Stay In-the-Know with Our Fairview Heights Dental Office
We believe in creating a relationship with our patients that goes beyond the office doors. We've specifically created this section of our site to share with you important news and informational dental blogs from our Fairview Heights family dental practice.
Sincerely,
Your Fairview Heights Cosmetic Dentists
Common Dental Injuries in Sports
September 19, 2018
As the weather changes, kids, teens, and adults alike are shifting into a new season of sports. Our athletes participating in football, field hockey, soccer, and other potentially aggressive contact sports are all at risk for several kinds of injuries, including dental. According to the American Dental Assistants Association, 5 million Americans lose teeth in sports-related injuries every year.
Your Fairview Heights dentist wants to share the kinds of tooth injuries that athletes can suffer from and the complications connected to them. No matter the sport, it’s always important to wear the necessary protective gear that can help avoid any traumatic injuries.
Chipped and/or Cracked Teeth
When a player sustains an abrupt blow to the face, they’re extremely likely to suffer from a cracked or fractured tooth. This can vary in levels of severity, but the pain is very real! If an athlete doesn’t wear a mouthguard or any other protective gear used to shield the facial area, the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation estimates that they’re 60 times more likely to damage their teeth. This damage can also turn into long-term issues, all which can be avoided with the right safety gear.
With a cracked tooth, some of the symptoms you may suffer from include:
• Sharp tooth pain when you bite down on something, although it dissipates after
• Dull, aching tooth pain that comes and goes, but isn’t constantly present
• Pain and difficulty eating and drinking, especially with extremely cold/hot foods
Fractured Roots of Your Tooth
Tooth injuries aren’t only limited to the visible part of your smile. Damage can be done to the inside of your teeth where the roots reside. If a crack in your tooth exposes the inside of your tooth, any sort of bacteria or food particles can worm their way inside and force you to deal with a lot of pain. In this area, infections can grow and spread faster than you may realize. Saving your tooth with a root canal treatment may be the next step in protecting your smile.
Tooth Being Knocked Out (or Knocked In)
There are some famous hockey players with smiles to remember – mostly because they could be missing one of their front teeth! The aggressive contact of many sports can cause a tooth to be knocked out, but it’s also possible for a tooth to be shoved back into the jawbone area instead.
The chances of a tooth being knocked in, also known as tooth intrusion, have a low likelihood, but it’s still an extreme dental injury involving your permanent teeth that should be considered. While the chances are low, it’s still more likely to happen to children since the area that holds the tooth sockets don’t have the same strength as an adult’s.
Sports-related dental injuries have the potential to cause long-term dental problems, no matter what age, so your Fairview Heights dentist strongly advises all athletes to wear the proper protective gear like mouthguards and helmets with facial protection. If you have any questions about finding the best gear to save your smile for a particular sport, don’t hesitate to call us today at (618) 622-1800 and we’ll be happy to help.
Brushing Habits to Break
August 28, 2018
Brushing your teeth has become a staple in your routine since you were a child, working every day to maintain a strong and healthy smile. Your 62208 dentist understands that there are some habits you can easily fall into, especially ones that you may not even notice are harmful! Thankfully, that’s what we’re here for. Below, we’ll break down some brushing habits that could be doing more damage to your teeth than good.
Keeping Your Toothbrush for Too Long
Even though your toothbrush doesn’t look any different after three months use, we still recommend getting a brand new one. The bristles will start to fray and break with months and months of use, which is one of the most notable signs that you’ll need to switch your brush. With a brand-new toothbrush, your teeth will be getting the best possible scrub to get rid of the food particles and bacterial build-up.
Not Brushing for Two Minutes
By brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, you’re ensured to reach and properly clean the intricate, small spaces of your mouth. We know that two minutes seems like a long time, so we recommend keeping a timer on hand if you think you’re not meeting this time. The average time that people brush their teeth for is around 45 seconds, which isn’t nearly long enough, so be sure to slow it down – and don’t forget to brush your tongue, too!
