Custom oral appliances alleviate symptoms caused by a number of conditions, including bruxism, sleep apnea, TMD, and more. Your dentist can fabricate a mouth guard that fits snugly over your teeth, providing maximum protection and comfort. In this article, we’ll explore the value of a custom mouth guard and explore topics such as: Bruxism, or… Read more »
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 »
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 »
Ask dental patients about brushing, and most everyone will tell you it’s an essential aspect of oral healthcare. Unfortunately, many individuals don’t place the same importance on flossing. One study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that 68 percent of American adults floss at least once every week, while Delta Dental reports that… Read more »
If you’re careful about maintaining good dental health, then you may already be familiar with the importance of sticking to a schedule of regular dental visits and cleaning appointments. For instance, routine professional care is needed to keep harmful plaque and tartar at bay, which prevents harmful oral bacteria from damaging your teeth and gums…. 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 »
There is no secret, one time trick to keep your teeth healthy for life. A healthy mouth requires a lifetime commitment of routine care to protect your teeth and gums. What many people don’t realize, however, is that teeth also have their own protection. A protective layer that keeps the vulnerable inner tooth from being… Read more »
Did you know that almost half of all headaches are really TMJ headaches? If you have chronic headaches, this can have a negative impact on your overall quality of life. Instead of living with the discomfort or trying to get through it with over-the-counter pain relievers, why not seek out the root cause? Often, persistent… Read more »
Some dental health issues are only obvious once you know you have them. Until then, the symptoms may not seem serious, especially if they don’t include pain in and around a tooth. For instance, if you notice a small amount of blood mixed in with your saliva when you brush and floss your teeth, you… 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 »
Are you doing everything you can do to avoid dental cavities? Over the years, have you been diagnosed with more cavities than you’d care to admit? In fact, when you look at your smile, does it seem like there are more fillings than healthy strong teeth? If so, you may have set out to spend… Read more »
If you care about your oral health, then you may have already learned a few extra ways to keep your teeth strong and how to protect them. Daily brushing and flossing, for instance, are incredibly important. A healthy diet and regular dental visits can also help. But have you thought about the many seemingly small… Read more »
Our smile changes with age. Did you know that several age related dental problems have been linked to several health problems in an aging population. It is easy to understand how dementia can cause tooth loss. People suffering from Alzheimer’s, memory loss, or other types of senility can easily forget things such as to take… Read more »
Did you vow to take better care of your teeth and gums this year? If so, how is your commitment to that resolution going? If you feel you’ve lost steam, or simply feel unsure that you’re really doing all you can to protect your healthy smile, the great news is that preventive care can be… Read more »
Are you having a hard time remembering the last time you visited your preventive dentist? Are you are already overdue for your next dental appointment? Regular checkups and cleanings are one of the best ways to protect the smile from dental cavities, gum disease and other common dental problems. Lack of preventive dental care can… Read more »
When is the last time you had a dental checkup? Did you know that the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting your dentist twice a year for regular dental checks? However, patients currently struggling with gum disease or prone to developing cavities may require more frequent dental visits. Why are dental checkups important? Your mouth… Read more »
Did you know that there is an aging process of teeth? Ever wondered how old you would seem based solely on your smile? More specifically, do you ever wonder if your dentist would be able to accurately determine your age based on the health, or problems, of your smile? Dental issues, from staining to decay,… Read more »
When you finally bought your dream car did you let it sit unattended to in the driveway for years at a time, or did you enjoy taking it out on the open road? Chances are you couldn’t wait to hit the open road, or even to head to the grocery store, all because you were… Read more »
Are you bound and determined to maintain good dental health? While you might know exactly how to lose weight or get in shape, do you sometimes feel confused by what really needs to happen to protect your oral health? Is mouthwash just a marketing gimmick, for instance? Do you still need to visit the dentist… Read more »
Do you occasionally have halitosis? Do you frequently catch yourself having to do a sniff test, to see if your breath smells bad? Most people want to have minty fresh breath, but not all realize that bad breath could be much more than just a superficial problem. Chronic halitosis could actually be a warning sign… Read more »
Dry mouth is common and if not addressed, can have devastating consequences to your dental health. Tooth discomfort and bleeding gums are easily recognized as symptoms of dental problems like cavities and gum disease. There are many other warning signs that could be telling you that your smile is in trouble. Chronic dry mouth and… Read more »
