Blog Archive
At The Chicago Family Dental Center, we are committed to providing you with the best possible dental care and experience. One of the ways we do this is by utilizing advanced dental technology. We are pleased to use advanced digital imaging in Chicago, Illinois, to provide efficient, accurate diagnoses and...
Do you suffer from dental phobia? Have you had negative experiences at the dentist in the past that make you nervous to get the care you need? If so, our dentist and dental team may recommend sedation dentistry to ensure that you feel calm and relaxed during your visit to...
Do you ever wonder why you should brush your teeth twice a day? If so, our doctor, Dr. Gary Wegmann, is happy to tell you why. The more you know about brushing, the better. In fact, the more you know, the better chance you’ll make it a top priority, which...
At The Chicago Family Dental Center, we provide custom full dentures for patients who have experienced significant tooth loss and need to regain their smiles. You can help your dentures last longer and withstand oral atrophy by applying denture adhesive and giving your appliance daily care. Though when your dentures...
Brushing and flossing your teeth represents the first line of defense against tooth decay and periodontal disease. It’s worth noting that having a dental exam and cleaning performed twice a year is also an essential component of maintaining a healthy mouth. Each of these outpatient appointments starts with a professional...
Having a healthy smile means avoiding the dangerous oral health effects of plaque and tartar, and we can help you know which steps to take to prevent the development of these harmful substances. Plaque and tartar can lead to many kinds of oral health problems that put your smile in...
Time and poor oral hygiene habits can sometimes combine to weaken the once strong bond between one of your dental fillings and the surrounding tooth enamel. This is even more likely to occur with large fillings and those on a tooth’s biting or chewing surface. If one of your dental...
TMJ is the acronym for Temporormandibular joint disorder, and it concerns the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull. This problematic disorder is triggered and aggravated by excessive clenching of the jaw and grinding of the teeth. Gone undiagnosed, the disorder causes pain in the joint of the jaw...
Some forms of dental trauma and untreated tooth decay can be severe. Many of these cases call for Dr. Gary Wegmann and his staff to perform a root canal. This mode of endodontic therapy is intended to remove compromised internal structures from the tooth before preparing an abutment capable of...
In order to treat bad breath, it is important to determine what is causing it. Numerous causes exist for bad breath, including issues emanating from deep within your body. However, if bad breath is coming out of your mouth, it could be linked to numerous things including the food you’re...
Do you have any broken or damaged teeth? Do you have any severely stained or discolored teeth that cannot be easily fixed by brushing or flossing alone? Do you have any lost or missing teeth? If any of these ailments or conditions apply to you, consider the benefits of cosmetic...
As you may have already heard, some people brush their teeth with baking soda as an alternative to toothpaste. Some toothpaste manufacturers even include baking soda as an ingredient in their paste. So is baking soda good or bad? Well, it’s all up to you. To help you decide, our...
Inflamed and swollen gums can cause serious discomfort. If your gums are in this condition, you’re probably searching for the best ways to relieve the pain and find the comfort you deserve. To help you, our dentist, Dr. Gary Wegmann, has some tips for you. Now, because a serious dental...
Tooth decay happens plaque materializes on your teeth and generates acid which then burrows into your tooth enamel. This can eventually create serious dental problems, such as cavities, gum disease or abscesses. Tooth decay occurs a little bit every day, but unless it has advanced, we can hardly detect it....
Most people don’t often stop to think about how important their gums are to a healthy smile. The teeth usually receive most of the attention since they are more visible when you smile. But a healthy smile is a result of strong teeth and gums, and with gum disease a...
Halloween equals candy, and candy equals enamel erosion and cavities, which can be harmful to the smile. So, as you may already know, trick-or-treating can put your child’s little chompers in danger. Now, before you tell your child they can’t trick-or-treat, our dentist, Dr. Gary Wegmann, has some good news....
Did you know that many individuals in our world suffer from a condition known as dental anxiety? Dental anxiety is a condition when you feel afraid or are overcome with stress due to visiting your dentist or having dental treatments done. However, there are multiple treatments that can be done...