Using a Brush with Rough Bristles
It’s a common misconception that rough toothbrush bristles will give you a better cleaning. While scrubbing hard on some surfaces will get the dirt out, that isn’t the case for your smile. The surface of your teeth, called your enamel, is very sensitive and if it’s weakened or damaged by rough bristles, you could experience dental sensitivity and have a tough time enjoying hot or cold food and drinks. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush on your teeth and gums during your dental routine.
Are there any other teeth-brushing tips that you’re looking for to get the healthiest smile? Don’t hesitate to ask your 62208 dentist by giving us a call at (618) 622-1800 today. Make sure to schedule your next cleaning, too!
Prepare Your Smile for Vacation
July 27, 2018
When you begin planning a vacation, it’s hard to focus on what needs to be done before you head off for ultimate relaxation. Before you go, we believe that having a peace of mind about your smile is important, so you can fully enjoy your trip without worrying about cavities, tooth pain, and any other dental issues. Below, your dentist in Fairview Heights discusses helpful travel tips to make sure that you have a wonderful vacation with a healthy and strong smile.
Make an Appointment before You Leave
Prevention is the first step that patients of all ages should take to protect their smile. We know that your mind is drifting away into vacation mode, but we want to care for your teeth to the best of our ability, so you don’t have to worry about a thing before you go! With our thorough exam, we’ll be able to spot any issues you could be experiencing and work to solve them.
Know how to Handle an Emergency
There’s no such thing as being too prepared! Let us know about your vacation and talk to us about what to do if you experience a dental emergency. Sometimes, it can be tough to know what’s an emergency and what isn’t, so ask about the best way to contact us and how to treat certain situations to see what can wait and what needs to be addressed.
Properly Care for Your Dental Tools
Air drying your toothbrush is the safest way to keep your brush at home, but what do you do on vacation? When packing your toothbrush, make sure to protect it with a resealable bag, but don’t keep it in there the entire time. If you keep the toothbrush in the bag, the moisture of your bristles invites bacteria and can get you sick, which is something you certainly don’t want to happen on your time off!
Get Back on Track When You Get Home
It can be hard to get back into the swing of things after a nice, relaxing vacation, but we encourage you to do so. Sometimes after indulging in too many sweets while you’re enjoying yourself on a break, your dental routine can fall off. When going back to work and getting back on schedule, make sure to include flossing and brushing your teeth twice a day, every day.
First and foremost, it’s important to make an appointment with your dentist in Fairview Heights. Give our office a call at (618) 622-1800 and we’ll help you schedule the best date and time for your visit (hopefully before you’re off on vacation)!
Maintain Dental Care on Vacation
May 21, 2018
When you’re getting ready for a vacation, you have countless things on your mind – the places you’ll go, the people you’ll see, the food you’ll eat – that you don’t always remember the important items to pack like your trusty toothbrush, your favorite toothpaste, and a container of floss. Maintaining proper oral and dental hygiene when you’re traveling and on vacation can be tough to remember in between the fun activities and adventures, but your 62208 dentist wants to give you the best tips to remember that your oral hygiene isn’t on vacation, even if you are!
Indulging in Snacks? Don’t Forget to Floss!
One of people’s favorite parts of vacation are all the different foods, drinks, and treats that they’ll be enjoying that they otherwise don’t get to when they’re at home. Unfortunately, since your teeth aren’t so used to the new meals, you could be dealing with more sugar than you might have expected.
On your trip, try to carry around a small, travel-sized container of floss so you’re able to clean your teeth in between your meals. It’s better than doing nothing, which allows the bacteria to build-up and stick around for much longer than necessary. Your teeth will be grateful, and your smile will stay strong!
Don’t Let Your Morning and Nighttime Routine get Interrupted
It can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of fun you’re having on vacation that you can forget to brush and floss before falling asleep from exhaustion. Make sure that, as you’re packing for your big trip, you pack a case that’s designated for your morning and nighttime routine for brushing and flossing your teeth.
