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How To Make the Most of Your Dental Visit | Kenilworth Dentist

Woman at the dentist shielding her mouth because she is scared or has dental anxiety

To make the most of a dental visit, we all know it’s important to brush and floss prior to the appointment, but we should also be using our time during the appointment wisely. Here are the things you should be keeping your dentist informed of to make the most out of your visit.

Share Health and Lifestyle Changes:

It may seem odd to consider your dentist an individual you need o keep up-to-date on your lifestyle habits or changes, but it can tell them a lot about how to best care for and advise your oral care routine. If you haven’t been totally honest about things like smoking or flossing habits, it’s important to begin sharing these things for your own ability to maintain your oral health.

If you make changes to your lifestyle, such as reducing or increasing medications or the consumption of coffee or nicotine, it’s important to let your dentist know. These seemingly nominal changes can have a huge impact on your oral health over time. The acid in coffee may weaken your enamel over time, whereas reducing consumption may allow it to remain intact. The potential impact of nicotine from cigarettes or chewing tobacco on your oral health is another important thing to share so your dentist can look for signs of change.

Discuss Your Concerns:

It’s important to remember that your dentist is on your team; they are open to answering your questions with knowledge and experience. If you have any concerns about your teeth, gums, or jaw, or are experiencing any pain it is important to share that with your dentist. It’s easy to turn to the internet for answers to these concerns, but lifestyle habits among other things are factors your dentist can consider with you. If any of the following apply to you, it is important to discuss them with your dentist before they potentially get worse:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Sores in the mouth that do not heal
  • Sensitivity or pain
  • Clenching your jaws
  • Grinding your teeth
  • Problems with brushing or flossing

For more information regarding dental exams, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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Children In Halloween Costumes Trick Or Treating to show how sugar can affect kids oral health

Good bacteria and harmful bacteria coexist, and certain behaviors can advance one or the other. In general, a good oral care routine and healthy eating will keep the harmful bacteria at bay without any serious issues.

Here are some things you should know about the bacteria that exist within your mouth.

Helpful Bacteria

lactobacilli bacteria can fight several kinds of harmful bacteria and may help restore a healthy balance in your mouth. This bacteria can be found in some types of chewing gum and people with gingivitis may be asked to use it every day by their dentist.

Streptococcus Salivarius helps suppress oral pathogens like Streptococcus Pyogenes and Streptococcus Pneumonia that cause infections and autoimmune disorders. It also provides immune support to help reduce symptoms of oral and respiratory viral infections while crowding out other potentially harmful oral pathogens.

Harmful Bacteria

Streptococcus mutans is specifically found on tooth surfaces and difficult-to-clean areas like pits and fissures on the teeth. It feeds on the sugars and starches you eat, leading to the formation of cavities. This bacteria is the main cause of tooth decay in humans because it produces enamel-eroding acids and thrives in a low pH.

Periodontitis is a serious inflammatory disease that affects the tissues and the alveolar bone that support the teeth. While this disease is caused by several types of bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis is strongly linked to it.

Even though the bacteria we carry with us doesn’t identify itself as helpful or harmful in ways we can easily identify, we can maintain a good oral care routine. The next time you consider skipping your twice daily brush and floss, consider the after effects harmful bacteria can have over time. It’s better to maintain your routine after a long day than navigate the treatment of resulting issues later.

For more information regarding dental exams, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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Does Your Child Have A Crossbite? Here’s What To Know | Kenilworth Dentist

A kid holding dental cleaning accessories to show that pediatric dental care is important and cn be done at home.

A crossbite is when the upper and lower jaws do not align properly, and if you think your child has a misaligned jaw, it’s better to have it evaluated sooner than later. You may notice their upper jaw may rest to the right or left of the lower jaw, causing an improper alignment. This can cause a variety of issues such as grinding down your teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), inability to chew effectively, facial asymmetry, uneven jaw development, and frequent biting of your cheek or tongue.

A Split Opinion

Crossbites are considered a genetic disposition, yet for children who have been diagnosed with one, the dental community is split on when to begin treatment.

Some suggest treatment at the time of diagnosis (for a child, this could mean around the age of three), while others want to wait until a child’s molars arrive (commonly around the age of six). No matter when you decide to begin treatment, dentists and orthodontists alike agree a cross bit should not be left untreated

Treatment

Depending on the kind of crossbite, and how severe the misalignment is, its likely treatment will involve dental appliances that work to correct the bite pattern. This can be in the form of braces, sagittal expanders, and retainers that all work to correct the alignment over time. These methods are commonly employed when the entire alignment is off. If misalignment is being caused by a single tooth, it is more likely that a dental face mask, clear aligners, or braces are employed.

