If there is one thing kids seem adamantly opposed to, it is brushing their teeth. However, since you know getting your kids to brush their teeth regularly will result in excellent dental and perhaps overall health, it is an important part of the day that should never be overlooked. If you’ve been struggling with this challenge, here are some fun ways we guarantee will make your kids look forward to brushing their teeth.

Make it a Party

Since dentists recommend taking two minutes to brush one’s teeth, turn those two minutes with the toothbrush into a party. For example, for those two minutes twice per day, play your child’s favorite song and have you and your kids show off your best dance moves as they’re brushing. While you may embarrass your kids a bit with your dancing, before they know it they’ll be all done with brushing.

The Family that Brushes Together

Rather than simply telling your kids to go brush their teeth after a meal, why not join them at the bathroom sink? By making brushing a family affair, you not only set a good example for your kids, but also make it easier to establish a regular brushing routine. Before you know it, brushing will become second-nature for your kids.

Positive Reinforcement and Rewards

For some kids, simply having mom or dad give them a high-five or a hug after brushing will be incentive enough to make it a regular habit. If you like, you can offer some type of reward for brushing, such as allowing your kids to pick out their favorite bedtime story or let them decide what they want for breakfast the next morning.

Picking Out Their Toothbrush and Toothpaste

One of the best ways to get your kids to brush their teeth is to let them pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste. While your dentist in Libertyville always recommends you adhere to ADA standards when doing so, today’s toothbrushes and toothpastes come in many different styles, colors, and even fun flavors.

To make sure your kids continue brushing regularly and maintain excellent dental health as they get older, be sure to contact your dentist in Libertyville as soon as possible to set up your child’s next dental appointment.

Your smile is so much a part of who you are and how you feel, and even the smallest issues can seem like a big deal when you open your mouth. When it comes down to it, there are a lot of small cosmetic dental issues that cause a lot of concern, but most people have no idea how easy most issues are to mend with the help of a good cosmetic dentist. Here is a look at a few of the most common questions about small cosmetic issues with teeth.

Why Do My Teeth Look Serrated?

It is actually quite common for permanent teeth to have a small amount of serration. These tiny points are meant to help you grasp and rip through your food, but most of the time, the serrations are so minimal that they are barely noticeable. If you have front teeth that are especially serrated, it can make you a bit self-conscious about your smile, but the issue is relatively easy to fix. The dentist can actually use special tools to shave down the tiny points so they are not as noticeable.

Why Do My Teeth Look Grey or Yellow No Matter How Clean They Are?

You can brush your teeth religiously, floss, and even attend your dental hygiene appointments and still have issues with the shade of your teeth. The natural shades of teeth can vary due to a lot of reasons, including genetics. For people who have this issue, something like veneers can be a good solution.

Why Do My Teeth Have a Ridged Appearance Along the Surface?

Much like some teeth can have serrated edges, some teeth can also have a sort-of ridged surface. These ridges are referred to as mamelons, and they naturally show up in newly grown permanent teeth. While mamelons often wear down over time, some individuals have ridges that are more prominent and easy to see. If this is you, the dentist can perform cosmetic procedures to soften the ridges and make them less visible.

Contact Us to Discuss Cosmetic Dentistry in Libertyville, IL

Make sure you are happy enough with your smile that you can share it confidently with everyone. Reach out to us at Dental Health and Beauty Nicholas Polito, DDS in Libertyville, IL to schedule an appointment for a cosmetic consultation to determine what we can do to help you with your smile.

If you’re like many people, you often feel that your smile could use a bit of brightening up but aren’t sure what procedures exist and which ones might be right for you. Fortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to teeth whitening, and what works best for you might not be the best option for the next patient. The only way to know which approach is the best one for you is to have a consultation with your dentist, but you can get the most out of the conversation if you have some knowledge of the possibilities. Here’s what you need to know about teeth whitening options.

Specialty Toothpaste

If your teeth have mild surface stains, a specialty toothpaste may be just what you need to bring back its former brightness. These work in the same manner that your regular toothpaste does, and most people begin to see noticeable results within two or three days, but keep in mind that it may take several weeks for others to notice a difference. Keep in mind that surface stains are generally caused by things such as tobacco use and foods and beverages that create stains, such as coffee, tea, wine, juice, and dark berries such as blueberries and blackberries, so if you continue to do these things after you begin using a whitening toothpaste, the results will be fleeting.

Make sure that any specialty toothpaste you use is approved by the American Dental Association. For best results, ask your dentist for recommendations.

Gels and Strips

Gels and strips may be an option for those who need more than whitening toothpaste. These are generally over-the-counter products that contain hydrogen peroxide. Although they provide faster results than specialty toothpaste, they may not be the best option for those with sensitive teeth. Check with your dentist before using these, and do a spot test before applying either gels or strips to multiple teeth at once.

Chairside Bleaching

Chairside bleaching is the most effective way to get white teeth quickly. As its name implies, it’s performed in your dentist’s office. The treatment takes between 30 and 60 minutes, patients sometimes find they require multiple treatments to get the effect they want.

Please feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions on how you can make the most of your smile.

Porcelain veneers are thin overlays made of porcelain that get bonded to the front of your teeth to give them a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Veneers have the capability to completely transform a smile by covering small imperfections and giving the tooth a better shape and appearance. Therefore, many people are interested in this cosmetic dental procedure. Find out what patients are the best candidates for porcelain veneers and why.

Your teeth have a fair amount of enamel to work with.

If you have teeth that are already starting to decay and a lot of the enamel is wearing away, you may not be the best candidate for porcelain veneers. The veneers have to be bonded to the tooth enamel, and the enamel has to be slightly sanded down to make room for the veneers. Lack of enamel can sometimes mean the veneers will not adhere properly.

You do not have signs of gum disease.

It is important for someone who is getting dental veneers to have generally healthy gum tissue, even though this is not something that most patients know. If you have issues with something like gingivitis, it can cause a faster breakdown of your teeth, which means veneers can also be at risk. Your dentist will work with you to get your mouth to a healthy state before installing the veneers, so just because you have gum health issues may not always mean you absolutely cannot have the procedure performed.

You have smile imperfections that cannot be fixed with other methods.

Maybe you have stains or severely discolored teeth, cracks in some teeth that are visible even after repair, or teeth that are misshapen or worn down. Veneers are a good option for you if you have imperfections that you can’t otherwise cover or fix with the help of your dentist. For example, if you have undergone professional whitening and still have unsightly stains, porcelain veneers may be a good option for you.

Talk to Us About Dental Veneers in Libertyville, IL

Dental veneers can totally transform your smile. A professional cosmetic dentist will work to make sure you are a good candidate for the procedure. If you are interested in dental veneers, contact us at Dental Health and Beauty Nicholas Polito DDS.

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.