Diabetes dentist Downers Grove

DOES DIABETES AFFECT ORAL HEALTH?

If you have diabetes, it can affect many parts of your body. This includes your teeth and gums. The effect is even greater when your blood sugar is not well controlled, making it harder to fight bacterial infections.

Plaque buildup

Plaque is a clear, sticky layer of bacteria that forms on teeth. If it is not removed, it can lead to infections such as gum disease.

If your high blood sugar is not controlled, you may have more plaque bacteria than most people. That means you are more at risk for oral health problems.

Gingivitis(Red, swollen gums)

Gingivitis is a form of gum disease. It is caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth and gums.

If you have diabetes, it is harder for your body to control plaque bacteria. That is why people with diabetes are 3 to 4 times more likely to get gum disease.

Be sure to see your dental professional if you have any of these symptoms:

• Red gums
• Swollen or
• Tender gums
• Gums that bleed easily

Periodontal disease

If gingivitis is left untreated, it can turn into periodontitis. This is a more serious form of gum disease. Over time, it can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth, causing teeth to become loose.

Oral health can affect diabetes, too. Having an infection like gum disease can affect your blood sugar. That’s why it’s vital to practice good oral care habits at home. It can help you protect your oral health, as well as manage your diabetes.

Be sure to use your blood glucose meter! It can help you control your blood sugar levels and protect your oral health.

For more information on diabetes and oral health, call our office today.

Call Alivio Dental to schedule an appointment today! Proudly serving patients from Downers Grove, IL, Lisle, IL, Darien, IL, Lombard, IL, Clarendon Hills, IL, Bollingbrook, IL, Woodridge, IL, Westmont, IL, La Grange, IL and Wheaton, IL communities now.

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Grinding teeth Mouth guard dentist

Bruxism: Are You Experiencing It?

The term “bruxism” refers to tooth grinding and tooth clenching that many children and adults experience throughout their lifetime. Bruxism occurs when the teeth contact each other in a forceful fashion, this can be silent or cause a loud sound especially when sleeping.

Why Does it Occur?
Many medical and dental professionals may not always know the exact cause, but bruxism can occur due to psychological stress that people may be dealing with during the week. Stress can be categorized in two ways — by internal and external factors.

Internal factors could be the foods you consume, your level of fitness, your emotional stability, overall health and well-being, and the amount of sleep you get each evening. External factors of psychological stress include the environment you are in each day, interaction with others, when you are at home and how you deal with challenges on a daily basis.

Bruxism’s Impact on the Mouth
There are several elements that can occur in the mouth when people are experiencing bruxism:

• Wearing away the tooth enamel and possibly the dentin
• Cracking or chipping teeth, bridgework or implants
• Tooth sensitivity can occur
• Teeth can become painful or loose
• Facial pain due to clenching of jaw muscles
• Headaches
• Overall facial fatigue
• Pain in the temporomandibular joint (jaw bone on either side of the mouth)

Treating the Problem
Most individuals suffering from bruxism should see their dental professional/specialist to determine why they are experiencing this problem. Your dental professional may recommend that you wear a mouth guard or a night guard to cushion the clenching or tooth grinding during sleeping. Additionally, your dental professional may suggest ways to reduce stress so you can decrease the level of bruxism. You should consider avoiding foods such as chocolate and drinks that contain caffeine and alcohol. Avoid chewing forcefully and your dentist or oral maxillofacial surgeon may suggest conducting exercises to relax your jaw muscles during the day. If your bruxism is more severe, an occlusal splint may be recommended as well as medication prescribed to help relax you or make you sleep more soundly. Your dental professional will be able to work with you to find the cause and the solution to alleviate this problem.

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Woodridge dentist broken tooth

As with any trauma to the mouth, you should consult with your dentist immediately to determine if treatment is required. The dentist will examine the affected area and may take X-rays.

If you are in pain from a broken, cracked or chipped tooth, you may want to take an over-the-counter pain reliever. If possible, keep any part of the tooth that has broken off and take this with you to the dentist.

If a tooth is completely knocked out of the mouth by an injury, take the tooth to your dentist as soon as possible. It may be possible for your tooth to be placed back into your mouth, a procedure called reimplantation.

How Does a Dentist Treat:

Chipped tooth —If there is no pain and the chip is small, it’s up to you to decide if, when and how the tooth should be repaired. Depending on the size of the chip, it can be smoothed or cosmetically corrected. Other options include veneers, crowns and fillings. Ask your dentist to explain these options. If a filling or artificial tooth becomes chipped, it should be replaced.

