Effects of Alcohol on Teeth

It is New Year's Eve and for many people in the country, it means a night of partying and alcohol. Even if you plan on only have a drink or two and not becoming inhibited, it is important for people to know the effects of alcohol on teeth and gums. This post is to not discourage you from enjoying your beverages and your night, it is just for your information. As a dentist in Park Ridge, I hope you all enjoy your nights responsibly have a fantastic 2014!

Alcohol is a drying agent, if you think in chemistry terms. In chemistry, chemists use alcohol to dry things out; guess what it does to your mouth? The more you consume the stuff, the worse the drying effect will be. How does the alcohol create a dryer environment in the mouth? It reduces the production of saliva and when the alcohol dries up, it takes the other liquid in the mouth with it.

Alcohol is also an acidic liquid, again, if you think in terms of chemistry (acid, neutral, or basic liquids). Due to its acidic nature, this means that when you consume alcohol, you are creating a more acidic environment in your mouth. So, the more alcohol you consume, the more acid is in your mouth and that takes its toll on your enamel. The acid softens the enamel and as we know, or should know, soft enamel is able to be swept away and when that happens, it is gone forever and your teeth become vulnerable. The best way to overcome this is to brush your teeth twenty minutes after consuming an alcoholic drink or even soda; it takes approximately twenty minutes for the saliva in your mouth to remineralize the enamel on your teeth.

So enjoy your nights and have a blast! 2013 is just about over and 2014 will hopefully be a great year for us all. If you have any questions feel free to contact my Park Ridge dental office at 847-825-1002 or visit our site www.rubinodentistry.com. 

Interesting Dental Facts & Figures

Dentistry is a fun business to be in because it's medicine. The human body is one very interesting subject. When it comes to dental medicine, we find that there is a lot of information out there that is really fun to know and some of it can even help you improve your own dental hygiene. As a dentist in Park Ridge I love helping people gain knowledge about teeth.

Did you know:

• If you only brush your teeth and do not floss, you are missing 40 percent of the surfaces on your teeth. 
• On average, an American spends 38.5 days of their life brushing their teeth. 
• Not everybody loves to floss, it was reported that 73 percent of Americans would opt for a trip to the grocery store over flossing. 
• Do not keep your toothbrush right next to your toilet; it is recommended that you keep it 6+ feet away from the toilet. When toilets flush, they toss bacteria into the air and that bacteria can land on your toothbrush if it is within striking distance. 
• Dental plaque is made up of a whopping 300 different kinds of bacteria. 
• What are your teeth made up of? Calcium, mineral salts, and phosphorus. 
• Eating cheese can be good for your teeth because of the calcium and phosphorus in it; it helps minimize the pH level (acidic level) of the plaque and strengthen the enamel. 
• According to the Academy of General Dentistry, most people brush for approximately 45 to 70 seconds when they brush their teeth; recommended brushing time is 2 minutes. 
• The concept of oral hygiene dates back to the ancient Romans and Chinese; Romans would use things like bones, shells, and honey to clean their teeth while Chinese would use chew sticks. 
• If you eat sugary foods after you eat a meal, you are less likely to develop cavities than if you eat the sugary foods alone. 
• You produce a lot of saliva; over the average lifetime, a human will produce 25,000 quarts of the stuff. 
• Enamel is one of the hardest tissues in your body. 
• Your tooth print is unique to you; no one else in the world has your tooth setup. That's why when police can't identify a body and finger prints are not available, they identify it by the teeth. 
• After a cold, flu, or sore throat you should replace your toothbrush. 

Feel smarter? Want to go brush your teeth now? Good! Enjoy the facts and feel free to whip these bits of wisdom out at parties and really wow the crowd. Any dentist near Park Ridge will agree, they rock the house. 

Bacteria, Your Toothbrush, and Your Health

You see and use your toothbrush every day, hopefully two to three times a day. A toothbrush is something you are very familiar with and know how to use it to clean your teeth; however, there are things about your toothbrush that you probably didn't know. As a dentist in Park Ridge, I must inform you about these techniques and tips.

