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Understanding the Common Causes of Worn Teeth: Bruxism, Abrasion & Erosion

April 19, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry,Health — Tags: , , , , — atriumfamily @ 3:00 am

One of the most common causes for worn teeth is bruxism. Bruxism refers to tooth grinding or jaw clenching, especially during sleep, which wears down your enamel at an accelerated rate. You may have bruxism and not be aware of it, so contact Atrium Family Dental for an appointment and we’ll let you know if your teeth are showing signs of bruxism and what you can do if that’s the case.

Abrasion is another common cause of worn teeth. Simply put, abrasion describes tooth enamel that is worn down by foreign objects in the mouth. Toothbrushes are the most common type of abrasive objects. If you brush your teeth too vigorously, you risk wearing down your enamel too much. Chewing pens or fingernails can cause teeth to lose enamel fast as well, as can an oral piercing or tongue ring.
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Tongue Rings Can Be Fatal: Preventing Infections

March 29, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry,Health — atriumfamily @ 3:00 am

No matter how cool and trendy you think tongue rings are, these piercings are dangerous and potentially fatal. Piercing your tongue can result in chipped teeth, recessed gums and nerve damage. What some people don’t know is that getting a piercing in the mouth can result in a fatal condition, like Ludwig’s angina or endocarditis.

Ludwig’s angina is an infection in the bottom of the mouth caused by bacteria, and occurs after your tooth has been infected, an injury to the mouth, an oral procedure or an unnecessary hazard to your health. When you get an oral piercing, the mouth develops an open wound for bacteria to travel through your blood. Bacteria has the power to make the bottom of the mouth swell quickly which blocks the airway or stops you from swallowing your saliva.
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Tooth Sensitivity: Causes and Solutions [VIDEO]

March 22, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry,Health — atriumfamily @ 3:00 am

Tooth sensitivity is a nerve irritation that occurs after your enamel has worn down or if your gums are receding, exposing the surfaces of your teeth. Pain normally stems from consuming hot or cold foods and beverages that touch your teeth, bringing them in contact with cold air. If you’re having tooth sensitivity, Atrium Family Dental in New Lenox, IL can help.

The most popular complaint from dental patients is that tooth sensitivity causes so much pain that your eating habits change – even a spoonful of ice cream can be an excruciating experience for people with sensitive teeth.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

There are a variety of reasons that your teeth may be extra sensitive. One factor that may lead to tooth sensitivity is eating or drinking large quantities of foods with acid, especially citrus juices. Avoiding these foods and drinks can help alleviate the problem.
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Spring Forward with a Great Smile at Atrium Family Dental

March 15, 2012

Filed under: Health,Holidays — atriumfamily @ 11:04 am

Spring is traditionally a time of renewal, so why not come in to Atrium Family Dental this March and renew your smile and your oral health and spring forward with the confidence a new smile can give you?

At Atrium Family Dental in New Lenox, Illinois, your smile – and your oral health –  is our #1 priority. We welcome patients from all walks of life and we specialize in providing quality oral health care to you and your family.

If you’ve got a smile emergency such as a broken tooth, a tooth abscess or a wisdom tooth that’s impacted, the team of dental professionals at Atrium Family Dental are here to help you. We offer emergency dental appointments that work with your schedule.
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Tooth Decay: Living in a Sugar Culture

Filed under: General Dentistry,Health — atriumfamily @ 3:00 am

We all know that sugary junk food isn’t going to do us any favors for our waistlines, but eating lots of sugar will also rot your teeth and lead to tooth decay. At Atrium Family Dental in New Lenox, IL, we will ensure your teeth feel healthy and can give you strategies to prevent tooth decay.

Let us break it down for you: sugar that lives in the mouth gets devoured by bacteria which create acids that break down your tooth enamel. This leads not only to decay but to other problems, including gingivitis.

Because we live in such a fast-paced culture, it’s common to neglect a balanced diet in favor of an unhealthy one made up of convenient foods with high-sugar content. It is obvious that this type of lifestyle is detrimental to not only people’s oral health, but to their overall well-being.

Experts say that because we live in such a stressful society, fast food is a quick and easy fix for most people.

So what can you do to prevent tooth decay and lead a healthy lifestyle? Staying away from fast food and foods high in sugar is the obvious answer, but there are other things you can do as well.
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