Thursday 31 December 2015

Advantages of Invisalign

Advantages of the Invisalign™ System

Many people shy away from having their teeth straightened because they can't afford the appearance of noticeable braces in their professional life. But with Invisalign, the aligners are barely noticeable. You can retain your confidence as a professional as well as in your social life. The aligners can even be removed for a special occasion, such as a wedding. 

If you've heard stories about how straightening your teeth can hurt, you can forget that worry as well. Invisalign is a great improvement in comfort without the metal braces, wires, or headgear. There is no mouth irritation, and you spend much less time in visits to the dentist.

Plus, there's no need to alter your diet. You can eat and drink whatever you like during active treatment, as aligners can be removed for proper daily dental hygiene! You wear them all day and while you sleep, but can remove them while eating and brushing. Keeping your teeth free from any harmful build up will give a nice, clean look to your new smile.


Pebblewood Dental 
Mark Mendiola, DDS & Larissa Navarro, DDS 
1550 North Route 59, Suite 148 
Naperville, IL 60563 
(630) 369-6222 
PebblewoodDental.com

Sunday 27 December 2015

Understanding Your Dental Plan

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to about understanding your dental plan.


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Pebblewood Dental 
Mark Mendiola, DDS & Larissa Navarro, DDS 
1550 North Route 59, Suite 148 
Naperville, IL 60563 
(630) 369-6222 
PebblewoodDental.com

Thursday 24 December 2015

White Dental Fillings

No Metal in Our Fillings

Many patients are familiar with amalgam fillings, comprised mainly of silver-mercury metals. This has been the common filling material used by dentists for decades. As metal does not bond tightly to tooth structure, they don't last as needed. Eventually, they can loosen and allow decay to set in. Patients also don't like how noticeable they are, and how they detract from an attractive smile. 

We use only modern, composite resin fillings. They bond very tightly to tooth structure, greatly reducing the occurrence of decay setting in. They are made to match the shade of a tooth and go unnoticed. This makes for an aesthetically pleasing enhancement of your smile.


Pebblewood Dental 
Mark Mendiola, DDS & Larissa Navarro, DDS 
1550 North Route 59, Suite 148 
Naperville, IL 60563 
(630) 369-6222 
PebblewoodDental.com

Thursday 17 December 2015

Chew on this: Six dental myths debunked

Myth 1: The consequences of poor oral health are restricted to the mouth

Expectant mothers may not know that what they eat affects the tooth development of the fetus. Poor nutrition during pregnancy may make the unborn child more likely to have tooth decay later in life. “Between the ages of 14 weeks to four months, deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, protein and calories could result in oral defects,” says Carole Palmer, EdD, RD, professor at TUSDM and head of the division of nutrition and oral health promotion in the department of public health and community service. Some data also suggest that lack of adequate vitamin B6 or B12 could be a risk factor for cleft lip and cleft palate formation.

In children, tooth decay is the most prevalent disease, about five times more common than childhood asthma. “If a child’s mouth hurts due to tooth decay, he/she is less likely to be able to concentrate at school and is more likely to be eating foods that are easier to chew but that are less nutritious. Foods such as donuts and pastries are often lower in nutritional quality and higher in sugar content than more nutritious foods that require chewing, like fruits and vegetables,” says Palmer. “Oral complications combined with poor diet can also contribute to cognitive and growth problems and can contribute to obesity.”

Myth 2: More sugar means more tooth decay

It isn’t the amount of sugar you eat; it is the amount of time that the sugar has contact with the teeth. “Foods such as slowly-dissolving candies and soda are in the mouth for longer periods of time. This increases the amount of time teeth are exposed to the acids formed by oral bacteria from the sugars,” says Palmer.

Some research shows that teens obtain about 40 percent of their carbohydrate intake from soft drinks. This constant beverage use increases the risk of tooth decay. Sugar-free carbonated drinks and acidic beverages, such as lemonade, are often considered safer for teeth than sugared beverages but can also contribute to demineralization of tooth enamel if consumed regularly.

To read the entire article written by Medardo Chua, please visit IDentalAccess.com

Pebblewood Dental 
Mark Mendiola, DDS & Larissa Navarro, DDS 
1550 North Route 59, Suite 148 
Naperville, IL 60563 
(630) 369-6222 
PebblewoodDental.com

Thursday 10 December 2015

Three Oral Hygiene Tips for Men

When it comes to personal oral hygiene, not all men are as attentive to their teeth as women. Starting with the checkup, surveys suggests men are more likely to see a dentist only in the event of a problem. So, guys, learn how to step up your oral care routine with the following tips for maintaining a healthy smile and preventing oral health problems before they start.

Toothbrush Tips
Brushing is just one part of keeping your mouth clean - doing so twice a day, in particular. However, the average man brushes his teeth 1.9 times a day, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). It's not enough to brush quickly and be on your way; two minutes of thorough cleaning is your most effective approach. Keep in mind you don't need to brush hard during this process. Use a soft-bristled brush such as Colgate® Slim Soft™ and brush gently at a 45-degree angle.

Some helpful hints: Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, rinse it after each use and store it in an upright position to air dry. Storing it in a container actually allows microorganisms to grow on the brush, explains the American Dental Association (ADA), so it's best to avoid this method.

Sports and Dental Injuries
Playing contact sports can lead to trauma in unexpected places, and this includes broken, chipped or lost teeth. Wear a mouthguard when you're on the field and a helmet when you're on your bike. Ultimately, see your dentist as soon as possible after experiencing an incident to quickly assess the damage and determine what can be done to fix it.

To read the entire article written by Margie Monin Dombrowski, please visit Colgate.com 

Pebblewood Dental 
Mark Mendiola, DDS & Larissa Navarro, DDS 
1550 North Route 59, Suite 148 
Naperville, IL 60563 
(630) 369-6222 
PebblewoodDental.com

Thursday 3 December 2015

A New Year's You: Dental Health Resolutions

Your dental health is an important part of your overall wellness, and the New Year is a great time to create resolutions for improving your health. Many people have dental health resolutions that range from improving their toothbrushing habits to completing delayed dental treatment. Understanding the benefits of your particular resolutions can be motivating and rewarding. Whatever your goals might be, it is important to take small steps to achieve them. Consistency is key with any resolution that you make.

Improving Toothbrushing and Flossing Habits
Perhaps you would like to improve your oral health. Daily toothbrushing and flossing is a sure and simple way to improve your oral health. For successful bacterial plaque removal, it is important to brush at least twice a day using an appropriately sized, soft-bristle, manual or electric toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, gently position the toothbrush bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline and move the toothbrush across the teeth to effectively remove bacterial plaque. It is also important to floss at least once per day to remove bacterial plaque and food that has accumulated throughout the day. Your toothbrush should be replaced every 3 to 4 months, as well as after you have a cold or flu or if the bristles are frayed. Daily toothbrushing and flossing help to prevent gingivitis (gum disease), tooth decay and halitosis (bad breath). The daily use of antimicrobial and fluoride mouthrinses also helps to improve your oral health.

To read the entire article written by Yolanda Eddis, please visit Colgate.com

Pebblewood Dental 
Mark Mendiola, DDS & Larissa Navarro, DDS 
1550 North Route 59, Suite 148 
Naperville, IL 60563 
(630) 369-6222 
PebblewoodDental.com