Your toothbrush is full of germs, both good and bad germs. According to recent studies, it was discovered that an uncovered toothbrush can contain more than 100 million bacteria. Remember, everything has bacteria on it, perhaps things you touch every day harbor much more than that, so don't freak out. Hundreds of those microorganisms in our mouths every day which is typical; the problem with having bacteria in our mouth is when there is an unbalance of good and bad. When there is the unbalance, we experience more plaque and cavities.

Is it possible your old toothbrush could make you sick? In reality, chances are it is not unless it is beyond disgusting. The likelihood that your toothbrush is making you sick is pretty small. Many people think that the germs on the toothbrush are why you should replace it every few months; the reason you should replace it every few months is because bristles wear down every few months.

The important thing to remember here is that you should keep your toothbrush away from your toilet. Yes, of course don't let it in your toilet (if it lands in there, throw it away ASAP) but we mean your toothbrush shouldn't be stored right near your toilet either. We get it, your bathroom may or may not be a very large part of your house and your sink is right next to your toilet. However, when you flush your toilet, bacteria is thrown into the air and then lands wherever it wants. If your toothbrush is within striking distance of that bacteria, and your toothbrush is exposed, then it will catch some of that junk.

So what can you do? Keep it in the cupboard, keep it farther away from your toilet, etc. Think of it this way, would you keep your cutlery near your toilet and then use it to eat with? No. Let's hope not, at least. A more realistic example is not washing your hands after the bathroom and then eating.

How should you store it? 

• Keep your toothbrush rinsed. Before you use it, run it under the faucet. After you use it, run it under the faucet. 
• Keep your toothbrush dry. Keep your toothbrush in a spot that allows it to dry completely and not leave moisture behind. Why? Because bacteria love moist environments, that's why. 
• Keep your toothbrush in an upright position. Don't lay it down if you can avoid it. 
• Be selfish, keep your toothbrush as your own. Don't share it. Need this be explained? 

One thing to remember is that if you have dental implants such as dentures, do not use a toothbrush on them. Dentures are softer than teeth and the bristles will create crevices in the teeth that will become breeding grounds for bacteria. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us here at Rubino Dentistry. 

Oral Health during Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just one day away, perhaps the food is already being started so it is ready in time for the holiday meal. As you have probably heard throughout your life, it is important to eat and drink things that are good for your body; however, do we really give much thought to what is good for our teeth? Not as much. Tomorrow, give some consideration to the food on the table and how it can be good for your teeth and gums.

We need to consume necessary vitamins and minerals for optimal oral health and those include calcium, vitamin A, C, and D, and phosphorous. Looking at a traditional Thanksgiving menu, many of the foods on the table contain these nutrients.

• Turkey- this delicious main part of the meal is high in phosphorous and that is needed for healthy dental development. Phosphorous also helps rebuild the enamel on your teeth, which is damaged by bacteria that produce acid. 
• Sweet & mashed potatoes- These items have many essential vitamins and other nutrients in them. They do not stick to your teeth so bacteria will have no place to grow with potatoes. 
• Green vegetables- Green vegetables are great for getting your vitamins A and C; vitamins A and C are what help you gums from becoming soft and bleeding and also prevent your gums from developing cancer. 
• Cranberries- These little red guys, or sauce, have flavonoids which slow down or even stop the growth of bacteria trying to grow on your teeth and forming plaque. 
• Pumpkin pie- Yes, I was excited to know that this delicious treat contains vitamin C and calcium. 

So dig in, my friends! Enjoy your amazing Thanksgiving meal, wherever that may be. And remember, try to brush after eating or at least using some floss or a tooth pick to unstick any food. 

If you are looking for a dentist near Park Ridge, then contact Rubino Dentistry - a Park Ridge dentist. We offer many services as well as teeth in one day and dental implants. 

