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.