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Dentists will often recommend a deep dental cleaning for people who don’t brush and floss regularly or for those who have missed several dental check-up appointments.

While it may sound like another way for the dentist to make money, the reality is that deep dental cleaning is an established procedure that is critical to the health and well-being of both you and your teeth.

Even with regular flossing and brushing, plaque and tartar can slowly build up on the teeth causing the beginning stages of gum disease. This is why dentists recommend that you go in for a checkup at least once a year (twice, preferably).

We’re going to look at what deep cleanings are, why they’re recommended, and how they’re performed.

Why Are Deep Cleanings Recommended?

The technical term for a deep cleaning is “root scaling and planing.” It’s an established dental treatment that’s been around for well over 70 years. When you sit down in the dental chair, and the dentist starts to examine your mouth, he will use a small metal probe to measure the areas around your teeth.

He’s specifically looking to measure the depth of the gum tissue between the teeth and gums. If the depth goes beyond five millimeters, it’s referred to as a “pocket,” and this is the area where bacteria will form and live. Healthy pockets measure no more than three millimeters deep. Anything deeper and you have the beginning stages of gum disease.

Deep pockets are caused by an overabundance of bacteria and can form if the teeth aren’t regularly cleaned. While brushing and flossing on a daily basis can help remove the majority of food debris in your mouth, sometimes minute particles will be left behind. Only a dental checkup can eliminate the areas of plaque and tartar that can build up over the course of a few months.

What Does a Dental Deep Clean Entail?

A dental deep clean usually requires a separate appointment as it can take upwards of 45 minutes per quadrant in your mouth. There are four quadrants that need to be cleaned: lower left, lower right, upper left, and upper right. Depending on the extent of the cleaning that needs to be done, it may require multiple appointments to treat all four quadrants.

The dentist will use a set of small surgical grade metal probes and scrapers to physically remove the tartar and plaque from your teeth and gums. He will carefully poke and prod and scrape until he’s confident the tartar and plaque have been removed from the area.

If the process sounds a bit uncomfortable, well, it kind of is. This is why dentists will use a local anesthetic to numb the areas where he will be cleaning.

If the patient suffers from anxiety issues or would like something to make the procedure a bit more bearable, the dentist can prescribe specific medication to help alleviate the unpleasantness of the cleaning process.

What Happens if You Don’t Keep Dental Appointments?

Root scaling and planing is a necessary process. It’s the last line of defense people have before their early stages of gum disease turn into a much more serious condition called periodontitis. If this condition occurs, their immune system will start to attack bone and tissue in the mouth because the inflammation of the gums is so severe.

If the periodontitis worsens, it can result in massive toothaches and teeth needing to be pulled. While a dental deep cleaning can temporarily halt that process, the plaque and tartar will return if the person doesn’t take a more proactive role in their dental hygiene.

Periodontitis causes irreversible bone loss which can give bacteria even more places to hide and grow. Regular brushing and flossing will completely miss these areas. This is why some people will require multiple deep cleanings over the course of several months. In some situations, the dentist may require more than one deep cleaning per year until the situation has stabilized.

How Much Do Deep Cleanings Cost?

The only downside to deep cleanings is that they require heavy manual labor on the part of the dentist. There are no shortcuts, nor automated machines that can speed up the cleaning process. Scraping plaque and tartar off teeth is not easy, and this is why it can take upwards of 45 minutes for each of the four quadrants of your mouth.

It’s impossible to say what the deep cleaning will cost until the dentist has evaluated the patient's mouth and determined a plan of action. The good news is that most dental insurance plans will cover a portion of the deep cleaning. Once the dentist has given you a treatment plan, you can take that information back to your insurance company, and they will tell you exactly what they will cover.

Dental Deep Cleanings in Chicago

If you haven’t had a checkup in over a year, or you have been lax on keeping up with brushing and flossing, you owe it to your health to make an appointment for a dental deep cleaning.

Give us a call today at (312) 787-2131 to schedule an appointment for your dental deep cleaning. At Water Tower Dental Care, our gentle and caring dentists will help clean your teeth and make your smile look like a million bucks!

