I always have the urge to sing the Mamas and Papas song Monday Monday when it is time to post Family Dental Care Park Ridge’s Ask the Dentist feature each Monday…but…well, the song says “Monday, Monday…can’t trust that day“.  And…I beg to differ.  You CAN trust Mondays to bring you valuable and sometimes even fun information related to your dental health.  You get to ask the questions and I try to answer them so that you are well informed.

That said, today’s Ask the Dentist question comes from someone that many of you know and that I am honored to call friend.  You can find Gini Dietrich waxing philosophical, sharing marketing and PR strategy at her company’s ( Arment Dietrich, Inc.) blog, Spin Sucks,  or humbly promoting the book she recently co-authored with Geoff Livingston called Marketing in the Round: How to Develop an Integrated Marketing Campaign in the Digital Era.  Where she found the time to ask a dental question I will never know but, inspired by last weeks question on extractions, Gini asked:

“If you have to have a tooth extracted and it’s not a molar, what are your options for replacing that tooth? And, with those options, which are the most painful? My hair stylist had implants put in and he said it was super painful.  Is he just being a big baby?”

Last week’s post about having a tooth extracted provided the perfect segue for this week’s question.  There are a couple of options that people have when they have a missing or recently extracted tooth.  The options, in general, are basically the same no matter where the missing teeth are located in your mouth, molar or front teeth.  Based on the condition of the remaining teeth and bone health, the dentist will go over the different options and the pros and cons of each.  In this particular post I would like to focus on the implant option.  To say that implants have come a long way is an understatement.  I have been doing implants in my office for over 15 years and they just keep getting better and better.  So, let’s break it down.

• dental implants are a restorative option where a titanium fixture is surgically placed painlessly into the jaw bone in an area where there is no tooth.  This implant will replicate the function of the root of a natural tooth and will ultimately support a porcelain crown that will provide esthetics and function
• the surgery to place an implant fixture is painless, quick and fairly straight forward.  At the time of surgical placement, the patient is completely numb and the process is exact and remarkably comfortable.  As with extractions, you are sometimes given the choice to have “light sedation” (where you are sleeping during the procedure) or local anesthetic (where the area to receive the implant is completely numbed)
• having a dental implant as a “stand alone” restoration allows the neighboring natural teeth to remain unaffected as part of the solution
• a dental implant has no risk of decay and a significantly reduced risk of periodontal disease (gum and bone disease) in the area of the implant
• a dental implant is strong, predictable and and the final restoration (crown) is esthetically beautiful.
• and, most of all, Gini…despite what you heard from your source…implant placement is not painful. And, you know where to find me so I NEED to be telling you the truth
• dental implants are a wonderful treatment plan option for both front teeth as well as molar teeth.  The treating dentist will assess the area in question for the feasibility of implant placement and guide you to make an intelligent decision that is right for you.

As an aside, I never want to minimize the experiences that people have in the pursuit of health care.  That said, you will always find those who have had a negative or terrible experience with a procedure.  These negative or terrible experiences almost always have an underlying reason that most of us are not privy to.  Unfortunately, because of our fear of the unknown, when we hear these occasional negative experiences, they can cloud our judgment and decision making.  In my 15 + years of doing implants both as the practitioner and as a professional colleague to many that have done implants, I would say that 95% of the cases are exactly as I described it above…painless, fairly quick and straight forward.  The most important ingredient in any treatment plan for your health care is open and constant communication with the practitioner so that you are well informed.  Not to overuse this phrase but truly, knowledge is power.

Thank you for your intriguing question, Gini and I hope this alleviates some of your concerns.  If you, or anyone else, have questions or concerns regarding implants or any dental related issue, please feel free to email me at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com or comment in the comment section below.  Keep those questions coming!

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

Ah…thanks to Beth, we have a Monday morning Ask the Dentist topic that tends to sends shivers down many people’s spines.  And the truth is, well…read on…

Beth asks,

“I’ve been told that I need to have a tooth pulled.  It’s a molar and I’m very nervous.  The tooth can’t be saved and I know that I need to do this but…well I’m scared that I will be in a lot of pain.”

