Category: general dentistry

Dental problems cause some of the most uncomfortable and debilitating pains in your teeth, gums, and jaw. If you are one of the thousands of Americans who suffer from toothaches constantly, you agree with us. We’re sure you’ll agree with us if you’ve ever had a toothache! Oral pains are distracting and debilitating. While it may be tempting to contact the dentist right away for immediate help, not all cases of oral pains are dental emergencies and can wait. 

We’ve compiled a list of the major problems where you should see a dentist straight away and minor ones that can be addressed later. You should still visit a dentist if you suffer from any oral pain, but these are minor issues that do not require immediate medical attention.

Along with our guide to what is and isn’t a dental emergency, we’ve included some tips on how best to look after your dental health and keep your teeth looking and feeling their best.

Major – Definitely a Dental Emergency 

Some oral pains are signs of serious problems that should be addressed by a professional as soon as possible.

1. Agonizing Toothache

You shouldn’t ignore any toothache, but some pose a more significant threat than others. A toothache with a deep and ceaseless pain can be an indicator of severe tooth decay. Here’s how you know if a toothache needs to be treated right away: 

• Pain is continuous and throbbing, even when no pressure is applied to the tooth. 
• Discomfort continues for more than one day
• Your toothache is paired with fever, earache, or any other symptoms. 

After a thorough physical examination, the dentist will determine the best treatment to ease pain and treat the condition. These may include: 

• Filling in a cavity 
• Extracting the damaged tooth entirely
• Performing a root canal 

2. Oral Abscess

An oral abscess is another reason for calling the dentist straight away. An abscess occurs when an infection forms a pocket of liquid around the root of the tooth, causing severe discomfort in the jaw and gum. An oral abscess cannot be left untreated, as this will lead to the infection spreading to other teeth or into the jaw and neck bone.

When your gum is swollen and red, you are experiencing pain in your tooth, gum, or jaw, and/or you’re having trouble breathing and swallowing, you may be suffering from an oral abscess. Visit a dental expert immediately to get it sorted.

3. Severely Cracked Tooth

The moment a tooth is severely cracked or fractured, you are at risk of developing an infection and may find it painful to chew or swallow. It can happen as a result of a tooth cavity, a fall, or another accident. These large cracks in your teeth don’t just put your oral health at risk, but any infection that develops will have a substantial effect on the health of the entire body. 

4. Knocked Out Tooth

If your tooth has been knocked out, you need to act quickly. Get to the dentist as soon as possible – ideally within 30 minutes of the incident – like every minute can make a difference between saving and losing your tooth. To maximize the dentist’s chances of saving your tooth, here are a few steps to follow: 

1. Pick up the tooth by the crown, the surface that you chew with, not by the root. 
2. If it’s dirty, lightly rinse it with water, do not use any chemicals or soap. 
3. You need to keep the tooth moist, so either reposition it within the socket or put it in a bag filled with a small amount of milk inside. 
4. Get to the dentist as fast as you can, within 30 minutes if possible. 

Minor Problems – The Dentist Can Wait

These oral problems might be disconcerting or painful, but they are not dental emergencies. Book an appointment to see your family dental team and get these sorted, but there is no need to stress and head right over to the clinic. 

1. Mild Toothache

Toothaches are never a pleasant business, but there are many causes for toothache, not all of which require urgent medical attention. Unless the toothache is: 

• Causing you serious ongoing pain 
• Showing other symptoms of being unwell such as fever or jaw pain 
• Preventing you from eating

You do not need to rush straight to the dentist’s, although you should see them in the future for a checkup, so the problem doesn’t grow into something worse.

2. Chipped Tooth

A chipped tooth can happen for a variety of reasons. Whether from a sporting accident or from eating something crunchy, it’s a common dental issue, and it does not call for an emergency trip to the dentist. The enamel that coats your teeth provides a strong protective layer, but if enough force is placed upon it, pieces can break off. The likelihood of this happening increases as you age and your tooth enamel wears down.

Wash your mouth out with salt water to prevent infection, and eat soft foods so as not to damage the tooth any further. Your dentist at Sheehan Dental will be able to repair, fill or smooth off the chipped tooth to prevent any future problems from developing.

3. Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are among the most common issues affecting oral health. Whether accompanied by pain or not, bleeding gums can be a sign of the early stages of gum disease. Bleeding gums are often caused by the buildup of plaque and can be treated by improving your dental hygiene.

Make sure to talk with your dental team during your next checkup if you are experiencing bleeding gums. However, if you notice a little bit of blood while you brush your teeth, there is no need for rushing over to your local clinic. 

Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Most oral pain and dental emergencies can be prevented by practicing good dental hygiene and keeping your teeth healthy.

• Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice – before breakfast and before you go to bed. Replace your toothbrush regularly. If you use an electric toothbrush, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for replacing the head. 
• Floss and use a dentist-approved mouthwash once a day to remove food and plaque that can get trapped between teeth
• Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco as this can lead to discoloration and gum disease.
• Protect your teeth during sports using a dental shield
• Avoid damaging drinking liquids, such as fruit juice, coffee, and alcohol. Drink through a straw to help protect your teeth
• Visit your dentist regularly – at least once every six months for a checkup and professional clean.

There is a fine line between what is and isn’t a dental emergency, so it’s important that you’re informed before contacting your dentist if something doesn’t feel right. We hope this list helps clarify the different grades of oral problems and helps you make the best decision for your teeth if you ever have an issue.

The moment you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact us right away at  708-671-1510! However, when your dental pain is manageable and can wait, schedule your appointment or visit our dental clinic in Palos Park, IL. 

Which Dental Treatment is the Best Option?

Everyone desires a beautiful, shiny smile. Restorative and cosmetic oral health improvements such as dental veneers and crowns have helped many patients. Thousands of Americans rely on crowns and veneers to help them improve their smile and overall oral health. While veneers restore minor and moderate teeth disparities, crowns are a permanent solution to missing teeth. You need to know all about the things that can improve your smile, so keep reading to find out the difference between dental crowns and veneers and which one is the best option for you. 

What Are Dental Crowns & How Can They Improve My Smile & Oral Health?

Dental crowns are an aggressive solution to teeth that are compromised. They are applied by considering how much damage there is to the tooth. Also known as a “cap,” your dentist uses a crown to help cover the tooth that is affected entirely up to the gum line. This permanent solution assists in resorting the tooth to its normal size, shape, and function. While improving the way it looks, a dental crown drastically supports the strength of the tooth. There are different dental crowns to choose from, including: 

Porcelain Crowns – Cosmetic Dentistry

Porcelain crowns are the most common type of crown used in dental improvement procedures. It is customized and colored to make it look like a natural tooth, allowing patients to have a more natural smile. Porcelain is easily shaped to form the tooth, perfectly mimicking the affected tooth’s function. A porcelain crown is usually the first option when the natural tooth is entirely destroyed due to decay. 

Advantages of Porcelain Crowns

• They provide the best and most natural look. 
• The best option for teeth restoration in the front teeth
• No metal is used, so they are completely free of harmful toxins

Gold Dental Crowns 

Gold crowns combine copper and other metals like nickel and chromium. The strength and durability that they boast are the main reasons patients choose them over other materials. Sometimes gold crowns are the preferred choice for patients who need support in the back teeth. However, it’s not a popular choice due to their color as they do not combine well with the other natural teeth. 

Advantages of Gold Dental Crowns in Palos Park: 

• Strong and highly resistant
• The last long periods of time 
• The entire teeth don’t need to be removed to put it on
• Ideal for the posterior teeth 

Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)

PFM crowns are another favorite type of dental crowns in Chicago. They are a combination of both strength and aesthetics. They get their strength from the metal in the cap and the porcelain cover to look more natural. 

Advantages of PFM Crowns: 

• Excellent aesthetics and durability
• They have been around for over 50 years
• They are more affordable than all-porcelain crowns

Crowns are used in situations where the teeth are completely decayed and are beyond restoration, in accidents where the teeth break severely, and in bad habits like teeth grinding. When teeth are beyond complete repair, dental crowns will restore the appearance and strength of the affected tooth and correct the bite. 