Cracked or broken tooth —Cracked and broken teeth should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Root canal therapy or tooth extraction may be necessary. If a crack affects the enamel and dentin of the tooth, a crown is frequently the best treatment. Keep in mind that cracks are not always visible, even on X-rays. Symptoms may involve pain while chewing and sensitivity to cold and possibly hot foods and liquids, as well as air, which may over time become more pronounced.

Tooth knocked out —The key to successfully reattaching a tooth is to get it reimplanted in the socket as soon as possible. With each minute that passes, more of the cells on the root of the tooth die. If possible, rinse the tooth with water only, then reimplant the tooth at the site and hurry to a dentist as quickly as possible. The tooth should be picked up by the crown only and must not be allowed to dry. The best chance for success is reimplantation within the first 30 minutes, with chances still good for up to two hours. It may be necessary for your dentist to do a root canal treatment one to two weeks after the tooth has been stabilized.

Permanently lost teeth, whether they’ve been removed by a dentist or accidentally knocked out, should be replaced. This is to avoid problems such as difficulty chewing and speaking, a shifting of position among remaining teeth, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders caused by chewing on the side with more teeth, and a weakening of the jawbone. Options for replacing lost teeth include bridges, dentures and implants.

Broken jaw —If you suspect you or someone else has a broken jaw, do not move it. The jaw should be secured in place with a handkerchief, necktie or towel tied around the jaw and over the top of the head. Cold compresses should be used to reduce swelling, if present. Go immediately to a hospital emergency room, or call your dentist.

Call Alivio Dental to schedule an appointment today! Proudly serving patients from Downers Grove, IL, Lisle, IL, Darien, IL, Lombard, IL, Clarendon Hills, IL, Bollingbrook, IL, Woodridge, IL, Westmont, IL, La Grange, IL and Wheaton, IL communities now.

Credits: Colgate Inc

Woodridge dentist bad breath

If you’re serious about learning what’s causing your bad breath, consider scheduling an appointment with your dental professional. Given your full medical and dental history along with an oral examination, your dentist should be able to identify the culprit. The causes of bad breath are numerous and include certain foods, alcohol or cigarettes, poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, diabetes, dry mouth, sinus or throat infections, lung infections or abscesses, kidney/liver failure, gastrointestinal issues and severe dieting.

Treatment of Bad Breath

It is important to conduct thorough oral hygiene at home twice daily utilizing tooth brushing with a fluoride antibacterial toothpaste and flossing to remove food debris and plaque on teeth, bridgework and implants, and brushing the tongue to remove odor-causing bacteria. A published study reported that tongue and tooth brushing in combination with dental flossing significantly decreased bleeding of the gum tissue over a two week period of time as well as reduced bad breath¹. Another clinical study conducted by the University of Buffalo dental researchers confirmed that brushing twice a day with an antibacterial toothpaste and using a tooth brush with a tongue cleaner can eliminate bad breath².

Tongue Cleaning is the Key to Fresher, Cleaner Breath

Cleaning your tongue is very important. You can purchase a Colgate 360 toothbrush with the tongue cleaner on the back of the toothbrush for cleaning both your teeth and tongue. After tooth brushing your upper and lower teeth with an antibacterial toothpaste, flip the toothbrush over to the tongue cleaner and place the tongue cleaner in the posterior region of the tongue and move it forward to the anterior section of the tongue. After you have scraped that portion of the tongue, rinse the tongue brush off with warm water to remove any odor causing bacteria. Then replace the tongue brush in the next posterior section again and repeat as described above again.

Consult your dentist or dental hygienist when choosing oral hygiene aids to help you eliminate plaque and odor causing bacteria and review the techniques that should be utilized at home. Also, ask your dental professional what oral hygiene care products they would consider you use to help eliminate bad breath (antibacterial toothpaste, antiseptic mouth rinse, tongue brushes or scrapers and interproximal cleaning devices). The key to a clean, fresh mouth is optimal oral hygiene conducted at home on a regular basis and professional recommendations discussed with you by your dental professional.

Call Alivio Dental to schedule an appointment today! Proudly serving patients from Downers Grove, IL, Lisle, IL, Darien, IL, Lombard, IL, Clarendon Hills, IL, Bollingbrook, IL, Woodridge, IL, Westmont, IL, La Grange, IL and Wheaton, IL communities now.

