Plaque vs tartar. You probably know both dental terms. You may even understand that they are both bad for your teeth and oral health. The terms are related but not interchangeable. What’s the Difference Between Plaque vs Tartar? Before your next visit to the dentist, it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on some dental terms…. Read more »
Porcelain veneers can correct a multitude of dental issues ranging from chipped or broken teeth to severely stained or discolored teeth. If your veneers are creating a new issue like bad breath then it’s time to see your dentist for treatment. Do veneers make your breath smell? It’s possible, but several more factors may be… Read more »
Have you ever wondered why your dentist recommends dental fluoride treatments with each dental cleaning? Maybe you have never considered this treatment as necessary. Today, we will discuss what fluoride is, it’s benefits, and why it is highly recommended for both children and adults. While some people seem to be immune from cavities, most dentists… Read more »
Problem: “I have gum receding around a crown. The tooth root feels sensitive when heat or cold comes in contact with it, and the crown itself looks unhealthy. Solution: “Your problem is more common than you might think, and treatment is possible. You need to find a dentist who can perform a gum graft to… Read more »
Did you know that there isn’t just one type of mouthwash? In fact, some mouthwashes have a specialized purpose and require a prescription for purchase. In other words, not all mouth rinses were created equal, and this blog is meant to explain the key differences. To teach his patients about the types of mouthwash, Dr…. Read more »
Did your dentist ever really show you how to remove plaque from your teeth? Dental plaque is the sticky, uncomfortable biofilm that forms around your gum line just hours after brushing your teeth. It’s the product of hundreds of types of oral bacteria gathering in your mouth. When left unattended, it can quickly calcify into… Read more »
Do you brush your teeth before or after breakfast? Every new parent asks this question when they focus on teaching good life skills for their kids. Did you grow up hearing that you should brush your teeth before or after breakfast? Even as a kid I knew that I wanted to be a dentist so… Read more »
Are you searching for ways to cure bad breath? When your mouth odor is noticeably bad, it can be a seemingly endless source of embarrassment. When it doesn’t go away, that embarrassment can turn into worry about what may be causing your condition. While bad breath is sometimes no big deal (such as after eating… Read more »
Do you brush your teeth regularly? Perhaps you wouldn’t think of skipping a brushing. There are many people that brush religiously, yet do not floss. Less than half of Americans floss daily and 10 percent don’t floss at all. Both brushing and flossing are important to your dental health. Flossing helps prevent cavities, gingivitis, and… Read more »
Many people do not know how to clean a dental bridge. Tooth loss is never an ideal circumstance, but when life happens, restorative dentistry can restore a full, functional smile. Thankfully, with the number of tooth replacement methods available, restoring your smile is relatively simple. One of the more common dental restorations is a dental… Read more »
Everyone deals with foul breath problems at some point in their lives. Morning breath is quite common. Unfortunately, many people experience chronic foul breath that doesn’t go away easily. Thankfully, dealing with foul mouth odors is typically easy with help from your dentist. To help you understand why you shouldn’t hesitate to seek treatment, we… Read more »
Do you know when the toothbrush was invented? Did you know that teeth cleaning tools have been around for thousands of years? The oral hygiene tools of past civilizations were crude in comparison to our modern tooth brushes. Toothbrushes come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. From manual toothbrushes, to electric ones, the toothbrush… Read more »
Most dental patients only talk about the topic of dental plaque with their dentists. What they might not realize is that dental plaque has positive qualities, as well as downsides. If you have never considered the role that dental plaque plays in keeping teeth healthy, read on to discover some interesting facts that most individuals… Read more »
Celebrity gum disease Whoopi Goldberg has struggled with gum disease for many years. Sharing her problems has put light on a topic that many suffer from. Learning to brush your teeth is a right of passage for all children. We’re told about the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day and going to the… Read more »
It’s no secret that prevention is the best dental medicine, and most people realize that their daily hygiene routine is the cornerstone of that prevention. However, many people also lack in certain areas of their hygiene routine, and that can leave their smiles vulnerable to chronic issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Therefore, such… Read more »
The cornerstone of excellent dental hygiene and a lifetime of healthy smiles is the successful prevention of the buildup of tartar. The biofilms, which notoriously cling to your teeth and gums every day, are the harbors for all types of oral bacteria—specifically, the harmful ones that lead to things like tooth decay and gum disease…. Read more »