Have you ever wondered if your oral health can be improved with teeth whitening treatments? Do you practice excellent oral health habits but still lack the color you want from your smile? If so, a tooth whitening treatment may be exactly what you need to get your smile to its...
Are you familiar with dental sealants and the effect on your smile? Are you looking to improve your smile with enhanced aesthetics and functionality? Even though dental sealants cannot truly reverse the dental damage, they are extremely effective at preventing future damage from occurring. In conjunction with many studies, the...
The significance of a tooth replacement is often seen when a tooth is lost. With missing teeth, gums can destabilize and cause your other teeth to slide and move. It can also make you look older and frailer. If enough teeth are missing, or highly specific teeth are gone, speech,...
A dental filling is often used to repair a cavity that affects a modest area of tooth enamel. As time goes by poor oral hygiene habits can start to erode the bond between the dental filling material and the surrounding tooth enamel. When this happens, a small amount of bacteria...
Oral health happens when several little details are completed consistently. In addition to brushing your teeth, dental checkups, and healthy eating, this list of details includes flossing in between the teeth. We want to help you become a champion flosser, so we decided to create a basic flossing guide. Here...
If you have not worked on your oral health care habits recently, especially to improve them, the time has come to upgrade your tooth brushing routine. Although brushing is only a small part of your overall oral health care, it is still a vital one that should be done every...
Did you know, an oral cancer screening is included in your dental checkup? Well, it’s true! If you skip multiple trips to the dentist, you could be putting your oral health at risk of gum disease and even cancer. That is why, our team here at The Chicago Family Dental...
A dental fracture can be caused by any number of things. Common culprits include an accidental fall, sports injury, or a bad habit, like nibbling on pencils and pens. Some dental fractures are limited to the tooth enamel and cause very little discomfort. This might tempt you to forgo professional...
Did you know that sugarless gum can fight cavities? According to many studies that have been done, chewing sugarless gum for roughly 20 minutes after eating can help protect your tooth enamel. The reason is due to an increase in saliva production, which can wash away plaque buildup, neutralize harmful...
Did you know that there are many things you should try to protect your oral health? For example, you might know that you should be brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and should set up an appointment with us once every six months. However, did you know that certain beverages...
Did you know that dental implants are so effective and durable they can be last for an entire lifetime? Although teeth and gums will naturally age and weaken over time, through a process called osseointegration, the bond between your jawbone and dental implants can actually grow tighter and more durable...
If you are in your advanced stage of adulthood, it’s important to remember that if properly cared for, your teeth can continue doing their job just as if you were just beginning your twenties. Although it is true that teeth age along with the rest of our bodies, there are...
When a tooth becomes seriously injured or decayed, it can lead to an infection in the tooth nerves and dental pulp, which are located inside of the tooth. Tooth infection can in turn cause severe tooth pain, extreme tooth sensitivity, and several other painful symptoms. In order to alleviate tooth...
Fluoride can be a controversial topic. Some say it’s a dangerous substance, but most believe it’s good for the health of your teeth. If you’re interested in making this decision for yourself, there are a few things you should know. Many argue that the benefits of fluoride far outweigh the...
Do you want to keep your teeth white, bright, and brilliant? If so, then it’s best to avoid consuming foods and drinks that have staining particles in them. If you avoid those products, you’ll have a better chance at maintaining the beautiful smile you deserve. Some foods and drinks our...
Protecting your mouth includes more than just protecting your teeth. Your gums are also at risk for damage and decay. Our expert team at The Chicago Family Dental Center is highly trained to analyze and assess all your oral health ailments and can provide you with treatment plans customized to...
While it is rare, there are times when an accidental fall or hard blow to the face can cause significant damage to one of your teeth. This is even more likely to happen if you participate in contact sports without wearing a quality mouthguard. The severity of the damage will...
There are many winter sports and activities that pose a threat to your smile, whether you like it or not. This is why it’s important to protect your teeth and gums while you participate in something that could harm or damage your smile. Our dentist, Dr. Gary Wegmann, and our...
