Grove's Blog

Grove's Blog

Posts for category: Dental

November 15, 2011
Category: Dental
Tags: Grove Dental   Easy   Holiday   Benefits  

It’s open enrollment period, a time during which you have the opportunity to make changes in your insurance coverage or choose to enroll in certain benefits.   

Be sure to choose Grove for all your dental needs! Grove accepts all traditional insurance plans and participates in some PPO type plans.  We also offer many financial arrangements to make dentistry more affordable for you and your family.  

Insurance participation varies by Grove office and by doctor, so call the office that is most convenient for you and speak to our Insurance Department.  They will be happy to answer all your questions.  Also, be sure to ask about out-of-network benefits.  Many of our patients who use out-of-network benefits for services received at Grove are pleasantly surprised at the level of coverage available.

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June 20, 2011
Category: Dental
Tags: Dental Emergencies  

With the pool opened, the kids at soccer games, and an overall increase in physical activity, it’s no wonder most injuries occur in the summer months. Summer is a great time to be active, but it’s also the time when accidents and dental emergencies are most likely to occur.  Understanding how to prevent and handle a dental accident if it arises improves the odds of saving injured or damaged teeth.

Prevention is the key to avoiding a dental emergency.   Take steps now to safeguard your children from dental trauma with mouthguards. At Grove, we custom-fit mouthguards for both adult and little mouths to keep teeth protected during sports. Parents should also make sure children are wearing proper-fitting shoes with good stability and support to help prevent kids from stumbling while running.

Dental emergencies aren’t completely avoidable, so follow these tips if one occurs:

Knocked out tooth
If a tooth is knocked out, retrieve and save the tooth.  Place it in something cold –preferably a glass of milk.  Take the tooth with you to the emergency room right away. Apply an ice pack to minimize swelling, and if bleeding occurs, bite down gently on a wet towel or gauze.  Remember, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible after a tooth is knocked out. Every minute counts.  The sooner the tooth is re-inserted, the better the chance the tooth will survive.

Fractured tooth
For broken teeth, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the affected area. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and call Grove right away.

Objects wedged between teeth
If an object is caught between your teeth, first try to gently remove the debris with dental floss.  If floss doesn’t work, contact your dentist. Never attempt to remove the object with a sharp instrument.

Loose Tooth
If an accident causes a tooth to be loose, have the tooth examined by a dentist right away.  The tooth may re-attach, but you need to act quickly.  Your dentist will make sure the root of the tooth is not dying causing the need for a root canal. 

If you or your child experiences a dental emergency, stay calm, act fast and contact your dentist right away. Not sure if it’s an emergency?  As a general rule, if it hurts, it's an emergency. Even small injuries can affect the living tissues inside the teeth.

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April 29, 2011
Category: Dental

An attractive, healthy smile is not determined solely by the appearance of your teeth. The health and appearance of your gums play a vital role in the overall appearance of your smile as well.  They frame your smile and provide a foundation for your teeth.  The effects of gum disease and other oral tissue defects, however, can result in unhealthy or poorly contoured gums and a less than ideal smile.

When gums recede—a common result of gum disease or even hereditary—the tooth root becomes exposed, which increases sensitivity and causes the tooth to look long. Long teeth are commonly associated with aging and poor hygiene.  Some people experience issues that involve the gums appearing unbalanced and prominent, causing the teeth to look too short.  This happens when the teeth are covered with excess gum tissue, resulting in a “gummy” smile.

Periodontists specialize in treating gum disease and cosmetic gum issues, such as gum recession or excessive tissue.  At Grove Dental, we have two in-house periodontists with advanced training in the treatment and prevention of gum disease, as well as smile-enhancing gum procedures.  Whether your gums are receding or too prominent, Grove Dental’s team of periodontists can provide safe and gentle treatment options for repairing tissue damage or defects at any stage of treatment to create a more natural, aesthetic smile.

Your gums are an important part of your smile. Don’t overlook the health and appearance of your gum tissue. A good oral health regimen is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy, but if issues arise, consult the expertise of a Grove Dental Periodontist.

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February 03, 2011
Category: Dental
Tags: Pediatric   Kids  

Children's Dental Health MonthFebruary is National Children's Dental Health Month and Grove Dental is doing its part to promote healthy smiles for kids. Each February, since 1949, the American Dental Association (ADA) has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to promote the benefits of good oral health to children and adults. Each year during the month of February, Grove Dental visits many area preschools and gives presentations on dental health.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, but in most cases it is very preventable. Because children follow the habits and routines they learn during childhood, it becomes very important to instill good dental habits at an early age.

The ADA recommends that parents take action early to insure the health of their children's teeth and gums into adulthood. Here are some ways you can help your children maintain strong, healthy smiles that last a lifetime:

Visit the dentist early. Good dental health habits should begin with an introductory visit to a pediatric dentist around a child's first birthday. Regular oral exams and cleanings are essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Brush teeth at least twice a day. Regular brushing removes plaque from teeth to help avoid unwanted cavities. For young children, brush with a soft, small toothbrush and use a very small amount of toothpaste. The toothpaste should not be swallowed.
Floss daily. Flossing removes food debris from in between the teeth and along the gum line where a toothbrush can't reach.
Healthy diet. Encourage a well-balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks, which promote decay. Don't put a child to bed with a bottle or allow the child to continually drink from a sippy cup throughout the day. Prolonged exposure to the sugary liquid (even from juices) will promote tooth decay.
Wear a mouthguard. To protect and reduce injuries to the mouth and teeth, children who participate in sports should always wear mouth protection.
Consult a Pediatric Dentist anytime there is a question or area of concern regarding your child's dental health.

Want to give a child a healthy smile? Grove Dental offers gift certificates, valid for any dollar value to be used toward in-office dental treatment at any of our four offices. Children's teeth are intended to last a lifetime, and with proper care, a healthy diet and regular dental visits, children can achieve a lifetime of good oral health.

As a reminder, Illinois law now requires that all children entering K, 2nd or 6th grade have a dental exam. For your convenience, this can be completed at your child's regular dental appointment. If you have a child entering these grades, get your form completed now. Don't wait until the back-to-school rush when it may be difficult to get your preferred appointment time.

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January 11, 2011
Category: Dental
Tags: Oral Hygiene   New Year  

Winter is upon us, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. Aside from the obvious precautions, such as washing your hands, covering your mouth when coughing and staying home from work when sick, you should also pay special attention to your oral health habits.

At Grove Dental, we want our patients to be healthy. Did you know that one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming re-infected after a cold or flu is by replacing your toothbrush? If you or a family member has been ill, be sure to discard your old toothbrush and get a new one to avoid re-contaminating yourself with germs every time you brush. Also, never store family members' toothbrushes together in a drawer or cabinet to avoid spreading cold or flu germs with other members of your household.

Even when you're healthy, be sure to replace your toothbrush regularly for good dental health. A toothbrush that's worn and not clean can be a source of bacteria and germs and may cause other dental related problems.

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Dentist - Downers Grove, Grove Dental Associates, 6800 Main Street, Third Floor, Downers Grove IL, 60516 (630) 969-5350