Category: Blog

The enamel of your tooth is extremely hard. It is also your first line of defense against cavities. Wouldn’t it be a shame if your diet weakened the enamel of your teeth throughout your mouth and subsequently caused a spread of cavities and tooth sensitivity? Obviously. So, in order to keep your teeth healthy, it is important to include enamel-friendly foods and avoid enamel-damaging foods as best as you can.

Foods That Damage Enamel

The biggest enemy of tooth enamel is acid. Acid corrodes slowly away at your tooth enamel, damaging it. As the enamel disappears, your teeth become vulnerable to decay and infection. The enamel naturally defends your teeth from the plaque that builds up.

Some foods that are high in acids and can be damaging to your teeth are soda, fruit juice, flavored water, sugary snacks and soft foods like cake, cookies, chips, and crackers, and citrus fruit. These foods aren’t just bad because they are acidic, but also because they are full of sugar and can stick to the crevices of your teeth for a long time. Have you ever had a sugary treat like a donut and noticed small bits of bread in the crevices of your molar teeth? It seems harmless enough, just pick it out or rinse your mouth out with water, right?

Unfortunately, even if the food is just a cracker or chips, if it stays in contact with your teeth for a long time, microscopic bacteria can consume it and use it to grow. As that bacteria grows, the colony produces acid on its own! This corrodes the teeth even further and eventually forms cavities.

Foods That Are Enamel-Friendly

One of the best things you can consume for your teeth is calcium. You can get this in the form of cheese. Cheese is not only high in calcium, but it also helps to balance the pH of your mouth which lowers the acids that are attacking your teeth! You can also find calcium in fortified rice, low-fat yogurt, and milk, among other places like salmon, broccoli, and spinach.

Foods that are rich in vitamin D are also good for your teeth. Many of these foods are the same as the ones mentioned above, which makes things easy for you!

Most Americans have dental fillings in their mouth. They are a common dental service that is used to protect teeth and repair damage. Our dental team at Family Dental Care provide high-quality treatments that last, but how can you extend the life of your dental fillings? Continue reading on to get the answer.

How Long Do Fillings Last?

Typically, composite resin (tooth colored) fillings can last around ten years and have a lifespan similar to the that of an amalgam (metal) filling. Metal is found to work well for larger fillings. An overly large cavity or damaged area may require additional restoration, such as a crown, inlay, or onlay.

How Can I Keep My Fillings Healthy?

Regardless of what type of filling you have already received, there are practical steps you can take to help keep your filling healthy and lasting for a longer period of time. Below are a few helpful tips:

• Regular brushing twice a day and flossing once a day at least.
• Frequent visits to the office for dental exams and cleanings at least twice a year. These visits allow our team to check up on the state of the filling.
• Quitting the habit of smoking will not only protect your overall health, but will keep your teeth from decay.
• Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet ensures a good smile and limiting sugary foods helps to prevent cavities.
• Contacting our dental office if you experience any signs of discomfort or a loose filling will help to protect the restoration.

If you are interested in a restorative treatment for your smile, then contact our Family Dental Care staff today for assistance or information on the services we offer. Call us to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning!

The best way to lower your risk of oral cancer is through regular and thorough screenings. Our dental team at Family Dental Care™ is eager to help you protect your smile and overall health. Continue reading to learn why oral cancer screenings are so important and how they are performed by our staff members.

How are Oral Cancer Screenings Performed?

An oral cancer screening will typically take just a few minutes, yet these small moments can greatly protect an individual’s body in the long run. Our dentist will visually and manually examine your mouth for any signs of oral cancer developing. What are these signs? A few are listed below:

• Changes in texture and color of soft tissue
• Lumps and bumps in soft tissue
• Sores that won’t heal
• Difficulty swallowing or hoarse voice
• Swelling/inflammation of the lymph nodes

If you already notice any of these symptoms, then contact your dental office right away for a screening. Your dentist may also ask you a series of questions regarding your oral health.

What are the Benefits of Oral Cancer Screenings?

