Gingivitis Prevention

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease and our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC are here to keep you out of it. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that is usually reversible, but if left untreated it can progress to a more aggressive form of gum disease called periodontitis. Gingivitis is caused by inadequate oral care habits. Therefore, if you notice a little pink in the sink, it’s time to review your own.

Signs of gingivitis include red and puffy gums that bleed easily when you brush your teeth. To prevent gingivitis, you’ll need to thoroughly brush your teeth for at least twice minutes twice a day. Because your toothbrush can’t reach the crevices between your teeth, you should floss at least once a day and it doesn’t hurt to top off your oral care routine with some mouthwash. It's especially important to visit our office twice a year for an oral exam, X-rays, and a professional cleaning.

If you have questions about periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.downtown-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC in Chicago, IL, call 312-782-8862. 

Oral Cancer Screening

At Downtown Dental, we love serving the families from our community and looking out for the condition of your smiles and oral hygiene!  We also screen for oral cancer, and it is important that you and your family are aware of oral cancer and how to prevent it.  Oral cancer screening may not be the most common reason you’ve visited a dentist, but regular screenings are the best way to protect yourself.

Heavy smoking and drinking do increase the risk of oral cancer, but oral cancer can still occur if someone never smokes.  The human papilloma virus (HPV) was recently found to be responsible for most oral cancers that originated in the back of the mouth.  Because there is no way to predict cancer, you should ask about an oral cancer screening with each dental checkup.  Your dentist will conduct a visual exam, and may use an ultraviolet light to see any irregularities inside the mouth. Always contact us if you notice any inexplicable pain, swelling, or numbness in your throat or jaw.

To learn more about the services we provide, visit downtown-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC in Chicago, IL, call 312-782-8862.

Endodontics: Root Canal

A root canal is necessary when a tooth is decayed beyond repair. Our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC understand that root canal therapy sounds painful, but it’s actually more painful living with a dead tooth. A root canal can relieve pain and save the tooth that has been compromised. If you happen to need a root canal, we promise to make you as comfortable as possible throughout the entire process.

During root canal treatment, one of our doctors will carefully remove the pulp inside the tooth, clean the area, disinfect it, and shape the root canals so that a filling can be placed. The area around the tooth will be numbed with a local anesthetic, but if you don’t want to be awake for the procedure, we can discuss sedation options during your consultation. Once the procedure is over, you will be given post-operative instructions to follow.

If you have questions about endodontics or root canal therapy, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.downtown-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC in Chicago, IL, call 312-782-8862. 

Braces Pain

The doctors at Downtown Dental have seen smiles transformed by braces.  Braces are a powerful straightening method, but they are also a long process with some pain along the way.  Patients with braces often feel a little discomfort after their wires have been tightened, and patients with new braces usually experience some uncomfortable chafing as their mouth gets used to braces.  These are both normal occurrences and you can ease the pain while getting to your perfect smile!  

With a new set of braces, the insides of cheeks and lips will rub against the brackets and wires.  The soft tissue will toughen as your mouth gets accustomed to the braces, but at first it can create sore spots.  Dental wax is a great defense against this.  Just a small piece can cover the edge of a bracket and relieve any chafing.  After a set of braces is tightened a patient will also feel some pain and soreness.  The patient should eat soft foods right after a tightening if they are experiencing discomfort.  If the pain continues, over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil and Motrin are helpful.  Please still contact the office if you experience any extreme or long-lasting discomfort.

To learn more about the services we provide, visit downtown-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC in Chicago, IL, call 312-782-8862.