This condition changes how you approach eating, exercising and visiting your doctor. While it involves your blood sugar, the National Institutes of Health report that about one third of people with diabetes have severe gum disease, causing gum tissue and bone around the teeth to break down. High levels of sugar in the blood make you more vulnerable to bacterial infection and your teeth and gums can pay the price.
Type I and II diabetes influence many factors of your health, including your mouth and oral health. Dry mouth is a prominent symptom of diabetes I and II. This may sound like a small complaint, but saliva protects your teeth and gums from harmful bacteria. With less saliva comes a higher risk of cavities, gum inflammation and gingivitis. Teeth in diabetic children tend to erupt earlier and a dulled sense of taste might come later for adults.
The more serious side effect of diabetes for oral health is the increased risk of gum disease. With the lack of saliva in the mouth, gums are left exposed to bacterial infections and periodontal disease. As you age, poor blood sugar control increases the risk of gum disease. Serious gum disease can cause blood sugar to rise even more, making it harder to fight.
If you or a loved one is diabetic, don’t worry. There are ways to control gum disease and keep gums and keep teeth healthy. Regular dental cleanings and checkups ensure that your teeth get the star treatment. Your dentist will be able to catch trouble early and frequent cleanings prevents bacteria from taking hold of your mouth. Furthermore, treating your gums regularly can help control blood sugar and decrease the progression of periodontal disease.
Diabetics likely watch their food intake carefully anyway, that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. With blood sugar levels always at a special balance, it’s generally best to stay away from too many sweets or unhealthy foods. Vegetables, lean proteins and grains should be a daily part of your diet. Exercise boosts immune cells that could be laid down with sugar in the blood stream and avoiding tobacco keeps your heart and lungs functioning as they should. To prevent gum disease at home, be sure to brush three times a day with a power toothbrush or soft-bristled brush and floss daily. To make up for slow saliva production, be sure to drink plenty of water every day.
]]>Dry mouth sounds more annoying rather than an actual threat to your oral health. However, your saliva plays a huge role in keeping your mouth clean and bacteria under control. If you take multiple medications or medications that cause this side effect, you might want to take extra care of your teeth. Without saliva, your mouth can’t effectively wash away food particles and bacteria. The remaining debris can cause damage to your teeth and enamel, leading to further problems.
The roots of your teeth may not be visible, but they’re essential to a healthy mouth. Decaying roots can also be a major problem if you have any form of gum disease. It can be caused by bad habits like tobacco or a poor diet, even skipping the dentist. The best way to treat damaged roots and gums is through your dentist and a healthy hygiene regimen.
As you age, you should see your dentist at least twice a year. However, there are precautions you can take at home to keep your teeth healthy for decades to come. Diet and tobacco use are huge factors in your mouth’s health. After smoking or chewing tobacco, your teeth can stain and begin to decay. Smoke and chew can also harm your gums and increase your risk of cancer in your mouth or throat.
Along with a healthy diet, daily brushing and flossing, drinking plenty of water, chewing sugar-free gum and avoiding alcohol can have great effects on keeping your teeth looking young.
]]>Not many people can, and if you’re one of those many and you’re trying to think of a way to reward yourself for your many years of hard work and dedication to others, well, we may have just the thing…
At William J. Holevas, DDS, we believe that a beautiful smile means a beautiful life, and we’re all about helping our patients live a life worth bragging about. Now that your kids our out of the house, and now that you are coming up on your retirement – if you’re not there already –it’s your turn. Stop worrying about others, even if only for a day, to come and talk to us about what we can do for you. Even if you don’t make a decision right away, it’s always nice to know how you can make a worthwhile investment in yourself the next time you feel the urge to splurge 😉
Visit https://dentalpassions.com/find-us/ to see how to find us today!
]]>Many patients have confided that they have or have had these sorts of nightmares in the past, and while we’re not exactly the people to be putting emphasis on dreams, we do know that many nightmares stem from a very real fear or worry – whether subconscious or not.
So, what do we propose these tooth loss nightmares mean? Well, we think it’s pretty self-explanatory: You’re worried about losing your teeth!
As we get older, our probabilities for tooth loss increase exponentially, a fact that does not escape the majority of us. Yet, even as most of us accept tooth loss as an inevitability, none of us actually want it to happen. So we worry about it, because that’s what humans do about things over which they have no control: worry.
