5 Most Common Oral Complaints & Issues

All of these oral complaints and issues are treatable. Some of the most commonplace mouth problems can be prevented with some proper home care and regular dental checkups. And the good news is that they are all treatable!

Here are the top 5 most common oral complaints and issues:

1. Bad breath- Don't blame strong foods or drinks, like garlic or coffee. Poor oral health is the major cause of chronic halitosis, and it can be a warning sign of gum disease. Due to this, if you have bad breath, you should consult with a dentist, such as a dentist in Chicagoland. 
2. Tooth decay- Plaque bacteria produce acids that attack tooth enamel, if these are not removed from teeth through thorough brushing and flossing will form. We can fill cavities but they can severely compromise teeth, the only part of the body that cannot heal itself. 
3. Canker sores- Their cause is still unknown, but stress, diet, and weakened immunity all play a part. If they persist, visit us as they can warn of other oral health and overall health problems. 
4. Gum disease- Gingivitis is often caused by poor oral hygiene, and if left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis. If you have red, swollen, or bleeding gums, bad breath, mouth infections, or loose teeth, see a dentist in Chicago immediately. Gum disease is treatable and sometimes it is reversible too! 
5. Receding gums- Tied with receding gums for number 5 spot is the issue of a gummy smile. Gum sculpting can fix a gummy smile but if your gums are receding, you may have periodontitis. We can help stop further damage and make reparations. 

If you have oral health concerns, don't wait for them to escalate, come and see us at Rubino Dentistry. 

3 Risks of Poor Oral Maintenance

We schedule tuneups for our cars, we make sure to take our clothes to the dry cleaner, and we make sure to have our meetings. We do so many important things in life to make sure things function correctly and don't have mishaps.

However, what about our teeth? Why do some people skip dental checkups that are supposed to maintain their smile? Men are almost 50% less likely to maintain regular dental checkups than women, which means they are more likely to experience dental risks.

There are three risks men and women take when they practice poor oral care--

1. Periodontal disease- Men are 26% less likely to floss and are more likely to miss cleaning appointments even though poor oral care is linked to life-threatening diseases. 
2. Oral cancer- Tobacco users risk oral cancer. Men are twice as likely to be affected than women, yet they often skip checkups that include essential oral cancer screenings. 
3. Dental injuries- More often socialized to take physical risks, men are more likely to have facial trauma. Wearing a mouthguard is essential during body-contact sports. 

It is important that everyone-- male or female-- practices good oral health and has regular checkups to protect their precious smile! 

Don't skip your checkups. If you are in Chicagoland and hate waiting forever for your appointment to start, then visit Rubino Dentistry-- we rarely keep patients waiting. 

How We Can Help Your Kids Protect Their Teeth & Prevent Cavities

It is time to get hooked on hygiene and have another way to protect your kids from cavities. 

In addition to scheduling regular dental appointments, we can coat molars and premolars with "dental sealant". The surfaces of these chewing teeth have folds and buckles that trap food which is often missed when brushing. It is a simple and quick procedure that will eliminate trapped food and prevent cavities.

Healthy, bright smiles breed self confidence, help convey a sense of personal pride, and promote good general health. No wonder parents are willing to be accused of "nagging" just to establish good oral health habits in their children.

Help your children achieve life-long smiles, call for an appointment today or fill out our online appointment scheduling form at any time!

As a dentist near Chicago, a Park Ridge dental office, we have a nice range of patients from children all the way to seniors. View our services to see how we can help you, in addition to general cleanings.

A Thank You from Rubino for Thanksgiving

A Thank You from Your Park Ridge Dentist

As people, we are often thankful for our relationships that are most beneficial to us that bolster our health (physical, mental, and emotional) as well as make us feel wanted and loved. 

Due to the critical relationship between your oralhealth and your health overall, our Park Ridge dental team is more committed than ever to providing an exceptional, well thought out and thorough dental experience.

We do not take your loyalty to our practice for granted, whatsoever. We are very, very thankful that you continue to be our patient; your dedication is a constant inspirat

ion for us to make sure our performance is top of the line. When we seek out the best technology, we do it because you expect us to keep your oral health in prime shape; if we failed at that, we would have failed at our promise to you.

We are dedicated to building up your trust and creating an environment that you enjoy and feel comfortable in.

So thank you, patients and the community, for being as great as you are. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

If you are in need of a new dental home, then contact Rubino Dentistry, we are a dental practice located in Park Ridge, IL, a very short distance from Chicago.

