Family Dental Care Park Ridge

Recently I have become a bit of an infographic groupie and I have been sharing them with the Family Dental Care Park Ridge team.  I really can’t seem to get enough infographics.  So much so that I now get Daily Infographic dropped into my inbox each day.  There was an awesome infographic recently on dreams that was so interesting.  If you find yourself liking infographics as much as I do, you can also find a lot of interesting infographics on Pinterest!  I heart Pinterest! 

But, you know that infographics have really caught on when there are infographics available about teeth!   Yes, you read right.  There are fun infographics relating to teeth and oral health.  So, we are going to do a little something different today.   I am going to share a creative infographic from Daily Infographic called Take Care of Your Teeth and They Will Take Care of You! 

Feel free to share the love.  Just make sure you give credit where credit is due!

If you have any dental related questions or concerns, please give us a call at 847-692-6800 or email us at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com and we would be happy to help!

And remember, as always…we LOVE making you smile!

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Jack and Jill went up the hill

To fetch a pail of water

Jack fell down and broke his crown

And Jill came tumbling after.

So…I’m pretty sure that this 18th century nursery rhyme was not referring to the beautiful crown that his dentist had placed in his mouth.  But you might be able to relate to our latest question on Family Dental Care Park Ridge‘s Ask the Dentist feature.  This question was one that was asked by a new and panicked patient on the phone:

“I was eating a sandwich when I felt something odd.  It turned out that my crown came off and I don’t know what to do.  It doesn’t hurt but I’m going out of town next week and I’m worried that something bad may happen to my tooth.”

We got her in that day and took care of the situation but, what are the things that you should know if one of your crowns (caps) comes off.

First of all, if at all possible, save the crown.  Rinse it off and place it in a safe place like a zip-lock bag and remember to bring it with you when you go to see your dentist.  Call your dentist right away to see if you can be seen fairly soon.  If you are in pain, make sure that you tell your dentist.  If you can’t get in touch with your dentist and you are not in pain, keep the area clean until you are able to be seen.  If the crown was on a front tooth and you are unable to see the dentist, there are a couple of effective options.  One is to buy a small tube of denture adhesive.  Stand in front of a mirror and practice putting the crown onto the tooth so that you find the right way to “aim” the crown.  Once you are fairly adept at this, place a little bit of the denture adhesive inside the crown and put it back on your tooth, holding it in place for about 30 seconds.  This is not a very secure method of putting the crown back on, but it can help you in a pinch if it’s a front tooth and you have to be out in public.  A second option is going to your drugstore and purchasing a temporary cement in the oral hygiene aisle.  This can be a little messier to work with but, again, in a pinch, it can be better than having a jack-o-lantern smile!  

Once you are able to see the dentist, she/he will determine if this crown can still be used and recemented with permanent cement.  Sometimes, a crown comes off because there has been decay under the crown that is impossible to see on x-rays and the crown loosens and comes off.  In this situation, your dentist will discuss with you the best options for a new restoration.  

If you have any other questions about what to do when a crown comes off or any other dental related questions, please give us a call at 847-692-6800 or email us at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com and we would be happy to help you!

And remember, as always…we LOVE making you smile! 

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We are all in a hurry.

Life is crazy busy.  

Family Dental Care Park Ridge gets that!  We really do!  But, when you come in for your dental care, we need to know how your general health has been since we saw you last time.  We don’t mean to annoy you.  We need you to understand that we need  to know your total health picture in order to give you the best and safest possible dental treatment.  We get this question a lot:

“Why do I have to review my medical history again?  I was just here six months ago and I filled out the medical history form then.  Isn’t it still good?”

Chances are, it is still good.  But a lot can happen in six months or even in four months or two months.  We visit doctors.  We have surgeries.  We are put on new medications.  We become pregnant.  

A lot can happen to your health that may seem incidental to you, but is, in reality, very important for your dentist to know.

It is extremely important for you to tell your dentist, your chiropractor, your ophthalmologist and even your podiatrist of each and every change, no matter how unimportant they may seem to you, before you begin treatment.  As healthcare providers, we try to act as a team in your care, but, if you withhold information, it is hard for us to work together to offer the right treatment choices for you based on your health status.

