Month: February 2019

Unusual Causes of Bad Breath

Dental Implants in Chicago


Most people have experienced bad breath after a garlic or onion-laden meal, but what if your bad breath lingers, no matter what steps you take to fix it? Chances are that you have an undiagnosed oral health problem that needs to be treated by your dentist.

 

Watch this video to learn more about some oral health issues that can cause bad breath. As seen in the video, a salivary stone can be a surprising trigger for bad breath. If you have one, it needs to be removed by your dentist.

 

At University Associates in Dentistry, we offer preventive care as well as dental implants, teeth bonding, and other important services. To make an appointment with a general dentist in Chicago, call (312) 704-5511.

Forget These Outdated Myths About Dentistry

Dental Implants in Chicago

Your dentist is an important member of your healthcare team, but sometimes, misconceptions about dentistry keep people from getting the care that they need. Maybe the idea that a procedure is painful has left you fearful of making an appointment, or perhaps a myth about an oral health problem has led you to dismiss your symptoms. Could myths and misconceptions be standing in the way of you seeing your dentist when you need to? Here are some myths about dentistry that definitely need to be dismissed.

 

Myth: You should brush your teeth as much as possible.

You may assume that if brushing your teeth twice a day is good, then brushing them more often is even better. However, brushing your teeth too often can actually do damage. Over-brushing can damage the enamel on your teeth, which triggers sensitivity and leaves your teeth more vulnerable to decay. Brushing twice a day is sufficient for most people.

 

Myth: Fluoride is toxic.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can help to strengthen your tooth enamel and reduce the risk of cavities. However, some people have the idea that it is dangerous and can increase the risk of cancer, arthritis, and kidney disease. In reality, fluoride is safe when used in appropriate amounts. It would be difficult for most people to get too much fluoride, but if you’re concerned, talk to your dentist about what is right for you.

 

Myth: Fillings and root canals hurt.

For any treatment that could potentially cause discomfort, your dentist will use local anesthesia to make sure that you don’t feel a thing. Most people are surprised after getting a filling or root canal that their procedure didn’t hurt and that they experienced only mild discomfort, if any, after the procedure.

 

At University Associates in Dentistry, we use the very latest technologies to deliver quality general and cosmetic dentistry treatments, including veneers, teeth implants, and teeth whitening in Chicago. Schedule your appointment today by calling (312) 704-5511.

What Exactly Is Sleep Apnea?

Dental Implants in Chicago

Sleep apnea occurs when the airway is obstructed or breathing is otherwise disrupted during sleep. With obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, the throat collapses on the airway during rest, cutting off the supply of oxygen. Sleep apnea is a serious condition with many potentially significant consequences. Fortunately, your dentist has solutions that could help you get the rest you need.

 

Sleep apnea sufferers frequently wake up hundreds of times each night in apnea episodes in which they gasp for air. The episodes happen so quickly that sufferers may not even be aware that they are happening and may not know that they have sleep apnea until a partner tells them. If it is not treated, sleep apnea can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression, heart disease, and other health problems.

 

At University Associates in Dentistry, we can help patients overcome sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. Find out how our dentists in Chicago can help you get a better night’s sleep by calling (312) 704-5511.

Spotlight on Ancient Cavity Filling Techniques

Dental Implants in Chicago

Getting a filling may not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but be happy you live in the here and now and didn’t have to get your cavities treated during ancient times. Today’s dentists are able to use modern technology—and anesthesia—to make sure the process is fast and comfortable, but things weren’t always this way. Here is a look at some ancient techniques for filling cavities that you’ll be happy to know haven’t been used in centuries.

 

Removing the Infected Pulp

When you see your dentist for a filling, after you receive your anesthesia, your dentist will remove the infected pulp from your tooth. Today, dentists use sophisticated and gentle equipment that effectively targets the infected pulp with as little disruption to the healthy parts of your tooth as possible. In ancient times, dentists removed the pulp from cavities as well. However, they would do so by digging it out with sharpened stones without any anesthesia.

 

Filling the Cavity

When the infected pulp is removed from a tooth, the filling is then placed in the space created in order to re-strengthen the tooth. Dentists today use composite, ceramic, gold, porcelain, and amalgam fillings. In ancient times, the filling materials were a bit different. Teeth that were discovered in Italy and were thought to be about 13,000 years old were filled with vegetable fibers, hair, and bitumen, which is derived from oil. Today, bitumen is used for repaving roads. Other teeth from ancient times that have been discovered were filled with other materials, such as beeswax, and for cavities that couldn’t be fixed and that led to tooth loss, the Mayans used gold wires to attach replacement teeth to the jaw.

 

At University Associates in Dentistry, you’ll be pleased to find the very latest in dental technology waiting for you, including CEREC and digital X-rays. Make your appointment for a dental consultation in Chicago by calling (312) 704-5511.

University Associates in Dentistry