What to Know About Cavities and Fillings

As a dentist near Chicagoland, I do see my fair share of patients come through my Park Ridge dental practice door with a cavity or two. It's not at all uncommon for people to have cavities, it doesn't make it okay, but it is common.

Dental cavities have been around since people have been around; the treatment of them has been been around for centuries at least, however, it was in the wonderful year of 1875 when the organization of the treatment came about. Dr. G. Black created a plan for how to successfully treat the cavities that his patients were regularly suffering from. Dr. Black created the idea of using a filling to treat the cavity as well as removing any decaying part of the tooth. His concepts were so good that they fostered the modern treatment of dental cavities. 

The treatment is comprised of two simple parts: remove the decayed part of the tooth and then fill that with some sort of filling material; today, we use silver (amalgam). For the procedure, the dentist will often give the patient a local anesthetic like Xylocaine or Novocain; if the patient does not want this, then they can get "laughing gas". Once that has taken effect, the dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth with a high-speed drill; do not worry, since you have the anesthetic, you do not feel any pain.

Once the tooth has been drilled, the dentist will often use some sort of liner to help reduce any tooth sensitivity. Many dentists will use a liner that is comprised of gluma, copalite varnish, and then some dycal. This liner will help the dentin regenerate in your tooth and help heal it. If you have a deep cavity, then the dentist will likely use a bass as well as the liner. As a dentist in Park Ridge, I have used these both before.

Once the tooth is ready for the filling, the dentist, along with the patient, can choose a filling; most common one is amalgam, resin, silver, or even gold. This last layer will help rebuild the tooth to its original integrity and strength.

It is entirely common for your tooth to be a bit sensitive for a day or two; if you experience discomfort for an extended period of time after your filling, then contact a dentist immediately. If you are in Chicagoland, contact Rubino Dentistry and we can take care of it. It is possible that you can have an infected pulp, which is remedied by root canal therapy.

Children's Dentistry 101

Caring for your child's teeth is not an option, it is a must. This means having foods and drinks that are not loaded with sugar or acid as well as developing a strong oral hygiene habit.

Flouride is a big help to developing teeth into strong bodies and gives them the ability to ward off cavities and dental decay. Reports have shown that fluoride helps children have 65 percent fewer cavities than those who have no access to fluoride; this means that children should be drinking water infused with fluoride as well as use toothpaste that contains it as well. Many of the children who drink fluoridated water have healthy teeth, even into their teen years.

If your area does not have fluoridated water, then you can purchase some fluoride tablets, gels, drops, and treatments.

Aside from fluoride, we have mentioned that having a proper diet is a big help to the children. Children should have calcium in their diet, not only for strong bones but strong teeth as well. Having milk, cheese, yogurt, and all things dairy is a great source. Having broccoli helps too. If you have cheese after eating a meal, it helps negate the acid in the foods or drinks that can lead to dental decay.

A proper dental hygiene routine is essential to having healthy teeth as well. Ensuring that your children have proper brushing, flossing, and even using a mouthwash are important to having healthy teeth and gums.

If you are in the Chicagoland area and looking for a dentist in Chicagoland, then contact Rubino Dentistry for your dental needs as well as your child's.

Effects of Soda on Your Teeth

Soda, or pop, can be a tasty beverage, especially when we pair it with a hot day or our favorite food. However, just because it tastes good does not mean that it is something we can indulge in anytime we want, the truth is that pop can be harmful for your teeth.

No matter what you call the beverage, the drink has the same effect on your pearly whites. Soft drinks have proven themselves to be a good source of tooth decay, which can impact people of any age, not just the elderly. The sugar and acid in the soft drinks can be a cause of softening tooth enamel, w
hich can lead to cavities and sensitive teeth. Drinking soft drinks, along with a poor oral hygiene habit, you can experience some poor oral health.

Statistics from 2013 say that nearly 80 percent of youth, children and teens, consume at least one soft drink a day (that can be cans, bottles, cups, etc). Some reports have mentioned that some teens drink as much as 12 pops a day.