Dental Tips for Diabetes

Taking proper care of your teeth is something that some people leave behind and they try to do the minimum. This does not result in having great teeth. This especially does not result in having great teeth when you are living with diabetes. Believe it or not, diabetes can have an impact on your oral health.

While having diabetes does not make having a healthy mouth impossible, it does make those who have diabetes work a bit more to have a healthy mouth. So what can you do? Here are a few tips about how it impacts you and how you can deal with it.

How it impacts you:

• People who have diabetes are at more risk for getting oral infections, such as gum disease. Gum What gum disease does is it attacks the gums and the bone underneath and can ruin them; if this happens then your teeth struggle to stay in place and you can have pain while chewing. If your gum disease progresses and becomes serious, then it can cause you to lose your teeth. Another effect of gum disease is that it can make it harder to control blood sugar levels. 
• Another problem diabetes can have on oral health is that it can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is when you do not have enough saliva in your mouth. 
• A third complication can be thrush. What is thrush? This is when the blood sugar in your saliva increases and paired with dry mouth, white patches form which is the fungal infection called Thrush. 

What you can do:

• Manage your blood sugar levels. 
• Brush, floss, mouthwash day and night, every day. 
• Make regular dentist appointments. 
• Notify your dentist of your diabetes. 
• Notify your dentist of ill-fitting dentures or sore gums. 
• Do not smoke. 

As a dentist in Park Ridge, Rubino Dentistry can help you. Along with general cleanings, Rubino Dentistry can handle teeth in one day and dental implants. If you are looking for a dentist near Park Ridge, then contact Rubino! 

5 FAQs Patients Ask Their Dentists

Almost every patient goes into a dental visit with a couple questions, especially if they hear that they have a cavity or the dentist has some sort of recommendation for the patient. It's natural to ask questions because we want answers. Here are a few FAQs that patients have when they come into my Park Ridge dental office.

Is getting an x-ray dangerous because of the radiation? 

Actually, no. The amount of radiation that is emitted when getting an x-ray is minimal at the most and even that is not the case as technology improves. Even though the radiation is very minimal, we still have patients wear the protective vests just as an extra precaution.

Can dentistry be done without drilling? 

The answer to this one is yes. There are already practices put in place for drill-less dentistry and they are called micro abrasion and air abrasion. These practices are being used by some elect dentists even now. Air abrasion is like a air blaster the t can blow away tooth decay, prepare teeth for sealants, move away old fixes that need replacing, etc.

Do whitening toothpastes actually work or is it all talk?

Well, the answer is yes, but not much. Toothpastes that claim to be able to whiten your teeth can make your teeth about one shade lighter while getting whitening done at your dentist office can make your teeth about three to eight shades lighter. The toothpastes typically contain hydrogen peroxide and other whitening agents that are gentle on the teeth and they use abrasive methods to scrub away some of the dirt but not as much as dentist products can.

How do I know what toothpaste is best? 

There is no single toothpaste that will be the best for you but there are certain things to look for. The first thing to look for is if the toothpaste has fluoride or not, you want fluoride in the toothpaste. The second thing to look for is if the toothpaste is approved by the ADA, this should be kind of a no-brainer why you want ADA approved toothpaste. The third thing you want look for is if the toothpaste has tartar control. You can also look for desensitizing, gum care, or whitening.

How do I get dental care on a small budget? 

You can check out dentist rates in your area; there are dentists that offer their services at reduced rates. The main thing is to continue to see a dentist because neglecting your teeth will not become a priority if you suddenly can afford to see a dentist; you have to keep that habit going no matter what.

If you are looking for a dentist in Chicagoland, then contact Rubino Dentistry - a dentist near Park Ridge. As a Park Ridge dentist Dr. Ross Rubino serves his patients with care and attention as if he was the one sitting in that chair.

