How Does Precision Gum Sculpting Work?

When you look in the mirror, do you see a pleasing, well-proportioned toothy grin? Or are your gums monopolizing your smile? No matter where you are in life, a beautiful, confident smile can transform the way you address the world and the way it addresses you.

The perfect proportion of pink, well-cared-for gums will always make you look healthier and more youthful. Gum sculpting is a fast and effective procedure that can improve your smile by:

• Giving an irregular shaped gum line a more pleasing, uniform look. 
• Making short teeth look longer and perfectly proportioned in your mouth. 
• Giving you the confidence to flash a bold, toothy grin that lights up a room. 

Gum sculpting can be performed on a single tooth, or on a number of teeth, and is usually done in a single visit. For a complete smile makeover, consider a tooth whitening procedure to highlight your new smile! A quick fix with bonding may correct damage, misshapen, or poorly aligned teeth. 

No more closed-lipped grins for you! Rubino Dentistry will help you achieve that beautiful, bold, confident smile of your dreams! Call us or stop by! 

Myths About Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath is incredibly common. Everybody has it to some degree, even if it is just in the morning when we wake up. However, for something so common, there are a lot of misconceptions about bad breath, or halitosis.

1. Bad breath comes from the stomach. Only in rare cases does this occur. As for things like Gastric Reflux, this is yet to be scientifically proven. 
2. Bad breath comes from the lungs. Only in rare cases does this occur. 
3. It is hereditary. Not true. There is no genial linkage for halitosis. There are certain conditions that cause bad breath that are hereditary but bad breath itself is not. 
4. It is contagious. Not true. 
5. Breath mints and mouthwashes help. Temporarily, yes. But if your bad breath is caused by something like gingivitis, then it will return. 
6. Brushing my teeth more will help. Brushing your teeth too much can actually dry out your mouth, making the bad breath issue worse. 
7. Bad breath is caused by food. Foods like onions, garlic, etc. can create odors in our mouths that aid bad breath.
8. Probiotics help. There is no support for this yet. 

If you are experiencing chronic halitosis, then consult a oral healthcare professional, like Dr. Rubino and see what the cause is and how it can be treated. 

image source: http://theamericankid.com

Brush After Reading- Dental Plaque is Bad News

The word "plaque" is associated with many illnesses but is the plaque found on your teeth the same stuff in your arteries? No.

Plaque that causes heart attacks and strokes is made up of cholesterol, fat, and inflammatory cells. This plaque is linked to eye plaque.

Dental plaque is completely different. It's a deposit of bacterial that actually sticks to teeth and gums, which is why you need to manually brush it off. Plaque buildup leads to acid production, which can cause tooth decay, gum inflammation, and ultimately tooth loss.

It's believed that inflammation, not plaque, links poor oral health to heart disease, stroke, and other inflammatory diseases. A good oral maintenance regimen, including checkups and cleanings, can have great health benefits!

Concerned about plaque, tartar, or gum inflammation? Then contact Rubino Dentistry and see how we can help!



gif source: https://www.tumblr.com/search/teeth%20gif

Here's Why You Need to Floss

Do you want clean, healthy teeth? Then you can no longer tell yourself, "I'll just floss tomorrow." If you want your kids to have healthy teeth, then don't let them tell you, "We'll floss in the morning." Even if you hold true to those promises, you are still skipping a nighttime or morning floss that needs to happen.

While brushing your teeth will remove the surface plaque on those pearly whites, brushing will miss up to 40 percent of plaque hiding beneath the gum line. That can be a real issue because plaque buildup leads to tooth decay and gum disease and is also linked to over 200 diseases, not just oral diseases, either!

Flossing seems daunting and difficult but it doesn't have to be; however, the kids may need a lesson on how to do it correctly. If you floss with your child, they are much more likely to learn how to do it correctly and form the habit. If it is too difficult to use normal floss, then consider floss picks.

Questions or comments? Call or visit Rubino Dentistry about flossing tips! 

Do I Need a Root Canal Procedure

How do you know you need a root canal? That is a question that not many people want to know the answer to. When most people hear the term, "root canal", a sense of fear runs through us and we think the worst.

Regardless of our thoughts about root canals, if you need one, you can't ignore it. So how do you know when you need one done? The best way to know is to consult a dentist but here are some ways to know yourself and the causes.

Common causes of root canals:

• Tooth decay that has penetrated the enamel and dentin to reach the nerve and the pulp that are in the root canals and chambers of the tooth. 
• Tooth decay that went unchecked and has caused the tooth to become infected or abscessed. 
• When a nerve has become exposed after a broken or chipped tooth. 
• Age
• Untreated tooth trauma. 

So what are the symptoms you need to pay attention to and know you need a root canal procedure?

• Severe pain in a tooth; this pain often persists for long periods of time and can even interrupt your sleep. The pain you feel is the pulp of the tooth dying or becoming infected. 
• Radiating jaw pain. The pain tends to be in the jaw but can extend to the ear or temple right by the ear. 
• Chewing pain or pain by touch. When you bite down with the tooth, or when you touch it, you might experience great pain. If you have this, the pain is caused by inflammation or infection at the root's tip. 
• Sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks.
• Darkened tooth. If you see a tooth is darker than the ones around it, then get it checked out by a tooth crown dentist. 
• A broken or chipped tooth. 
• Decayed teeth. If you have untreated cavities or cracks, then they can lead to a need for root canals. 

If you experience any of these symptoms, pay attention to them and check them with a dentist. If you are in Chicagoland, contact Rubino Dentistry, a Chicagoland dentist in Park Ridge. While a need for a root canal is often noted by a patient experiencing these symptoms, patients who need a root canal do not always experience the symptoms. 

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!