Tag Archives: Teeth Whitening Dentist Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights IL Dentist | Health Alert: Preventing Osteoporosis

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Osteoporosis is a disease that affects roughly 10 million Americans, according to statistics from the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Additionally, another 44 million people are at an increased risk of developing the disease due to of low bone density. Symptoms appear in more than one-third of women over the age of 65. Fractures, pain, and mobility limitations can occur from osteoporosis. Understanding the signs and symptoms, as well as prevention methods, can decrease your chance of developing osteoporosis.  

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that decreases bone density and weakens bones. Many people are unaware that they have this disease, and only catch it after an injury. Bone fractures can greatly diminish your quality of life through persistent discomfort and limited mobility.

Oral Health Linked to Osteoporosis

If you suffer from osteoporosis, your oral health is also at risk. Your jawbone may begin to weaken, leading to significant oral health complications. A routine visit to our dental office can allow us to detect early signs of osteoporosis. Tooth loss and gum disease are potential indicators of an underlying health issue. Our team will take X-rays of your jawbone and surrounding teeth. If we detect diminished bone density, or signs of bone loss, we will discuss the best course of action with you.

What You Can Do

The risk factors associated with osteoporosis include genetics, calcium deficiency, smoking, menopause, excessive caffeine or alcohol, and an inactive lifestyle. Simple changes such as increasing your daily calcium and vitamin D intake, exercising, quitting smoking, decreasing consumption of caffeine and alcohol, and visiting our team regularly can help lower your risk.

Osteoporosis affects the lives of millions of people. It can significantly diminish your quality of life. Through regular oral health examinations, our team may be able to identify early signs of bone loss.

Schedule your visit to John J. Dzakovich DDS of Arlington Heights today.

 

John J. Dzakovich DDS of Arlington Heights
Phone: (847) 255-4889
1608 N Arlington Heights Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Arlington Heights IL Dentist |7 Ways to Combat Bad Breath

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Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is commonly associated with certain foods. Garlic, onion, and cabbage can all cause a foul odor and taste for several hours after you’ve eaten them. This type of temporary halitosis is easily solved by avoiding the foods that cause it. However, in some cases bad breath is a chronic problem that simply changing your diet won’t solve.

Long-term bad breath is caused by the presence of bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria are most often found on the back of the tongue and thrive when your mouth is dry. There are a variety of ways you can help reduce or eliminate chronic bad breath. Some of these include:

Practice good oral hygiene.

Brush your teeth after you eat as often as possible and at least twice daily. Clean between your teeth using dental floss or another interdental (between teeth) cleaner at least once each day. Food particles between teeth will break down slowly and cause unpleasant odors and tastes.

Brush your tongue.

Even if you brush and floss your teeth as recommended, the bacteria causing your bad breath may remain on your tongue. Use a tongue scraper or toothbrush to gently scrape away any particles of food or bacteria every time you brush. For best results, place the scraper or brush as far back as you can manage without gagging. This will generally become easier over time.

Keep well-hydrated.

Dry mouths allow bacteria to thrive. By drinking plenty of water, you can help prevent the bacteria growth and reduce or stop bad breath.

Avoid bad breath triggers.

Onions, garlic, cabbage, coffee, and tobacco products are all known to cause bad breath.

Chew sugarless gum.

By chewing sugarless gum, you increase saliva production and keep your mouth moist. This helps slow or prevent bacteria growth, minimizing chances of bad breath.

Improve your diet.

Crunchy fruits and vegetables, yogurt, and foods rich in vitamins C and D all work to prevent the growth of bacteria, keep your mouth cleaner, and increase saliva flow.

See your dentist.

Follow your regular schedule of dental hygiene appointments and exams. If you have tried the tips above without improvement, make an appointment for an exam to see if there may be an underlying condition that requires treatment. Treat any oral illnesses, such as decayed teeth, periodontal (gum) disease, or infection.

For more information about the potential causes and treatments for halitosis, contact our office.

Arlington Heights IL Dentist | Are Your Drinks Attacking Your Teeth?

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If carbonated soft drinks are part of your normal daily routine, you may be causing serious damage to your teeth. Recent studies have found soft drinks to be among the most potent dietary causes of tooth decay. Soft drinks have also been implicated in increases of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other serious health conditions. Before you shop for beverages this week, consider a few things you should know about soft drinks.

