You are likely to hear the word “plaque” when purchasing a toothbrush, toothpaste, or visiting our dental office. Due to plaque buildup, it is extremely important to maintain a daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing twice a day for at least two minutes, as well as flossing regularly. Find out how plaque can harm your smile and what you can do to prevent it.

Plaque—what is it?

If you haven’t brushed your teeth for a while, you might feel a film-like, sticky buildup. Essentially, it is plaque, which is a layer of bacteria that adheres to your teeth. Plaque cannot be prevented, but brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits can minimize its accumulation.

What does plaque look like?

Although plaque is technically colorless, it gives your teeth the appearance of being “fuzzy.” Due to its sticky nature, plaque may cause some discoloration because it can attract food particles. As plaque hardens and becomes yellow, it is referred to as tartar.

How are plaque and tartar different?

Plaque that remains on your teeth for several days hardens into tartar, which must be removed. When tartar builds up in your mouth, your teeth may appear yellow and smell unpleasant, making it difficult to thoroughly clean your mouth.

The Effects of Plaque on Your Teeth and Mouth

Without regular brushing and flossing, plaque accumulates and multiplies. Leaving plaque untreated can lead to the formation of tartar (also known as calculus). In addition, plaque produces an acid that damages teeth, causing them to decay. Your teeth may become stained if tartar is left untreated. Plaque is the main cause of gingivitis, which results in swollen, red, or bleeding gums. By having regular dental cleanings and examinations, you can ensure that any buildup on your teeth is thoroughly removed.

Here are some steps you can take.

Plaque buildup can be prevented by maintaining a daily brushing routine. It is recommended that you brush twice a day for two minutes each time, and floss once a day at the very least. The formation of plaque is a natural process, and when you visit our office for a complete examination, we work with you to remove any buildup. It is critical to maintain regular visits to our office in order to minimize and manage tartar buildup. Brushing your teeth all the way to the gum line is particularly important because the gum line is prone to plaque build-up. It is important to brush gently, as vigorous brushing will only cause more harm than good, especially to the gums.

We invite you to schedule a visit to our office so our experienced, professional dental team can clean and examine your teeth providing you with the healthy smile you deserve. Contact Westlake Dental Care of Roselle today.

Are you satisfied with your smile or have you considered changing it? Do you feel ashamed, shy, or extremely confident when you smile at people? If you are ready for a makeover, here is a quick guide to how cosmetic dentistry can help you achieve a beautiful, radiant smile that you can share with anyone, anywhere.

What is the role of a cosmetic dentist?

A healthy, aesthetic smile is achieved through cosmetic dentistry by combining art and science to improve your teeth’s health and alignment. Your appearance can be dramatically improved as a result of this procedure. Having even minor procedures can boost your confidence and self-esteem, resulting in a more positive outlook.

Procedures in Cosmetic Dentistry

In cosmetic dentistry, you can improve the appearance of your smile by undergoing a variety of procedures. Whether you want your teeth whiter, better aligned, or to replace missing teeth, there is a cosmetic procedure for you. Here are some examples:

Smile Makeover

A “smile makeover” is a series of dental procedures that are primarily intended to improve your appearance. The procedures can help patients with healthy but misaligned teeth more aesthetically pleasing, often boosting their confidence.

Teeth Whitening

There are several options for teeth whitening, including professional treatments and over-the-counter solutions. Whitening agents are available in the form of gels or strips. If you are interested in professional teeth whitening, you should consult your dentist to find out which option is best for you. A professional teeth whitening treatment can brighten your smile by up to eight shades with safe but effective whitening solutions.

Veneers

A veneer is a thin shell that covers the front surface of the teeth. Using veneers, you can improve the size, shape, color, or length of your teeth. For a beautiful smile, they will create a custom-made shell that will be permanently bonded to your teeth.

Dental Implants

Replacing missing teeth with dental implants is a viable option. Dental implants are metal posts or frames that are inserted by an experienced dentist under the gums into the jawbone. As soon as the dental implant has been placed, the dentist will make a 3D impression in order to create a crown that will attach to the implant and provide you with a tooth that closely resembles your natural teeth.

Orthodontic treatment

Crooked, misaligned, or clenched teeth can be corrected with orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic appliances are most commonly worn by teenagers, but they can also be worn by adults. By using these appliances, you gradually straighten and align your teeth, resulting in a more attractive smile and a normal bite.

