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Posts for category: Oral Health

By Advance Family Dental Care
January 23, 2021
Category: Oral Health
Tags: tooth pain  
TheKindofToothPainYouHaveMayIdentifytheTrueProblem

Pain can tell you things. Not verbally, of course, as in, “Hey, your appendix is inflamed!” But the quality of your pain—dull or sharp, constant or intermittent, acute or general—can point the way to the actual problem.

That's especially true of tooth pain, which could signal any number of dental problems. Looking at its characteristics, though, can narrow the search. Here are a few examples.

Sharp, momentary pain. This could be an indication of a number of possible dental problems. If it occurs for a few seconds after eating or drinking something hot or cold, it might signal a small area of tooth decay, a loose filling or early signs of gum recession. The latter could be a symptom of periodontal (gum) disease, so you should seek diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

Sharp pain when biting. Like tooth sensitivity, this could be a sign of decay or a loose filling, or it could indicate a fractured (cracked) tooth. If it's the latter, you may need an endodontist, a specialist in interior tooth problems, if you want the best chance for saving the tooth.

Dull ache in upper teeth. This might not be a dental problem at all, but radiating pain from an infection of the sinus just above the upper posterior teeth. The infection could also have begun with one of the molar teeth and advanced into the sinus. You'll need to see your dentist for any teeth or gums involved and possibly a physician to address any potential sinus infection.

Constant throbbing pain. That horrible toothache that won't stop could be the nerves in the tooth's interior under attack from decay. The primary means for saving a tooth with deep decay is a root canal treatment to clean out diseased tissue and replace it with a filling or a crown. You should see a dentist even if the pain suddenly subsides—this may only mean the nerves have died, but the infection is still active.

These are just a few of the problems, including true dental emergencies, that oral pain can signal. For any instance of pain in your mouth, see your dentist as soon as possible.

If you would like more information on tooth pain and what it might indicate, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Tooth Pain? Don't Wait!”

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By Advance Family Dental Care
January 18, 2021
Category: Oral Health
Tags: fluoride  
NewRecommendationsMakeWaterFluoridationSaferThanEver

For over half a century now, community water systems have been adding fluoride to drinking water to help reduce the risk of tooth decay. Numerous long-term studies have demonstrated the soundness of this practice, prompting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to call water fluoridation one of the ten most effective public health measures of the 20th Century.

In the 1960s, after years of study into the teeth-strengthening effects of fluoride, the U.S. Public Health Service recommended that drinking water utilities add fluoride at a rate of between 0.7 and 1.20 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm) of water. This recommendation held fast until 2015 when the service changed the recommendation to no more than 0.7 mg/L.

Why the change to guidelines that had been in place for over fifty years? The revision was in response to an increasing occurrence of dental fluorosis. This condition happens when the teeth absorb more fluoride than necessary, leading to discoloration of the surface enamel, creating effects like small white spots or brownish “mottling.”

Dental fluorosis is the only known health condition caused by fluoride. As such, it doesn't damage the tooth itself, and is mainly a cosmetic problem. But it can still be avoided if fluoride intake is kept at moderate levels.

The original recommendation was sound science when first introduced. Since then, though, the prevalence of fluoride in everyday life has grown, with the chemical commonly found in dental care products like toothpastes or mouthrinses, as well as many processed foods and beverages and even infant formula. Our society's overall intake of fluoride has been growing as a result.

The new recommendation came after several years of research to verify water fluoridation levels of 0.7 mg/L would still be effective in the fight against tooth decay while lowering the risk of dental fluorosis. With this adjustment, this important and safe measure for keeping your family's teeth protected against disease is safer than ever.

If you would like more information on how fluoride can help your family fight tooth decay, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

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By Advance Family Dental Care
January 11, 2021
Category: Oral Health
Tags: teeth whitening  

It’s amazing how a brighter smile can boost your confidence and your appearance. 

Regardless of whether you’re about to walk down the aisle, get your senior photos, or interview for the most important job of your career, you may be considering teeth whitening to spruce up your appearance before the important occasion. There are many reasons people are turning to our Naperville, IL, dentist Dr. Pirooz Zomorrodi for teeth whitening. After all, Dr. Zomorrodi offers a fast, effective in-office whitening treatment that can give you results in less than one hour.

What are my whitening options?

Before turning to the pros, you may want to try an over-the-counter whitening product. While these products won’t offer fast or significant results, they can be ideal if you are simply looking to brighten a slightly dull smile; however, if you want to get your teeth multiple shades whiter while also removing stubborn surfaces stains, then you may want to turn to our Naperville, IL, general dentist for professional whitening treatment.

Dr. Zomorrodi and his team offer two ways to get the beautiful smile you want: in-office and at-home teeth whitening.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

Need to get amazing results really fast? If time is of the essence, then nothing is going to be more effective or give you the results you want better than our chairside whitening. During chairside whitening, Dr. Zomorrodi will get to know your goals for treatment and create a custom whitening plan based on those needs. From there we will apply a powerful whitening gel to your teeth, where it will stay on your teeth for up to 10-15 minutes before being washed off. In some cases, patients may undergo 2-3 whitening gel applications during their treatment. Once the treatment is over you will see visible results.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

Maybe you want to get a whiter smile but you’re still on a pretty strict budget. No problem! The dental team at Advance Family Dental Care knows that you still deserve a beautiful smile even if in-office whitening is just a little outside your budget. This is why we also offer at-home whitening. This system is strong and more effective than any over-the-counter methods. Most patients see results from continued use after just one week. If the idea of whitening from home sounds appealing, know that you can still get a whitening system that is safe, doctor-approved, and effective.

