Month: July 2021

4 Dental Myths Debunked

Dental Implants in Chicago

4 Dental Myths Debunked

Let’s Sink Our Teeth into Some Common Misconceptions

Due to an overwhelming amount of information out there, you may be confused by some dental care and oral health myths. At University Associates in Dentistry, we want you to decipher the truth from common misconceptions. Below are a few debunked dental myths so you can optimize your oral health and overall well-being!

MYTH 1: YOUR ORAL HEALTH ISN’T CONNECTED TO YOUR OVERALL WELL-BEING

Fact:

Your mouth can be an entry point for harmful bacteria. An unhealthy mouth can lead to an unhealthy body. Gum disease, most often caused by poor oral health, can lead to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. If you’ve got gum disease, even routine brushing and flossing can cause breaks in your gums that give those microbes access to the rest of your body. Keeping a good oral care routine and seeing your dentist regularly can significantly reduce the risk of other diseases entering your body.

MYTH 2: AS YOU GET OLDER, THE HEALTH OF YOUR TEETH DETERIORATES

Fact:

If you commit to a solid dental routine and regularly check in with your dentist, you can have excellent oral health leading well into your senior years. As you get older, your oral health can be affected by aging, diseases, or medicines. Because of this, the processes on how to take care of your mouth will change, so be sure to book regular appointments with your dentist to find the best oral care routine for you.

MYTH 3: TEETH WHITENING WILL DAMAGE YOUR TEETH

Fact:

Contrary to popular belief, teeth whitening can be a very safe procedure if done under expert supervision. At UAD, we understand that tooth sensitivity and damage to the roots of teeth are possible. And can assess if you may have problems with sensitivities or root damage and treat accordingly. It’s safer to go with a trusted, dentist-recommended product. We are happy to recommend a professional at-home whitening kit and demonstrate how to use them properly.

MYTH 4: AVOID THE DENTIST WHEN PREGNANT

Fact:

Routine dental care and urgent procedures can both be done any time during pregnancy. We also recommended that our patients keep their regular check-ups during pregnancy because the rise in hormone levels can cause swollen gums, bleeding gums, and food trapped in your gums, resulting in increased irritation. Preventive dental work while pregnant is essential to avoid oral infections such as gum disease.

Conveniently for patients, our dental office in downtown Chicago centralizes everything at a single office. If you are unsure of any dental care information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to schedule a free consult by clicking here or giving us a call!

UAD phone number – (312) 704-5511

Located in downtown Chicago at 222 N LaSalle St.

Does Going to the Dentist Stress You Out?

Dental Implants in Chicago

Yes You Can Dealing with Dental Anxiety

3 Tips to Help You Deal with Dental Anxiety

At UAD, we understand that Dental Anxiety is a real disorder. We know how important it is for our patients to trust us and feel comforted and supported throughout their appointment. The right team will ensure your dental and emotional health are taken care of both short-term and long-term. We hope that we can ease your anxiety to ensure that you come to visit us regularly to make the entire experience – from making an appointment to coasting through it – much easier so you avoid unnecessary oral health complications. 

Here are 3 tips to help ease your anxiety at your next appointment, so you leave smiling!

1.) Read About Us!

If you need some reassurance before making your appointment, ask friends and relatives for dentist recommendations. Or read patient reviews on Yelp! and Google. A glowing review about a dentist can help reduce your anxiety.

2.) Let Us Know!

If you are feeling anxious, we want to know! When making your appointment at our dental office in downtown Chicago, please let a member of our staff know that you get nervous at dental visits. Remind our team about your anxiety when you arrive; trust us, you are not the only one. We all appreciate you sharing any past experiences that made you feel anxious, so we are aware of any specific sensitivities and help you with coping strategies. At UAD, we want you to feel comfortable and cared for at all times! 

3.) Try a Breathing Exercise!

Stress and breath are linked. Avoid holding your breath, which decreases oxygen levels and further increases feelings of anxiety. Instead, focus on slow, regular breathing to help reduce stress levels. When you learn how to manipulate your breath consciously, you can send your brain signals that all is calm and it’s okay to relax. 

We hope these tips will help ease your anxiety when visiting University Associates in Dentistry in downtown Chicago or any other dental practice. If you need to discuss your Dental Anxiety further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by clicking here or giving us a call!

UAD phone number – (312) 704-5511

Located in downtown Chicago – 222 N LaSalle St.

All-on-4 Dental Implants

Dental Implants in Chicago

What is It, and Who is a Good Candidate?

Replacing an entire arch of teeth with All-on-4 Dental Implants is an excellent option for patients who are missing all or a significant number of teeth. All-on-4 bridges look, feel, and function as close to your natural teeth as possible.

University Associates in Dentistry’s (UAD) dental office in downtown Chicago has been a recognized leader in providing the All-on-4 implant approach since its introduction fifteen years ago. In addition, our doctors have participated in the research and development of the All-on-4 treatment—right here in our private practice.

