Smile Glen EllynSmile Glen Ellyninfo@smileglenellyn.comSmile Glen Ellyn is a general and cosmetic dentistry who offers experienced dental care to the following areas: Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lombard, Glendale Heights, and Carol Stream, IL.26 North Park BoulevardGlen Ellyn, IL 60137USA630-858-8800www.smileglenellyn.com
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Oral Health Archives - Smile Glen Ellyn Restorative Dentist
Even though gum disease can affect people who brush and floss regularly, nearly half of Americans aged 30 and older have some form of periodontal disease.
Gum disease can usually be treated successfully at its earliest stages, but it cannot be reversed once it has progressed to periodontal disease. Don’t wait until you’ve got gingivitis or worse before taking action! Please schedule an appointment with us today so we can help protect your smile.
What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
Gum disease can cause some of the following symptoms:
Sore gums
Bleeding gums
Receding gums
Pain when chewing
Sensitive teeth
Tooth loss
However, many symptoms described above can also indicate other oral health issues. It’s essential to contact our office if you think you may have gum disease.
There are several causes of gum disease.
Untreated gum disease is caused by plaque buildup on the surface of your teeth and gums.
If you don’t brush your teeth regularly, you’re at greater risk for gums disease because the bacteria in plaque consume the sugar and starch left behind in your mouth after eating.
If you want to protect your dental health, you need to visit your dentist regularly. At your next preventive care appointment, they can check your gums and identify any early warning signs of gum disease. They can then recommend ways to prevent further damage to your mouth.
At Smile Glen Ellyn, we are always looking out for our patient’s best interests. One way we do that is by gathering their medical and dental histories before they arrive at our office.
Is Gum Disease Reversible?
Gingivitis, also known as early gum disease, can be treated by following good oral hygiene practices and visiting us for regular cleanings. During your visit, we will be able to remove plaque and tartar from your mouth and monitor your oral health at home. Brushing twice daily and flossing once daily will help prevent plaque buildup.
Advanced gum disease, or periodontal disease, can’t be reversed, but our dentists can mitigate its harmful effects by performing scaling and root planing procedures. Scaling and root planning can help prevent some more serious consequences of advanced gum disease, including receding gums and tooth loss.
What is Scaling and Root Planing?
Periodontal disease tends to cause deep gum pockets around teeth. When treating periodontal disease, our dental professionals can deep clean these pockets and smooth out the tooth roots. Scaling and root planing removes plaque from the surface of the teeth and encourages the gums to attach back to the teeth.
Prevent gum disease by brushing twice daily for two minutes each time. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment in Glen Ellyn, IL., call us today.
The debate of whether or not electric toothbrushes are better than manual ones has long intrigued dentists and their patients. While it all comes down to individual choice, cost, and whether or not people have access to the most up-to-date dental technology, science has provided an answer.
However, there are several exceptions and qualifications to consider when determining whether an electric toothbrush is superior to a traditional manual toothbrush. Your age, the health of your teeth, and whether you have any dental treatment might influence a dentist’s choice.
Which is better, an electric or manual toothbrush?
Brushing your teeth is the first line of defense in preventing tooth decay and ill health. Both electric and manual toothbrushes are effective at removing plaque, which causes cavities and illness, but which one should you choose: an electric or a manual brush?
Dentists will frequently emphasize to their patients the importance of toothbrushing’s fundamental steps:
Brush twice a day, and essentially, just before bed
Brush for at least 2 minutes at a time
Do not rinse after brushing but spit to avoid rinsing away the fluoride in their toothpaste
Do not use mouthwash just after brushing; otherwise, it removes fluoride.
These practices can be achieved using a manual brush or an electric toothbrush.
For better dental health, electric toothbrushes are frequently recommended. Electric toothbrush brushing is a fast and easy technique to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. They cost more than standard toothbrushes; however, replacement brush heads can also be pricey. Do electric or manual toothbrushes have any advantages?
The benefits of using an electric toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes are more successful in removing plaque from hard-to-reach areas. Over a year, electric toothbrushes, as opposed to manual brushes, were found to decrease gingivitis (gum disease) and remove more plaque than regular manual brushes.
Small-headed electric toothbrushes, such as Oral-B, feature a round head that allows you to access these areas quickly. Every time you move your toothbrush across your teeth, an electric toothbrush with vibrating bristles permits additional micro-movements.
Easier for people with limited mobility
An electric toothbrush accomplishes the majority of the task. It may be beneficial to young children who must be watched as they brush their teeth until they are at least nine years old and those with limited mobility.
Parkinson’s
Carpal Tunnel
Arthritis
Stroke sufferers
Developmental disabilities
The toothbrush may be used in only a few simple motions. The user has to sweep the brush across their teeth and along the tooth surfaces, even if they have little manual dexterity.
Brushing for at least 2 minutes with built-in timers
Unlike manual brushes, electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer, which tells the user when they’ve brushed their teeth for a specific time. This is particularly useful with children, but using an egg timer or singing a two-minute song while brushing is always an option – but it’s not always convenient.