If you are concerned about the appearance of your smile, our Roselle dentist can help. With our knowledge and experience, we can help you improve your oral health and create the smile of your dreams. Make an appointment with Westlake Dental Care of Roselle today.

An oral cavity cancer that spreads to the jawbone typically results in jaw cancer, which is a rare type of head and neck cancer. Our dental team understands how unsettling it can be to receive a diagnosis of jaw cancer. We believe, however, that being educated, prepared, and proactive can help ensure the best possible outcome.

Symptoms of Jaw Cancer

The majority of jaw cancers are benign, which means they do not spread to surrounding tissues. Occasionally, jaw cancers can be aggressive, spreading to surrounding structures and causing serious health complications.

Jaw cancer is characterized by four symptoms:

1. Jaw Pain: The majority of jaw pain is attributed to TMJ disorder. However, it is imperative to visit a dental professional to exclude the possibility of oral cancer if you experience jaw pain. Occasionally, aggressive jaw tumors may spread to surrounding bone and tissues, resulting in tooth displacement, which is often painful.
2. Jaw Swelling: One of the most significant symptoms of jaw cancer is swelling in the jaw area that can be seen on the side of the face. The swelling may also occur on the roof of the mouth or beneath the teeth, depending on where the tumor is located.
3. Lumps on the jaw: An enlarged lump on the roof of the mouth or on the gums should be evaluated by a dentist if it does not resolve within two weeks. There may be lumps associated with infections or benign growths, but they can also be caused by cancer of the jawbone. 
4. Loose teeth: Squamous cell carcinoma, which can reach the jawbone through tooth sockets, is the most common type of malignant jaw cancer. A jawbone tumor may cause your teeth to move out of place, causing them to loosen. Whenever you notice that a tooth is loose, you should seek immediate assistance. 

How Does Jaw Cancer Develop?

Smoking and chewing tobacco products are the leading causes of jaw cancer. Furthermore, poor nutrition, poor oral hygiene, genetics, excessive alcohol consumption, and viruses such as HPV are all risk factors.

What Can You Do to Reduce the Risk of Jaw Cancer?

Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, eating a balanced, nutritious diet, and maintaining a meticulous oral hygiene regimen are all effective ways to reduce the risk of jaw and other oral cancers. Make sure you visit our dental office twice a year for dental exams and cleanings. We are always on the lookout for signs of oral or jaw cancer so that early intervention can be provided, if necessary, to ensure the best possible outcome.

Contact our dental office to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning. To rule out any abnormalities, we will perform an oral cancer screening. You can always count on our team for exceptional service and care. Make an appointment with us today!

Every now and then, most people experience heartburn and the discomfort associated with acid reflux. However, if it becomes a regular occurrence, your oral health may be compromised. This article will provide you with all the information you need about acid reflux and its devastating effects on your teeth.

An Overview of Acid Reflux

During digestion, the stomach produces acids to break down and digest food. These acids work their way up into the esophagus, causing acid reflux. This results in a burning, painful sensation in the chest. Additionally, patients may experience excessive burping, bad breath, an acidic taste in their mouth, difficulty swallowing, and tooth sensitivity.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a condition characterized by frequent acid reflux episodes. Sadly, constant exposure to stomach acids can cause extensive damage to your oral health.

What are the effects of acid reflux on your oral health?

Similarly to acidic foods and beverages, stomach acids can erode or wear your tooth enamel, leaving you with yellow, pitted, and sensitive teeth. When your teeth are repeatedly exposed to stomach acids, they can suffer extensive, irreversible damage. Additionally, the acids can irritate your gums, leading to gum disease, the primary cause of adult tooth loss.

Your oral health is not the only thing at risk from acid reflux. Your overall health can be negatively affected by it. Unlike the stomach, which has a lining that protects it from acids, the esophagus does not. It can be damaged by acid reflux, resulting in extreme pain and difficulty swallowing.

What Are the Best Ways to Protect Your Teeth?

GERD treatment options can be discussed with your primary care physician or gastroenterologist. Medications are available that will alleviate your symptoms and protect your oral and overall health.

In addition to preventing acid reflux, you can minimize the damage to your smile.