What are the Benefits of Dental Veneers? 

Veneers are thin shells attached to the fronts of your teeth. The material used the most for veneers is porcelain. It imitates the impression of tooth enamel, mirroring light in similar forms and giving a more natural appearance than other materials. Veneers are typically used to improve the appearance of teeth that are:

• Broken 

• Worn Down 
• Chipped 

Dental Veneers are the best option for patients who experience minor problems with their teeth. They can change the size, shape, and length of the teeth, correcting a wide array of deformities. There are different types of veneers, we recommend a porcelain veneer so that you can fix the problem while keeping the gorgeous look of your natural smile. Different types of veneers include: 

• Composite Veneers

• Instant Veneers
• Removable Veneers

What are the Main Differences Between Dental Crowns and Veneers? 

• Dental Veneers only cover the front-facing surface of a tooth.
• Crowns generally replace the whole biting surface of a tooth.
• Dental veneers must be laid on a natural tooth.
• Dental crowns can be used as a dental implant and act as a complete replacement. 
• When applied to natural teeth, veneers are typically used on the front-facing teeth 
• Crowns can be used on the front and back teeth
• There are more material options for crowns vs. veneers
• Veneers primarily serve a cosmetic role. Usually, crowns are used to restore severely damaged teeth. 

Have the Smile That Shows Who You Really Are

Detailed attention to your oral health is vital to the overall health of the body. Chipped, broken, or misaligned teeth have severe consequences without treatment; they will affect a patient’s self-confidence. Through meticulous planning, models, X-rays, and photographs, our team of dentists will determine what the best treatment plan is for you. We make sure to listen to the desires and needs of the patient so that our specialists create a personalized care plan that fits with patients’ daily life. 

Experience The New & Improved You at Sheehan Dental
(Cosmetic or Restorative Dental Examinations in Palos Park, IL)

After your cosmetic or restorative examinations in our Palos Park, IL dental clinic, your dentist will try each veneer or crown and analyze the way it forms to your teeth and how it looks. We ensure that each crown or veneer is perfectly fitted so that you avoid any future problems. Our team is highly educated and trained to provide premium and personal dental services to all of our patients. Don’t wait any longer to restore your beautiful smile with Sheehan Dental. 

Contact Sheehan Dental, Palos Park’s Top-Rated Cosmetic Dental Clinic

At Sheehan Dental, we care more about our patients than any other dental clinic in Chicagoland. Our goal is not only to improve our patient’s smiles but help them be as informed as possible so that they can make the best choices for their overall health. When you are wondering about teeth restoration and improvements, contact the dental specialists at Sheehan dental, and we will provide you with detailed examinations and advice. Get directions, (HERE)

Here’s the interesting thing about the current dental program for most adults: typically, our dental habits are developed at an early age, and we maintain those habits throughout our adult lives. However, what if the things that were learned as a child weren’t quite right? Or, what if you slacked off during your teenage years and poor dental habits became ingrained in your current daily behaviors? Patients always need to stay in check with the best dental care techniques today; keep reading to improve your smile! 

Brush Those Pearly Whites Twice A Day

Obviously, you’re brushing daily (we certainly hope you are), but are you brushing twice a day, or are you that person lying on the couch at night who dreads the notion of having to drag themselves to the bathroom to tend to matters of hygiene? While the task may seem unimportant at the time, it’s crucial to clear away as much food debris as possible. Without this process, you’re inviting the bacteria in your mouth to a buffet of the leftover food you ate throughout the day. The bacteria in your mouth devour this feast and, as a result, release substances that are damaging to your overall dental health, which lead to the usual suspects: gum disease, cavities, tooth decay, etc.

Tongue In Cheek

Our tongues are often forgotten. After a long day and a good night’s sleep, there are an infinite amount of bacteria that have been having a party on your tongue and creating all sorts of damage. Properly cleaning the surface of your tongue is a must before you go to bed and the moment you wake up in the morning. While there are certain over-the-counter devices that can be used to clean the tongue thoroughly, ask your specialist at Sheehan Dental for recommendations on a dentist-approved toothbrush with a tongue scraper on the back. 