While crossbites are not very common, they are generally considered a genetic occurrence. In the case of discovering your young child has a crossbite, it should be treated before they sustain permanent damage to their face and jaw. Listen to all the options provided by your dentist, and choose the course of action that best suits your child.

For more information regarding dental exams, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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Reasons You May Have Bad Breath | Kenilworth Dentist

Fresh Breath

Nobody wants to realize that they have bad breath. We can’t always have minty fresh breath, but if it’s a common occurrence, it may be because of a more serious issue. So, pop a stick of sugar-free gum in your mouth and take a look at reasons you may have bad breath:

Food. Stinky foods enter your bloodstream as we digest them, travel to your lungs and affect your breath. But food in general increases the bacteria that causes bad breath as it breaks down.

Tobacco products. Tobacco products stink as is, but smokers and oral tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease, another source of bad breath.

Poor dental hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, including your tongue, causing bad breath.

Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that cause bad odors. Dry mouth can contribute to bad breath as saliva production decreases. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, leading to the dreaded “morning breath”.

Medications. Some medications can indirectly produce bad breath by contributing to dry mouth. Others can be broken down in the body to release chemicals that can be carried on your breath.

Infections in your mouth. Oral surgery, tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores, can all cause your breath to turn.

Other mouth, nose and throat conditions. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat, which can contribute to postnasal drip, also can cause bad breath.

Other causes. Diseases, such as some cancers, and conditions such as metabolic disorders, can cause a distinctive breath odor as a result of chemicals they produce.

For more information regarding bad breath, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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Simple Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay | Kenilworth Dentist

In order to maintain a healthy smile, we need to adhere to a few basic rules. Because if we don’t, it will lead to many dental issues down the road. One of the first dental afflictions is tooth decay, or the dental issue that leads to cavities, making it one of the common most problems seen among patients. The good news is that it isn’t all that difficult to stave off tooth decay. In fact, here are five easy steps to cavity prevention and maintaining a bright healthy smile for years to come:

Fluoride therapy. It is the delivery of fluoride to the teeth topically or systemically in order to prevent tooth decay (dental caries) which results in cavities. Fluoride therapy delivery involves fluoride supplementation using water, salt, tablets or drops which are swallowed. Tablets or drops are rarely used where public water supplies are fluoridated.

Brushing your teeth. Brushing and flossing properly, along with regular dental checkups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. Brushing your teeth three times a day makes your teeth stronger.

Regular checkups. It is very important to seek the help of a dentist since they know a lot about it. They know what to do and where to focus on your teeth.

Dental sealant. It is the dental treatment that consists of plastic material that covers one or more teeth, for preventing of cavities and tooth decay. Dental sealants are applied in a dentist’s office.

Dietary snacks. It is good to limit sweet snacks as excessive intake of sweets alters your blood sugar. If you avoid snacks, you may be depriving your body of nutrition from food. Good snacks should include healthy proteins and fats.

For more information regarding tooth decay, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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Don’t Become Stressed out by Your Resolutions | Kenilworth Dentist

We are days away from 2022 – are you ready for it? Does it include making resolutions? For many of us, a new year means a fresh start at creating the life we always wanted. We improve our health, our financial situations, even our relationships with each other. We make a list of promises and hope to be able to achieve those promises as the year progresses.

Unfortunately, this list of to-dos can become daunting. No one want to be stressed out trying to achieve these goals they’ve set for themselves, but studies over the past two decades have shown a direct link between stress, anxiety and gum disease. Heightened stress contributes to the lowering of the body’s immune system. So, if you are feeling overwhelmed working on yourself, take a moment to calm yourself down a bit. Because stress can cause other dental health risks:

Bruxism. This is a condition where sufferers grind their teeth unconsciously, especially while they’re asleep. If diagnosed, wear a custom night guard while sleeping.

Canker sores. While experts have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of canker sores, stress has been known to cause it. 

Dry mouth. Certain medications used to treat depression, which by the way may be caused by stress, can cause dry mouth.

Burning mouth syndrome. Characterized as a burning sensation on either the tongue, lips, gums or palate.