First of all, if a tooth can’t be saved and it needs to be pulled (extracted), it is wise to get that done as soon as possible so that the tooth doesn’t flare up and create a problem for you.  It does seem like a scary procedure but, maybe after reading my explanation here, you will feel a little bit better about it and get it done.

There are several reasons that a tooth may need to be extracted.  It may be unrestorable, which means that the extent of damage to the tooth is too much to be able to “fix” it.  The tooth may have a fracture in the root that has caused it to be weak and unpredictable.  A tooth may need to be extracted in preparation for orthodontic (braces)  treatment to make more room.  A tooth may also be extracted when it is a “non-functioning” tooth, a tooth that does not have an opposing “partner” tooth to chew with and ends up creating more potential problems than necessary.

Once it has been determined that a tooth needs to be extracted, you will need to make an appointment with your dentist or an oral surgeon.  Your general dentist will guide you in the process of deciding who would be best to do the extraction…the general dentist or the oral surgeon.  On the appointment day, depending on the situation, you may be given a choice to be put under “light sedation”, which is IV medication that makes you sleep just deeply enough to be unaware of what is going on around you or to have the extraction done under “local” anesthetic, or what most people refer  to as Novocaine.  If you elect to have local anesthetic, the “Novocaine”, the dentist or oral surgeon will assure that the area where the tooth to be extracted is,  is completely numb and you are absolutely comfortable.  Once completely numb, the dentist will proceed.

The root of our teeth is surrounded by a flexible ligament that separates the root from the jaw bone.  When a tooth is extracted, the dentist gently teases the ligament away from the tooth’s root so that the tooth becomes much looser in the socket and easier to remove.  Once the tooth is loosened, the dentist can then ease the tooth out of the socket while the patient remains comfortably numb.  The sensation that almost everyone feels at the time of extraction is one of pressure as the tooth is being released from the socket.  So, most often the dentist will inform the patient that they may feel some pressure but they will not feel pain.  Once the tooth is removed, the area is cleansed and, if stitches are needed, a couple of sutures may be placed.  The patient is then given some gauze to bite on and the procedure is finished.  Most extractions are quick and essentially painless.  The recovery after an extraction is also surprisingly (to some patients ) uneventful.  Any slight discomfort that may occur is easily remedied by an anti-inflammatory.  The extraction site bleeding should slow down fairly quickly so that there is virtually no further bleeding within the first 24 hours.  And, as long as there was no infection at the site of the extraction, typically there is no reason to be placed on antibiotics for a simple extraction. Your dentist will spend some time going over the post-extraction recommendations which will include, what and when you can eat, how and when to brush, what to take for discomfort and what you should expect to experience.  Knowledge is power and the more you know, the better your experience will be.  Always ask questions!

Beth I hope that by extracting the truth here, the fear of having an extraction has been eliminated…or at least reduced Thank you for asking a very important question.  If you have a dental related question that you would like answered, please email me at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com or ask the question in the comment section below.  We at Family Dental Care Park Ridge  love the great response that Ask the Dentist is getting!

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

VS

It’s time to pour yourself that second cup of coffee or tea, sit back, relax, and indulge in this weeks Ask the Dentist from Family Dental Care Park Ridge.  Today’s question is one that I hear frequently in the office so, I’m grateful to Jen for sending it our way to be answered. Jen writes:

“I’m not always good about remembering to floss but I do use my Waterpik® just about every day.  Is that good enough? Is using the Waterpik® the same as using floss?”

Ah the old “can I stop flossing if I use my Waterpik®” controversy.

Here is my opinion Jen.  This is an opinion developed after 22 years of observing the results of regular Waterpik® users and regular flossers. If one were to choose just one type of interproximal device (that’s the fancy dental word for “in between the teeth” ) one should choose floss.  And here’s why.