What can you do to help resolve the consumption of so much pop?

• Swap the soft drinks for other beverages like water, 100% juice, milk, etc. Go for things that are more natural and have less sugar and acid. If you are a parent, then you can partake in this venture as well, encourage your kids to do it as well. If you are drinking more natural, teeth friendly beverages, then your teeth will look and feel a lot better. 
• Rinse your mouth with water. If you enjoy a soft drink now and then, that is fine. However, after you finish, try rinsing your mouth out with some water to rid your mouth of the sugars that try to attach to your teeth. Also, this will rinse out the acid that can have long exposures on your teeth. 
• Brush your teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride and use an oral rinse. The fluoride in your toothpaste (and possibly even the rinse) will help strengthen the enamel and reduce chances of cavities. 
• Get fluoride applied to your teeth by your dentist. If you stop at your dentist's office, they can apply fluoride to your teeth in the form of gel, foam, or rinse. 

If you have any questions, then contact Rubino Dentistry - a Park Ridge dentist. As a dentist in Chicagoland, I see a lot of patients and we make sure each patient gets quality care and attention. We rarely make our patients wait for their appointment. 

Basic Dental Terminology

A lot of the words that we use to describe teeth and the mouth as dentists are much more complicated than the ones that are used by non-dentists. So what are some of these words that make up dental terminology?

• Human dentition: this means the teeth that are located in the lower and upper jaws. So, when you hear or read this word, it basically means all your teeth. 
• Maxillae: this is the upper jaw. 
• Maxillary teeth: these teeth are part of the maxillae that are the arch, so they are in the front. 
• Mandible: this is the lower jaw. 
• Mandibular teeth: These teeth are located on the lower jaw. 
• Primary dentition: this is the first group of teeth we get as humans. They are commonly called "baby teeth" and there are 20 of them. 
• Permanent dentition: this is the second group of teeth we get as humans. They are commonly called our "adult teeth" and there are 32 of them. 
• Posterior: this is the area that is towards the back of the mouth. 
• Anterior: this is the area towards the front of the mouth. 
• Mesial: this is the middle, or midline. 
• Distal: This is away from the midline of your mouth. 
• Buccal: This is the cheek area of your mouth. 
• Lingual: This is the tongue area. 
• Facial: This is the area that is on your cheek or lip side of your mouth. 
• Palatal: This is the tongue side of your maxillary teeth. 
• Occlusal: This is the area of the mouth that are the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. 
• Incisal: This is the area of the mouth that are the biting surfaces of your front teeth. 

Now, you may not be a dentist in Park Ridge like me but at least now you know some basic dental terminology. 

Common Oral Diseases

Oral diseases can be rather bothersome and preventable. For most of them, they are caused or at least enabled by the lack of proper oral care. So what are some of the common oral diseases?

Note: these are not in order of most common to least or vice versa.

The first one is gingivitis. You may also know this by the name, "gum disease" and it is one of the most common diseases for people to get. Some common risk factors for gingivitis include: general illness, poor/lack of dental hygiene, pregnancy, and uncontrolled diabetes. Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease and is an inflammation and infection of the gums and oral tissues. It can harm the support of your teeth such as the gums, ligaments, and sockets. It comes from plaque deposits that have been around a while.

Another common disease is the next stage of gum disease, periodontitis. This is the inflammation and infection of the teeth ligaments and the bones that support the teeth. It can reach this stage by not treating gingivitis or delaying in treating it for too long. This can result in the loss of teeth and that can require dental implants if the jaw is still in good enough condition, or, if it is not, then you will need dentures.

One of the bigger diseases you can get is oral cancer. This often forms in the lips or the tongue but can also happen in the cheek lining, floor of the mouth, gums, or roof of the mouth. Typically, oral cancers are called squamous cell carcinomas. This cancer can spread rather quickly. Common causes of it are tobacco (especially chewing tobacco) and excessive alcohol consumption; other causes include: chronic irritation from things like rough teeth, dentures, etc, HPV, medications that weaken the immune system, and poor dental health.