The very first X-ray machine was invented in 1895 by a German physicist named Wilhelm Röntgen. The medical community immediately saw the benefits and started using X-rays to diagnose and treat their patients.

The only problem was that back in those days medical science didn’t quite understand just how dangerous X-rays were. Many people died or suffered as a result of being accidentally given too high a dosage of radiation.

As the decades passed, X-ray technology grew in leaps and bounds and became much safer. In fact, many dentists are fond of reminding their patients that they will get a higher dose of radiation flying from Los Angeles to New York than they would with a single chest X-ray.

Nowadays many doctors and dentists are using a technology called “digital X-rays.” We’re going to look at a traditional and digital X-ray and see which one is better and offers more value for the comfort and safety of the patient.

Traditional X-Rays

This form of an X-ray machine has been in use for many decades. The process to take a conventional X-ray is very similar to the old cameras that used film (instead of memory cards like they do nowadays).

The dental assistant will place a lead vest over the chest of the patient and then point the X-ray machine at a specific spot in their mouth. A film-like material will be placed in the area in the mouth that the dentist wants to get a look at.

Once everything is set up, the assistant will temporarily leave the room and press a button that sends X-ray waves through the person’s jaw, which are captured on the film inside their mouth. The entire process is painless and happens in a fraction of a second.

The assistant will then remove the film and take it to a processing room. It will take several minutes for the X-ray film to process and be developed. At this point the dentist will take the X-ray picture and put it on a backlit board which enables him to see inside your teeth/jaw.

Digital X-rays

If traditional X-rays can be compared to an old 35mm camera from the 1990’s, then a digital X-ray can be likened to a digital camera from today.

The general process to take a digital X-ray is still the same as the traditional way, but instead of film that needs to be developed, the X-ray image is captured digitally and sent to a computer where it will immediately be able to be viewed.

You won’t have to wait 15 or so minutes for the film to process because there is no film, to begin with.

The Processing Difference – Digital X-rays don’t require processing time. The images are immediately available to be viewed on a computer screen once the X-ray is taken. This not only saves time but money as well.

Traditional X-rays require expensive photo processing equipment that contains caustic and hazardous chemicals that are needed to develop the picture.

By going digital, dental offices are also helping to save the environment because digital X-rays don’t require dangerous chemicals.

The Radiation Difference – Less radiation is required to create a digital X-ray than a traditional one. Patients will be getting 70% less radiation exposure with digital versus conventional. While traditional X-rays are still safe, the less radiation you’re exposed to annually, the better.

Storage – It’s cost prohibitive for the dentist to make more than one copy of a traditional X-ray. If you lose or accidentally damage the picture, you’ll need to have another one taken. With digital X-rays, images are stored inside a computer.

This means that if your dentist refers you to a specialist, the X-ray images can be digitally emailed to their office. No need to lug around delicate photos that could be damaged or smudged.

Image Quality – Digital X-rays show 256 shades of grey whereas traditional ones only show 16- 25 shades of grey. This means that the dentist will have a much clearer image to look at because it’s higher definition than the traditional one. This means that there is little chance of the dentist misdiagnosing because of a low-resolution image.

The digital image can also be enhanced (contrast and brightness) so that the dentist can clearly see what he’s looking at. Traditional X-rays can be fuzzy at times and in some cases, more X-rays will need to be taken because the image quality isn’t that great.

Cost – The only drawback to digital X-rays is the initial cost of the machine as most dental offices cannot afford it. Over time, the machine saves both time and money and is way more environmentally friendly than the traditional one.

Dental Office in Chicago

At Water Tower Dental Care, we have state-of-the-art digital X-ray machines that make taking dental X-rays safe and easy. Our dentists can instantly show you the X-ray on an overhead monitor and point out areas of interest. If you are in need of a dentist, give us a call at (312) 787-2131 or contact us via our website.

Since the mid-1950’s, the chemical fluoride has been added to the drinking water supply in most cities in our country. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) hails community water fluoridation as one of 10 most significant public health achievements of the 20th century.