With the help of this case, every time you go to the bathroom in the morning and night, you won’t forget to care for your smile. Getting ready for your day with a healthy, minty grin and ending the night with a satisfying brush before going to bed will make you AND your smile happier than you know!
We understand that vacations are important for you and your family to take a much-needed break from work, but we want to make sure that your oral hygiene isn’t taking that same, extended break. If you’re looking for more helpful tips, or you want to schedule an appointment before you take off this summer, give your 62208 dentist a call today at (618) 622-1800 for a cleaning and thorough exam.
April is National Facial Protection Month
April 26, 2018
Have you ever watched a high-action sport and seen a tough collision or a player in pain? While much of their uniforms include protective gear on their legs, arms, and head, there is one important piece of equipment that should never be ignored or forgotten and that is a mouth guard.
Your Fairview Heights dentist wants our patients to know that the month of April is National Facial Protection Month, where the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, and many other academies and associations discuss the importance of staying safe and protecting your teeth by wearing a mouth guard.
A mouth guard, also known as a mouth protector, helps cushion any blows to the face that an athlete may experience. This minimizes the risk of chipped or broken teeth, injuries to your lips, tongue, cheek, or jaw, and gives you the extra protection you need to maintain your healthy smile while staying active.
Some examples of sports that need their players wearing mouth guards are:
• Boxing
• Hockey
• Football
• Basketball
• Soccer
Those are only some of the sports that require this athletic piece of equipment – there are numerous other sports where players can experience this kind of trauma, so it's important to protect your smile at all costs.
Custom-made mouth guards are the ideal choice for any sport. Your teeth will properly fit in place, there'll be no movement or shifting when wearing the custom mouth guard, and it'll provide the utmost comfort. There are other options for mouth guards, including a stock version or a boil-and-bite version, but don't hesitate to ask us what's best for your smile!
According to the ADA and the AOO, children between the ages of 7 and 11 are the most vulnerable to sports-related mouth injuries. This is a great time to introduce children to sports and see if they would like to pursue it in the future, but parents need to be sure to share their knowledge of mouth guards, like why they're important to wear during sports, so they can protect their smile now and in the future. Athletes are at least 60% more likely to suffer from a dental injury if they're not wearing a mouth guard.
Interested in learning more? Don't hesitate to ask us! Contact your Fairview Heights dentist by calling (618) 622-1800 and schedule a consultation with our office to learn more about the different mouth guard options for you or your family. Stay athletic and stay safe!
Foods that Can Brighten Your Smile
March 22, 2018
Integrate These Foods Suggested by Your 62208 Dentist for a Healthier Smile
When it comes to your dental care and its relationship to food, we commonly find many lists of some of your favorite meals that aren’t good for your smile. It can be discouraging to note all the delicious and tasty foods that are harmful to your teeth. Instead of that, your 62208 dentist lists all the foods that ARE good for your teeth, as well as the benefits that they provide. Knowing this list can help you incorporate these foods into your daily diet and help you smile more, too.
Strawberries
These sweet fruits contain an enzyme that’s called malic acid. As you eat them, the strawberries that encounter your teeth and the malic acid can help remove dull and yellow stains, working to make your smile brighter. Strawberries are quite acidic in nature, so try not to overdo it, but enjoying a small batch occasionally will benefit both your diet and smile.
Carrots and Celery
These two veggies may not have a lot of flavor to them, but they work to naturally clean and floss your teeth as you’re eating them. They also increase saliva stimulation, which serves as your mouth’s self-cleaning agent. If you’re dealing with bad breath, try snacking on a few of these veggies to remove the built-up bacteria and potentially get rid of the smell.
Yogurt, Milk and Cheese
Dairy products contain lactic acid that can help protect your teeth against bacterial build-up and eventually tooth decay. The protein found in most yogurt works together with your teeth by binding and preventing attacks from acid attacks. Hard cheeses are also great for teeth whitening, as they can help remove food particles that are trying to hide in between the hard-to-reach places.
Looking for more helpful tips to both improve your diet and your smile? Give your 62208 dentist a call today at (618) 622-1800 to schedule your appointment or consultation.