One that sounds rather unpleasant is trench mouth. What is it? It is a rather painful infection caused by bacteria that creates swelling and ulcers in the gums. Why is it called that? Well, it was rather common for soldiers to get when fighting in the trenches of World War I. Common causes include: emotional stress, poor dental hygiene, poor nutrition, smoking (and chewing tobacco), and oral infections. This disease tends to affect people between the ages of 15-35.

A fifth common oral disease are mouth ulcers. Just like ulcers in your digestive system, these are sores or open lesions, except they are in the mouth. Common causes and risk factors include: canker sores, Gingivostomatitis, herpes simplex, Leukoplakia (do not confuse with leukemia), oral cancer, oral lichen plans, and oral thrush.

If you have any questions, then contact Rubino Dentistry - a Park Ridge dentist. 

Why Should You Floss?

Flossing is another part of your oral health routine, however, it is not the small role player that many people think it is; flossing is actually one of the biggest things you can do for your smile. So why should you floss?

Flossing and brushing do more good for your teeth than only brushing. See, when you brush your teeth, you are removing all the plaque from the top and two sides of your teeth, however, if you do not floss, then you are missing the other two sides (that are between your teeth) as well as your tooth below the gum line). Toothbrushes have a hard time reaching in between your teeth and can't reach below your gum line very well either, this is where floss helps you a ton. If you skip your flossing, you are skipping a significant portion of your mouth when it's all added up.

Flossing protects your gums as well. When we eat food, they can leave behind food particles and also sugars on our teeth that are attractive to bacteria. If these things make their way to below the gum line, they can cause some damage to the root of the tooth and the tissue connecting the tooth to the jaw. What can happen is that these things form plaque which can turn into tartar and that can be what really causes some issues for your gums; it can lead to gingivitis.

If you floss regularly, it can end up saving you money because it can prevent the need for future medical procedures for your mouth, such as root canals and tooth extraction. It can even help prevent other diseases as well; the plaque and tartar that forms can lead to other deceases like Heart Disease.

If you have questions or want to schedule a visit, then contact Rubino Dentistry. We are a Park Ridge dental office located on South Prospect Ave, near Cumberland in Park Ridge. We are walking distance from the train station.

Interesting and Fun Facts About Your Teeth

Our teeth do a lot for us, I mean a lot. They create wonderful smiles (which are often the first thing people notice about us), they allow us to eat food, which gives us nutrition so we can keep living, they help us talk so we can communicate (that's how we build relationships, work, etc.), and the list doesn't stop there. The bottom line is that our teeth are incredibly important. Do you know a lot about your teeth? Well, either way, this blog post is for you.

1. On average, people have 32 teeth in the mouth; this includes your eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, twelve molars, and four wisdom teeth. Now, that 32 will go down if you don't have your wisdom teeth and/or if you lose any teeth. 
2. Over the course of your lifetime, you will develop two whole sets of teeth. As we all know, the first set of teeth are our baby teeth which come in when we are infants and last until our preteen days, perhaps a few years before or after. Usually, they begin to fall out at 6 or 7 years old. By the time you reach 20-21 years old, you have all your teeth for your second set of teeth,  known as your adult teeth. 
3. Believe it or not, China has a national holiday dedicated to teeth. Every September 20th, the Chinese celebrate "Love Your Teeth Day" across China. 
4. Back in Victorian times of the 1800s in England, people who had false teeth would eat before going out in public. They would do this to prevent getting embarrassed if their false teeth would fall out while eating; their teeth were not as quality as false teeth are today, like dental implants. 
5. In Ancient China, they did not have quality dentists like we do today to relieve dental pain; what they would do to heal painful teeth was write prayers for pain relief and wrap them around the teeth. 
6. In many ancient countries, they would use pliers to remove teeth. And no, that was not with anesthetic. 
7. Gotta love your donkey! In the Middle Ages in Germany, they would kiss donkeys in order to relieve any toothaches they had.
8. Toothpaste has only been around for about a hundred years; before that was invented, people would use a special concoction to clean their teeth that consisted of chalk, ash, lemon juice, honey, and tobacco to clean teeth. 
9. Keeping your toothbrush within 5 feet of your toilet can cause it to become contaminated by toilet germs. 
10. About forty percent of people in the US who are ages 65 and over do not have all their teeth anymore.