If you use floss correctly, you are snapping it past the tight connection between your teeth and then (and this is key) you are moving the floss up and down pressing it against one of the two teeth first and then pressing it against the other of the two teeth next before snapping it out from between the two teeth.  That all important moving up and down along the side of the tooth and under the gumline is what makes floss so important.  That one simple maneuver removesplaque and bacteria from the side surfaces of the teeth that the toothbrush can not get at adequately.  It is why it is so important to floss at least once daily.  Yes, floss definitely helps remove spinach and food that gets stuck between teeth…but to a dentist, that is just a floss bonus.  What we really love about floss is how it reduces the plaque and bacteria from between the teeth, creating a healthier environment for the gums and the teeth.

Waterpiks® use a pulsating stream of water that produces between 5-90 psi of pressure  to remove food particles.  As an adjunct to brushing and flossing, a Waterpik® is a wonderful complement to your oral health routine.  When you use it instead of floss, however, you are no longer able to achieve the same results that moving floss tightly against the side surfaces of teeth and under the gum line provides.  Waterpiks® essentially force food products out from between the teeth but they do not, in my opinion, create enough friction against the smooth surface of the sides of the teeth to remove plaque adequately.  Also, people tend to think that if a moderate speed on the Waterpik® is good, a higher speed must be awesome and the risk there is that you can actually force food products or bacteria deeper into the soft tissue of the gum line and create irritation.  I usually encourage people that want to incorporate using a Waterpik® along with brushing and flossing to not use any setting higher than a medium setting to decrease the chance of irritating the soft tissue (gum). So, to wrap up, floss should always be used as part of your daily oral hygiene routine…nothing yet, in my opinion, replaces the effectiveness of floss.  That said, adding a Waterpik® to your routine of brushing and flossing is an excellent choice being always mindful of what speed you use with the Waterpik®.

Thanks again Jen.  If you would like your dental question answered, you can ask your questions below in the comments or email me at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com  We are trying to answer each of the questions that are landing in our inbox and we are loving how enthusiastic you are!

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

…that is the question…no, really…literally…THAT is the question this week at Ask the Dentist!

Judy brought up a very interesting topic.  Judy writes…

“I am reading about denture relining…I find this interesting and scary…”

So let’s see if I can make the information all interesting and not at all scary!

Some necessary information.  Dentures are a removable restoration made mostly of acrylic that replace an entire arch of missing teeth.  The process to make a good denture is tedious and intense.  The outcome is beautiful.  So most people think that once you get a denture, since you don’t have any teeth any more, you don’t need to go to the dentist!  Right???  Wrong!!! For two important reasons.

1. A funny thing happens when you don’t have any teeth resting happily in your jaw bone…the bone isn’t motivated to stay put…without the roots of your teeth embedded in your jaw, the jaw bone starts to slowly shrink.  The rate of bone “resorption” is different in different people.  The outcome, however, is the same…the fit of the denture changes over time and a dentist needs to monitor this process.
2. It is extremely important for everyone, even people without teeth, to visit the dentist for their oral cancer screening exam.  So, while you may not have any teeth, you still have gums, tongues, cheeks and glands that need to be examined for changes at least once a year.