At The Chicago Family Dental Center, we understand that you’re busy, and that saving time is something most people strive to do. Historically, many dental treatments have required two or more visits to complete—but did you know that modern dentistry has made it possible for our team to finish many...
Tooth squeeze, also known as barodontalgia, is a common dental issue for those who experience altitude changes often, like pilots and scuba divers. It can also be an issue for those who mountain climb or drive a submarine. Either way, it’s a dental issue that occurs when the air pressure...
Are you about to align your smile with Invisalign®? If so, our The Chicago Family Dental Center team would like to tell you all about the treatment so you know what to expect when you align your crooked, misaligned teeth. Invisalign treatment in Chicago, Illinois, involves the following steps: Step...
There was a time when a cracked tooth could bring no positive changes. However, with the advancement of dental veneers, you can now conceal the original tooth with a version that can look and feel even better than the original. On top of that, you can cover teeth that are...
Many of our patients want the beautiful, straight teeth that braces can bring them, but don’t want the distracting appearance of metal braces. For these patients, we may indeed have the perfect solution. Invisalign® invisible aligners are orthodontic straighteners that are virtually unnoticeable. They are thermoformed plastic trays that slowly...
Losing a tooth to damage, decay or extraction is often a serious cause for concern. Even if you learn to live with the impaired ability to chew food, the missing tooth will inevitably lead to future complications. Teeth relate to each other by their shared structure and presence. When a...
Do you have overlapping teeth or crooked teeth? Similarly, do you have one or more cracked teeth? If you do—and even if you don’t—you probably understand that these types of imperfections can be embarrassing. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to address the flaws in your smile. Contouring,...
You’ve probably heard of gum disease, and you may even know what you should do to prevent the problem. For instance, you probably know that if you keep up your oral care, you’ll be much more likely to avoid gum disease altogether. However, as you probably know, gum disease can...
Missing one or more teeth in your mouth can be a serious cause for concern. Beyond limiting your ability to chew food, it can also slur your speech and mar your smile. A little over twenty years ago, dental implants were used primarily to replace a single lost tooth. Over...
If you’ve had missing teeth for a long period of time, you’re likely experiencing some not-so-great side effects. From health problems to changes in your appearance, missing teeth for any extended length of time can have a serious affect on your confidence, appearance, and overall well-being. With that in mind,...
A beautiful white smile is a dream most people would love to have. Sadly, there are different issues though that can interfere with this goal. Inadequate oral care, for one, will cause your smile to degrade. Smoking is another problem that will interfere with a potentially perfect smile. Many people...
What is tooth sensitivity? To put it simply, tooth sensitivity is discomfort in one or more teeth that can range from mild to severe. Many people feel this discomfort every day even during mundane tasks such as eating and drinking. But, is there anything you can do to combat this...
Do you brush and floss regularly? Do you make a point of visiting your dentist once every six months? Do you ever wonder if there’s anything else you can do to keep your teeth healthy and strong? If you do wonder, would you be surprised to learn that exercising regularly...
If you want your child to have a strong and successful oral health, there are things you need to do on a regular basis to reach that goal. However, it’s not as tough as it seems. All you need to do is: Properly clean the smileIt’s best to brush your...
The first thing that people notice about you is your smile. Most adults think a bright, healthy smile makes them more attractive to the opposite gender. Many believe that an unattractive smile can hurt an individual’s chances of success in a career. Are you confident about your pearly whites? If...
Parenting an infant, especially your firstborn, is intimidating. You have a lot to learn, and you don’t always know where to find the answers, which is why we’ve provided a few tips to help you master the basics of keeping your child’s mouth healthy. 1. Newborn Oral care should begin...
As your child begins growing into their smile, things might become a bit difficult, especially if you’re not quite sure how to soothe your baby. However, there are some things you can do to give your child the comfort they need, and our The Chicago Family Dental Center team is...
An oral injury or emergency can be a very serious cause for concern. While it’s impossible to completely prevent anything from ever happening, there are a few everyday habits and tips that will greatly reduce your chances of suffering a few common oral emergencies. Bad habits like chewing on ice...
