General Dentistry Q & A

General Dentistry Q & A Lincoln Park Chicago

Our dental office provides general dental care for patients who need to maintain their oral health and prevent future dental concerns. General dental treatments can encompass regular dental cleanings and examinations as well as dental tools and treatments that help stop oral health issues. Emergency dental care, dental lasers, custom sports mouthguards, dental sedation, sleep apnea treatment, and dental extractions all fall under general dentistry in our Chicago, IL dental office. 

General Dentistry in Chicago, IL

Learn more about general dental care with answers to these commonly asked questions:

How do I know if I need emergency dental care?

A dental emergency is a situation that requires prompt care. Any sudden or severe dental problem needs prompt and professional dental care, like a lost permanent tooth, tooth pain, or broken dental restoration. If you experience a dental emergency,  contact us as soon as possible

When will I need dental sedation?

Typically, we use sedation for lengthy dental extractions or implant restorations. Dental sedation ensures patient comfort throughout treatment. However, if you or a loved one have dental fear or anxiety, we can also recommend dental sedation for more routine treatments. 

What are the benefits of sports mouthguards?

Wearing sports mouthguards to play contact sports can protect natural teeth, restorations, and orthodontics like braces. Mouthguards conform to teeth to prevent dental injuries, broken restorations, and tooth loss. Sports mouthguards often prevent the need for cosmetic or restorative care.

How can I tell if I have sleep apnea?

Common sleep apnea symptoms can include snoring, morning headaches, mood swings, and irritability. We also recommend that patients take at-home sleep tests and visit for screenings. A professional can diagnose sleep apnea, and we can provide oral appliances to keep the airway open. Our oral appliances benefit patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.

How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?

Although it will take weeks for the jawbone to heal, you should be able to wean off a soft diet in a week or less. We recommend that patients stick to a soft diet and avoid the extraction site after treatment. Avoiding the site helps prevent problems like dry socket and helps the healing process.

Contact Dr. Paul Gayed and Dr. Frank Shaw for general dental care at (773) 549-2881. You can also schedule a dental consultation online. Let us know if you have any more questions for us and we will be glad to help.

Why Is Gum Health Important

Many patients may only think of problems like tooth decay or cavities when they think of dental issues. However, gums play an important role in patients’ oral health. Problems like gum disease can affect other areas of the body. Gum disease also has links to health problems like diabetes, osteoporosis, respiratory diseases, and heart problems. Here we will show the links between overall health and gum health in Chicago, IL.

Overall Health and Gum Health in Chicago, IL 

Health problems and gum problems can be linked as one condition can affect the other. Some health problems that can affect the gums include: 

Diabetes

Gum disease increases the levels of sugar in the body, and provides more food for harmful bacteria. This can also make it difficult for diabetics to control their blood glucose levels. Many diabetics experience thicker blood vessels, which makes it hard to deliver nutrients and remove waste. This can leave gum tissue more prone to infection.

Poor oral hygiene and tobacco use can also leave diabetics at higher risk of gum disease. Diabetics over 45 are 20 times more likely to develop periodontal disease when they use tobacco products. Additionally, diabetics need to ensure a good oral hygiene routine to prevent gum disease as poor oral hygiene is a leading cause of infection.

Osteoporosis

Bone fragility, decreased bone mineral density, and low bone mass are indicators of osteoporosis. Patients with osteoporosis and gum disease are more at risk of bones breaking because of inflammation. Estrogen deficiency can also speed up oral bone loss and lead to gum recession. Many post-menopausal women can develop osteoporosis and lose gum tissue that keep teeth stable.

Respiratory Diseases

Gum disease can worsen pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Patients with chronic respiratory disease often have low immunity, increasing their risk of gum disease. Bacteria that cause inflammation can also inflame the lining in the lungs. Smoking or using tobacco products can also contribute to respiratory diseases and worsen the immune system.

Heart Problems

Strokes, heart attacks, heart disease, and other heart problems are closely linked to gum disease. Harmful bacteria in the mouth that cause gum disease can enter the bloodstream, attaching to blood vessels in the arteries and contributing to clots. As periodontitis develops, it weakens immune systems and the body’s inflammatory response.

We recommend that you visit our office regularly for routine care so we can keep track of your health problems. Let our team know of any medical conditions impacting your oral health. At regular dental visits, we can take detailed x-rays to examine the teeth, gums, and jaw. We also provide deep dental cleanings like scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar from the smile. Topical or oral antibiotics also minimize harmful bacteria in the mouth.

Call our dental office for treatment today at (773) 549-2881. You may also schedule a dental appointment with us on our website. Let us know if you have questions or concerns about your gum health and we can help.