Floss Away the Plaque

Now, we know you’ve heard this one, but somehow, many of us still manage to ignore (or avoid) this importance of floss. Flossing is an excellent daily dental habit and a very effective means of removing stubborn plaque from places where your brush is less effective. While brushing twice daily is a must, flossing catches the plaque often left behind, the plaque that over time contributes to gum disease and tooth decay. Before heading to bed, make sure to carefully floss between the teeth and remove any particles that may be hiding away! Trust us, it does wonders for your dental health. 

Brush Properly

While you may be brushing twice a day, are you doing it correctly? Imagine realizing that, as an adult, you’ve been brushing your teeth improperly your entire life! Don’t feel bad; it happens. But how should one brush their teeth?

• Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste
• Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle.
• Spend 2-3 minutes brushing your teeth. Time yourself!
• Make sure you’re brushing the outer, inner, and top surfaces of the teeth. 
• Don’t forget the molars in the back. Molars need love too.

Keep an Eye on Your Diet

The benefits of a healthy diet extend to your teeth as well. Daily nutrition plays a key role in great dental care, including a diet rich in veggies, fruits, grains, and legumes. Of course, you want to limit your intake of sugary foods, as the residue from sugar tends to remain in the teeth and inflict acidic damage. Also, try refraining from eating too late. As we sleep, less saliva is produced in our mouths, thus diminishing our mouth’s ability to clean itself throughout the night.

Limit your intake of sodas, coffee, and alcohol—a great idea outside of the discussion of dental health—but high levels of phosphorus in addition to food coloring and high fructose corn syrup will wreak havoc on your pearly whites. Grab a tall glass of water instead. Drinking adequate amounts of water is not only good for your overall health, but also critical to aiding the creation of saliva, which helps with digestion, fends off tooth decay, and battles against germs. Yes, easier said than done, but your teeth will thank you later.

Go Soft On Them

You, like many, may assume that brushing harder and more frequently (more than twice a day) would be an awesome part of your dental regimen. Well, you’d be wrong. While our teeth are very hard and strong and your efforts to take care of your teeth are to be lauded, excessive and vigorous brushing have negative consequences: they lead to sensitive teeth and activate gum recession (leaving sensitive roots exposed), which promotes discomfort and infection.

Excessive and overzealous brushing affects a pretty significant portion of the population, with many causing unnecessary damage as a result. Plaque comes off of your teeth much easier than you think and doesn’t require the use of excessive force. Keep it to twice a day and be gentle.

Storage Is Crucial

After a vigorous brush, are you laying your toothbrush down on its side, allowing bacteria to grow and fester between the bristles? Do you run water over brush for a mere second or two before grabbing your coffee and hurling yourself out of the door and off to work? 

Make sure that you’re taking good care of your dental equipment in addition to taking care of your teeth. Rest your toothbrush upright so that it has the opportunity to properly dry out, which helps avoid mold growth. Rinse your toothbrush properly to clean out all of the bacteria you just scrubbed out of your mouth.

Unbeknownst to many, the health of our teeth plays such an important role in our overall health. Dental issues will lead to a host of problems, including heart disease and massive infections. In other words, it’s absolutely worth your time to invest in creating a daily system for taking great care of your pearly whites. 

When you do the work and serve your teeth, they’ll serve you back. Employ each of the practices you’ve read above and make sure everyone in your household is doing the same. Of course, at least twice a year, you should be stopping by Sheehan Dental for annual check-ups and cleaning. Our team would be honored to become your partner in improving and brightening your smile. 

Contact Sheehan Dental Today

Maintaining and improving your oral health is our main priority. Whether it be during your check-ups, treatment, or while you are at home, our team is devoted to ensuring that your dental health stays in perfect condition. Contact Sheehan Dental online to make an appointment or visit our location today. 

When you’re missing teeth, it is confusing to search for the best option to replace them. Dentures are one of the most popular options for tooth replacement, but is it the best choice for you? What’s best for you, your daily life, and your needs? Sheehan Dental provides patients with information about all dental procedures and what’s the most dependable option for them to make an informed decision. 

