Sleep apnea is a common condition that has serious repercussions if not treated. In this video, get a peek into how former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal tackled his struggle with sleep apnea. 

Like many sufferers, Shaq was unaware that he had sleep apnea until his partner told him about his pattern of snoring and gasping for breath. After completing a sleep study and being diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea, Shaq was fitted with a CPAP mask to get a better night’s rest.

CPAP may have worked for Shaq, but it isn’t right for everyone. At Chicago’s University Associates in Dentistry, we offer an alternative treatment to CPAP therapy that is effective and much more comfortable for many patients. Find out more about or our obstructive sleep apnea treatments , dental implants, and other services by calling (312) 704-5511. 

You already know that the foods you eat can directly impact your dental health, but did you know that the beverages you drink could have the same—if not greater—effect? Healthy drinks like water and low-fat milk can boost your oral health dramatically, but picking the wrong beverages can have a disastrous impact. Here is a look at which beverages you should avoid:

The worst offender for your dental health is soda. Regular soda packs a dental health double-whammy. It bathes your teeth in sugar, which triggers the growth of tooth-decay-causing bacteria. Soda is also highly acidic, so it eats away at your tooth enamel. Diet soda isn’t much better, either. Although it lacks the sugar, diet soda still has enough acid to do serious damage to your teeth. The same goes for citrus fruit juices, which are also high in sugar and acids.

If you want to make your diet more dental-friendly, schedule an appointment with University Associates in Dentistry. Our general dentists will be happy to answer your questions and assist you with all of your dental care needs, from cosmetic dentistry to dental implants . Find out more by calling our Chicago dental practice at (312) 704-5511. 

Are myths about dental health derailing your dental care plan ? Mistruths abound when it comes to dental health, and learning the facts could cause you to make some drastic changes to your care plan. For instance, most people know that sugar plays a role in tooth decay. From that, people assume that reducing sugar in their diets equals cutting their tooth decay risk. In reality, how long your teeth are exposed to sugar matters much more than how much you eat. Sucking on one lollipop for 30 minutes without brushing is a much bigger dental disaster than eating five lollipops and brushing afterwards. Chicago’s University Associates in Dentistry busts common dental myths and sheds light on some fascinating dental facts in this infographic. Let your loved ones in on the truth behind oral health myths by sharing this information with them. 

Are you less than satisfied with your smile? If so, you’re not alone. Cosmetic dentistry is booming as more and more treatments are developed to correct dental woes. If you’re not feeling confident about your smile, make an appointment with your dentist to find out which cosmetic treatments could revolutionize your look. Here is a look at some of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures to give you a glimpse of what is available: 

Dental Crowns
If your teeth have structural problems, dental crowns could be the perfect solution. Crowns look and act like your natural teeth. Crowns are usually used after a large section of decay is removed from a tooth, or due to a root canal, but they can also be used to fix broken teeth and severely worn teeth. At University Associates in Dentistry, we can often complete a crown in a single visit thanks to CEREC technology, which allows us to take a digital impression of your mouth and mill your crown on-site.

Veneers
Are your teeth chipped, misshapen, or significantly stained? You can fix these problems with veneers. With veneers, a very small portion of your tooth enamel is removed, and a thin, porcelain veneer is put in its place. Veneers can improve the color of your teeth and fix minor imperfections and spacing issues. They are extremely durable and don’t require any special care.

Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is an extremely popular cosmetic dentistry treatment that is very easy to complete. At University Associates in Dentistry, we use the Kor Whitening System . This powerful system is highly rated by dentists and delivers long-lasting results—even on tetracycline-stained teeth. It is safe for teeth and gums, and unlike other whitening treatments, you don’t have to give up coffee, tea, and wine to maintain your results.

These treatments are just a taste of the cosmetic dentistry services we provide at University Associates in Dentistry, located in Chicago. Learn about all of our procedures, including general dentistry and dental implants , by calling (312) 704-5511.