When you think of what a cosmetic dentist does, you might think of beauty pageant queens and starlets with perfect, winning smiles. But a cosmetic dental practice does so much more than fit veneers and close gaps in teeth. There are many services that your Naperville cosmetic dentist can offer to help you feel more confident about your smile!

Why Might Someone Need Cosmetic Dentistry?

There are many reasons why you might be looking for a cosmetic dentist in Naperville. You could be any age, either gender, and have all your own teeth or a few. Some of the reasons you might seek out a cosmetic dentist include:

• Your teeth came in crooked. Cosmetic dentistry can use a variety of methods to align teeth. Our methods include Invisalign, a clear, custom fit retainer that discreetly straightens teeth.
• You have a decayed tooth. Our Naperville cosmetic dentist can make repairs using tooth colored fillings. Or, your tooth can even get a replacement with an implant that looks like your natural teeth!
• You have damaged teeth from an accident. Plenty of people seek out a cosmetic dentist for full mouth restoration after having trauma to the face or jaw.
• You have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth. We can fit you with an appliance to rescue your teeth from further damage.
• You have misaligned or discolored teeth. Our Naperville dentist can help with lumineers. Lumineers are contact-lens-thin veneers that restore your smile to beauty and fill you with confidence.
• You have gums that cover too much or too little of your teeth. A cosmetic dentist can reshape your gum-line, making your smile look even and attractive.

Do You Really Need Cosmetic Dentistry?

The best dentists in Naperville can only help if you take the first step. If you are hesitating over getting cosmetic dental services, consider the following:

• A great smile gives you confidence. This can make a big impact on your life at home, at school and in the workplace. Your relationships with family, co-workers and bosses can improve, because you never have to worry about what your teeth look like.
• A great smile gets used more often. When you smile, people instinctively trust you more and like you more. A smiling person makes the people around them smile and feel more relaxed. When you have a great smile, you are more likely to use it and this can open many doors for you.
• If you have actual decay or damage, cosmetic dentistry not only fixes the problem but takes your smile up a level. You get rid of unseen pain along with any visible issues, and your whole body health can benefit from a healthy mouth.

Contact Your Naperville Family Dentist Today

Still not sure if you are ready for cosmetic dentistry? Our Naperville dental practice is the perfect place to find out. You can schedule an appointment to find out what options are available to you. Discover the wide range of cosmetic dental services that are ready and waiting for you to enhance your smile! Patients over 50 can take advantage of our 50 & Better program. It includes a free Adult exam complete with x-rays and a personal consultation with the Dr. Lydia Sosenko or Dr. Bryan Weyneth.

Don’t let a less than perfect smile hold you back. Everyone deserves a smile they can be confident in! Schedule your appointment with us today.

When you walk into your local pharmacy to stock up on dental and oral health supplies, it can be instantly paralyzing to look at the vast wall of products and try to figure out which items are best. There are dozens of brands of toothpaste and mouthwash, and each brand has multiple varieties to choose from.

Is one brand of toothpaste or mouthwash really better than another? Your family dentist in Naperville can help you narrow your choices, and may even recommend a specific brand, but being informed as a consumer and a responsible person is a good place to start.

Toothpaste is designed to make the process of cleaning all surfaces of your teeth, gums, and tongue more effective. It’s important to understand that the mechanics and timing of tooth brushing – how and when you brush your teeth – are usually more important than the substance you use to aid the process!

The usual visual hinted at in commercials as being a huge plus is “foaming”. The images of tiny bubbles working their way into crevices between teeth can be very powerful. But is foam what makes toothpaste work? What about “whitening power” or sensitivity factors?

Dr. Bryan Weyneth wants patients to know – whitening toothpaste does not, in fact, take away stains deep in the enamel. Instead, chemical ingredients help break down stubborn surface stains, and abrasive ingredients help grind them away. Both can damage your enamel. Whitening is best done professionally, for lasting results.

Bubbles also do not really affect the cleaning process. Sensitive mouth toothpaste is really the only type that may make a difference to you – if your teeth and gums require gentle handling, a toothpaste labeled “sensitive could very well help alleviate discomfort (and many a Naperville dentist will recommend such options after procedures like in-office whitening, when sensitivity is heightened.)

Mouthwash is another product with hundreds of varieties and options available. What does mouthwash do? Commercials show mouthwash eradicating bacteria, and again, foaming into hard to reach spots. Some even portray the mouthwash as strengthening teeth with daily use.

These insinuations have an element of truth – liquid rinses can indeed reach places that brush bristles cannot, and fluoride enhanced mouthwashes can help prevent decay – but mouthwash in no way a replacement for brushing your teeth, gums and tongue. Additionally, mouthwashes containing alcohol can dry out your mouth, causing other issues like constant “cottonmouth” and bad breath.

So, what should you look for when you stand in the oral health aisle?

1. Toothpaste that has a flavor you do not find objectionable (as you are more likely to follow your routine when it is not dreaded due to a dislike of the taste). You may use sensitive formulas, but whitening toothpastes can be disregarded.
2. Mouthwash that is alcohol free, if possible, and again, a flavor that you don’t dislike. Follow label directions and don’t swallow mouthwash.
3. Buy floss. Regular old floss you stretch from finger to finger is often best – it will let you get down below the gum line around each tooth and really keep your mouth clean if you follow your Naperville dentist’s directions for proper technique.

Finally, making and showing up for regular dental cleanings from your dentist in Naperville is still a vital part of keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy. Your home routine is important, but regular exams and cleanings provide extra thoroughness, can catch problems early, and can prevent you from having expensive, painful issues later on. Call us today to schedule your next preventive appointment!

We have all experienced it – being on the receiving end of a blast of bad breath harsh enough to make our eyes water. However, no one is immune from the possibility of bad breath (also known as halitosis). What causes this all too common issue, and more importantly, how can you stop bad breath in its tracks? You guessed it; our services here at Sherman Oaks Dental will help.

Who can have bad breath?

Anyone can get bad breath. A baby, a man, a woman – even dogs and cats or horses! This is definitely not a problem that strikes only one age demographic, gender, or even species. (Did you know there are dental services available at your veterinarian’s office? If Fido’s kisses are unbearable, you might want to check into doggie dentistry.)

What exactly is halitosis?

Halitosis is generally called simply “bad breath”, “morning breath”, etc. Interestingly, many with bad breath aren’t aware of it themselves, and wouldn’t say they have bad breath if asked by a dentist. Ask a family member or a friend to be honest with you and tell you if they notice bad breath (especially if you find yourself constantly offered breath mints or chewing gum.)

Where does bad breath start?

Dr. Bryan Weyneth notes that nearly 90% of bad breath cases actually originate in the mouth itself. However, it’s not always the inside of the mouth, the surface of the tongue, or the gums that are to blame; in certain cases, the sinus cavities, tonsils, esophagus, or stomach can also be culprits. If you have persistent, severe bad breath, it is best to get an official diagnosis and pinpoint the cause of the issue so proper treatment steps can be taken.

Why does halitosis make your breath smell bad?

The exact cause of the halitosis can affect the why. If bacteria in your mouth or on your tongue is the cause, the smell is coming from the bacteria. If food is impacted between teeth or below the gums, the smell originates from the decay. Diabetics often have halitosis due to their inability to properly control their blood glucose levels, which leads to a sickly sweet “fruity” smell on their breath.

When is halitosis at its worst?

As mentioned previously, “morning breath” is another name for halitosis, and many people notice an increased and unpleasant odor after sleeping all night. Bacteria can multiple overnight in your mouth, which is why it is so important to brush and floss well and use mouthwash before retiring for the evening. Certain foods can also increase the chances of bad breath, which is why many recommend skipping garlic or onion-heavy dishes when on a romantic date.

Finally – How can halitosis be treated?

Once again, the cause of halitosis should be pinned down before a responsible treatment plan can be enacted. If bacteria hiding in the recesses of the gums is to blame, a periodontal cleaning followed by a strict at-home oral care regimen can often solve the problem. For diabetics, managing blood sugar levels can eliminate the “soft fruit” smell. Chewing gum, breath treatments and mouthwash can help mitigate odors caused by strongly flavored food choices. If halitosis persists and is extremely severe, ask Dr. Bryan Weyneth about other options for managing bad breath.

Still have questions? Call our office today and schedule your next preventive appointment.

You have a toothache. It’s been bugging you for weeks, and now the pain is unbearable. You don’t have a regular dentist – in fact, you haven’t been to the dentist in years – and you have no idea what to do. Should you simply have the extraction? It’s definitely the cheapest option – or at least, that’s what it appears to be.

However, as Dr. Brian Weyneth points out, tooth loss can actually be insanely expensive, with health as well as financial repercussions that can span decades. Asking your Naperville dentist to simply pull an offending tooth may not be in your best interest.

What prompts patients to seek extraction?

A tooth that is broken will often develop an infection. The same holds true for a tooth that has decayed to the point that the root and nerve is affected. Pain levels rise, infection spreads, and soon all the patient can think about is getting the offending tooth out of their head.

Sometimes it’s a tooth that has previously been worked on that develops a problem – a filling fails or a crown falls off. In other cases, it is a previously thought “healthy” tooth where hidden decay has been steadily working its way inward. In either case, extraction shouldn’t be the go-to!

What are the consequences of extractions?

When you lose a tooth, the arch formed by your teeth in that jaw is weakened. This means the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth no longer can depend on it to bear some of the massive strain that chewing and biting puts on your teeth every day.

Those teeth are now more prone to decay, and the empty socket can also precipitate bone loss in the jaw. The teeth next to the extracted one can become weaker and weaker, loosening in their sockets until they break, fall out, or become ground zero for infection in turn.

Speech can suffer, and ability to chew, leading to poor nutrition. Appearance may become an issue, with an unwillingness to go out in public or socialize because of the gaps in an otherwise charming smile.

What can be done in place of or after an extraction?

Instead of simple extraction, ask your Naperville family dentist about other options. The tooth may be able to be saved, with a procedure such as a root canal, titanium post, and crown. Alternately, the tooth may have to be pulled, but the support issue for the other teeth can be addressed by installing a bridge or a partial denture.

Dental implants are usually considered to be the best solution to a tooth that requires extraction. A titanium screw is placed in the jaw where the original tooth used to be, and a crown is created to match your existing teeth. After installation, your new tooth will feel, look and function just like the original, and it will likely last you the rest of your life.

Take care of your teeth to prevent the need for extractions, and be aware that there are other options. Saving your teeth is good for your health! Call or click to schedule your appointment at Sherman Oaks Dental today. Stop waiting!

Is obstructive sleep apnea causing havoc in your life or the life of someone you love? Finding out that snoring has a more serious cause than allergies or a ceiling fan can be difficult to accept, especially when your doctor starts outlining your options.

For many, a CPAP machine is the suggested form of therapy, and there are plenty of cases in which it is the best, most effective form of sleep apnea treatment. Naperville residents do have alternate options, however, and the best person to talk to about snoring issues might not be your general family doctor at all – but a dentist who is an expert in the treatment of sleep apnea!

Dr. Lydia Sosenko is generally regarded as the top dentist for Sleep Apnea Appliance Therapy in the greater Naperville area. She can review your sleep apnea diagnosis, help you figure out if a CPAP machine is really necessary, or if an oral appliance might be a better fit. For many patients, the possibility of an alternative is welcome news, since sleeping while attached to a CPAP machine can be unpleasant and disrupt normal sleeping patterns.

Before you ask your dentist about sleep apnea therapies, it’s good to understand a little bit about both the condition and the various options for treatment.

What happens during a sleep apnea event?

Sleep apnea patients experience muscle relaxation in the back of the throat and in the tongue muscles when they sleep. This means that the airway can close off momentarily. When the brain realizes it is not getting the usual amount of oxygen, it startles the body awake just enough for the muscles to tighten up and a breath to be taken – often resulting in the snoring or snorting noise.

The sleeper may never fully wake during these events, which can happen over and over through the course of the night. The body is in a constant struggle between sleep and breathing – and while it’s good that breathing always wins, it does so at a cost! The most common side effect of sleep apnea is severe fatigue, because the body never gets to drop down into the most restful kind of sleep.

How does the CPAP machine work?

The CPAP machine provides Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, keeping the airway open. The unit includes a tightly fitting mask, which must be worn while sleeping, and which is attached via a hose to the actual CPAP unit. The benefits of the CPAP machine are often not fully realized by patients, because the wearer hates being hooked up to the device. Quite a few patients stop using their CPAP within just a few years, saying they can’t sleep with it in place, or that the machine makes so much noise that it keeps them (and their bed partner) awake.

Can an oral appliance really help?

Dr. Sosenko routinely sees patients with obstructive sleep apnea in Naperville. If the patient is a good candidate, she can have an oral appliance fitted that can be worn at night to adjust the position of the jaw. The careful jaw positioning keeps the throat and tongue muscles from relaxing so much that they close off the airway. The result is a more comfortable night’s sleep, with less snoring and a higher quality of rest.

Whether you have just been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, of have been saying for years “I hate my CPAP!” Naperville dentist Dr. Lydia Sosenko could have a better option for you. It’s not the best solution for everyone – some patients really do need a CPAP machine for the best level of health. However, if you or your loved one can benefit from an oral appliance, living with sleep apnea could suddenly be a whole lot easier.

Do you know the difference between your dental insurance and your medical insurance?

Dental care can feel complex and confusing at times. There are visits which seem ridiculously inexpensive, and others at which the final bill feels like a punch. How can you take the unpredictability out of the picture and still get high value care from the best dentist in Naperville?

The first step to reconciling dental care costs is to understand how dental insurance and medical insurance differ. Medical insurance is more of a betting game, with the assumption being that most people won’t have catastrophic health care needs. This is why standard health insurance covers the majority of your costs after a deductible.

In contrast, dental insurance is more of a discount plan based on the assumption that most, if not all, people will need major dental care at some point. This is why your dental plan has a low annual maximum and may cover as little as 30% of costs for complex services.

Is your Dental Plan Really Saving you Money?

If the dental plan you have access to is like most, you pay a monthly premium that is separate from the rest of your health insurance premium. In exchange for your monthly premium, you get a discount on dental care services at offices that have an “in-network” dentist.

The benefit is generally presented as a 100% coverage for basic dental care, but this is usually a flat amount based off of an “average cost” and dentists are not required to match this amount. This means you will often pay more at the dental office, since their charge for a “basic” cleaning can exceed the amount your benefit will cover.

If you need more than a cleaning, your dental care costs go up instantly. Most dental insurance coverage drops off sharply once you require more than a basic cleaning, and it can be hard to find an in-network dentist. You will most likely end up being responsible for 50-70% of the charges plus your monthly premium.

Take Control of your Dental Health

The scarcity of in-network providers and low benefits offered by most dental insurance plans often make dental care more expensive, not less. You may be better off making your own dental health choices! Exceptional care from a trusted “out-of-network” family dentist in Naperville may be more cost effective in the long run.

Evaluate your expected dental care needs and discuss them with your dentist. Dr. Brian Weymeth and Dr. Lydia Sosenko can help you with a treatment plan that takes a realistic look at the current state of your teeth and gums. With a clear idea of your projected dental care needs, and associated costs, you can allocate funds more effectively.

When you know what to expect, you can make an informed choice as to whether or not a dental plan is right for you. If the benefits offered by “dental insurance” or a “discount plan” don’t effectively offset your real costs (especially if your “in-network” choices don’t include the best dentists in your area), you may be better off working directly with your choice of dentists to manage your care.

Being aware of what dental insurance does and doesn’t cover makes you an attractive patient to top dentists. They would far rather be spending time with you to come up with a realistic, best-outcome course of treatment, than wrangling with forms that don’t end up benefiting anyone.

Spend your Time and Money Wisely

Establishing yourself as a patient at a dental office that does more than just “cleanings, fillings and crowns” has many additional benefits. When you need specialty care, you won’t have to work your way through a maze of referrals and approvals. Your Naperville general dentist, Dr. Bryan Weymeth, can also refer you to our own in-house Dental Sleep Medicine expert, Dr. Lydia Sosenko!

When you take responsibility for your own dental needs, you have continuity of care. All of your records will be in one place; no shopping for a new provider when your dental insurance changes or a provider drops out of network. Instead, you always have access to the same excellence of care, from a dentist who knows you and your teeth.

Consider opting out of useless dental “benefits” that don’t really benefit anyone but the insurance company. Instead, realize that the best insurance against dental issues is routine oral checkups, preventive dental cleanings, and continuous care from a dentist you know and trust!

Does your partner snore?

Do you or your partner have issues with constant, sleep-interrupting snoring?

Naperville adults may not realize that snoring is the root cause of their fatigue and their lack of productivity at work or at home. Whether it is the sound of your own rasping inhale that startles you awake, or your partner’s noisiness keeping you from even falling asleep, the side effects of snoring can penetrate every aspect of your waking life!

Fact: Snoring issues are more common than you might think!

The stats are in: a whopping 40% of adults over 40 snore at least part of the time. Snoring can keep you or your partner awake, leading to sleep deprivation, daytime fatigue and general crankiness – but what many people don’t know is that constant snoring could actually have a more serious impact on their health. If you know how to stop snoring, your Naperville home could be a much happier place!

What exactly happens during snoring?