Most soft drinks contain substantial amounts of sugars, which interact with the bacteria in your mouth. This interaction produces a form of acid that can damage your teeth for about 20 minutes. Each time you take a drink, you reset that time window. If you consume throughout the day, you are essentially bathing your teeth in that beverage for hours.

Most soft drinks contain acids, as well. Even sugar-free varieties contain acids that can weaken the enamel on your teeth. Colas and citrus-flavored soft drinks tend to have the highest levels of acid. Over time, this weakening of tooth enamel has a cumulative effect. This can lead to decay and even tooth loss if not addressed in early stages.

Obviously, the best solution is to stop consuming carbonated soft drinks. However, it can be a difficult habit to break. Here are some tips to help reduce your risks of tooth damage from these beverages:

  • Drink in moderation. Too much sugar and acid will eventually cause damage.
  • Try sparkling water. This provides the fizzy sensation without all the sugar and acid.
  • Drink more water. You will crave soft drinks less when you are fully hydrated.
  • Don’t sip. The longer you spend drinking, the more time sugars and acids are reacting with your teeth.
  • Use a straw. This can help keep the sugars and acids away from your teeth.
  • Rinse with water after drinking to dilute acids and sugars.
  • Don’t brush immediately. Wait at least 30 minutes for acids to be neutralized by saliva before brushing.
  • Practice good dental hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular professional cleanings and exams.

Carbonated soft drinks can be harmful to your oral and overall health. Be mindful of how often you consume them and consider reducing or stopping your use of these dangerous beverages.

For more oral health tips or to schedule an appointment, contact our office.

Dentist Arlington Heights, IL | Tips to Quit Smoking

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Quit Smoking and Whiten Teeth

Dentist in Arlington Heights, IL

As another year draws to a close, many people think about the resolutions they want to make for the coming year. If you are a smoker, you already know the reasons you should quit – yellow teeth, bad breath, and health risks. Unfortunately, saying you want to quit and actually quitting are two different things. To make your resolution turn into reality, you need a plan. Here are some tips for creating a New Year’s Resolution Plan to quit smoking and whiten your teeth:

  • Give yourself a good reason: When push comes to shove, many smokers resort to their old unhealthy habit because they don’t have a good enough reason to stay on the road to quitting. Think about your health, your wallet, your family, or even how nice it would be to sit indoors and spend time with your loved ones instead of standing outside smoking in a cold garage.
  • Get motivated: It is important to acknowledge that it is never too late to quit. Even if you have quit before, it is worth the effort to try again, no matter how long you have smoked.
  • Address both parts of your addiction: People become addicted to smoking both physically for the nicotine and psychologically as a habit. Your doctor may be able to prescribe patches or medication which can help with the physical side. Ask about side effects and determine whether this approach is right for your physical and mental condition.
  • The psychological side: The American Lung Association offers a Freedom From Smoking®group clinic which features a step-by-step in-person or online plan for quitting smoking. Eight sessions help smokers gain control over their behavior. Participants work on the process and problems of quitting, both individually and as part of the group.
  • Alternative methods: Some people also find success with gum or hypnosis as methods to wean themselves from their nicotine dependency.

HelpGuide.org, a non-profit guide to mental health and well-being, offers a handy acronym to get you going – START.

S = set a date.

T = tell others.

A = anticipate and plan for challenges.

R = remove cigarettes.

T = talk to your doctor.

Once you have stopped smoking, you will begin to feel the health benefits almost immediately. If all those years of smoking have given your teeth a noticeably dingy appearance, you might want to consider professional teeth whitening to help you feel even better about your achievement. Our practice utilizes dental whitening products from Life-Like Cosmetic Solutions. We offer in-office professional teeth whitening, and send you home with an in-home whitening kit to complement our work and extend the benefits even longer.

Contact our dental office with any questions you have about dental care, smoking cessation, diet, cosmetic dentistry, oral hygiene, or dental teeth whitening. We hope you consider discussing the benefits of teeth whitening as part of your New Year’s Resolution Plan. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from the Dental Professionals at the Dental Office of Dr. John Dzakovich!

Arlington Heights Dentist | Teeth Whitening: An Effective Way to Improve Your Smile

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Arlington Heights Dentist

Teeth whitening may be a great option if you who have stained, dull or discolored teeth. The main causes of stained teeth are genetics, antibiotics, tobacco and certain foods. As we age, our teeth darken as well.

Our dental team is devoted to helping you achieve and maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. If you are considering teeth whitening, contact our Arlington Heights dentist for a consultation.

John J. Dzakovich DDS