© Copyright 2009 Colgate-Palmolive Company

woodridge-dentist-dental-emergency

Dental Emergencies

Pain is one of the reasons people go to the dentist. A painful tooth can be triggered by hot or cold food and drinks. Heavy biting or grinding may fracture a tooth and cause the tooth to hurt when you chew. Sometimes, when a filling falls out, you may have a throbbing ache.

Any injury to teeth or gums can be serious and should not be ignored. Injury can damage nerves or blood vessels. There is also a risk of getting an infection, which can become life threatening. If you ignore dental pain or dental injury, you’re taking a chance. You should not delay getting treatment. Delays in treatment can be dangerous to your health. Getting injured teeth repaired and treated quickly is the best thing to do.

Today, dentists have many options for dealing with dental emergencies. Now you can benefit from advances in pain management and techniques to restore teeth. Teeth can be repaired with synthetic materials that are strong and look as good as your natural teeth. Your dentist has the training and skills to identify how serious the problem is, and he or she almost always can reduce or eliminate pain within a few minutes.

When To Call Your Dentist

If you’re not sure if a dental problem is an emergency, dentists offer this advice: If it hurts, it’s an emergency. This is because even injuries that seem small or superficial can affect the living tissues inside the teeth. Quick treatment improves the odds of saving injured or damaged teeth.

Even if you aren’t in much pain, any structural damage to a tooth — from a sports injury, for example — should be considered an emergency. Chips or fractures can affect the living tissue inside the tooth, causing more problems in the future. Your dentist can prevent the damage from getting worse.

The same is true of a lost filling or crown. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, the tooth has lost its support and it could easily become weaker. Pieces could break off or crumble, and you would need more extensive treatment. If you see your dentist right away, there’s a good chance he or she will be able to repair the damage with minimal treatment.

Call Alivio Dental to schedule an appointment today! Proudly serving patients from Downers Grove, IL, Lisle, IL, Darien, IL, Lombard, IL, Clarendon Hills, IL, Bollingbrook, IL, Woodridge, IL, Westmont, IL, La Grange, IL and Wheaton, IL communities now.

Credits: 2002-2005 Aetna, Inc. All rights reserved.

Woodridge dentist dental crowns

Fillings, which are materials used to fill cavities in the teeth, and crowns, which slip over and cover the tops of damaged teeth, sometimes loosen and fall out. This is rarely an emergency, but it can be painful because the exposed tooth tissue is often sensitive to pressure, air or hot and cold temperatures. In some cases, a filling or crown may come loose because decay has developed underneath it. The decay can cause the tooth to change shape and as a result, the crown of filling no longer fits the tooth properly.

What You Can Do

You may be eating, or biting on something hard when you discover that a filling or a crown has become lose or fallen out. You may feel the lost filling or crown in your mouth.

If it’s a crown, put it in a safe place and make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as you can. You don’t want to wait too long because the tooth will be weak and could be damaged more if it is not protected by the crown. Also, when a crown is missing for a long time, your teeth may move. If this happens your crown may no longer fit.

If the tooth is sensitive and you can’t get to your dentist right away, here’s what you can do:

• If you can reach the sensitive area, apply a little clove oil with a cotton swab. It works well to dull tooth pain. You can buy clove oil in pharmacies and also in the spice aisle of many supermarkets.
• If you have the crown, you may be able to slip it back over the tooth. Before you do that, it’s important to clean the inside of the crown as best you can. To hold it in place temporarily, coat the inner surface of the crown with tooth “cement,” which you can buy in the dental section of your pharmacy. There are several temporary cements available. Some need to be mixed; others come ready to use. You also can use denture adhesive or even petroleum jelly if nothing else is available. These aren’t permanent solutions, but they will help to hold the crown in place until you can see your dentist. You should not use any household glues to hold the crown in place. These products are not safe to put in your mouth and can damage the tooth and crown.
• If you’ve lost the filling or crown, you can use over-the-counter dental cement to cover the tooth surface. This will help to protect and seal the area until you’re able to see your dentist, and can make you more comfortable.

What Your Dentist Will Do

If the tooth is structurally sound and the crown still fits properly, your dentist will clean the area and then replace the crown.

If the tooth has been affected by decay, your dentist will need to prepare the tooth again by removing the decay and then making a new filling or crown to replace the old one.

