Having a dentist that can take care of every single member of your family would be the ideal scenario for most of us. Children, teenagers, adults and the elderly all have different needs when it comes to dental care, but a family dentist has the knowledge to treat everybody. Having too many specialists to travel to can create confusion and wasted time in the family calendar, so choose a Naperville family dentist to provide you all with outstanding dental services. Here are some of that ways that Sherman Oaks Dental can help your family with their dental care.

Dentistry for Children

We can provide preventative dentistry and emergency dentistry for your children. Both of which are very important when it comes to keeping your kids’ teeth clean, healthy and free from disease.

Preventative dentistry includes routine dental exams, cleanings and fluoride varnishes. When your children get in the good habit of going to the dentist from a young age they will be more likely to develop healthy and strong teeth.

We also offer emergency dental treatment for those unexpected accidents. When you have see a family dentist you know you can go to them with any problem no matter how major or minor it may be. Whether they have chipped a tooth or knocked one out in the playground we can fix the problem and prevent any further damage.

Dentistry for Teenagers

Many teenagers go through an awkward stage with their teeth, so we are here to help them feel more confident and comfortable with their teeth. Invisalign treatments can help teenages who are living with crooked teeth and they are almost invisible to the naked eye. Allow your teenage to enjoy their stunning smile with just a couple of months of Invisalign treatment.

Dentistry for Adults

As you get older the general care of your mouth and teeth becomes more important, but you can also start to become more aware of the way you look. At Sherman Oaks Dental, we can assist you with any of your cosmetic requirements as well as your routine oral health. From teeth whitening treatments to gaps in your teeth, Dr. Weyneth will help you to resolve all of these ongoing issues.

We can also fit dental implants if you ever lose any teeth. Your false teeth with look very natural and will be permanently fitted into place with special dental posts. We will be able to advise you on the best treatment for your individual case.

Dentistry for Seniors

Gum disease prevention and treatments for those in the family who are over fifty are both very important. We will be able to provide the older members in your family with preventative care and unique dental problems associated with age.

With Sherman Oaks Dental you can be reassured that each one of your family members is receiving professional care during every visit. Whether you have little ones to worry about or grandparents to care for, a family dentist can truly do it all. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!

The summer season and warmer temperatures are finally here! One of the best things to do on a hot summer day is grab a refreshing drink to beat the heat!

Don’t let summer drinks eat your teeth!

Lemonade, sweet tea, soda and fruit juices are a few of the most common refreshing summer drinks. They contain sugar and acid.  This means these summer drinks eat your teeth! Everything done in moderation is okay, but consuming too much of these tasty drinks can cause acid wear and tooth decay. Acid wear is a wearing of the enamel exposing softer parts of the tooth making you prone to tooth decay and tooth sensitivity!

Follow these 3 tips to protect your teeth while you enjoy your summer drinks:

1. Always rinse with water after drinking these summer drinks.
2. Always consume these drinks with food or a meal.
3. Never sip these beverages. Sipping is like bathing your teeth in sugar and acid!

We want you to enjoy the warm summer season and refreshing drinks that go well with its warm temperatures, but don’t let summer drinks eat your teeth! Call your Naperville Dentist today at (630) 369-5225 to schedule your summer hygiene or whitening appointments! We’d be happy to check your teeth for any signs of acid wear. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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!