Children's Dental Health Month
February 27, 2018
Learn the Benefits of Top Children’s Dentistry with Your Dentist in Fairview Heights
Each February, the American Dental Association works with thousands of dentists, orthodontists, and other dental professionals around the United States to promote the importance of pediatric dental care by celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month. This information spreads to parents, friends, caregivers, and more, so our children can continue to grow healthy and strong. Having a healthy smile goes a long way, so your dentist in Fairview Heights wants to share helpful habits and why regular check-ups are important to further improve the chances of a long-lasting smile for kids.
Baby Teeth are Just as Important as Adult Teeth
Don’t let the myths fool you! Baby teeth are extremely important and should be taken care of just as well as adult teeth. While these teeth eventually fall out and are replaced with the adult ones, these baby teeth are valuable for overall development and are holding the space for the permanent teeth coming in after. That’s why these teeth need to be properly taken care of by flossing and brushing twice a day, every day.
Tooth Decay is Extremely Common in Children
While it’s very preventable, tooth decay is very common in children due to lack of education and standard routine. We want all parents to know the simple steps they can take for preventive measures to ensure the safety of their children’s smiles. Try switching out certain snacks that contain a high amount of sugar for more fruits and vegetables, as well as incorporating more fun activities while brushing their teeth like short games and small prizes.
Keep Up with Routine Check-Ups and Cleanings
The professionals are here for a reason! We want to properly clean and take care of your children’s teeth in between their daily routine of brushing and flossing. By keeping up with these appointments, your children will also be able to learn the importance of a healthy smile with the help of a dentist, who can answer any questions or concerns either the kids or parents have.
Prevention is one of the strongest components to a strong and long-lasting smile. Let your dentist in Fairview Heights help by scheduling an appointment at our office today. Call (618) 622-1800 to ask us any questions to pick the best date and time to bring your child in for their visit!
Why You Should Avoid Snacks
January 30, 2018
What makes snacks so appealing? Is it because they're quick? Is it because they're so easily accessible to enjoy? Is it because it feels like you're enjoying something you know you shouldn't, but it's just so tasty? If you've answered yes to these questions, then you're one of the many people who are tempted by delicious and convenient snacks. Unfortunately, while many of your favorite snacks are consumed on a daily basis, they may not be good for your health, including your smile.
Below, your Fairview Heights, IL dentist breaks down the dangers of snacking and how your smile is one of the first parts of your body that is negatively affected by this habit.
What makes snacking so harmful?
Having a healthy, but fulfilling breakfast, lunch and dinner is ideal when it comes to taking care of your body. If you're skipping meals or replacing them with snacks, you're not getting the proper nutrition your body needs.
You also be may snacking on something unhealthy that affects your teeth, too. Snacks that are either sugary or salty come in direct contact with your teeth and can weaken your enamel. When you have these snacks multiple times a day, you're continuing to break down the protective structure of your enamel, which can lead to sensitivity and other dental issues.
How can I snack smarter?
If you want to snack smarter, try to minimize the amount of snacking you do. When you snack in between meals, you're giving your mouth a limited time to try and protect your teeth. Throughout the day, your mouth creates saliva, which contains calcium and phosphates that neutralize acids and correct the pH levels in your mouth. If you continue to snack in between meals or replace an important meal with snacking, you're not allowing saliva to do its job!
Instead of the salty or sweet snacks that you may love, try switching them with foods that are good for your teeth, like carrots, celery, vegetables, strawberries, cucumbers, and other raw fruits and vegetables. Not only will these improve your diet, but they'll work with you to stimulate your saliva glands and continue to correct those pH levels.
While snacks don't have to be completely ruled out of your routine, your Fairview Heights, IL dentist urges you to make some conscious changes on what you're snacking on and how often so you can protect your teeth. If you are interested in learning more about snacking options or how to take care of your teeth if you snack, simply give our office a call at (618) 622-1800 today.
