Month: November 2018

A healthy mouth is about more than a shiny smile and fresh breath. Even the best oral health care habits and the most attractive of smiles can be hiding a hidden threat to oral, and overall, wellness. Oral cancer affects many dental patients each year. While it can be treated, like any cancer treatment the key is to discover it early, before it has time to spread to other areas of the body.

One of the best ways to screen for oral cancer is during your twice yearly dental checkups. While occasionally patients with oral cancer will be able to notice changes in the mouth that cause them concern, most frequently the early stages of cancer reveal symptoms that can only be detected by a trained professional who knows what to look for.

However, if you have any of the following symptoms you should make an appointment with your dentist or physician:

• A mouth sore that doesn’t get better
• A patch on the inside of the mouth that is white or red in color or that becomes thick
• Teeth that become loose
• Difficulty or pain when you chew and swallow
• A sore throat that doesn’t get better
• Stiffness or pain in the jaw
• An “off” feeling in the throat, like something is stuck.

At your appointment, your dentist or physician will examine your mouth and talk to you about your symptoms. He or she will also try to rule out other causes for the symptoms, such as allergies, infection or gum disease. If other infections are determined not to be the cause, a small sample of cells will be tested. Treatment and next steps will vary depending on the results of those tests.

Oral cancer is a serious condition that should be given the proper time for screening. Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Dental has been talking to his patients in the Dolton, Illinois area about the ways to help prevent oral cancer for many years. For example, oral cancer risks increase with the use of smoking or chewing tobacco. If you currently use tobacco products, consider stopping in order to preserve your oral, and overall, health and wellness. Other risk factors include drinking alcohol frequently and having a great deal of sun exposure on your lips.

If you believe that you could be at risk for oral cancer, call the Pleasant Dental practice today to schedule an appointment.

As a parent, you have plenty to worry about when your child starts to play sports. Scrapes and bruises, practice times, scheduling family dinners around a busy schedule, and remembering when it’s your turn to bring the team snack are only a few of the items on your busy to-do list. With all the equipment to remember, practice car pool to drive, and laundry to wash, many parents ask their dentist if the suggested mouth guard is really necessary.

In a nutshell, yes. The mouth guard is important to children, older kids, and to adults playing sports. While it may feel awkward and uncomfortable at first, most athletes quickly get used to it. Further the benefits of wearing a mouth guard and the lower risk of injury to the mouth and teeth are critical to ensuring the health of your mouth.

What is a mouth guard, exactly?

A mouth guard is a dental appliance that is usually made of thin, comfortable plastic that is used to protect the mouth during sport activities.

What kinds of injuries do mouth guards help to prevent?

Most people think that mouth guards protect the teeth from being broken or knocked out. While that’s true, they also protect damage to the lips, cheek, and roots of the teeth. And they can help to prevent a jaw fracture and even a concussion.

Who should use a mouth guard?

Anyone playing a sport should consider using a mouth guard. Some sports such as football, hockey, and boxing require the use of mouth guard because they are considered collision sports. However, most dentists recommend that patients playing soccer, lacrosse, wrestling, basketball, baseball, and volleyball consider the use of a mouth guard as well. Players can’t anticipate when they may be hit in the face with a ball, or when they may come into contact with another player’s elbow, shoulder, or the ground. Preventing an oral injury is easier, and safer, than fixing one.

My child doesn’t like his mouth guard, what should I do?

While the mouth guard may feel awkward at first, the only real way to get past that feeling of discomfort is to keep wearing it. Like all oral appliances it will become more comfortable with time and practice. In fact, most players who wear a mouth guard barely notice them at all.

Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Dental has been helping patients keep their mouths in top shape for many years. Conveniently located in Dolton, Illinois, Dr. Dietrich’s practice is a great resource for patients and parents of young patients to turn with questions about keeping their mouths healthy. For more information about mouth guards, call Dr. Dietrich today.

Keeping your smile healthy requires several things – eating well, drinking plenty of water, proper and frequent brushing and flossing, and regular checkups with your dentist. However, even with the best oral health habits patients can begin to notice that their smile doesn’t sparkle the way it used to. That’s because certain foods, especially those that are dark in color, can leave particles on the teeth that begin to cause discoloration and yellowing of the smile.

Patients who want to improve their smile and remove the teeth discoloration often wonder where to start. A trip to the grocery store uncovers a wide variety of whitening toothpastes, gels, or strips and many patients purchase these products hoping for a quick and cheap fix. However, while these products make strong claims, they often fail to deliver the results that patients want. Further, in some cases, the products can damage the teeth or gums or lead to increased sensitivity due to improper use of the product.

Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Dental near Chicago, IL, works with his patients to achieve, and keep, their beautiful smiles. The first step, Dr. Dietrich advises, is to avoid certain foods. For example, the morning cup of coffee that many patients drink every day may help them get their day started, but coffee can leave dark particles on the teeth that cause staining or discoloration. Dr. Dietrich tells patients to either avoid these items or to brush their teeth after consuming them. Other tips for keeping your teeth from becoming stained include frequent brushing and flossing and drinking a lot of water to ensure that food particles aren’t sticking to the teeth. Also, regular checkups with your dentist are important because they include a professional cleaning that removes plaque and bacteria from the teeth.

However, once the teeth have become discolored, the best way to reveal a whiter smile is to have them professionally whitened. Professional whitening treatments are not only effective, but they’re safe and deliver more predictable results leading to greater patient satisfaction. Dr. Dietrich offers both in-office and at-home professional whitening treatments to help patients get the smile they want. In-office treatments offer the benefit of being fast. Most patients spend only one to two hours in the dentist’s office and leave with a drastically whiter smile. On the other hand, at-home whitening treatments can be done when it’s convenient for the patient, from the comfort and privacy of their own home.

If you’re considering professional whitening treatment, call Pleasant Dental today to find out more about professional teeth whitening.

Many patients feel that orthodontic dental treatment is all about improving the appearance of their smile. They think that teeth that are crowded or uneven should be adjusted only if they want to smile a little brighter. The truth is teeth that are misaligned, crowded or uneven can be a risk to oral health. When teeth are crowded, they create pockets in the mouth where sugar and food particles can become trapped, leading to tooth decay or gum disease.

Sometimes teeth are misaligned as soon as they break through the gums. Other times, the teeth shift during adulthood, either after years of not wearing a retainer following orthodontic treatment or because another tooth in the mouth was lost. Regardless of the reason, fixing the misalignment is important to your overall dental health. However, many patients are hesitant to undergo orthodontic treatment that requires embarrassing metal brackets and sharp, uncomfortable wires.

Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Valley Dental in Dolton, IL, has been helping patients improve the appearance, and the health, of their smile with Invisalign orthodontic treatment. Invisalign is an effective way to shift the teeth without the use of traditional braces by using clear alignment trays. The trays are custom created, following a predesigned treatment plan that gently move the teeth into place.

Invisalign offers the overwhelming benefit of being able to improve the smile in a way that’s practically invisible. However, the treatment also offers additional benefits. For example, because the trays can be removed, patients can eat their favorite foods without worrying about breaking a bracket or getting sticky foods stuck on the wires. Additionally, the trays could be removed for important professional or social events. Finally, the trays can be removed for brushing and flossing. This improves the ability to properly clean the teeth and leads to better overall health and wellness.

A happy smile is a healthy smile. If your teeth are crowded or uneven, call Dr. Dietrich to find out if Invisalign could help you. Dr. Dietrich and the entire team at Pleasant Dental are committed to helping patients achieve the smile they want, and deserve.

Patients with diabetes know that they have to actively monitor and manage their lifestyle and diet for health reasons. However, diabetes – and high blood sugar – can also impact your teeth and gums as well. Patients with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes must take special care to manage their blood sugar levels in order to decrease their risk for tooth decay and gum disease.

How does diabetes impact my dental health?

Tooth Decay: Every mouth is made up of many types of bacteria. When food and beverage particles made up of starches and sugar come into contact with the bacteria, plaque forms on the teeth. If not removed, the plaque can damage the teeth and lead to cavities. Patients with diabetes have higher levels of blood sugar and therefore have a greater supply of sugar and starches in their mouths. This can lead to more acid doing damage to your teeth.

Gingivitis: Diabetic patients have a more difficult time fighting bacteria. If the plaque isn’t removed daily through brushing and flossing, it can spread below the gum line, harden, and become tartar. This tartar will lead to irritation of the gums, leading to swelling, bleeding, and soreness. This stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. If gingivitis is left untreated it can develop into periodontitis, which will further damage the gums and oral bone structure. Patients with diabetes are at greater risk because the body has less ability to fight infection and to aid in healing. Further, gum disease can cause diabetic patients’ blood sugar to rise.

As a diabetic patient, how can I prevent damage to my teeth and gums?

Patients with diabetes must first make a commitment to taking care of their overall health. With close blood sugar monitoring and by following your physician’s advice for managing your blood sugar level, you will be less likely to develop gum disease or cavities. It is also important that diabetic patients brush at least twice a day, but ideally after snacks and meals. Most dentists suggest using fluoride and avoiding rough scrubbing, because it irritates the gums. Patients should also be sure to floss and schedule regular checkups with your dentist. Between appointments, you should look at your mouth carefully for signs of gum disease and call your dentist if you notice redness, inflammation or bleeding.

Diabetes can make maintaining good oral health a challenge; however, with proper oral care and paying close attention to changes in the mouth, patients can enjoy healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime.

