Do You Love Sugary Drinks?

Statistics show that 50 percent of us have a sugary drink every day; that;s pretty scary considering that new studies suggest that drinking as little as one sugary drink per day can raise a man's risk for heart disease by 20 percent. Another study has shown very
similar studies for women, too. While studies are still underway, the American Heart Association recommends no more than the equivalent of three soda cans per week.

While we know that sugar is not good for our bodies, from a dental perspective, it causes irreversible damage to teeth and can lead to gum disease, which is linked to heart disease. Good oral health care, including brushing, flossing, and regular visits to a great dentist- is essential to a healthy body and gorgeous smile!

Any questions or concerns? Call or visit Rubino Dentistry! 

Take This Quiz to See If You Need to Update Your Smile

Smiling is a natural and effortless way to make yourself, and others, feel and look great. Your brain gets an instant mood lift when you smile back, so everyone wins when you grin!

But what if you're not so proud of your smile and always try to hide it? You may be missing out on things that life has to offer.

Take our self-assessment quiz - what's your score? 

• Is your smile holding you back socially or in your career? 
• Do you have crooked, gapped, poorly aligned or missing teeth? 
• Are your teeth stained or yellowed? 
• Do you have unsightly, dark, or discolored fillings? 
• Do you have an aging worn-down smile? 
• Are you embarrassed to smile or lack confidence because of your smile? 

If you answered "yes" to even ONE of these questions, you may be ready for a smile recharge! Modern dentistry can absolutely be transform your smile. From gorgeous whitening, to repairs and enhancements, to replacing missing teeth- there are options to suit all budgets and lifestyles! And don't ignore your molars! 

All teeth can be seen when you enjoy a good belly-laugh, and who wants to miss out on the fun? Give Rubino Dentistry a call! We'll get you smiling again! 

5 of the Most Common Oral Health Complaints

Some of the most commonplace mouth problems can be prevented with proper home care and regular checkups. And the good news is that they're treatable!

1. Bad breath- Don't blame the strong food you ate for lunch. Poor oral health is the major cause for chronic halitosis, and it can be a warning sign of gum disease, so if you have bad breath, we should take a look. 
2. Tooth decay- Plaque bacteria produce acids that attack tooth enamel, and if not removed from teeth via brushing and flossing, cavities will form. We can fill cavities, but they can severely compromise teeth, the only part of the body that can't heal itself. 
3. Canker sores- Their cause is unknown, but stress, diet, and weakened immunity can all play a part in their formation. If they persist, visit us as they can warn of other oral and overall health issues. 
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, bleeding gums, bad breath, mouth infections, or loose teeth, see Rubino Dentistry immediately, or your local health professional. Gum disease is treatable and sometimes it is reversible! 
5. Receding gums OR 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 our Park Ridge dental office! 

FAQs About Gum Disease & Bacteria

Poor oral health can put you at risk for many serious illnesses. Here are answers to your frequently asked questions and concerns.

What causes gum disease? In its mildest form, gingivitis, is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, a chronic inflammation of the gums. Gum disease can advance without symptoms, but warning signs include red, swollen, or bleeding bums persistent bad breath, and loose teeth.

How can plaque harm the rest of my body? Oral infections, like tooth decay and gum disease, are caused by plaque bacteria. If it enters the bloodstream, say through a mouth cut or scrape, it could cause infection in other parts of the body. However the greatest health risk is the inflammation- caused by bacterial infection of the gums- which may put yo in danger as it may exacerbate other chronic inflammatory diseases.

What other serious illnesses are associated with gum disease? Potentially, periodontal disease is linked to 200+ health issues including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, Alzheimer's, and pregnancy complications.

How can I prevent gum disease? Brush twice daily, flossing daily, and having regular dental checkups are the best preventable measures. Spending a little time on your oral health can truly promote good overall health.

Has it been a while since you've seen a dentist? Then visit Rubino Dentistry- a dentist in Park Ridge. As a Chicagoland dentist office, we know how much people like to keep their teeth in great shape and not wait in a waiting room forever to do so; to accommodate this, we rarely make patients wait to see the doctor past their appointment time. 

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures: Get a Beaming White Smile

The way we dress and present ourselves says a lot about who we are, so we need to stay true to ourselves when we define our look. Beauty starts from inside, and when we feel great, we project our confidence and optimism. Whatever we're wearing, including our smile, should reflect our positive energy. But what if your smile is not beaming its brightest? Our Park Ridge dental office has solutions!

Supervised teeth whitening. Including dentist-prescribed home systems and in-office treatments, are customized for your unique smile and can make your natural teeth their whitest.

Teeth bonding. This covers the teeth with a beautiful gap, white resin, reshaping them, fixing chips, and filling gaps.

Porcelain veneers. These cover the front surfaces of teeth cleverly masking any stains, fillings, and chipped or uneven teeth.

White fillings. These are an attractive alternative and an option to replace unattractive silver-colored fillings.

Inlays & Onlays. These repair teeth that have been damaged due to decay, strengthen teeth, and restore structure and color.

A confident, white, healthy-looking smile will help you feel positive and look your very best. Give our Chicagoland dental office a call today to discuss the best way to brighten your smile and look as beautiful on the outside as you feel on the inside!

Improve Your Smile With This Technique

Take a big bite out of life and get confident with tooth crowns! Every tooth has a job, whether its job is chewing, grinding, or slicing. Every tooth also has the job of keeping its neighbors neatly aligned.

When you have a damaged or missing tooth, the entire orchestration is thrown off kilter; bite issues, jaw pain, and even eating difficulties can be introduced. In addition, self-esteem is almost always affected.

Don't worry, there is help! Dental crowns will make your smile whole again and quite possible even more beautiful than before! It's time to enjoy life again, savor the foods you love, and put your best smile forward.

Tooth crowns: Covering an existing decayed, damaged, or misshapen tooth, crowns, strengthen, hide or enhance while complementing your smile with the perfect color, shape, and size.

Crowns and bridges: Permanent bridges add additional support and security tow crowns, which replace one or more missing teeth. They fill in gaps, help maintain your face shape, and alleviate stress in your bite.

Crowns and dental implants: Implants are artificial roots that anchor individual crowns. Implants help arrest bone loss immediately below the missing tooth, helping to maintain a fuller, more youthful face shape.

You don't have to live with damaged or missing teeth. Regain the beauty and function of your smile, and take a big, healthy bite out of life! Our Park Ridge dental practice is here to help you, so call us today! 

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!