color of your existing teeth. This way you can protect your teeth and gums from further damage and pain. In addition, you regain the original finish of your tooth before the imperfections, such as chipped or broken teeth. We will help you maintain your porcelain veneers for years to come by offering regular dental exams and teeth cleanings, as well as helpful tips on how to best care for your veneers at home.

Choose Cosmetic Dentistry in Libertyville, Illinois

As the leading dental clinic in Libertyville, Illinois, we will help you and your family feel better about your smile through cosmetic dentistry. Contact Nicholas Polito, DDS at 847-367-1133 to schedule your dental visit at Dental Health and Beauty today.

 

Understanding Tooth Enamel Loss

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Dr. Nicholas Polito and the rest of the team at Dental Health and Beauty meet thousands of people every year who are concerned about the damaging effects of tooth enamel loss. We’re proud to provide high quality tooth enamel care and protection in the greater Libertyville, IL area and encourage people to educate themselves about tooth anatomy in order to improve their oral health.

Understanding Your Tooth Enamel—And What Can Make it Wear Down Over Time

Tooth enamel is a thin protective layer covering your teeth. It’s main job is to protect your teeth from chemicals and temperatures, as well as during the normal day-to-day actions of teeth themselves (e.g., biting, grinding, and chewing).

The main thing that causes tooth enamel to wear down and degrade over time is excessive exposure to acids, which can happen due to a variety of reasons, including:

  • Diet high in sugar and starches
  • Acid reflux disease (GERD) and other digestive problems
  • Chronic dry mouth or low saliva production
  • Excessive or chronic use of certain medications
  • Genetics
  • Plaque build up on your teeth
  • Environmental factors (e.g., grinding teeth in your sleep, stress, etc.)
  • Certain health conditions, including bulimia (in which a person frequently purges and vomits their food)

Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Enamel Loss

Tooth enamel itself is actually translucent—the white part of the tooth is actually from the dentin directly underneath the enamel. If enamel begins to wear away, this dentin can become stained, leading to brown or yellow discoloration.

clean and dirty tooth enamel

Additional signs and symptoms of tooth enamel loss include:

  • Chips, cracks, and indentations in the teeth
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Increased risk of cavities and tooth decay

How our Libertyville Dentist Can Manage and Prevent Tooth Enamel Loss

Unlike other tissues in the body, enamel has no living cells inside, meaning that when it becomes damaged or chipped it can’t be healed naturally by your body. For this reason, enamel protection is essential for maintaining a bright healthy smile.

We advise our patients to follow the following basic oral health guidelines for healthier enamel and teeth:

  • Brush, floss, and use mouthwash daily.
  • Avoid highly acidic foods, refined sugars, soft drinks, and fruit drinks.
  • Drink plenty of water and use sugar-free gum between meals to boost saliva production.

We also provide services such as sealants, bonding, or veneers/crowns which can further protect your teeth from enamel erosion and decay and improve cosmetic appearance.

Worried About Tooth Enamel Loss?

Your oral health makes an incredible impact on your overall health—not to mention confidence! If you have concerns about tooth enamel loss and would like to learn about how our Libertyville dentistry team can help, contact Dental Health and Beauty today at (847) 367-1133.

Family Smiling

Three Common Causes of Tooth Pain

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Tooth pain can be excruciating. It makes it hard to sleep, work, concentrate, and go about your normal daily activities. While the symptoms can vary in intensity and type based on the cause of your toothache, the most common include:

  • Pain with chewing
  • Sensitivity to heat, cold, and pressure
  • Bleeding or a bad-tasting discharge from around a tooth
  • Swelling around a tooth
  • Swelling of your gums or jaw
  • Pain that radiates up to your ear

Following are three of the most common causes of tooth pain.

Dental decay

Tooth decay begins when the enamel begins to break down, which is often caused by acidic damage to the tooth structure. The bacteria found in the plaque in your mouth generate acidic by-products that eat away at your tooth enamel. The more sugary foods and drinks you consume, the more acid is produced, weakening the enamel and leaving you vulnerable to tooth decay.

These pockets of decay, or holes that form on the surface of the teeth, are called cavities. As the cavities grow, penetrating the tooth enamel and underlying dentin, you’ll experience tooth pain. If left untreated, they can destroy the whole tooth. Here’s a great chart that shows the six stages of tooth decay.

Infected tooth fracture

Although a cracked tooth does not always cause pain, once the fracture progresses and becomes infected, you’ll definitely experience pain. Your gums and face might swell, and you may run a fever. A fever is a key sign that infection is present.

If a dental abscess forms, you’ll need to take antibiotics. Depending on the severity, your dentist might surgically open, or drain, the abscess.

Gum disease

Also called periodontal disease, gum disease is a common cause of tooth pain. Dental pain from gingivitis may occur when plaque buildup causes the gums to become red and swollen.

If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. This causes the inner layer of the gums to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that collect food debris and bacteria. Eventually, bone loss can also occur.

Remember: You can prevent the majority of dental problems by flossing, brushing, and having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. Schedule your initial appointment today!