Month: February 2018

Could Your Favorite Fast Food Cause Bad Breath?

Dental Implants in Chicago

A greasy burger and fries can hit the spot, but your dentist won’t be happy about the effect it could have on your oral health. Regular fast food intake is also linked to halitosis, which could reduce your self-esteem. Watch this video and see if your favorite fast food is causing your bad breath.

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Most fast food options contain greasy residues that cause reactions inside your body as you swallow and digest the food. These reactions result in an unpleasant smell that comes up through your mouth and taints your breath. Fast food also makes your stomach more acidic and can contribute to gastric reflux, so balance your diet with fruits and vegetables.

University Associates in Dentistry can give you a dental consultation in Chicago to find out what is causing your bad breath. Call us today at (312) 704-5511 or visit our website for more information, including general and cosmetic dentistry.

Examining the Surprisingly Long History of Tooth Decay

Dental Implants in Chicago

There were no dentists thousands of years ago, but there wasn’t always a need for them. Human bodies have adapted and evolved over time to be able to eat comfortably, so tooth decay was not always a problem. Keep reading to take a look at the history of tooth decay.

Pre-Tooth Decay
It was about 10,000 years ago that humans learned how to farm. Before then, there were very few instances of tooth decay. Early humans were hunter-gatherers, and tooth decay was by no means rampant. Their teeth were equipped to chew through tough meats and scrape it off of animal bone. When farming became a popular practice, more grains and carbohydrates were introduced to the human diet. This made it more likely for cavities to occur, so there was a boom in dental decay following the innovation of farming. The interesting part is that tooth decay was an issue for one community of early humans that preceded farming.

Grotte des Pigeons
There is a cave in Morocco called Grotte des Pigeons, and those who inhabited the cave about 15,000 years ago were hunter-gatherers, not farmers. Farming hadn’t been invented yet, and somehow the inhabitants still suffered from serious amounts of tooth decay. This wore down their teeth and made it more difficult to eat, and there was no way to reverse the damage.

Acorns, Oats, and Legumes
It is thought that inhabitants of Grotte des Pigeons developed their tooth decay due to the acorns, oats, and legumes that they would snack on. It appears that the sweetness of the acorns, and the sticky consistency they took on when cooked, would stick to their enamel and cause cavities.

You can lower your risk of tooth decay and improve your oral health by seeing your dentist in Chicago at least once a year for a checkup. Browse through our website or call University Associates in Dentistry at (312) 704-5511 if you need a dental consultation.

Sleeping Better with the Help of Your Dentist

Dental Implants in Chicago

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Some people are prone to snoring, especially those who are overweight, heavy drinkers and/or mouth breathers. Chronic snoring may be an indication of sleep apnea, and this condition affects the quality of your waking life.

Sleep apnea happens when your airways are not open enough to comfortably allow air to get to your lungs and brain. Your body will repeatedly jolt awake throughout the night so you can catch your breath, which interferes with your sleep cycle and causes fatigue and headaches the next day. Your dentist can offer you Oral Appliance Therapy to alleviate your symptoms. The appliance will keep your airways open so you get the oxygen you need while you sleep. Your appliance will be small, custom-fitted for your mouth, and comfortable to wear. Using your sleep apnea appliance every night can help treat your symptoms so you can get a good night’s sleep.

If you need sleep apnea treatment and live in or near Chicago, look no further than University Associates in Dentistry. Made up of some of the best dentists in the area, our team can treat your sleep apnea and help you sleep through the night. Give us a call at (312) 704-5511.

Common Reasons Your Dentist May Order a CT Scan

Dental Implants in Chicago

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Today’s imaging techniques are better and more thorough than ever, and modern CT scans are proof. When your dentist uses a CT scan, they will get an in-depth look at your teeth, jaw, and gums, so it will be easier to create the best treatment plan for you. Best of all, the patient can watch the process happen. Here are some common reasons your dentist may request a CT scan.

Getting a Good Look
When you go into the office and talk about your symptoms, you give your dentist an idea of what might be going on. However, there can be additional issues hiding underneath the surface, so it’s important to get the best look possible. A CT scan is an imaging technique that lets your dentist see clear images in real time, making it easier to treatment plan and look for any hidden complication(s). The 3D images will show your sinuses, nerves, and arteries in addition to your gums, teeth, and jaws.

Devising a Treatment Plan
The easier it is to see what’s going on, the easier it will be to find a solution or the source of an issue. Once the source has been located, your dentist can start working with you on a treatment plan unique to your needs. The 3D images that CT scans provide are especially helpful when dealing with dental implants and more complex cases. The same kind of computerized technology that takes the images will also be used in any treatment that might be required.

Communicating with the Patient
As a patient, you should automatically feel more comfortable in the dentist’s office when a CT scan is being used. The dentist will have clearer visuals to work with. Your dentist can show you exactly what is needed, why and how you will be treated.

When you come to the office of University Associates in Dentistry , we may use a CT scan to improve your diagnosis, treatment, and overall experience. Call our dentists at (312) 704-5511 or checkout our website, including periodontics and sports dentistry options.

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