Give Your Smile a Lift with These Oral Health Tips

Get fast and effective rejuvenation with great cosmetic dentistry procedures. If you are looking for ways to revive your smile, the consider teeth bonding and teeth whitening will make you look younger, more vibrant, and even healthier!

Like a mini-facelift, these smile lifts are less invasive than other dental procedures, plus they are affordable and quick- usually the transformation is complete in a visit or two. Dr. Rubino, our Chicago dentist, has a great amount of experience with these procedures so you can rest easy knowing they will be done in the best way.

Supervised teeth whitening- Dentist-prescribed hime systems and in-office treatments are customized for your unique smile, giving you a long lasting, gorgeous bright smile. This is something a cookie-cutter kit from the store cannot offer you.

Dental bonding- Whether used as white fillings or as veneers to cover unattractive flaws, bonding can hide tooth stains, correct alignments, close minor gaps, and repair damage- giving you a beautiful, white, uniform smile!

A refreshed smile can boost confidence and make you look and feel fantastic. Bonding and whitening, for the fact, effective, and well-deserved beauty lift. Contact Rubino Dentistry and see how we can help you get the smile you deserve! View our services to see what we can do for you.

Effects of Stress on the Body & Mouth

It is time that you garden away the stress and cultivate a calmer you! Stress is incredibly harmful on the body and especially the mouth. It can manifest in teeth clenching and grinding, which can lead to Temoromandibular Joint Disorder, aka TMD. The clenching and grinding can also lead to cracked teeth, worn teeth, and other damage, which often requires tooth crowns or other fixes.

When it comes to TMD, it can become a very serious problem if it is not taken care of. It is an inflammation in the jaw joint; it affects up to 30 million North Americans – the majority of which are women. TMD can lead to:

• Earaches
• Headaches
• Jaw pain
• Tooth damage
• Gum trauma and disease

Why not try something to deal with the stress? One common way to help with stress is to do something calming, like gardening? You get lots of fresh air, exercise, communing with nature, and creating something truly wonderful and beautiful. It can greatly help your mind and reduce the stress hormone called cortisol.

Don’t have a green thumb? Try something else! You would much rather find a new hobby than spend thousands on dental services. However, if you are in need of dental services, then reach out to Rubino Dentistry.

Unexplained Head Pain? Talk with Your Dentist

Do you suffer from headaches? Ringing in the ears? Neck pain? Don't simply blame your exhaustion, migraines, or allergies! You may have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD. This Manifests when inflammation of the joint connecting the lower jaw to the skull is caused by clenching and grinding (often due to stress), an uneven bite, and even arthritis. 

TMD affects up to 30 million North Americans, and the majority of that crowd are women. 

What are the symptoms? 

• Earaches or headaches
• Popping or clicking sound when opening and closing your mouth
• Restricted jaw movements
• Having some pain in the lower face or jaw
• Pain in your neck, shoulders, or even your upper back

TMD an lead to other oral health problems such as gum disease, chewing problems, and damaged teeth. 

There is therapy that can be provided by your local dentist, such as use of oral appliances, medications to reduce inflammation and pain, and even alterations to your diet and daily routines. We will likely have to make a mention of this to your doctor due to other serious medical conditions that can stem from TMD. 

Every patient will have a customized plan for treatment from Dr. Ross Rubino. 

Do you or someone you know have any of these symptoms? Then chat with Dr. Rubino and explore your treatment options. 

Tips for Brightening a Tween's Smile

It can be tough to be a tween. Kids between the ages of 10-13 are in the no man's land between two worlds: adolescence and teenage years. Negative peer pressure take on a whole new meaning for people in this age range; it can be rough.

As a dentist in Park Ridge and father myself, I know what it can be like for kids to begin realizing their appearance matters, which includes their smiles. Adults can even start to worry about their tweens and the pressures of smoking and oral piercings being in the future. There are other less-visible gestures of independence that can threaten the oral health of your tween.

Do any of  these ring a bell?

• Sports and energy drinks
• Ditching lunch in favor of sugar-packed snacks
• Forgetting to brush in the morning or during sleepovers
• Forgetting to wear performance mouthguards during sports
• Using implements other than floss to clean between teeth

Poor goal hygiene can lead to things other than cavities, such as gum disease. It places your tween's self-esteem at risk. 

What can you do about it?

1. Take a deep breath. 
2. Offer choices like a cool electric toothbrush and toothpaste your child will want to use.
3. Practice what you preach; also practice good oral hygiene. 
4. Keep soda and sugary snacks to a minimum at home. Have chilled water (fluoridated, preferably) at home as well as veggies, fruits, and whole grains. 

