When Was the Last Time You Saw Your Dentist?

An astounding 100 million Americans put off a trip to the dentist each year, even though regular dental checkups and proper oral hygiene will prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

Regular trips to the dentist are imperative as your dentist can spot problems with your teeth and gums before they get worse. If spotted early, that cavity will most likely not be a root canal costing you less time and money.

According to the American Dental Association, you should visit your dentist if your teeth have become sensitive to cold or hot temperatures.

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, or if they are swollen, make an appointment with your dentist today.

Other signs that you need to see your dentist include chronic bad breath and a persistent bad taste in your mouth.

If you have dentures, dental implants, crowns, or fillings, regular dental checkups are vital to make sure that your dental restorations are still doing their job and functioning properly.

See your dentist if you have problems swallowing or chewing or if your family has a history of tooth decay or gum disease.

Folks with cardiovascular disease, HIV, or eating disorders should also see their dentist on a regular basis.

If you smoke or are undergoing chemotherapy, radiation or hormone replacement therapy make an appointment with your dentist.

That popping sound that you hear when you open or close your mouth could have something to do with your TMJ, otherwise known as your temporomandibular joint.

Even if you do not have any of the above symptoms, you should see your dentist regularly as preventive care is the best care, especially when it comes to your teeth and gums. Recent research indicates that poor oral health could cause additional health problems including heart disease.

In-between dental visits, it is important to brush twice each day for two minutes. Flossing once a day is essential for everyone regardless of your age. Good oral health habits are the best way to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

If you cannot remember the last time you saw your dentist, schedule an appointment today. Remember, and ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.

Dental Implants in Chicago

If you have missing teeth, you know how difficult it can be to talk or eat, but missing teeth can also cause problems with your facial structure, and that is where Dental Implant Restoration from Dr. Romo, your Hispanic Dentist in Chicago comes in.

Despite the vast improvements when it comes to dental care, millions of people across the United States deal with tooth loss. The majority of tooth loss occurs because of poor oral hygiene that leads to gum disease and tooth decay. Injury is another reason for tooth loss. Up until now, the only options for missing teeth were dentures or Fixed Bridges, but not anymore.

Dental Implants are quickly becoming the favorite when it comes to missing teeth. Twenty years ago, Fixed Bridges and Dentures were the popular choice, but thanks to modern 21^st century dental technology, Dental Implants are safer and in the long run more affordable than Fixed Bridges.

Unfortunately Fixed Bridges, unless kept exceptionally clean, can become a magnet for tooth decay. If you do not brush or floss carefully underneath a Fixed Bridge, tooth decay will begin to form. If this happens and gum disease sets in, you may have to deal with bone and tooth loss.

Ask your Dentist about Dental Implants. Dental Implants are much more comfortable than dentures and are just as strong as your natural teeth.

According to Web MD, Dental Implants are metal posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone by an oral surgeon or periodontist. Once the posts are placed, your dentist will give the bone that surrounds the implant time to heal. Once healing is complete, a replacement tooth will be attached to the Dental Implant Post.

Although Dental Implants are more expensive in the beginning, they far outweigh Fixed Bridges and Dentures in the long run offering superior benefits. Dental Implants are actually as strong, if not stronger than your natural teeth and can last for 20 years or longer.  

If you are considering Dental Implants, schedule an appointment with your Dentist who will be able to determine if you are a good candidate. In order to be suitable for Dental Implants you must have healthy teeth and gums. 

Your Dentist May Be Able to Help with TMJ Disorders

That constant headache that you’ve been having could be cause for concern, and if everything has checked out with your physician, you may need to schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if you are suffering from a TMJ disorder.

TMJ, or Temporal-Mandibular Joint disorders are cause by problems that occur where the head and jaw meet. Your Dentist will tell you that TMJ disorders can cause all sorts of problems including earaches, constant popping or clicking when you open your mouth and trouble opening and closing your mouth.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, TMJ causes dysfunction and pain in the muscles that control the movement in your jaw. Recent research has indicated that more than 10 million people in the United Stated are affected with TMJ disorders.

Although men suffer from TMJ disorders, it is more common in women. For the majority of people dealing with TMJ disorders the discomfort is temporary and only happens on occasion. For some, a TMJ disorder may disappear without treatment, for others however, the pain is significant with symptoms that could last a lifetime.  

If you think you may be suffering from a TMJ disorder, there are some things you can do to alleviate the symptoms. These include the application of ice packs and eating soft foods. According to your Dentist, other things you can do to ease your pain include relaxation techniques and gentle jaw stretching. Try avoiding wide yawning and chewing gum as it may cause more problems.

Schedule an appointment with you doctor or Dentist who can help if over the counter medications have not helped relieve your pain and discomfort. Your Dentist may prescribe muscle relaxants, anti depressants or anti-inflammatory medications to help ease your TMJ symptoms.

Talk to your Dentist who may recommend stabilization splints. Widely used to help TMJ disorders, stabilization splints can help with pain and discomfort. Depending on your particular situation, your Dentist may also recommend replacing missing teeth or adjusting your bite. If you have gaps between your teeth or need to have your teeth moved, talk to your Dentist as these could all be causing TMJ problems. If clenching or teeth grinding is the problem, your Dentist may suggest a custom-made mouthpiece.

For more information regarding TMJ disorders, schedule an appointment with your Dentist who can help you decide what steps to take according to your needs.

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.

Foods that are good for Your Teeth

A few weeks back, your dentist talked about foods that were bad for your teeth, but all is not lost, as there are some foods that are actually good for you and your pearly whites.

According to Web MD, how often and when you eat is just as important as the foods you put in your mouth. If you enjoy snacking, be sure to rinse after you eat and try to stay away from sugars and carbohydrates. These types of foods will convert to acids eroding the enamel on your teeth.

