Keep Your Teeth Clean or Risk the Inevitable

If you cannot remember the last time you had your teeth cleaned professionally, it is definitely time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

When you put off regular teeth cleaning appointments, you are putting your teeth and gums at risk. Without regular dental cleanings, you can develop cavities and gingivitis.

According to Oral B, regularly scheduled dental cleanings with Romo Dental can help prevent plaque buildup. Plaque is that colorless, sticky film that remains on your teeth. If you do not have regular cleanings with your dentist in Chicago that plaque can turn to tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist. Plaque and tartar produce nasty toxins that will irritate your gums and eventually destroy the gum tissue leading to bone damage and eventually tooth loss.

Once the gum disease advances to the more dangerous periodontal disease, the pockets between your teeth and gums will grow deeper and travel further down the root of your tooth. Once it gets to this point, the bone will become destroyed. Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss, especially in adults. By scheduling regular appointments with your dentist, you can prevent gum disease and tooth loss.

Of course, good oral hygiene is also vital when it comes to the prevention of tooth decay and gum disease. Your dentist recommends that you brush twice and floss once each day. If you like to snack, make sure that your rinse after eating to get rid of food particles and promote saliva. Saliva actually helps to wash away bacteria and acids that can cause plaque.

If you enjoy coffee, tea or red wine, your teeth will pay the price. Using tobacco products can also stain your teeth. External stains can be removed if you have your teeth cleaned regularly.

Having your teeth cleaned regularly can also prevent bad breath. There is nothing worse than having to avoid someone because of his or her halitosis.

Healthy teeth and gums can help your body as well. Recent research indicates that there is a connection between overall health and the health of your teeth and gums. Scheduling a dental cleaning every six months can help prevent heart disease and stroke, which has been linked to gum disease.

If you cannot remember the last time that you had your teeth cleaned, schedule an appointment with your dentist today.

Dental Veneers to Improve Your Smile

Porcelain Veneers, or Dental Veneers, are custom made wafer thin shells that fit and cover the front surface of your tooth or teeth. Talk to your Cosmetic Dentist in Chicago, Dr. Genaro Romo, who will be able to determine if you are good candidate for Dental Veneers.

Dental Veneers can be made from resin or porcelain, resin Veneers are thinner and do not resist stains they way that porcelain veneers do. Porcelain veneers also look more natural as they reflect light much in the say way that your natural teeth do. Resin veneers are thinner and do not require your Dentist in Chicago to remove as much of the surface of your tooth. As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of Veneers, but your Chicago Cosmetic Dentist will be able to advise you on the best choice for your particular situation.

Dental Veneers can fix teeth that are discolored from stains or root canal treatment, from tetracycline or excessive fluoride use. Talk to your Cosmetic Dentist in Chicago about discolored resin fillings, teeth that are broken or chipped or teeth that are uneven, misaligned, or irregularly shaped as Dental Veneers can help fix those problems as well.

Dental Veneers usually require three visits to your Chicago Cosmetic Dentist with the first appointment involving your treatment planning and diagnosis. During your first appointment with Dr. Romo, it is important to let him know what results you want. Your Dentist in Chicago will examine your teeth to make sure you are a good candidate for Dental Veneers. Dr. Romo may also take x-rays.

Your second appointment involves the tooth preparation for the Dental Veneers. A small amount of enamel is removed from the surface of your tooth, which is about equal to your Dental Veneer. Your Dentist in Chicago may recommend a local anesthetic before trimming, to relieve any discomfort. After trimming, your Chicago Cosmetic Dentist will make an impression or model that will be sent to the dental laboratory in order to make your Dental Veneers.

After a couple of weeks, your Dental Veneers will be ready to be bonded to your teeth, which constitutes your third and final appointment. Before your tooth or teeth are cemented permanently, your dentist will temporarily place for color and fit. Once adjusted, Dr. Romo will prepare your tooth or teeth by cleaning, polishing, and etching. This actually roughens the tooth for stronger bonding. A special adhesive is applied to your tooth and the Dental Veneer and once placed is cured with a laser or light beam that hardens the cement.