During snoring, two things happen:

1. Muscle Relaxation. The muscles located in the back of the throat relax. This causes the airway opening to narrow, reducing air intake on each breath inhalation.
2. Vibrations. During breath exhalation, the air being pushed through the narrowed opening causes vibrations. This is the sound normally referred to as a snore.

Much snoring is harmless (we call it benign snoring.) However, in some people, an underlying health issue is causing the snoring. In these cases, continued symptoms can cause even more issues, including:

• Heart Problems. People who snore constantly are more likely to have increased risk for cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease.
• High Blood Pressure. When snoring constantly wakes a person up (called an arousal), the sympathetic nervous system is activated. Numerous arousals each night have been linked to increased risk of hypertension.
• Breathing Issues. People who experience snoring every night could have a more serious medical condition. It starts as Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) and can turn into Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Of these, obstructive sleep apnea can be the most frightening.

What exactly is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

During an apnea event, the following steps take place:

1. The relaxed throat muscles become so unresisting that the back end of the tongue is sucked against the throat.
2. This blocks the airway, cutting off oxygen to the brain.
3. The oxygen level drops suddenly, and the body’s natural response startles the sleeper awake (this may not be full awareness; many sleepers don’t remember waking.)
4. As the sleeper wakes, a gasping or snorting noise is made as the tongue moves away from the back of the throat and allows air to rush in. (There may be a momentary feeling of choking before the tongue and throat muscles tighten up, but you cannot actually choke from sleep apnea, nor can you “swallow your tongue”.)

An affected person may not be aware that are snoring. As an experienced sleep apnea dentist, Dr. Lydia Sosenko should be consulted if you notice you are waking multiple times in the night with a loud gasp or snort, feeling fatigued and sleepy during the day, or if your bed-mate points out that these things are happening.

What is the real danger of OSA?

The real health issues for people with OSA are related to increased risk of heart attack or stroke. This risk is increased for patients who are obese. People with OSA also have an increased incidence of car accidents (because of fatigue related to waking multiple times each night), can become depressed, have morning headaches, and other problems that affect their day to day quality of life.

How can OSA be treated?

Individuals diagnosed with OSA can try a variety of treatments. Many will complete sleep studies, to determine the severity of the problem. For some, losing weight, raising the head of the bed, sleeping on one’s side instead of on one’s back, and other behavior modifications may help. CPAP machines are often used for patients with severe OSA. These machines fit over the face and increase the flow of oxygen to the lungs. Some patients find it difficult to adjust to the machine, however. Surgery is also an option, but one that is only employed in severe cases when other options have failed.

I don’t want surgery or machines. What else can help?

For many patients, an oral appliance can help with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea! Naperville dentist Dr. Lydia Sosenko is a Sleep Apnea Appliance Therapy expert, and she routinely prescribes and fits OSA devices. Typically worn every night, the appliance positions the jaw in such a way that the patient’s airway remains unobstructed.

When sleep apnea is correctly treated, many patients find that their lives improve significantly; both they and their partner can both get peaceful rest at night, there is increased energy and alertness during the day, and headaches and depression caused by OSA can disappear.

Don’t wait until your tooth hurts!

People tend to put things off when it’s something they really don’t want to do. This can be changing the oil in a car, taking the dog out in a blizzard, failing to patch the roof. After all, what’s the harm? If it’s not causing an issue right now, it isn’t urgent, right?

Of course, when the car engine blows, or the dog makes a mess, the roof springs a leak, you wish you had been more pro-active. The same concept holds true for visiting your dentist. Dr. Brian Weyneth reminds us: “We assume since our teeth don’t hurt, that they are fine – even if there are plenty of reasons we should pick up the phone and schedule that appointment.”  Dr. Lydia Sosenko, echoes his advice “Regular cleanings and checkups are more important than you think. Your oral health is a huge part of your overall health!” Preventive dental care is much better than emergency dental treatment.

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Your oral health is important to your overall health.

Are you doing everything you can to keep your teeth and gums healthy? Sadly, far too many people don’t take proper care of their teeth. They see dental appointments as low priority on their personal “to-do” list, and in some cases skip seeing their dentist in Naperville altogether. At-home oral care also tends to get left by the wayside, with daily brushings being hit or miss, and flossing non-existent!

You already know you should make and keep regular dental appointments for checkups and cleanings (at least once a year, although twice is recommended even for patients with healthy teeth and gums.) You also know you should be brushing and flossing at least twice daily (preferably three times; more often if you happen to indulge in late night sugar binges…)

However, there is more to good oral care than standard visits to your local Naperville dentist and daily brush and floss scenarios. Here are our top five oral health tips for your family!

1. Stop bad breath! Bacteria is the most common culprit where halitosis is concerned, and sometimes brushing and flossing just isn’t enough. You can use a tongue scraper, once a day, to remove bacteria from your tongue. Mouthwash can also help; use it after brushing and flossing and before bed to cut down on bacterial growth.
2. Replace that toothbrush! You need a new toothbrush more often than every six months to a year, so don’t depend on “the free one” from your friendly dentist in Naperville. You should be changing your manual toothbrush or the head of your electric toothbrush every 8 to 12 weeks. This ensures that the bristles are effective by eliminating patterns of wear, and also gets rid of bacteria that may linger. (If you have an illness such as strep throat or thrush, change your toothbrush several days into your course of antibiotics or anti-fungals, and again once the issue is resolved.)
3. Plan for on-the-go! If you are eating on the run, include a “detergent food” in your meal and eat it last to help clean your teeth. Foods that are ideal for leaving your teeth particle free and fresh are apples, celery, raw carrots, and even popcorn (plain, salted popcorn is best). Alternately, you can pack a small, disposable toothbrush and floss set for times when you want to freshen up after lunch and before that important meeting.
4. Avoid dry mouth. Anyone who is on regular medication can experience lack of adequate saliva. In addition to causing discomfort due to a dry mouth, this can also cause dental issues. Plaque will build up more quickly, teeth will decay and gum disease is more likely. Talk to your Naperville dentist about ways to combat dry mouth (also known as xerostomia). There are over 800 medications that can cause dry mouth, but fortunately there are ways to combat this issue, from prescribed medication to simple options like chewing sugarless gum.
5. For kids: Prevention is key! Start early with oral care, wiping down their gums regularly and taking your child to the dentist as soon as the first tooth erupts. Use fluoridated toothpaste, and help them brush and floss until they are at least age 8. Childproof your home for toddlers learning to walk (most injuries to the teeth and face come from falling into furniture at that age); and for older kids, invest in protective mouth gear once they start playing sports.

These five oral health care tips can help keep you and your family healthy in between visits to the dentist, but nothing can beat a regular at home brush and floss routine combined with regular visits to your dentist in Naperville. Been a while since your last appointment? Call us and schedule one today!

Are you clenching your teeth because you are stressed?

When we are stressed, we tend to take it out on our jaw by clenching our teeth. Not a good thing! Clenching and grinding your teeth when you are stressed:

• Causes pain
• Ruins teeth
• Costs money

Clenching your teeth causes pain. It can cause you headaches and pain in your neck and jaw.

Clenching your teeth ruins teeth. Over time, It can actually grind your teeth down making them shorter. Even worse, clenching and grinding your teeth can cause teeth to break. If a tooth breaks at the line, restoration of that tooth may not be possible.

Clenching your teeth costs money. It can affect the nerves of your teeth. The nerve of the tooth is the life source of the tooth. It causes excessive trauma to the nerves of your teeth bringing about inflammation and infection. Infection in the nerve of a tooth may bring about the need for root canal treatment. Root canals are costly.

Fortunately, at Sherman Oaks Dental, we can help prevent the pain, ruined teeth and expense caused by clenching your teeth. Call us today at (630) 369-5225. Schedule a comprehensive exam or comprehensive jaw examination to prevent what happens when you are clenching your teeth because you are stressed.

Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and surrounding Chicago areas for over two decades.

At Sherman Oaks Dental, we place only white composite fillings. Here are a few important differences between white composite and silver amalgam fillings:

Sherman Oaks Dental places only white composite fillings

White composite fillings:

• only the decayed or damaged part of the tooth is removed
• material bonds to your tooth
• more appealing to the eye

Silver amalgam fillings:

• a greater amount of your tooth must be removed
• material is held in by retention
• can leak or discolor the surrounding tooth structure over time

As you can see, the mechanics of placing a silver amalgam filling is quite different from the placement of a white composite.  Removing a greater amount of your tooth for placing a silver amalgam filling is one of the main reasons Dr. Bryan Weyneth places only tooth-colored, white composite fillings at Sherman Oaks Dental.

We recommend our patients educate themselves on the effects of silver amalgam fillings in their mouth.  At Sherman Oaks Dental in Naperville, we strive for dental excellence and great patient care.  If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call (630) 369-5225.

Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and surrounding Chicago areas for over two decades.

Question of the Week: “Is there an alternative to anesthetic injections a patient normally receives for a procedure?”

In this video, Dr. Bryan Weyneth discusses an alternative to anesthetic injections a patient normally receives for a procedure. It’s called the CompuDent Anesthesia Wand. The Dental Wand is a computer-controlled local anesthetic injection system. This system helps to conquer fear, pain and anxiety in patients during a procedure.

Visit http://www.napervilledentistry.com or call us at (630) 369-5225 for more information about this alternative to anesthetic injections. Ask us about the Dental Wand and whether or not it is right for your next dental procedure.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more frequently asked questions.

Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and surrounding Chicago areas for over two decades.

Use a tongue scraper for great oral health

Most people know that brushing and flossing daily are the key components in maintaining good oral health.  But did you know your tongue’s taste buds are similar to small finger-like projections which can trap a lot of bacteria? And did you know that this trapped bacteria can cause bad breath or lead to other health issues? Excess bacteria on the tongue can affect your immune system. This is why we always recommend that people at least brush their tongue after brushing their teeth. Unfortunately, some tongues need a little extra help! Enter – our recommendation of a tool called the tongue scraper. A gentle tongue scraper can remove more bacteria than your toothbrush can. A tongue scraper is a great oral hygiene tool! It:

• removes bacteria and excess growth of bacteria on the top of the tongue
• prevents bad breath and rids bad breath by removing bacteria that causes bad breath
• aids in digestion. Bad bacteria can block your taste buds! By removing this bad bacteria, you will be able to taste your food better thus aiding digestion.
• helps your overall dental health and immune system by getting rid of toxic bacteria

If you need a recommendation or would like help finding the best tongue scraper for you, please call us at Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville at (630) 369-5225 today.

Happy National Toothbrush Day!!! Yes, there is even a day to celebrate toothbrushes!

Celebrate National Toothbrush Day with a Sonicare toothbrush!

In honor of National Toothbrush Day yesterday, let’s discuss toothbrushes today. Which one is the best for you?

We at Sherman Oaks Dental recommend:

• Soft bristle toothbrushes
• Sonicare toothbrushes

We only recommend soft bristle toothbrushes and brushing in gentle, circular motions.  There are no statistics that prove hard bristle brushes to be more effective than soft bristle brushes.  In fact, medium or hard bristle brushes can actually do more harm than good!  If used incorrectly, medium or hard bristle brushes can cause the gums and teeth to wear.  Roots are exposed and teeth become painfully sensitive.

Sonicare is the optimal brush we recommend for adults and kids.  This gentle toothbrush pushes the fluid in a wave-like motion between the teeth disrupting the bacteria.  Also, it is proven to keep the teeth two shades whiter.  If you are interested in or have need of this optimal toothbrush, we have a supply of Sonicare toothbrushes in the office for our patients’ convenience.

Do you have questions about how to properly brush and care for your teeth? Would you like to know which toothbrush is the best for you? If you have any questions about how to care for your teeth and gums, please call us today at (630) 369-5225.

Celebrate National Toothbrush Day with a healthy smile!

Apple Cider Vinegar is an all-natural ingredient. It can help with many health problems and improve total body health.

• Rubbing apple cider vinegar on teeth, followed by a water rinse can help remove the surface stains on teeth.
• With the summer season near, there may be times we need to soothe sunburned skin. Add one cup of apple cider vinegar to your bath water. Soak for ten minutes to relieve sunburned skin.
• Apple cider vinegar is proven to promote weight loss. Ingest two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or add to sixteen ounces of water to help aid in weight loss.
• Apple cider vinegar regulates the pH level of the body. If the body is too acidic, it can lead to lowered energy level and increased infection.
• By naturally helping decrease acid reflux or heartburn, apple cider vinegar can help increase energy levels and help fight infection. For immediate heartburn relief, it is recommended to ingest one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar followed by a glass of water.
• This great vinegar can also help detoxify the body of toxins. A toxin in excess is yeast or candida. Candida is also contributed to yeast infections, craving sugar, fatigue, and decreased or poor memory.
• Don’t forget the benefit apple cider vinegar has to our furry friends. Apple cider vinegar can act as a natural flea repellant for our pets. Mix one part apple cider vinegar and one part water to spray on your pet’s fur.

There are many benefits of using apple cider vinegar to help with health problems. Adopting a daily regimen of ingesting apple cider vinegar can promote good health. Call us today at (630) 369-5225 to see if apple cider vinegar can help your oral hygiene regimen.

Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

Brush your tongue!

Most people know the key to good oral hygiene is to brush your teeth and floss daily. What most people don’t know is that brushing your tongue is just as important as brushing your teeth. So brush your tongue!

The tongue has taste buds similar to small finger-like projections that can trap a lot of bacteria. This bacteria trapped on the tongue can lead to bad breath or even worse! If this bacteria is not removed with a toothbrush or tongue scraper, it can lead to other health issues. Since the mouth is the gateway to the body, excess bacteria on the tongue can affect the immune system.

Also, a layer of bacteria can prevent you from tasting your food. Not being able to taste food can lead to bad eating habits and poor digestion. Poor nutrition can lower your immune system and affect your overall health. If you notice a thick layer on your tongue, brush your tongue. A gentle tongue scraper is a better option between the two since it can remove more bacteria than your toothbrush can.

If you have oral hygiene questions or need a recommendation for a good tongue scraper, please call your Naperville dentist at Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville. The number to call is (630) 369-5225.

Sherman Oaks Dental provides pain-free dental care

Commonly in public, you hear the chatter of a person complaining about going to the dentist. At Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville, we try to be the exception. Our staff is highly trained to provide virtually pain-free care. Dr. Bryan Weyneth and our hygienists are constantly researching the newest and best products to provide exceptional care to our patients.

Our hygienists use needle-free numbing for all scaling procedures. Our Oraqix numbing gel is inserted below the gumline and lasts only while the procedure is being completed. This allows the hygienist to perform comfortable deeper cleanings.

A Dental Wand provides a very different numbing experience. Dr. Weyneth can numb a single tooth or teeth with virtually no pain using the Wand. The numbing will last during the whole procedure making your experience very comfortable. The Wand prevents numbing the cheek and lip. Immediately following your dental treatment, you are able to eat.

Patient comfort is our number one priority. We provide warm neck wraps for our adult patients, neck pillows, blankets and music of your choice. If there is anything that would make your dental visit more enjoyable at Sherman Oaks, please let us know. To make your next relaxing and pain-free visit at Sherman Oaks Dental, call (630) 369-5225.

Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

Missing teeth affect your overall health

Many years ago, the option for a decayed tooth was extraction. Now, people with missing teeth are suffering. Here’s why. When a tooth is extracted or missing:

• It can change your bite.
• When your bite changes, it can prevent you from chewing properly and properly digesting your food.
• Improper digestion can lead to malnutrition.
• Food can get caught in the place of the missing tooth.
• The opposing tooth or a tooth that bites against that tooth will start to drift in the place of the missing tooth. In addition, your teeth next to the space of the missing tooth can start to drift into that place.

Fortunately, today there is another great option: replace your missing teeth with dental implants.

Dental implants take the place of the missing teeth. They function like regular teeth. There is no special at home cleaning instructions. Dental implants are composed of a titanium post and crown.

If you are missing a tooth or would like to discuss different options with Dr. Bryan Weyneth, call Sherman Oaks Dental today at (630)369-5225.

Everyone loves getting a good check-up at the dentist! No one wants to hear the dreaded words, “You have a cavity!”

Avoid getting cavities with these tips

At Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville, we like to help our patients stay cavity-free. Here are some tips to keep your teeth free from getting cavities:

• Remove food debris and bacteria from your teeth with regular dental cleanings. Tools at home can keep the cavities away! If food or bacteria sits on the teeth too long, it begins to eat away at the teeth and produce acid which speeds the decay process.
• Brush and floss. Brushing is very important, but flossing is equally important! Flossing prevents cavities between your teeth.
• Avoid decay. Eat acidic and sugary foods and drinks in moderation.The food and drinks you consume also cause decay. Acidic foods and drinks such as juices, citrus fruits, soda and sugary snacks eaten in excess eat away at your teeth.
• Seek treatment from a medical doctor for acid reflux. What’s going on inside your body can also affect your teeth. If you have been diagnosed with or suspect you have acid reflux, seek treatment from a medical doctor right away. Too much acid in the stomach can come up through the esophagus causing wear to the teeth.

Unfortunately, cavities do happen. These tips will help you decrease the rate of decay in your mouth. If you are diagnosed with a cavity, at Sherman Oaks Dental we will strive to make your visit as pleasant as possible. Call us today to schedule your appointment at (630) 369-5225.

Whitening your teeth makes a great smile! A great smile makes a great impression!