Over the past 60 years, there has been an ongoing debate as to whether or not fluoride is good or bad for human health. Doctors and dentists promote it as a miracle of modern science that plays a huge role in the dental health of any given population.

People who subscribe to the “natural living” philosophy claim that fluoride is toxic and has an adverse effect upon our health and well-being. They say that it can negatively affect the pineal glands of the brain and wreak havoc on our central nervous systems.

So, who’s right and who’s wrong?

We’re going to look at what fluoride is, why it's beneficial for dental use, and what purpose it has.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is comprised of any chemical compound that contains a fluorine ion. Fluoride occurs naturally and is found in both soil and water at or around .01-.03 parts per million (ppm).

In 1945, public health officials in the U.S. were looking for a way to combat the rampant cavities and tooth decay that the vast majority of people suffered from. They performed experiments in communities where they added fluoride to the water supply and monitored the public health.

During the 15-year study, cavities in people who resided in communities where the water supply had fluoride added to it were reduced by 50 to 70 percent as compared to cities without water fluoridation.

Why Makes Fluoride Good for Dental Cleaning?

The enamel on the outer layer of a tooth is comprised of tightly packed mineral crystals. Each day these minerals are lost and regained in a natural process. The gaining of minerals is called remineralization, and the loss of minerals is called demineralization.

Demineralization occurs faster when the bacteria in our mouths feed on the sugars in our food and create acid waste products. The acid dissolves tooth enamel and speeds up the demineralization process even faster.

If the demineralization process happens quicker than the remineralization process, this is when we start to lose the protect tooth enamel layer, and cavities and bacteria can attack our teeth.

By adding fluoride to the water supply (or our toothpaste), our bodies absorb it, and it helps speed up the remineralization process and combats tooth decay. Dentists will sometimes apply a gel or cream made up of fluoride to help combat cavities in their patients.

How Safe is Fluoride for Humans?

While some people will completely dismiss those who say fluoride is unsafe as “crackpots” and “conspiracy theorists,” there is some scientific evidence that claims fluoride is highly dangerous in high dosages.

On the CDC website, they have a guide to the toxicity of many chemicals, including fluoride. The “minimal risk level” is set by the CDC at 3.65mg a day. This means that the average person should consume no more than 3.65mg of fluoride a day.

Some people are asking whether the general public is getting too much fluoride on a daily basis. If you brush your teeth regularly, you are most likely doing it with toothpaste that has fluoride added to it.

If you’re a 160-pound person and drink the recommended daily allowance of tap water every day, you’re ingesting at least 1.66mg of the 3.65mg daily allowance. Because fluoride is present in our drinking water supply, any products that are made with local community water also contain fluoride:

• Beer
• Soda
• Juice
• Processed foods

So, does this mean we shouldn’t use fluoride?

Many dentists will say that the rewards outweigh the risks when it comes to ingesting fluoride. While there can be a toxicity effect at certain high levels, many people won’t come close to ingesting enough fluoride on a daily basis to have any noticeable results.

If you’re concerned about the limits of fluoride you and your loved ones are consuming, there are some educational websites that will tell you how to lower the amount you ingest.

But for everyone else, you should be more worried about sitting down in the dental chair only to have the dentist tell you that you have a cavity that needs to be filled. With as much sugar that’s added to the foods that we consume, the number of cavities that people suffer from will only continue to rise.

Final Thoughts

Unless a proverbial smoking gun is found by researchers that strongly supports one side of the argument over the other, the debate as to whether fluoride is safe will continue for many decades to come.

What is known is that fluoride can help prevent tooth enamel loss and that helps prevent cavities. Until medical science says otherwise, it’s best to continue to on with your daily life and worry more about getting a cavity than having the fluoride in the water supply turn you into a zombie who’s controlled by the lizard people that live on the dark side of the moon.

As the warm summer days give way to crisp autumn nights, there’s no better time to round up the family or loved ones and head off to one of several famous Chicago fall festivals. Whether you’re with your family, significant other, or just flying solo, there are many great autumn festivals to choose from.

