It’s amazing just how far the field of dentistry has evolved thanks to modern day technology and science. For dental professionals today, it’s not enough to just keep your patients’ teeth clean. Continuing education courses and countless hours and dollars are constantly being spent to ensure that patients receive the most up-to-date, comprehensive, and high-quality… Read more »
Does weak enamel run in families? Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body. It protects your inner tooth (the dentin and pulp) from decay. Mature enamel consists of 96 percent minerals, 3 percent water, and 1 percent organic material. It is hard and tough, yet decay or caries remains a chronic disease in… Read more »
Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day are certainly important steps to keeping your smile beautiful, but it’s also important to schedule professional dental cleanings and checkups every six months. Our Lake Forest dentist Dr. James Fondriest wants you to know the benefits of regular dental preventative care examinations and how… Read more »
Dr. Fondriest and our team understand that about half of Americans avoid dental visits, but we’re here to relieve your fears and misconceptions. A common reason for avoiding dental visits is fear of being exposed to too much radiation during dental x-rays. Although this used to be a legitimate fear, technology has improved so much… Read more »
There are different ways of replacing missing teeth. Tooth replacement can be accomplished with implants or a permanent bridge. Tooth loss is one of the most destructive issues that can affect your smile. It can be caused by aggressive dental diseases, or simply the teeth is lost due to trauma. Unfortunately, tooth loss is common… Read more »
Problems with your bite can cause great discomfort. Allowing those issues to linger and not addressing them in a timely fashion, can lead to additional disruptions to your health. Millions suffer from TMJ Dysfunction (temporomandibular disorder). So, for the help you need with your TMJ issues, Dr. James Fondriest of Lake Forest Dental Arts in… 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 »
If your mother drove you crazy with constant demands to “sit up straight”…you should thank her. Whether Mom knew the full effect of posture or not, the truth is, bad posture can be bad for your physical and mental health. Turns out, having a straight spine and correct alignment body can even help relieve symptoms… 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 »
Are you looking for relief from your TMJs? Your temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, are the joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull, and they are the most used joints in your entire body. To operate properly with minimal impact on your teeth and jaw, your smile should be evenly balanced. This allows your… Read more »
Over the past few years, research has emerged touting the many oral health benefits of green tea. According to numerous studies, the soothing, warm elixir can lower your risk for a range of systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disorders and diabetes. Additionally, many health and beauty experts claim that green tea helps treat acne and calm… Read more »
Losing a tooth can affect more than just your appearance. In fact, even a single missing tooth can start a chain of events that leads to diminished oral health and an increased risk of further tooth loss. At Lake Forest Dental Arts, we can replace one or more missing teeth using a dental bridge. In… Read more »
Are you satisfied with the appearance of your smile? Recently, the American Association of Orthodontists commissioned a study conducted by Wakefield Research. The results were surprising: Over a third of American adults are unhappy with the appearance of their smiles. Teeth stains, dental damage, and misalignment are all common dental issues that can hinder the… Read more »
TMJ refers to the tempromandibular joints that lay in either side of your face, where the jaw connects to the skull. Nestled within the joint is a cartilage disc that allows for full articulation of the jaw. Healthy TMJ function lets you to open and close your jaw with a smooth gliding motion. Any disruption… Read more »
Have you ever heard of a condition called barodontalgia? No, it’s not some exotic location in Europe, but you do have to fly in an airplane to experience it. Unfortunately, unlike a vacation, you probably don’t want barodontalgia. In laymen’s terms, this condition is simply a high-altitude toothache. Similar to a scuba diver experiencing decompression… Read more »
If you are avoiding going to the dentist due to dental anxiety, you are putting your health at risk because regular dentist visits are essential to good overall physical health.