• You should limit fatty treats or foods that trigger your heartburn.
• After eating, rinse your mouth with water.
• Acidic foods and beverages should be avoided.
• After eating or drinking something acidic, wait an hour before brushing your teeth.
• After a meal, do not lie down.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water.
• Use fluoride toothpaste on a regular basis.

How Often Should You Seek Professional Dental Care?

Dental visits should be scheduled every six months for everyone, but they are even more crucial for acid reflux patients. Our dental team will keep a close eye on your oral health to treat any problems as they arise.

Dental bonding or dental crowns may be recommended if your tooth enamel has been extensively damaged by acid erosion. These procedures reduce tooth sensitivity and prevent further damage. To save a tooth and alleviate tooth sensitivity, we may recommend root canal therapy in certain cases.

Contact our dental office to learn more about safeguarding your smile from the effects of acid reflux. Keeping your smile healthy for years to come is our goal by providing you with outstanding care and service. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment!

Fluoride is a topic that dentists frequently discuss, and for good reason! Fluoride is a mineral that has been shown to improve tooth strength, prevent cavities, and reduce sensitivity. Fluoride is added to many municipal water supplies for this reason. It’s also in toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss. But did you know that fluoride occurs naturally in a variety of foods and beverages? Let’s talk about natural fluoride sources and how to make sure you’re getting enough to prevent cavities.

Seafood

Crab legs and shrimp are not only delicious and fancy delicacies, but they are also among the best natural sources of fluoride.

Wine, juice, raisins, and grapes

Grapes contain fluoride no matter how they are tossed, sunned, or squeezed. Raisins are one of the richest sources of natural fluoride, but they can also be high in sugar, which is bad for your teeth. White wine contains twice as much fluoride as red wine, so the amount of fluoride can vary greatly depending on the source, but no matter how you choose to enjoy grapes, you’ll be adding natural fluoride to your diet, which is a good thing!

Fruit

Many types of fresh fruit are excellent natural sources of fluoride. However, the fruit should be eaten raw. Fluoride-containing fruits include apples, peaches, strawberries, bananas, watermelon, cherries, and a plethora of others.

Potatoes

Potatoes are a great source of fluoride because, like grapes, they can be eaten in a variety of ways! Russet potatoes contain the most fluoride, but any variety will provide some fluoride.

Black tea and coffee

Coffee and black tea both naturally contain fluoride, and if your city’s water supply contains added fluoride, brewing with tap water can double the fluoride dose in your drink!

Water that has been fluoridated.

According to EPA regulations, approximately three-quarters of U.S. water utilities add fluoride to their drinking water supply. The federal government currently recommends 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water as the optimal balance of maximum tooth decay protection and minimal risk of dental fluorosis. You can find out if and how much fluoride is added to your local water supply by contacting your local water company.

Discussing fluoride with your dentist

If you want to strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities, talk to your Roselle IL dentist about fluoride and the best ways to incorporate it into your diet and routine. Your dentist may also recommend a concentrated fluoride treatment that can be applied after a cleaning to help ensure that your teeth absorb enough fluoride to protect and strengthen your teeth. Please contact Westlake Dental Care of Roselle for more information or to schedule an appointment.

What do you know about the formation of your teeth? The more information patients have about their teeth, the better they can take care of them. In addition, they also have a better understanding of how important it is to take care of them.

The tooth is one of the body’s most anatomically complex structures. A tooth’s tissue composition is found only in your mouth and is unique to your teeth.

Teeth, both primary and permanent

Primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, are the first set of teeth that a person develops. By the age of three, most children have all 20 primary teeth. Baby teeth have shorter, thinner roots than permanent teeth, as well as thinner enamel, giving them a much whiter appearance.

These teeth are only the first draft of our bodies. Between the ages of 6 and 12, primary teeth usually fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. All baby teeth will have been replaced by the age of 14 by 28 permanent teeth. A full permanent dentition consists of 32 teeth, including wisdom teeth, which may appear in a person’s twenties.