But the thing about tooth loss is, you can control it! In fact, you can even go so far as to prevent it! Tooth loss is not an inevitability, but treating it as one is the surest way to make it one. Instead of worrying about tooth loss, start taking measures to stop it. With the technology and information we have today, there is no reason that you have to lose your teeth.
The first thing you need to do when you start having these nightmares is visit the dentist. We can give you a thorough summarization of what is going on inside of your mouth, what needs work and what’s working. We can put you on a regime and recommend a diet that will ensure lasting oral health. And we can nip any existing problems in the bud before they become something more damaging.
For peace of mind during this new stage of your life, visit https://dentalpassions.com/choosing-a-dentist/, or give us a call at 847-742-4214 today.
]]>Unless you live on a diet that consists mostly of water and apples, you’re bound to see some changes to your smile over the years. Wine, coffee, soda, sports drinks, juices and so much more have staining properties that we don’t even think about. Then one day we look in the mirror and notice the differences in our smile. Cracks and chips also make their ways onto our teeth, sometimes with our knowledge, other times without. When these things happen, we look into what can be done to save our smiles.
Many people don’t believe that there is anything we can do to fix this level of disrepair – well, short of removing all of their teeth and replacing them with new ones entirely – but there is! Modern dentistry is so advanced that we are now able to give you a brand new smile, while keeping your old teeth intact.
Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shells that are placed over your existing teeth, but the results they achieve are what we like to think of as “miracles of modern dentistry.” With these simple thin porcelain casings, we can reshape your entire tooth; conceal cracks, chips and breaks; hide discoloration; and even make your teeth look straight again. The best part about porcelain veneers is we can do all this in just three visits! With proper care, the veneers have the potential to last upwards of 10 years.
If you want to transform your smile, without getting rid of your natural teeth entirely, veneers are the solution you’re looking for. To see if porcelain veneers are right for you, call us today at (847) 742-4214 and schedule a consultation with Dr. Holevas.
]]>Not exactly.
Tooth loss does not discriminate by age, yet our society has made it almost embarrassing for a young person to have extensive dental work done. This should not be the case, because so many young people lose teeth everyday. Whether because of poor oral hygiene, gum disease, sports, diabetes or whatever else, it’s not uncommon to hear of tooth loss in the young. Which is why we here at William J. Holevas, DDS, LTD. want to let the young know that there are solutions for you.
Implants are a great tooth replacement option for all tooth loss victims – young, old and everyone in between. Not only do they feel and look like a natural tooth, but they essentially become a tooth. Implants consist of an artificial root that goes into the bone that is later topped with a cap. Over time, the “root” that is placed fuses to the bone by a process called osseointegration, making it a permanent fixture in your mouth. Because of this fusion, implants have the potential to last forever, if taken care of. And, if you think about it, this is no different than a natural tooth. Furthermore, once in place, an implant is non-distinguishable from all the natural teeth surrounding it.
If you’re young and you’ve lost one or more teeth, there is no need to be embarrassed. This is completely normal, and easily fixed. To see how we can repair your smile quickly and effectively – without you ever skipping a beat in your busy social life – visit https://dentalpassions.com/cosmetic-dentistry/
]]>If you’re reading this and thinking, “No way! There is no way my life will ever be as complete without children in my house!” then you probably need a little help to stop feeling like an “empty-nester,” and to start feeling like that giggly, spontaneous couple in love again – you know, the couple you were BK (before kids).
Sometimes, the smallest changes can be that push you need – that something that reminds you that hey! You were your own person once, and you can be again! For many of our patients, that something is a simple teeth whitening.
Revamping your smile can help you see the young person you still are, and give you the confidence you need to pursue all those dreams you put on hold while raising a family. A whiter, brighter smile can help you live for you again.
While we strongly recommend that you get your teeth professionally whitened (check out our blog post, How to Find the Best Whitening Solution for YOUR Smile, to learn more about professional methods), we understand that sometimes this just isn’t possible. If it’s not something you can do right now, at-home methods are the next best thing.