Now you have an expanded knowledge of your teeth and can feel confident in your smile. If you want your smile to remain beautiful or if you want a beautiful smile, then contact your local dentist. If you are in Chicagoland, then contact Rubino Dentistry. As a Park Ridge dentist, I serve people from all over Chicagoland. 

6 Great Ways to Ruin Your Teeth

Your mouth is a delicate area of your body; your teeth need a lot of care and good care at that. You can do a lot of good for your mouth but you can also do a lot of harm. Some things that we think are good for our teeth can actually be bad, as well as things we don't even think about being bad. As a dentist in Park Ridge  I have noticed some of these things over my many years in the profession.

1. Brushing your teeth too hard. This seems like it would be good for your teeth, doesn't it? I mean, you really want to get in there and brush and get that disgusting plaque off your teeth so they can shine bright and white, right? Wrong, well, the brushing too hard is wrong. When you brush your teeth, you want to use a decent force but not too much. When you do, you can ruin enamel. Also, brush in circles instead of brushing in straight side-to-side lines. Consider a brush with softer bristles as well. 
2. Consuming a lot of acidic foods/drinks. Some foods and drinks are so good but are actually rather harmful for your teeth. The acid in these things wears on the enamel and softens it. This is a problem because if you brush your teeth while the enamel is soft, you brush it away. Wait about 30 minutes after eating or drinking to brush your teeth so the enamel can get firm again, also, consider using toothpaste that also hardens the enamel again. 
3. Whitening your teeth too much. As a Park Ridge dental office that offers teeth whitening and teeth in one day services, we know that teeth whitening is a great thing and can really help your smile; however, doing it too much is rough on your teeth. When you whiten your teeth, you are exposing your pearly whites to a mild acid and so the bleach in the whitening solution can weaken the enamel on your teeth. 
4. Taking a swig of an ice cold drink after biting into hot food. This is one that is probably not thought of very often. When we eat food that is hot, we tend to want some cold beverage to go with it, like some soda. This can be rough of the enamel on your teeth because when you bite into some hot food, your causing the enamel to expand; when you take a drink of your cold pop or water, whatever it ma be, you are causing the enamel to contract. When you came quick expansion and contraction, this puts stress on the enamel and creates little hairline fractures in the enamel. Of course, if you drink with a straw, you have a much more reduced risk of this happening. 
5. Using your teeth for things other than eating. Sometimes we use our mouths to help us out, like holding a pencil or biting down on a cap to open something. It seems like something that shouldn't matter and we do it so easily, but it does make an impact. Why? It can create fractures in the enamel. 
6. Not cleaning your teeth enough. This one is a given and probably what you think of when you think of things that ruin your teeth (because I know you think about that all the time). Brush and floss twice a day. Use a mouth rinse (go for alcohol free if you can). Schedule visits to your dentist every 6 months or at least once a year. If you are in Chicagoland, then contact Rubino Dentistry - a dentist in Park Ridge. 

Sleep Apnea 101

Imagine you just got home from work, you're tired, you ate dinner, watch some TV, and now are ready for some well-deserved rest. You even go to bed an hour early so you can get some more sleep. 

Sounds like a nice scenario, right? Well, this is a common scenario for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people every day. Some of those people have something called sleep apnea which can really put distress on your sleep quality and even more importantly, the oxygen to your body (yes, that includes your brain). 

