If the look or cost of braces has prevented you from having straight teeth, consider the expense of advanced gum disease or tooth decay. Studies show that a straight smile is often the key to having a healthier smile. So to avoid the many problems that malocclusion can cause, talk to a dentist about orthodontics in Schaumburg. Many people can complete their orthodontic work in just months and enjoy a lifetime of more attractive and healthier teeth.

Easier Oral Hygiene

You can’t clean what you can’t reach. Crooked teeth are often more than just a cosmetic dentistry problem. When tooth enamel and gum tissues are obstructed because of a crowded smile, it can be difficult to properly brush and floss them. Braces can shift teeth into even alignment, enabling you to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums during each oral hygiene session.

Reduced Risk of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

The consequences of crooked teeth go beyond effective oral hygiene practices. When you cannot brush or floss away food particles and plaque, they can cause significant harm to your teeth and gums. Plaque plays a substantial role in the development of both tooth decay and gum disease, and both conditions can have a considerable impact on the health and appearance of your teeth. Even minor cavities demand fillings, and once they process to the interior of the teeth, root canal treatment is often necessary. The buildup of plaque at the gumline can also force gum tissue to recede and compromise the stability of the teeth. Yet just a few months of orthodontic work can greatly reduce the inherent risks of crooked teeth and offer you lifelong oral health.

Less Enamel Abrasion

Proper teeth alignment not only minimizes the dangers of common oral health diseases, but also lessens the risk of tooth trauma. A poor bite can quickly damage tooth enamel. Each time the mouth bites or chews food, it creates intense pressure on the teeth. If those teeth are not in correct alignment, they can strike each other and cause premature wear and tear of tooth enamel. In some cases, bite issues can even lead to tooth chips and cracks. Braces can effectively eliminate a variety of bite problems and reduce the negative effects of enamel abrasion.

Reference: http://www.webmd.com

Dental veneers can address a variety of cosmetic dentistry concerns. This video discusses how a dentist near Schaumburg can help you achieve the smile you want.

Do you suffer from chipped or discolored teeth? For a more attractive smile, consider dental veneers. Applied to the front of the teeth, dental veneers can instantly restore broken teeth or disguise deeply embedded stains. A veneer can be particularly helpful when teeth whitening treatment cannot completely remove discoloration from a particular tooth. A dentist might also recommend veneers for minor misalignment issues. If you have a gap between your teeth, or if some of your teeth are slightly crooked, veneers can correct these problems. Especially when you don’t want to undergo orthodontic work, dental veneers make an easy and effective alternative.

Gum disease is a condition so common that approximately one in two American adults suffers from it. Particularly concerning is that many people are unaware of this threat to their oral health. Periodontal disease may begin with tender gums, but without treatment, it can eventually lead to missing teeth. Once tooth loss occurs, dentures or dental implants in Schaumburg may be necessary to restore speaking and chewing capabilities. To protect yourself from the effects of gum disease, it is important to address symptoms as soon as they present so that this condition does not progress to a more advanced stage.

First Stage: Gingivitis

Periodontal disease develops due to plaque accumulation. Plaque forms when bacteria in the mouth combine with food particles to create a sticky byproduct. This byproduct then builds on tooth enamel. Diligent brushing and flossing can often remove plaque before it causes harm, but when left on teeth for too long, this substance can irritate nearby gums. This inflammation indicates the first stage of gum disease, gingivitis. Gingivitis typically does not produce pain. However, those with it may notice issues such as bleeding or red gums and should see a dentist for these warning signs.

Middle Stage: Periodontitis

When gum inflammation persists, gingivitis can evolve into periodontitis. In response to the presence of plaque, the gums may retract from the gumline. Because gum tissue helps to keep teeth stable, this side effect can initiate the loosening of the teeth. In addition, once gum recession begins, the damage done to gum fibers becomes permanent. Gum recession can also make it easier for bacteria and food debris to collect at the gumline, furthering the advancement of gum disease.

Final Stage: Advanced Periodontitis

Teeth, gum tissue, and underlying bone work together to create a strong and sturdy smile. As the gums continue to deteriorate, periodontal disease can progress to the jawbone. If gum tissue and bone cannot hold the teeth in place, they may eventually shift or fall out. Advanced periodontitis occurs with noticeable movement of the teeth. Since neither bone nor gum tissue can regenerate, affected teeth may require tooth extraction. For those who are diagnosed with advanced periodontitis, help is available. Depending on the need of the patient, a dentist can provide dentures or dental implant surgery to restore the health and appearance of the smile.