Fearful of the Dentist? You're Not Alone

If you are someone who dreads going to the dentist, even as an adult, don't worry because you are not alone. Your fear of the dentist is legitimate, we all have fears of things; we all tend to have fears of going to a doctor of any kind because our health is so valuable and any fixes needed are often pricey. We worry that we will find some big problem with something about our body, we all do it to some extent.

I wish the dentist was an exception to this fear but I know believing that would be a fallacy. However, fearing going to the dentist does not have to prevent you from going to the dentist. There are some steps one can take to minimize the fear, at least enough to enable going to the dentist and getting proper care of your mouth.

1. Finding the right dentist. There are so many dentists in the country, thousands perhaps. Finding the right dentist for you does not have to be like finding the needle in the haystack (sorry for the cliché). But it is true. As a dentist in Park Ridge Illinois, I get a lot of customers from the community but there are a couple that are from a bit farther than a 5-10 minute drive so it is common to want a dentist even if they are a bit of a drive. Don't just settle for a dentist, choose a dentist. The right dentist for you who knows you beyond just your teeth should help reduce your fear. 
2. If your fear is real bad, then sedation could be an option for you. There are several ways to get sedated for your dentist appointments. There are pills your dentist can give you, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), novocaine, etc. The laughing gas and novocaine are usually used for more serious procedures but talk to your dentist, perhaps they can work something out for general appointments. 
3. Take baby steps. Don't worry about scheduling the whole deal for your first visit. Schedule some general appointments like cleanings and see how those go. Perhaps all you need is a good experience to introduce you to the dentist or to move forward from a bad past experience. My Park Ridge dental office does a few different services and so we let you schedule things when you can. 
4. For children, bringing a toy or something of comfort will help the fear as well. Many children have a favorite toy, especially a toy or something that is comforting to them. Hey, if you're an adult and have to bring something to calm you in the waiting room, go for it. 
5. Breathing exercises will help too. You know, deep breath through your nose and exhale via your mouth or nose? Finding a peaceful place in your mind will help. Just don't fall asleep, dentists kind of need patients to be awake for most things. 
1. Having a positive mindset will do great things. 
6. Bring a buddy. Need a friend or loved one to join you on your visit? Pick em up! There is no shame in bringing some support. For all anyone knows, they needed a ride, you needed a ride, whatever. 

If you are looking for a dentist, specifically a dentist in Park Ridge then give us a call! 847-825-1002. We would love to help you, even if you are fearful of the dentist. 

We are a park ridge dentist office, located near Chicago. We do teeth in one day and dental implants. We don't make you wait for your appointment. Go ahead and contact us. 

When Should I See a Dentist? -- FAQ Dental Question

Some people love going to the dentist and some people hate going to the dentist. Generally, people do not like it; we get it, this is not something you jump at the opportunity to do. However, there are times when you should absolutely go to the dentist. If you experience one of the following situations, please, go to a dentist.

• If you get your tooth knocked out. As a dentist near Park Ridge I see people come into my office with a missing tooth. This happens more than you would think. If you do have a tooth knocked out, there are a few things you should do. Remember, immediately go to a dentist if you loose a tooth. 
• The first thing is find the tooth, if you can. If you cannot find the tooth, then obviously still go to the dentist but your resolution will have to be different than simply putting the tooth back in. If you do find the tooth, there is a chance the dentist can put the tooth back in. 
• Should you find the tooth, hold the tooth by the chewing end, the white part of the tooth that is normally seen in your mouth; do not hold the tooth by the root since this will damage the root and minimize the chances of successful reinsertion. 
• Keep the tooth moistened. You can keep the tooth moistened by sticking the tooth back in the spot where it was removed, placing it between your cheek and your gums, or placing the tooth in milk. 
• Keep the tooth clean as well. If the tooth has become dirty, gently rinse the tooth in some water. 
• If the tooth cannot be pushed back in, it is possible to get dental implants that look completely natural and fit with your mouth. 
• If you break or chip your tooth. This can happen from anything so just try to be careful. The degree of which a tooth can break or chip can vary so there are different ways the dentist will treat this one. If you can find the piece of the tooth, then put it in a damp cloth. You should schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as you can. This is not quite as serious as losing an entire tooth but is still a big deal and can be quite uncomfortable. 
• Getting a tooth moved out of position. Sometimes, you're doing something and you get hit in the mouth; while the hit did not knock out your tooth entirely, it can shift your tooth. If this happens, schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as you can. If this happens:
• You can try to push the tooth back into position but do so gently. Do not force the tooth back into position or you can injury the spot further. 
• Try to keep the tooth in place by applying pressure to it; perhaps the easiest way to do this is to bite down on the tooth but if you prefer to use a finger, that works too. 
• If you have toothache or pain. These are not emergencies but still can be rather uncomfortable. If you have severe pain, then schedule an appointment with a dentist in Park Ridge immediately. Look for other symptoms as well such as:
• Swelling or redness
• Bleeding or puss leakage
• Tenderness
• Fever
• Jaw pain. Again, this is most likely not an emergency but is still something that you should have checked out by a dentist. 