ABOUT THE ALL-ON-4 DENTAL IMPLANTS PROCEDURE

  • The gold standard replacement for a full arch or row of unhealthy or missing teeth
  • 4-6 implants are strategically placed to support and retain the entire arch of teeth (upper and/or lower)
  • The implant placements and first set of teeth are done at the same time as the removal of the remaining teeth (which is why it’s called “teeth-in-a-day”)
  • Bone grafts are not needed
  • A stronger permanent set of teeth are provided after three months when the implants have fully healed and stabilized

Dr. Baer, Dr. Marcus, and Dr. Schelkopf are all recognized leaders in the field of dental implants and All-on-4 treatment, with published research, active lecturing, and consistent mentoring of other doctors on dental implant care. At UAD, our All-on-4 treatment is completed in one appointment and at once office—that includes the entire surgical treatment and the delivery of your new teeth.

WHO ARE GOOD CANDIDATES FOR ALL-ON-4 DENTAL IMPLANTS?

  • Missing Multiple Teeth – If you have failing bridges or multiple decaying or missing teeth along your dental ridge, you will benefit from this procedure.
  • No Oral Disease Present – Gum disease or other oral diseases pose a risk factor for implant failure. Treatment is required before undergoing implant surgery.
  • Ability to Support the Implants – You should have sufficient jawbone structure and gum tissue to support the dental implants.
  • No Smoking – Smoking can increase your implant failure rate up to three times. Patients who smoke must stop leading up to surgery and during the healing process.
  • Committed to Treatment – The procedure does require several visits to the oral surgeon and temporary changes to your diet and habits.
  • This treatment is the perfect route for getting back to smiling, functioning, and enjoying life without worrying about the discomfort of dental problems!

Conveniently for patients, our practice centralizes everything at a single office. So if you’re interested in learning more about the All-on-4 treatment or any other dental implant treatment options in the Chicago area, please set up a free consult at UAD’s all-in-1 practice! You can contact us to schedule a free consult by clicking here or giving us a call!

UAD phone number (312) 704-5511
We are located at 222 N LaSalle (in downtown Chicago)

3 Tips for Taking Care of Your Gums

Dental Implants in Chicago

Proper Hygiene for Healthy Gums

Your gums are an essential part of the structure of your mouth. Healthy gums hold your teeth in place and protect their roots from tooth decay and irritation. If you lose teeth due to weakened gum tissue, the bone in your jaw will begin to deteriorate. Lost teeth can also cause difficulty speaking, and dental implants or other dental appliances may be your only option.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), signs that you might have gum disease include:
Consistently bad taste or breath
Separating or loose permanent teeth
Gums that easily bleed
Gums that are swollen, red, or tender
Gums pulling away from teeth

With simple routine dental care, however, you can keep your gums healthy and your smile beautiful!

3 TIPS ON HOW YOU CAN KEEP YOUR GUMS HEALTHY

  1. Practice Proper Oral Hygiene – Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day between the teeth to remove dental plaque.
  2. Use Fluoride Toothpaste – Make sure to choose toothpaste that contains fluoride and has the ADA seal of acceptance. After that, the flavor and color are up to you!
  3. Get Regular Dental Cleanings – Regularly visit your UAD Chicago dentist for professional cleanings and examinations as plaque can still build up on teeth even when brushing and flossing regularly. In addition, your dentist can detect early gum disease symptoms if you see them on a regular basis!

Never hesitate to ask your UAD dentist about your gum health and if there’s more you can do at home to care for your gums. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have! We can help you maintain or restore a healthy, beautiful smile with the latest technology and dental treatments available. Please contact us at our dental office in downtown Chicago to schedule your next visit by clicking here or giving us a call!

UAD phone number (312) 704-5511
We are located at 222 N LaSalle (in downtown Chicago)

Poor Oral Health Can Affect Your Overall Well-being

Dental Implants in Chicago

The Physical and Psychological Effects Associated with a Dissatisfied Dental Appearance

If you’re not happy with your oral health and appearance, it can negatively impact your general quality of life, both physically and psychologically.

Physical Effects

Poor oral health can lead to dental cavities and gum disease, which can negatively impact your smile. Some of the symptoms of poor oral health that can lead to a dissatisfied dental appearance include:

  • Bleeding or swollen gums
  • Cracked or broken teeth
  • Dry mouth
  • Jaw clicking
  • Loose teeth
  • Pain with chewing
  • Receding gums
  • Swelling of the face
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold
  • Toothache
  • Ulcers, sores, or tender areas in the mouth

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please don’t ignore them, or you may end up with dental disease, which can affect your appearance and speech.

Psychological Effects
If you’re unhappy with your appearance or speech caused by dental disease, you can experience stress, depression, and low self–esteem. There is also a social stigma associated with poor oral health, resulting in fewer opportunities for employment and personal relationships. In addition, poor oral health is linked to mood conditions like depression and loneliness. For example, you might feel embarrassed about your teeth or find it hard to eat or drink around other people.

The US Department of Health and Human Services notes the psychological impact of poor oral health includes: “a tendency to avoid social contact due to concerns over facial appearance… [and]… persistent pain has similar isolating and depressing effects”. Further: “given the importance of the mouth and teeth in verbal and non–verbal communication, diseases that disrupt their functions are likely to damage self–image and alter the ability to sustain and build social relationships.”

Don’t wait until you experience physical or emotional symptoms to visit your dentist. Visiting University Associates in Dentistry offices twice a year will usually allow our team time to catch a problem before you even notice any symptoms! We can help you maintain or restore a healthy, beautiful smile with the latest technology and dental treatments available. Please contact us at our dental office in downtown Chicago (222 N LaSalle) to schedule your next visit by clicking here or giving us a call (UAD phone number: 312-704-5511)

University Associates in Dentistry