It may improve oral health in people with orthodontic appliances.
Electric toothbrushes aid individuals who use orthodontic devices such as braces since they make brushing more convenient. Plaque levels remained about the same whether you used an electric toothbrush or not, whether you had good oral health or bad. An electric toothbrush may benefit your dental health if you can’t clean your teeth properly while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
For those who have a highly diseased tooth, root canal treatment is an effective way to save it. The common dental procedure removes infected pulp from the inside of the root of the affected tooth. The canal is cleaned, filled, and sealed to prevent infection or damage. The tooth is often restored after the root canal treatment so that it can return to full function and normal appearance. If Dr. Gibbs has recommended a root canal, you may have a few questions.
What is Dental Pulp?
Dental pulp is found in a tooth’s pulp chamber. Pulp is found just under the dentin layer beneath the enamel. The shape of a tooth’s pulp chamber determines the size of a tooth. Pulp is a soft substance composed of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp extends out into the root canal of the tooth.
Why does pulp need to be removed?
There can be several reasons why the pulp of a tooth needs to be removed during root canal treatment. When the pulp becomes damaged, it can begin to decay and deteriorate. Over time, this can cause infection and other complications. To restore the tooth’s health, your Glen Ellyn dentist will need to drill out and remove all the pulp in the tooth.
What Damages a Tooth’s Pulp in the First Place?
Pulp can become inflamed, irritated, or infected because of deep decay, large fillings, trauma to the face, cracked or chipped tooth, or repeated dental procedures on the tooth. When the pulp becomes damaged, it can cause a lot of pain. If left untreated, it can worsen and affect the whole tooth or other surrounding teeth. Early root canal treatment can relieve pain, prevent further damage, and save the natural tooth.
What are the signs a root canal is needed?
Sometimes, the signs that indicate you need a root canal are obvious. You may suffer from a severe toothache, or notice a cavity. Other times, it takes the experienced eye of a Glen Ellyn, IL dentist to determine that root canal treatment is needed. Dr. Gibbs can often spot the sign of problems before it escalates. For most people, physical symptoms are not too bad until the problem becomes more advanced. Here are some of the signs you may need root canal therapy:
Chipped or Cracked Tooth
Persistent Toothache
Long-term Sensitivity
Dark or Discolored Tooth
Swelling
Bump on the Gum
The Root Canal Procedure
The root canal procedure can require more than one visit to the dental office. Dr.Gibbs will remove the affected tissue or pulp from the tooth. Then, the inside of the tooth is cleaned. Once it is cleaned it will be filled with a dental composite and then sealed. If the tooth has a lot of decay, Dr. Gibbs may recommend a crown to strengthen it and prevent it from breaking.
Will a Root Canal Include the Use of Anesthesia?
Each individual has their own level of pain tolerance. For most root canals, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area around the tooth being treated. The area should continue to be numb for several hours after the procedure. For patients who suffer from dental anxiety or phobia, other types of sedation dentistry may be offered. Minimal sedation to “take the edge off” may help some patients relax even though they will still be awake for the procedure. In some instances, an oral sedative is given prior to the procedure. Dr. Gibbs will discuss your need for anesthetics.
Root Canal Recovery
The tooth may be a little sensitive for a few days after a root canal treatment, especially if it was infected before the dental procedure. Over-the-counter pain medications are usually enough to manage the discomfort. Most patients return to normal activities the day following the treatment. You may notice the tooth feeling a bit different from your other teeth for a few days. Contact Dr. Gibbs if you experience any of these symptoms:
Noticeable swelling inside the mouth
Hives or itching, or other signs of an allergic reaction to medication
Acute or severe pain
The return of symptoms that you had before the root canal
Root Canal Outlook
Root canals have a huge success record and with proper dental hygiene, they should provide results that last your lifetime. Dr. Gibbs places a crown on a tooth following the root canal treatment that will provide extra strength and durability for the tooth.
Root Canal Complications
Most of the time, there are no complications from root canal treatment. However, in rare cases, it is possible that they can occur. Here are four rare but possible root canal complications:
Infection. If bacteria enter the tooth during the procedure, an infection may occur. Antibiotics can be prescribed to treat the infection and in extremely rare cases, the tooth may need to be re-treated.
Broken Teeth. If the crown is not placed in a timely manner following a root canal, there is a chance that the tooth could break.
Fractured Root. In very rare cases, a root could have small pre-existing cracks that could cause a root to fracture during the procedure.
Numbness. If the material was to move outside the placement area, it could cause numbness and inflammation. It’s also possible that the nerve could get bumped, punctured, or bruised during the procedure, although this is not likely.
Contact Us
If you have any tooth that is bothering you, it’s important to make an appointment right away. Don’t hesitate to contact our offices to schedule an exam. You can also use our online contact form. We will take care of you!
