Recent studies show that 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease. Unfortunately, although many people are aware of the importance of healthy teeth, not many are aware of the health of their gums and the greater impact it has on the overall health of the body. The truth is that the gums are no less important than your smile. Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Luckily, there are several effective periodontal therapies in Chicago that can prevent tooth loss, keeping your smile healthy. 

Why Are Healthy Gums So Important? 

Your oral health depends on your gums. The tissue in the gums and jawbone support your teeth, keep them in place, and give them stability. Even if you have been keeping up with your daily dental routine and have never had something as little as a cavity, teeth can still fall out when the gums are not healthy enough to sustain the weight of your teeth.  read more

Family Dentistry in Palos Park, Illinois

Good oral health is always a necessary part of everyone’s lives, no matter how old or young you are. Although, as you age, your dental care needs to change, and you need a dentist that can handle new dental challenges at every stage of your life!! Dental care for children is extremely different from dental care for adults. The dentist isn’t everyone’s favorite place, so once you or your children get used to the clinic and its staff, changing can be an extreme inconvenience. That is why you should choose a family dentistry in Palos Park. 

Advantages of Having a Family Dentist in Palos Park 

If you have a family in Palos Park, Sheehan Dental should be your number one go-to dentistry! A family dentist has the training to treat the entire family, from infancy to adulthood. You can trust us to perform your child’s first dental checkup and grow with them as you rely on us to help you keep your own teeth and gums healthy.  read more

What are the Top Causes of Teeth Grinding & Jaw Clenching?

While you may knowingly grit your teeth when your favorite team loses, others may experience a more involuntary and often repeated habit of teeth grinding and jaw clenching known as Bruxism. This condition causes major wear and tear to an estimated 10% of people’s pearly whites, and while there’s generally no single cause for this condition, stress, lifestyle habits, medications, and sleeping conditions are major contributors. In other cases, excessive alcohol, caffeine, and/or psychoactive substance consumption can increase a person’s chance of developing this involuntary grinding. Whichever the cause, one thing is for sure Bruxism poses a significant problem for your teeth’ enamel, jaw, and facial tensions, and the effects can certainly be uncomfortable.

Bruxism & Sleep Disorders

While Bruxism can occur while you’re awake oftentimes, we tend to release daily emotional stress during the night, and as a response to poor sleeping patterns, our body triggers muscle hyperactivity that can cause our teeth to grind in multiple periods throughout the night– this is referred to as sleep bruxism. read more

Misinformation about your oral health is around every corner. Whether it be when talking with your friends or scrolling through the internet, when we hear something, it is natural for us to take it into consideration. But, we are here to tell you some of the most common myths when it comes to your oral health; here they are!

Myth#1: The only time you should go to the dentist is when your teeth hurt

Have you ever heard of the saying “prevention is better than a cure?” Well, it is extremely true! Diagnosing potential tooth problems is essential before they exist. When your teeth start to hurt due to an issue, it is harder to treat. Even if you aren’t experiencing pain in your teeth, we strongly recommend constant checkups. 

Myth #2: Sugar is the leading cause of cavities

Throughout the world, more and more people believe that consuming food and beverages that contain high amounts of sugar is the leading cause of tooth decay. read more