Now, where does the whole “to reline or not to reline” debate come in?  Well, it fits in quite well with reason #1…the fact that bone levels change over time in a mouth with no teeth creates a “fit” problem with denture wearers.  A gorgeous denture that originally fit like a glove when first delivered may, over time start feeling looser.  This loose denture experience can be caused by that bone shrinking away or it can occasionally be caused by a significant weight loss.  Whatever the causative factor, loose fitting dentures are not only embarrassing and frustrating, they can cause damage to the soft tissue that the denture sits on by rubbing and irritating the tissue.  It is very important for denture wearers to keep regular visits with their dentist so that these potential problems can be alleviated.  One of the options that a dentist has in improving the fit of a loose denture is to “reline” the denture.  This means that acrylic is added to the inside of the denture in such a way that it improves the fit.  Relining can be done in one of two ways.  A denture can be relined “chairside” or it can be relined by a dental laboratory.  In either case, the usual procedure is to have an impression taken of your mouth using the existing denture as the “impression tray”.  This impression is then poured up into a stone model.  This model is what your mouth looks like.  The dentist or lab technician can then add acrylic to the denture and place the denture with the soft acrylic onto the stone model so that the acrylic flows into the spaces that need more acrylic.  Are you with me so far?  The denture with the new acrylic is allowed to set for awhile to let the acrylic harden.  The excess acrylic is then polished away and, voila…you have your original denture that will now fit better.  It usually takes a few days for your mouth to get used to the new feel and you may need some adjustments after a reline, but, overall, the result is usually a better fitting denture.

NOTE:  There are often times when the dentist, after careful examination and assessment of the situation, will say that a reline of your old denture will not work and that, because of the amount of bone changes, you will need a new denture.  So, it is important to keep in mind that not all loose fitting denture scenarios will benefit from relining.

I hope this helps, Judy.  At Family Dental Care Park Ridge, we really want our patients to be comfortable whether they are wearing dentures or not.  Relining is one solution but it is not always the only solution!

If you have a dental question that you would like to see answered here on Ask the Dentist, email me at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com or ask your question in the comment section below OR post your question on our Facebook Page wall.

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

Happy Monday to you! Family Dental Care Park Ridge’s Ask the Dentist inbox is overflowing and…we LOVE that.  Keep your questions coming to Ask the Dentist at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com .  We will try to get to all of your questions!

Today’s question comes from Rob of Naperville.  Rob touches on a very sensitive topic…

“Some of my teeth are really sensitive.  The sensitivity comes and goes but is usually aggravated by cold or sometimes my toothbrush.  I’m nervous about finding out that this might mean I have cavities so I haven’t gone to the dentist.  What does the sensitivity mean?”

So, Rob, can we say that you are a sensitive kind of guy? Sorry…I couldn’t resist.  Actually, Rob would probably tell you that being sensitive isn’t always a good thing!

What exactly causes sensitivity to teeth? There are actually quite a few causes.

• Decay can cause a tooth to be sensitive.  The bacteria in the decay can irritate or even come in contact with the nerve of the tooth and cause the tooth to become sensitive.
• Teeth where the enamel has been worn down along the gum line, often because of over aggressive brushing, can become sensitive because the enamel protective layer is thinner and the nerves of the tooth are closer to the surface.
• Young people’s teeth can be more sensitive because the nerve in young teeth is much larger than the nerve in our teeth as we get older
• Recession of your gums can cause increased sensitivity because the root of the tooth becomes exposed and the root has no protective enamel layer.
• If you grind your teeth at night, this can wear away enamel on the chewing surface of the teeth and increase sensitivity.
• Home bleaching products can increase sensitivity in some people.
• Foods high with a high acid content can cause increased sensitivity

What are some of the things that you can do to prevent or decrease sensitivity? Here are a few suggestions.

• Make sure that you follow a good oral hygiene home care routine…brushing twice a day for two minutes each time and floss once a day. This will help to reduce the bacteria that cause decay.
• Use a soft bristled toothbrush and brush in a gentle circular motion to minimize the aggressive and harmful brushing techniques
• Use a sensitive teeth toothpaste to help block the enamel tubules that allow the sensitivity to happen.
• Use a fluoride rinse daily.  Fluoride helps to decrease sensitivity.
• Cut down on acidic foods.
• Consider an appliance to prevent teeth grinding if you have been told that you grind your teeth.
• And, most important.  See your dentist.  Let your dentist do a complete dental exam to determine the probable cause of your sensitivity.  You do not want to overlook a potential problem by ignoring these symptoms.  Your dentist can then help you to decide on the best way to treat your particular sensitivity.

Rob, I hope this helps you.  Often the cause of sensitivity is very easy to treat but, the best thing to do is to check with your dentist.

