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Halloween and Your Braces | Chicago Dentist

October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and coincidentally, Halloween. (I know…How did that happen?) So, in honor of these two fantastic occasions, let’s do a quick run-down of what to expect from this scary holiday if you do decide to not look after your braces, because the consequences will be more frightening than the holiday itself. When we get our braces put on, we are warned that there are certain foods we will have to forgo while our braces are fixing our smile. Popcorn, nuts, gum and all hard, sticky or chewy candies are pure evil on your mouth’s delicate appliances.

Hard candy, like lollypops or Jolly Rancher, are a favorite because they last a while if we suck on them. Having the sugar linger around in your mouth as the candy dissolves makes it easier for cavities to form. And if you chomp on them, you can run the risk of breaking off one of your brackets or chipping an actual tooth. Chewy candies, like a gummy bear or a jellybean, have similar results but have a tendency to get stuck in the crevices of your molars, making a perfect hideout for cavities. Sticky candy, like caramels or chewing gum, are some of the worst treats of all. Not only can they pull off a bracket from your tooth, but they can burrow within your molars as well, making them basically a sweet combination of the two others. There are also candies on the market that are sour than they are sweet and are an absolute favorite with all kids today. The sourness is actually acidic and can break down your tooth’s enamel, making them more prone to decay, so try to limit these candies the most. Have a happy Halloween!

If you would like more information about caring for your braces, call Dr. Peter O. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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Protecting Our Patients in Our Office | Chicago Dentist

We have enhanced our already strict infection control protocols. The most obvious will be limiting the number of people in the office by intentionally spacing appointments to minimize patient-to-patient contact. Team members will have enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical grade air purifiers have been placed throughout the office.

Please be advised that for the next few weeks, we will need to prioritize patients with the greatest needs. We will do our best to accommodate everyone, but many appointments will need to be rearranged in order to resume operations safely.

For everyone’s safety, we have instituted the following protocol:

Pre-screening. At this time, patients who have been diagnosed, been around anyone that has been diagnosed, been out of the country in the past six weeks or are experiencing respiratory illness, fever, body aches, loss of smell or taste will not be able to be seen until cleared.

Upon arrival. Appointments should be attended alone. If you need a driver, please have them wait in the parking garage to minimize people in our offices. The following will be required prior to being seen:

  • Your temperature will be taken
  • Use of hand sanitizer
  • Your written consent

All doctors and staff will be wearing enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE). All surfaces will be disinfected on an increased frequency with medical grade disinfectants after each appointment. For all patients undergoing surgical procedures or other procedures where anesthetic is required, we are now assessing a fee of $35 per visit charge. All other visits required a $15 per visit charge.

Upon exiting. You will again use hand sanitizer and replace your personal facial covering. Payment arrangements will have been made beforehand. Receipts and next appointment information will be forwarded to you.

If you would like more information about COVID precautions, call Dr. Peter O. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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Pulling a Fast One on Your Dentist | Chicago Dentist

While cavities and plaque build-up may be what’s on your mind before a teeth cleaning, your dentist is looking for a whole lot more. Often, diseases like cancer, anemia and diabetes will first be identified by the dentist in a regular examination, and this can save lives. Take a look at things they can see:

You don’t floss regularly. Sorry, but you can’t fool your dentist into thinking you floss daily by doing so the night before or morning of your visit.

You’re pregnant. Nearly 40% of women will develop gingivitis during their pregnancy. This is caused by increased progesterone, which facilitates the growth of bacteria, causing gingivitis.

Thumb sucking. Most children who sucked their thumbs past the age of seven or eight may show significant changes to their bite or the position of their teeth.

You have bad breath. General bad breath is categorized as halitosis. But fruity breath could indicate uncontrolled diabetes or a dietary fast that has gone too far, while fishy breath could be a sign of kidney or liver failure.

Eating disorders. Many patients are surprised that their dentist is the first one to ask about eating disorders. Bulimia exhibits a very distinct pattern of tooth wear that your dentist can easily identify.

Oral cancer. The first signs of oral cancer can be seen from the following: unexplained bleeding in the mouth, white, red, or speckled patches in the mouth, a change in the way your teeth fit together, swellings, thickenings, lumps or bumps or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth.

You love soda and energy drinks. That teeth can be softened by sodas, energy drinks and other sugary beverages over time, which may make a tooth enamel more susceptible to chipping.

