Dentist in Berwyn | Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month With Us!

Dentist in Berwyn, IL

dentist berwynFebruary is National Children’s Dental Health Month!  Developing good oral hygiene habits and regular dental check-ups can be the start of a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums for children.

According to the National Institutes of Health, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease.  It is 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever.  Each year, dental-related illnesses result in children missing more than 51 million hours of school.  When dental diseases in children are left untreated, the pain and suffering can result in problems with eating, speaking and distract attention away from learning.

The key to good oral health in children begins at home.  The American Dental Association recommends the following:

  • Brush for 2 minutes twice each day
  • Floss daily to clean the spaces between teeth
  • Eat healthy meals and snacks
  • Visit the dentist regularly

We have the experience and qualifications to care for your child’s teeth, gums and mouth throughout various stages of childhood.  With regular check-ups and cleanings, we can ensure healthy and happy smiles. It is recommended for all patients to schedule a routine six-month check-up exam.

Our dentist will screen your child’s mouth for tooth decay and gum disease.  During your child’s dental cleaning, we will gently remove any buildup of plaque or tartar.  To help your child maintain his or her healthy mouth, we may also recommend sealants and fluoride treatments.

Please contact our office to schedule your child’s next dental appointment.

Dentist in Berwyn | Can Exercise Damage Your Teeth?

Dentist in Berwyn, IL

Berwyn DentistExercise is important to good health, but can it have a detrimental effect on our teeth? Studies have shown that exercise and fitness habits can result in an increase in dental decay and tooth erosion. Exercise can impact our oral health in many ways, including:

Decreased Saliva Flow: Breathing heavily through the mouth during exercise can result in a reduction in saliva and cause the mouth to dry out. Saliva is filled with minerals that work to fight bacteria, protect tooth enamel, and prevent decay. To prevent decay caused by a dry mouth, learn to breathe through the nose during exercise and hydrate with water before, during, and after your workout. You can also brush your teeth before you exercise to reduce the presence of bacteria and plaque.

Jaw Clenching: Athletes often clench their jaw when straining to lift weights. This pressure can result in wear and even cracked teeth. To protect teeth from the effects of clenching, consider using a mouth guard. These can be purchase at most drugstores or sporting goods stores or our dentist can make a custom fitted mouth guard for you.

Consuming Sports Drinks: Studies have shown that sugary sports drinks are up to 30 times more erosive to the teeth than water. The citric acid they contain can soften the tooth enamel so much that even brushing can cause tooth damage. Taking frequent, small sips of sugary liquids increases the chance of tooth decay. Avoiding the use of sports drinks and hydrating with water instead can prevent these negative effects. If you feel you must use sports drinks, don’t drink small amounts over an extended period of time, rinse your mouth with water afterwards, and avoid brushing immediately after consuming.

Contact our office to schedule your next preventative dental appointment.

Dentist in Berwyn | Why Regular Dental Care Now Can Save You Big Later

Proper at-home dental care and regular preventive dental visits can help you save money! See below for interesting information comparing the costs of dental care and see how the average person’s at-home care differs from the American Dental Association recommendations.

Dentist in Berwyn

Dentist in Berwyn | New Year, New You!

Dentist in Berwyn IL

Many of us spend the majority of our lives giving to others, caring for others and providing for others. This can be a very rewarding way to live.

However, at times it can leave you wondering when there will be time for me.

Many times, we put off prioritizing our own health and happiness, and this becomes our way of life.

We want to encourage you to make a resolution this year – involving you. It’s important to make your health and self-esteem a priority for a long and happy life.

If you’ve been considering cosmetic or restorative dentistry for years, but for one reason or another have not made your own wants and needs a priority…

Now is the time!

Contact us for a consultation or share this message with a friend who needs a reminder to make time for his or herself.

Dentist in Berwyn | We’re Digital!

Berwyn DentistAt Berwyn Dental Connection, we emphasize the importance of visiting our dental office at least twice per year to maintain and achieve optimal oral health. One of the main reasons we encourage you to see us is so that we can detect dental problems before they turn into serious concerns. Preventive dentistry is key to long-term oral health. However, while a physical exam can find noticeable signs of issues, some oral diseases are not visible to the naked eye. This is why we utilize dental x-rays.

Modern technology has reduced radiation levels to miniscule amounts. We utilize advanced, digital x-rays that use 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays. Digital x-rays help to magnify and enhance your teeth for better diagnosis of dental diseases or problems.

We are able to use a number of tools that will allow us to take a closer look at your teeth and surrounding structures with remarkable accuracy.

Once the x-ray is taken, an image of your teeth is placed into an imaging program and projected on a screen instantly for us to view. This helps to assist us in diagnosing issues that would otherwise be undetectable. Dr. Lares can examine small areas of decay between teeth and under existing fillings. Also, digital x-rays can help detect bone loss due to periodontal disease, dental infections and abscesses. Your results are also easily stored for future use or can be sent over to a specialist immediately if needed.

We are proud to bring this modern technology to you. If you have put off dental x-rays because of the risk of radiation or you just didn’t have time for them, we encourage you to come in for an appointment and have digital x-rays taken. We can help you get your oral health back on track!

Dentist in Berwyn | Scare Away Tooth Decay

Dentist in Berwyn ILHalloween is just around the corner, and everyone, both kids and adults, are excited to indulge in sweet treats. Although Trick-or-Treating may be a fun activity, don’t forget to consider the impact it has on your oral health.

As you check the candy loot, remove some of the following tooth decaying culprits from the stash:

  1. Candy Corn: This bite size candy seems harmless. However, some of us grab it by the handful. Candy corn contains a high amount of sugar and can often lead to tooth decay.   If you’re not careful, you could end up eating an entire bag.
  1. Chewy Sweets: Gummy candies and taffy can be difficult for children and adults to resist, but they are a serious source of tooth decay. It often gets stuck in the crevices between teeth, making it difficult to remove.
  1. Sour Treats: Sour candies, such as Warheads, Sour Patch Kids and Sour Skittles, have high acid levels that can break down tooth enamel quickly. The good news is that saliva slowly helps to restore the natural balance of acid in the mouth. It is recommended to wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth after consuming sour candies. Otherwise, you will be brushing acid onto more tooth surfaces, increasing erosive action.
  1. Hard Candy: Any candy that stays in your mouth for an extended period of time is more harmful for your teeth than candy that is quickly consumed. Examples of these candies include lollipops, Gobstobbers and Jolly Ranchers. Hard candy lowers the pH in your mouth, creating a more acidic environment that is more conducive to enamel erosion and decay.
  1. Caramel Chocolate: Candies, such as Milky Ways and Twix, contain caramel, a gooey substance that sticks to your teeth and is hard to rinse out when you get a drink or from the saliva in your mouth. That means that more harmful bacteria and acids grow, which put your teeth at an increased risk of decay.

By encouraging good oral hygiene, Halloween can be a fun, cavity-free holiday! If you forgot to schedule your last six-month check-up, now’s a good time to get back on track and contact us at Berwyn Dental Connection. We also encourage you to schedule an extra post-Halloween dental cleaning to ensure healthy teeth after eating all that candy!