If you have a dental related question that you would like to have Family Dental Care Park Ridge answer at Ask the Dentist, please email your questions to info@ParkRidgeDDS.com or ask your question in the comment section below.

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

I love it when a plan comes together.  April 1 marks the start of the 13th annual Oral Cancer Awareness Month here in the United States and one of the questions submitted to Ask the Dentist this week was about oral cancer exams.  I couldn’t have planned it better if I had tried.  So, without further ado, today’s question is from Matthew who writes…

“I’m 32 and I don’t smoke or chew tobacco but every time I go to the dentist for my cleaning, the hygienist does what she calls an oral cancer exam.  Is this really necessary? I don’t mind the exam but it seems kind of silly since I don’t smoke.”

Matthew, that is a really excellent question.  First, let me tell you that you are very lucky that your dentist’s office cares enough about their patients that they routinely do oral cancer screening exams.  While oral cancer has, in the past, been a cancer that was typically found in the over 40 year old population, recently the age of oral cancer diagnosis is falling so, at 32, there is no question that part of your dental check up should include an oral cancer exam.  Second, let me share a few compelling facts.  Nearly 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year and about 8,000 Americans will die from oral cancer.  Despite these frightening statistics, there is still no comprehensive program in the US to encourage routine screening for this disease.  Because in a perfect world, people visit their dentists two times a year for check ups, many in the dental profession have taken it upon themselves to include oral cancer screening at the recall appointment.  Because there is no mandate for this screening, it is still considered an opportunistic screening and, latest reports indicate that still only 15% of people going to the dentist have an oral cancer screening done.  By increasing the public’s awareness as to the importance of this exam, it is hoped that more dental and medical offices will make this a routine part of the patient’s exam.  And, Matthew, while tobacco use has historically been the primary cause of most oral cancers, a disturbing increase in the number of oral cancers caused by the Human Papilloma Virus version 16 (HPV16) has generated an even stronger desire to get the message out that oral cancer screenings need to be done at least yearly. By having the dentist do a thorough oral cancer exam that includes examining the gums, the cheeks, the tongue, the lips, the back of the throat, the palate as well as feeling for unusual bumps on the outside of the neck, any questionable area can be detected early and get diagnosed and, if necessary, treated in a more timely manner.  Part of patient awareness also includes teaching them to be aware of any changes in their oral tissue such as sores that don’t heal or unusual spots along the tongue or inside of the mouth, etc.  It is always recommended that, if you have something that concerns you, you ask the professional just to be safe.

So, Matthew, hopefully you see how lucky you are to have a hygienist in a dental office that cares so much about their patients that they include an oral cancer screening at each checkup.  It’s a painless, quick and informative test that dental offices everywhere should routinely offer. Family Dental Care Park Ridge has been doing oral cancer screening exams on our patients for over 20 years.  For more information about oral cancer, you might want to check out this link.

Thanks Matthew for a really important question.  If you have a dental related question that you would like answered in Ask the Dentist, email Family Dental Care Park Ridge at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com or submit your question in the comment section below.

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

It’s Monday morning…pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and relax as you read today’s question sent to Family Dental Care Park Ridge’s  Ask the Dentist  from Zak in Buffalo Grove.

Zak asks:

“I’ve been told that I need to have a root canal on my tooth.  I’ve heard that having a root canal is a horrible experience but, this tooth is starting to hurt so I don’t know what to do! Do I have reason to be worried?”

Zak…thanks for submitting this question to Ask the Dentist!

And, frankly, you have more reason to be worried if you leave the tooth that needs the root canal untreated!

First, let’s talk about root canals. A root canal is a procedure that is done to a tooth to remove the nerve that runs through the tooth.  The reasons that a root canal may be necessary include, but are not limited to:

• decay that has gotten to and affected the nerve of that tooth
• a tooth has “died”
• a tooth has broken to a point that necessitates a root canal in order to restore the tooth
• the tooth has experienced trauma that requires a root canal as part of the treatment.