If you would like more information about dental hygiene, call Dr. Peter O. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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Reasons You May Have Gum Disease | Chicago Dentist

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is typically painless, you may not even know you have it. But what causes gum disease? Plaque is the primary cause of gum disease. However, other factors can contribute to periodontal disease, including:

  • Hormonal changes, such as those occurring during pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and monthly menstruation, make gums more sensitive, which makes it easier for gingivitis to develop.
  • Various illnesses may affect the condition of your gums. This includes diseases such as cancer or HIV, because they interfere with the immune system. Diabetes’ effects on the body’s ability to use blood sugar makes patients with this disease at a higher risk of developing infections, including periodontal disease and cavities.
  • Medications can affect oral health, because some lessen the flow of saliva, which has a protective effect on teeth and gums.
  • Bad habits such as smoking make it harder for gum tissue to repair itself.
  • Poor oral hygiene habits such as not brushing and flossing on a daily basis, make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
  • Family history of dental disease can be a contributing factor for the development of gingivitis.

Gum disease may progress without producing obvious signs, even in the late stages of the disease. Although the symptoms of periodontal disease can often be subtle, it can present some warning signs. But even if you don’t notice any symptoms, you may still have some degree of gum disease. In some people, gum disease may affect only certain teeth, such as the molars. Only a dentist or a periodontist can recognize and determine the progression of gum disease.

If you would like more information about gum disease, call Dr. Peter O. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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What Are Gums Anyway? | Chicago Dentist

We all know our smile is basically composed of lips, teeth and gums. A set of bright white teeth and a pouty lip, and you’ve got yourself a great smile. But what are our gums? Today we will discuss the basics of what our gums do and how we can keep them nice and healthy our entire lives.

Gum tissue serves two main purposes: it provides a seal around teeth, keeping bacteria away from the tooth root, and it provides physical support for the tooth, helping keep the tooth firmly in its socket. One of the most significant risks of periodontal disease is loss of gum tissue – as bacteria from plaque and tartar spreads beneath the gums, it damages bone and gum tissue, leading to a number of problems.

Dentists and periodontists will advise patients to have professional cleanings to help minimize the likelihood of developing periodontal disease. If they determine that periodontal disease is becoming a problem, they’ll likely advise corrective action such as scaling and root planning, where plaque and tartar is physically removed from the roots of the teeth beneath the gum-line, removing the damaging bacteria and giving the gums an opportunity to heal. In some cases, however, the gum tissue will recede, exposing the roots of the teeth. In these cases, periodontists will recommend a procedure to replace gum tissue over the tooth root (such as gum grafting) to help restore the barrier around the tooth root and protecting the tooth’s long-term health.

If you’re experiencing bleeding, sore, inflamed gums, be sure to speak to a dentist or periodontist soon, so that you can minimize the risk of damage to gum tissue.

If you would like more information about gum recession, call Dr. Peter O. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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Quit Ruining Your Smile with Smoking | Chicago Dentist

Many people do not know but today is World No Tobacco Day, and as dental periodontist, it is a good day. Not only because smoking will end up causing various problems to your health, from lung cancer to heart conditions, but the damage it does to your mouth. Believe it or not, but the mouth is the first line of defense when it comes to your overall health, so taking care of it is extremely important. When you smoke cigarettes, you are breaking down your immune system, or the parts of your body that prevent infection. Not only does it break down your immune system, but it also kills the good bacteria in your mouth, allowing the disease-causing bacteria to invade, take hold and flourish.

Tobacco products damage your gums by affecting the way your teeth are attached to the bone and soft tissue. When this happens, your gums will begin to recede, giving bacteria access to the tooth’s roots. If left untreated, you will begin to lose your teeth.

Gum disease will affect most adults at some point in their lives. If you’re a smoker, you are raising those doubling those stakes than that of a non-smoker. And because smoking causes your blood vessels to shrink, it will also be more difficult to heal the gum disease you have developed over time.

We know it is difficult, but smoking is one habit that has so many adverse effects, it is important that you make an effort to quit. Not only will you improve your overall health, your smile will thank you for it. Keeping up with your oral health is necessary, so make sure you practice proper dental hygiene and visit your dentist regularly.

If you would like more information about quitting smoking, call Dr. Peter O. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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Pinhole Surgical Technique: What You Need to Know | Chicago Dentist

No one wants receding gums, but unfortunately, it’s a fact of life. Fortunately, there is a way to repair the issue without having to use painful gum grafting. Pioneered by Dr. Chao, the Pinhole® Surgical Technique is a new way to repair gum recession through a pinhole-sized incision, rather than having to cut. This new technique will not only reduce discomfort grafting surgery can do, but also cut down recovery time. Here are some of the common questions asked:

Is gum recession something that you see often? If it isn’t a painful result, chances are patients won’t address the issue. Before the Pinhole Surgical Technique, a lot of people are put in a dilemma of whether they should fix it with a very painful, drawn out gum grafting procedure, try to ignore it, or try a temporary fix by placing a filling on the exposed root.