Are you worried developing cavities? In particular, are you concerned about the health of your smile? Nearly 90 percent of adults develop cavities, and many school-aged children deal with them, as well. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent cavities. It just requires a combination of diligent hygiene and professional preventive care, as well as other… Read more »
For the most part, common dental issues can be prevented with proper, consistent use of your toothbrush. Yet, the state of your toothbrush can determine how effective it is at cleaning and protecting your teeth. Learn proper toothbrush care. If you don’t care for it well, your toothbrush may cause more harm than good to… Read more »
Is it time to schedule a dental checkup? Besides thoroughly cleaning your teeth of plaque and tartar, your regular appointments allow your dentist to check up on the health of your teeth and gums and inspect for signs of trouble. If trouble is found, then your dentist can recommend a treatment plan to address it… 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 »
You and your smile make a great pair. Together, you could take on the world, and you do, daily. A great, healthy smile is one of the first things people will notice about you. Unfortunately, the same is true if your smile is damaged or unhealthy. From stains to bad breath, when you fail to… Read more »
The saying goes that admitting you have a problem is half the battle. But when it comes to improving your smile, knowing you have a problem is of little consequence, if you’re still struggling to determine the best course of cosmetic treatment. Understanding what options are available to you, and how each can address different… 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 »
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 »
Food provides your body with essential vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy. Certain foods are bad for your teeth and others are considered better. Some are just empty calories while others can provide energy, brain power, or protect you from illness. Although you may not often give it a thought, food affects your teeth… 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 »
Do seniors automatically have more dental problems? As you age you probably don’t think about how your body is changing. Okay…that’s not true. You notice your aches and pains, but did you realize that your teeth and gums are aging too? You need to take special care of your body as it gets older, and… Read more »
Allergies to different types of medicine are quite common in the medical field. To teach his patients about the differing types of dental allergies, Dr. James Fondriest shares the following information. Commonly Seen Allergies to Dental Medications Penicillin. Some form of penicillin appears in a number of antibiotic medications and allergic reactions range from very… Read more »
Our tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. But unfortunately, our teeth are still vulnerable to damage and discoloration. While teeth are meant to withstand a lifetime of wear and tear, your smile can still lose its youthful luster. Many people assume restoring their smiles will require multiple office visits and innumerable… 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 »
The topmost layer of the tooth, enamel is the hard substance which covers the soft layer of dentin. A strong layer of enamel will help you prevent tooth decay and sensitivity. Get to know the part of your tooth which protects your smile from cavities with some interesting facts from Dr. Fondriest. Sharks have tooth… Read more »
Does dark chocolate cause cavities? The consensus up until now has been that chocolate is bad for your teeth. It is high in sugar and sugar causes cavities, right? Wrong. Sugar helps cause cavities but it is not solely responsible. A number of factors come together to create tooth decay including sugar and pathogenic oral bacteria. Pathogenic… Read more »
Daily oral hygiene habits are essential to warding off cavities, preventing gum disease, and eliminating bad breath. While most brushing and flossing instructions may seem elementary, as we grow older, we develop bad habits and sometimes forget the fundamentals of keeping our mouth clean and healthy. Dr. Fondriest offers some advice for avoiding oral hygiene… Read more »
Receding gums is a common dental problem, but it is also among the lesser known conditions. Receding gums can also be referred to as gingival recession. Let us examine the causes of this condition and the treatments. What causes receding gums? There are several causes that can contribute to recession. It’s important to work with… Read more »
Dental X-rays give insight into some of the most elusive dental health issues to the naked eye. Using digital radiography can not only diagnose problems, but also develop treatment plans. Dental radiography is an irreplaceable diagnostic tool. Dental x-rays show issues like tooth decay, misalignment, soft tissue damage, and periodontal disease that escape visual detection. Children generally… 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 »
You probably make sure that you brush your teeth twice a day, and you might even floss your teeth once per day. But do you understand why practicing this daily dental hygiene routine is so important? The answer: is biofilm. Dr. James Fondriest, a Lake Forest, IL, dentist, wants you to learn about dental biofilm… Read more »
Do you skip flossing, or is it difficult because of dexterity issues, spacing between your teeth, or dental work? If you hate flossing or find that it isn’t effective, you’re not alone. Dr. James Fondriest, a Chicago dentist, recommends interdental brushing (also called using a proxy brush) as a fantastic, and often better, alternative to… Read more »