Teeth whitening has advanced over the last couple years. Now most people make great candidates for whitening. Your Naperville dentist offers:

1. Boost in-office whitening
2. At home custom tray whitening

Whitening can help to blend color variances in teeth, promote better oral hygiene, help the gums and increase confidence. Our Boost in-office whitening takes only one hour of your time. On average, teeth brighten four to eight shades. The results vary with all patients due to natural teeth being different colors.

With spring around the corner, let us brighten your teeth and your day! Call Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville today with any questions or to schedule your whitening at (630) 369-5225!

Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and surrounding Chicago areas for over two decades.

Your medical history is important to your dentist

The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body.

The mouth harbors a lot of bacteria that can travel through the bloodstream. This leaves the rest of the body susceptible to infection. It is very important to inform your dentist, dental hygienist or dental assistant of your medical history: health changes, surgeries, joint replacements, existing and new heart conditions, medications, medication changes and allergies.

Medications can also affect the mouth. Many medications commonly cause dry mouth. If the mouth becomes too dry, bacteria sits in one area infecting the gums and decaying the teeth. If you notice any changes in your mouth due to medication or any changes in general, please inform your dentist, dental hygienist or dental assistant.

In addition, routine dental cleanings are very important to remove the bad bacteria that can potentially travel through the bloodstream. At Sherman Oaks Dental, we strive to provide the best care to our patients. Please give us a call to schedule your next dental appointment (630) 369-5225.

Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

Contrary to what many people believe, the alcohol in mouthwash is not beneficial. Mouthwash with a high alcohol content can actually be harmful. The alcohol in mouthwash can dry the mouth. Dry mouth allows the bad bacteria, and bacteria-filled plaque to stick in the mouth and on the teeth. This bacteria can cause cavities, wear on the teeth, gum infections, and bad breath.

Great alcohol free mouthwash is Crest Pro-Health and Listerine Zero. Also, products containing xylitol can help to lubricate the mouth and prevent dry mouth.

Call Sherman Oaks today to ask which products are best for you (630)369-5225.

With the end of the year coming to a close, most insurance calendar years are also ending. Unfortunately, most insurance plans are more like a discount on dental services.

If you do not use your insurance benefits for the calendar year, you will lose them!

At Sherman Oaks, we want to remind our patients to maximize their benefits before time runs out!

Take advantage of our End of the Year Insurance Special!

Schedule your year-end cleaning with us, and
receive $200 credit towards Cosmetic Dental Treatment
(including Invisilign, Veneers, and Lumineers)
Must be scheduled by December 15th, 2013.

Also, we still have some openings for cleanings and dental work for our college students back from school! Give us a call to schedule your next dental appointment or if you have insurance questions (630)369-5225.

Sherman Oaks Dental, Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

After a Scaling and Root Planing procedure, the follow up appointments are equally as important as the treatment itself. The first maintenance cleaning is recommended one month after scaling. The importance of this visit is because the gum tissue can get re-infected in as short as one month after scaling. The in-office treatments contribute to 50% of results, but at home care contributes to the other 50% of the results.

We cannot get good results without one of these contributing factors.

• We see better results when a patient uses an electric toothbrush twice daily versus a manual toothbrush.
• Daily flossing is also very important. Unfortunately, a toothbrush does not clean in-between teeth.
• Using alcohol free mouthwash daily is also a very important habit to adopt. It is proven that even with daily brushing and flossing, the bacteria can form a film over the gum tissue. The mouthwash helps to release bacteria and helps with bad breath.

The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. If there is an infection in the mouth, the bacteria can go through the blood stream causing an inflammatory process throughout the rest of the body. Our goal is to prevent this inflammatory process. At Sherman Oaks Dental of Naperville, we strive to provide the best care possible to our patients. Give us a call today to make an appointment with our hygienists or with any questions regarding your gum health (630)369-5225.

Sherman Oaks Dental, located in Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

With the holiday season around the corner, we are all going to overindulge!

There are some sweets that are worse for our teeth. Sticky, chewy, sugar coated snacks are worse for the teeth. Even though chocolate is not good for our teeth, it will wash off of the teeth. Caramel and gummy snacks stick to the teeth longer. We do not want any of our patients to miss out on holiday treats, but we just want to help provide a guide in the right snacking direction.

With extra snacking, make sure to keep up with good oral hygiene.

• Make sure you are brushing twice daily for two minutes each time.
• Flossing daily helps prevent cavities in-between teeth and prevents gum inflammation.
• Using mouthwash daily also helps remove loose bacteria from the teeth and gums.

Sherman Oaks is wishing everyone a happy holiday season! Call us to schedule your next appointment for all your dental needs (630)369-5225.

Sherman Oaks Dental, located in Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

The year end is upon us which means your dental plan benefits will expire!
Make sure you get the most out of your dental plan investment.

Use it before you lose it!

 Schedule your year-end cleaning with us, and
receive $200 credit towards Cosmetic Dental Treatment
(including Invisilign, Veneers, and Lumineers)
Must be scheduled by December 15th, 2013.

CALL TODAY at (630)369-5225

We Are Excited to Announce that Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville is Going to be Collecting Halloween Candy for Operation Shoebox to Send to our Troops!!

From Monday, November 4th  to Monday, November 11th, we are asking our patients to bring their Halloween candy into Sherman Oaks. We will be raffling off three big prizes! The more candy you bring in the better chance you have. We will weigh the candy per pound. For each pound of candy you bring in your name will get entered.

Prizes to win are –

1. Electric Sonicare toothbrush
2. $50 dollar gift card for downtown Naperville
3. $50 dollar gift card to Hollywood Palms.

We also want our patients to share this trade in with friends and family. We are hoping to collect a lot of candy to brighten the troop’s day! We are opening this candy trade in to all Naperville residents.

Sherman Oaks Dental, located in Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

We love our family of patients, but at times they move on to a new area. Finding new dental and health care providers after the move is often a difficult task.

For years, I have been guiding our patients through these tips when they need to find a new dental home after they get settled in.

•  Ask your new work colleagues or neighbors for some suggestions. Obviously, it’s a great place to start, but I would not end there. I’ve had some of my own family members move away and seek out referrals from their new neighbors. They end up even loving that new provider. Then, when reviewing their dental care on a visit back home, I became very concerned that periodontal (gum) issues where being overlooked. This could eventually end in years of neglected gum issues and tooth loss. And a neighbor, who didn’t know any better, referred them to this dentist.

• Call several periodontists or gum specialists in your area. Yes, gum specialists—whether you have gum issues or not. Look through the Internet and read up on a gum specialist that at least appears up to date in regards to facility, reviews, etc. Call them up and ask them for a referral for a general dentist that –

1. 1. Screens well for gum issues
   2. Has state of the art facilities
   3. Has good ‘bedside’ manners
   4. And anything else that you find important to you, but remember these first 3 points
   5. If your neighbor or colleague gave you some suggestions, now would be a good time to ask more specifics about these 1st three points.

Gum specialists often know the quality of care of a variety of dental practices. They know which dentists catch things early that are in need of care, and which may wait too long for treatment.

• After you narrow it down, it’s time to head to your computer again. Personally, I don’t’ usually like to pick a provider of any service that doesn’t have a website. Having a website isn’t just about marketing, it’s about sharing valuable information about your practice and its focus. Hopefully once you are reviewing a practice’s website they can give you a glimpse as to their primary focus, and any other valuable information to ‘get to know ’ them. Also, patient reviews are a great way to hear more about the practice. Rarely is any practice perfect, but the majority of reviews should be positive.

• Now its time to give them a try!

Building a strong density-patients relationship is the first step to creating healthy smiles. We hope that these tips help you find your next dental home.

Sherman Oaks Dental, located in Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

People often choose diet soda versus regular soda for the diet effect but is this helping or hurting your teeth?

Unfortunately, diet soda is not better for the teeth. When we put something sweet into our mouth, the body still produces acid as a by-product. What the acid production can do to the mouth is wear the teeth. In addition, most diet sodas are flavored with citric acid. This acid can also wear the teeth. We recommend to all patients to reduce all soda in-take. If you drink soda, we recommend drinking it through a straw and always rinsing your mouth with water afterwards. Also, we recommend to never sip soda throughout the day, this is like bathing your mouth in acid. A better time to drink soda is with a meal. At Sherman Oaks, we also have all natural products that help to prevent acid wear. Ask you hygienist or doctor which products are best for you (630)369-5225.

Sherman Oaks Dental, located in Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

At Sherman Oaks, we have a new pain-free method of treating cold sores and canker sores. We use a dental laser to stop the progression and pain of cold sores and canker sores. If the lesion is already present, laser therapy can give great pain relief and allow quicker healing time. We encourage our patients to call as soon as they feel a tingling sensation or have familiar feelings that a sore or lesion is erupting. This treatment also helps to prevent future lesions in the same spot. No numbing or anesthesia is needed prior to this treatment. Give Sherman Oaks a call to get out of pain today (630)369-5225.

Sherman Oaks Dental, located in Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

How often should I change my toothbrush?

A standard manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush brush head should be changed every three months. After three months, the toothbrush bristles become soft and will not effectively remove plaque and food debris. We recommend all patients use a soft bristle brush. Most electric toothbrush heads are only made with soft bristles. For most patients, an electric toothbrush is more beneficial than a manual toothbrush. We most commonly recommend the Sonicare electric toothbrush. In addition, by using the Sonicare electric toothbrush, it is proven to keep your teeth two shades whiter. Ask your hygienist or dentist today which brush would be best for you.

Now you have a choice that does not involve traditional braces.

Invisalign® is a method of straightening teeth using a series of clear, almost invisible, removable aligners. Invisalign® combines the doctor’s clinical treatment plan with a 3-D, computer-generated model of your teeth showing exactly how Invisalign® aligners will move your teeth into your desired position.

Other pluses of this revolutionary process for straightening teeth:

• Brushing and flossing is easy during the process which helps maintain healthier gums and teeth
• Eating is natural when you remove the retainers.
• Average length of treatment is 6-15 months.

Invisalign® is a great treatment solution for adults that want to resolve crowding, close unwanted spaces or for patients who have experienced relapse from previous orthodontic treatment.

Through the month of October 2013, come join the ‘Invisalign Movement’
at Sherman Oaks Dental in Naperville and obtain:

A FREE Invisalign® Consultation
FREE Invisalign® Records (a $500 value)
$125 off Invisalign® Express treatment*
$250 off standard Invisalign® treatment*

As an Invisalign® Certified Office, we can make Invisalign® work for you!!

Please contact Rosa at 630-369-5225 at your earliest convenience to reserve your seat and be prepared to get the smile you’ve always wanted.

• These special promotions & discounts will only be available to those who are candidates and decide to move forward with treatment.
• Financial arrangements are available

Call today for the smiles of your dreams, 630-369-5225.

Over the years, the focus on oral hygiene has been brushing and flossing.  Recent studies have shown that with daily brushing and flossing, bacteria can still form a film on the gum tissue.  The only way to release the bacteria film is with mouthwash.  We recommend alcohol free mouthwash.  Alcohol in mouthwash dries out the mouth allowing bacteria to multiply.  Great alcohol free mouthwashes are Crest Pro-Health and Breath Rx.  Ask your hygienist or assistant today for a mouthwash recommendation or give us a call – 630-473-3843.

Sherman Oaks Dental, located in Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

Bleeding gums are unhealthy gums. Bleeding gums are a sign of infection.

At regular exam and cleaning appointments, your hygienist and dentist should be checking your gums.  Your hygienist and dentist should be completing a full periodontal charting at least once yearly.  Periodontal charting is measuring the neck of the gum tissue surrounding each tooth and evaluating the bone support.  A normal healthy pocket surrounding the gums is from one-three millimeters without bleeding.  Bleeding is a sign of gingivitis and gum disease.  If bleeding gums are left untreated, the infection increases and the bone or the support of the tooth decreases.  In addition, the bacteria in the mouth can go through the blood stream.   If there is inflammation in the mouth, it sends an inflammatory process through the rest of the body. Gum infections are connected to heart disease, diabetes, low birth weight babies, and lung infections.

Contact us if you haven’t had a cleaning within the last 6 months 630.369.5225.

According to recent studies, the tooth fairy’s average gift is on the rise.  This must be a sign of an improving economy.  The average gift from the tooth fairy is from one to five dollars per tooth.  The average amount taken in a recent poll stated the tooth fairy delivered $0.25 more per tooth this year in comparison to last year.  Has your tooth fairy increased his or her gift?

Bee stings are either annoyingly painful or deadly, depending on if the victim is allergic to the venom or not.

How to treat an insect bite or sting:

Remove the sting. Use tweezers to pull it out or scrape it off with your fingernail, or a credit card. Do not attempt to press out the sting, as this will only help the poison spread under the skin.

Wash the bite with soap and water, then cool off the skin with ice cubes or an ice-pack that has been wrapped in a cloth or thin towel. Rest the affected area and elevate it if possible to prevent excessive swelling. Do this immediately after the victim has been stung. If necessary, use a painkilling cream or gel or an antihistamine to soothe the itch. If you or a member of your family are allergic to insect bites, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before going on holiday. They may tell you to take an antihistamine with you in tablet form; or Adrenaline or as an EpiPen injection. If so, make sure you ask how to use them correctly. Anyone who gets a rash or an itch requiring medical treatment, or who may simply feel unwell following a bite or sting should not drive, as there is a risk of passing out. If in doubt, consult your doctor.

Are you tired of treating cold sores with pills or creams? We have a great new alternative for you. We have a new laser treatment that can speed healing in half the time.

Not only can cold sores cause pain and discomfort for several days, they are so noticeable, they can be embarrassing. Although living with cold sores can be a hassle, treating them does not have to be. Remember, they are caused by a virus and are considered a medical condition.

We are happy to announce that having just one laser treatment can speed the healing of these unsightly, uncomfortable sores. It is best to treat the cold sore when you first feel one coming on, usually you feel a tingly sensation. The laser is used on a low power setting, nothing even comes in contact with your lip and the treatment is completed in just a few minutes. You do not feel anything while the laser is being used, but often the tingly sensation is gone right away.

Just ask our Office Administrator, Cathy, she has had this treatment done several times and she can attest to its results. So, if you feel a cold sore coming on, remember to call our office today at 630.369.5225.

Sherman Oaks Dental, located in Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

Dr. Bryan Weyneth explains the importance of having a crown placed after your root canal.

Se habla español llame 630.369.5255

Sherman Oaks Dental, ubicado en Naperville, Illinois ha estado proporcionando atención dental de la familia de los pacientes de Naperville, Wheaton, Lisle en Chicago y sus alrededores desde hace más de dos décadas.

At a recent post health coach Debbie Slutzky helped us by listing some better choices when going out for meals in our Naperville area.  Here are some more tips at some quicker option restaurants in our area.

 Thanks Debbie!
Drs. Sosenko and Weyneth

Panera

New good choices include the Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad and the Power Mediterranean Roasted Turkey Salad (but has a bit more sodium). The power chicken hummus bowl is also a good choice. The sandwiches that sound healthy like the Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich and the Mediterranean Egg White are so much better for you without the bread. You’ll lose half the calories and sodium. A good sandwich option with the bread, though, is the Roasted Turkey & Avocado BLT on Sourdough.  The soups like low fat vegetarian black bean and low fat chicken noodle are great on all nutrition levels… except sodium with which they are packed.

Subway

We all know that Jared lost a bunch of weight eating Subway sandwiches. While there are some better choices here, I still think Subway and all fast food establishments should only be visited on occasion and not daily. Breakfast could be the egg and cheese sandwich (better without cheese). The 6” veggie delight is lowest in calories, fat and sodium and on the “Six Grams of Fat or Less” menu, choose the 6” oven roasted chicken or 6” turkey breast. All of the mini subs are okay because of their smaller portion size (4 inches). Salads to get include the double chicken chopped salad, veggie delite salad, turkey breast salad, oven roasted chicken salad, sweet onion chicken teriyaki salad. Choose apple slices instead of chips.

Five Guys Burgers & Fries

Take advantage of the little burgers; they are about 65% of their bigger part’s size and should satisfy your burger craving. You’re much better off with a veggie sandwich. Always go with the mushrooms, peppers, onions, jalapenos, lettuce and tomatoes instead of cheese for your topping. If you must get the fries, split the regular size order or toss half of them and enjoy the rest.

Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House

Fresh fish is the easy choice here. Appetizers like the oysters on the half shell, shrimp cocktail, tuna poke and Hugo’s seafood platter can be a full meal or shared with a friend or two as an appetizer.  Then, go with the fresh fish but be sure to ask your server to have the kitchen staff hold the butter sauce and use extra virgin olive oil instead. Have the fish prepared pan seared or pan roasted and not stuffed, battered or fried. Simple sides are sautéed spinach, baked sweet potato without butter, and sautéed mushrooms without butter. Fruit sorbet is the lighter dessert selection.

Jimmy John’s

Like on many of these restaurants’ websites, you can customize your meal to get the actual nutrition breakdown on their website. For example, have the #4 turkey tomato with smoked turkey breast, alfalfa sprouts, lettuce and tomato and take away the bread and mayo and you got yourself 71.9 calories, 0.83g of fat, and 491g of sodium. Add some 7 grain wheat bread and you’ve added 319 calories, 4.5g of fat, and 590.23g of sodium. My suggestion is to go for the turkey, gourmet veggie club, beach club and toss the bread or only eat a portion of it. Get extra “freebies” including onion, lettuce, alfalfa sprouts, tomato, sliced cucumber, Dijon mustard, oil & vinegar, and oregano.