When a root canal procedure is going to be done, the area of the mouth where the affected tooth is located is anesthetized (made numb) so that there will be no sensation experienced at all.  The tooth is then isolated to keep the tooth as aseptic as possible.  A hole is drilled into the tooth that will allow the dentist to access the nerve chamber and the canals that run down the roots that house the nerve (hence the term “root canal”).  Once the nerve chamber is accessed, the dentist will use tiny sterile files to cleanse the canals of the remaining debris of the nerve.  The tooth is adequately numb at this time, so there is no sensation felt by the patient.  The canals continue to get cleaned by the sterile files until there is nothing remaining of the damaged nerve.  The canals are constantly cleansed and irrigated so that they remain clean and free of bacteria.  Once the canals are cleaned out completely, a pliable filling material is placed into the canals and manipulated so that it fills the space that used to be occupied by the nerve.  This is done so that no bacteria can enter the tooth via the canals.  Once the canals are filled (this may take 1-2 visits), the tooth is ready for a final restoration.  The type of restoration necessary will be determined by the dentist based on the particular situation.  Once the nerve has been removed, the tooth no longer has any nerve sensations.  Sometimes, the day or two after a root canal has been started or completed, the patient may experience an achiness due to the fact that the tooth has been worked on.  This achiness, if it occurs, usually subsides within a day or two and is relieved by anti-inflammatories.

If a tooth has been determined to need a root canal, putting this treatment off can result in an increase in the bacteria in the tooth that may aggravate the tooth and increase discomfort to the tooth.  Because dentists are able to adequately anesthetize the affected tooth, root canals are no longer the “scary” procedure that they once were.  They can be quite comfortable and will significantly decrease the risk of a frustrating tooth ache.

I hope this helps you Zak and that you feel more comfortable about scheduling that root canal for your tooth!

If you have any dental related questions that you would like to have answered, please feel free to ask them in the comment section below or email Family Dental Care Park Ridge at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com .  We love responding to your concerns regarding dental issues.

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

…to bring you this most exciting announcement!!

TODAY IS THE GRAND OPENING OF FAMILY DENTAL CARE PARK RIDGE’S NEW OFFICE!

111 S. WASHINGTON  SUITE #202

PARK RIDGE, IL 60068

If you’ve been following the saga of the creation of our new dental office, then you know it has been a journey of sweetness, of learning experience, of bumps in the road and of success.  As we open the doors to our treasured patients today, we do so with pride and with incredible gratitude.  It is suggested by many life coaches to start a gratitude list…a list that helps you to stop and acknowledge just how grateful you are for the people or events in your life.  In that vein, I would like to share my gratitude list here to acknowledge the people and events that made the opening of Family Dental Care Park Ridge’s new office possible.