Call Alivio Dental to schedule an appointment today! Proudly serving patients from Downers Grove, IL, Lisle, IL, Darien, IL, Lombard, IL, Clarendon Hills, IL, Bollingbrook, IL, Woodridge, IL, Westmont, IL, La Grange, IL and Wheaton, IL communities now.

Credits: ©2002-2007 Aetna, Inc. All rights reserved.

What’s In Your Mouth?

To understand what happens when your teeth decay, it’s helpful to know what’s in your mouth naturally. Here are a few of the elements:

• Saliva: Your mouth and teeth are constantly bathed in saliva. Although we never give much thought to our spit, this simple fluid is remarkable for what it does to help protect our oral health. Saliva keeps teeth and other oral tissues moist and lubricated, washes away some of the food particles left behind after we eat, keeps acid levels in the mouth low, and protects against some viruses and bacteria.
• Plaque: Plaque appears as a soft, gooey substance that sticks to the teeth a bit like jam sticks to a spoon. It is, in fact, colonies of bacteria, protozoa, mycoplasmas, yeasts and viruses clumping together in a gel-like organic material. Also in the mix are bacteria byproducts, white blood cells, food debris and body tissue. Plaque grows when bacteria attach to the tooth and begin multiplying. Plaque starts forming immediately after a tooth is cleaned; it takes about an hour for plaque to build up to measurable levels. As time goes on, different types of microorganisms appear, and the plaque thickens.
• Calculus: If left alone long enough, plaque begins to mineralize and harden into calculus or tartar because the plaque absorbs calcium, phosphorus and other minerals from saliva. These minerals form crystals and harden the plaque structure. New plaque forms on top of existing calculus, and this new layer can also become calcified.
• Bacteria: We have many different strains of bacteria in our mouths. Some bacteria are good; they help control destructive bacteria. When it comes to decay, Streptococcus mutans is the bacterial strain that does the most damage. It attaches easily to teeth and produces acid.

How Your Teeth Decay

You need food, particularly sweet and sticky food, for the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids that will attack the tooth enamel (outer surface of the tooth). Sugars, especially sucrose, react with bacteria to produce acid. The acid from the bacteria can decay your teeth.

It’s not just candy and ice cream we’re talking about. All carbohydrate foods, as they are digested, eventually break down into simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose. Some of this digestion begins in the mouth. Foods that break down into simple sugars in the mouth are called fermentable carbohydrates. These include the obvious sugary foods, such as cookies, cakes, soft drinks and candy, but also pretzels, crackers, bananas, potato chips and breakfast cereals. The sugars in these foods combine with the bacteria normally in the mouth to form acids. These acids cause the mineral crystals inside the teeth to begin to dissolve.

The dental caries lesion forms when these acids start to dissolve a tooth’s outer protective layer, the enamel. A cavity forms when the tooth decay breaks through the enamel to the underlying layers of the tooth. You can reverse a caries lesion (before it becomes a cavity) by using a variety of fluoride products. These include fluoridated water, fluoride rinses for use at home, and, of course, any commonly used fluoridated toothpaste.

Every time you eat, the bacteria in your mouth produce acid. Therefore, the more times you eat the more times your teeth are exposed to an acid attack.

Types and Stages of Decay

Dental decay, also known as dental caries, begins first inside the tooth. A white spot appears on the enamel where the tooth has started to weaken inside. At this stage, the tooth can repair the weakened area with the help of fluoride and minerals in saliva. But if the decay continues and breaks through the surface of the enamel, the damage is permanent. The decay must be cleaned out and the cavity filled by a dentist. Left untreated, the decay will worsen and destroy a tooth all the way through the outer enamel layer, through the inside dentin layer and down to the pulp or nerve of the tooth.

In young children, teeth that have recently emerged have weak enamel and are highly susceptible to acid decay. A type of decay called baby bottle tooth decay or early childhood caries destroys enamel quickly and is common in children. This type of decay can eat through enamel and leave a large cavity in a matter of months.

Older adults sometimes have chronic caries: cavities that don’t seem to get any worse or do so at a very slow rate. Teeth with chronic caries will tend to be darker in color because the edges of the cavities become stained from normal eating and drinking.

Root caries (decay in the roots of the teeth) are more common in older adults. Older adults are more likely to have gums that have receded from years of hard brushing or periodontal disease. They also are more likely to have dry mouth (xerostomia), which increases the risk of decay. Dry mouth is caused by many common medicines. Be sure to ask the doctor or pharmacist if any of your medicines cause dry mouth.