Reference: http://www.colgate.com

Emergencies, by their very nature, are unexpected. After all, if you could anticipate every great tragedy in your life, an emergency would never happen. But while you can’t always be aware of an accident before it happens, you can and should be prepared to deal with a variety of emergencies in your life—in particular, what to do in the event of a dental emergency. The following tips will help minimize discomfort and permanent damage while you wait for your Schaumburg dental office to open in the morning.

Knocked-Out Adult Tooth

For a knocked-out permanent tooth, it’s important that you keep the tooth moist at all times. Try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place the tooth in a glass of milk or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. You can also hold the tooth between your cheek and gums to keep it moist and protected until your dentist can see you.

Cracked Tooth

If you crack a tooth, rinse your mouth immediately with warm water to clean the area. Apply a cold compress on the face to keep any swelling down and take aspirin for pain management. Do not eat or drink anything but water until you can be seen by your dentist in the morning. Depending on the extent of the crack and the condition of the surrounding teeth, your dentist may recommend a dental bridge or a permanent dental implant.

Severe Toothaches

For severe toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out and gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. If the toothache persists, alternate cold and hot compresses on the face where the toothache is originating and make an emergency appointment with a dental office in Schaumburg.

Reference: http://www.mouthhealthy.org

As we age, our teeth naturally lose their beautiful white luster. However, there are many factors that can accelerate tooth discoloration. Tobacco and coffee are two of the most common causes of dull, yellow teeth. Some medications may also result in tooth discoloration. You will also notice premature discoloration if you neglect to brush and flush your teeth at least twice per day. Watch this short video to learn more about these and other common causes of tooth discoloration.

No matter what has caused your teeth to become discolored, a cosmetic dentist in Schaumburg can once again give you a bright, beautiful smile to be proud of. In addition to feeling more confident in your smile, having beautiful teeth may also help you maintain better dental health. After all, when you love the look of your smile, you will feel more motivated to take care of it. Contact a cosmetic dental office in Schaumburg today to schedule a tooth cleaning and dental exam.

Dental Heights provides the finest dental care in Schaumburg and Glendale Heights thanks to an experienced and attentive staff. Dr. Shafeeq H. Bader, DDS has close to 15 years of experience practicing dentistry. A graduate of the University of Illinois-Chicago Dental School, Dr. Shafeeq is familiar with the latest trends and techniques in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Continuing dental education is always a priority for Dr. Shafeeq, who regularly takes courses in orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and implant procedures. Dr. Shafeeq is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Illinois State Dental Society, the Chicago Dental Society, and the Indian Dental Association.

Whether you have a dental emergency or are looking for a new dentist for yourself and your family in the Schaumburg area, contact Dental Heights and schedule an appointment with Dr. Shafeeq and his experienced dental staff.

If you have one or several missing teeth, dental implants may be the best option for you. Unlike a dental bridge, an implant is rooted into the bone structure below the gums. In other words, dental implants are the next best thing to healthy, natural teeth. Implants are also undetectable to the human eye, allowing you to be confident in your beautiful new smile. Here is a look at some of the biggest advantages of dental implants for restoring missing or damaged teeth. If interested in learning more, discuss dental implants with your Schaumburg cosmetic dentist .

Natural Look and Feel

Dental implants restore lost or damaged teeth so that they look, feel, fit, and function like natural teeth. Not only will this give you confidence in your smile but will also allow you to taste and enjoy the foods you love without hesitation. Unlike removable dentures, dental implants allow you to bite naturally and eat virtually anything you want without discomfort or fear.

Durable Long-Term Solution

Typically, tooth-supported dental bridges only last between five and seven years. With extra-special care, dental bridges can last more than 10 years—but at some point they may need to be replaced. While dental implants may need periodic adjustments and cleanings, they can last a lifetime when properly placed by a skilled Schaumburg cosmetic dentist and cared for over time.

Protect Healthy Bone

When it is not being used to support a natural tooth, the jawbone deteriorates over time. Dental implants preserve healthy bone and significantly reduce resorption and deterioration that results in loss of jawbone height, which can affect how you speak, talk, and smile. In fact, dental implants are the only dental restoration option that preserves natural bone. Implants can also preserve natural tooth tissue by avoiding the need to cut down adjacent teeth for conventional dental bridgework.

Reference: http://www.aaid-implant.org

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