Teeth Varieties

All teeth are not created equal. Your teeth serve different purposes and thus have different shapes. Because of their various shapes and functions, your teeth have names to help you identify them:

• Incisors are the four teeth in the middle of the upper and lower jaws. They’re used for chopping, cutting, and holding food. The section of an incisor that you bite with is wide and thin, giving these teeth the appearance of tiny chisels with a cutting edge.
• Canines are the pointed-shaped teeth. Canines, also known as cuspids (a single-pointed tooth), are located on either side of the incisors. They are used to hold and tear food. Many people mistake them for their fangs.
• Premolars: Following the eruption of all permanent teeth, four premolars, known as bicuspids, are found next to each canine. Premolars are designed to be larger and more powerful than canines and incisors. They have ridges that crush and grind food to make it easier to swallow and digest.
• Molars: The molar is the final type of tooth. The 12 molars are flat teeth at the back of the mouth that are very wide and have several ridges to grind up food so that it can be swallowed. Properly chewing your food with your molars can help you avoid digestive issues and choking.

Your tooth’s components

Your teeth are made up of various layers and parts that connect to your jaw. They are also designed to be long-lasting and to aid in the chewing of any food texture. You can also cut a tooth into three sections:

Crown: The crown is the visible portion of the tooth above the gums, and it is composed of three layers. To begin with, it is enameled. The enamel acts as a shield to protect the inside of the tooth. Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body and is essential for tooth protection.

A second layer lies beneath the hard exterior. Dentin, which is slightly darker in color, accounts for the majority of the tooth’s material. Dentine is a bone-like substance that separates the hard enamel from the soft and delicate pulp cavity.

The pulp cavity, located at the core, is where the blood vessels and nerves from the roots meet. This is what gives a tooth life and the sensitivity to feel the temperature of our food and drinks, as well as pain.

Neck: The neck is the middle region of the tooth that separates the crown from the root at the gum line. As a neck, it is slightly thinner than the other sections.

Root: The root is located beneath the gum line and contains more pulp. This section of the pulp contains the nerve endings of each tooth as well as the blood vessels that bring nutrients to the tooth. Each tooth has a different number of roots. Molars will have two or three roots, while incisors, canines, and premolars will have one. The long roots that connect our teeth to our jaws are held in place and cushioned by the periodontal membrane that lies between them and the surrounding jaw bone.

You will be able to detect problems with your teeth more quickly now that you understand how they are constructed. However, our Roselle IL dentist is always available to assist you! How much do you know about the construction of your teeth? We believe that the more our patients understand about their teeth, the better they will be able to care for them. Please contact Westlake Dental Care of Roselle today to schedule an appointment.

What are wisdom teeth and how did they get their name? Your wisdom teeth are simply your third set of molars. Wisdom teeth generally appear between the ages of 17 and 25. In most cases, people will have to deal with their wisdom teeth at some time or another, so let’s take a look at these interesting and sometimes troublesome teeth.

Why do we have wisdom teeth?

For early humans to chew and eat, wisdom teeth were essential. Because our ancestors ate leaves, roots, and meat, their teeth may have worn down faster, so they needed a third row of molars. The types of food we eat have changed, so they are no longer necessary. Some people never develop them because of evolution over time. But others do, without experiencing any problems. Approximately 85% of people with wisdom teeth will need to have them removed.

Research is being conducted on wisdom teeth as science advances. Researchers have discovered they can be used to produce stem cells. As such, you may want to keep them after they are removed. Alternatively, researchers are looking for ways to prevent wisdom teeth from developing at all.

How do they cause problems?

Humans have developed smaller jaws over time than their ancestors. We simply do not have enough room in our mouths to accommodate extra teeth. Wisdom teeth can crowd other teeth, resulting in cosmetic issues such as crooked teeth, and can cause pain in the jaw, swollen gums, and other mouth irritations.

It is common for them to become impacted. When the teeth are misaligned, there is simply not enough room for them to break through the surface, causing quite a bit of discomfort. Wisdom teeth are also difficult to clean since they are so far back. As a result, they are at risk of infection and decay. Therefore, dentists often recommend removing wisdom teeth.

What are the signs that your wisdom teeth are causing problems?

Normally, this is discovered during routine dental visits, but if you have jaw pain, swollen or painful gums, or a strange taste in the back of your mouth, you should set up an appointment with your dentist to find out what’s wrong.

Our Roselle Dentist can evaluate the position of your wisdom teeth and recommend appropriate procedures if necessary. If you have questions about your wisdom teeth or would like to schedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact Westlake Dental Care of Roselle.