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Can you remember your last dental checkup?

If so, think back to when the dentist was poking your gums with a small metal instrument while calling out seemingly random numbers to his dental assistant.

You were getting an exam called a “periodontal charting,” also known as “gum measurements.” The purpose of it is to determine the health of your gums the amount of gum tissue around each tooth. There are six sides around each tooth, which means you probably heard a lot of numbers being called out.

If you’ve ever wondered what was going on during this exam, we’re going to look at the overall process of measuring your gums and looking at what the numbers mean.

Gum Measurements

A gum evaluation is usually performed when you get your teeth cleaned. The purpose of it is to measure the depth and health of your gums. They’re measured in millimeters in accordance with the following chart:

• 0 to 3mm (no bleeding): Perfectly healthy gums
• 1 to 3mm (with bleeding): You’ve got gingivitis. Fortunately, it’s the mildest form of gum disease and can improve provided that you brush your teeth daily.
• 3 to 5mm (no bleeding): This is the cusp where gum disease starts. A dental cleaning cannot go deeper than 3 mm, so you’ll probably be required to visit the dentist at least 4x per year to improve your gum health.
• 3 to 5mm (with bleeding): This is the stage where moderate gum disease begins. Better oral care and more regular dental cleanings will be required.
• 7mm and up (with bleeding): You’ve got advanced periodontal disease. Surgery will most likely be needed to fix the problem, along with dental cleaning every three to four months.

How Is It Performed?

A groove exists between your gums and your teeth. To check for gum depth, the dentist will use a specialized small metal probe. It will measure how far it goes into your gums in millimeters. Each tooth has six different areas that need to be measured.

As the dentist starts the measurements, he will call out the depth numbers to his assistant who will log the information on a chart or hand-held tablet. In some cases, he might require a dental X-ray to check for bone loss where deeper pockets are observed.

Treatment Options

There are several surgical and non-surgical treatment options if your gum measurements go over 5mm. The dentist will recommend one or the other based on the current state of your gums.

Non-Surgical

If the gum disease is not advanced, non-surgical treatment is an option. There are three ways to go about it:

• Root planning – This procedure will smooth the root surface and discourage the buildup of bacteria and tartar. It’s a super deep teeth cleaning process.
• Scaling – Bacteria and tartar are manually removed from your mouth by metal instruments or in some cases a laser.
• Antibiotics – Oral or topical antibiotics can lower the bacteria counts in your mouth. The dentist might prescribe an oral mouth rinse or gels to help fight the infection caused by the bacteria.

Surgical

For those who have advanced periodontitis, surgery might be the only way to treat the problem.

• Soft tissue grafts – When your mouth loses gum tissue, the gumline will recede. A soft tissue graft is performed by removing a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth and transplanting it to the damage site.
• Flap surgery – Small incisions will be made in your gums so that the dentist can perform an even deeper root planing and scaling procedure. Once you’re healed up sufficiently, the entire area will be much easier to clean.
• Tissue regeneration – If you had bone that was destroyed by bacteria, this procedure would help regrow it. A piece of biocompatible fabric is placed in between your tooth and the bone which keeps the gums from intruding and allows the bone to grow back.

How to Reduce Periodontitis?

In some cases, surgery is the only way gum disease can be reduced or eliminated. However, you can do your part in the fight by adopting a more regular oral care schedule.

Try brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis and limit the number of sugars and other unhealthy foods that you consume. Mouth rinse (either prescribed or over-the-counter) can also help reduce the number of bacteria inside your mouth.

You should also schedule more regular teeth cleanings. Brushing and flossing alone will not prevent plaque, tartar, and other yucky stuff from forming in hard-to-reach areas inside your mouth. A professional dental cleaning every four months can help remove plaque and tartar and keep your gums and teeth healthy.

Dental Checkups in Chicago

If you haven’t had a dental cleaning or checkup in a while and you haven’t been brushing and flossing on a regular basis, you should schedule an appointment to see us as soon as possible.

At Water Tower Dental Care, we specialize in helping our patients improve their oral health. Our caring and gentle dentists will help you make your smile look like a million bucks!

