Dr. Mantis’s North Shore Dental Blog

I’m Dino Mantis DDS and my cosmetic dental office is located in Wilmette. My Wilmette dentistry clients often ask me if chewing xylitol gum is an effective substitute for tooth brushing and regular Wilmette dental exams.

Before I answer that question, let me tell you a little bit about xylitol:

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first discovered in birch tree bark but is also found in many fruits and vegetables. Unlike most other sweeteners (natural or synthetic), xylitol is actually good for your teeth. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that xylitol prevents the growth of the bacteria that initiates decay. It also reduces plaque and strengthens tooth enamel.

Xylitol has other benefits, as well. Because it is low on the glycemic index, many of my Wilmette, North Shore, and Evanston diabetic patients enjoy it as a healthy alternative to sugar. If my cosmetic dentistry patients complain about frequent dry mouth, I recommend Xylitol gum or mints to stimulate saliva production without promoting tooth decay.

Now, back to the golden question. Is xylitol gum just as effective as brushing your teeth and seeing your Wilmette family dentist regularly? Absolutely not! If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, chewing xylitol gum for five or ten minutes is probably a good idea. However, you should still brush your teeth thoroughly (with a soft brush) after meals and get twice-yearly exams and oral dentistry deep cleanings at your Wilmette dentistry clinic.

At Dino Mantis, DDS, our goal is to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life by preventing dental problems before they start. If you postpone dental visits until you feel pain, you risk losing teeth and most certainly will require more extensive restorative dentistry treatment than if the problem was caught earlier. Is it time for a dental exam? Call us at 847.973.5050 to book an appointment. Our excellent is waiting to take care of all your dental needs.

When is the last time you had a dental checkup? Most people in the Wilmette area between the ages of birth and 80 need a dental checkup every six months. If you live in Wilmette and are at higher risk for oral diseases, you should have your teeth checked every four months, or at least three times a year.

Come into our office, located at 1625 Sheridan Road in Wilmette, or give us a call to make a dental appointment. You can visit our website at http://www.drdinomantis.com/ for more information.

Most people in our Wilmette community are in a medium to low risk category. However if you use tobacco or alcohol, eat a lot of sugar in your diet (including lots of soda), or have poor oral hygiene habits, you are likely in a higher risk category and should have your teeth checked right away.

I look at a lot of factors to determine your personal dental hygiene, and your dental outlook for your future. I want you to have the healthiest smile possible so that you can enjoy your teeth for many years without significant problems. If you live in the Wilmette area and are ready to have your teeth checked, please give Dino Mantis, DDS a call.

Our excellent staff will be ready to get you started with a dental checkup.

Talk to you soon.

The American Dental Association offers some welcome advice for choosing a dentist in Wilmette. We have already talked about how word of mouth is an important factor in how many people find a dentist. Here are some things you should look for in a Wilmette dentist:

Location is always a factor when choosing a dentist in Wilmette. If you live in the Wilmette, IL area, there are many options, and most Wilmette locations are not too far out of the way. While location plays an important role in convenience, many people are willing to drive a little farther for a better experience with their Wilmette dentist.

Relationship is a strong factor. Your Wilmette dentist should be approachable, and should make you feel comfortable when you are in the dentist chair. After all, your Wilmette dentist will be working very close with you to help you achieve a high level of oral hygiene; you most certainly will want to have a good, professional, comfortable relationship with your Wilmette dentist and the dental office staff.

Specialty is another important factor in choosing a dentist in Wilmette. Some dentists specialize in cosmetic dentistry. Others specialize in corrective dentistry such as braces. Depending on your need, you may select a local Wilmette dentist who can solve your immediate concern. Bare in mind, however, that it is good to have a general dentist who can maintain your dental history and work with you through the years.

If you are looking for a dentist in Wilmette, please come by and speak with me. I can address your interest in any of these critical areas.

I look forward to meeting you.

-Dino Mantis, DDS

847.973.5050

Sometimes we research our Wilmette mechanic or North Shore hairdresser more thoroughly than our Wilmette dental professional. Shouldn’t your dental care be far more important than the condition of your car or the style of your hair? At Dino Mantis, DDS, we love to answer questions about your teeth. You should be asking your Illinois dentist any question you have about the care and status of your teeth.

For instance, you may have questions about the school of dentistry and dental specialties studied. Though important, dentistry school is not the only place to gain dental experience, however. Dino Mantis has been performing complex dental procedures since 1987.

You should also be asking about the dentistry specialties your North Shore dentist offers such as tooth restoration, braces and lumineers. These services may not be important to you now, but it is a good idea to have an understanding of your options, and to know what your North Shore dentist has to offer.

If you are contemplating smile restoration, tooth implants, or tooth whitening, evaluate cosmetic dentistry options with your dentist. Look at before and after pictures, and ask your dentist what procedures may be right for you.

General dentists offer a variety of dental services such as tooth extractions and tooth fillings, and can treat every member of the family. At Dino Mantis, DDS, we specialize in general dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry.

You have many choices for your Wilmette family dentistry. We welcome questions about all aspects of our Dino Mantis, DDS practice. Visit us at 1625 Sheridan Road in Wilmette and talk to a member of our excellent team.