Decay can form beneath fillings or other restorations, such as crowns. Sometimes, bacteria and food particles can slip into a tooth if a filling hasn’t been placed properly or if the filling cracks or pulls away from the tooth, leaving a gap.

Preventing Cavities

Do you or your family members get cavities frequently? Dental research has identified factors that increase your risk of getting decay. Next time you visit the dental office, ask about your risk factors and discuss the best ways to reduce your risks and limit dental decay.

To prevent your teeth from decaying, you can do two things — strengthen your teeth’s defenses with fluoride and sealants, and reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth.

Fluoride strengthens teeth by penetrating the tooth structure and replacing lost minerals to repair acid damage. Everyone should brush with a fluoride toothpaste every day. Dental offices sometimes recommend additional toothpastes, gels and mouthrinses for both children and adults.

Sealants are protective coatings placed over the tops of chewing teeth — molars and premolars. They block bacteria and acids from sticking in the tiny grooves on the chewing surfaces of these teeth. Children should get sealants soon after their teeth erupt into the mouth.

Although you can never get rid of all the bacteria in your mouth, you can control bacteria by brushing regularly and flossing daily, seeing your dentist and dental hygienist regularly for a thorough cleaning and check-up, and reducing the number of times each day that you consume fermentable carbohydrates.

Some prescription mouthwashes (those that contain chlorhexidine) can help prevent decay by reducing the number of bacteria in the mouth. Chewing sugarless gums, especially those with xylitol, can help reduce decay and increase the flow of saliva.

Call Alivio Dental to schedule an appointment today! Proudly serving patients from Downers Grove, IL, Lisle, IL, Darien, IL, Lombard, IL, Clarendon Hills, IL, Bollingbrook, IL, Woodridge, IL, Westmont, IL, La Grange, IL and Wheaton, IL communities now.

Credits: Colgate Palmolive Company

Some cardiovascular (heart and artery) diseases may affect your oral health. They also may require changes in your dental treatment and how you receive dental care. Recent research has linked periodontal disease with the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. But there is not enough research to show whether periodontal disease causes these other conditions. Treatment of periodontal disease can reduce overall inflammation in the body. However, there is no evidence that it prevents heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

If you have a one of these conditions, make sure that your dentist always has an up-to-date list of all the medicines you take. The list should be neatly written or typed. It should include prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medicines such as antacids. It also should include vitamins, herbal pills and other nutritional supplements.

Your list should provide the name of each drug, the dosage, how often you take it and when your physician prescribed it. Put the date that you made the list at the top of the page. This will let the dentist know that it is a current list.

Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Conditions

Periodontal disease can affect your overall health. Over time, it may increase the risk for heart disease and stroke. Several studies have shown that people with periodontal disease may be more likely to have coronary artery disease than people with healthy mouths.

Right now, scientists have two possible explanations for this association. One is that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can release toxins into or travel through the bloodstream and help to form fatty plaques in the arteries. These plaque deposits can lead to serious problems, such as blood clots, which can block blood flow.

The other explanation is that these bacteria cause the liver to make high levels of certain proteins, which inflame the blood vessels. Inflammation eventually could lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Persistent bad breath
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Loose teeth
• A change in the way your teeth come together when you bite down

If you have symptoms of periodontal disease, see your dentist soon for treatment.

Heart Disease and Dental Treatment

Patients with certain heart conditions have a higher risk of endocarditis. This is an infection of the heart. It can be life threatening. It happens when bacteria in the bloodstream attach to damaged heart valves or other damaged heart tissue.

People with certain heart conditions may need antibiotics before they have certain types of dental procedures. Make sure to inform your dentist of any heart issues.

In 2007, the American Heart Association updated its guidelines on the use of antibiotics before dental treatments. The new policy advises antibiotics for fewer conditions than the old policy did.

Pre-treatment with antibiotics is still recommended for people who have had endocarditis in the past. It is also recommended for people with artificial heart valves, and people who had heart transplants and later developed heart valve problems.