McDonalds

Smartest options are from the breakfast menu which include oatmeal, fruit and yogurt parfait and fruit and walnuts. For lunch, snack or dinner, go for the Chipotle BBQ snack wrap (grilled) or honey mustard snack wrap (grilled), premium Caesar salad with grilled chicken or premium Southwest salad with grilled chicken or premium bacon ranch salad with grilled chicken (see the pattern?) For a sweet tooth, have a kiddie cone, vanilla cone, strawberry sundae, or soft baked oatmeal raisin cookie – they aren’t too bad!

Buona Beef

Soups are your best bets here such as the minestrone, chicken penne, cheddar broccoli, and chili. Go for the salads without cheese (and dressing) such as the chopped salad and the Tuscan Harvest salad as well as of course the fruit salad. Best beef choice is the Piccolo beef, as it is the leanest with the least cholesterol, sodium and carbs. Other options are the grilled salmon (without the mayo sauce) and chicken strips although they are both very high in sodium, or a simple hot dog. The kids menu is another way to go and will control your portion size.

Dunkin Donuts

Best bagel choice is a wheat bagel (less calories, fat, sodium, and carbs than the rest.) The jelly filled donut has the least amount of calories, fat, sodium, sugar and carbs than its fellow donuts.

English muffins have a fraction of the carbs of a bagel and none of the fats of their donuts and croissants. I suppose the DDSMART menu is the way to go if you are running or driving thru Dunkin. My choice would be the egg white veggie wake up wrap.

Einstein’s Bagels

Opt for bagel thin singles over regular bagels for the lower calorie and carb option. Also, light whipped cream cheese has less calories and fat than whipped reduced fat cream cheese. Egg white sandwiches are the best option and a close second would be the veg out on a sesame seed bagel. Next in line, and still good on the nutrition chart are the albacore tuna salad and chicken salad deli sandwiches. Garden salad and asparagus, mushroom & Swiss bagel thin egg white sandwich. The strawberry chicken salad is the best salad choice but all of them are definitely smart choices. Soups, while low in calories and fat, are high in sodium. The lowfat yogurt parfait is lower in sugar and calories than the smoothies.

Chipotle

Make your own burrito bowl or salad with greens, peppers, onions, beans, chicken, guacamole, salsa and very small amount of vinaigrette. Stay away from or go lightly on the cheese, sour cream, rice and meats. Note: watch out for the sodium here. Even with the lightest of choices — a salad of romaine, black beans, pinto beans, fajita veggies, tomato salsa and guacamole, there is a lot of sodium.

Noodles & Company

I like their “cheat sheet” on the website that recommends you start with a small entrée and add a small soup, salad, protein or extra. They have many choices under 500 calories. Remember, though, it’s not always just about calories. We need to look at calories from fat, saturated fat, and sodium before we deem it a good choice. Small spinach and fresh fruit salad, regular size chicken noodle soup (but loaded with sodium)

Wendys

Best menu items include a garden salad, baked potato (hold the sour cream and chives), small chili (a bit too much sodium), Caesar side salad (hold the dressing), ultimate chicken grill or grilled chicken go wrap (hold the sauce). Of course get the apple slices instead of fries.

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Debbie Slutzky is a Certified Health Coach, marathon runner, and loving mother of twins. She decided to become a health coach to fulfill her passion of working with people to improve their health and life goals.

Debbie received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, and she is Board Certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Debbie leads workshops and classes on nutrition, writes blogs and articles on health and nutrition and offers individual health and nutrition coaching. She also received her BA from The George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Contact her at Debbie@NutritionAndHealthCounseling.com or 630.470.7634.

Hi, I am Dr. Weyneth.  I wanted to talk to you about our one day crown restoration.  The benefits are that we can produce the crown without a temporary, and we can do that all in one visit.  We use our computer technology to accomplish this, and we are complete in about 2 hours.  We hope to see you!

If you are short on time this is a great option to have a new crown in 1 VISIT! Please call our office to schedule an appointment 630-369-5225.

The definition of oral cancer:  Cancer that forms in the tissue of the oral cavity (mouth), part of the throat, and the back of the mouth.  The average of oral cancer deaths is 67 years.  One in 93 men and women will be diagnosed with oral cancer during their lifetime.  Here are some facts about oral cancer that you may not realize.  This collection of data is from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

• Estimated new cases in 2013 – 41,350 people
• Estimated deaths this year – 7,890

People that are at the highest risk for oral cancers are those that:

• Smoke
• Drink Alcohol
• Tobacco Chewers
• Betel Nut Chewers
• Asian/Indian Cultures
• Sexually Active
• Excessive unprotected exposure to sun.
• Low intake of fruits and vegetables
• Everyone

Unfortunately, oral cancer is on the rise.  Studies are showing younger adults are showing a connection between Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and oral cancer as well as cervical cancer.  This screening is recommended for those adults 18 years and older.  Early detection is key.

Signs and Symptoms

• Red or white discolorations of the soft tissue of the mouth
• Sores that do not heal within 14 days
• Hoarseness which last a prolonged period of time

Advanced Symptoms

• A sensation that something is stuck in your throat
• Numbness in the mouth
• Difficulty in moving the jaw and tongue
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Ear pain only on one side
• A sore under the denture that does not heal
• A lump or thickening that develops in the neck or mouth
• Males have a greater risk than females

We are extremely proud to announce this state-of-the-art service for screening oral cancer.  Listed below are some questions and answers regarding the Velscope oral cancer screening device.

• It takes just 3-5 minute to get a comprehensive oral cancer examination in the dental office
• It is as easy as shining a light into your mouth.  This will detect any abnormalities or cell changes.
• Early detection before a problem can occur
• Pain free
• Potentially can save your life

Be one of the first to get the advanced oral cancer screening.  Talk to Stefanie or Barbara about the screening at your next dental cleaning.  Make this a new beginning for your oral health.

It’s blue and it tastes great!  It is something that you can use anytime of the day.  You guessed it!  Of course,  it is mouthwash.  Our favorite is BreathRX, it is alcohol free and has a special ingredient called Zytec.  Zytec is clinically proven to fight bad breath and keep your breath fresh all day long.

Here is how it works best –

• Brush and floss your teeth
• Scrape your tongue
• Rinse your mouth with BreathRX

It is an antibacterial rinse that sweeps away bacteria and food and gives you that clean minty feeling. Dr. Lydia and our team love this rinse.  Next time you visit try a sample in our guest bathroom.  We have the rinse available to purchase anytime.

Sherman Oaks Dental is located in Naperville, Illinois and has been providing family dental care for over two decades.

Hi I’m Stefanie, one of the hygienists at Sherman Oaks Dental in Naperville, Illinois. Our quick smart dental tip of the day involves electric toothbrushes.

I’m not sure if you are aware, but using electric toothbrushes, often makes adults’ and kids’ cleanings and check –ups far easier and more comfortable.  Electric toothbrushes help reduce amounts of plaque and help prevent against cavities. We especially recommend the brushes with timers.

Our smart dental tip of the day: Think about using an electric toothbrush daily. It will help your next checkup!

I love going out for dinner, but I also know what havoc it can create for a waistline! Making healthier menu choices can help keep some of us in line if you are on a weight management or weight loss plan.

Health coach Debbie Slutzky was kind enough to share some healthier options available on local menus. So here’s to good choices!  Thanks Debbie!

Dr. Lydia Sosenko

Consider these choices at the following Naperville area restaurants:

Bar Louie
Take advantage of their small plates such as hummus, tabbouleh & tzatziki, adobo (grilled) shrimp skewers or potstickers. Most of the salads are good choices here – but hold the bacon and bleu cheese and go for a vinaigrette.

Black Finn American Saloon
Seared ahi tuna starter or ahi tuna salad, spinach salad (without the cheddar jack), lemon chicken, Chilean sea bass or lime seared salmon. Go for sides such as sautéed spinach, asparagus, steamed broccoli or green beans (ask for olive oil and not butter).

Catch Thirty-Five
Because it’s seafood, choices are more plentiful here. Half shell oysters, shrimp cocktail and yellow fin tuna sashimi are all good starters. For main courses, fish is your best bet over steak. Choose fish that is sautéed or blackened rather than battered or fried. For sides, go for sautéed mixed mushrooms or sautéed spinach instead of creamed spinach

Cold Stone Creamery
Smoothies with soy milk are a good choice or go for the “light” ice creams – they have less calories, fat and sugar than the full fat ice creams. Sorbets have less fat than ice cream, but beware, they are high in sugar.

Egg Harbor Café
They have an extensive gluten-free menu. Go for eggs with veggies (peppers, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, onions, avocados, and artichokes) along with fresh fruit, harbor potatoes, salsa and dry wheat English muffin or wheat toast. If you get oatmeal, eat only ½ the portion, as they give you at least 4 portions in the bowl, and fill it with fresh fruit. Vegetarian vegetable soup is a good choice. Share a salad, as they are mega portion and high in fat. Choose sides such as side salad, applesauce, fruit, mandarin oranges, yogurt, wheat toast, and cottage cheese.

Front Street Cantina
A rule of thumb when eating at most Mexican restaurants, stay away from the fried taco shells, beef, steak, cheese and sour cream. Instead opt for fajita fillings – grilled chicken, shrimp, or portabellas with onions and peppers. Go for the beans, salsa and guacamole and don’t fill up on the chips and rice. Be careful of the flour tortilla basket that salads are served in. Instead ask for the fajita salad or a dinner salad with grilled chicken and no cheese on a plate.

Giordanos
The house salad or the greco Roman salad (hold the feta) with added grilled chicken breast is a smart choice. Fill up on your greens and veggies and if you must have pizza, one slice should be quite enough. Go for the thin crust instead of the stuffed pizza pies and get the super veggie with Mushrooms, green peppers, onions, broccoli, black olives, artichokes & spinach.

Olive Garden
The Italian small plates make it easy to keep your portions controlled- the lower sodium and fat choices include Sicilian meatballs, parmesan roasted asparagus and Tuscan white bean hummus bruschetta. The Pasta e Fagioli soup and the garden fresh salad are the best soup/salad choices. Be careful with their “Lighter Italian Fare” menu, as many items are very high in sodium. But there are a few good options such as herb grilled salmon, Linguine alla Marinara (lunch portion) with grilled chicken or shrimp,

Tap House Grill
Best appetizer choice is the red pepper hummus & tzatziki. Salads, like most sports bars and grills, need a little tweaking. The bleu cheese, pecan, apple & grape salad is better without the bleu cheese and croutons; the Tap House chop chop is a nice change with garbanzo beans and is even better without bacon, bleu and parmesan cheese. Sandwiches to choose include the roasted red pepper hummus wrap, the grilled chicken & wild mushroom panini (hold the bread!) and adobe chicken wrap (hold the cheese!) Get the house salad and house made pickles with your sandwich.

Red Robin
Appetizers make good meals and help to control portions. For example, the honest hummus plate is a good one.  Salads need some tweaking. Take the cheese and focaccia bread from all of them, exchange the dressings for a vinaigrette and be sure to go for the grilled chicken and not the crispy. Likewise for the chicken sandwiches. Take away the bread, cheese, and mayo and choose the grilled not crispy. The garden burger (vegetarian) and BOCA vegan burger are acceptable choices as well. Hold the bottomless steak fries, of course! Get a few sides like a side salad, steamed broccoli, southwest black beans and / or freckled fruit salad.

Debbie Slutzky is a Certified Health Coach, marathon runner, and loving mother of twins. She decided to become a health coach to fulfill her passion of working with people to improve their health and life goals.  Debbie received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, and she is Board Certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Debbie leads workshops and classes on nutrition, writes blogs and articles on health and nutrition and offers individual health and nutrition coaching. She also received her BA from The George Washington University in Washington, DC.  Contact her at Debbie@NutritionAndHealthCounseling.com.

Over the years providing dental care to our family of patients, I often hear the confusion when discussing these dental terms. For the most part dental “caps” and “crowns” are synonymous, and mean the same thing.

A dental crown is often made of a very strong covering material that looks like a tooth and is cemented over a tooth base. The tooth base needs to be shaped a particular way, removed of weakened tooth structure, as well as cleared free of any decay (cavities).

There are several ways that these dental crowns are made. During a one-visit CAD/CAM type of crown service, that same day, a new crown is bonded or ‘cemented’ onto the tooth. In a traditional or non- CAD/CAM crown procedure, a temporary “cap” is made. Several weeks later, the patient comes in, the temporary is removed, and the new custom crown is cemented onto the tooth base.

How Our Naperville Dentist Saves You Time with One Visit Crowns

If you would like to start the new year fresh by completing a recommended crown treatment early on, or interested in learning more about our high technology CREREC, one visit crown procedure, visit our Naperville dental practice, or call us at 630-369-5225. Dr. Weyneth and his team have been treating patients in Naperville, Wheaton, Aurora, Lisle and surrounding area successfully for over 15 years.

Our recent blog, How Our Naperville Dental Practice Determines the Frequency of Your Dental Cleanings (Part 1), discussed how the common idea of having your teeth cleaned twice per year was a product of a Pepsodent commercial campaign in the 1950’s and 1960’s. During those times the company had not even invented its toothpaste product.

Now bringing us back to the 21st century, there are many research studies raising the overall knowledge of the connection between dentistry and medicine over the past 50 plus years.

Good dental health and the absence of periodontal (gum) disease can impact many other areas of health.

At our Naperville dental practice, we have found that patients most commonly need dental cleanings every 3, 4, or 6-month intervals, depending on each individual’s circumstances. There are many factors from home care to chronic medical conditions that contribute to overall gum health.

Here is a list of conditions or situations in which a person may be at higher risk for gum disease and can benefit from more frequent visits:

• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Heart conditions
• Arthritis
• Apnea
• Heart conditions
• Xersotomia (dry mouth)
• Patients undergoing Dialysis
• Patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy
• HIV positive
• High stress
• Bruxism (night time teeth grinding)
• Orthodontics (braces)
• Carpal tunnel
• Temporary casts on wrists or arms
• Dental appliances (partial denture, retainers, snoring and apnea devices)
• Smoking
• Disabilities

Our Naperville dentists and hygienists take the time to listen to your health concerns, your particular dental care needs, and together with you can determine the best frequency of dental cleanings. Specific suggestions will be addressed that can help you keep your gums and teeth healthy for years to come!

Learn about your first visit at our Naperville family dental practice by calling us at 630-369-5225.

by: Dr. Lydia Sosenko for Sherman Oaks Dental of Naperville

Sherman Oaks Dental, located in Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Aurora, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades. Sherman Oaks Dental is also a proud recipient of the prestigious Naperville Chamber of Commerce’s Best Business Award Winner, a representation of the practice’s standards of service.

“Go to see your dentist twice a year”. Right?

Most dental insurances pay for 2 preventative cleanings and 2 exams per year. As a result, many individuals think that this is the standard frequency that they should be coming in to see their dentist.

But what most people don’t realize that the ‘twice a year recommendation’ originated from a Pepsodent supported commercial in the early 1950’s which involved tooth powder.  Pepsodent had not even INVENTED their toothpaste yet! As an attempt to gain support from dentists, twice a year recommendation was born. And to make a long story short, insurance companies adopted the suggested intervals of ‘twice per year’, from an advertising campaign.

So, lets think about it. I’m quite sure that new insight has been gained in the last 50 -60 years of dental and medical research. Let’s acknowledge that most people went to their dentist decades ago only if problems arose, which often resulted in extractions. Back then it was also common to have ashtrays in medical offices! Yes, ashtrays! I know because my father was a physician at that time and he had 2 in his waiting room!

Now getting back to the 21^st century…. Intimate connections between medical and dental conditions have been linked.  New techniques for dental disease prevention have been adopted.  Medicine and dentistry are truly different breeds now than in the 50’s when it was normal to think tooth loss naturally occurs as you age.

Do most people need twice per year cleanings? Some, and some may need only once per year although very infrequently! I know for myself, if I came in once per year, or even twice per year for dental cleanings, my dental condition would be far less healthy. And I’m a dentist! My own mother lost all her teeth in her 40’s, which puts me at high risk for periodontal or gum disease.

For many reasons, patients often need their teeth cleaned every 3 or 4 months.

When you consider frequency of auto services, many parameters are considered such as mileage, current car care, weather, and so on. Why would dental needs be any different when there are so many factors to consider?

Home dental hygiene care, food choices, susceptibility to dental diseases, and dental alignment are just a few things that contribute to how often one may need a cleaning.  There are also many medical conditions that contribute for more frequented dental cleaning for optimum dental health. (Our Part 2 blog post will touch upon these)

Our Naperville dental team believes that every individual has different needs based on his/her particular situation. We take pride in helping you determine what interval may be best for you. Call Rosa to schedule an appointment 630-369-5225.

by: Lydia Sosenko DDS

Time seems so precious these days with all of our commitments: family, work, after school activities, and so on. It’s often difficult to find just the right time to come in for dental work that can often help prevent future more costly treatment necessities.

A crown or ‘dental cap’ may be recommended at a routine dental visit to restore a tooth to a healthier and stronger state. There are several reasons that a crown may have been recommended.