Gum disease, or gingivitis, is an inflammatory illness that can lead to more than tooth loss. Researchers have established a connection between gum disease and an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, as well as uncontrolled blood sugar. In a more disturbing development, a recent study has revealed a connection between advanced gum disease (periodontitis) and… Read more »
According to the American Dental Association, the United States needs some education on the facts about oral health. The association’s new Web site, mouthHealthy.org, features the results of a national survey that recently gave the average American a “D” on the fundamentals of oral health. The survey offered a range of true or false questions… Read more »
It’s estimated that 80 percent of all dental injuries involve at least one of the front teeth. With warm weather and lots of spare time, summer is a prime time for playing sports. Then, when summer is over, school sports will be in full swing. Dr. James Fondriest, would like to offer some tips about… Read more »
What does alcohol do to your mouth? It’s Friday, and maybe you and some coworkers are planning on celebrating the end of the work week with cocktails at happy hour. Perhaps you plan to spend the weekend watching baseball and drinking beer. While a couple of drinks probably won’t hurt, heavier drinking can have negative… Read more »
Olympic champion Michael Phelps eats between six and ten pounds of food each day to fuel his body for grueling training sessions. His 10,000 to 12,000 calorie diet includes pancakes, eggs, French toast, cheese, pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. While it’s almost certain you don’t need to eat like a 2012 Olympian, there are several foods… Read more »
Some of the most popular products available today are energy drinks. These energy drinks damage teeth. It comes as no surprise that Americans love the stuff. Between 30 and 50% of teens alone consume them. Contents of these drinks promise long-lasting energy boosts through caffeine, sugar, and herbal ingredients. The effectiveness and safety of these… Read more »
Eighty percent of people aren’t happy with their smiles. If you fall into this category, you might benefit from no-prep veneers. This elective cosmetic treatment basically allows you to resurface your smile with tooth-colored restorative materials. Today, our Lake Forest cosmetic dentist Dr. James Fondriest discusses the advantages of no-prep veneers. What are No-prep Veneers? For years,… 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 »
Do you have the wear and tear of bruxism? Teeth grinding, known clinically as bruxism, is the repeated clenching of the jaw, sometimes causing tooth damage that can ultimately require restorative work. If you already have restorations, you might wonder if your bruxism will damage your new beautiful smile. Today, cosmetic dentist Dr. James Fondriest… Read more »
Our earliest ancestors must have realized the importance of oral hygiene. As early as 3,000 BC, people were cleaning their teeth with nothing more than sticks. Since then, cosmetic dentistry has taken great leaps forward. Today, Dr. James Fondriest provides state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry procedures to perfect the smiles of his Chicago patients. To the Lake… Read more »
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reports that cosmetic dentists rank Natalie Portman’s smile as the best in Hollywood, followed by James Franco’s and Nicole Kidman’s. Annette Bening, Colin Firth, and Christian Bale came next. The dentists also reported on the most kissable mouths on the silver screen. For the females, Angelina Jolie came in… Read more »
Anti-inflammatory Herbal Remedies for Your Gums Have you considered anti-inflammatory herbal remedies for your gums? Most commonly associated with sunburn relief, aloe vera can also be beneficial for your gums by alleviating ulcers. Applied directly, the antibacterial properties of aloe vera can help your ulcers heal faster. If you have a toothache, contact us right… 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 »
Do you have tooth discoloration? Does your smile appear dull or discolored? Did you know that stains and discoloration can involve both the external parts of your teeth and internal tooth structures? Understanding the cause of tooth discoloration is an important part of assessing your oral health and improving the appearance of your smile. Some… Read more »
Gum disease is common. Recent findings show up to 80% of the population in the United States has gum disease. Despite the fact that gum disease is very common, many patients lack awareness and information on the disease. Early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) are reversible with regular dental cleanings and thorough oral hygiene. If… Read more »
The tongue is one of the most overlooked parts of the mouth. You have probably been told many times not to neglect brushing your tongue when you clean your teeth. Despite being frequently forgotten, your tongue is very important. The tongue has three major functions. It assists with chewing food and pronouncing words properly along… Read more »
As a cosmetic and general dentist who strives to educate his patients on oral systemic health, Dr. James Fondriest and our team at Lake Forest Dental Arts would like to raise awareness for birth defect prevention. January is designated by the National Birth Defect Prevention Network as a month to educate the public on birth… Read more »
If you start your morning with coffee or finish an evening off with red wine, you might be staining your teeth. These beverages, along with cola and many others, are notorious for causing extrinsic tooth stains. Many of our patients can ease the incidence of these stains with regular dental cleanings and comprehensive daily oral… Read more »
Did you know that using straws can protect your teeth? This simple invention can help protect your smile from beverages that can stain or erode your teeth. Drinking from a straw can limit highly acidic drinks from contacting your teeth. It also prevents staining of your front teeth from coffee and tea. Americans drink an… Read more »
It has been theorized since the 1920’s that heart disease and gum disease are linked. Recent research has indicated links not only between heart disease and oral health, but between oral health and diabetes, hypertension, lung infections, and dementia. Although the links are not perfectly clear, research continues to try to narrow down specifics as… 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 »
Research suggests that over half of the American population is affected by cold sores, but not all show symptoms or know they have contracted the virus that causes these unsightly, painful blisters. With the cold and flu season quickly approaching, cold sores will be showing up on faces even more frequently. Few know the facts… 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 11pm, Monday through Friday. It seems like a good routine. There’s a balance of exercise, fueling the body,… Read more »
Most celebrities have a reputation of having perfectly white, straight teeth. But not all! Here are a few of the rich and famous stars that could benefit from cosmetic dental work. let us introduce some celebrities who could really need a smile makeover. Morgan Freeman: He didn’t start his career until later life, so he… 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 »
In celebration of Whole Grains Month… what’s that? You didn’t know that it’s Whole Grains Month?! Well it is! In celebration of Whole Grains Month, Dr. Fondriest wants you to know, eating whole grains can reduce your risk for inflammatory diseases, including gum disease, as well as tooth loss, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes,… Read more »
We all remember how the terror of a loose tooth was offset by the subsequent visit from the Tooth Fairy. However, we only get one set of adult permanent teeth, and losing one is hardly a cause for celebration. Proper oral hygiene is the most important part of caring for your teeth, but minimizing and… 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 flossing…. Read more »
Eating Leafy Green Vegetables Could Prevent Oral Cancer You could be aware of the dangers of oral cancer, especially if you regularly read this blog. Maybe you’ve read the statistics: oral cancer is diagnosed in 37,000 people each year, and it kills about one person every hour. You could also be aware that use of… Read more »