However, just because at-home tooth whitening is common, it’s not always safe. All we ever hear about these at-home methods is that they work, but nobody every talks about the downsides. Well, because we want you to have a healthy, white smile, we will, but we’ll also give you tips on how to whiten your teeth in the safest possible manner…
The Draw Backs of At-Home Whitening and How to Minimize Risks
1. If you aren’t careful, whitening bleach can cause gum irritation and major tooth sensitivity.
2. To reduce sensitivity, choose a product that has a bleach concentration of no more than 10%.
3. Whitening strips that fit more securely to your teeth reduce the risk of gum irritation exponentially.
4. Whitening toothpaste is a viable option, so if you have time – and if your teeth aren’t badly stained – I’d recommend using this first.
5. Always, always! read the instructions before you use a product.
I know what you may be thinking – safe tooth whitening? Is there really a danger in the process? The answer is yes, yes there is. In fact, we’ve seen cases of at-home tooth whitening gone so awry that extreme tooth damage occurred as a result. Of course, in these instances such extreme damage happened because there were untreated cavities or the beginning stages of gum disease to contend with, but even so – this goes to show you that you need to get a professional opinion before proceeding with at-home treatments. So, if you are uncertain about a problem with your teeth, don’t use any whitening products until you get the go-ahead from your dentist.
If you’re interested whitening your teeth, give us a call or stop by so we can recommend the best course of action for your particular situation. Visit https://dentalpassions.com/cosmetic-dentistry/ to see how we can best serve you.
]]>I know, I know—many of you may be thinking that it’s the dentist in me that’s making me say this, but I can assure you—it’s the individual in me that truly cares about your overall health that’s speaking this time.
Here are two major reasons I’m saying you should take care of your gums—reasons I wish people had told ME all those years ago…
1. They act as a sealant.
Gums protect your teeth and bone structure. When bacteria enters your gums, their role is compromised, and as a consequence, your teeth and bone structure are compromised as well.
2. They help prevent heart disease.
Okay, your gums along don’t prevent heart disease, but there is a direct correlation between heart disease and gum disease, one so strong that I feel okay saying: Keep your gums healthy, decrease your risk of heart disease.
To see how we can help you keep your gums healthy, visit https://dentalpassions.com/periodontal-laser-dentistry/
]]>But worry not! When we tell you that a Snap-On-Smile is your best option, we’re not going to give you green plastic fangs, and nor are we going to suggest a clunky pair of wind-up teeth; no, Snap-On-Smile are an affordable, reversible, non-invasive way to give you the smile you’ve always dreamed about, but without the extensive work generally needed of cosmetic procedures.
With a Snap-On-Smile, you only need to visit your dentist twice—yes, TWICE!—to get your new smile! Once: to pick out your new smile and have the impression made, and two: to get fitted for it. There is no surgery involved, just one, two, snap!
Snap-On-Smiles are affordable but life-changing. If you want to know more about this easy new solution, visit https://dentalpassions.com/cosmetic-dentistry/ or give us a call at 847-742-4214 today.
]]>At-Home-Whiteners that Use Light:
Many dental offices will use a hand-held light to activate a bleaching agent (a hydrogen-peroxide based serum) they applied to your teeth. This is one of the most “high-tech” whitening solutions and therefore, one of the most expensive, at as much as $198 a kit. For many though, the price is worth it, as the more expensive of these systems promise a smile up to 6 shades lighter after just ONE 30-minute session.
There are systems that sell for less, such as Luster’s 1-Hour White Tooth Whitening Light System, which sells for $39.99 at Walgreen’s and claims to achieve the same results as the more expensive systems, except for in 1 hour as opposed to 30 minutes.
The results of these systems are said to last for up to two to three months.
Toothpaste:
If your motto is “slow and steady wins the race” or “natural is better,” then toothpaste is the simple solution for you. Toothpaste is a whitening agent in and of itself, but many people don’t view it as one because they’re unwilling to give up coffee, wine, smokes and other discoloring agents that hinder the whitening agents from doing their jobs.
However, while toothpaste has the ability to brighten a smile, results are best when paired with some other bleaching agent.
So, there you have it – 6 solutions to a whiter and brighter smile and each of their pros and cons (prices included!). If you have any further questions about what we believe would work best on your smile, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 847-742-4214 today. For more information on the services we provide, visit https://dentalpassions.com/cosmetic-dentistry/
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