Most common reasons for recommending a crown include:

1. To restore a damaged tooth from some trauma
2. To protect a tooth base that has fractured and weakened areas
3. To restore a tooth that has a cavity
4. To improve a tooth’s appearance

Traditional therapy for making crowns involves tooth preparation, impressions (molds), a temporary construction, and a temporary cementation followed by a 2nd visit.  At the 2nd visit, the temporary crown is removed; the permanent restoration (crown) is tried on, and permanently cemented.

With our Naperville dental practice’s Cerec High Technology system, Dr. Weyneth successfully treats most crowns in one visit, saving TIME as well as the discomfort that may arise with a temporary in place. Also, there is a piece of mind that proves invaluable knowing that you don’t have to worry about a temporary being dislodged while waiting several weeks for the permanent crown to come in from a laboratory.

The Cerec one-visit crown system also eliminates the need for the molds or impressions phase of this treatment. Optical ‘impressions’ from a  ‘camera’ type instrument is used to formulate a very precise image of the prepared tooth.  From this image a custom crown is constructed during your visit and cemented directly onto the tooth base. No return visit is necessary.

If you would like to start the new year fresh by completing a recommended crown treatment early on, or interested in learning more about our high technology CREREC one visit crown procedure, visit our Naperville dental practice, or call us at 630-369-5225. Dr. Weyneth and his team have been treating patients in Naperville, Wheaton, Aurora, Lisle and surrounding area successfully for over 15 years.

Personally, I love new beginnings.  And there’s a calm feeling that resonates with setting new goals at the New Year. A fresh start at a perfect time when the holiday rush is over.

We realize that setting New Year’s resolutions is a very personal journey.  As your Naperville dental home, we care not only for your teeth but also for YOU.  We have listed a few of our favorite dental health tips for you to consider for improving your overall dental health.  Maybe some of these tips may find their way on your New Year’s resolution list:

1. Increase your flossing intervals. I won’t say daily here, because if you never floss and now consider flossing every Sunday, that’s an improvement. Or if you floss once a week, consider every other night. Studies have shown that flossing can add years to your life!
2. Brush with a timer or use an electric toothbrush that has a timer. It’s more beneficial for you to brush once or twice a day properly, than 4 times incorrectly. And yes, it takes time to correctly brush. One of my new patients said she brushes with a manual brush in the morning, but uses the electric toothbrush with the timer in the evening.  A great option!
3. If you play a team sport, always consider using a mouth guard to prevent tooth trauma. Even sports that are not exactly of a contact variety can cause major tooth trauma.
4. Limit drinks with hidden sugars, like juices and sport drinks. There is an abundance of sugar in many drinks easily available to you and your kids.  From coffee specialty drinks to sports drinks, sugar content is easily forgotten and can cause damage to your teeth and waistline!
5. Do not use your teeth to open things. Okay, let’s burn a few extra calories by reaching for scissors or other opening utensils other than your teeth!
6. Do not smoke. Discoloration and increased gum disease is just the tip of the iceberg here. There is nothing lovely about smelling smoke on one’s breath or clothes. Not to mention, smoking sets a bad example a to kids around you.
7. Choose health food snacks like crunchy vegetables or cheese (in limited amounts) instead of chips, refined food products or foods high in sugar. This can help reduce cavities and your waistline!
8. Increase water intake.  Low water intake is often one of the major causes of bad breath. Water also dilutes harmful acids present in your mouth, which help speed up cavity forming and gum disease processes.
9. Smile more!  It’s contagious! Your smile is unique to you; share it with family, friends, and everyone around you. A great way to help relive stress!
10. See your dentist regularly! Don’t wait for dental problems before coming in. Waiting to fix dental issues almost always adds to more ‘dental dollars’ and more time in our office.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year! And good luck with your New Year’s resolution list!

Dr. Lydia Sosenko for Sherman Oaks Dental of Naperville

Sherman Oaks Dental, located in Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Aurora, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

In our last post we pointed out many reasons why it’s a great idea to get in those last minute medical and dental procedures. Below are specific ideas to help you maximize your health benefits.

In general the best place to start is to go through all your medical and dental billings for the year.  Make sure that you have submitted for reimbursements of all your co-payments, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.  Unsure if you have any remaining benefits? It’s a great idea to call your insurance’s member department and find out specifically how much remains in benefits.

Here are areas to consider. Remember to check specific plans for reimbursement guidelines.

Dental:

• Cavity treatments– Untreated cavities usually lead to larger more costly treatment.
• Teeth with ‘stress fracture lies’ often can be treated with dental procedures such as partial one-day crowns or fillings
• Night guards for grinding
• Various tooth brightening procedures
• General exams, cleanings and gum treatments
• Sealants
• Snoring treatments—see Medical below
• Visit  www.NapervilleDentistry.com for more ideas of general dental services

Medical:

• Are there prescription medications that could be stocked up and billed for?
• Snoring treatments/ CPAP alternative treatment- if connected with an apnea diagnosis. (Visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com)
• Any moles that need to be evaluated?
• Any testing such as mammograms, colonoscopies or other tests to be considered
• Any vaccinations for future travel, or seasonal
• Any family history of illnesses that could put you at higher risk which may require blood work or other testing (colon cancer, apnea, heart disease)
• Does your plan pay for nutritional guidance?
• Ergonomics based pain such as neck, wrist or other pain from continued computer use
• Blood work for Celiac disease or nutritional deficiencies
• Foot problems

Optical

• A second pair of glasses as a back-up
• Prescription sun glasses
• Examination to check candidacy for laser correction treatment
• Visit health partner (Dr.Sosenko’s husband Dr. Chris Burch’s website) at www.DanadaVisionCenter.com

Also don’t forget to check your plan’s rules. It’s important to check individual plans as to specifically what kind of procedures they may cover, or exclude even after the deductible has been met.  Also some companies allow their employees to spend flex accounts until mid- March or a certain number of weeks after the 1^st of the year.  This may allow you to have a few extra weeks to plan for medical and dental treatments.

Sherman Oaks Dental, located in Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Aurora, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

by Dr. Lydia Sosenko

During this time of year when holiday gatherings start filling in the schedule, it’s often easy to forget using up flexible spending funds, or maximizing insurance benefits. Here are some points to consider that can save you hundreds of dollars.

Flexible Spending Health Accounts:

These health spending accounts represent tax-free money that workers set aside for health expenses and if they are not used, they are lost. Research shows that many people leave behind unused funds at year’s end. But please remember, ‘if you don’t use it –you lose it’ in regards to flexible spending dollars.

Yearly Deductibles:

A deductible is the amount of money that you must pay before a medical or dental procedure will be paid through your insurance company. For many patients, deductibles have already been met by this time of year and for most, that amount needs to get paid all over again after January 1^st.  If you have already met your deductible for the year, it’s a great time to fit in those extra dental or medical appointments.

Yearly Maximums:

In regards to dental insurance, yearly maximums often apply. Typically that means that your dental insurance may pay for a certain number of dollars per year (after your deductible is met) and that’s it.  Consider maximizing this full amount with necessary treatment especially if your deductible has been met.  We have found that typically if an ‘emergency’ situation arises in one calendar year, the entire year’s allowance is often used to treat that area leaving little for other recommended treatment.  Since ‘unused dental dollars’ do not rollover to the next calendar year, it’s often best to use them up freeing benefits should a dental emergency arise in the future.

Monthly Premiums:

Whether you use your insurance or not, you are paying out monthly premiums.  Even if you elect not to perform non-emergency medical, dental or optometric treatments, regular check-ups just make sense.  Coming from a family heritage of ‘not wasting’ resources, it’s always been difficult to watch patients keep paying monthly premiums and not coming in for regular preventative or maintenance procedures like cleanings and exams. Often, unchecked conditions can escalate and in the long run cost you far more in medical and dental costs.

Increase in fees:

Many practice; medical and dental often consider raising fees after the first of the year. As costs of supplies, equipment and overall expenses increase, typically fee increases need to be considered. Getting those advised procedures before years end, can get your billings out on lower fee schedule, ultimately leading to lower co-pays.

Now that you realize the benefits of completing treatment in the next few weeks, see our following post for a list of procedures to consider in maximizing your benefits before the end of the year.

Sherman Oaks Dental, located in Naperville, Illinois has been providing family dental care for patients from Naperville, Wheaton, Aurora, Lisle and Chicago surrounding areas for over two decades.

by Dr. Lydia Sosenko

Who said that holiday dishes have to leave us over stuffed?

The holidays are just around the corner and so is the potential for extra holiday pounds. You can still eat your favorite holiday foods but with fewer calories and little or no “bad stuff”.

The typical modern Thanksgiving dinner contains about 2,000-3,000 calories, but it’s not the turkey that’s adding up these numbers. Instead, it comes from butter, cream, and sugar – ingredients that are usually included in every side dish these days.

But, let’s look at the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Each item is actually healthy in its natural state. According to Smithsonian Magazine, there was turkey, corn, venison and perhaps turnips, carrots, onions, garlic, pumpkins, chestnuts and walnuts. The colonists did not have butter and wheat flour to make mashed potatoes or pie crusts, so theirs was a healthy celebration

If we kept our menus the same for the last 392 years, then we could leave the table feeling good and energized not tired and bloated.

So, let me ask you this?

What are your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes? I’m going to guess that your answer includes stuffing, mashed potatoes, biscuits, gravy, cranberry sauce and potato salad.

What if I said you could still enjoy your holiday favorites in a modified, healthy way? Are you on board? Then keep reading…

Instead of mashed potatoes –have creamy white bean and vegetable mash or creamed cauliflower. You get more protein from the legumes and less fat from the nonexistent butter and cream. (See recipe below)

Instead of biscuits –try whole grain skillet cornbread. (See recipe below). You get fiber from the whole grains instead of nothing from white flour.

Instead of bread filled stuffing  –  add whole grains and fruits such as fig, apple and sage.

Instead of sugary cranberry sauce – skip the sugar and add more fruit.

Instead of the old stand bys – try side dishes such as sautéed brussels sprouts, oven roasted beets and other root vegetables, and honey glazed carrots with garlic.

Go ahead and try something new this holiday season. You might just be pleasantly surprised at how good things taste in their natural state and how good you feel leaving the dinner table.

Broiled citrus and Cranberry Tart (serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 1 tangerine, 1 ruby grapefruit, and 1 naval orange – all peeled, pitted, and segmented
• ½ cup cranberries
• 1 TBSP raw sugar

Directions:

Heat broiler. Divide fruit among 4 shallow ovenproof ramekins. Sprinkle with sugar. Transfer ramekins to a baking sheet.  Broil, rotating once until golden brown 4-6 minutes.

Per serving: 86cal; 0gfat; 0mg chol; 21g carbs; 2mg sodium; 1g protein; 3g fiber.

Creamy White Bean and Vegetable Mash (serves 6)

Ingredients:

• 2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 lb. Yukon gold* potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 2 cups cooked white beans, drained (1 16-oz can)
• Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion, celery and carrot until translucent, 6-8 minutes. Add potatoes and white beans and cover with water by 2 inches. Season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of cooking water. Mash vegetables, adding reserved water to adjust consistency. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil before serving.

Per serving: 206 cal; 5g fat (1g sat fat); 0mg chol; 41g carbs; 316mg sodium; 9g protein; 8g fiber

The more yellow the potato, the better because they are naturally creamy and sweet (you can keep the skins on, as they are thin, add sweetness and contain more Vitamin A and potassium).

Source: WholeLiving.com

Mashed Garlic Cauliflower (serves 6)

Ingredients: 

• 1 medium head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into small florets (about 6 to 7 cups)
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, roasted and mashed
• Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook until very tender, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid and then drain well and transfer cauliflower to a food processor. Add roasted garlic, olive oil and reserved water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and puree until smooth. (Or, mash cauliflower with a potato masher). Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Nutritional Info:

Per Serving:110 calories (80 from fat), 9g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 330mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (3g dietary fiber, 3g sugar), 3g protein

Naperville Dentists, Dr. Lydia Sosenko and Dr. Bryan Weyneth, thank Debbie Slutzky for this great blog post!

Debbie Slutzky is a Certified Health Coach and owner of Nutrition and Health Counseling. For more holiday recipes or for more information on how to eat healthy and still enjoy your food, please contact her at Debbie@NutritionAndHealthCounseling.com or 630.470.7634. www.NutritionAndHealthCounseling.com.

Obtain a ‘Holiday Bright’ Smile at Sherman Oaks Dental Naperville – $99 Special with Our Professional In-office Teeth Whitening System

Everybody loves a bright smile, and holidays are a great time to come in and benefit from our advanced teeth whitening in-office system. The procedure is quite easy and effective and requires one visit, and you can expect to brighten up from 1-3 shades brighter. After a protective gel is placed on areas surrounding your teeth, a special whitening gel will be placed on the teeth themselves. After a monitored time of approximately 20 minutes, all the material is removed.  It’s as easy and comfortable as that! It’s a great way to jump start your holidays!

Through the end of the year we are offering our Special Advanced In-office Whitening System for only $99 for our existing patients. Not a patient yet? Just call and ask about the benefits of joining our family of patients.  

For those who would like to retain their newer, brighter smile, ask us about our Brighter Smiles for Life program. Contact or call our Naperville IL office at 630-369-5225 to set up your teeth whitening visit and start working on that “holiday sparkling smile”.

*A special note: Best results occur on teeth that have had a regular dental cleaning recently. Not all patients are good candidates for in-office teeth whitening programs. If you are unsure or would like to know if it’s right for you, just call and we will gladly evaluate your particular situation

By: Dr. Bryan Weyneth and Dr. Lydia Sosenko, Naperville Dentists

Electric toothbrushes are proven to reduce plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease.  Sonicare and Oral B are two great electric toothbrushes that we recommend to both adults and kids.  Each different electric toothbrush is designed for each patient’s specific needs.  Even the best brushes can’t compete with 30,000 strokes per minute.  Ask your hygienist or dentist at Sherman Oaks Dental, Naperville which brush would be best for you.

Barbara Hartman one of our Dental Hygienist answers the question – When Should You Floss Your Teeth?

Here is what I recommend to patients.  I have not read any scientific data supporting my recommendations, but these are things that seem to help.

• Floss before brushing and you will less likely to skip doing it.
• Floss 1 x day.  I think it is good to floss in the evening so that any food particles or plaque can be removed before going to sleep.  While sleeping, we have less saliva and we are not drinking water, etc. so teeth more prone to decay during this time period.
• Floss shortly after dinner if possible, you will not want to floss when you are very tired. Also, flossing after dinner keeps you from late-night eating.
• If flossing in the evening just doesn’t work, do it anytime.  The important thing is that you are disrupting the plaque every 24 hours.

Please comment below and let us know when you floss?

We welcome our guest writer and wellness partner, Dr. Michael Erhart,  a licensed specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Dr. Erhart’s Naperville, IL practice is limited to orthodontics for children, adolescents, and adults.

On average children are ready to begin comprehensive or “full” braces when they have lost all of their primary or baby teeth and the adolescent dentition is complete or nearly complete (having all of their adult teeth with the exception of wisdom teeth). This usually occurs between the ages of 11 to 13. However, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have a screening visit around the age of 7.

 Why so early? The reason is, this age typically coincides with the eruption of the upper and lower permanent incisors or front teeth. Now rest assured, most children do not need any treatment following their initial screenings and are simply placed on an annual or biannual schedule to continue to monitor their developing dentitions. These visits, along with your 6 month check ups with your family dentist, will assure you that your child is monitored appropriately.

On the other hand, it is also at this time that a number of early bite problems can occur and should be addressed at this early age.

Some common problems that you may be familiar with are:

• Anterior  and posterior cross bites (where the upper front incisor teeth do not overlap the lower front incisor teeth or the upper back molar teeth do not overlap the lower molar teeth respectively….. like a lid on a shoe box ). Leaving cross bites unresolved can result in uneven wear of the permanent teeth, undo pressure on opposing teeth, which can weaken the gums and supporting bone, and shifting of the lower jaw and bite, which can lead to uneven or asymmetric jaw growth. Solutions can involve palatal expanders and / or limited braces.
• Another common problem is significant crowding of the incisor teeth. In some cases the crowding is so severe that all of the new incisor teeth cannot properly erupt. This can be addressed with selected early removal of adjacent primary teeth by your dentist to temporarily gain space for the permanent incisors, or with orthodontic arch development (via palatal expanders and space maintainers) to help improve the available space for the new permanent teeth.

Together your family dentist and orthodontist can guide you throughout these important childhood years to help them achieve a healthy and pleasing smile.

Emergency at Sherman Oaks?

NO! Dr. Weyneth and the team were on their way out the door for CPR training, when we caught them practicing their CPR skills.

Rest assured, when you visit Sherman Oaks Dental, our Naperville Dental team is ready for any emergency!

• Does your bed partner complain about your snoring?
• Is your bed partner tired and irritable during the day?
• Does your bed partner show signs of depression?

A recent study by Sleep and Breathing, focused on the bed partners of snorers.  The study found that when a snorer was treated, the bed partners depression scores improved.

This was one of the first studies to include a snoring and/or sleep apnea sufferers bed partner.

At Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illlinois, we truly belive treating your sleep apnea and snoring can help improve your relationships!