Are you looking for a good general dental office in Chicagoland? Then contact Rubino Dentistry about any one of our dental services. 

The Risk of Oral Cancer for Men

The risk for oral cancer in men is increasing and has been on the rise for quite a while. The rates are not only increasing all over the world but especially in developed countries; the research for this trend is pointing to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

If you read the name Human Papilloma Virus and thought, "I've heard of that before but where?" or "Wait, isn't that disease for women?" Well, it does affect women a bit more but as we see, it has an impact on men too; the HPV is the sexually transmitted disease that is responsible for many cervical cancer cases. As for men, HPV infections increase male oral cancer by approximat
ely 50 percent and it is rising for women too. There is not vaccine for HPV for adults; however, health professionals recommend getting vaccines done for boys, in addition to girls.

Oral cancer take up to a decade to fully develop but early detection is possible and crucial. It often begins as a tiny, hard-to-detect white or red spot or sore that does not heal. Doctors state that the survival rate is about 80% for over 5 years when detected early.

Make sure to conduct self-exams between your dental visits to your dentist; if you are in Chicago, then contact Rubino Dentistry, a dentist in Chicago. At our dental practice in Chicagoland (Park Ridge), we conduct oral cancer exams at each visit. Keep your regular appointments.

3 Common Gum Problems People Experience

Common gum problems can be prevented, fixed, and even reversed! Not sure if you have common gum problems? Then let us ask you this: Does the appearance of your gums keep you from smiling?

If you answered yes, then you'll be glad to hear that some of the most common gum problems are preventable, treatable, and even some are reversible. As a Park Ridge dentist office, Rubino Dentistry is able to help you.

If your smile shows too much of your gums, not enough of your gums, or your gums are simply not looking their healthiest, there are solutions.

• Gummy smile: If you were born with a gummy smile, gum sculpting can expose more tooth surface, giving your smile more pleasant proportions! 
• Receding gums: Whether caused by tooth brushing or gum disease, a tissue graft can help prevent further recession and bone loss, cover roots, and reduce sensitivity, Receding gums require professional attention. 
• Swollen and/or bleeding gums: If your gums are inflamed, they should be examined for gum disease. You will respond better to treatment if the disease is caught sooner, rather than later. 

Gum disease can be prevented by a good brushing and flossing regimen and regular dental checkups. If it's already present or advanced, it can be very effectively treated to prevent further damage. For your sake of your health and your smile, take good care of your gums! 

If you are concerned about your gum health, then visit a Chicago dentist and have them get checked out! We would love to be your dental home. Visit our Park Ridge dental office. 

3 Great Tips to Save Your Smile

Science is exploring the use of breath, saliva, and blood samples from your mouth to establish your risk for some cancers, diabetes, and other health issues. THis illustrates how your oral health is intricately and importantly linked to the rest of your body. You can see that maintaining gum health can help you sustain your overall wellbeing as well as avoiding tooth loss, the great smile spoiler.

Here are 3 helpful tips…

1. How it starts. Normal bacteria creates a film called plaque on your teeth- you can feel this. If it build ups and hardens, your gums become inflamed and can eventually pull away from the tooth, leading to tooth loss and other health issues. 
2. What to look for. If you still have a sticky film on you teeth after brushing, you could need some instruction. Or, if flossing is becoming a challenge, then hardened plaque may be building up. Gums that are swollen or bleeding may be a sign of gum disease. 
3. What to do about it. Although daily brushing and flossing is the best prevention, dental visits can ensure that you have no plaque buildup. Since gum disease is easily treatable and can be reversed, especially when caught early, it is important to see us regularly! 

How long has it been since you've scheduled a dentist appointment? Schedule an appointment at our Park Ridge dental office, Rubino Dentistry, and keep your smile healthy! 

7 Diseases That Can Be Triggered by Gum Disease

No disease acts alone and gum disease is no exception. How can gum disease affect your body? In many ways, in fact, there are seven other diseases that can accompany gum disease.

Did you know that gingivitis can affect up to 75 percent of us in our lifetime? In fact, many medical studies show that 30 percent of us may actually be genetically predisposed to developing it.

Gum disease is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene, gum disease can progress to periodontitis, a chronic infection of the gums. This is because it can advance without giving off any symptoms, it is sometimes called the "silent disease". Why is this a cause for concern? IT's suspected that periodontal disease sets off the body's inflammatory response and can exacerbate symptoms of other serious inflammatory diseases.

So what are the other diseases?

