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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

Why You Should See a Dentist Twice a Year

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Routine Dental Visits in LibertyvilleIt’s easy to put off those regular dental appointments. You’re too busy at work. The kids are keeping you too busy. Do you really need those routine checkups and cleanings anyway?

Yes, you do. Failing to schedule in those appointments increases your risk of dental issues and other health problems. Here are just a few of the reasons you need to make the time to head to your dentist twice a year.

Those Cleanings Make a Difference

Scheduling those cleanings every six months is essential since a professional cleaning does a lot better job on your teeth than you can. Even if you’re brushing and flossing twice a day, you still can’t eliminate all the plaque and tartar from your teeth. Dental hygienists use professional tools to remove the tartar and plaque off teeth, and these routine cleanings can help prevent tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease.

Routine Exams Catch Problems Early

Seeing your dentist regularly also helps make sure that any dental problems are caught early before they become a major problem. Your dentist will look for the signs of tooth decay and gum disease, and if you do have dental issues, they can be treated effectively if they’re caught early.

Benefits to Overall Health

Failing to visit the dentist twice a year can actually have negative effects on your entire body. Many studies show that dental health impacts your overall health. Since your mouth is full of bacteria, routine dental hygiene and regular dental visits can ensure that bacteria don’t contribute to the development of other health problems like heart disease.

Some Patients Need to Come in More Often

While twice yearly visits are recommended for most patients, some people may need to see the dentist more often. You may need more than two visits a year if:

  • You have poor oral hygiene habits
  • You deal with chronic health problems like diabetes or gum disease
  • You have dry mouth
  • You have problems that make it tough to clean your teeth on your own
  • You use any type of tobacco
  • You’ve had a lot of dental work in the past

Protect your oral health. If you’re behind on routine cleanings and checkups, call our office to get your appointment set up today.

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Dental Bridges

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Like most medical procedures, dentistry has advanced tremendously over recent years. A variety of new dental products have been introduced improving smiles, comfort, and confidence. Still, one of the most popular ways to restore missing teeth is the dental bridge. It has been the worldwide standard for repairing smiles for generations.

A dental bridge is a prosthetic device that consists of one or more dental crowns over the same number of false teeth. This device serves as a “bridge,” closing a gap between two healthy teeth. These healthy teeth, known as abutments, serve as support for the bridge. A false tooth in a bridge is known in dentistry as a pontic.

The two main benefits of a bridge are their affordability and the fact that they can be put in place rather quickly. When properly measured and produced, they provide a natural appearance and can be used to bridge missing teeth gaps in people of all ages assuming solid abutment teeth are available to secure the bridge. A bridge maintains the natural shape of the mouth and face and it distributes bite force evenly. A bridge that is fixed secures neighboring teeth and does not have to be removed to be cleaned. It also doesn’t negatively affect speech.

While it is natural for people to have an interest in and even explore the possibility of dental implants, bridges are much less invasive and are more cost effective.

Missing teeth can be one of the most embarrassing yet easily resolved dental issues. Bridges have long served as an efficient and effective way to fix the problem. While there may be more options than ever, a dental bridge may be the best solution for you.

It is critical to have any dental procedure performed by an experienced and professional dentist who specializes in dental health and beauty. In the Libertyville, Illinois area, that dentist is Dr. Nicholas Polito DDS. We are committed to serving our patients with the latest technology and options to maintain and restore smiles in an environment that is welcoming and pleasant. If you are hesitant in seeing a dentist or are in search of a caring team of professionals who can help reduce any anxieties you may have, we invite you to contact us.

Why You Might Need Porcelain Veneers

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Porcelain veneers provide an effective way to improve your smile when you have certain kinds of cosmetic flaws. These veneers are made from impressions of your natural teeth that your dentist takes, which helps ensure that they match your teeth as closely as possible. Find out more about why you might want to consider looking into getting porcelain veneers.

Common Uses for Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are commonly used to cover dental flaws that can affect the way you feel about your appearance, especially when you smile or talk to other people. Some of the most common reasons to have these veneers include to cover up stains or discolorations if you’re not a good candidate for teeth whitening and to restore teeth that are chipped or cracked. Other uses for these veneers include correcting coloring for darker teeth, covering irregular tooth surfaces and hiding signs of worn teeth due to an underlying disease or teeth grinding.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain isn’t the only kind of veneer material available; Resin composite is another material that some veneers utilize. However, porcelain veneers provide certain benefits that resin composite veneers don’t. These benefits include a lower risk of stains and a reduced risk of wear and tear. Porcelain veneers also don’t require you to have as much tooth enamel removed as resin composite veneers do. Other benefits of these veneers include a lower amount of maintenance needed and a more natural appearance.