Lichen planus. This is a condition where white lines, sores and ulcers appear in the oral cavity somehow caused by the body’s reaction to the viral infections brought about by stress.

TMJ/TMD. The trauma from the constant tooth grinding is, as well as anxiety and depression, are all very well-known causes of TMJ.

For more information regarding stress, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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Halloween Candy Tips for Parents | Kenilworth Dentist

Here we are – on the brink of the scariest holiday of the year. Your tiny ghosts and goblins will soon be begging to go trick-or-treating. And this is where a parent starts to worry. How do I let my child celebrate this spooky fun without ruining their pretty smile? And while things have changed and Halloween isn’t quite the same as last year, ask yourself – how can I monitor my child’s oral health during this sugar-infused time of year? Here are some pediatric dental tips to keep in mind when going through your little monsters’ stash:

Remember: Tiny humans live for this day. Not only do they get free candy from the neighbors, but they get to be anything they want for one whole day. That’s a dream for most kids! Depriving them of the sweets will not only make your child upset but won’t make life at home very peaceful.

Instead of denying them the sweets, have them choose a set number of candies they want the most and let them have them. In addition to the limitation of sweet treats, set up a time of day that your child will be able to eat that candy. Similar to snack time at school, having a time when your little one knows a snack is allowed teaches them that snacking isn’t an all-day event, making them less inclined to crave sweets all day. Afterwards, have them rinse with a glass of water to keep cavities at bay.

When sorting through the Halloween sacks, save the favorites and get rid of the rest. Out of sight, out of mind. Bonus? You can have your own stash or donate them to others in need. Everyone should have Halloween candy, just in moderation.

For more information regarding snoring, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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This Is Why We Need to Floss | Kenilworth Dentist

It is important to always do our best to keep good dental hygiene practices. Each day, twice a day for at least two minutes, we use our toothbrush to scrub our mouths of random debris. And we all know that flossing is also a part of this routine, but most of us are less apt to keeping up with this step. But is it necessary to floss each time we brush? The answer is yes. Not only because our dentist can tell but taking care of our teeth is important if we want to keep them for as long as we possibly can. Still not convinced to floss? Here are the main reasons flossing should be implemented into your dental hygiene process.

Better than brushing alone. A toothbrush works to removing plaque with its bristles. Brushing alone has one big drawback: A toothbrush’s bristles can’t adequately clean between the teeth or under the gums. That’s where floss comes in, to get in those tiny spaces between your teeth to get the grime out your toothbrush can’t reach.

Protects your gums. Where the gums and teeth meet are where flossing plays its major role. Particles of food can get lodged here, and plaque in this area will harden over time to form tartar, that your dentist will remove with a scraper. Tartar buildup can lead to gingivitis.

Helps prevent other diseases. Gum disease can have effects that go beyond discolored teeth, discomfort and bad breath. Research has shown that the bacteria in an unhealthy mouth can harm the rest of the body, leading to heart disease, diabetes and respiratory illness.

For more information regarding flossing, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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When You’re Adjusting to Braces: Mealtime | Kenilworth Dentist

When a patient needs braces, one of the first questions is how will my daily life change? Will I still be able to eat my favorite foods? How do I brush my teeth? And it’s safe to say that there will be some adjustments made to the way you brush and floss, and your diet will change a bit as well, especially if you choose to have traditional braces. And this is because brackets are attached to your teeth using a basic dental cement, so eating foods that are hard or sticky can cause the brackets to pop off, which will mean an unexpected dental visit for repair and delaying your treatment.

Not only that, but food that cannot be cleaned off braces with a simple brushing and flossing, which may lead to discoloration and decay of your teeth. Things aren’t going to drastically change, but you will need to learn to do things differently for a while. The good thing is, if you stay on task, your experience will go smoothly. Here is a quick reference guide to the various food choices that will become suspect during your times wearing braces:

  • Absolutely no gum, sugarless or otherwise
  • Chewy foods like bagels, hard rolls and licorice
  • Crunchy foods, such as popcorn, ice and chips
  • Sticky foods, including caramels, taffy and gum
  • Hard foods like nuts are healthy but can break your teeth like hard candy, so beware
  • Crispy foods you bite into, like corn on the cob, apples or carrots
  • Also, avoid biting into non-food items, such as nail biting and pencil-chewing habits

For more information regarding food restrictions while wearing braces, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.