Colonial Dental Group Cosmetic Dentistry Blog - Dooley, Lewis, and Quezada
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
What Should I Expect When I go to the Dentist?
Many of you may have not been to a dentist in years or even decades. If that is the case, here is what you can expect on your first visit to our office.
We will first take a full health history. After your first visit, if anything regarding your health changes, please inform our office staff about the changes when you arrive, and they will be noted in your chart.
During your visit, we may do any or all of the following:
· A thorough cleaning. Most checkups include a complete cleaning either from me or my dental hygienist. Using special instruments, we will scrape below your gum line and remove plaque and tartar that can cause gum disease, cavities and bad breath. Your teeth may also be polished and flossed.
· A full exam. We will look at your teeth and gums checking for signs of disease or other problems. By catching problems early enough, we try to avoid dental problems from becoming very serious.
· X-rays. We may recommend x-rays depending on your age and risk of disease and symptoms. X-rays can diagnose problems we cannot detect with the naked eye such as impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts or tumors, and decay between the teeth. We can also find damage to your jaw bone with x-rays. There are x-ray machines now that emit virtually no radiation, but you will still wear a lead apron to protect yourself from harmful radiation. You must inform me if you are pregnant as x-rays can be harmful to your child and should only be taken in emergency situations.
If your teeth and gums are healthy and you have no serious dental problems, you probably won't need to return to our office for three to six months. If further treatment is required, however, we will need to schedule that sooner. Please ask us any questions you may regarding this visit or your next.
If you would like to learn more about this dental topic or any other, please call or email today to schedule an appointment with the Colonial Dental Group, serving patients in Glenview and the Northern Chicago area.
We will first take a full health history. After your first visit, if anything regarding your health changes, please inform our office staff about the changes when you arrive, and they will be noted in your chart.
During your visit, we may do any or all of the following:
· A thorough cleaning. Most checkups include a complete cleaning either from me or my dental hygienist. Using special instruments, we will scrape below your gum line and remove plaque and tartar that can cause gum disease, cavities and bad breath. Your teeth may also be polished and flossed.
· A full exam. We will look at your teeth and gums checking for signs of disease or other problems. By catching problems early enough, we try to avoid dental problems from becoming very serious.
· X-rays. We may recommend x-rays depending on your age and risk of disease and symptoms. X-rays can diagnose problems we cannot detect with the naked eye such as impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts or tumors, and decay between the teeth. We can also find damage to your jaw bone with x-rays. There are x-ray machines now that emit virtually no radiation, but you will still wear a lead apron to protect yourself from harmful radiation. You must inform me if you are pregnant as x-rays can be harmful to your child and should only be taken in emergency situations.
If your teeth and gums are healthy and you have no serious dental problems, you probably won't need to return to our office for three to six months. If further treatment is required, however, we will need to schedule that sooner. Please ask us any questions you may regarding this visit or your next.
If you would like to learn more about this dental topic or any other, please call or email today to schedule an appointment with the Colonial Dental Group, serving patients in Glenview and the Northern Chicago area.
posted by
Patti
at
2:10 PM
0
comments
Friday, October 12, 2007
How Safe is Tooth Whitening?
Tooth whitening is becoming more and more popular with my patients, and there is more than one option for whitening your teeth. We can do it in the office, or we can provide you with a kit to take home.
Over a decade of research has proven bleaching and other whitening products to be safe and effective. Many of the products on the market today have shown absolutely no adverse effects on the teeth or gums.
In the past, the higher bleach concentration used in dentist offices resulted in more sensitivity in our patients. Today, however, bleaching gels are well-buffered, making tooth sensitivity less of an issue. Sensitivity may occur in people after whitening procedures, especially when they eat hot or cold foods. This sensitivity usually disappears after 48 hours and stops completely when the treatment is over.
You may not be a candidate for teeth whitening if you have gum disease, teeth with worn enamel, cavities or particularly sensitive teeth, if you're pregnant, if you're breastfeeding, or if you have tooth-colored crowns, caps, or other dental work in your front teeth.
If you would like to learn more about this dental topic or any other, please call or email today to schedule an appointment with the our Chicago area cosmetic dentistry office.
Over a decade of research has proven bleaching and other whitening products to be safe and effective. Many of the products on the market today have shown absolutely no adverse effects on the teeth or gums.
In the past, the higher bleach concentration used in dentist offices resulted in more sensitivity in our patients. Today, however, bleaching gels are well-buffered, making tooth sensitivity less of an issue. Sensitivity may occur in people after whitening procedures, especially when they eat hot or cold foods. This sensitivity usually disappears after 48 hours and stops completely when the treatment is over.
You may not be a candidate for teeth whitening if you have gum disease, teeth with worn enamel, cavities or particularly sensitive teeth, if you're pregnant, if you're breastfeeding, or if you have tooth-colored crowns, caps, or other dental work in your front teeth.
If you would like to learn more about this dental topic or any other, please call or email today to schedule an appointment with the our Chicago area cosmetic dentistry office.
posted by
Patti
at
8:16 AM
0
comments
1775 Glenview Rd.
Suite 107
Glenview, Illinois 60025-2969