Missing teeth not only severely diminish your appearance, but they create problems with speech, drinking, and eating as well. Therefore, deciding on the #1 option to replace them requires research, careful consideration, and knowledgeable advice from your dentist. In this blog, we will discuss dental implants and how they are not only a premium option for missing teeth but also for missing roots. 

Fill in those Gaps: What is a Dental Implant?

Similar to dentures, tooth implants are substitutes for missing teeth. Whether you lost them from an accident, sports, tooth decay, or older age, they are designed to replace the tooth and provide a natural-looking smile. Tooth implants are made of medical-grade titanium and designed to promote new and healthy bone formation. Typical implants consist of: 

The Fixture

This part of the implant becomes fused directly with the jawbone. It lies right beneath the gum line and acts as an artificial root. 

The Abutment

This part of the tooth implant lies above the gum line and is the part that supports/ secure other dental work that is placed on it, such as: 

• Bridges 
• Crowns 
• Dentures

The Dental Prosthesis 

This component refers to a dental implant that sits right on top of the Abutment. Depending on what design it is, it may be screwed, clipped, cemented, or snapped on. A Dental Prosthesis looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth. can

Who is a Candidate For Dental Implants in Palos Park, IL? 

The moment you lose one or multiple teeth, you may be a candidate for dental implants at Sheehan Dental, but there are important considerations before your dental expert determines that it is a viable option for you. Factors that will be evaluated in your primary consultation at our highly respected dental clinic include: 

• Different habits, including smoking, poor oral hygiene, tooth grinding, excessive drinking.
• Whether or not you are in good health: Medical conditions, medicine, age, etc.
• The quality and quantity of the jawbone. 

Why is it Crucial to Replace Missing Teeth and How will it Improve your Overall Health? 

The main concern of missing teeth is obviously the way that it takes away from your beautiful smile, but there are more severe consequences. Bone loss occurs when the space is created from a missing tooth. Due to this unaccompanied space, the teeth shift and will cause the other healthy teeth to become unstable and tilt. Another disadvantage of leaving your missing teeth as they are is that it drastically affects your chewing efficiency and eventually the way you speak.

Dental implants from Sheehan Dental fill in the missing space of lost teeth. They stabilize the remaining natural and healthy teeth while supporting the bones. They act just like regular teeth and restore your smile in no time. When you are missing teeth, the specialists at Sheehan Dental will first examine the space and determine whether or not you are a candidate for dental implants or if other actions need to be considered. 

Are Dental Implants Successful for Palos Park Residents? 

According to the Academy of Implant Dentistry, more than 30 million Americans are missing all of their teeth in at least one jaw. Research has proven that they have a success rate of over 95%. While they have a high success rate, dental implants still need constant attention and care, similar to a natural tooth. Great oral hygiene and regular visits to Sheehan Dental are crucial in ensuring the health and stability of your new dental implants. 

Why Choose Sheehan Dental for Dental Implants in Palos Park, IL?

As a community-focused dental clinic with services that treat the entire family, we are driven to ensure the health of each one of our patient’s smiles. The dentists and dental staff at Sheehan Dental do whatever it takes to restore your teeth to their once natural form. The moment you are considering dental implants, our dental experts closely examine the area of the missing teeth and take the proper course of action. After the implants are placed, we are always available for any questions and concerns to ensure that your implants continue to brighten your smile and last. 

Contact Sheehan Dental for Dental Implants in Palos Park

Do you have missing teeth and need a solution from Chicagoland’s most trusted dentist? Sheehan Dental is devoted to providing you with treatment options that improve your smile and overall health. Contact the experts at Sheehan Dental for Dental Implants in Palos Park today. Get directions to our Dental Clinic HERE. 

Going to the dentist is rarely a task that people get excited about. However, for others, it’s much more than a lack of enthusiasm that keeps them from booking their next check-up. Anxiety and even phobias prevent people from scheduling and keeping an appointment for even just a routine cleaning. We want to address this issue in order to help any of our patients who are experiencing anxiety or fear about seeing a dentist.

