Month: February 2016

Spotlight on Dentistry in the Renaissance Period

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dental history

If you’re interested in general dentistry or cosmetic dentistry, you may enjoy learning about how dentists operated in the Renaissance period. The Renaissance period saw some important advances in dentistry, particularly in treating patients with missing teeth, damaged teeth, and crooked teeth.

The first dentists who practiced during the Renaissance were not very skilled at preventative dentistry or saving teeth from disease. Instead, they would simply extract a problem tooth using very primitive anesthesia. People who lived during this period were concerned with the appearance of their teeth, and would clean their teeth and mouth using powdered mint and salt scrubs. They even practiced teeth whitening procedures using charcoal and alum.

At University Associates in Dentistry, our dentists have vast experience in general dentistry, sports dentistry, teeth implants, and cosmetic dentistry in Chicago . We can provide you with a dental consultation to determine the most effective method for treating your dental problem. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about our general or cosmetic dentistry services, call us today at (312) 704-5511.

Are Your Everyday Habits Causing Your Yellowed Teeth?

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teeth whitening Chicago

Teeth that are yellowed, stained, or otherwise discolored can be remedied in a professional teeth whitening procedure at your general dentist’s office. In order to keep your smile bright and white, however, you should be aware of what lifestyle choices are discoloring your teeth. Here is a look at some everyday habits that can stain and discolor teeth.

Drinking Coffee, Tea, or Wine
Substances that are high in acids, tannins, or pigments can stain your teeth. These substances break down the tooth enamel, allowing the tooth underneath to become damaged. Luckily, the damage can be remedied by visiting a general dentist for teeth whitening or veneers. Coffee is acidic and highly pigmented, and can quickly cause teeth to become damaged, stained, and discolored. Tea is even worse, as it contains acid, pigments, and tannins, which all combine to discolor your teeth. Red and white wine are both acidic and full of tannins, but red wine is more likely to stain due to the pigmentation.

Eating or Drinking Highly Pigmented Substances
Once your tooth enamel is damaged, consuming any highly pigmented substances can stain your teeth. Foods that are high in pigment include any food that contains unnatural dyes, as well as berries, tomatoes, cherries, grapes, and pomegranates. Beverages include soft drinks, sports drinks, fruit juices, and lemonade.

Failing to Maintain a Regular Oral Health Routine
Even if you consume foods and beverages that can stain your teeth, you can reduce the damage that is done by maintaining a regular oral health routine. This includes rinsing your mouth out with water after eating or drinking something that is acidic, or that contains tannins or pigments. You should also brush twice a day and visit your dentist every six months.

If your teeth are discolored, you should visit one of our dentists at University Associates in Dentistry for teeth whitening near Chicago . Our professional teeth whitening procedure can whiten your teeth several shades. We can also provide porcelain veneers to repair stained or discolored teeth. To schedule a dental consultation, call us today at (312) 704-5511.

Dentistry in Ancient Greece

Dental Implants in Chicago

Dentist Chicago

By now, visiting a general dentist twice per year for regular teeth cleanings is routine for patients of all ages. But cosmetic dentistry actually began thousands of years ago in ancient Greece.

Today, a dentist can be relied on to replace missing teeth, improve their cosmetic appearance with teeth whitening, and use teeth bonding to correct tooth decay. In Greece, patients who had cavities went through a much different treatment. A patient with a toothache was brought to a priest, who administered a sleep-inducing potion to ensure relaxation. If the treatment happened to be successful, a patient would be obligated to make a tribute to his or her dentist at the temple. Numerous stones carved in the shape of teeth have been uncovered at ancient temples.

Whether you are suffering from a cavity or want to inquire about teeth bonding, call for a complementary consultation with one of our general dentists at University Associates in Dentistry located in the Chicago Loop at (312) 704-551.

University Associates in Dentistry