Dental pain can be caused by a many factors but is almost immediately recognized. Sometimes it may be a lingering sensation after eating something hot, cold, or sweet; other times it can be an intense throbbing pain; and still other times it can be a dull, sore ache. Whatever the feeling, patients want relief and they want relief now.

Often patients in Illinios, and across the United States, are quick to run to the drugstore when they have pain in their mouth. While over the counter pain medication or topical ointments can relieve the symptoms, it’s important to also seek dental treatment. The pain is an indication that something is wrong inside your mouth and, unfortunately, dental problems typically do not heal on their own. Scheduling an appointment with a trusted dentist is the first step to ensuring that the pain goes away, and doesn’t come back.

• Cavity: A cavity is a frequent and common dental problem for patients of all ages. Essentially a cavity is a weakened or damaged spot on the tooth caused by bacteria from food particles. Sometimes these cavities are detected during a regular checkup exam or x-ray and other times patients will notice tooth sensitivity first. The good news is that fixing the cavity, is a simple procedure that immediately corrects the problem in one visit.
• Gum disease: If your gums are sore, inflamed, or bleeding it could be an early indication of gum disease. Contrary to popular belief, a little bit of “pink in the sink” when you brush is not normal. If you’ve noticed bleeding or if your gums are sore, call your dentist. Often gum disease can be treated with improvement of oral hygiene habits or prescription mouthwash. If the gum disease is very advanced it may need to be treated through deep cleaning, medication, or surgery. Like many dental problems, the earlier gum disease is caught the faster it can be treated.

Root canal: A root canal may be the most feared dental procedure. However, the pain that’s associated with a root canal is actually pain that occurs prior to walking into the dental office. The root canal procedure itself includes cleaning out the infected portion of the tooth, refilling the tooth to ensure that it is strong, and placing a dental cap. The tooth is numbed during the procedure and most patients feel relief very quickly.

Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Dental has been helping his patients treat many dental issues. However, the best way to treat a problem is to prevent it. That’s why it’s critical to maintain good at-home oral health habits and make regular dental checkups a priority.

Why fillings are important

Tooth fillings are among the simplest and most common dental restorations. They are used to repair cavities, and prevent the spread of tooth decay. You might not pay a great deal of attention to cavities unless they affect the appearance of your smile, or become painful. Unfortunately, ignoring them will only lead to bigger, and eventually painful, problems.

Tooth decay is a progressive disease, and once it begins it will continue chewing away at the layers of enamel, dentin, and eventually reach the soft dental pulp. Fillings relieve the pain and sensitivity of deep cavities, because they replace the missing tooth material. Even more importantly, they stop the progression of decay by sealing out harmful plaque and bacteria.

Types of fillings

• Gold – This is the strongest and the most expensive filling material. It is gentle on your gums and tooth tissue, and may last longer than alternatives. However, gold fillings are unpopular due to cosmetic concerns and cost.
• Silver (amalgam) – This is the least expensive material, and nearly as strong as gold. However, it may not be as gentle to the teeth and gums. It is not commonly used for visible cavities because it tends to darken, becoming nearly black over time. Additionally, a failed amalgam filling can darken the surrounding tooth.
• Composite resin – This is by far the most popular filling material today. It is slightly more expensive than silver, but much less expensive than gold. Even more important to many image-conscious patients, composite can be colored to match the surrounding tooth enamel perfectly, for a healthy, natural looking result.
• Porcelain – This option is nearly as pricey as gold, but it offers the combined benefits of strength and a natural appearance. Porcelain fillings, also called inlays, are long lasting and stain resistant.

The procedure

The process is gentle, and it is completed in just a few simple steps:

• First, Dr. Dietrich will examine the tooth to determine if a filling is the best solution. If the decay is severe, a crown and possibly a root canal procedure may be needed.
• The tooth is numbed to ensure your comfort.
• All damaged and diseased tooth material is removed.
• Lastly, the filling is placed. The exact process will vary slightly, depending on the material used. However, it is generally done during the same appointment with the exception of gold or porcelain fillings, which are created in a dental lab.

If you have a cavity, we have a solution. Pleasant Dental is located in Dolton, Illinois, providing quality dental care to residents throughout the area. Call us at [phone] and schedule your appointment today.

Surely, you’ve heard that “you are what you eat.” While this may not literally be true, your dietary habits do have a profound effect, for good or bad, on your entire body including your teeth. You are probably aware that excess sugar consumption can lead to cavities, especially when coupled with lax oral hygiene. However, you may not know that frequent vomiting, poor nutrition, and consumption of certain high-acid diet foods can also be harmful to your oral health.

Coping with eating disorders

Many people find it challenging to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, especially when confronted with store isles filled with temptingly tasty and convenient, yet unhealthy, food choices. However, it can go far beyond a struggle between willpower and indulgence. It can become a serious and complex illness, involving physiological, psychological, emotional, and social factors.