If Dental Veneers sound like something that you would like to consider, schedule a no obligation consultation with your Chicago Cosmetic Dentist who will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for Dental Veneers.

Smoking and Oral Health

Most people are aware of the health problems that can occur if you smoke or chew tobacco, but your lungs and heart are not the only things that can be affected if you light up.

According to your Dentist in Chicago, Dr. Genaro Romo, smoking can have a lasting and distinctive impact on your oral health and can lead to some serious dental issues including, but not limited to: 

• Tooth discoloration
• Halitosis
• Salivary gland inflammation on the roof of your mouth
• Bone loss in your jaw
• Build up of tartar and plaque
• Increased risk of white patches, or leukoplakia on the inside of your mouth
• Gum disease
• Delayed healing after periodontal treatment or extractions
• Lower dental implant success rate
• Higher risk of oral cancer

Smoking, even with pipes and cigars, can lead to gum disease as it affects the soft tissue around your teeth. According to your Chicago Dentist, smoking will interfere with normal gum tissue cell function making you much more susceptible to infections. Smoking can also impair the blood flow to your gums.

Just like cigarettes, cigar and pipe smoking can cause dental problems. A study conducted by the American Dental Association, showed that cigar smokers experience bone loss and tooth loss at the same rate as cigarette smokers. Pipe smokers and cigar smokers are also susceptible to throat cancers even though they do not inhale.

If you chew tobacco, you are not safe either. Snuff contains at least 30 chemicals that can increase your risk of throat and oral cancer. Your Dentist in Chicago will tell you that chewing tobacco products contain more nicotine than cigarettes making it more difficult to quit. Most people have no idea that one can of chewing tobacco has as much, if not more, nicotine than sixty cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco will irritate your gum tissue. This causes your gums to pull away or recede. Once this occurs the exposed roots become more sensitive to irritants making drinking and eating uncomfortable.

If that isn’t enough, your Dr. Romo will tell you that flavors are added to some brands of chewing tobacco in order to improve the taste. Those flavors contain sugar that can drastically increase tooth decay. In fact, a study by the ADA has shown that those who chew tobacco are four times more likely to develop tooth decay.

Talk to your doctor about smoking cessation and don’t forget to schedule an appointment with the best Dentist in Chicago, Dr. Romo. 

Give Your Mouth a Clean Bill of Health with Romo Dental

If the holidays wrecked havoc with your waistline, all of those goodies that you enjoyed for the past two months probably haven’t done much good for your teeth either. You may think you are doing yourself a favor by heading to the gym everyday starting tomorrow, but what about your teeth and gums.

Start the New Year off with a check up with your Chicago Dentist, Dr. Romo. You may think you were extra cautious after those rich meals by brushing a few extra times a day, but if you didn’t rinse after enjoying Grandma Ester’s rich Christmas fudge you could be asking for trouble. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Romo and get the all clear. Your teeth and gums are directly connected to the rest of your body and if you do not practice good oral hygiene, including regular checkups with your dentist, your immune system could be affected.

Poor oral hygiene is responsible for all kinds of health problems including respiratory issues and diabetes. Skipping brushing and flossing in favor of the pillow may be tempting, but it could also be the reason for your new cavities with the addition of periodontal disease. Skipping your regular checkups is more harmful than you think.

Having healthy teeth and gums starts with brushing and flossing. Buy a good toothbrush and don’t be afraid of the electric ones. You can go online and buy a new electric toothbrush, or better yet, ask Dr. Romo when you see him for your check-up. Don’t forget to floss once a day and remember to brush in the morning and before you go to bed.

Call or schedule an appointment online with your Dentist in Chicago and get a clean bill of health when it comes to your teeth and gums. If there are issues, you will be ahead of the game and ready to enjoy the foods that you did and a healthier smile before you got that tasty toothache.