Your dentist recommends that you include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Pears, apples and carrots not only add crunch but will also help rinse away some of the food particles. Crunchy fruits and vegetables also have a high water content, which helps the saliva clear the bacteria from your teeth. Crunchy fruits and vegetables also dilute the natural sugars that are contained in the pear or apple you had before you went to bed. Snack on celery and you will be clearing the food in between your teeth. Celery is known as nature’s dental floss. Try to avoid citrus fruits on their own and include tomatoes, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges with a meal to help minimize the acids.

Believe it or not, your dentist understands that meats such as pork, poultry, beef, and fish are actually good for your teeth and gums. Loaded with iron, that hamburger that you had for lunch is actually strengthening your bones and your teeth.

Peanuts, walnuts, pistachios, cashews and other types of nuts provide phosphorus. This is needed in order to remineralize your teeth.

Milk, sugar-free yogurt and other dairy products are a must if you want healthy teeth and gums. Calcium protects the enamel on your teeth and can actually provide a protective coating even if you didn’t brush after enjoying that big cheese plate for dinner.

Unsweetened tea, milk, and water are the best beverages to consume. If you must have a soda go for the diet variety, as they will not feed the bacteria as much as the sugary laden varieties do. If you enjoy sipping through a straw cut back. Excessive all day sipping will expose your teeth to sugar eroding the enamel on your teeth.

For more healthy food options for your teeth and gums, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can help you make the right choices for oral health.

Dental Sealants Can Prevent Tooth Decay

Dental Sealants can help prevent tooth decay in infants, kids and teenagers, but are also being used for adults who have teeth without restorations. Talk to your dentist if you want to prevent cavities.

When your dentist applies Dental Sealants to the top of your back teeth the fine pits and grooves are protected from plaque. These grooves and pits are hard to reach when you brush, and when you floss, you just slide over the top of them. If left untouched, cavities will develop leading to an unnecessary trip to the dentist’s office. Dental Sealants prevent tooth decay from developing as the coating that is painted on to each tooth allows you to brush off the plaque easily and effectively.

Web MD describes Dental Sealants as plastic coatings that are thinly painted on to the places where you chew. Your dentist paints the thin solution on to your back teeth, or pre-molars and molars, into the grooves and depressions in order to form a strong and tough shield over your teeth.  

Because it is likely that your kids will develop tooth decay before they reach adulthood, Dental Sealants can ease the likely hood by providing a protective defense against cavities.

Dental sealants are perfect during the cavity prone years. When your children are between the ages of 6 to 14 you may want to consider Dental Sealants to prevent tooth decay. Babies may also be good candidates for Dental Sealants. It is imperative that your infant’s baby teeth are healthy as they provide the right spacing for their adult teeth.

Applying Dental Sealants is painless and quick. A few minutes is all it takes for a dentist or dental hygienist to paint the special dental sealant on to each tooth.

After each tooth is cleaned thoroughly, it is dried and wrapped with cotton. An acidic dental solution is then painted on to the back teeth where you chew to roughen, which helps the Dental Sealant seal the tooth. Once the teeth are rinsed and dried your dentist or hygienist will paint the Dental Sealant into the pits and grooves in your back teeth. Occasionally a special curing light may be used to cure the Dental Sealant.

Dental Sealants can help prevent tooth decay for up to a decade as long as you practice good oral hygiene. Brushing twice, flossing once a day, and seeing your dentist for regular checkups will prevent unnecessary trips to the dentist for replacement Dental Sealants.

If you or someone you know could benefit from Dental Sealants, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. Practicing preventive dental care now will prevent unnecessary and expensive dental appointments in the future.

How to Find a Bi-lingual Family Dentist in Chicago

Finding the perfect dentist can be daunting, especially if you had to move quickly and were unable to get referrals from your Family Dentist in Chicago. Even if you have just moved across town, it can be difficult to locate a dentist whether you are a single person relocating for a new job or a family man moving across country with six kids and another one on the way, finding a dentist for your needs can be tough. Calling and scheduling an appointment with a dentist that you have never met before isn't the best idea in the world, and if you want to make sure that you and your family have the best care, there are some things you can do. 

If you didn’t get the chance to talk to your own dentist before you moved, go online and check with the American Dental Association who can help you locate a local dentist. If you are lucky enough to be moving to a place where you know people you can trust, ask. If you are Social Media savvy, go online and post a comment to your Twitter friends. Do your research, and don’t forget to use Google. Check online review sites. Yelp isn’t just for restaurants.

Explore a couple of dentists that have been recommended or who you found on the ADA website and check out the dental offices website. Go through the gallery and take a photo tour. You want to feel welcomed the moment you walk through the door. If the environment is stale and uninviting, you may want to look for a dentist elsewhere. Up to date magazines, a TV, and some kid’s toys make all the difference in the world. If the office looks inviting and the equipment is modern and clean you could be on the right track.

Read about the dentist and his staff. Make sure that both the Chicago Dentist and his team of practitioners are continuing dental education by attending seminars, classes, and workshops.

Most dental practices will tell you what type of equipment is used and what to expect when you visit the office. Don’t be afraid to ask what anesthetic is used and if your new dentist practices Sedative Dentistry. If you have a dental phobia and are seeing this particular dentist for the first time, it is important to have a dentist who can put you at ease.

Call the office and talk to the receptionist. The person is question is your first contact with your soon to be dentist, if you are bi-lingual make sure that the receptionist is as well. If he or she is friendly and able to answer your questions, schedule an appointment.

If you are searching for a new bi-lingual dentist in the Chicago area, call Romo Dental today and put your mind at ease.