Bottom line, if you have something painful or questionable going on in your mouth, make an appointment with a dentist. Your mouth is not something you should be neglecting. If you are in Chicagoland, then contact Rubino Dentistry, a Park Ridge dentist. 

5 Easy To Follow Dental Tips

Keeping our teeth healthy is always something that we struggle with as people, well, most people. For some reason, a lot of people think that teeth are going to be perfect no matter

what or at least that taking serious care of teeth is an option. Well, it's not. If you do not take care of your teeth you can be in a world of trouble as you age. Here are five tips for you to follow that are simple and do not require you to buy any expensive dental tools. 

1. Brush your teeth twice a day, at least. Brushing your teeth twice a day is the minimum you should brush your teeth, if you can, brush them three times. This process is the minimum requirement in taking proper care of your teeth. As you probably know, brushing your teeth removes the plaque from your teeth and keeps that junk from forming cavities. This process also helps remove food caught in your teeth; which if that stuff is left in your teeth, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and that's just no good. 
2. Avoid smoking. If you have taken any health classes, you will know that smoking causes your teeth to be yellow and causes you to get bad breath. Smoking (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, any tobacco) can increase the chances of oral cancer. Obviously, the more you smoke, the greater the chances are of developing oral cancer. This tip also applies to chewing tobacco. So no, that is not a loophole. If you have a smoking addiction, see that you can break it; it will not be easy but it will help your oral health in the long run. 
3. Eat & Drink good things. Eating things with a lot of sugar, such as candy & desserts is easy because they are just so darn tasty but the reality is that they leave sugar and other things on your teeth that can be bad if you do not take proper care of your teeth. This also applies to things like soda and coffee. While they are good tasting, they are not good for your teeth. If you have to drink those things, try to use straws. Also, you can eat desserts, just don't do too much and still try to avoid eating things that leave junk all over your teeth like taffy, sucking candy, gummy things, etc. Try to drink water and tea since they help keep junk off of your teeth. If the drink or food has acid in it, just be careful and don't let the acid bathe your teeth. 
4. Floss, floss, floss. Can I emphasize that enough? Flossing is not something you should dismiss. Get that stuff out and use it. It helps catch all the things, including plaque, that bury themselves in between your teeth. If traditional flossing is too difficult, then you have a couple options: get floss picks that already have the floss taught on a pick OR you can get tools such as WaterPiks that shoot water around your mouth and do the same effect as flossing. 
5. Get your fluoride on. Use toothpastes, etc that have the fluoride since that helps keep your teeth strong; you need to keep your teeth strong against cavities. 

As a dentist in Park Ridge, Rubino Dentistry is all about helping people take care of their teeth. There has never been a broader range of dental services in Park Ridge, IL, a patient can choose from. Our commitment to providing our patients with the latest, proven dental services and our desire to personalize each visit sets us apart from most dental practices. Your comfort, time, and understanding of your oral health needs frame our recommendations and each visit to our office.