How long does the standard gum grafting procedure take? The standard procedure requires cutting out a graft of the gum from the palate and grafting it to where it’s needed. To delicately cut and remove the graft tissue and attach it with sutures takes about an hour to an hour and a half for just one or two teeth. But what is more drawn out is the recovery time, which could two or three weeks. With Pinhole Surgical Technique, there is no gum grafting anymore. A pinhole is made by a needle, so there’s no scalpel or cutting at all. Then we shift the tissue down with very little trauma to the tissue.

Will I have to do this often? This is expected to be permanent and lasts as long as any other procedure. Maintenance will keep the procedure intact.

If you would like more information about Pinhole Surgical Technique, call Dr. Peter O. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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Keeping Calm for Your Smile | Chicago Dentist

With all these uncertain times, it is easy to become overwhelmed by everyday things. Yes, stress is one of the major feelings around the world and it affects us in various ways. Unfortunately, there are lots of health issues that can develop from being too stressed out. And the more stressed out you are, the more stress is placed on your oral health. Scientists have reviewed more than two dozen studies conducted between 1990 and 2006 to determine whether negative life events and psychological factors might contribute to an increased susceptibility to periodontal disease. And according to the results, 57 percent of the studies found a link between stress, distress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness to periodontal disease due to a lowering of the body’s immunity.

Unfortunately, stress isn’t the only culprit in oral health issues. While we can’t always control how life works out, keeping up our daily dental routine is very important. Like stress, here are some other factors that increase your risk for periodontal disease:

  • Tobacco smoking or chewing
  • Systemic diseases such as diabetes
  • Some types of medication such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy
  • drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives
  • Bridges that no longer fit properly
  • Crooked teeth
  • Fillings that have become defective
  • Pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives

There are lots of ways one can decrease their stress levels, but it all depends on the individual. Find something to do that gives you a sense of peace. Reading, meditation and fishing are just a few of the millions of ways we can reduce our stress levels during these uncertain times.

If you would like more information about stress effects on dental health, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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What Is Gum Disease? | Chicago Dentist

We all want a healthy smile, but for many of us, this is not the case. And gum disease is the main culprit in the realm of dental issues. Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround your teeth and is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is typically painless, you may not even know you have it. But what causes gum disease? Plaque is the primary cause of gum disease. However, other factors can contribute to periodontal disease, including:

  • Hormonal changes, such as those occurring during pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and monthly menstruation make gums more sensitive.
  • Various illnesses, such as cancer or HIV, because they interfere with the immune system. Diabetes’ effects on the body’s ability to use blood sugar makes patients with this disease at a higher risk of developing infections.
  • Medications can affect oral health, because some lessen the flow of saliva, which has a protective effect on teeth and gums.
  • Bad habits such as smoking
  • Poor oral hygiene habits
  • Family history

Gum disease may progress without producing obvious signs, even in the late stages of the disease. Although the symptoms of periodontal disease can often be subtle, it can present some warning signs. Certain symptoms may point to some form of the disease. The symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing
  • Red, swollen, or tender gums
  • Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
  • Receding gums
  • Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
  • Loose or shifting teeth
  • Changes in the way teeth fit together upon biting down, or in the fit of partial dentures

If you would like more information about gum disease, call Dr. Peter O. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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Get the Smile You’ve Always Wanted with All on Four Smiles | Chicago Dentist

While a beautiful set of pearly whites is definitely on top of most people’s wishes, it’s not always possible for them to have it. One good reason for this is because how expensive the necessary dental treatments and procedure are to get that picture-perfect smile.

An all on four smile is made from high-tech dental resins that allows it to cover either the entire lower or upper arch of your mouth, immediately disguising common aesthetic dental problems such as stains, chips, crowding, missing teeth and so on.

The material used is durable, but also thin and is made to look exactly like natural teeth. You can also eat and drink while wearing the appliance. All on four smiles offer a very affordable cosmetic solution that can last for a year or two before being replaced and one that patients can wear as needed while they save up for a more permanent solution.

  • Virtually painless and fast process that requires only two short visits and as little as two to three
  • weeks
  • A more affordable solution compared to other cosmetic dentistry treatments
  • Almost everyone is a suitable candidate
  • A good alternative for those who can’t be fitted with implants or bridges
  • A more comfortable and attractive alternative for those who don’t like partial dentures
  • The process is reversible as nothing is changed and the appliance can be removed at any time

Still, all on four smiles are a great way for you to test out a new smile before fully committing to a more expensive, permanent cosmetic solution as veneer, laser whitening treatments or Invisalign.

If you would like more information about all on four implants, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.