It’s no secret that good hygiene is the key to a lifetime of good dental health. However, despite a lifetime’s worth of experience, many of us don’t do as good of a job at keeping our smile’s healthy as we should. Today, we examine a few of the commonly overlooked tenants of a good hygiene… Read more »
The term sour breath refers to foul breath caused by mouth acids. These mouth acids are caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, bacteria in the mouth, or some other general health issue. There are many recommendations for fixing sour breath but many people don’t know them. Are you afraid to stand too close to… Read more »
Do you floss every day? Most people have gotten their brushing routine down. They brush in the morning and before they go to bed. Some even brush after every meal. But the majority of people are still not regular flossers. Using an interdental cleaner, such as floss, is an absolutely essential part of a good oral… Read more »
Many people don’t understand the connection between diet and dental health. Watching what you eat and drink is an important part of maintaining your health. But it can be difficult to properly choose a diet, especially with so many factors to consider. For many people, the main connection between diet and oral health is that… Read more »
Learn the best ways of preventing plaque buildup so that you can avoid oral problems like bad breath, dental cavities, and gum disease. There are countless reasons to try to avoid plaque buildup. But many people don’t realize some of the simplest preventive steps they can take to keeping their teeth and mouth healthy and… Read more »
When you think of teeth whitening it probably seems rather easy. You’re not thinking about how many shades whiter, what shades actually exist in reality, or how they even measures shades of whiteness. It’s important to realize that there is no way to know how white a person’s teeth can become. The outcome of teeth… Read more »
Many adults with developmental disabilities cannot tend to their own dental needs and therefore require assistance from caregivers. Research has shown that somewhere there is a disconnect between the caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities and the at home dental care that adults with developmental disabilities receive. Because of this there has been a call… Read more »
Do you brush before bed? It’s a very important time to brush if you don’t. Otherwise, everything from throughout the day sits in your mouth collecting bad bacteria. In today’s blog, your Lake Forest Dentist, Dr. Fondriest, discusses the need to brush your teeth before bed.
If you only floss occasionally then it is usually normal that your gums bleed when brushed. Hopefully at least they then consider flossing more. When there is bleeding with brushing, most people brush their teeth less vigorously. This is actually usually the wrong thing to do. It may be that you actually don’t know how… Read more »
Did you know that cancer treatments can have an adverse affect on your oral health? Your oral cavity is a balance of good and bad bacteria and if that balance is disrupted, which cancer treatments can do, it can cause problems with your oral health. Side affects from the cancer medications as well as common… Read more »
What is the best toothpaste? A search on the internet is likely to turn up around 200 results for different types of toothpaste you can easily purchase. With so many types, brands and flavors to choose from, how can you know which is the best toothpaste for your oral health? In years past, consumers could… Read more »
Are you struggling to help keep your family cavity free? Does it feel like no amount of hygiene, or healthy diet, is enough to keep bacteria from causing damaging acid erosion? It seems to some people that the benefits of xylitol are being overlooked. Considering that over 25 percent of American children from 2 to… Read more »
Other than tooth decay, periodontitis is the leading threat to dental health. Numerous studies have indicated a link between dental health, mental health, and your overall health. Poor oral health has been associated with heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and lung infections. In the old days when no links to systemic issues were know, tooth… Read more »
Have you heard about the oil pulling craze? Basically, it’s using oil as a mouth wash. It may seem “out there” but swishing oil in your mouth for 20 seconds is beneficial to oral health. Research shows oil pulling can significantly reduce plaque, gingival bacteria, and aerobic microorganisms found in plaque. Sesame seed oil, sunflower,… Read more »
Have you ever stopped to consider what the greatest threat to your smile is? It might be traumatic impact from a fall. If you smoke or chew tobacco, then it might be the chemicals your mouth is exposed to through the habit. In most cases, however, the greatest threat to your dental health is something… Read more »
Did you know that saliva helps your teeth stay healthy and bright? Did you know that saliva heals? Many people don’t realize the benefits of a lot of saliva. A dry mouth isn’t just an uncomfortable dental issue; a lack of saliva actually endangers your beautiful smile. Saliva prevents tooth decay and gum disease and it… Read more »
Over 75% of American adults exhibit symptoms of gingivitis. If left untreated, this common disorder often develops into periodontal disease, or gum disease. In today’s blog, we explain the link between gingivitis and gum disease.
