Tag Archives: dentist in Norridge

Decrease Your Odds of Hypertension

Dentist in Norridge, IL

dentist norridgeYou may be unaware of how your oral health can be an indicator of your overall health. The warning signs of systemic health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, can often be found by during a routine examination at our dental office. You may be surprised to find out that hypertension (high blood pressure) may also be linked to your oral health habits.

A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology suggests that there is a link between oral hygiene and high blood pressure, based on the results of almost 20,000 adults surveyed in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). It was found that individuals with poor oral hygiene habits, such as infrequent brushing of teeth, were more likely to suffer from hypertension. Individuals that brushed their teeth more than once daily and also utilized other oral health products such as floss or mouthwash were less likely to suffer from hypertension. The study concluded that maintaining good oral hygiene habits may help prevent or control high blood pressure.

Good oral hygiene is essential to a healthy life and regular dental visits are important in maintaining good oral heath. Contact our office to schedule your appointment for an examination and cleaning.

Why Regular Dental Care Now Can Save You Big Later

Dentist Norridge

Proper at-home dental care and regular preventive dental visits can help you save money!  See below for interesting information comparing the costs of dental care and see how the average person’s at-home care differs from the American Dental Association recommendations. Please contact us to schedule your next dental visit.

Dentist in Norridge

New Year, New You!

Norridge, IL Dentist

Dentist in Norridge

Many of us spend the majority of our lives giving to others, caring for others and providing for others. This can be a very rewarding way to live.

However, at times it can leave you wondering when there will be time for me.

Many times, we put off prioritizing our own health and happiness, and this becomes our way of life.

We want to encourage you to make a resolution this year – involving you. It’s important to make your health and self-esteem a priority for a long and happy life.

If you’ve been considering cosmetic or restorative dentistry for years, but for one reason or another have not made your own wants and needs a priority…

Now is the time!

Contact us for a consultation or share this message with a friend who needs a reminder to make time for his or herself.

A World Without Dentistry

Norridge Dentist

Norridge IL Dentist

It’s difficult for us to imagine a world without quality dental care, but it exists. Throughout the world, losing teeth is still seen as a natural consequence of aging. Those in developing countries have never felt the confidence that a healthy smile can bring; instead they may feel embarrassment while smiling and pain when eating.

In the United States, we have the greatest access to preventive and restorative oral health care. It is not uncommon for American seniors to have their natural teeth, thanks to modern dentistry.

This Thanksgiving, we would like to take a moment to be grateful for the opportunity to offer high-quality, convenient dental care to you. It’s a privilege to care for your family’s smile.

Scare Away Tooth Decay

Dentist Norridge

Dentist in Norridge ILHalloween is just around the corner, and everyone, both kids and adults, are excited to indulge in sweet treats. Although Trick-or-Treating may be a fun activity, don’t forget to consider the impact it has on your oral health.

As you check the candy loot, remove some of the following tooth decaying culprits from the stash:

  1. Candy Corn: This bite size candy seems harmless. However, some of us grab it by the handful. Candy corn contains a high amount of sugar and can often lead to tooth decay.   If you’re not careful, you could end up eating an entire bag.
  1. Chewy Sweets: Gummy candies and taffy can be difficult for children and adults to resist, but they are a serious source of tooth decay. It often gets stuck in the crevices between teeth, making it difficult to remove.
  1. Sour Treats: Sour candies, such as Warheads, Sour Patch Kids and Sour Skittles, have high acid levels that can break down tooth enamel quickly. The good news is that saliva slowly helps to restore the natural balance of acid in the mouth. It is recommended to wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth after consuming sour candies. Otherwise, you will be brushing acid onto more tooth surfaces, increasing erosive action.
  1. Hard Candy: Any candy that stays in your mouth for an extended period of time is more harmful for your teeth than candy that is quickly consumed. Examples of these candies include lollipops, Gobstobbers and Jolly Ranchers. Hard candy lowers the pH in your mouth, creating a more acidic environment that is more conducive to enamel erosion and decay.
  1. Caramel Chocolate: Candies, such as Milky Ways and Twix, contain caramel, a gooey substance that sticks to your teeth and is hard to rinse out when you get a drink or from the saliva in your mouth. That means that more harmful bacteria and acids grow, which put your teeth at an increased risk of decay.

By encouraging good oral hygiene, Halloween can be a fun, cavity-free holiday! If you forgot to schedule your last six-month check-up, now’s a good time to get back on track and contact us at DiChristofano & DiChristofano Dental Care. We also encourage you to schedule an extra post-Halloween dental cleaning to ensure healthy teeth after eating all that candy!

Norridge Dentist | Healthy Lunch Ideas for Both Children and Adults

Dentist Norridge

Norridge DentistSeptember is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. It is also a time when our schedules become busy with school, after-school activities, work and social gatherings. When short on time it can be tempting to buy convenient lunch foods, which at times lack nutritional value. We’ve put together a list of healthy lunch and snack foods to promote oral and overall health of our community.

Apples & Pears

Firm, crunchy fruits are high in water content. This dilutes the effects of the sugar they contain and help to stimulate saliva production, making them excellent for oral health.

Water & Milk

Water and milk are far better choices than sugary juices and sports drinks, which contribute to decay. If you choose to allow sugary drinks, save them for an after school snack and encourage brushing after consumption.

Cheeses & Nuts

The calcium and phosphorus found in these foods help to re-mineralize teeth by strengthening the tooth’s enamel.

Carrots & Broccoli

Replace a bag of chips with colorful vegetables and a low-fat dip. This will encourage your children to make a habit of snacking healthy and help them to get the vital vitamins and nutrients needed for oral and overall health.

Childhood obesity and childhood caries are of the most common ailments effecting American children today. Help your children by making healthy food available every day.

We welcome both children and adults of all ages to our dental practice. Don’t forget to make brushing and flossing an important part of your child’s routine, as well as regular visits to our Norridge dental office.