Are you worried about caring for your child’s baby teeth? If so, our team at The Chicago Family Dental Center is here to help you! If you are doing the following things, you are on the right track: · Before your baby’s teeth even grow into place, clean their gums...
Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day as well as attending your routine dental checkup, will help to prevent tooth decay. Unfortunately, there are times when, despite your best efforts the bacteria in your mouth will destroy a small amount of enamel on one of your teeth. Most cavities...
Severe tooth decay can cause significant damage to the enamel of a single tooth. This can seriously compromise your ability to chew and potentially give you an unappealing smile. A large area of decay might not leave enough healthy enamel for your dentist to anchor a filling. In a situation...
In the world of dentistry, there are many options available to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. One type of dental restoration that is fairly quickly to achieve–compared to wearing braces–are dental veneers. What Are Dental Veneers and How Do They Work? –Veneers are customized, translucent shells worn...
Did you know that millions of teeth every year are treated by root canal therapy? It has become a common treatment for saving your pearly whites and your smile! Let’s take a moment to look at your tooth. The outer, or white enamel, is what we commonly think of when...
Denture implants are a represent a serious investment in your long term oral form and function. With proper care the implanted anchors, hardware and the custom fitted dentures can potentially last for many years to come. The abutment anchors will require regular brushing to remove food particles, bacteria and plaque....
Brushing and flossing on a daily basis is imperative for ideal oral health. When you do so, be sure to use proper technique. Proper dental hygiene will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night....
As your child grows into their beautiful, strong, and healthy smile, it is best to prevent baby bottle tooth decay, which can be done by doing the following things: • Don’t send your child to bed with a bottle of juice or sugary liquid. It’s best that they take their...
Do you have a cavity? Do you ever wonder which type of filling would be the best for your smile? If you have, we recommend looking over the benefits of composite fillings. For example, composite filling can be used for more than just repairing cavities. In fact, the material that...
Toothaches can be extremely painful, and we never want you to feel the excruciating throbs that are associated with it, which is why we have provided this blog! If you have a toothache, you can try to relieve the pain at home with one or more of these five home...
Do you feel anxiety whenever you visit the dentist? Do thoughts of getting a cavity filled make you shiver in fear? If so, then you may have dentophobia. A fear of visiting the dentist isn’t uncommon, and there are sedation methods available that can help you relax. Ask your dentist...
One in every four Americans deals with halitosis, or chronic bad breath. If you are constantly popping wintergreen mints or spearmint gum to freshen your breath, it could be a sign that you are part of that 25 percent. There are ways to prevent this bad breath, and we have...
More than 700 different strains of bacteria have been found colonizing in the human mouth. Some bacteria are worse than others, but scientists have identified a few specific diseases that have developed through these specific bacteria living in the mouth. The top two bacteria found in patients’ mouths are Streptococcus...
Whether you like minty freshness or the heat of cinnamon, everyone has their favorite flavor of toothpaste. However, throughout history, people have had some interesting choices in flavors for their early versions of toothpastes. MyrrhAncient Egypt used the powdered ashes of various substances for their toothpaste, including pumice and oxen...
As you prepare for your forthcoming bundle of joy, there are many vital items on your to-do list. But would you believe that one of your more important preparations have to do with maintaining your oral health? It’s true! Pregnancy can make some dental problems worse, so it’s imperative that...
Teeth are designed to fit together smoothly, with the top and bottom teeth touching only when chewing. We all clench our teeth to some degree; it is a natural result of stress or anger, for example. However, frequent unnatural clenching or grinding of the teeth is the result of a...
Bad breath can ruin a date, cause co-workers to avoid you, and generally be an unwelcomed nuisance. Here are some ways that you can tackle your bad breath and start down the road to minty freshness. Avoid Garlic and Onions: Foods like garlic and onions can be smelled on...
When you visit the dentist, you may only see a small part of what we do on a regular basis. Dentists do much more than just clean your teeth and instruct you to brush and floss. In today’s blog, we’ll talk more about just a few of the things that...