Pre-treatment with antibiotics also is recommended for people with certain heart conditions that were present at birth:

• Cyanotic heart disease that has not been repaired or was repaired incompletely. This includes people with shunts and conduits.
• A heart defect that was completely repaired with a prosthetic material or device. In this case, antibiotics are advised only for the first six months after the procedure.
• Any repaired heart defect that still has some defect at or next to the site of a prosthetic patch or device

Taking antibiotics before dental treatment is no longer advised for people with:

• Acquired heart valve dysfunction (for example, rheumatic heart disease)
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Bicuspid valve disease
• Calcified aortic stenosis
• Congenital heart conditions, such as ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The American Heart Association guidelines recommend pre-treatment antibiotics for dental procedures that involve an incision or manipulation of the gums or the tissues around a tooth root.

Antibiotics are not required for the following:

• Routine anesthetic injections through noninfected tissue
• X-rays
• Placement of dentures
• Placement or adjustment of removable orthodontic appliances
• Placement of the bracket part of braces (not bands)
• The natural loss of baby teeth in children
• Bleeding from trauma to the lips or mouth

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

Oral Effects
A heart attack can sometimes feel like pain that starts in the chest and spreads to the lower jaw. Other times it may be pain that starts in the jaw or in the left arm or shoulder.

At the Dentist
You should wait at least six months after a heart attack to have most dental treatments. Your dentist should have oxygen and nitroglycerin available during your appointment. Your dentist and physician should discuss your condition before dental treatment.

Some medicines you take can change the way your dentist treats you. For example, if you are taking blood thinning drugs (anticoagulants), your blood is less likely to clot. You may need to stop taking your blood thinning medicines before some dental procedures. Do not stop taking any medicines until you have spoken to your physician. This is something your dentist will discuss with you and your physician. Let your dentist know the medicines you take, and their doses. You may need to take blood tests before some dental procedures, such as gum surgery (periodontal surgery) or extractions.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Oral Effects
Some drugs that treat high blood pressure (anti-hypertensive medicines) cause dry mouth (xerostomia) or an altered sense of taste (dysgeusia). Others may make you more likely to faint when you are raised from the relatively flat position in the dentist’s chair to a sitting or standing position quickly. This reaction is called orthostatic hypotension.

Gum overgrowth is a possible side effect of some drugs that treat high blood pressure. These include calcium channel blockers. It can begin as soon as one month after you start drug therapy. Some people’s gums become so large that they have difficulty chewing. In some cases, surgery is needed to remove part of the overgrown gum tissue.

At the Dentist
If you have high blood pressure, your dentist should check your blood pressure at each visit. Your dentist can decide whether it’s OK for you to have non-emergency dental treatment. It will depend on:

• How high your blood pressure is
• How well your blood pressure is controlled
• Whether you have other medical conditions

The first time you visit the dental office after being diagnosed with high blood pressure, your dentist may take your blood pressure two or three times. This is to establish a “baseline” blood pressure. This way, the dentist will know if your blood pressure changes in response to treatment or a medicine.

The first time you visit the dental office after being diagnosed with high blood pressure, your dentist may take your blood pressure two or three times. This is to establish a “baseline” blood pressure. This way, the dentist will know if your blood pressure changes in response to treatment or a medicine.

Most people with high blood pressure can safely take anti-anxiety drugs — such as nitrous oxide or diazepam (Valium) — for dental procedures. They can also safely receive local anesthetics even if they contain epinephrine. If you have concerns about these drugs, talk to your dentist, physician or both.

Some people taking calcium channel blockers may notice gum overgrowth (gingival hyperplasia). Your dentist will give you detailed oral hygiene instructions and may ask you to visit more often for professional cleanings. Remember that your daily tooth brushing and flossing at home is very important. If you stop taking the drugs, your gums recede somewhat. However, this may take several months. Some people’s gums do not return to normal on their own. Gum surgery may be necessary.

Make sure your dentist knows which drugs you are taking for your high blood pressure. Before a dental visit, take your medicines as you normally do.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

Oral Effects
There are no oral effects of this procedure.

At the Dentist
For the first couple of weeks after surgery, you may feel severe pain when reclining in the dental chair. This is a side effect of the surgery. Work with your dentist to find a comfortable position in the chair.

Unless they need dental treatment within a few weeks after the surgery, people who have had CABG generally do not require antibiotics before a dental procedure. If you have had this surgery, speak to your physician before having any dental treatment within the next six months.

Angina

Oral Effects
Angina is pain that starts in the chest. Sometimes it spreads to your lower jaw.

Some people with angina take drugs called calcium channel blockers. These drugs can cause gum overgrowth. This can happen as soon as one month after you start these drugs. Some people’s gums become so large that they have problems chewing. People who have this problem will most likely need surgery on their gums (periodontal surgery).

