The bacteria that live in the plaque on the teeth is responsible for the formation of cavities. This is why, if proper dental care is neglected, cavities may result.

What Causes Cavities to Form?

Poor dental hygiene leads to a buildup of plaque, which is a sticky film that adheres to the teeth. This accumulation of plaque often results in tooth decay (aka cavities). The bacteria in the mouth stick to the plaque and begin breaking down the food particles and the sugar left behind. The bacteria release acid, which attacks the enamel, slowly destroying the teeth.

Who Is At Greatest Risk for Developing Cavities?

Cavities are predominant in young children because the enamel on primary teeth is more sensitive than that on the permanent teeth. Sweet foods and sugary drinks can easily damage primary teeth. Furthermore, children, especially those who are younger, are more likely to be challenged with performing proper dental hygiene.

Although permanent teeth are stronger than baby teeth, they are rather sensitive when they first grow in. Enamel that has just broken through the gums has not fully hardened, making it more prone to decay.

How Can I Find Out If I Have a Cavity?

Even if there are no visible signs of a cavity or pain being experienced, dentists train for years to learn how to find tooth decay. The dentist visually examines the teeth. In addition, X-rays can be taken to determine how deep a cavity is.

What Does a Cavity Look like?

The first visible sign of decay is a white or brown spot on the surface of the affected tooth. If this decay is left untreated, small holes will develop in the tooth.

What Are the Symptoms of a Cavity?

Once the nerve root of the decaying tooth is exposed, the pain begins. At this point, the consumption of hot, cold, sweet and/or acidic food, and drink can lead to tooth pain.

How Are Cavities Treated?

To fix a cavity, the dentist removes the decayed tooth matter and then fills the empty space with a synthetic material or precious metal.

If the nerve root is damaged, a root canal with a crown may be suggested, however, there are times when the tooth needs to be pulled. The missing tooth can be replaced with a flipper, a bridge or a dental implant.

How Can I Prevent Cavity Formation?

Implementing a daily routine of brushing, flossing and using an antiseptic mouthwash will reduce the number of acid-creating bacteria. In addition, dental hygiene experts recommend visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a dental exam and professional cleaning.

Dr. Nicholas Polito offers cosmetic and general dentistry services. He is also certified in Invisalign treatment. Dr. Polito’s caring demeanor and love of dentistry make him one of the top dental providers in and around Libertyville, Illinois. His office address is 1109 West Park Avenue, Libertyville, Illinois. To schedule an appointment, call (847) 367-1133.

The dentist determines that your oral health could benefit from something called scaling and root planing, but this is a dental procedure you’ve never heard of before. Scaling and root planing is a common dental procedure that is done for specific reasons to benefit your oral health. Take a look at some of the common questions patients facing this procedure tend to have.

Is scaling a root planing a painful procedure?

The procedure itself is not painful during the process. The dentist will use a numbing agent given with injections to numb the areas being treated. After the work is done, you can expect some pain and tenderness. The dentist may prescribe something to take for pain, but you can typically feel better just by taking over-the-counter pain relievers.

What are the advantages of scaling and root planing?

Once the procedure is done and your mouth heals, you will see far less sensitivity in your gums. Gums that have had issues with swelling and inflammation will usually return to a normal state. Gums that have pulled away and created small pockets where plaque can collect will slowly return to normal for most patients.

When is scaling and root planing a necessary procedure?

Scaling and root planing is most often done on patients who have periodontal disease or who are at risk of periodontal disease. The procedure can also be done for other reasons or if there is simply an excessive amount of plaque buildup below the gum line.

What foods should you avoid after scaling and root planing?

After the procedure is complete, the dentist will likely advise you of foods to avoid. Some foods can interfere with the healing process, such as acidic foods or really crunchy foods that may brush against your gums. In general, it is good to stick with foods that are low-acid and softer textures for a few days.

Contact Us About Scaling and Root Planing in Libertyville, IL

With the attention of a good dentist, scaling and root planing is the type of procedure that can change the health of your mouth for the better. Contact us at the office of Dr. Nick Polito DDS for more information or to schedule an appointment.

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.

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.

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.