• heart disease
• stroke
• cancer
• respiratory disease
• osteoporosis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• diabetes

This is why you shouldn't skip your regular dental checkups during which we can monitor your oral health effectively. If you're expecting a child or considering becoming pregnant, check in with us at our Park Ridge dental office as gum disease has been linked to pregnancy complications such as premature birth.

It is essential that you practice good home care and visit Rubino Dentistry for regular checkups. Call us today and get an appointment scheduled. We at Rubino, a Chicago dental office, are here to help you take care of your oral health and overall health.

Don't Let the Dentist Scare You: 5 Tips

Do you get a little nervous before you visit your dentist? Well, as a Chicago dentist, I hear from patients that they are nervous when they show up to my Park Ridge dental practice... at least the ones that are new.

It is fear that drives millions of Americans from getting the proper preventative oral health care that they need. However, there is no need to be fearful of the dentist! Don't worry, we do not take it personally, people are afraid of visiting any doctor. Going to the dentist, at least this Chicagoland dentist, is more comfortable than ever before. Here are five tips for helping your calm thoughts win over your nervous thoughts.

1. Do relaxation techniques before your visit, even during your visit. You can take deep breaths, meditate, think of happy thoughts, etc. If it is a child, then they can bring a stuffed toy that helps them gain confidence. 
2. Bring someone with you. Select someone to join you to the dentist office that is comforting and soothing. For a child, this might be a parent. For an adult, maybe a significant other or best friend. 
3. Step-by-step. Go for a shorter appointment rather than a long one. Start with a cleaning and then schedule follow-up appointments at a later time (you don't want to go too long between, though). 
4. Distract your mind. Listen to the music. Get lost in thought. Etc. Of course, you will still need to answer important questions from the hygienist or dentist. 
5. Talk about it. If you are fearful, then talk about it with our Park Ridge dental staff and we can work something out that helps you remain calm. We can adapt treatment to your needs and even offer you sedation options (this can be added to your bill). 

Why Use Custom Mouthguards?

Play is the new word of the day. Whether you're enjoying family fun time or your favorite sport, just getting out and playing should always make you smile. Just make sure you protect that smile with a great mouthguard.

Custom-made personalized mouthguards:

• Offer top-notch protection
• Fit comfortably & stay in place
• Allow you to talk & breathe easily
• Growing jaws & new teeth can be accommodated properly

Mouthguards, especially Under Armour Mouthguards, protect more than just the teeth and face. There is also evidence that they reduce the incidence and severity of concussions. Everyone, including grownups, should wear a mouthguard during activities that put them at risk of injury; for example, hockey, football, basketball, and even mountain biking should be enjoyed with a mouthguard. 

Like any sports gear, a mouthguard will wear out. Bring yours along to every checkup to confirm that it's providing optimum protection. 

If you have any questions, then contact Rubino Dentistry- a dentist in Chicago. We offer custom fit mouthguards from Under Armour. A performance mouthguard can even give you the confidence to perform better! 

Smile Whitening Frequently Asked Questions

Getting your teeth whitened can be a great way to improve your smile. However, people often have questions when it comes to getting smile whitening.

What is the difference between dentist-supervised whitening and drugstore kits?
Rubino Dentistry prescribed home systems and in-office treatments are customized to your unique needs. we can determine the most effective whitening procedure for you based on they type and extent of the staining and the location and number of restorations you have.
Will whitening brighten my restorations too? 
No, however, you and Dr. Rubino can discuss options so that older restorations are not able to sabotage your new, beautiful smile.
At what age is it safe to start whitening? 
Sensitive pulp is closer to the surface in younger teeth, so age is 18 is usually considered the youngest age we recommend so patients avoid irritation. Our recommendation is important! If you visit another Chicago dentist, they will likely tell you the same thing.
What options do I have if I need to repair damaged or discolored teeth? 
There are many wants to repair teeth and even improve their shape while also making them look whiter. Beautiful white bonding or porcelain veneers can correct damage and imperfections. Old, silver fillings can be replaced with attractive, tooth-colored fillings.

If you have any questions about teeth whitening, then contact Rubino Dentistry. 

5 Things About the Roof of Your Mouth

What is the point of the roof of our mouths? Why is it there? What does it do? Etc. I mean, it's not like the roof of our mouths is something that we ponder about too often and we lay away at night thinking about it; however, it is a strange part of our body, huh?

The palate, not to be confused with the pallet (a bed), or palette (a range of colors), is the formal name for the roof of our mouths.