At the Dentist
People with stable angina can be treated like any other patients, with a few differences. Your dentist should have oxygen and nitroglycerin available during your visit. Your dentist should talk to your physician before your appointment.

People with unstable angina should not receive non-emergency dental care. If you need emergency dental care, your heart should be continuously monitored.

Stress can trigger angina attacks. If being in the dental chair increases your anxiety, speak with your dentist about ways to reduce this stress. If you feel any chest discomfort, tell your dentist or the dental staff right away.

High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia)

Oral Effects
People with high cholesterol have too much fat in their blood. There are no oral effects of high cholesterol.

At the Dentist
Some drugs used to treat high cholesterol can make you feel faint after you get up from the dental chair. High cholesterol puts you at risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Your dentist should know about your condition and the drugs you are taking. Some drugs taken for high cholesterol can cause problems when taken with certain drugs that a dentist may prescribe.

Stroke

Oral Effects
Stroke can cause many long-term effects. These include:

• Paralysis
• Difficulty speaking and swallowing
• Increased or decreased sensitivity to pain
• Blurred vision
• Poor memory
• Personality changes (anxiety, depression)

In some people, a stroke paralyzes one side of the body. If this happens to you, a family member or caregiver may need to help you with activities of daily living, including your dental care. Special toothbrushes and floss holders also are available. If you wear dentures, they may need to be adjusted.

If your face or tongue is paralyzed, you may not be able to rinse your mouth. You may also not realize when you have food left in your mouth. You may bite your lip or tongue and not realize it. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, your dentist may suggest that you use a fluoride gel or saliva substitute.

At the Dentist
Some stroke survivors take blood thinners. Tell your dentist about all the medicines you take. You may need to stop taking your blood-thinning medicines before some dental procedures. Do not stop taking any medicines until you have spoken to your physician. This is something your dentist will discuss with you and your physician. Usually, routine dental treatment is safe. Bring a copy of your most recent blood tests to your dentist at every visit.

Congestive Heart Failure

Oral Effects
Many of the medicines used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) cause dry mouth. The medical term for dry mouth is “xerostomia.”

At the Dentist
If you are being treated for CHF and have no complications, side effects or physical limitations, there are usually no special changes needed for dental treatment. However, the dentist may make some changes, depending on the medicines you take and your overall health.

If you have more severe heart failure, you should not lie down in the dental chair too far. The fluid build-up in your lungs may affect your breathing. You also should not sit up or lie down very quickly. These changes can make you dizzy and light-headed. Your dentist can confirm how serious your CHF is by talking with your physician or cardiologist. Some people with severe CHF may need to have their dental treatment in a hospital setting. This includes people whose disease is considered class III or IV under the New York Heart Association functional classification system.

Pacemaker Implantation

Oral Effects
There are no specific oral effects caused by having a pacemaker.

At the Dentist
If you have a pacemaker, you should confirm that there are no interactions between electromagnetic devices in your dentist’s office and your pacemaker. Certain machines that a dentist or dental hygienist may use could potentially interact and cause a problem with a pacemaker. Examples include machines used for ultrasound or electrosurgery. The chance of any interaction is very small. You or your dentist should be able to find out about interactions from your physician or from the pacemaker manufacturer. Talk with your physician about possible interactions before visiting the dental office. If there is a chance of interaction, your dentist can take precautions to prevent it.

You should avoid elective dental care within the first few weeks after receiving your pacemaker. If you must receive dental care within that time, your dentist and physician should decide if you need to take antibiotics before treatment.

Call Alivio Dental to schedule an appointment today! Proudly serving patients from Downers Grove, IL, Lisle, IL, Darien, IL, Lombard, IL, Clarendon Hills, IL, Bollingbrook, IL, Woodridge, IL, Westmont, IL, La Grange, IL and Wheaton, IL communities now.

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Family smiles dentist woodridge, IL

By following the information in this guide, you and your family can have healthy teeth and gums to last a lifetime. As a parent, you can work with your children to help them understand why good oral care is important — and show them how to do it right!

Four Steps to have Lifelong Teeth & a Bright Smile

1. Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, especially after eating breakfast and before bedtime.
2. Floss every day.
3. Limit the number of times you eat snacks each day.
4. Visit your dentist regularly.