A visit to your dentist can go one of two ways. If you follow the American Dental Association’s suggestion of checkups every six months, your time in the dentist’s chair can pass quickly and comfortably. If you find yourself among the 74% of Americans who only see a dentist when a problem develops, you might… Read more »
Do you chew sugar free gum? October might seem like the official candy month, with Halloween front and center, but did you know that it is also National Dental Hygiene Month? This year the American Dental Hygienists Association has partnered with the manufacturer of Wrigley gum to compile a month long agenda, the goal of… Read more »
Smoking is bad for you. You know that. You’re probably well aware of the fact that smoking can lead to a laundry list of health problems, including emphysema, heart disease, and cancer. But did you know smoking can also increase your chances of needing a root canal procedure? Our Lake Forest dentist Dr. James Fondriest… Read more »
It seems that for years people have not considered their mouth a part of their body. That sounds strange, doesn’t it? Yet, even the medical field has ignored the implications of a diseased mouth on a patient’s bodily health. Today that is changing. There has been all sorts of research indicating a connection between the… Read more »
More Than Just a Nervous Habit Almost everyone has a nervous habit. Some people continually adjust their clothing, some women twirl their hair, and others bite their nails. While some nervous habits are harmless, some habits, like the latter can be detrimental to your health. Nail Biting Spreads Bacteria If you remember your mother telling… Read more »
Why are we getting cavities? Spring is a minefield of sweets and candy. With Valentine’s Day, Easter, cotton candy at the carnivals, and that long awaited day when snow cone stands reopen for business, you may find yourself overindulging in springtime treats. Sugar is often cited as the worst offender for your dental health and… Read more »
Mouth rinse seems like a magical thing. If you have bad breath just swish and viola it’s gone. If you’re too tired or lazy to brush your teeth, just swish, and viola a quick fix. It’s easy, tastes good, and leaves you with fresh breath, but are all types of mouthwash good or bad for… Read more »
“Best” is in the eye of the beholder. The best toothbrush is the one that meets your specific needs. Choices can be a sensitive subject as we all have our preferences but which ones really are the best for you? Ask yourself these questions next time you buy a new brush. In the past, human… Read more »
Are you on the hunt for the perfect gift for a family member? Usually, giving high-tech gifts is a safe route that is sure to make the recipient smile. Have you considered buying an electric toothbrush? In the 1980s, a popular high-tech gift was a Walkman or a pager. In the 1990s, it was a… Read more »
Do you brush before bed? Get home, check the mail, exercise, eat dinner, watch some TV or read, then shower, brush your teeth, and hit the sack. This is the routine for most Americans between 5 and 11 pm, Monday through Friday. It seems like a good routine. There’s a balance of exercise, fueling the… Read more »
Oral health is definitely affected by smoking. You’ve probably heard about the link between tobacco and heart disease, stroke, and cancer, but do you know what smoking does to your teeth? Let’s examine the most common oral health problems associated with smoking. Social Factors Bad breath: The bacteria in your mouth mix with the tobacco… Read more »
How to Brush Your Teeth Brushing your teeth will go a long way toward good oral hygiene and disease prevention. Specifically, we brush to prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. The ADA recommends that you brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to maintain good oral health. Most of us learn how to brush… Read more »
What is plaque? Plaque is a sticky, yellow substance that naturally and constantly is forming on teeth. Plaque is made up of a complex microbial community with over ten billion bacteria per milligram. Each milligram contains approximately 400 different types of bacteria that produce acids. The bacterial products and acids combine with saliva to create… Read more »
Keep Your Toothbrush Clean and Sanitary When you brush your teeth, you’re main concern is, of course, removing food debris and plaque from your teeth. But your mouth is full of bacteria (including those found in plaque), much of which ends up on your toothbrush. It is also important to keep your toothbrush clean to… Read more »
There are many foods that stain teeth. Everyone wants a beautiful smile, and bright teeth are a big part of the package. That’s why products like at-home teeth whitening systems and whitening toothpaste are so popular. But many of the foods and drinks we consume can make our teeth dark and take away from their… Read more »
How to brush your teeth You might think proper brushing is common sense, but many intelligent people do it incorrectly. Brushing and flossing your teeth properly is the key to keeping your mouth healthy. You should use a different technique from the one you used as a kid. Adults and children should use slightly different… Read more »