So what does it do? Why do we have it? Let's find out:

1. The hard palate at the front is made of bone, the soft palate behind it is made of tissue. Both the hard palate and the soft palate help our breathing, swallowing, and our speech. Think about it, these things would not be possible if there was no barrier there. 
2. If the bones of the hard palate do not fuse before birth, it is called a cleft palate. This is a purely structural problem that can be repaired before the age of one. 
3. The soft palate helps to close off the nasal passages during swallowing and the airway, if required, during sneezing. Fun fact: crocodiles do this too. 
4. The soft palate has salivary glands and taste buds- this is why we call good food "palatable". 
5. Arachibutyrophobia is the fear that peanut butter will stick to one's palate. I personally do not have this fear but it is more common than one may realize. 

If you have questions about the palate, then talk with Dr. Rubino, a dentist in Park Ridge. If you notice any discoloration, inflammation, or other issues with your palate, then contact your dentist. If you do not have a dentist, then schedule an appointment with our Park Ridge dental office. 

A Camera that Finds Cavities? Available at Our Park Ridge Dental Office

It's true. We have a camera at our Chicagoland dental office that is replacing intramural camera that we used for many years. Intramural photos of your teeth, gums, etc. are very valuable in their own way by helping us diagnose dental problems and show/explain them to you. The new camera, SoproLife® is an excellent cameral for this but has one big advantage: it can also find decay. 

The special light in the camera penetrates the enamel and underlying tooth structures and bounces back to the camera. If there is decay, it shows as red on the image of the tooth. We have used a laser (DIAGNOdent) in the past, and will continue to do so, but the DIAGNOdent could not be used around old fillings crowns, or in between teeth. The SoproLife will work in these areas and help u to be as accurate as possible in finding cavities as early as possible. This is especially important around old fillings and crowns that are stained, look suspicious, or have become symptomatic to you.

 

We will continue to use our digital x-rays and the DIAGNOdent, but the addition of the SoproLife is a big step forward. 

SoproLife also has a high magnification setting, which will help us to evaluate cracks in teeth and find calcified canals when doing root canal therapy. 

In addition, Dr. Rubino will use it when removing deep decay near the nerve chamber. The SoproLife will allow him to remove the decay only and not the sound tooth structure, which could help avoid an exposure of a nerve. 

We will be using the new camera on most patients at their preventative maintenance appointments. So next time you're here, you'll get to see how it works. Feel free to contact Rubino Dentistry and let us know what you think!

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing (SRP) remains the cornerstone of periodontal therapy for gum disease (gingivitis). SRP is usually accomplished under local or topical anesthetic to allow the therapist to meticulously clean root surfaces, remove chronic inflammatory irritants under your gums, and eliminate the bacteria involved in active gum disease. In addition to the mechanical removal of calculus (tartar), some scar tissue adherent to the tartar and roots may be removed in a non-surgical manner. As a result, the bacteria imbedded in these irritants is also removed, producing a much healthier environment for the gums, roots, and bone to heal.

We use an antimicrobial gel, called Arestin, in those areas where there is bone loss  and pockets over 5 mm which remains under your gums for about 1 week. This was a key addition to eliminate the bacteria most often involved in reoccurrence of gum disease. As a result, we do far fewer surgeries than was necessary 15 years ago.

After administration of anesthetics, the other areas of your mouth not being treated under the gums are scaled ultrasonically. Once this is complete, the target areas are cleaned ultrasonically, with hand instruments, and again ultrasonically. The second ultrasonic cleaning sprays a special antibacterial rinse (chlorhexidine) through the tip to flush debris out of your gums and kill bacteria. Then the Arestin gel is injected under your gums where needed. You will not be able to feel it and it dissolves over time. Wait 10 days to floss or WaterPik in the areas your therapist advised the Arestin was placed.

You will be given the same antibacterial rinse, called Periogard, in a home use bottle and will be instructed in its use. Your participation with meticulous home care is very important! If you smoke, stopping or reducing to less than five cigarettes per day will be very beneficial.

Post treatment symptoms are often minimal. Some gum soreness, hot-cold sensitivity, and possible minor tooth soreness can be expected, but last only a few days in most cases. During this time, following home care recommendations and the use of the chlorhexidine rinse not only helps keep you comfortable, but also contributes to the healing and final result. Brush and floss all of your teeth, including the treated area (although gently there unless otherwise directed). If you have a WaterPik for you chlorhexidine use as directed. Discomfort can be controlled by taking Ibuprofen, Aleve, or Tylenol as needed.

If you have any questions, then contact Rubino Dentistry. We are a Park Ridge dental practice and have great knowledge about this subject and can help you with any curiosity about it.