It’s easy to guide your family toward good oral health. All it takes is the right information and a little practice to keep them moving in the right direction!

Fluoride – your family’s best defense

Fluoride is the best cavity fighter you can find as you guide your family to a lifetime of bright smiles! It keeps the whole family’s teeth strong — no matter what their ages.

How fluoride works

Every day, the enamel on teeth is attacked by acids produced in dental plaque. These acids can make teeth weaker, and can result in decay.

That’s where fluoride comes in. When it reaches your teeth, fluoride is absorbed into the enamel. It helps to repair the enamel and prevent tooth decay. It can even help stop the decay process.

How to get fluoride

You can get the benefits of fluoride from different places. It can work from the outside of your teeth, and from the inside of your body. To work the best, you need to get it both ways! At home, you and your family should brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after eating breakfast and before bedtime.

Snacking and tooth decay

If fluoride is our greatest protection against decay, then frequent snacking can be our teeth’s biggest enemy. Every day, you and your family face snacking challenges. Here’s what you need to know:

It’s how often you snack that matters

The truth is that what your family eats isn’t as important as when and how often they snack! It all has to do with the “plaque reaction,” and this is how it works:

The plaque reaction

Everyone has plaque bacteria in their mouths. But when these plaque bacteria meet up with the sugars and starches that are found in snacks such as cookies, candies, dried fruits, soft drinks or even pretzels or potato chips, the plaque reacts to create acid, and a “plaque attack” occurs.

The fact is, most snacks that you eat contain either sugars or starches that give plaque this opportunity to make acid. And each “plaque attack” can last for up to 20 minutes after you have finished your snack. During this period, the plaque acid is attacking tooth enamel, making it weak. That’s when cavities can start!

Fighting back against plaque

The good news is, you can take a stand against plaque! By brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and by reducing the number of times you snack each day, you and your family can help prevent tooth decay.

When it comes to snacking, it’s best to choose something nutritious and to snack in moderation. It’s also better to eat the whole snack at one time! Here’s why: eating five pieces of a snack at one time exposes your teeth to possible tooth decay — for approximately 20 minutes. Nibbling on those same five pieces at five different times exposes your teeth to possible tooth decay for approximately 100 minutes. What a difference!

You need to watch baby’s sweets, too!

Infants are just as susceptible to decay as older children and adults. In fact, Early Childhood Cavities can be a very serious condition. See the Preventing Early Childhood Cavities section below for more information.

The dental checkup

The dentist is your family’s partner on the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures^® pathway. Be sure to schedule regular dental appointments for the whole family. A child’s first visit should take place before his or her third birthday.

Dental checkups early in a child’s life allow children to have a positive dental health experience. TIP:Take your young toddler with you to your own appointment first. That way, the dental office becomes a familiar place.

Your dental checkup: what to expect

Fluoride treatments:

Your dentist may treat your child’s teeth with extra fluoride in the form of a gel to make teeth stronger. This gel goes in a tray that fits into the mouth that children wear for a few minutes to let the fluoride sink into their teeth. It comes in neat flavors for kids!

Dental sealants:

These are thin, protective plastic coatings applied by the dentist to the permanent back teeth (molars). They fill in the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the teeth where foods and bacteria can get stuck and cause cavities. Once applied, sealants can last for several years.

X-rays:

These “pictures” show the dentist what’s going on inside the teeth and beneath the gum line. During the X-ray, your child will wear a lead apron to prevent unnecessary exposure to radiation.

Preventing early childhood cavities (sometimes known as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay)

Early Childhood Cavities is a childhood disease that can be prevented. The following steps can help guard your baby against this painful condition – and ask your dentist or physician for more information.

It’s best not to put a bottle in bed with your baby. But if you must put a bottle in bed with your baby, put only plain water in it. Any liquid except water, even milk and juice, can cause cavities.

You can use a bottle to feed your baby at regular feeding times, but allowing the bottle to be used as a pacifier can be a major cause of cavities.

• Hold your baby while feeding him/her. If your baby falls asleep, remove the bottle and put him/her in bed.
• Avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle.
• Avoid letting your toddler walk around with a bottle.

Call Alivio Dental to schedule an appointment today! Proudly serving patients from Downers Grove, IL, Lisle, IL, Darien, IL, Lombard, IL, Clarendon Hills, IL, Bollingbrook, IL, Woodridge, IL, Westmont, IL, La Grange, IL and Wheaton, IL communities now.

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