3 Dental Restoration Options for a Younger-Looking Smile

It is no secret that your smile plays a very  important role in the impressions you make. An attractive smile is engaging- it is one of the most meaningful non-verbal expressions- and it gives great pleasure to  others!

There is no need to live one more minute with a smile that you feel like hiding. A vibrant, healthy-looking smile can make you look and feel years younger, and provide a great confidence boost. Transform yourself with these three dental restoration options:

1. Dental veneers- These cover the front o the tooth surface with attractive, white porcelain, reinforcing them, perfecting their shape. This will hide any unsightly damage and will correct alignment and spacing. 
2. Tooth crowns- These fully encase teeth, becoming their beautiful, new outer surface. Crowns repair discolored, misshapen, and damaged teeth. When you pair a dental crown with a dental implant or dental bridge, they can replace entire teeth. 
3. Dental implants- These support one or more beautiful replacement teeth. Not only do they fill in spaces, they actually help preserve jaw bone structure so you can intercept that inevitable sunken look that accompanies tooth loss. 

If you currently hide your smile, you're also hiding your inviting side of your personality. Look years younger, feel more confident, and open up to the world again with a beautifully restored smile. Contact Rubino Dentistry - a Park Ridge dentist - and see how we can help you gain confidence in your smile! 

Snoring, Can It Affect a Marriage?

Can snoring be grounds for divorce? Can it ruin a marriage? Maybe not but snoring and sleep apnea can cause tension between an otherwise harmonious couple. It's time to silence the snoring and get sleep apnea treatments.

If your partner is a chronic snorer, you could experience classic signs of sleep deprivation- memory, learning, and reasoning difficulties. You could also suffer from headaches, burn-out, irritability, and depression.

The snorer also faces health risks as snoring can be a manifestation of sleep apnea- repeated cessation of breathing during sleep. Sufferers have a 30% greater risk for heart attack and an elevated risk for stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

All things aside, studies show that couple who struggle with sleep apnea have a higher divorce rate than those who sleep peacefully.

Effective dental treatments are available for both snoring and sleep apnea. Call Rubino Dentistry at 847-825-1002 today. We help protect your health, and maybe, your marriage. 

Are Your Gums Receding?

You need to know the risks and causes of your receding gums. 

Is your big grin showing a little less gum than it used to? Gum recession is a common problem in North America. The most common age range is people over age of 40.

Gum recession should not be taken lightly.

Receding gums can warn of periodontal disease, which is linked to so many life threatening diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and some cancers (oral cancer).

Although the leading cause of receding gums is gum disease, there are many m
ore, and all of them can open the door to gum infection and periodontitis. Here are other causes:

• Hormone fluctuations- Hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can make gums sensitive and more likely to recede. 
• Over-brushing- Agressive brushing can wear away enamel and increase risk for gum recession. 
• Grinding, clenching, and an uneven bite- All can put excessive force on the teeth and jaws, causing gums to recede. 
• Tobacco use- Smokers are more likely to have plaque and tartar buildup, which can cause gum recession. 
• Mouth piercings- Jewelry can rub the gum and wear away tissue. 

Don't ignore receding gums. The resulting exposure of tooth crowns and roots opens the door to root cavities, eroded tooth structure, and ligament destruction. All of these things can eventually lead to devastating tooth loss. 

Call Rubino Dentistry if you have any concerns. We can treat and repair receding gums and help prevent further damage to your beautiful smile! 

3 Tips for Combating Sugar Cravings

Any dentist will tell you that sugar can be harmful for your oral health; however, it can be difficult to ward off those tempting cravings, especially when we see something we know is especially delicious.

If you think your family has sugar on the mind, then you would be right! The brain uses nearly 80 percent of your daily sugar consumption. It is programmed to crave sugar's energy and sweetness. The brain sends out a nice, pleasurable sensation when satisfied.

So what can you do to keep the sugar cravings at bay? Well, our Chicagoland dental office has three great and easy tips for you. 

1. Keep blood-sugar levels steady. This can be done by eating three meals and two snacks each day. When you have snacks, things like carrots and even popcorn (low salt & butter) are great options-- they can scrape away the plaque. 
2. Keep mind & body occupied. Enjoy physical activities that take you away from the cookie jar. Try doing something outside, when the weather is nice. 
3. Refuel the reserves. Get enough sleep and daily nutrients to fight the fatigue-induced cravings. 

Sugar-related obesity and type-2 diabetes are on the rise, and sugar can cause irreversible damage to teeth and gums, along with hours of missed school and work due to discomfort and the need for repair. For a healthy future, use sugar sparingly, and always brush & floss after eating. 

For questions, concerns, and treatments, email or call Rubino Dentistry. We are a dentist in Park Ridge, just a short distance from Chicago. 

How Does Poor Oral Health Impact Your Overall Health? Here's How.

At any age, poor oral health can eventually lead to periodontal disease (gum disease), a chronic inflammatory disease which has been linked to a long list of inflammatory conditions including:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• stroke
• cancer
• respiratory diease
• Alzheimer's Disease
• rheumatoid arthritis
• osteoporosis

Approximately 75% of adults have some form of gum disease. Research suggests that it can be transferred to other s via saliva, so a simple kiss or just sharing a snack or even blowing on food can be enough to put your child or significant other at risk of transmission. 

Gum disease is often silent- progressing without symptoms - but warning signs may include swollen, red, or bleeding gums, mouth infections and tenderness, bad breath, and loose teeth. The good news is that gum disease can almost always be prevented, sometimes reversed. 

It's important for the whole family to commit to a good oral healthcare regimen, including regular dental checkups. The dentist will check for signs of this disease and recommend any necessary courses of action for treatment. As a dentist in Park Ridge, I never recommend unnecessary treatment for patients and I know any other good dentist will be the same way. 

If you are in Chicago, then contact Rubino Dentistry, a Chicagoland dentist, who performs general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, tooth crowns, and more. 

What Does Fluoride Do for Our Teeth?

The mineral fluoride was first introduced to toothpastes and municipal water in the 1950s because of its ability to harden tooth enamel and fight tooth decay-causing bacteria. However, almost 80 years later, the war on cavities has just gotten a little dirtier.

Recent findings indicate that the bacteria that cause cavities can now fend off fluoride, brilliantly working to sabotage its tooth-positive effects. Scientists don't know how bacteria does this, but when they do, it will offer the means to create an oral health regimen that is more bacteria-hostile.

Wait! Don't abandon fluoride just yet! Using fluoride in toothpaste at least twice a day, and flossing once a day, continues to be your best defense against plaque buildup and cavities. Regular professional hygiene (dental cleanings) appointments are also critical to maintaining your healthy smile.

As a dentist in Park Ridge, I am a big supporter of fluoridated water and a healthy smile. Need a good dental home? Then visit our Chicagoland dental office and see how we can help your smile!

Dental Implant Solutions Restore Beautiful Smiles

For a beautiful, strong, natural-looking smile, consider dental implants when replacing missing or aging restorations. Implants offer permanence and stability, and they securely anchor replacement teeth to effectively stop jawbone loss. Another benefit? They prevent the sunken look that inevitably accompanies an edentulous (toothless) smile.

With dental implants, aka teeth in one day, you can have a healthier smile that looks and feels very natural, because dental implants alleviate bite problems, allow you to chew and speak unhindered, and preserve the structure of your smile.

Your overall joy of life can be enhanced by replacement teeth that look, feel, and function just like normal teeth. We can discuss whether implants are right for you. Call us today to book your consultation at Rubino Dentistry, a Park Ridge cosmetic dentist office.