• First, we would not be opening the door to our new office at all if it wasn’t for the brilliant creative genius that is my husband, Tony Scimeca.  Tony put so many countless hours of work into the design and building of this new awesome space, I can’t even begin to express how grateful I am.  When I would panic, he would reassure.  When I floundered, he picked me up.  I am telling you…there is no possible way that we would be here today if not for his hard work and perseverance. Tony, I love you. and … I am grateful.
• I know this is sounds all hokey and mushy but…that’s how I roll!  I would not be at this new office today if it wasn’t for the love, support and mentoring of my Mom, Dorothy Anderson and my Dad, the late Dr. Ken Anderson.  Mom and Dad instilled in me a belief that I can do and be anything that I wanted.  When I decided to become a dentist, I couldn’t have had a better role model than my Dad.  I KNOW that my Dad would be so thrilled with this new office.  He would probably have volunteered to be the permanent “greeter” just so he could hang out here…here in the practice that he started back in 1954!.  And Mom…poor Mom…had to listen to my frequent phone calls drenched in worry and doubt and, no matter what was going on, as only my Mom can do, she made me feel better and that everything was going to turn out just fine…and, guess what?  She was right!  (Moms are always right!). Mom, I am so lucky to have you and I love you very much and… I am grateful.
• My awesome and reliable and gifted contractors, Tom, Sylvester, Matt, Roman, Mike, Jim, Allan and Ben have made this experience truly delightful.  I would recommend each and every one of them to anyone who needs outstanding work. I am grateful.
• Friends.  Where would any of us be without our friends…the people who really get you…the people who will put up with your mood swings and rants and pipe dreams.  I can’t imagine getting through this without the dinners with friends that made each “tomorrow” easier.  I can’t imagine getting through this without conversations over wine about how to keep moving forward.  To my dear friends, I love you. I am grateful. 
• Comcast….yes, you heard me correctly.  Comcast.  I can’t tell you how many times Milton from Comcast talked me off of the ledge.  He made sure that I got my service expedited, he solved multiple AT&T problems for me and he remained calm, cool and collected in the face of my frantic outbursts.  Cable companies in general get such a bad rap and I am here to tell you that my experience with Comcast has been nothing short of stellar. I am grateful.
• The equipment that we have, the dental materials that we use each day, the maintenance and repair of all things dental….we couldn’t do it without Holt Dental Supply.  Ken Moore (best dental equipment guy ever) and Elizabeth Hicok (most conscientious sales rep ever) have guided and instructed us throughout this whole adventure and have made us feel important and cared for.  I am grateful.
• The City of Park Ridge has been extremely helpful and cooperative in our efforts to do everything according to the rules.  Two people that really stand out in terms of making our journey go more smoothly are  Cathy Doczekalski and Steve Cutaia.  I am grateful.
• Friendly Solutions is the most exceptional IT company ever.  I have been working with Rafal and Peter and Jerry for a couple of years now as they helped us baby our old computer system along at the old office.  Seeing them put together a high tech computerized environment at the new office has been something to behold.  And, yes, they held my proverbial hand through my panic over transferring data and keeping wires straight.  I am grateful.
• I am constantly moved by how supportive and loving our patients are.  Our  patients are our inspiration.  Our patients give us purpose.  Our patients make us want to do better.  I am grateful. 
• And last, but definitely not least,  the amazing people of Family Dental care Park Ridge.  Dr. Carolyn Demas who has been with me for over five years, Dr. Matt Demas who has been with me for almost two years, Vivien the super receptionist, Irene the dedicated assistant and Margaret the cheerful assistant.  This incredible group of people motivate me and make me excited about continuing the journey.  There would be no doors to open if I didn’t have a group of such dedicated and loving people to open them to.  I am grateful.

Yes I am grateful as we mark a milestone in the history of Family Dental Care Park Ridge.  Please join us in celebrating this momentous move.  Stop by anytime that you are in the area…we love visitors!  Keep checking our website for information on an Open House in the near future.   And, thank you for letting me hijack Ask the Dentist as we interrupted our regularly scheduled programming today.  I was pretty sure that you would understand….and, for that…I am grateful.

I LOVE that someone asked today’s question because it is such an aggravating problem to so many people.  It is one of the most frequently asked questions that I get when I’m socializing and people find out that I’m a dentist.  Remind me to tell you someday about the stranger that took his denture out of his mouth to show me when he heard that I was a dentist.  But, I digress….

So, thank you Dan from Schaumburg, for allowing me to deal with this “catchy” question once and for all!

“Every time that I floss, there is one area between my teeth where the floss always gets caught.  When I finally pull the floss out, it is all frayed.  Why does this happen?”

First, let’s all give Dan a huge virtual pat on the back and an “atta boy” for flossing!  How awesome is that?!?  I’m getting a little verklempt.  So, what I need to do is to help you with this issue, Dan, so that you, and others who experience this, don’t get frustrated and give up on flossing.

Let’s start at the beginning.