Find out more about treating your snoring with an Oral Appliance by arranging a consultation with Dr. Lydia Sosenko of Naperville, Illinois.

Our friend, Debbie Slutzky of Nutrition and Health Counseling, shared this wonderful and Healthy Pie Recipe in Celebration of National Pie Day
Whole Wheat Pizza Pie
with Artichokes and Pecorino
Serves 4
When you start with store bought dough, homemade pizza
comes together in minutes. Look for whole-wheat dough in the refrigerator
section of health food stores and some supermarkets. Frozen artichoke hearts
are a convenient alternative to steaming fresh artichokes, and they retain much
of their nutrients. Counting both leaves and heart, 1 medium artichoke has 60
calories, more than 6g of fiber and 4g of protein. Olives are a good source of
Omega 3 fatty acid which is a type of unsaturated fat and is important for
cardiovascular and neurological health.

Ingredients:

4 frozen artichoke hearts, thawed or 1 jar marinated
artichoke hearts

1 TBSP fresh lemon juice

1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil, plus more for baking sheet

1 lb whole wheat pizza dough, room temperature (make sure
you leave the dough out of the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before using)

1 cup ricotta cheese, preferably fresh packed

2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved

3 oz pecorino Romano cheese, shaved with a vegetable
peeler

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

¼ cup packed fresh basil leaves

Directions:

1. Thinly slice the artichoke hearts crosswise,
   then place in a small bowl. Add lemon juice (if using frozen artichokes) and
   toss to coat.
2. Preheat oven to 550?F. Lightly oil a baking
   sheet. Stretch dough to a 12×16 oval. Place dough on prepared sheet and brush
   with 1 TBSP olive oil, making sure to coat the edges well. Scatter spoonfuls of
   ricotta over dough. Top evenly with tomatoes, artichokes, olives and
   three-quarters of the pecorino. Season with ¾ tsp salt (or to taste) and
   pepper.
3. Bake pizza until crust is browned and toppings
   are heated through, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with basil and
   remaining pecorino, and serve immediately.

Per serving:  579 calories; 9.7g saturated fat; 9.8g
unsaturated fat; 46.9mg cholesterol; 71g carbohydrates; 28.4g protein; 1307mg
sodium; 10.8g fiber

But you CAN Fix Them Fast,   with a Comfortable, Affordable,  Smile Makeover…

Discover How You Can Finally End Any Dental Problems, Embarrassment

And Frustrations With A Free Smile Makeover Consultation

If you are a spectacularly afraid dental patient who has put off needed dental care, or you look in the mirror and see a smile that embarrasses you, or if you’ve had bad dental experiences in the past, then this blog may just be the most gratifying one you’ve ever read.

Before we tell you the most common reasons why patients choose  our Award Winning Naperville Dental Office to give them the smile of their dreams, let me ask you a few questions:

• Do you dislike your chipped, missing, crooked, or stained teeth?
• Would you like to have whiter, straighter teeth that look magnificent?
• Would you like to look and feel 10 years younger and receive compliments about your attractive smile?
• Have you been putting off going to the dentist due to fear, anxiety or pain sensitivity?
• Have you ever wondered what it would be like to smile with CONFIDENCE and feel extremely ATTRACTIVE?
• Are you ever embarrassed or frustrated with your teeth and/or your smile?
• Do you have teeth that overlap, are twisted, crooked, or have gaps…and would like a simple pain-free solution that gives you a fantastic smile almost instantly?
• Do you want to smile with confidence once again by showing off the smile that you truly deserve? The one that lights up a room and sparkles?

If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, we can help you fix these problems while also giving you the smile you’ve always dreamed of. With advanced dentistry and our extensive training we can take any smile, no matter how bad, and turn it into a gorgeous smile that you would normally see on T.V. shows like “Extreme Makeover”.

When you have a more attractive smile, an excitement and confidence will ignite in you that you haven’t felt in a long time. Maybe even the same feeling that you got when you fell in love for the first time.

And all this happens very quickly! You may see your results INSTANTLY!

Quite simply, we believe coming in for your FREE Smile Makeover Consultation and finding out how we can help you out…without you feeling any pressure to do any care, will be the best thing you’ve ever done for your self-confidence.

When you come in, you will get a chance to see first hand what your smile can truly look like without having to agree to any kind of treatment. In fact, what’s so amazing about our camera is that we can show you different ways of getting your smile straighter, whiter, healthier, stronger, and much more BEFORE you ever agree to have any care!

When you come in, here’s something you really need to understand; our practice is filled with great, happy, and fun patients.  One of the main reasons is that when they come into our office, we treat them like family.

If you truly want healthier, more attractive and confident teeth, then please call today to set up your FREE Smile Makeover Consultation!

With you in mind,

Bryan Weyneth, D.D.S.

Feeling Tired?

Ask us about our Home Screening Night Test. 

Mary Ellen Hughes trying out the ARES at Home Sleep Screening Device, making sure the fit and feel will be comfortable for our patients.

 Determine how likely your snoring may be related to your overall health.

It is common for sleep apnea to go undiagnosed by physicians. Sleep apnea is difficult to detect during a routine office visit. Take a moment to answer the following questions

Snore – Do you snore?
Tired – Do you feel tired, fatigued or sleepy during the daytime?
Observed – Has your bed partner observed you stop breathing during your sleep?
Pressure – Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure?

Did you answer yes to any questions? Discuss the possibility of sleep apnea with your physician and let him/her know your concerns.

Dr. Lydia Sosenko, general dentist in Naperville, Illinois,  is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the founder of Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois.  She offers snoring and apnea patient’s relief through professional oral appliance device therapy. Visit www.TiredofSnoring.com for more information.

History of a T-Shirt?

We truly believe that by wearing this t-shirt

you can save a life or marriage….

How?

Recently one of our staff wore this shirt while mowing her lawn. That same day, a person stopped his car, got out and asked about it.  It turns out he’s been trying to wear a CPAP (the air pressure device with hoses) for quite some time, but has not been able to tolerate it!  He’s miserable and sleepy all the time even when driving…, and his wife is beside herself because of his snoring! Cathy, one of our sleep team, started educating him on what a great option oral applaince therapy is for apnea sufferers. We hope the rest is history and that he and his wife are sleeping once again!….. And my staff member feels great that she has affected their lives in such a way by wearing a shirt!

If you know of anyone else in your office that would like to possibly make a difference in someone else’s life, let us know…we give out a limited number of t-shirts per month and we’ll add them to our list.

Dr. Lydia Sosenko

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois

1-800-SNORING (in northern Illinois)

What are we about?

• We provide conservative treatment for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea patients.
• We provide an alternative treatment to CPAP therapy (compressor with hoses).
• Our therapy consists of a custom-fitted oral device similar to night guard for grinding of teeth.
• We work together with many physicians in the area and certified sleep centers.

Did you know that there are literally over 20 million adults in the U.S. that suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea and don’t even know it?

That’s why Jason F. feels so fortunate.  And because of this, his entire live has changed for the better.

Only 2 years ago Jason was referred to us because he felt overwhelming fatigued, and was not getting enough sleep.  He knew excess weight was also a factor.  After just a few short months Jason was a new person. Because of his successful oral appliance therapy, his energy and weight loss began to occur.  He started his own weight loss program with the support of other friends that have also lost considerable weight based on the TV reality show Biggest Losers.  He is now more energetic, alert and much happier.

Do you have an oral appliance success story?  We would love post it here and help other sleep apnea sufferers.  Send us your story: civersen@sbcglobal.net You might be able to help someone change their life!

The latest studies, published August 11, 2011 by the Journal of American Medical Association,  have found that older women with sleep apnea are twice as likely to develop dementia than those without sleep apnea.

“This is the first study to show that sleep apnea MAY lead to cognitive impairment,” study leader Dr. Kristine Yaffe, professor of psychiatry, neurology and epidemiology at the University of California at San Francisco, said in a written statement. “It suggests that there is a biological connection between sleep and cognition.”  retrieved 8/18/11: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20090746-10391704.html

298 women, over the age of 65, made up the group that participated in the study. None of these women had suffered from dementia in the 5 years previous to the study. The study found 32.5% suffered from dementia or mild cognitive impairment, half of these women had untreated sleep apnea. The study suggested treatment for sleep apnea could prevent or help prevent the onset of dementia.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a life threatening and life altering condition that causes a person to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. The oxygen deprivation that results can trigger severe health problems. The restless sleep that also results from OSA affects the quality of life of individuals. The bed partner’s sleep can also be disrupted by his or her partner’s snoring, pauses in breathing and restless sleep.

What happens during a sleep apnea event?

• The muscles in the throat relax and the tongue is sucked against the throat blocking the airway.
• The entire upper airway is blocked causing air flow to stop.
• Air (and oxygen) cannot flow into the lungs.
• When the oxygen level in the brain becomes low enough, the sleeper partially awakens, the obstruction in the throat clears, and the flow of air starts again – usually with a loud gasp or snort.
• People with untreated apnea are generally not aware of the awakenings but only of being sleepy during the day.
• Loud snoring, mixed with periods of silence (apnea), is typical but is not always present, especially in children.

How can you treat sleep apnea?

The specific therapy selected for an individual with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is based on the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and the results of the polysomnography. Multiple treatments are available for OSA including, but not limited to :

• Behavioral modifications (see below)
• CPAP
• Oral appliance therapy
• Surgery
• Pharmacological treatment – currently marginally effective

In many cases, Oral Appliance Therapy is the best option for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. To find out more about Oral Appliance Therapy, and how Dr. Lydia Sosenko of Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois can treat your sleep apnea, please  visit our website: TiredofSnoring.com

Referenced Articles:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904480904576498492704793076.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matthew-edlund-md/sleep-apnea-and-dementia_b_924597.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20090746-10391704.html

Knowing how to handle dental emergencies can mean the difference between saving or losing a permanent tooth!

With families more active during the summer months, it’s a good idea to have on hand some important tips to help smooth over or help with summer dental emergency problems. We’ve put together a quick list of problems and recommendations.

Knocked-Out Tooth:

• If it is a permanent tooth, it is important to retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown, and rinse off the root of the tooth if it is dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, put the tooth back in its socket. If that is not possible, put it in a container with milk or water and then call our office, 630 369-5225, to get in to see our dentists as soon as possible.  Timing in a knocked-out tooth is important  and you need to see a dentist as soon as possible.
• If it is a baby tooth, contact your our Naperville dentist, 630 369-5225, but do not attempt to reinsert the tooth.

Broken Tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water to keep the area clean and contact your dentist’s office.  If you are unable to get to the dental office or travelling, some pharmacies sell temporary materials that when placed over the chipped portion can help cut down on some of the sensitivity

Bitten Tongue or Lip: Clean the area gently with a cloth and then apply cold compresses to reduce the swelling. If the bleeding does not stop, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.

Objects Caught Between the Teeth: Try to gently remove the object with dental floss and avoid damaging the gums. Do not use a sharp instrument. The best item to use is a plastic toothpick that has an angulated tip. If not successful in removing the object, visit your dentist.

Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean out the area. Make sure there is no food or any other object lodged around the tooth. Use dental floss to clean the area thoroughly.
Never put aspirin or any other painkiller on the gums or around the painful tooth because it can burn the gums, thus causing more harm than good.

Since dental pain can be caused from a variety of things, it’s best to contact your dentist.  Until you see the dentist, avoid temperature extremes and biting on that side of your mouth where the pain is.

Cap or crown that has come out– Occasionally a patient has a crown or ‘cap’ restoration that has been dislodged.  Call your dentist to evaluate, replace or re-cement your crown.  If you are unable to get to the dentist quickly, we have found some of the over the counter temporary cements helpful.  Read the directions very carefully if this path is chosen. Re-cementing a crown in a different position than what is was made for can cause increased discomfort.

  Sherman Oaks Dental is doing our part to follow the words of our founding father, John Adams, and celebrate America’s Independence Day”It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever.”

 Sparklers for our patients through the end of the week of July 1st!

If you could chose to sleep in a snore-free room every night would you?  Snoring is joked about continually, but people forget snoring is a deadly and dangerous medical condition.

Here is my list of 7 Dangers of Snoring You Need to Know!

1. Odds are snorers have: a 40% chance of an increase in hypertension, 34% chance of having a heart attack, and a 67% chance of having a stroke.
2. One-half of all patients that snore have OBSTRUCTIVE APNEA. Even mild apnea causes oxygen starvation to your brain and increases the risk of death.
3. Snoring can produce over 100 awakenings each hour, resulting in fatigue, decreased concentration and excessive sleepiness!
4. Habitual Snoring has a negative affect on relationships.
5. Apnea is frequently misdiagnosed and treated as depression. Snorers with apnea events are 20% more likely to become depressed.
6. Snorers who suffer from apnea double their chance of being involved in a car crash.
7. Many children with sleep disorders associated with snoring are mistakenly diagnosed with ADHD or ADD.

 If you’re snoring now, or your bed partner is snoring, what is stopping you from seeking treatment?

Snoring sufferers now have options.  Consider Oral Appliance Therapy to treat your sleep apnea.

7 Advantages of Using an Oral Appliance:

1. FDA approved.
2. Physician Recommended.
3. Comfortable.
4. Convenient.
5. Effective Treatment.
6. Easily Transportable.
7. Professionally Fit to Each Individual.

Don’t waste another night of snoring, consult with your physician and let him/her know your concerns. Call my office – 1-800 Snoring (in Northern Illinois) or 630 369-5508 and Stop snoring now!

Dr. Lydia Sosenko, Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine

Our patients often ask our dental team, “How often should I brush my teeth”.  The American Dental Association recommends brushing AND flossing 2 times per day. Our hygienist at Sherman Oaks Dental, in Naperville, would like us to remind you of a few important brushing tips:

1. Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes. Time yourself today to see how long you do brush your teeth for. The average is just 30 seconds!
2. Brush your teeth after you eat sugary or sticky foods.  Candy is not the only culprit of cavities, beware of fruit chews, juice, and any food that gets caught in your teeth.
3. Floss your teeth daily! Flossing removes plaque and food debris from inbetween your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.
4. Replace your toothbrush!  It’s surprising how long you might be keeping an old toothbrush. Here’s some tips on when to replace:
   • After you have been ill.
   • When bristles begin to fray
   • A general rule of thumb is every 3 months – mark your calendar to keep up.
5. Visit our dentists 2 times per year, every 6 months to be sure your oral health continues to be the best it can be.

Do you have a question for our dentists? Ask us on facebook!  We would love to answer your questions.

Without treatment, middle-aged men are much more likely to suffer fatal consequences from OSA (obstructive sleep apnea).  In OSA, a person’s airway collapses causing the individual to struggle to breathe while asleep. This study highlights that men with OSA have a 58% higher risk of developing heart failure.  Men with the most severe OSA had a 68% higher risk for developing heart disease than those who do not have OSA. 

 Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea is described as 30 or more breathing interruptions.  These interruptions cause oxygen depletion and can last at least 10 seconds.  Accompanying burst of adrenaline from sudden wakefulness increases blood pressure, which possibly contributes to vascular problems, according to researchers.

 Researchers add that most people suffering from OSA do not get diagnosed until years and up to a decade after the onset of symptoms.  Therefore, those most at risk for associated cardiovascular death are those individuals ages 30 to 50.   “The take-away from our study is that obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition that warrants medical treatment, said Daniel J. Gottlieb, M.D., M.P.H., lead study author and associate professor at Boston University’s School of Medicine. “Many patients don’t experience symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, such as daytime sleepiness, or if they do, don’t mention it during routine medical exams. It’s important for anyone who suspects they have obstructive sleep apnea to discuss it with their primary care physician.”     (July, 2010) Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

At Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois, we can help you understand your risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and align a treatment that best meets your needs and lifestyle.  Prevent serious health consequences and consult with us today.

Lydia Sosenko, D.D.S., D.ABDSM
Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois (630)369-5508

Naperville, Illinois
1-800-SNORING in Northern IL only
TiredOfSnoring.com

ACo-authors are: Gayane Yenokyan, M.D., Ph.D.; Anne B. Newman, M.D., M.P.H.; George T. O’Connor, M.D., M.Sc.; Naresh M. Punjabi, M.D., Ph.D.; Stuart F. Quan, M.D.; Susan Redline, M.D., M.P.H.; Helaine E. Resnick, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Elisa K. Tong, M.D., M.A.; Marie Diener-West, Ph.D.; and Eyal Shahar, M.D., M.P.H. Author disclosures are on the manuscript.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute funded the study.

Please stay tuned to our blog this week as we share with our readers the truth about Drowsy Driving.

Our first celebrity,  drowsy driver:  Alex Trebek.

Please follow this link: Drowsy-Driving-Facts to the National Sleep Foundation to get the 2010 Facts on Drowsy Driving.

1550 Deaths, 71,000 accidents.

Help Reduce these numbers.

Get the Sleep You Need, Every Night.

What are some telltale signs that you are not getting enough sleep?

• Loud snoring more than 4 times per week
• Being told you gasp for air during sleep
• Daytime drowsiness
• Waking with a headache
• A large neck – 17”+ in men, 16”+ in women
• High blood pressure

Do you wake up every morning fully rested and ready to start your day?

Millions of Americans do not get the sleep they need; in fact, 40 million Americans suffer from over 70 different sleep disorders.