So, when you go to the dentist and we ask you, yet again, to review your latest medical history and update any changes, remember that we are doing it for you.  We are doing it so that we can treat you safely and optimally.  

We really do care about you!

I hope this helps you to understand the importance of updating your medical history.  If you have any questions regarding your medical history or any dentally related questions, please feel free to give us a call at 847-692-6800 or email us at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com  We would be happy to help you!

And, remember, as always…we LOVE making you smile!

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So, today we had another one of those epiphanous dental office moments at Family Dental Care Park Ridge.  As always, we review the medical history of each patient with them when they come in.  Today, one of our amazing patients shared with us that they were going to be having hip replacement surgery on Monday.  We commended them on coming in for their check up and cleaning before the surgery and asked if they had been counseled by their surgeon about the need for premedication before their dental visits after the surgery.  Our patient just looked at us in wide eyed confusion.  And that’s when the epiphany came.  

Premedication!  People need to know about premedication relating to joint replacement surgery.

“I’m having hip replacement surgery next week.  My friend said that after they had knee replacement surgery, they had to take “premedication” before  going to the dentist.  Do I have to do that and what IS premedication?”

Joint replacement surgery is becoming quite commonplace today.  We are living longer and staying healthier but our joints sometimes get old and worn out long before we are done with them.  Replacing those worn out joints has become a very viable option.  When joints are replaced, prosthetic joints are embedded into the appropriate bones so that the natural joint action will be replicated.  Long term studies have indicated that, at least for the first couple of years after the replacement surgery, it is a good idea to take a prophylactic course of antibiotics before going to the dentist for cleaning or procedures.  The precaution is due to the fact that our mouths are home to lots of bacteria.  If those bacteria enter the blood stream during a cleaning or dental procedure, in healthy people without joint replacement, there is no risk at all.  In people that have had joint replacement, there is a very slight risk that the bacteria, once in the blood stream, can settle in or around the prosthetic joint (since it is a foreign object) and create a potential infection.  By “premedicating” with a one time dose of  a recommended antibiotic, the chances of that happening are reduced to almost nothing.  The premedication that is prescribed for joint replacement patients depends on their tolerance of certain antibiotics.  The premedication is typically taken one hour before the dental appointment.  If your orthopedic surgeon does not tell you about the premedication need, make sure you ask her/him or contact your dentist for help with this issue.  

If you have any questions related to premedication after joint replacement  surgery or any dental related questions, please feel free to give us a call ( 847-692-6800 ) or email us at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com and we would be happy to help you!

And remember, as always…we LOVE making you smile!

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I can’t count how many times we’ve been asked about white spots on a person’s teeth at Family Dental Care Park Ridge.  It is such a common occurrence that I think we just take that question for granted.  So, today, I thought it would be a good idea to address the question:

“I have white spots on my teeth.  Should I be worried?  Is there anything that I can do about them?”

White spots on our teeth are an area of the tooth that is “hypo-calcified” which is just a fancy way of say that there is less calcium in that part of the tooth.  In many cases, it is a fairly harmless condition that is more concerning in regards to esthetics.  In those cases, we often recommend a toothpaste that helps to rebuild enamel so that those white areas stay strong and sometimes, over time, actually begin to fade.  We will also work with patients on whitening their teeth so that the white spots almost fade into the final color and are not so apparent. This is often an effective, but not always predictable, way to mask the white spots for esthetic purposes.  If the white spots are found to be areas of much more severe “hypo-calcification”, then our approach is slightly different.  If the white area of the tooth is still strong enough, we may recommend a remineralization paste to apply daily that will stimulate the tooth to rebuild its enamel and get stronger.  This can be a very successful and effective treatment…but, again, it doesn’t work on everybody.  In cases where the “hypo-calcified” areas are extremely weak, it is recommended to clean out the affected area and prepare that part of the tooth to receive a tooth colored filling.  This will give the tooth the strength and protection it is lacking with the weakened spots on the enamel.  

If you are unsure about the type of white spots that you may have on your teeth, please contact your dentist and both of you can review your treatment options.  If you have any further questions regarding white spots on your teeth or any other dental related question, please feel free to contact  Family Dental Care Park Ridge by emailing us at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com  and we would be happy to help!