The Difference Between Anxiety and a Phobia

Sheehan Dental takes both dental anxiety and dental phobias seriously, but we want to point out that they are different and require different approaches. When you have anxiety about going to the dentist, it will “stress you out.” You will feel nervous and want to avoid going to the dentist. For particular patients, anxiety causes physical symptoms, from clammy hands to an upset stomach. Patient anxiety often makes them put off – or avoid altogether – going to the dentist.

While many people use “anxiety” and “phobias” interchangeably, having a phobia is generally a much more serious situation. When people have a phobia, they feel absolute terror – a terror that is generally unreasonable, unlike anxiety which usually causes stress and fear. A patient who is phobic fears they will have a panic attack or experience a panic attack just from the thought of going to the dentist. In many cases, even extreme mouth pain will keep a patient with a phobia of dentistry from seeking dental care.

When you experience anxiety or have a phobia regarding dental care, know that our caring dental technicians are always available for questions, concerns, advice, and assistance. Our dental team will discuss methods to manage your anxiety and, in the case of phobias, help you find other medical professionals who will assist you manage your phobia.

What is the Reason Behind Dentophobia?

Dentophobia or odontophobia – the technical name for having an acute fear of dental clinics or dentists – affects 2.7 percent of men and 4.6 percent of women. Anxiety over dental appointments probably affects many more people, but no one has done effective studies that show precisely how many people suffer from this or how to affects our national dental health. While this percentage may not seem large, it actually represents millions of Americans. Therefore, be assured: that when you feel this way, you’re not alone.

Why do Patients Suffer from Dentophobia? 

In most cases, people who suffer from anxiety or fear about dentistry have experienced some sort of negative event during a dental procedure in the past. For many people, it could have occurred in childhood. In almost all cases, it involved experiencing pain – often unanticipated pain. This is unfortunate, as it will cause people to stay away from getting the regular cleanings and check-ups that their dental health relies upon.

It’s also common that patients feel anxious or have a phobia about dentistry not because of dentistry itself but because of the position the patient is in when they are at the dentist. Dentists and dental assistants generally get very close to patients in order to perform their jobs properly, and this closeness makes people feel very uncomfortable. For others, simply allowing a dental technician to look closely at their mouth makes them feel embarrassed or uneasy. No matter the source of your anxiety or phobia about seeing a dentist, we take your concerns and feelings seriously and want to make you feel as comfortable and confident during each visit as possible.

The Most Trusted Answers to Dentophobia by Trusted Dental Experts

While our clinic doesn’t always have all the answers about what is causing your fears, there are an endless amount of good things to know about dentistry in general and Dr. Sheehan’s practice:

For most children going through their first “procedure” it is a new and sometimes frightening experience. While this uncomfortable experience has stuck with you through the years, dental techniques and technologies have improved drastically in terms of pain management and abatement in the last few years.

Especially at Sheehan Dental, concerns about pain, discomfort, and anxiety, whether it’s during a cleaning or a more invasive procedure, are handled with professionalism and a caring team. In fact, attending to patients’ pain (and fears of pain) is now an important part of the education our entire dental team completes.

What is Next for Your Dental Health at Sheehan Dental?

When you have put off seeing a dentist because you have anxiety or a phobia, you will find that your fears are now compounded. However, the longer you wait, the worse shape your teeth will be in. The expert dental care professionals at Sheehan Dental strongly believe in the importance of regular dental care and strive to help you get on track with your dental health.

Dr. Sheehan encourages his patients to discuss any concerns or fears they have with him or his staff before any procedure. We have many different techniques to manage pain and anxiety and are happy to make your visit to our office as worry-free and pain-free as possible. Please call us today to find out how Sheehan Dental will help you.

Feel Completely Safe and Comfortable Throughout Your Entire Treatment

Contact Sheehan Dental Today

Visiting the dentist is no patient’s favorite thing to do, whether you have a phobia or not. At Sheehan Dental, our specialists treat every patient with the utmost care and respect, ensuring that they feel comfortable throughout the entire time that they are in our care. Get the best care from Palos Parks #1 Dental Clinic at Sheehan Dental! Schedule your next appointment online or visit our dental clinic; get directions here!