Show Your Smile Some Love this February

February 20, 2012

Filed under: Health,Holidays — atriumfamily @ 9:00 am

Good news for chocolate fans this February! Did you know that theobromine, a chemical commonly found in chocolate, has been shown to help fight off tooth decay? Scientists have found that theobromine works similarly to fluoride, strengthening the crystalline structure of teeth against tooth erosion by acid-producing bacteria (which is linked to tooth decay).

February doesn’t just have to be about romantic love and chocolate. This year, why not give your smile some love? Experts have shown that if you’re confident about your smile, you’re a happier and more outgoing person who tends to laugh and enjoy life a lot more.

Here’s what you can do to get a smile you’ll love to show off not just in February but on every other day of the year, too!

#1. If you’re worried about bad breath, you shouldn’t just pop a mint or chew sugarless gum. Fight the root of the problem by booking an appointment today and find out what you can do to kiss halitosis goodbye. Gum disease commonly causes bad breath, so contact us to avoid bad breath and a whole host of other problems associated with gum disease.
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Oral Health Care: Is Nail Biting Really Bad for Your Teeth?

February 16, 2012

Filed under: Health — atriumfamily @ 3:00 am

We all know that nail biting is a bad habit, but do you know why? The dental team at Atrium Family Dental in New Lenox, IL want to clarify why this habit is so detrimental to your overall oral health.

Nail biting is a common habit within certain age groups, including children, teens and young adults. Stress often triggers nail biting, and can diminish as you get older. However, nail biting should be stopped at a young age because it is unclean and unhealthy.

Biting your nails can be detrimental to your oral health for a variety of reasons:

It’s unsanitary. Nails are filled with dirt and they’re even filthier than your fingers. If you bite into your nails, germs will easily get into your mouth and help the spread of bacteria.

Chewing objects is bad for your teeth – When you bite your nails, your teeth will be chewing constantly. The motion of chewing wears down teeth quite fast and puts stress on your teeth which can cause them to misalign.
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Children’s Oral Health Care: Taking Care of Baby Teeth [VIDEO]

February 9, 2012

Filed under: Children's Dentistry — atriumfamily @ 3:00 am

Your children’s oral health is important, and keeping teeth and gums healthy is crucial on so many levels. Recently, experts have discovered that children’s teeth might be able to help treat Parkinson’s disease and diabetes because of stem cells located in the pulp chambers of the teeth. Clearly, your child’s teeth are vitally important and the dental team at Atrium Family Dental in New Lenox, IL want to make sure your children’s oral health care is top notch.

Practicing proper oral health care

If you’re wondering when the right time is to start brushing your baby’s teeth, we have some tips for you. Regular dental cleanings should be done after your baby has their teeth. After you have breastfed or bottle-fed your baby, take a damp washcloth and softly rub your baby’s gums. To make cleaning easier, you can wrap the cloth around one of your fingers to remove all those food scraps from your baby’s mouth.
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How To Prevent Gum Disease In Your Pregnancy

February 2, 2012

Filed under: Periodontics,Uncategorized — atriumfamily @ 3:00 am

If you’re pregnant and wondering what effect your oral health might have on your unborn baby, the dental health experts at our dental practice want patients to know the facts about how oral health can impact pregnancy.

There has been evidence that shows a correlation between gum disease and premature babies. Researchers have revealed that pregnant woman who have gum disease are more likely than other pregnant women to have a premature birth.

There needs to be more research on this subject, but it does seem that gum disease is detrimental to fluids that induce labour. If gum disease worsens during pregnancy, the risk will be greater of having a baby born too early or too small.

The dental health team at Atrium Family Dental encourages pregnant women to visit our New Lenox, IL dental practice for regular dental appointments so that oral health issues can be treated before they have an impact on pregnancy.
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