And remember, as always…we LOVE making you smile!!

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This is not a woe-is-me story. This is a story about gratitude.

The torrential rains that graced our delayed spring created problems for so many. Homes were ruined. Keepsakes were lost forever. At Family Dental Care Park Ridge, we experienced a mere blip on the inconvenience radar. Water damage in our hygiene room while frustrating, is completely repairable. Life will go on.

I love it when a plan comes together.

More specifically, I love it when a team works together.  Because that is what happened at our office during our minor water crisis.  The teamwork was nearly flawless.  Proverbial sleeves were rolled up and everyone pitched in and just knew what they had to do.  It was as if the whole effort had been magically orchestrated.  Chairs were moved, computers disconnected and protected, damaged ceiling tiles were removed and buckets were strategically placed.  No orders were barked.  No complaints were heard.  There was only love and concern.

And for that, I am  extremely grateful.  If you have not yet met the exceptional team at Family Dental Care Park Ridge, you really need to change that.  The care, compassion and dedication of our staff is second to none.

I am so lucky.

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Saturday, April 20th was an extraordinary day.  Not because the sun finally came out…although that did help!   No… Saturday was extraordinary because of an event sponsored by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and woven together by the inspirational Jennifer Wolfe  of Jennifer Wolfe Photography.   Along with the selfless help of Andrea Marrero and Aminah Abdullah,  Jennifer created Badge to Business day for about 80 incredible young women who are members of the Girl Scouts.   And thanks to an invitation from my great friend Wendy Pike of Twist Office Products, I was honored to be a part of this event.

This event was held at Journey World, a hidden gem in downtown Chicago managed by the Girls Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.  Journey World is an innovative space, an experiential, hands-on learning environment. It is a unique, state-of-the-art facility covering 20,000 square feet on two floors and offers adventures in two environments: A 10,000 square foot simulated city where the Badge to Business event actually took place and a 10,000 square foot Eco-Lab. Girls and boys role-play while running their very own city or saving the planet. During a workshop, day camp, or overnight expedition, participants immerse themselves in a new way of learning that inspires them to discover how they can change up the usual definition of leadership, and take action to make the world around them a better place.

The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) partnered with the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)  to host From Badge to Business, an event to inspire the next generation of girl leaders. Professional women gave the girls a sneak peek into the entrepreneurial business world. By sharing their story, experiences and lessons learned the goal was to prepare the girls with the skills necessary to be successful. Throughout the day, enthusiastic young girl scouts ranging in age from 8-16 made their way through seven rooms that were set up to replicate seven different business scenarios.  The participants were all women business owners, invited to inspire and motivate these delightfully fresh and intelligent young minds as to the rewards of being a business owner.  Besides Wendy as an owner of an office product company and myself as the owner of a dental business, there was Jennifer Wolfe who owns her own photography business, Linda Reid-Kilzer who owns her own salon education business, Lisa Hayden-Connelly who is a professional singer, Kendra Stevens and Sarah Weidmann who are stand up comedians and own a business that teaches young women to do stand-up, and Michele Kurlander an attorney who owns Kurlander and Associates .  Throughout the day, all of us were entertained by an extremely talented and energized band called Double Identity, a band that 13 year old twins Courtney and Arden Kurhayez created in order to showcase their ability to perform a wide variety of great music.  These young girls were a huge hit with their Girl Scout peers!

While the outcome of this event was to help inspire young women and create awareness as to what their lives could be, in the end, it turns out that these 80 young women inspired me!  I came away with such hope and excitement after meeting these passionate and eager young women.  After Saturday, I know the world is going to continue to become a better place.  How could it not?  We have at least 80 young women who are destined to make it so!

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Did you know that April is Oral Cancer Awareness month?  In fact, it’s the 14th year that the Oral Cancer Foundation has been promoting awareness for the importance of oral cancer screening and detection. 

As part of this campaign to encourage awareness of the seriousness of oral cancer, Family Dental Care Park Ridge is joining the dental community nationwide in offering FREE oral cancer screenings to anyone during the month of April.  Anytime that our office is open, you are welcome to come in for your FREE oral cancer screening.  It is quick and it is painless…and it will give you peace of mind.