Oral cancer is more common than many might think. It, unfortunately, takes so many lives each year. Early diagnosis can help in preventing the growth and spread of oral cancer. Our dental office encourages oral exams at least twice a year that help to protect your body. This is the best way to further keep your smile healthy and beautiful.

If you are interested in an oral cancer screening, then contact our Family Dental Care™ office for further information. Call us today to schedule your next dental appointment for an exam, cleaning, and oral cancer screening. Our dental team is eager to provide you with preventative, cosmetic, and restorative care!

Are you interested in improving the appearance of your smile? Not sure if dental veneers or dental bonding is right for you? At Family Dental Care™ we are proud to offer dental veneers, bonding and other cosmetic dentistry services which are perfect for improving the appearance of a smile.

About Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are extremely thin shells (typically made from porcelain) which are designed to look just like a natural tooth. Veneers are bonded directly to the front of teeth, completely concealing the natural tooth.

Pros of Cosmetic Veneers

• Veneers are versatile.
• Veneers are affordable.
• Veneers look natural.
• Porcelain is stain-resisting.
• Veneers are durable.

Cons of Cosmetic Veneers

• Veneers are permanent.
• Veneers require tooth structure and enamel to be removed.
• Although affordable, veneers are more expensive than dental bonding.

About Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a procedure in which tooth-colored composite bonding material is used to repair or alter a tooth, including decay, damage, discoloration and more. The bonding material is designed to match seamlessly with your natural smile.

Pros of Cosmetic Bonding

• The bonding treatment is quicker.
• It is typically less expensive than dental veneers.
• Dental bonding is versatile.
• Dental bonding is matched with the natural smile.
• Dental bonding can be easily repaired.

Cons of Cosmetic Bonding

• The dental bonding material can be stained.
• Dental bonding is less durable than veneers.
• Less effective at concealing discoloration/staining.
• The outcome is heavily dependent on the skill of the dentist.

Visit Our Cosmetic Dentist Today

Want to improve the appearance of your smile with dental veneers, dental bonding or another cosmetic dentistry service? Contact Family Dental Care™ today to schedule your consultation.

More and more people every day are choosing Invisalign treatment over traditional braces. It is a great option for people who want straighter teeth without a mouthful of train tracks. Invisalign is less painful and more convenient than traditional braces. It offers many benefits such as being able to eat whatever foods you want! All you have to do is remove the treatment while you eat and put it back in. There are many more benefits to Invisalign, but if you want to get the most out of your treatment then you should follow these important steps:

Floss Everyday

Even if you brush your teeth every day, do you floss every day? Many people who otherwise have an amazing oral routine still do not floss regularly. However, with Invisalign treatment flossing becomes more important than ever. The aligners hold in any gunk that’s left over from eating, and your saliva cannot do the work that it usually does while wearing the trays. Therefore, you should always floss your teeth every single day while utilizing Invisalign.

Follow the 48-Hour Instruction

Your Invisalign treatment will only work if you commit yourself to wear them as much as possible. Especially within the first 2 days, you need to wear your trays at every available opportunity. This means only taking them out to brush, floss, and eat. of course, you should always wear your Invisalign trays as much as possible, but that goes double for the first two days.

Change Your Aligners On Time

You should always listen to what your orthodontist says about your Invisalign trays. If you are told to remove it and use a new one, then do it. On the other hand, if your orthodontist should continue using it for a few more days, then do as instructed. This will allow you to get the best results in the least amount of time.

Sleep apnea is a disorder that afflicts many Americans today. If you notice that you suffer from mental fogginess, fatigue during the day, or issues with attention or memory, you may have sleep apnea. Continue reading to find out more.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a breathing interruption that takes place during the various stages of sleep. Basically, a person experiences an interruption in their regular breathing that can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. These frequent interruptions over a full night’s sleep can have many adverse effects on your health.

Surgery is a potential treatment for sleep apnea, but there are non-surgical treatments that can be viable options based on your circumstances and symptoms.

Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA)

The surgery by this name is one of the most effective sleep apnea solutions and involves adjustments to the bone structure of the lower and upper jaws to adjust the soft tissues of the mouth. The soft palate and tongue are both manipulated to keep the airways free of potential obstructions.

Surgery for the Soft Palate

For some patients, the soft palate is what can cause the interruptions in breath to occur while you sleep. In surgery for the soft palate, parts of it may be removed or tightening of it can be done to help prevent it from falling into the path of the breathing passages.

Nasal Surgery

For sleep apnea patients it can also be wise to revise the nasal cavity and airways surgically. This may involve addressing issues with a deviated septum or other respiratory problems.

What is Right for Me?

In order to truly know what is right for you and your health, it is always best to speak with a dental care professional and a general health professional before making any decisions on your own. If you live in the Illinois area, we at Family Dental Care™ have many different offices in many different locations to make great dental care available to you no matter where you’re located. If you would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to give us a call or book an appointment on our website. We can’t wait to meet you and your family.

Summer is usually filled with vacations, fun times, and a whole lot of pictures. If you’ve felt in the past that your appearance was lacking for yourself, or if you just want a needed confidence boost, it is very likely that you can find it at our dental office. Many don’t realize the power of a new smile, but in this article, we’ll discuss just that.

A Smile Makeover Is a Fresh Start!

The smile makeover process beings with a single consultation. Finding the right dentist that can produce the right look is so important. Each makeover is completely customizable, and to know your options, choosing the right combinations, and having a detailed conversation with a dental professional, you can’t go wrong.

A few of the options you have at your fingertips include:

• Teeth whitening
• Dental veneers
• Gum reshaping/tooth contouring
• Tooth bonding
• Dental implants or bridges
• Short-term orthodontics

How you Benefit

Having a stunning smile produces self-confidence you never knew was possible, while simultaneously producing solutions to dental problems you may currently suffer from. Whatever the case may be, you can’t lose in this situation.

Get Your Smile Makeover Today!

At Family Dental Care™, we want you to not only be your healthiest, but also your happiest, and we do well to acknowledge that this happiness can stem from a greater sense of self-confidence. If you like the idea of a confidence boost and want to get yourself a smile makeover today, don’t hesitate to contact any of our offices, all of which are located between South Chicago, East Side, Calumet City, Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, IL. Our Family Dental Care™ family would love the opportunity to meet you!

At Family Dental Care^TM, with locations in Chicago and the surrounding communities is dedicated to our patients’ oral and overall health. Due to this, we only offer digital imaging (digital x-rays) at our practice. Although traditional, film x-rays were invented over 125 years ago, dental technology has come a very long way, allowing us to now offer safer, quicker and more effective diagnostic options for our patients and their loved ones. Wondering what some of the benefits of digital x-rays are?

• Digital x-rays are less expensive to perform at our dental office and in return are less expensive for our patients as well.
• Digital x-rays produce less radiation than traditional x-rays and are better for our community, planet, and environment.
• When it comes to diagnostic imaging, our digital x-rays use 70% less radiation than traditional, film x-rays, making them a safer and healthier option for our patients.
• Our digital x-rays are also easier to take and take less time than traditional, film x-rays, making our patients’ appointments much shorter and comfortable.
• Digital x-rays require no development process and are actually viewable almost immediately, also reducing our patient’s appointment time and allowing us to diagnose any problems quickly.
• Digital x-rays are imported directly into a computer, allowing us to have better quality images and even zoom in, making it easier to spot areas of concern before they become a bigger problem.
• Due to the fact that digital x-rays allow for better quality and the ability to zoom, fewer issues at our practice go undetected and/or are missed by our dental professionals.
• Digital x-rays are stored on a computer, making them easily transferable to the patient along with other dental or medical professionals, reducing the need to visit our practice and pay for copies.

Get Your Digital X-Rays Today!

Looking for a dental practice in Chicago, Calumet City, Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn or the surrounding communities that offer safe and healthy dental care? Contact Family Dental Care^TM today and schedule your routine dental checkup with digital x-rays. We are always happy to see new smiles and look forward to helping you maintain optimal oral health.