What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a rather serious sleeping disorder which happens when the breathing you have during sleep is interrupted. For some people, their sleep can be interrupted multiple times during the night, perhaps dozens to hundreds of times. This means that with all those interruptions of not breathing during the night, your body may not be getting enough oxygen, this affects your body. 

There are two kinds of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is much more common for people to have than CSA; this is when there is a blockage in the airway that causes the apnea. Usually, this is caused by soft tissue collapsing in the back of the throat. CSA is less common and the airway is not blocked. With CSA, the brain forgets to signal to the muscles that they have to breathe; this is a flaw in the respiratory control center. 

Ask your doctor or dentist if you are at risk for sleep apnea. Contact Rubino Dentistry - a Park Ridge dentist about sleep apnea treatments. As a Park Ridge dental office, we see a fair share of patients who had sleep apnea but got treatments for it and we see a big difference. 

Why Is Wearing a Mouthguard Important in Sports

Sports are a big deal in the United States, we are a country that loves athletes and we love participating in sports. Professional sports are the big events to watch but we also have developed a love for the youth and adolescent sports in the country as well. They can be fun to watch and have our children participate in them. However, sports can be have injuries and those injuries can be painful, especially when they happen to the mouth. Even when your child plays a non-contact sport, like soccer or basketball, they can still get a tooth injury because of a ball or accidental hand to the face.

So how do you prevent this from happening? Wearing a mouthguard can help. How common are injuries in youth sports? Well, recent reports have stated that nearly 36% of accidental injuries that happen to children happen from sports; of those injuries, approximately 15% of them happen to the mouth.

What kind of injuries can happen to the mouth? There are three classifications:

1. Fracture: This is when there is a root fracture, a broken tooth, or a chipped tooth.
2. Avulsion: This is when the entire tooth is knocked out, including the root. 
3. Luxation: This is when the tooth is knocked into a wrong position but is still in the socket. 
1. Extruded: the affected tooth looks larger than the teeth around it. 
2. Lateral displacement: the tooth is moved forward or pushed back. 

The thing about dental injuries is that they are often easily prevented and one way to help prevent them is to wear that mouthguard. Some dentists are able to custom make them for you; this dentist in Park Ridge is a carrier of UnderArmour mouth guards. Indeed, mouth guards can seem rather hard to wear because they can make it harder to talk. 

If you have any questions about the UnderArmour mouth guards or questions regarding other dental concerns, then contact Rubino Dentistry - a Chicago dentist. 

The Effects of Smoking on Teeth

We have all heard about how smoking is bad for us to some extent; it is mentioned quite a bit in school health classes and we even see ads in magazines, newspapers, on billboards, TV, and radio. However, do we know the details of the effects of smoking on teeth? All of the effects the habit can have on teeth? Let's find out.

If you decide to smoke, then you should look at this complete list of the effects of smoking on your oral health:

• Foul smelling breath
• Discoloration of teeth- predominantly yellow
• The salivary gland on the roof of your mouth can become inflamed (swollen & irritated)
• An increase in the buildup of plaque (and even tartar) on your teeth
• An increase in the loss of bone in your jaw
• A higher risk of leukoplakia, or, white patches in your mouth. 
• A higher risk of contracting gum disease, this can lead to tooth loss
• A longer healing time and process following tooth extraction, periodontal treatments, and oral surgery
• A decreased success rate for dental implants
• A higher risk for developing oral cancer

So we mentioned gum disease, or gingivitis, and one may wonder how you can get that due to smoking. 

Well, when smoking, the tobacco affects the ligaments in your mouth that attach your teeth to the bone. When you smoke, it can even impact the function of the gum tissue cells. When your gum tissue cells are not able to function properly, it makes your mouth more susceptible to infections and other dangers. 

In case you are wondering what kind of tobacco can impact your oral health, it includes cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. 

No, smokeless tobacco does not exempt you from these dangers. 

If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, then contact Rubino Dentistry - a dentist in Park Ridge.

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. 

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. 

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.