In 2013, approximately 42,000 people in the US will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer!  According to the Oral Cancer Foundation:

“There are two distinct pathways by which most people come to oral cancer. One is through the use of tobacco and alcohol, a long term historic problem and cause, and the other is through exposure to the HPV-16 virus (human papilloma virus version 16), a newly identified etiology, and the same one which is responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers in women.”

So why wouldn’t you want to make sure that you get screened for oral cancer?  Especially since it is FREE for the month of April.  Tell your family and friends.  Come on your lunch hour…come after work…come after you drop the kids off at school…make an “oral cancer screening date” with your friends.  Just….DO IT!!! 

Call Richard at 847-692-6800 to verify our hours or email us at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com  Join Family Dental Care Park Ridge in the fight against oral cancer!

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This is the moment that you have all been waiting for! That special moment when we finally announce the winner of the Refer a Friend, Win a Kindle Fire promotion!  But, before we get to the big announcement, let me thank all of you for making this one of the most fun and energized promotions that Family Dental Care Park Ridge has ever run!  We had an extraordinary number of entrants which means so much to us.  It means that you trust us with not only your dental care, but that you trust us enough to refer us to your friends! 

Thank you! 

I wish that we could give each and every one of you the Kindle Fire because you all deserve it.  But, alas, there can only be one winner of this Kindle Fire so….drum roll please….

and the winner is……

Deb!

Congratulations Deb…and thank you so very much for your kind referral to Family Dental Care Park Ridge!  We are truly grateful!

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your dental health, please give us a call at 847-692-6800 or email us at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com and we would be happy to help you!

And remember, as always….we LOVE making you smile!

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Shame on me for not getting this post up on time…for not sharing the dental assistant love in a more timely manner.  After all, the dental assistants that work to assure that the experience of our patients and doctors is unbelievably amazing at Family Dental Care Park Ridge would never have been negligent and forget something this important.  But, better late than never.  With my head hanging in embarrassment, I invite you to join me in a great big virtual thank you as we acknowledge that the first week of March (3rd-9th) was Dental Assistants Recognition Week!  To be clear, at the office, we did indeed, create a celebration for our wonderful assistants, but, I feel that they deserve so much more recognized appreciation than that.

Let me tell you about the incredible assistants that help us in countless ways every single day at Family Dental Care Park Ridge. 

Irene has been with us for almost 20 years! Hard for me to believe!  Irene has been so important in the evolution of our business.  Her compassion and dedication endear her to the staff as well as the patients.  In her most recent role here, Irene is responsible for our total product inventory…a thankless and challenging position that Irene handles with grace and determination.  Thank you Irene for your many years of loyal and loving service at Family Dental Care Park Ridge!

Margaret has been with us for about 15 years!  Again, so hard to believe that I have been lucky enough to work with such wonderful people for so long!  Margaret is like the Energizer Bunny…she never stands still.  She is always moving from this operatory to that operatory to the sterilization room and then to the front desk.  And while doing all of that running around, she always has a smile on her face.  Margaret is like a sponge…always eager to learn any new task.  Margaret is a valuable member of the team and I am ever so grateful for her loving kindness.

Laima is one of our newer members of the Family Dental Care Park Ridge team.  Laima joined us when we relocated our office and we needed more assistants.  Laima came highly recommended by Dr. Carolyn Demas who had had the pleasure of working with Laima in other settings.  Laima is a perfect fit at our office.  Her laugh can be heard frequently and is contagious.  Her baking skills are out of this world.  I wish we had a gym in the building to counteract all of the delicious calories that we have been taking in!  Laima brings much dental assistant experience to our office and has helped tremendously in making us more organized and more efficient.  Thank you Laima.  We are so lucky to have you around!

And last, but certainly not least, our newest dental assistant is sweet Jesica.  Jesica may be tiny in stature but she is a giant in dental assistant expertise.  Kind of a mind reader, Jesica knows before the doctor knows what you want when caring for the patients.  She is easy going, never stresses and willing to do anything asked of her.  Jesica makes working at Family Dental Care Park Ridge even more special.  Thank you Jesica for bringing your talents and light heartedness to the office!

Four spectacular women without whom we would be nothing.  Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making everyday at Family Dental Care Park Ridge a joy!

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