Do you floss on a daily basis? If your answer is an emphatic “no,” you’re not alone.

It’s been estimated that around 36% of Americans would rather clean their toilet than floss their teeth. What’s the reason for people’s resistance to moving a waxed piece of string between their teeth to remove stuck food particles?

Nobody knows for sure. It could be that our go-go-go lifestyle has led us to view flossing as a waste of time – after all, we just finished brushing our teeth, shouldn’t that count for something?

Complicating matters further, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans set forth by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has removed flossing as a guideline for good oral health.

So, case closed, no need to floss anymore because the USDA told us so?

Not exactly.

What Does Flossing Prevent?

Many dental experts don’t share the same viewpoints as the USDA when it comes to flossing your teeth daily. Flossing can help prevent gum disease, and over 12 studies have found that people who floss on a daily basis were less likely to suffer from bleeding gums.

Those same people were found to have lower overall levels of gum inflammation (aka “gingivitis”). No matter what the USDA claims, food particles that remain lodged in-between teeth can and will cause gum inflammation and tooth decay.

Why is Flossing a Good Idea?

There’s an old saying that carpenters and other tradesmen have:

“The right tool for the job.”

If a carpenter needs a screwdriver to turn a screw, he’s not going to reach for the hammer inside his toolbox. He’s going to select the screwdriver that will best be able to turn the screw to complete the job.

The same goes for brushing your teeth. Think of your toothbrush as a tool. Its job is to remove loose food particles and other gunk and debris after you eat. It also helps remove plaque.

The problem with toothbrushes is that they can’t reach the food that’s stuck in-between the small natural gaps in your teeth. This is where dental floss comes into play. By flossing after every meal, you will be removing food particles that are too small for you to feel with your tongue (and instinctively reach for a toothpick).

How to Properly Floss?

Believe it or not, there is a recommended technique for flossing. It will not only help save time and energy but allow you to be more efficient in removing food particles that are stuck between the teeth.

1. Start with around 18 inches of dental floss. Wind most of it around your two middle fingers, leaving two inches of floss in the middle.

2. Using your thumbs and middle fingers, hold the floss tightly and slide up and down and in-between your teeth.

3. Curve around down to the bottom of each tooth and gently go beneath the gum line. This is one place that a toothbrush or mouthwash can’t reach.

4. As you move from tooth to tooth, be sure to unwind a bit of new dental floss from one hand to ensure maximum efficiency.

Alternatives to Flossing

Ok, so what if you really, really, really don’t like flossing – but reading this article makes you a bit concerned for your oral health? There are flossing alternatives on the market that could potentially help.

Water Piks – There is a debate amongst medical professionals as to whether or not water piks are a viable alternative to actual flossing. They perform the same primary function, but instead of a wax piece of a string, a gentle jet of water is sprayed into your mouth to remove any loose food.

Floss Picks – Floss picks are great for when you don’t want to hassle with a long string of dental floss. They are made out of a small piece of plastic that has one inch of dental floss attached to it. It has a handle on one end, and that makes it very easy to use.

Soft-Picks – These are relatively new. They offer a gentler flossing experience, which is good for older people and those who have braces. You can find them online or in any grocery or home goods store.

What Can Happen if You Don’t Floss?

Have you ever gone to the dentist and wondered why they recommend a thorough teeth cleaning? It’s because you’re not flossing regularly. Over time, tartar can build up, and only your dentist will be able to remove it with professional teeth cleaning.

You can have bad breath from minuscule particles of food rotting away in your mouth which can ultimately lead to tooth discoloration and gum disease.

Flossing shouldn’t take more than a few minutes after every meal. By doing a bit of preventative maintenance on a daily basis, you can protect your health as well as the health of your teeth.

Teeth Cleaning in Chicago

If you don’t floss as often as you should, you should get a professional teeth cleaning which will not only leave your mouth feeling fresh and clean, but help prevent tooth decay and other oral health issues.

At Water Tower Dental Care, we specialize in helping our patient’s smiles look and feel like a million bucks!

Even though it’s the middle of August, summer isn’t quite over just yet. There are a lot of Chicago festivals and outdoor activities that are scheduled to take place before the end of the warm summer months.