The first signs of lack of sleep:

• Irritability
• Moodiness
• Reduced Inhibition

If you do not act upon these first warning signs, your symptoms will become more severe.

A few signs of continued lack of sleep:

• Lapse in attention
• Dozing off during activity: work, reading and even driving
• Impaired Memory
• Apathy

You may notice forgetfulness and irritability, but you may not notice the hidden signs.  These signs are life-threatening, including: hypertension and increased risk of strokes, weight-gain, erectile dysfunction and much more.

What can you do to help yourself get the sleep you need? Set a sleep pattern for yourself and get yourself into a regular sleep routine.  Start with the minimum of 7 hours for a consecutive week.  If you awake unrested, add 30 minutes each night until you notice your alertness return.

If you are getting a full nights sleep and STILL wake unrefreshed and fatigued throughout the day, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. Please, consult with your physician and let him know you are concerned.

Dr. Sosenko is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the founder of Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois.  She offers snoring and apnea sufferer’s relief through professional oral appliance device therapy. Visit www.TiredofSnoring.com for more information.

 Take 15 minutes and listen in and watch Dr. Sosenko’s power point presentation on her web replay:

follow this link:  Dr. Sosenko’s OTC Snoring Devices: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good

• OTC Devices are inexpensive
• OTC Devices can be purchased at many drugstores

The Bad       

Unsupervised wearing of these devices can lead to permanent side effects including: permanent dental damage, tooth movement, and jaw problems. Due to OTC construction, the potential for failure is high, discouraging FDA approved and physician recommended treatment with professionally fitted and custom-made Oral Appliances.

 The Ugly

Most importantly, many who try boil and bite devices may be masking obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a life threatening condition in which a person stops breathing repeatedly through the night.

 If you are snoring, or believe you may be suffering from sleep apnea, Please discuss your situation with your physician. 

Dr. Sosenko is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the founder of Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois.  She offers snoring and apnea sufferer’s relief through professional oral appliance device therapy. For more information visit her website: www.TiredofSnoring.com .

Warmly,

Dr. Lydia Sosenko, D.D.S., D.ABDSM

Founder, Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois

Many insomniacs also suffer from apnea, but sleep labs rarely address this disorder. While some patients have found assistance through traditional medicinal therapies, cures for insomnia have eluded patients and physicians. More and more people have become aware of the problem and its frequency today. Traditional medicinal therapies have assisted some patients, but every insomnia patient is different. Cognitive therapy based approaches show the most promise for long-term effectiveness. The Personal Health Monitoring Corporation has combined expertise in physiology, behavior, and technology to provide Somnio, an internet-based approach to cognitive/behavioral therapy that shows promise to cure insomnia. Patients provide information and sleep-lab information provides feedback that assists the distance therapist who can then give advice, and monitor changes in sleep patterns. Patients electronically complete sleep diaries and answers to questionnaires driven by their responses. Patients can enter the information from home at their convenience. The process typically involves one session a week for eight weeks. The therapist can then provide information to help a patient improve their sleep environment, sleep patterns, behaviors and discuss challenges and belief patterns. Early results from the program developers report at least an 80% cure rate.
(more…)

The Odyssey Diode Laser!

The Odyssey Laser is the latest laser dental technology available for soft tissue(gums) and preventative care. Our patients benefits include less pain and discomfort during the healing phase after their treatment.

Without the need of injected anesthetics, soft tissue is vaporized and modified without bleeding. The diode is safe, no x-rays. And the resulting laser wound is self-sealing. There is no suturing required. Because there are no scalpel incisions or charring associated with elctrosurge techniques, there is a very low chance of infection.

Lasers are the most precise, least traumatic, and will heal with less post-operative pain than any other technique. Find out more about the Laser at:  http://www.ivoclarvivadent.us/odyssey/about/index.php

Mouth sores do not have to be traumatic, painful and long-lasting.  Call our office, 630 369-5225 to schedule an appointment and treat your painful mouth sores.

An Office Opperatory, Clean, Comfortable, Safe.

Safety Comes First

 Our Naperville dental office is a very safe place to be.  We’re committed to providing our family of patients the most up-to-date in dental technology.

We are pleased to announce that we now are using Digital x-rays, offering our patients more than 75% less radiation than traditional dental x rays.

Not only do digital x rays offer lower radiation, they also are time-saving to our patients.  There is less wait time for x rays to develop, creating faster appointments to get our patients back to their everyday activities.

What other safety precautions do we take?

Our high-tech Sterilization Center is vital to our daily operation. We use environmentally safe products.  We follow stringent sterilization and instrument protocols.  After all, we work here daily and protecting you also means protecting us.

By Rochell D. Thomas
Here we turn to the minted diet experts from NBC’s The
Biggest Loser for free advice. And why not? After all, under the guidance of the show’s ace team of doctors and
physical trainers,  many contestants lose more than 100 pounds in eight months — without surgery. Even more impressive, is that some of  those people did it at home with no help from super trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, so they must be doing something right. If dropping a few is on your list of New Year’sresolutions, consider the following:

Eat five or six small meals a day /
Amy Hildreth, lost 106 pounds-

Most of the BL3 dieters eat six or seven 300-calorie small meals each day because, as Hildreth learned, “You have to eat to lose.” “That was something that I never quite wrapped my head around before,” she says. “I thought when you’re hungry that means you’re losing weight. But that’s not the case. You need to keep your body fueled to continually lose and to have the energy to work out and perpetuate the cycle.”

Keep count / Jaron Tate, lost 160
pounds- “Know how many calories your body needs and how many calories you’re
actually stuffing into your mouth,” says Tate, who now eats 1,800 to 2,000 calories per day. “A quarter-pounder with cheese is 850 calories. A large apple [which weighs about the same] is 100. And if you’re having a salad, put salsa on it instead of ranch.” Two tablespoons of ranch dressing:
220 calories. Salsa: 20.

Ginnie Borque, lost 114 pounds-

“I do a lot of little things,” says Borque, one of the 36 Biggest Loser at Home dieters. “I don’t like coffee without sugar and cream, so I switched to tea. I started carrying water bottles wherever I go, traded cocktails for Diet Coke, and I fill up on broccoli instead of French fries.”

Stop the excuses and start making SMALL changes that can change your life!

In our next blog, we’ll tell you how our staff at Sherman  Oaks Dental in Naperville, Illinois, has stopped making excuses and started making both LARGE and small changes in our lives!

Sherman Oaks Open House 2009

Many thanks to all of our guests and sponsors at our 3rd annual Toys for Tots Holiday Toy Drive.

We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends and family as they came to celebrate with us and share gifts for the Marines toy drive.  It was a fantastic afternoon, and a wonderful way for us to begin this magnificent Holiday Season!

It’s True, so many whitening products are available on the market, it’s hard to decide which is best for you!

Dr. Weyneth, of Naperville, Illinois, helps his patients make the best decision dependant upon each patients individual needs.  The systems typiccally are made of two types of whitening agents, carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide.  These will be provided in different concentrations.

There are also many different delivery systems for whitening your teeth.  There are strips, stock trays, custom trays, paint ons and direct application. The products have many different trademark names, however, this is not the most significant for results.  It is critical that the solution is near neutral pH and will not damage the tooth structure.  Some products may contain abrasives that can wear your tooth enamel.

The remaining safe tooth whitening products will all accomplis the desired results.

Differences of Tooth Whitening Products

• The Delivery System
• The Concentration of Solutions
• Patient Tooth Characteristics
• Time

How do you achieve the fastest results?  In the office with multiple  changes of solution, typically with light application.  These in-office systems insure all tooth surfaces are equally in contact with the solution, producing an even whitening  result.

The next approach?  Custom trays made to fit the patients teeth.  The patient typically applies the solution at home for 1-2 weeks to achieve the desired result.

Other options?  Over-the-counter methods, including strips, pencils, or stock trays.  The difficulty in these systems is insuring complete coverage of all tooth surfaces with equal concentrations of solutions.  Solutions are also in a lower concentrations.  This will increase the time period necessary for achieving desired results.

Whitening can be successful in all the above applications.  At Sherman Oaks Dental, I  help our patients achieve  custom results based on each individual patients needs.  Over-the-counter products can be less predictible.  Also, I will provide an assessment of the patients teeth to determin if whitening should be attempted.  Existing resorations, gum disease, broken teeth, and root exposure are some of the conditions that should be assessed prior to undergoing a whitening procedure.  At Sherman Oaks Dental, we’ll help you whiten your teeth, achieve a brighter smile, but most of all, be safe!

It’s true, many of todays popular foods and drinks contain a high acid content and can lead to enamel loss.  Repeated exposure to acidic foods, drinks and/or acids from the stomach gradually cause your tooth enamel to dissolve.  Soda, fruit, fruit juices, wine and salad dressings are all capable of causing enamel loss.

What are the Signs of acid wear to your tooth enamel? :

• Teeth appear dull and yellow. As enamel loss progresses, so do color changes.
• Teeth feel more sensitive to cold or hot, acids and sweets.

Soda, fruit juices, energy drinks and sport beverages are the leading causes of enamel loss.  Energy drinks and lemonade cause the most harm of all drinks.  These foods not only contain a large amount of sugar (19 tsps of sugar in a 20 oz. Mountain Dew) but they also contain acid.  The phosphoric and citric acids found in these drinks lower the neutral Ph of the mouth and start to dissolve the hard enamel on the teeth.

·Brewed Tea pH 7.2
·Brewed Coffee pH 5.51
·Gatorade pH 2.94
·Diet soda pH 2.47-3.67
·Coke pH 2.53
·Battery Acid pH 1.0

Calcium and phosphorus work together in the body to form healthy teeth and bones.  If you ingest too much phosphorus,pH, your body excretes it along with calcium.  If you do not have adequate calcium intake, the body takes it from your bones. While it is not possible to replace the missing enamel, there are some things that you can do to minimize the damage.

A MODERN DAY MYTH:  Pregnancy does not cause loss of calcium in the teeth and lead to tooth loss.  Pregnant women tend to eat or drink more frequently through their pregnancy and that, along with poor dental habits, can lead to dental problems.
 

5 Steps to Minimize Enamel Loss in Teeth
1. Eliminate sodas, sugary and sports drinks.  If a soft drink is consumed, it is best to drink it through a straw, minimizing exposure to the teeth.

2. Drink your soda with a meal instead of drinking it alone or sipping throughout the day. Each time you drink, you expose your mouth to 20 minutes of an “acid bath” which causes tooth damage. Rinse your mouth with water after consuming an acidic drink or food before you brush your teeth.  The water helps neutralize the acid in the mouth.

3. Chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva and maintain a healthy Ph level in your mouth.

4. Brush your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste.  Fluoride has been proven to strengthen the existing tooth structure.  Check with your dentist or dental hygienist to see if they may recommend a prescription strength fluoride toothpaste.

5. Receive  a professional fluoride treatment at your dentists office.

By changing your diet and habits, using fluorides and other supplements and visiting your dental professionals at Sherman Oaks Dental on a regular basis, we can work together to keep your smile healthy for a lifetime.

Looking for more information?

Visit wedmd for more information:  http://www.crestprohealth.com/dental-hygiene-topics/tooth-enamel.aspx

Crest has a great page with pictures:  http://www.crestprohealth.com/dental-hygiene-topics/tooth-enamel.aspx

Our Naperville Dental Office specializes in helping our patients achieve the smile of their dreams.  Come in and find out why our patients love our office!  With our location just minutes from I-88, our patients live not only in Naperville, additionally Warrenville, Wheaton, Lisle, Aurora, Plainfield, Oswego, Glen Ellyn and the surrounding Western Suburbs.  Call us today to schedule your next appointment

With so many people searching for jobs with our current economy, first impressions may be invaluable for a successful interviewing.

First impressions are often based on appearance, and a person’s smile is a one of your strongest components of that first impression.  Not only can a “bad smile” lead to a poor confidence factor during a potential employee’s interview, the potential employer may consciously or subconsciously consider it as a negative factor.  On the other hand, a beautiful smile can increase one’s confidence as well as provide a great lasting impression over other applicants.

So before you start your interview process you may want to look at a mirror and smile wide? Make sure you also look from the side with use of an extra hand mirror reflecting off a larger one.  Many people forget that when they look dead on at themselves, they are actually limiting how much another person can see —the further sides of teeth from the middle of the face are usually not seen by looking directly.

Then ask yourself:

• Are your teeth as bright as they can be?
• Any visible dark old fillings?
• Are there any spaces that are very distracting?
• Is your level of gum making your teeth look too small?

If all of the above were “no” then consider these tips to help you interview:

1.  Don’t forget to brush and floss and your regular routine.
2.  Don’t eat right before the interview.
3.  Don’t smoke. Smoking adds stains and many non-smokers find the lingering smell to be extremely offensive.
4.  Avoid chewing gum during your interview. Consider having a mint on your way if you are concerned about your breath.
5.  And don’t forget to SMILE! Not smiling may make you appear unfriendly and uncaring.

If you answered yes to any of the above questions smile questions, call our office 630 – 369-5225 and ask for us to send you our Smile Enhancement Menu which covers a wide range of options to achieve a ‘knock out smile’!  And don’t forget to visit our website:  napervilledentistry.comto find out more about the many options Dr. Sosenko and Dr. Weyneth can offer to you to give you that extra boost of confidence!

Gum health or periodontal health has often been taken for granted at our Family Dental Practice in Naperville. Dr. Weyneth and I strongly value the importance of your ’gum and tooth supporting bone’, we ALWAYS review what we call your “gum pockets or probings” at your cleanings and dental exminations.  These ’pockets’ are measured in millimeters.  At Sherman Oaks we take 6 measurements PER TOOTH covering all sides of each tooth.  These measurements help us determine how healthy the structure are around your teeth is. If an area of concern is apparent, we show you or discuss with you options you have to improve those deep measurements and improve the overall health of your teeth.  Our gentle dental hygienists are ’experts’ at discussing options to gain optimal health of these important structures.

Over the years, I have found that many people do not understand that if they have beautiful healthy looking teeth without any fillings, etc, they can still lose teeth if their ’gum health’ is not at a healthy level!  Gum disease has very few symptoms, often being described as a “hidden” disease.  Periodontal disease is considered the top reason why adults lose teeth in the United States — not cavities!

What’s even more disturbing is that I often come across patients that have been treated routinely with cleanings before coming to us.  These patients are exhibiting “deepened pocket readings” when we evaluate them and these patients have not be made aware of their conditions!  WHY?  Here are some questions I consider in cases like these:
1. Have these patients not been following up with their recommended number of professional cleanings  by their hygienist?
2.  Have they been rushed through their cleanings without detail on how to improved their troubled areas?
3.  Were they visiting a practice not focusing on prevention?
4.  Has anyone discussed with them the importance of thorough gum screenings and cleaning?
5.  Have they been referred to a periodontist or gum specialist and not followed through with a visit?

Whatever the reason may be that we see patients with extreme “Gum Pockets”, it is our priority to help our patients improve their gum health as soon as possible!  Our focus is to keep your teeth healthy for a LIFETIME!!!

Dr. Lydia Sosenko

Naperville General Dentist

by Dr. Lydia Sosenko of Sherman Oaks Dental of Naperville

This question ranks as one of the top 3 questions in the national questionnaire discussed on my last blog. Are all those commercials discussing “most recommended by dentists….” truly a reality?  Well, I often chuckle when I come across commercials advertising toothpastes and rinses, because I often wonder who do they really ask?  I personally have not put in my vote. At the end of our blog we’ll share with you my personal favorite as well as some of our team members’ votes.

Looking from a standpoint as a consumer and a dentist I would agree that the following factors need to be thought of when picking the best toothpaste: good taste, pleasant texture, good thickness-not too runny or too thick, pleasant clean sensation after use and a good protecting factor from cavities and plaque.

Many individuals don’t realize that some toothpastes have all of these factors but can cause increased sensitivity of the teeth, increased chance of canker sores or other gum irritations, and an increase in wear of teeth!

So let’s get to the answer of the question, which toothpaste really is the best? Well, you might not like the answer but there really isn’t any one particular fluoridated toothpaste that is best for everyone.  As a dentist I don’t find much value to any of the ‘added whitening and tartar control factors’.  If you are brushing correctly-(–which is far more crucial in preventing dental problems), tartar control additives are not needed, and no dentists that I know throw a lot of value on the whitening additives.  There simply is no replacement for professional or localized whitening treatments.

An important factor that most consumers are not aware of is that different toothpastes have different levels of abrasiveness or what we call relative dentin abrasivity.  Although increased abrasiveness can be tougher on surface stains caused by tea or smoking, it has minimal or no affect on staining ‘within’ teeth or naturally discolored teeth.  This increase in abrasiveness can cause an increase in sensitivity especially if even the smallest amount of gum recession is evident by stripping the outer layer of these exposed areas.

So here are the questions I or our hygienists would ask before giving you your best toothpaste pick:

• Are you brushing and flossing correctly?
• Are you using a manual or electric toothbrush? (More on this on an upcoming blog…)
• Do you have any gum recession areas?
• Do you have any sensitive teeth?
• Do you smoke or have external stains or your teeth?

