Going shopping for a toothbrush can be overwhelming. There are so many different options that it can be next to impossible to guess which toothbrush is the best one for you. For starters, you should opt for a toothbrush that fits well in your hand with a head size suitable for your mouth. Beyond the general fit, the next biggest concern is the bristles.

It may seem like hard bristles are the best choice for getting your teeth clean. After all, hard bristles let you put more pressure on your teeth as you scrub the plaque from the surface. However, hard bristles cause gum recession, tooth sensitivity, break down the natural enamel and gum bleeding. A soft-bristled toothbrush is recommended for getting your teeth clean, as it doesn’t cause the same problems that hard bristles can.  

For help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and more, make an appointment with a dentist at University Associates in Dentistry. Call our Chicago office at (312) 704-5511 for an appointment and to learn more about our services, including dental implants and denture replacement.

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a serious risk for both your dental health and overall health. Gum disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, bone loss, and even heart disease. Although restorative dentistry treatments can be used to correct some of the side effects associated with periodontal disease, not all damage is reversible, so prevention is even better. Here are some things you can do to control your risk of developing periodontal disease:

Control Diabetes
Diabetes and periodontal disease are two sides of a vicious cycle. Diabetes increases the risk of periodontal disease, while the inflammation associated with periodontal disease makes diabetes more difficult to control. If you have diabetes, reduce your risk of periodontal disease by working with your endocrinologist to get your blood sugar in check. You should also discuss your diabetes with your dentist so that he or she knows that you have an increased risk of periodontal disease.

Stop Smoking
Smoking is devastating for your dental health. In fact, it is one of the biggest risk factors associated with gum disease. Cigarettes trigger gum inflammation and poor oral health, which lead to periodontal issues. If you develop  periodontal disease  while smoking, it is essential that you stop right away. Smoking can make your periodontal disease progress faster, and it can interfere with treatment.

Maintain Good Oral Health
One of the most powerful things you can do to lower your risk of periodontal disease is to brush and floss two times daily to clean plaque and bacteria off your teeth. You should also see your dentist for preventive exams and cleanings twice annually.

If you have red, swollen, or bleeding gums, you could be developing periodontal disease. Fortunately, University Associates in Dentistry can help. We offer scaling and root planing, dental implants, dentures, and other restorative treatments to help you reclaim your smile. Make an appointment at our  Chicago dental office  by calling (312) 704-5511. 

TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, can cause chronic pain that may interfere with your ability to chew, speak, and even sleep. What causes TMJ? This video explains.

TMJ is triggered by a bite issue that forces the jaw joint out of its socket. The muscles around the jaw work to hold the socket in place, which causes muscle fatigue and tenderness. Patients who have TMJ tend to clench their teeth as they sleep, which exacerbates the problem. Chronic jaw pain and headaches are the result.

If you’re suffering from TMJ pain, schedule an appointment with University Associates in Dentistry in Chicago. A simple orthotic device may be all that is needed to ease the pain. Find out more about all of our services, including dental implants, by calling (312) 704-5511. 

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. 

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can be extremely painful. Often, patients with TMJ disorder experience pain in their jaws when they sleep, eat, and even speak. If you’re dealing with the telltale signs of a TMJ problem, like creaking in your jaw and chronic pain, it is important to address the issue with your dentist. Your dentist can offer treatments to ease the pain and prevent further injury to your jaw. What causes TMJ problems and how can they be treated? Here is what you need to know:

TMJ Disorder Causes
The TMJ connects your jaw to your skull and works like a hinge when you open and close your mouth. When the joint is healthy, the bones are covered by cartilage, and a small disk cushions the joint and helps it move smoothly. TMJ disorder occurs when the cartilage is damaged or the disk is weakened or moved out of alignment. These problems allow bone to grind against bone, causing pain. In some cases, arthritis causes these changes; in other cases, injury is to blame. Sometimes, dentists are unable to pinpoint the exact causes of a patient’s TMJ disorder.

TMJ Disorder Treatments
Your dentist can use a variety of techniques to treat your TMJ disorder symptoms . For some patients, the symptoms of a TMJ disorder eventually go away on their own. In other cases, over-the-counter pain medications and muscle relaxers can help. Your dentist may suggest nighttime sedatives if you are clenching your teeth in your sleep and exacerbating your condition. A bite guard may also help. In persistent cases, Botox injections and a procedure to flush out the joint called arthrocentesis may be used. If other remedies don’t work, your dentist may suggest surgery.

If you’re experiencing any kind of oral pain, make an appointment with Chicago’s University Associates in Dentistry . Our practice offers a comprehensive range of dental treatments including cosmetic dentistry, the All-on-4 dental implant, and permanent denture replacement. To schedule a visit, please call (312) 704-5511.  

You brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day. Flossing on a daily basis is recommended as well. But do you take the same care to brush your tongue? Brushing and flossing are requisite components of a good oral hygiene routine because they remove bacteria and plaque from tooth enamel and gum tissue. What some individuals may not know, however, is that these harmful bacteria reside on the tongue as well. So even if you are rigorous about keeping your teeth and gums clean, you may still be putting them at risk for tooth decay and gum disease if you overlook your tongue. To promote ultimate oral health, brush your tongue from back to front each time you brush your teeth.

Would you like to find more oral healthcare tips ? If so, call University Associates in Dentistry at (312) 704-5511. Our Chicago practice can help you achieve a healthy mouth and glowing smile. 

Sleep apnea is a condition that can take a serious toll on a person’s health. The repeated cessation of breathing at night compels the body to wake up each time to revive inhalation. While a person with sleep apnea may not be consciously aware of each instance when his body wakes him up, the cumulative effects of sleep apnea can greatly lessen the patient’s wellbeing. The following risk factors can increase a person’s likelihood of having sleep apnea:

Lifestyle Behaviors
What a person does during the day can affect his activities at night, even during sleep. Specifically, the consumption of certain substances can trigger sleep apnea. Dentists have found that patients who drink an excessive amount of alcohol, smoke, or take depressant drugs suffer from sleep apnea more often than individuals who do not have these habits. Tobacco usage can irritate a person’s airway and cause its tissues to swell. Depressants and alcohol can cause excess slack in throat tissues. Both of these side effects can lead to obstruction of the airway .

Structural Airway Issues
Some individuals may be born with conditions that make them more prone to sleep apnea. If a person has a particularly narrow airway, it can be more difficult for oxygen to reach the lungs during slumber. Researchers have also found that individuals with abnormally large necks may suffer from sleep apnea on a more frequent basis. Obstructive sleep apnea also occurs when the tongue or soft tissues at the back of the throat relax during sleep and physically block the airway.

Obesity
When a person has a high body mass index, fatty deposits may be present anywhere throughout the body, including the throat region. When excessive mass resides around the airway, this extra weight can restrict the movement of oxygen into the lungs. This is why dentists recommend that patients with obesity issues bring down their weight, which can greatly alleviate sleep apnea problems.

University Associates in Dentistry can help you overcome your obstructive sleep apnea issues. If you suffer from this common problem, call (312) 704-5511 to speak with a representative at our Chicago office. Our dental professionals can recommend oral appliance therapy to stabilize and reposition the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate, and hyoid bone to prevent airway obstruction and promote comfortable sleep.