No matter if you’re single, a couple, or have children, there’s a little something for everyone in the summertime in Chicago. We’re going to look at 6 of our favorite mid-to-late summer activities that you and your loved ones can spend a day or two making memories that will last a lifetime.

Chicago Lakefront Path

The Lakefront Path is an 18-mile paved road for pedestrians and bicyclists. There’s no better (or cheaper) way to see the sights and sounds of Chicago than hopping on a bike and exploring at your own pace. If you don’t have a bike, you can always rent a Divvy bike to get around. Be sure to wear a helmet, as it might save you from having to pay a visit to the emergency dentist!

There really isn’t a beginning and end point as you can start your walk/ride anywhere along it’s 18-mile meandering path. Most people park their cars in the public garage near Millennium Park. This is roughly the halfway point of the path and puts you within reach of some of the best eateries, bars, and attractions that Chicago has to offer.

What: Lakefront Path

When: Anytime!

Where: The path runs 18 miles and can be accessed from any point

Cost: Free!

See the Cubbies Play

There’s nothing more iconic than catching a Cubs game at Wrigley Field in the late summer time. The Cubs are doing pretty decent (as of this blog post) this year and finding a home game is as easy as visiting the Cubs website.

While the Cubs games are family-friendly, it’s been said that the bar scene really takes off post-game. Wrigley Field was constructed smack-dab in the middle of a residential area, so parking is extremely limited. If you can’t find a parking spot nearby, there are several lots within walking distance that will set you back anywhere from $10 to $20.

What: Chicago Cubs

When: See website for home game schedule

Where: 1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613

Cost: Varies depending on seating (and how much beer and hot dogs you buy)

Attend the Farmer’s Market

One of the greatest things about the city of Chicago is our proximity to the breadbasket of America. This means our Farmer’s Markets are overflowing with super fresh produce, meats, and flowers. Fresh, healthy food means less sugars, and that translates to a better bill of health when you schedule your next dental checkup!

The Chicago City Markets is a great beginner’s guide to all of the farmer’s markets scattered throughout Chicago. No matter what you’re looking for, chances are you will find it listed in their 2018 Farmer’s Market guide.

What: Farmer’s Market

When: See website for individual dates

Where: Scattered throughout Chicago

Cost: Free to enter!

Millennium Park Summer Workouts

Chicago is infamous for our hot and humid summers. If the daytime heat makes you want to stay in your air-conditioned bedroom, why not get out in the morning when it’s much cooler?

The Millennium Park Summer Workouts offers free 45-minute workouts on the Great Lawn in Millennium Park. You don’t have to have a yoga mat, but keep in mind that you’ll be performing exercises on grass and it has a way of staining lightly colored clothing.

What: Millennium Park Summer Workouts

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7 am to 10 am

Where: Millennium Park

Cost: Free!

Chicago Air and Water Show

The Chicago Air and Water Show is one of the longest-running free events of its kind in America. Running from August 18th-19th, it features skydivers, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and all kinds of aeronautical acrobatic antics.

The show features both military and civilian performers. You’ll find F-35’s flying next to F-18’s and even a Coast Guard rescue copter will be on hand for the festivities. There’s a little bit of something for everyone at the Air and Water show this year.

What: Chicago Air and Water Show

When: August 18-19, 2018 10 am – 3 pm

Where: North Avenue Beach 1600 N. Lake Shore Dr.

Cost: Free!

North Coast Music Festival

This festival marks the end of summer and offers an eclectic mix of electronic, rap, indie, jam, and funk bands. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone at the North Coast Festival. This year’s event will feature a diverse group of local and national artists that will take the stage to perform and entertain.

The day’s events are for people of all ages, but this festival tends to attract a slightly more youthful crowd due to the popularity of electronic music. This is one of the biggest music festivals in Chicago and tickets can be a bit pricey, depending on what tier you buy.

What: North Coast Music Festival

When: August 31st – September 2nd

Where: Union Park, Chicago

Cost: Ticket fees range in price

Chicago in the Fall

While the summer heat may be slowly coming to an end, the outdoor activities in the fall time in Chicago are just heating up. If you can’t make any one of these festivals or events before the end of summer, there are some of the year’s biggest events to look forward to!