To decide which toothpaste is best for you, discuss the answers of these questions with your dental care provider. As for us, here are some of our toothpaste favorites at Sherman Oaks Dental:

Dr.Sosenko-“  Colgate Cavity Protection (the original type of pastes or gels without all the extras) – . I have 1 small area of gum recession that gets sensitive with some of the more abrasive toothpastes and it  has a lower level of abrasivity. Love the taste…”

Dr. Weyneth – “Crest products without the tartar control and whitening additives….like the taste and don’t believe in the value of the additives…”

Mary Ellen (Clinical Director)– Colgate Cavity Protection –“ love the taste and don’t need all the extras.”

Barb (Hygienist) – “Colgate Cavity Protection….others make my teeth sensitive or cause my gums to get irritated….”

Cathy- (Office Manager) –“Colgate Total –loves the taste and feels long lasting fresh feeling…”

Lisa (Clinical Assistant) –“Crest Pro-Health Night – like the feeling of the extra scrubbing power of this ‘gritty’ toothpaste..”

Rosa- (Patient Coordinator )”Crest Pro-Health–like the grittiness scrubbing power and clean feel…”

More of our team members’ votes will be posted on our next newsletter as well as a list of common toothpastes and their relative dentin abrasivity indexes which are rarely listed on toothpaste packaging.

Call our Naperville office today, 630 369-5225, and schedule your next gentle cleaning appointment and our general dental team will help you find out which tooth paste is best for you. Our family of patients come from Naperville, Wheaton, Aurora, Lisle, Warrenville, Plainfield and many more suburbs. Come visit us today or visit www.NapervilleDentistry.com for our special internet welcome offer.

Just the other day I came across a brilliant article in one of my many dental journals that discusses the top 10 concerns and questions brought up to hygienists and dentists in family dental offices throughout the country.  It was an informative article surprisingly showing that the hygienist involved in the study found the same top 10 questions being brought up whether the patients lived in the West Coast or the East Coast, rurla or large city, frankly anywhere throughout the country!  Over the next several blogs, I will be shedding some light to these questions and concerns!!

I love this question:  “Which is the best toothbrush or toothpaste to use?”  Check it out on my blog tomorrow!

A recent study claims to show that wives of snorers suffer symptoms of sleep disturbance and the consequences of sleep deprivation, two to three times as often as women with husbands who do not snore.  The same finding should prove to apply to men living with women who snore.  While snoring is more frequent in men than women (41% vs. 28%), together male and female snorers make up one-third of the population – – an extremely common problem! . . . . Wives of patients reported problems with insomnia, daytime fatigue, daytime sleepiness, awakening unrefreshed from sleep, and morning headaches.

Don’t wait any longer to get a good nights sleep.  Treat you’re snoring now!!  Call Dr. Lydia Sosenko in Naperville to help you stay healthy!

Why does my child snore when sleeping?

Should I be concerned?

How can snoring affect my child’s health?

These questions are well documented and researched!!!

Snoring is a condition that may indicate a restricted air flow while sleeping.  In more severe cases it may indicate apnea.  This is a condition were breathing stops coompletely for many seconds before restarting.  Obstructive sleep apnea can be a life threatening condition.

If your child snores, they may have enlarged tonsils and adenoids.  They may also have a small mouth cavity.  The typical child may exhibit reduced daytime concentration or sleepiness.  Many are obese and show failure to thrive.  They may also have difficulty performing well in sports and activities.

Parents with children that exhibit these symptoms should have them screened.  Treatments include removal of tonsils and adenoids.  In other cases expansion of the palate and upper teeth with an oral appliance can help to increase the air space.  Snoring is not cute in children I may be an early warning sign of a more serious condition!

Do you have more questions about your child’s snoring?  Call us today, 630 369-5225.  Dr. Lydia Sosenko, a Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine with office in Naperville, Illinois, can answer all of your snoring questions.

Ok, it’s true, everyone has bad breath on occasion.  But, some people find that they have a continual and often embarrassing problem.  Did you know that while 90% of the population has periodic bad breath, 40% of our population actually suffer from chronic halitosis!  If you are one of these 40%, continue to brush, floss and rinse with mouthwash, but come in to Sherman Oaks Dental in Naperville, Illinois and our Dr. Lydia Sosenko and Dr. Bryan Weyneth can help you to achieve a solution for chronic halitosis.

Halitosis is both a dental and medical problem.  The dead cells causing the breath odor, are destructive to oral tissue, in turn leading to gum disease.  What else contributes to bad breath?  Pockets in your gums trapping debris as well as rough surfaces on your tongue.

Come in today for a complete dental examine, and let us help you stop being embarrassed and start smiling!  Call us today, 630 369-5225.  We can help you.

Root planing and scaling is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe and to save yourself expensive Dental Care early!!!  At Sherman Oaks Dental in Naperville, Illinois, we strive to provide preventive dental treatments.

Root planing and scaling cleans between the gums and the teeth down to the roots. A local anesthetic may be used to numb your gums and the roots of your teeth. Planing and scaling causes little or no discomfort.  Root planing and scaling is done when gums have either started to pull away from the teeth or the roots of the teeth have hard mineral deposits (tartar) on them.

If you maintain good dental care after the procedure, the progression of gum disease should stop, and your gums will heal and become firm and pink again.  Root planing and scaling is a simple procedure that can be very effective in stopping gum disease. Brush and floss regularly afterward. Without proper dental care, your gum disease may progress. To promote healing, stop all use of tobacco. It decreases your ability to fight infection of your gums and delays healing.

Call our Naperville office today, 630 369-5225, and schedule our next Hygiene Appointment.  We have patients throughout the western Chicagoland suburbs, including Wheaton, Aurora, Lisle, Warrenville, and Plainfield, just to name a few, that come to us for our gentle and caring check-ups.  Try us out today!

One of the most difficult situations arise among dentists when confronted with a new patient who says “I haven’t had a cavity in 20 years!…” at  the beginning of the new patient exam.  After careful evaluation of the patient’s  x-rays, teeth and periodontal (gums and supporting structure) several small cavities are found. This is a typical situation that may arise if the previous dentist was not using an early cavity detection device such as the Diagnodent.

The Diagnodent is a wonderful tool that has been used in our office for several years now. The Diagnodent is a pen-like probe that sends a safe, painless laser beam into the tooth and checks its health. A number scale and an alarm will signal when there are signs of hidden decay which allows us to determine if decay is lurking beneath the apparently healthy tooth surface.

By using such a device early cavities are found years prior to discovering them through x-rays or visually in which these cavities would have progressed  to a more complex situation requiring more extensive and costly treatment. Using such a device can save money and discomfort by getting to cavities when they are very small often requiring minimal treatment.

With so many people searching for jobs with our current economy, first impressions may be invaluable for a successful interviewing.

First impressions are often based on appearance, and a person’s smile is a one of your strongest components of that first impression.  Not only can a “bad smile” lead to a poor confidence factor during a potential employee’s interview, the potential employer may consciously or subconsciously consider it as a negative factor.  On the other hand, a beautiful smile can increase one’s confidence as well as provide a great lasting impression over other applicants.

So before you start your interview process you may want to look at a mirror and smile wide? Make sure you also look from the side with use of an extra hand mirror reflecting off a larger one.  Many people forget that when they look dead on at themselves, they are actually limiting how much another person can see —the further sides of teeth from the middle of the face are usually not seen by looking directly. Then ask yourself:

Are your teeth as bright as they can be? Any visible dark older fillings? Are there any spaces that are very distracting? Is your level of gum making your teeth look too small?

If all of the above were “no” then consider these tips to help you interview:

1. Don’t forget to brush and floss and your regular routine.
2. Don’t eat right before the interview.
3. Don’t smoke. Smoking adds stains and many non-smokers find the lingering smell to be extremely offensive.
4. Avoid chewing gum during your interview. Consider having a mint on your way if you are concerned about your breath.
5. And don’t forget to SMILE! Not smiling may make you appear unfriendly and uncaring.

If you answered yes to any of the above questions smile questions, call our office and ask for us to send you our Smile Enhancement Menu which covers a wide range of options to achieve a ‘knock out smile’!

Many of today’s popular foods and drinks can lead to enamel loss, caused by their high acid content.  Repeated exposure to acidic foods, drinks and/or acids from the stomach gradually cause your tooth enamel to dissolve.  Soda, fruit, fruit juices, wine and salad dressings are all capable of causing enamel loss.

Signs of acid wear to your tooth enamel:

• Teeth appear dull and yellow. As enamel loss progresses, so do color changes.
• Teeth feel more sensitive to cold or hot, acids and sweets.

Soda, fruit juices, energy drinks and sport beverages are the leading causes of enamel loss.  Energy drinks and lemonade cause the most harm of all drinks.  These foods not only contain a large amount of sugar (19 tsps of sugar in a 20 oz. Mountain Dew) but they also contain acid.  The phosphoric and citric acids found in these drinks lower the neutral pH of the mouth and start to dissolve the hard enamel on the teeth.

• Brewed Tea pH 7.2
• Brewed Coffee pH 5.51
• Gatorade pH 2.94
• Diet soda pH 2.47-3.67
• Coke pH 2.53
• Battery Acid pH 1.0

Calcium and phosphorus work together in the body to form healthy teeth and bones.  If you ingest too much phosphorus,pH, your body excretes it along with calcium.  If you do not have adequate calcium intake, the body takes it from your bones. While it is not possible to replace the missing enamel, there are some things that you can do to minimize the damage.

A MODERN DAY MYTH:  Pregnancy does not cause loss of calcium in the teeth and lead to tooth loss.  Pregnant women tend to eat or drink more frequently through their pregnancy and that, along with poor dental habits, can lead to dental problems.

5 Steps to Minimize Enamel Loss in Teeth

1. Eliminate sodas, sugary and sports drinks.  If a soft drink is consumed, it is best to drink it through a straw, minimizing exposure to the teeth.
2. Drink your soda with a meal instead of drinking it alone or sipping throughout the day. Each time you drink, you expose your mouth to 20 minutes of an “acid bath” which causes tooth damage. Rinse your mouth with water after consuming an acidic drink or food before you brush your teeth.  The water helps neutralize the acid in the mouth.
3. Chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva and maintain a healthy Ph level in your mouth.
4. Brush your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste.  Fluoride has been proven to strengthen the existing tooth structure.  Check with your dentist or dental hygienist to see if they may recommend a prescription strength fluoride toothpaste.
5. Receive  a professional fluoride treatment at your dentists office.

By changing your diet and habits, using fluorides and other supplements and visiting your dental professionals at Sherman Oaks Dental on a regular basis, we can work together to keep your smile healthy for a lifetime.

Are your teeth Sensitive to Hot and Cold?  You’re not Alone!

At least 45 million adults in the U.S. suffer from sensitive teeth.  It’s one of the most common complaints among dental patients.  The pain can be caused by hot or cold that seeps into microscopic cracks in your teeth.  These cracks are the results of years of expansion and contraction caused by temperature extremes.  In some cases, though, it hot and cold sensitivity is due to a recession of your gums.  As gums recede, the root of your teeth are exposed, and this results in pain in the tooth.  At Sherman Oaks Dental, we can now help solve this gum recession sensitivity!!!

First, come in to our Naperville office and let Dr. Sosenko or Dr. Weyneth take a look at your teeth.  They will first be sure the pain is in fact caused by recession.  Next, they will “paint” on your teeth a desensitizing agent.  This agent will help coat your tooth to allow you to enjoy  hot and cold food and drinks without the pain of exposed roots.

Let us help you live without the pain and discomfort of sensitive teeth.  Our office staff is ready to take your appointment!

Have you been looking for a way to save hundreds of dollars before the end of the year?  By using your dental benefits before the end of  the calendar year, you can actually save hundreds$$$!

Read these 5 reasons you should call today to make a dental appointment.

1. Dental Benefits Yearly Maximum. A yearly maximum is the most money that your dental insurance plan will pay for your dental work within one full year. This amount varies by the specific benefits your insurance company offers, however the average is usually $1,000 per year, per person on your plan. Your yearly maximum usually renews every year, so, on January 1,2009)  If you have not used all of your $1000 benefits, the extra money will not rollover to 2009.
2. Deductible for Dental Benefits. A deductible is the amount of money that you pay to your dentist out of pocket before your insurance company will pay for any services. Each dental plan has a different set deductible.  Also,  if you choose an out-of-network dentist, your deductible could change. An average deductible for a dental insurance plan is around $50 per year. Every year, your deductible begins at $0.
3. Premiums. You most likely pay your dental insurance premiums every month into your benefits account.You may not need any dental treatment right now, however, you should be sure to have your regular dental cleanings with our Sherman Oaks hygienist and we will help you to  prevent and detect any early signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer and other dental problems.
4. Fee Increases. A fourth reason to use your benefits before the end of the year are the possible fee increases that can occur in 2009.  Some dentists will raise their rates at the beginning of the year to cover the increased cost of equipment and materials. A dental fee increase can also make your dental copay higher.
5. Don’t Let any Dental Problems Worsen. You may be delaying a dental treatment, and risking more extensive and expensive treatment down the road. Have a small cavity now?  Delaying the treatment cause turn into a root canal later.  Call our dentists, Dr. Sosenko and Dr. Weyneth an appointment to use and not lose your dental benefits.

For several years, Dr. Sosenko and Dr. Weyneth have been delighted to support the Naperville community through baseball teams, swim teams, toys for tots fundraising, and various other local organizations.  Recently, though, they have added their support across the nation to the children of Cambodia.

How did two Naperville dentists become involved in Cambodia?  The two Sherman Oaks Doctors recently attended an education seminar with keynote speaker Bill Smith, the professional photographer for the Chicago Bulls, Bears and Blackhawks.   Mr. Smith spoke about his visits to Cambodia dating back to 2002.  While he spoke about the horrific conditions of these children’s lives, photos he has taken over the years flashed on the back screen.  The audience of dentists was in tears to witness the lives these young children lead, every day.  Pictures showed half-naked, emaciated, sore-covered children standing among mountains of garbage in burning heat and sunlight.  As Mr. Smith continued his presentation, he focused on how he couldn’t turn his back on these children.  He continues to this day to visit Cambodia and see first hand what his own foundation, A New Day Cambodia, brings to this devastated country.

Dr. Sosenko spoke with us recently about the experience.  “After viewing these pictures and holding back tears, Bryan and I knew this would be a wonderful way for our practice to help children across the world.  We can’t wait to see the pictures Bill takes of the children we are helping.  I strongly urge other people and business to consider sponsoring a child truly in need.  And everyone can do this for as little as $50 a month.  Think of the lives you can help save!”  You can visit A New Day Cambodia at their website, anewdaycambodia.org, to view the amazing photos of the children of Cambodia.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Sosenko and Dr. Weyneth, please call Debbie Zimmerman at 630 369-5225 or email totalsmile@sbcglobal.net.

Visit the Doctors websites at:  SmilesAtShermanOaks.com; TiredOfSnoring.com

Gum health or periodontal health has often been taken for granted at our practice. Dr. Weyneth and I strongly value the importance of your ’gum and tooth supporting bone’, we ALWAYS review what we call your “gum pockets or probings” at your cleanings and dental examinations.  These ’pockets’ are measured in millimeters.  At Sherman Oaks we take 6 measurements PER TOOTH covering all sides of each tooth.  These measurements help us determine how healthy the structure are around your teeth is. If an area of concern is apparent, we show you or discuss with you options you have to improve those deep measurements and improve the overall health of your teeth.  Our dental hygienists are ’experts’ at discussing options to gain optimal health of these important structures.

Over the years, I have found that many people do not understand that if they have beautiful healthy looking teeth without any fillings, etc, they can still lose teeth if their ’gum health’ is not at a healthy level!  Gum disease has very few symptoms, often being described as a “hidden” disease.  Periodontal disease is considered the top reason why adults lose teeth in the United States — not cavities!

What’s even more disturbing is that I often come across patients that have been treated routinely with cleanings before coming to us.  These patients are exhibiting “deepened pocket readings” when we evaluate them and these patients have not be made aware of their conditions!  WHY?  Here are some questions I consider in cases like these:

1. Have these patients not been following up with their recommended number of professional cleanings  by their hygienist?
2. Have they been rushed through their cleanings without detail on how to improved their troubled areas?
3. Were they visiting a practice not focusing on prevention?
4. Has anyone discussed with them the importance of thorough gum screenings and cleaning?
5. Have they been referred to a periodontist or gum specialist and not followed through with a visit?

Whatever the reason may be that we see patients with extreme “Gum Pockets”, it is our priority to help our patients improve their gum health as soon as possible!  Our focus is to keep your teeth healthy for a LIFETIME!!!

You can enjoy the sweets you love, just follow these easy tips to keep your smile bright and beautiful!!

10 Easy Ways to Stay Cavity Free (And Eat the Sweets You Love!)

1. Eat Nutritious snacks, like    fruits and veggies.
2. Limit snacks that are sugary or sticky sweets that cling to your teeth.
3. Drink healthy beverages including fluoridated water.
4. Brush at least 2 times per day, in the morning and before bedtime.  (Brush after sticky, sugary snacks.)
5. Make sure you brush properly, don’t brush too hard to too fast.
6. Floss Once a Day.
7. Visit Sherman Oaks Dental every 6 months for a check-up.
8. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months, and after you’ve been ill.
9. Never Share your Toothbrush.
10. Brush your teeth after taking liquid medicines, some contain a lot of sugar!