If you suffer from an eating disorder, you are not alone. Millions of Americans struggle with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and similar illnesses. The process of restoring and protecting your health is as complex as the problem itself. Psychological counseling, psychotherapy, support groups, nutritional counselling, and similar measures can help address the root cause. Cooperative effort with your primary care physician, dentist, and other healthcare providers is also important, to help you regain your health.

Dental symptoms of eating disorders

Some of the most common oral health complications associated with eating disorders include:

• Recurrent, sudden pain in a specific tooth
• Enamel erosion and cavities, associated with exposure to acid due to vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Enlarged salivary glands
• Cracked, dry, or red lips
• Temperature sensitivity of the teeth
• Exposed dental pulp, which can lead to tooth pain, sensitivity, and infections
• Visual changes in the length, contours, or color of teeth
• Weak, brittle teeth that are susceptible to fractures or breakage

Dr. Dietrich, of Pleasant Dental in Dolton, is a highly skilled, experienced dentist who is known for delivering quality care. He is also more than a dentist to his patients. He is a gentle, compassionate, non-judgmental friend who is dedicated to improving your health and the quality of your life. Call us at [phone] and arrange an appointment today.

Headaches are one of the most common nervous system disorders. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 50 percent of all adults have experienced one or more headaches within the last 12 months. In reality, the number may be much higher, as headaches are traditionally underestimated and frequently undiagnosed.

Many people simply suffer in silence, and do not seek medical attention unless the pain becomes debilitating – and even then, they don’t always find relief. There are several types of headaches, with various causes making misdiagnosis a common problem. You may not expect to find relief at a dentist’s office, but a surprising number of headaches are associated with teeth or, more commonly, jaws.

Oral disease

We often think of toothaches as being confined to a single tooth, but the pain can spread. This is especially true if you have gum disease or other infection, as pockets of pus (abscesses), can form near the affected teeth. These problems often lead to facial pain near or around the tooth.

TMJ disorder

This is one of the most common causes of misdiagnosed or undiagnosed headaches. The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is the medical name for the jaw joint. You have a TMJ on each side of your head, connecting your lower jaw to your skull. They are small, intricate joints with extremely powerful muscles. Misalignment of the jaw, clenching your teeth, jaw injury, arthritis, and other factors can affect the functionality of one or both TMJs. You might expect the resulting pain to be localized near the jaw. However, due to major nerves in the area, TMJ disorders are subject to referred pain, which may be felt far from the origin.

If you have a TMJ disorder, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Popping or grinding sounds in the jaw
• Facial pain
• Migraine-like headaches
• Upper back or shoulder pain
• Ringing of the ears or other hearing problems
• Earaches
• Pain in the jaws

Have you been suffering with chronic headaches? If so, relief could be as close as your Dolton dental office. Call Pleasant Dental at [phone] to schedule an evaluation.

Toothaches are among the most common dental complaints, and they have a wide variety of potential causes. They include:

• Cavities – Large or deep cavities can expose the nerve inside of the tooth, causing extreme sensitivity or toothaches.
• Damaged dental pulp – The soft tissues, including nerves, in the center of a tooth are known as dental pulp. If it becomes injured or infected, it can lead to pain, sensitivity, abscesses, and other problems.
• Fractured or broken tooth – If you break a tooth, you probably expect it to hurt. However, you may not know that hairline fractures, even those too small to see, can cause problems ranging from dull throbbing to unbearable aching.
• Failing dental restoration – Dental fillings, crowns, and other restorations are placed in such a way that bacteria is sealed out. However, if that seal is compromised or the tooth fractures, you may have cavities forming behind the dental materials, where you don’t even see them.
• Trauma – Any kind of facial injury in the mouth area has potential to irritate or damage your teeth. In this case, the pain may be temporary or it may be a sign of tooth damage.
• Malocclusion – Crooked teeth or misaligned jaws can cause the pressure from chewing to be distributed unevenly.
• Bruxism (clenching or grinding teeth) – For many people this is a subconscious habit in times of stress, and during sleep. Although you may not even realize you are grinding your teeth, the excessive pressure can make them sore, as well as causing jaw pain.
• Exposed roots – Gum recession, typically caused be periodontal disease, can leave the surface of tooth roots exposed. Because the outer layer on the roots is not as hard as enamel, it is less protection against cavities or temperature-related sensitivity.
• Wisdom teeth – Also called third molars, these teeth erupt much later than other teeth, and there may not be enough room. Although wisdom teeth are not usually problematic, they can crowd nerves or other teeth causing pain.
• Sinusitis – The upper tooth roots are near the nasal cavity, so inflammation in this area can cause pain or sensitivity that feels like it is originating in the teeth.

Because dental problems tend to be progressive, it is best to see a dentist before the pain becomes unbearable. Call [phone] and schedule an appointment at Pleasant Dental in Dolton.