When you have two healthy teeth next to each other in normal alignment, the surfaces that touch each other are typically smooth.  This smoothness at the contact point between the two teeth allows for fairly easy sliding of the floss.  So, it follows that, if floss consistently gets caught in the same area and frays, something may be wrong.  The three most common causes of caught and frayed floss are:

• decayed or fractured tooth that “catches” the floss by it’s irregularity
• a filling along the side of one or both teeth that is starting to deteriorate
• a crown on one or both of the teeth whose porcelain may have fractured slightly causing the catch OR the tooth under the crown may be starting to decay creating a void between the tooth and the crown so floss can catch more easily

What should you DO?

If floss consistently gets caught between two teeth, you need to call your dentist to schedule an appointment to have it checked out.  With a simple x-ray and clinical exam, the dentist will be able to determine the cause of the “catchy” problem and tell you your treatment options.  It is important not to let this problem go on too long without your dentist taking a look.  Each of the above three possible causes of floss-catching are out of the range of  good oral health and, if left untreated, can create a bigger problem.

I hope this answers your question Dan….and all of those people out there who have asked me this question over the years!  Keep up the daily flossing...it warms a dentist’s heart when patients start a sentence with “when I floss….”

If you have a question that has been nagging you about your teeth or oral health, feel free to ask it in the comments below or email me at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com  Thanks for making this new Family Dental Care Park Ridge feature such fun!

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

Are you keeping track?  This is the fourth week of this fun feature and it is growing in popularity really quickly.  Today’s question is a stinker…no, I mean it… today on Ask the Dentist…Bad Breath is Bad News.

Michael from Niles asks:

“I am in a job that requires me to meet with people all day long.  In the early morning, my breath seems okay.  By mid day though, I am really self conscious about my breath and have to resort to mints or gum. Is there something wrong with me that I have bad breath? “

Michael, you are not alone in your concerns when it comes to worrying about bad breath.  I talked about that embarrassing bad breath in a previous post here.

So the first thing that we should know is what causes bad breath?  In a word...bacteria.  It is the byproducts of those nasty bacteria that thrive on food and plaque in our mouths that are the chief cause of bad breath. That said, there are times when it is the bacteria that creates cavities in your teeth that is causing your breath to be less than fresh.  Also, infections or abscesses in the mouth can also cause foul breath.  And, medications that you are taking may be the causative factor as well as gastrointestinal issues such as gastric reflux.

Let’s talk about what we can do to take the bad out of bad breath.

1. Make it part of your routine to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. AND floss at least once a day.  These are absolutes in the fight against bad breath.
2. Make sure to brush your tongue when you are brushing your teeth…you can use your toothbrush or you can use a tongue scraper like this to assure that you remove bacteria that is hiding on your tongue
3. Drink lots of water.  Hydration really helps to flush bacteria away from the oral cavity and prevent it from setting up housekeeping and causing bad breath
4. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.  Eating healthy non-processed foods is something our body understands and can work with.  The less processed foods (with sugars) in them that we eat, the less there is for bacteria to be attracted to and the less bacteria hang around.  Eating healthy is a win/win.
5. Carry a travel size toothbrush.  When you sense that your mouth is starting to feel grungy, take some time to go and freshen your breath up again by a quick brushing.  Last night’s onions and garlic have a way of reintroducing themselves today.
6. Keep sugarless mints handy for those moments when you want to be especially sure of fresh breath.
7. And remember…we are ultra sensitive and aware of our own breath and often, we think our breath is bad but, to the public, it really is a non-issue.

If, after following all of the above tips, you still think you have a problem with bad breath, the next step would be to see your dentist.  Your dentist can go over your oral hygiene routine with you, check your teeth for any cavities and your oral soft tissue for signs of infection that may be causing the bad breath. If you get a clean bill of health from your dentist, she/he may advise you to see your physician to assure that there is not an underlying health cause that is creating your bad breath.

I hope this answer is helpful Michael.  I appreciate you asking a question that is on a lot of people’s minds.

If you have a question that you would like addressed here on Ask the Dentist, email me or ask your question in the comments below.

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