When gum disease is discovered early, it is more easily treated and, in most cases, can be reversed. As it progresses, it becomes more difficult to treat. The earliest stages of gum disease can advance to a more serious problem and can lead to the loss of teeth or other health problems. Knowing the different types of gum diseases can be beneficial for treating and even preventing it altogether. Let’s take a look at the various stages and types of common gum diseases.
Six Types of Gum Disease
Gingivitis: Healthy gums appear pink and feel firm. If you notice your gums turning red, bleeding easily, or are red or swollen, you might have gingivitis. This is the mildest form of periodontal disease. In most cases, it is due to the lack of good oral hygiene. At this stage, it is reversible, if treated properly by your Glen Ellyn, IL dentist coupled with good oral care at home.
Periodontitis: This is another term for advanced gum disease. This goes further than affecting gum tissue and spreads below the gum line and affects your teeth. It can cause deterioration of the jawbone and cause tooth loss as well as jawbone atrophy. Symptoms of periodontitis include chronic bad breath, gingival pockets containing pus, and receding gum lines.
Aggressive Periodontitis: This stage of gum disease progresses rapidly. The ligaments holding teeth in place, bones, and gingival tissue continue to deteriorate at an advanced pace.
Chronic periodontitis: This is a slow occurring deterioration. The inflammation of the gums and bone loss continues to occur but at a slower rate.
Systemic periodontitis: Gum disease occurring due to systemic disease is considered systemic periodontitis. Some of the systemic conditions include:
Diabetes
Respiratory disease
Heart disease
Necrotizing periodontal disease: Those who suffer from this type of gum disease usually have other underlying conditions including HIV, malnutrition, or immunosuppression. Death of the living tissue, alveolar bone, and ligaments don’t deteriorate due to a disease. Rather, they begin to deteriorate because they are deprived of the nourishment needed to stay healthy.
What can I do to prevent gum diseases?
There are several things you can do to help prevent gum disease.
Brushing your teeth regularly helps remove debris and plaque that can become trapped between teeth and gums. Remember to brush your tongue as well as bacteria likes to hang out there too.
Flossing at least one time a day helps remove plaque and food particles that cannot be reached by brushing alone.
Using mouthwash helps reduce plaque and prevents it from building up. Swishing it around in your mouth as directed can help remove any leftover food particles that were missed by brushing and flossing.
Risk factors such as age, diet, genetics, and smoking can increase your risk of developing gum disease. If you are at an increased risk, discuss it with a dental professional at Smile Glen Ellyn.
Regular dental checkups with Dr. Gibbs can help prevent gum disease and other dental problems. A dental professional can examine your teeth, gums, bite, and bone structure to determine if you are at risk for developing gum disease. Early detection is the key to protecting your teeth and gums.
Contact Dr. Gibbs
The key to successful treatment is early diagnosis. Routine visits are part of helping you maintain good oral health. If you have any questions about gum diseases or your oral health, please contact us. We are here to help you! Schedule your visit with the team at Smile Glen Ellyn today.
If you have a compromised immune system or you regularly use inhaled steroids, you need to be aware of oral thrush. Oral thrush is an infection that is caused by an overgrowth of yeast in your mouth or throat. In other words, it is essentially a yeast infection that can develop in your mouth. Like other yeast infections, oral thrush is irritating, but it is hardly life-threatening. It can also be treated with the help of your good Glen Ellyn, IL dentist.
Smile Glen Ellyn
Dr. Thomas Gibbs has been practicing dentistry at Smile Glen Ellyn since in 1978. The areas of expertise of him and his team include cosmetic dentistry and family dentistry, and he will be more than happy to address any questions or concerns that you may have about oral thrush. For more information about Dr. Gibbs or to schedule an appointment, contact Smile Glen Ellyn today.
Even though it can sometimes feel like cavities can’t be avoided, there are ways you can keep from having to deal with the pain and frustration it causes. Understanding what a cavity is and how it can be prevented can help you improve your dental hygiene and keep those pesky holes away.
Cavity Anatomy
A cavity is a hole in your tooth that comes from a buildup of plaque. When food particles are left on your teeth, bacteria creates a sticky residue called plaque. The acidic compounds in plaque break down the enamel of your tooth, and that’s how you end up with cavities.
Keeping them Away Can be Easy
The good news is that they can be prevented. Proper dental care at home (brushing, flossing, and fluoride mouthwash) along with check-ups with your Glen Ellyn, IL dentist every six months can help reduce chances of cavities and keep your smile looking great.
If you’re due for a check-up, call today to make an appointment with Dr. Thomas Gibbs at Smile Glen Ellyn.
When gum disease is discovered early, it is more easily treated and, in most cases, can be reversed. As it progresses, it becomes more difficult to treat. The earliest stages of gum disease can advance to a more serious problem and can lead to the loss of teeth or other health problems. Knowing the different types of gum diseases can be beneficial for 
Smile Glen Ellyn is a general and cosmetic dentistry who offers experienced dental care to the following areas: Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lombard, Glendale Heights, and Carol Stream, IL. 26 North Park Boulevard Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 USA 630-858-8800 www.smileglenellyn.com