New Year, New Smile
December 27, 2017
The new year is right around the corner! 2018 gives everyone a brand new start and the motivation to work on a list of achievements that will benefit them in a number of ways. You may already have some resolutions that you’ve been working on! One of the most popular goals that people set is to have a healthier, everyday lifestyle. What better way to start than with the help of your 62208 dentist to ensure that your dental health is in the best shape it can be?
Below, we’ll list some resolutions that you can work on RIGHT NOW to begin your journey into 2018 with a stronger, healthier smile.
Enjoy More Fruits and Vegetables
Remember when your parents told you to eat more fruits and vegetables as a kid? Well, we hope this habit stayed with you as you grew up! There are numerous health benefits to eating fruits and vegetables and many of those benefits apply to your teeth and gums. If you don’t consume clean and healthy foods and drinks, your oral and dental health are one of the first areas affected.
In the new year, try to integrate fruits and vegetables if you’re looking for a snack instead of chips and candy. Nutrients found in fruits, veggies, and nuts can fight against bacterial build-up. Vegetables like celery and fruits like apples can help clean bacteria and plaque that get stuck in between your teeth.
Cut Back on Alcohol Consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption can be extremely harmful for your overall health, but your oral health can take a heavy hit if you’re not careful. Alcohol can damage and weaken your gums, causing them to recede, which can lead to weakened enamel or a potential loss of teeth. It’s true that if you use tobacco products on a daily basis, have a poor diet, and consistently consume excessive amounts of alcohol, you’re at a much higher risk for periodontitis, more commonly known as gum disease.
Finally – Visit Your Dentist!
Keeping up with your appointments will help you prevent oral and dental health issues and allow us to monitor and solve any problems before they require a more comprehensive treatment. With these regular visits, you’ll receive a thorough exam and cleaning, as well as tips and advice on how to improve your smile in areas that may need additional help.
Let 2018 be the year that you’re proud to share your smile with friends, family and more! To start your year off right, call your 62208 dentist at 618-622-1800 to schedule an appointment for your routine cleaning or ask us about other services that may benefit and improve your dental health.
Protect Your Holiday Smile
November 28, 2017
You Can Have a Healthy Smile and Eat Your Favorite Holiday Foods, Too!
The holidays are here and your schedule is filling up fast! The next month and a half may be a little hectic, but don’t forget to keep up with your oral hygiene routine every morning and night. There are going to be family dinners upon family dinners with an overwhelming amount of delicious food. Unfortunately, not all of these tasty meals are going to be too nice to your smile. Below, your Fairview Heights, IL dentist discusses the best way to maintain a healthy smile during these busy holiday gatherings.
There will be some dishes that you only have during the holiday season – stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and more – that make your mouth water just thinking about them. Your taste buds could be going crazy, but your teeth and gums may start to ache. There will be countless sugary treats spread across the table, but if you indulge in too much, you’re quickly causing bacteria build-up and putting you at a higher risk for cavities and decay.
Thankfully, there are a couple of tasty things that don’t totally ruin your teeth. Cranberry, a popular addition to a holiday meal, contains compounds that fight against certain bacterial allies so there’s a lesser chance of plaque build-up. Red wine also contains compounds, like polyphenols, that can halt the plaque-forming process and limit the amount of acid that the bacteria produces.
While these are certainly tips to look forward to since you now know that your entire meal isn’t destroying your smile, too much of a good thing can still be a bad thing. Having too much cranberry or red wine can still negatively affect your teeth – their deep, dark colors have the ability to stain your enamel and make your smile look a bit dimmer than before. Your holiday meals typically contain so much sugar, starch, and carbohydrates that there could be little to no benefits even if you enjoy some wine or cranberry.
Our goal is to help you identify the foods and drinks that can harm your oral health and try balancing it by maintaining your dental routines and avoiding having too many delicious but dangerous meals.
To protect your smile during this holiday season, be sure to schedule an appointment with your Fairview Heights, IL dentist. Don’t forget that the end of the year is fast approaching, so we want you to get the most out of your insurance benefits! Call our office at (618) 622-1800 to pick the best date and time for your visit.