Here are our top five picks for best fall Chicago fall festival:

Apple Fest in Lincoln Square

Fall is the traditional harvest time for apples. Apple cider, applesauce, apple candy, and anything apple-related will be sold at the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest. This family-friendly event features handcrafted wares, live music, and a zone for children’s activities. It takes place in early October and is a great time to stock up on apple products before the season is over.

When: October 6th and 7th from 9 am to 8 pm (Sat), and 9 am to 6 pm (Sun)

Where: Lincoln Avenue (In-between Lawrence and Eastwood), Lincoln Square

Cost: $5 donation (suggested)

Shades of Autumn Pumpkin Festival

This annual event is so big that it can’t be completed in one weekend, which is good because the festival last all fall time long. There are more than 25 family-friendly things to do such as a petting zoo, pumpkin picking, and traditional horse-drawn hayrides. There’s also a pumpkin cannon, apple cider donuts, hamster track, semi-truck slide, and an event called “trikes for tikes.”

There’s so much to do and see that you can make it a two-day or multi-weekend affair. The Shades of Autumn Pumpkin Festival celebrates everything pumpkin and is a great place to bring the little ones to pick out the perfect fall time gourd to take back home and carve into a scary face.

When: Starts Sept. 8th and runs through October 31st.

Where: Stade’s Farm & Market 3709 W Miller Rd., McHenry

Cost: $15 (all ages)

Harvest Pow Wow

The Harvest Pow Wow at Naper Settlement is a great way to introduce your kids to Native American culture. The event celebrates Native American heritage with traditional costumes, dancing, cultural demonstrations, children’s games, and arts and crafts. Learn how the Native Americans prepared for and survived the freezing Chicago winters.

The Pow Wow is located in Naperville, which is a 40-minute ride outside downtown Chicago. There will also be food booths selling traditional Native American food, a bird of prey exhibit, and Native American dancers decked out in full regalia. This annual cultural event is a must-do for kids of all ages.

When: September 22nd and 23rd 11 am to 5 pm.

Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster Street, Naperville, IL 60540

Cost: $12 adults and $7 ages 3 to 12.

Donley’s Wild West Town Fall Festival

Experience out-west in the Midwest at this annual fall festival that celebrates both the seasonal change as well as everything Wild Wild West related. You and your little gunslingers can pan for (fake) gold, ride in a vintage canoe just like the pioneers of yesteryear and check out a Wild West show.

There’s also a spooky (but not super scary) tunnel train ride, kid’s activities, and even a pumpkin painting station. If you’re tired of traditional fall festivals, you shouldn’t miss this one as the Wild Wild West theme is family fun for all. You and your kids can even dress up and mix and mingle with the other cowboys and Indians.

When: Weekends (only) Starts Sept 22nd and runs through Oct. 28th from 10 am to 6 pm.

Where: 8512 S. Union Rd., Union

Cost: $17 and free for children under the age of 2.

Garfield Farm Harvest Days

We’ve saved the best for last as the Harvest Days at Garfield Farm is one event you shouldn’t miss. The Garfield Farm is the only intact Illinois prairie farmstead that’s in existence. It was built in the 1840’s and is considered to be a living history museum.

Come see how the earliest inhabitants of the Chicago area lived, worked, and played.

Learn how they celebrated the fall harvest with live demonstrations of farm and household skills, music from the period, and various treats. Attending this event will give your kids the opportunity to see how life was lived before the internet, Facebook, and video games.

When: October 7th 11:30 am to 4 pm

Where: Garfield Farm Illinois 38/Garfield Rd., LaFox

Cost: Adults $6; Age 12 and under $3

Fall Time in Chicago

There’s no excuse not to attend at least one of these festivals this fall season. The weather will be cool, but not cold, and a nice fall crisp will be in the air. Even though these events are family-friendly, anyone can attend and have a good time. If you’re looking for the perfect date night that won’t break the bank, look no further than one of these five fall time festivals. If you’re planning on attending, make plans soon as the fun fall times won’t last!