From apple picking, to corn mazes, to changing fall foliage, there are a lot of fun outdoor activities that are only a few short weeks around the corner. Check back next month when we release our top things to do in the fall time in Chicago list!

Dental X-Rays can tell a dentist a lot about your teeth and any underlying conditions that you might be suffering from. It gives them a clear picture of what’s going on inside your mouth without the need for a surgical incision.

What’s the Purpose of an X-Ray?

X-rays give the dentist the ability to see inside your mouth and jaw without making a surgical incision. It’s the only way they can know for sure what is wrong. It also allows them to treat you precisely.

In the years before the invention of the X-ray machine, dentistry was an educated guessing game, at best. Nowadays, some dentists have advanced imaging machines that give a 3D image of your head, which allows them to view your jaw and teeth at different angles.

Are X-Rays Safe?

Dental X-ray machines have been in use for decades and are perfectly safe. Some people are fearful of the radiation that an X-ray machine puts out.

They have nothing to fear as the amount of radiation they get from a dental X-ray is so low, they would get more exposure if they were to stand out in their backyard for 24 hours.

There are, however, some small risks to getting an X-ray. Some people have super-sensitive skin and might break out in a small rash. You should also tell your dentist if you’re pregnant as any radiation that goes into your body will also be absorbed by your unborn baby as well.

How Are Dental X-Rays Taken?

When the dentist wants an X-ray of your mouth, you’re led from the office into the X-ray room. The dental assistant will sit you down in the reclining chair and place a lightweight lead vest over your chest. They will insert a kind of “camera film” (aka “Bitewings”) into your mouth around the area the dentist wants to see inside.

Once the dental assistant is satisfied that the bitewings are in the proper place, they will leave the room and press the X-ray button. The X-ray will be taken in a fraction of a second. The dental assistant will then remove the bitewings from your mouth and the lead vest from your chest.

A few minutes will go by, and the dental X-ray will be placed on a small back-lit board. The dentist will then come into the room, look at the X-rays and be able to determine what exactly is going on. They can even show you where the trouble spots are.

What Does the Dentist Look for in an X-Ray?

Since X-rays are a critical part of any dental treatment plan. They give the dentist a high-resolution image of your teeth, jawbone, and tissues of the mouth. The dentist will use them to look for problem areas or pinpoint and diagnose the exact area where you’re feeling tooth pain.

There are also several types of X-rays such as periapical, panoramic, and occlusal. Each X-ray allows the dentist to have a different view of your teeth and jaws, which will help him find exactly what he’s looking for.

X-rays allow dentists to:

• Monitor tooth health as part of a yearly annual examination.
• Check the health of the jawbone
• Look at tooth roots
• Locate cavities
• Locate the source of tooth pain.
• See the progression of developing teeth
• Look for the extent of periodontal disease

Dental Emergency – If you’ve suffered from a dental emergency such as a knocked-out tooth or broken jaw, the X-ray can tell the dentist exactly where the injury is located.

Pain-Related Issue – Dental X-Rays are most commonly used to solve pain-related issues such as TMJ or toothaches. When you have a tooth infection, you can only point out the general area of pain to the dentist. An X-ray can pinpoint precisely where the problem is and give the dentist a good idea of the severity of the infection and whether it has started to spread.

Surgery-Related – Before getting a tooth extraction, dental implants, or other surgical procedure, the dentist will often need an X-ray to give them a good idea of what they’re going to find once they make the first incision. It also allows them to know exactly where to cut without having to play the guessing game.

Yearly X-Rays – Dentists will often require an X-ray for an annual visit. It helps them locate cavities and potential trouble spots that would need dental work to prevent the situation from deteriorating any further.

Annual Dental Checkups in Chicago

If you haven’t had a dental checkup in over a year, there’s no better time than now to schedule one. It can help prevent major (and costly) dental issues that might crop up in a few months to a few years from now.

At Water Tower Dental Care, we can help improve your dental health via our annual dental checkups. Give us a call at (312) 787-2131 or schedule an appointment. Be sure to ask about our new patient dental exam special!