What to Expect from Porcelain Veneers

When you decide to get porcelain veneers, your dentist will first make impressions of your teeth. When your veneers are ready, you’ll come back in for another appointment to have them applied to your teeth. Your dentist will prepare your teeth for these veneers by removing a small amount of enamel. This helps ensure that your porcelain veneers fit properly on your teeth.

If you want to know more about porcelain veneers for your teeth, please contact Nicholas Polito, DDS in Libertyville for an appointment. We can help you determine if veneers are right for you.

 

Types of Dental Implants

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For people with missing or damaged teeth or other oral health issues, dental implants help them maintain a healthy jaw bone and eat foods without pain or stress. Once installed, dental implants function as artificial tooth roots atop which restoration can be placed. There are two main types of dental implants:

Two-Stage Dental Implants

In this two-part procedure, the dentist begins by surgically placing the implant into the jaw bone and stitching the gum tissue. After allowing the tissue to heal for a few months, the patient undergoes a second minor surgery to attach an abutment and temporary restoration to the implant.

Endosteal (Endosseous) Dental Implants

Commonly used for two-stage dental implant procedures, endosteal are placed in the jaw bone in place of a bridge or denture. Endosteal implants can be cylindrical, bladed, or threaded (screw-shaped).

Single-Stage Dental Implants

While a single-stage dental implant is completed in two parts, only the initial procedure requires surgery. The dentist places a more extended implant into the patient’s jaw and gum tissue and stitches the gum for healing. After a few months of healing, the patient returns to the office to have the abutment and restoration installed directly on the implant, which is still exposed, eliminating the need for another surgery.

Subperiosteal Dental Implants

Commonly used for single-stage implant procedures, subperiosteal are longer than endosteal and are placed into the jaw bone and gum to hold the abutment restoration. The length of these implants allows the dentist to put the abutment and restoration without reopening the gum to expose the implant. Patients with a shorter jaw bone often receive subperiosteal to ensure proper placement of dentures.

Your dentist can help you learn more about implants and whether they are right for you. Before the procedure can be performed, the dentist must take an X-ray and CT scan of your teeth and gums. This is needed to ensure you have an adequate bone structure to support the implants. As always, you should visit your dentist for routine checkups to ensure your teeth are healthy and strong.

The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups

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For as long as you can remember, you’ve been told to brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly. Oral health is essential, but if you’re doing your due diligence with your toothbrush and dental floss, why do you need to make semi-annual excursions to your dentist?

There are plenty of reasons regular dental checkups are essential. Take a look at some of the top things your dentist will do during your appointment:

1. Plaque Removal
Your mouth naturally produces a clear, sticky substance called plaque. Brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash help remove plaque, but if the material lives on your teeth for too long, it turns into tartar, which can only be removed by dental professionals. Tartar, in turn, can cause gingivitis (gum disease) and other health issues, which is why it’s vital to have it removed regularly.

2. Checking for Signs of Cancer
Did you know your mouth tells more stories than how often you’re flossing? During your regular checkup, your dentist will examine your neck, lymph nodes, face, gums, and tongue for signs of anything out of the ordinary. These areas are subject to oral cancer. Regular dental checkups will enable your dentist to identify potential issues early, which could ultimately save your life.

3. Finding Symptoms Related to Diabetes or Vitamin Deficiencies
Diabetes and vitamin deficiencies can cause dangerous health problems, too. You may have diabetes and not even know it, and if you’re experiencing symptoms you don’t realize are related to the disease, you’ll likely overlook your need to be tested.

Fortunately, your dentist is equipped with tools that can help them identify potential diabetes and vitamin deficiencies. If your dentist identifies the following, he or she may advise you to seek additional medical assistance:

  • Sore or loose teeth
  • Mouth ulcers or fungal infections
  • Dry mouth
  • Excessive cavities
  • Severe gum disease

Although related to oral health, these symptoms may be signs of something more serious.

Are you searching for a dentist near Libertyville, Illinois? Nicholas Polito, DDS has been helping the people of Libertyville love their smiles for 20 years. If you’re ready to embrace the power of your pearly whites, schedule your initial appointment today!