Dental Chicago

How To Find The Best Chicago Dentist

Looking for the best dentist in Chicago? We list well over 3500 Chicago dental and orthodontic practices that you can search by zip code, or by street name. Need to find one by name? Type part of the name into the search box at the top right of the page . Our comprehensive dental listings will help you find a local practitioner that is right for your needs, from tooth whitening, to porcelain veneers, crooked teeth to fillings and cleanings. Why not check out our ‘how to’ guide on finding a great Chicago dentist that’s right for you.

Brushing Teeth

There is a proper method to brushing teeth which can help prevent cavities, gum disease and other oral health problems. Brushing your teeth the proper way should take at least two minutes. The teeth which are the most difficult to reach are also the most important to clean. These are the chewing teeth in the back of the mouth. Brushing your gums, tounge and the roof of your mouth is also important for maintaining good oral health. There are many different types of toothpaste and toothbrushes to choose from. Your dentist should advise which is best for you. read more…

Cavities

Cavities are essentially a hole or weak spot in your teeth. They are very common among most people and are painful and expensive to fix. The most frequent cause of cavities is the accumulation of plaque over time. This results from continuous contact of bacteria and sugars on your teeth. There are many things you can do to prevent cavities from forming in your teeth- or at least limit the number of cavities you have. The most important being to brush and floss properly everyday. Having regular visits to the dentist is also crucial for getting rid of excess plaque and other debris that can’t be removed at home. read more…

Flossing

Many people take the importance of flossing for granted but it is actually essential for preventing major oral health problems. Like brushing, there is also a proper method for flossing. You should take a piece of floss about 18” long and curl that around your thumbs. Leave about 1-2” of the floss for your teeth. Make sure it is nice and taught. Wedge the floss in between your teeth and make sure you go up and down cleaning the sides of each tooth. You should then curl the floss around the surface of each tooth and scrape up and down cleaning any excess plaque and debris. Also, don’t forget to touch underneath the gumline as well. Some blood may come out, but this is normal. read more…

Gum Disease

Studies actually show that gum disease causes twice as many oral health problems than cavities. Not only that, but gum disease is related to non oral health issues like diabetes, heart failure, osteoporosis, stroke etc. Gum disease can result from poor oral upkeep, but it can also be generic. Cases of hereditary gum disease may not be avoided. There are two stages of gum diesease. The first is gingivitis (the milder form) and the periodontitis. (the more severe) People with gingivitis often are not aware of the condititon, resulting in lack of treatment, which then leads to periodontitis which is far more difficult to cure. Some of the warning signs for gum disease are extra spacing between teeth, bad breath, tooth pains and teeth not fitting right in your gums. read more…

Dental Implants

Having missing teeth can cause you several physical and mental disadvantages. Fortunately for many, there is the option of having a dental implants procedure. Artificial teeth are nearly impossible to detect as they look exactly the same your real teeth. The process does involve something called osseointegration which is when the root of the tooth forms a natural connection with the bone. That can take up to 6 months which makes the overall process quite lengthy. However, it is important that missing teeth are replaced because serious problems can occur with surrounding teeth and gums if not treated. read more…

Orthodontists

An orthodontist is a specific type of dentist that deals with teeth imperfections and health issues related to the mouth in general. In most cases this involves straightening teeth. However, they also treat symptoms like gapped teeth, under bites, cross bites, over bites, etc. The most common method of treatment used by orthodontists is the insertion of braces. They will also use things like headgear and retainers if necessary. Most of the patients that orthodontists treat are teenagers and pre-teens . This is because most of the problems dealt with here need to be resolved before full development of the teeth has occured. read more…

Root Canal

A root canal is a dental procedure that needs to occur when there has been damage to a nerve in the root of a tooth. If not treated, the tissue inside the tooth may die. If that happends, there is a good possibility that the tooth will die and be lossed. Some of the warning signs that you may need a root canal are: extreme pains in your tooth while eating, disscoloration of a tooth, tenderness if your gums, and if your gums and teeth are extra sensitive to cold and hot tempatures. Today, there are special types of dentists called endodontists that are highly trained at these prodedures. Root canals can be quite costly but are generally covered by most insurance plans. read more…

Teeth Straightening

One of the most common problems people have in regards to imperfections in their teeth are crooked teeth. In most cases, people with crooked teeth go to an orthodontist to fix the problem. Braces are usually the chosen method of treatment. However there are other ways to fix teeth imperfections. Besides braces, there are the options of Invisalign, porcelain veneers, contouring methods, and even a process known as accelerated orthodontics which is the most effective but by far the quickest. For more information on the different procedures used please visit our page on teeth straightening.

Teeth Whitening

Many people are bothered by the stains that form over time on their teeth and opt to go for a teeth whitening procedure. There are two types of stains. The first is called extrinsic stains which are the ones that form on the surface of your teeth from food and beverage The second are called intrinsic stains which form on the inside of your teeth for things like trauma or age. The latter is more difficult to treat. There are several ways to whiten teeth both from your home and at the dentist’s office. In office procedures are more expensive but always more effective. There are several products you can buy over the counter to whiten your teeth from home. There are also different in-office procedures that can be done. For more information on this visit our page on teeth whitening.

Treating Gum Disease

Gum disease is very serious and should not be taken lightly. Luckily there are several methods for treatment which vary depending on the severity of the condition. Since gum disease is an infection dentists will often use drugs or antibiotics to fix the problem. There is also the option of surgery. The surgery used to treat gum disease is called flap surgery. Besides these, there is also things root scaling and planing, tissue guiding, bone surgery, and bone grafts. It is also important to note that having your teeth cleaned regularly by a professional is the best way to prevent gum disease. For more information on this please visit our page on treating gum disease.