Your teeth are much more fragile than they might seem. If you aren’t careful to avoid unwise oral care habits, you can end up doing serious damage to your smile. If you’ve had restoration work done in the past, these bad habits can be especially destructive. Here are some common habits that you should try to steer clear of if you want to protect your teeth:

Drinking Too Many Sugary Beverages
When you drink a sugary beverage such as soda or even juice, some of the sugar is likely to remain on your teeth. As the bacteria in your mouth consume the sugar, they leave behind acids that gradually erode the enamel of your teeth. Over time, the acids can lead to tooth decay. While regular brushing will help to reduce your risk of cavities, it’s also important to cut back on your sugar consumption if you want to maintain good oral health.

Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard
Everybody knows that you’re supposed to brush your teeth at least twice a day. But if you brush too hard, you might end up counteracting the positive effects of brushing by wearing down your enamel, which weakens your teeth. Brushing too hard can even lead to gum recession, which makes you more vulnerable to periodontal disease. To avoid this, buy a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush using a gentle, circular motion.

Brushing Right After Eating
Many people have heard that they should brush immediately after they eat, but that’s not exactly true. In fact, brushing too quickly after you eat food with acids in it can actually do damage to your enamel. To be safe, you should always wait at least 30 minutes after eating most types of food before brushing. However, it’s still fine to floss right after eating.

Whether you require treatment for sleep apnea, scaling and root planning to treat periodontal disease, or restorative procedures for misaligned teeth, you can find the exceptional dental care you deserve at University Associates in Dentistry. To request a consultation at our office in Chicago, call (312) 704-5511.

Chemotherapy can be a lifesaver. It can also cause serious, unintended consequences, like a suppressed immune system, severe nausea, and weight loss. These effects are well-known, but what many cancer patients don’t realize is that chemo can also adversely affect oral health. If you’re expecting to undergo chemo, you’ve already receiving it, or you’re anticipating radiation therapy to the head region, talk to a dentist as soon as possible.

Visiting Your Dentist
During your dental consultation, provide as much information as you can about your medical condition and the drugs you’ll be taking. The dentist will examine your X-rays, and the hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth. A professional cleaning is important because it curbs problems like gum disease. When your immune system is suppressed during chemotherapy , you’ll be more susceptible to illnesses, and bacteria from infections in your mouth can enter your bloodstream and make you sick. If you have any other oral health problems, you’ll receive appropriate treatment for them. Your dentist will also help you learn how to care for your mouth during chemo.

Watching Out for Side Effects
Chemo doesn’t affect every patient the same way. You may not experience all of the following side effects, and it’s possible that you won’t experience any of them. But you should be familiar with the side effects, just in case.

• Dry mouth
• Changes in taste
• Infections
• Painful mouth and gums
• Swelling or peeling of the tongue
• Burning sensations of the tongue

Caring for Your Mouth
Inspect your mouth every day. Become familiar with how it should look, and notice whether there are any unusual changes. If your mouth becomes sensitive, use an extra soft toothbrush and waxed floss, and brush very gently. Choose mouthwash without alcohol. Fight dry mouth by sipping water frequently and chewing sugarless gum. When your mouth hurts, choose soft foods that don’t require a lot of work to chew and swallow.

At University Associates in Dentistry, the well-being and safety of our patients are our top priorities. We provide compassionate, personalized care to meet the sensitive needs of patients with other serious health issues. Call us at (312) 704-5511 to request a prompt appointment with a general dentist in Chicago.

There’s been a bit of a debate in recent years about whether sparkling water harms more than it helps. Proponents say the fizzy, zero-calorie drink helps them avoid sugary soda and fruit juices, but critics claim sparkling water can cause bloating, heartburn, and tooth damage. So who’s right? You can watch this featured video to find out, or ask your dentist.

The suggestion that sparkling water can erode the enamel of the teeth is based on the fact that it has a lower pH than tap or spring water. It’s the acidity that can harm the teeth. However, dentists say that seltzer water is still a much healthier alternative to soda and fruit juice, and the pH is not substantially lower than regular water.

University Associates in Dentistry offers comprehensive dental consultations in Chicago for patients in need of cosmetic dentistry or general dentistry . Call (312) 704-5511 to schedule your appointment.

At University Associates in Dentistry, we are proud to use innovative treatment technologies in our offices. When creating a treatment plan with your dentist, he or she may recommend that you receive a CT scan. CT scans are used for patients that are in need of advanced imaging for certain oral health conditions; such as dental implants, TMJ treatments, or other advanced dental procedure. CT scans can provide your dentist with a clear picture of the anatomy that will help create the smile you desire.

If you are seeking dental implants in Chicago, you can trust the staff at University Associates In Dentistry to provide you with top quality care. We specialize in permanent dental implants, and we will use the latest instruments/tools and techniques to perform your cosmetic dentistry services. To make an appointment for an initial consultation, or to learn about the benefits of teeth implants, call us at (312) 704-5511.

You’ve been told your whole life that you should see your dentist regularly, but do you know why? Watch this video to find out how important dentist checkups really are.

Dentist checkups aren’t just for addressing existing problems—they’re also for preventing issues from occurring. Not all oral health issues come with symptoms, but your dentist knows what to look for. The good news is that today’s dental checkups shouldn’t hurt or cause any discomfort. It’s better to undergo smaller procedures before a problem is allowed to develop, as more serious problems will require more expensive, invasive treatments. Seeing your dentist regularly can help keep your smile happy and healthy.

Tooth loss takes away from your oral health and can bring down your confidence, but it is not unavoidable. As long as you find the right dentist and take care of your oral and general health on your own, you can combat tooth loss. Here are a few tips to help you reduce your risk of tooth loss .

Choose the Right Dentist

You have probably been told countless times that you need to visit your dentist in order to keep your smile full and beautiful for the rest of your life. However, many people still fail to set or make it to their appointments. This problem may stem from a wealth of different factors, but one is the relationship between the patient and the dentist. Find a dentist that you get along with; you should feel comfortable and cared for in the office, and treatments should never be made to seem scary. The right dentist will give you the advice and treatments you need to keep your teeth where they belong.

Practice In-Home Dental Hygiene

You need to practice proper dental hygiene even when you are not with your dentist. If you want to keep your natural teeth for life, make sure you brush your teeth twice each day. You should also floss around every single tooth once per day to dislodge trapped food debris and bacteria, which will help to prevent gum recession and tooth loss.

Stay Healthy

In order to keep your natural teeth and enjoy your oral health, you will need to take care of the rest of your body as well. Your oral and general health are intimately linked, so make sure you eat a balanced diet and stay away from tobacco and alcohol abuse. These steps are key to combatting tooth loss.

Are you worried about your risk of tooth loss? Call the team at University Associates in Dentistry at (312) 704-5511. We are eager to keep you in great oral health by providing quality cosmetic and general dentistry in Chicago. If you are interested in learning more about our porcelain veneers, periodontics, or dental implants, visit our website today.