What do you say? Are you ready to get a more radiant smile? Interested in turning to our Naperville, IL, cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening? If so, turn to the winning dental team at Advance Family Dental Care for all of your cosmetic needs. Call us today at (630) 358-9899. We’d be happy to schedule your consultation.

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By Advance Family Dental Care
January 03, 2021
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral health   nutrition  
KeepaLidonSugarThisHolidayforHealthierTeethandGums

During this time of year, many of us dust off traditional family recipes and make our favorite holiday treats. There is, however, a small price to pay for all that nostalgic goodness in the shape of a few extra pounds to deal with in the new year. We may also be increasing the risk for something even more unpleasant: tooth decay.

The main cause, of course, is a certain carbohydrate integral to many holiday goodies: sugar.  We humans love it, but so do oral bacteria that readily devour any sugar lingering in our mouth after eating. This fuels bacterial reproduction, which in turn increases the production of acid that softens tooth enamel.

There are a number of strategies you can follow to reduce this effect. You can remove sugar completely from your holiday preparations—and risk family and friends “voting you off the island.” Or, you can try these tips for easing the impact of holiday sugar on your dental health.

Look for ways to reduce sugar. Just because you're not throwing the sugar bowl out the window doesn't mean you have to go all out using it. Instead, try to modify older recipes (or look for newer versions) to decrease the amount of sugar in candies and baked goods. You may also consider alternative sweeteners like sucralose that tolerate high baking temperatures.

Balance savory with sweet. Not all holiday treats need to be sweet—you can add items that take advantage of more savory seasonings. For example, try offering up popcorn with a sprinkling of cinnamon or other holiday spice, or a creative assortment of cheeses (which in turn promote saliva flow to neutralize acid).

Combine treats with mealtimes. Continuous snacking may be part of the holiday tradition, but it can also raise the risk for tooth decay. Acidity increases when we eat, but saliva normally neutralizes it within thirty minutes to an hour. However, saliva can get overwhelmed during continuous snacking, resulting in longer periods of high acidity that damages tooth enamel. Instead, try to combine snack times with mealtimes.

Don't neglect your oral hygiene. Even though things can get hectic during the holidays, make a point of keeping up daily brushing and flossing. Regular hygiene keeps dental plaque, a thin film of harmful bacteria and food particles (including sugar), from building up on your teeth. Reducing plaque lowers your overall decay risk. Attention to oral health through your day-to-day dental hygiene routine along with regular professional cleanings and checkups is the best thing you can do to avoid dental disease.

The holidays should be a joyous time for you and your family. They can also be a healthy time for your teeth and gums, if you minimize the role of sugar in your holiday treats.

If you would like more information about boosting your dental health, please contact us or schedule a consultation. To learn more, read the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Nutrition & Oral Health” and “The Bitter Truth About Sugar.”

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By Advance Family Dental Care
December 31, 2020
Category: Oral Health
Tags: flossing   Floss  

You want strong, healthy teeth, so it's important you practice excellent oral hygiene at home. While brushing your teeth at least twice a day is one of the best ways to achieve beautiful teeth, you need to remember to floss too. In fact, using dental floss each day is an essential part of maintaining your teeth's health. Your Naperville family dentist can help you learn the proper way to floss those pearly whites. Dr. Pirooz Zomorrodi and his caring staff provide a wide array of dentistry services to ensure your teeth stay healthy. Keep reading to learn why daily flossing is important.

Why Should You Floss Your Teeth?

When you correctly brush your teeth, the toothbrush removes plaque and bacteria from the surface of your teeth. Unfortunately, your toothbrush can't reach all the areas where food and bacteria and lurk. Dental floss gets in between your teeth, removing food particles and bacteria that lead to tooth decay. If you visit a family dentist, the dental staff will demonstrate the proper way to use dental floss.

How Does Flossing Prevent Gum Disease?

If you don't brush and floss your teeth, you can end up with gum disease. Gum disease occurs when you don't remove all of the bacteria from your teeth. The bacteria transforms into a sticky substance called plaque. When plaque forms on your teeth, it eventually hardens. This makes it even more difficult to effectively brush and floss your teeth. Eventually, gum disease destroys the bone and soft tissue that hold your teeth in place. You may also experience tooth loss.

Don't Forget to Floss

Brushing your teeth twice a day and visiting your Naperville family dentist for checkups are two great ways to keep your teeth for the rest of your life. Using dental floss each day is another essential task to maintain your teeth's health. Don't forget to make flossing your teeth a regular part of your oral hygiene routine.

Schedule Your Appointment

Do you live in Naperville and need a family dentist? Dr. Pirooz Zomorrodi and his staff provide the dentistry services you need to keep your teeth in excellent condition. Schedule your appointment today by calling 630-357-2332.

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Naperville, IL Dentist
Advance Family Dental Care
1567 N Aurora Road, Ste 143
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 358-9899
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