Visit our Wilmette dentistry website at http://www.drdinomantis.com/

Periodontal disease in Illinois is more common than you might think, and can be

cured with varying degrees of treatment depending on the severity.

What is periodontal disease? According to an article on Wikipedia, periodontal disease is ‘the name of a collection of inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth.’

Periodontal disease, more commonly called ‘gum disease’, is an inflammation or infection of the gums. Periodontal disease can be very painful in some extreme conditions, and can limit your ability to eat normally. In some cases, periodontal disease can affect your smile, and can create cosmetic concerns.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause irreversible damage. When caught early and treated, periodontal disease can be little more than an inconvenience. However the best policy is to practice good dental hygiene to keep periodontal disease at bay.

One of the best ways to avoid periodontal disease is to get a regular dental check up at your local Wilmette dentist.

Give us a call at 847.973.5050 to schedule your next dental checkup; we look forward to seeing you.

Dino Mantis DDS specializes in local dentistry to provide that special dental care

to our Wilmette, Illinois dental patients.

Dino Mantis DDS provides local dentistry services to our neighboring areas including Calumet City, Kenilworth and the  North Shore.

Our most popular local dentistry procedure is cosmetic dentistry, however we also perform sedation dentistry.

You can contact Dino Mantis DDS about cosmetic dentistry or sedation dentistry, or any other local dentistry service by calling us at 847.973.5050.

If you live in the 60091 zip code area, and are looking for a ‘home town dentist’ who provides dentistry to the Wilmette, IL area, click on any of the links on this page, give us a call at 847.973.5050, or stop by and visit. You can find us at 1625 Sheridan Road in Wilmette.

We’re your lifelong dental health partner.

If you have children in the Wilmette area, there is no better time to consider pediatric

dentistry than right now.

The best time to start your children on a pediatric dentistry program is when their teeth first appear. This may seem a bit early, however it is a great time to become acquainted with pediatric dentistry options, learn training techniques for teaching your children, and assessing the health of your child’s teeth before problems begin.

We can also help you identify pediatric dentistry programs and services in the Wilmette area, for you child.

http://www.drdinomantis.com/services/family-dentistry/

Remember: The best time to consider pediatric dentistry is while you have options. Waiting until problems appear reduces your options and misses the very reason we are concerned about pediatric dentistry; to help your child grow healthy and strong teeth that will last a lifetime.

Bring your questions to our leading edge treatment in a warm and friendly atmosphere staff at Dino Mantis DDS. We are located at 1625 Sheridan Road, in Wilmette, IL.

We are looking forward to seeing you, and to discussing pediatric dentistry with you and your children.

‘We’re your lifelong dental health partner’

Maintaining healthy teeth is an important concern for our local Wilmette residents.

As your Dentist, it’s my job to help you understand how to care for your teeth and to keep them healthy.

Everyone knows that maintaining healthy teeth requires regular daily brushing and flossing. Regular visits to your local dental practice is also necessary to keep watch for cavities and to help you maintain proper dental hygiene. We often forget that maintaining a healthy diet can also be beneficial for the health of your teeth.

A diet that includes foods that help your muscles and bones will also help you develop healthy gums and healthy teeth. Examples of local foods to include in your diet include foods rich in vitamin B such as breads and cereals. Foods rich in vitamin C, usually fruits and vegetables, help improve the health of your gums. Zinc and magnesium are also good for the health of your teeth and are found in foods like lean beef, fish, and poultry.

All foods increase the production of saliva. Saliva is important to healthy teeth because it helps to maintain the pH balance in your mouth. Maintaining this balance helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Foods high in fiber also encourage saliva production as does the chewing of sugar-free gum. Gum, however, can damage unhealthy teeth or pull out dental fillings, so always use caution when deciding whether to chew gum and which brand to chew.

Just as certain diet choices in the North Shore area can be beneficial to the health of your teeth, others can be detrimental. Foods and drinks that are high in sugars are more likely to form the acids that attack your teeth and result in decay. And while table sugar is often associated with the formation of cavities, other sugars such as glucose, fructose, and maltose are also causes, and are often found in juices and sodas. Limiting the consumption of sugars to mealtimes lessens the amount of time your healthy teeth are exposed.

Making good diet choices and limiting between meal sugar consumption can improve the health of your teeth and gums.

If you would like to learn how to better care for your healthy teeth, contact Dino Mantis DDS at 847.973.5050. We would love to hear from you.

-Dr. Dino Mantis

Wisdom teeth usually come in between ages 16 and 24 for people in the Wilmette

community. While not always troublesome, it is important to learn as early as possible whether your wisdom teeth are coming in sideways, or otherwise impacting your other teeth.

Checking your wisdom teeth in Wilmette is a simple and painless process, and can save you trouble down the road.

Our practice, ‘Dino Mantis DDS‘, works with patients from ages 20 to 80, and our leading edge treatment in a warm and friendly atmosphere staff can help you determine whether your wisdom teeth will need to be extracted. We can also help you determine whether your wisdom teeth will require advanced care, or if a simple procedure can solve the problem.

Wisdom teeth can be painful, and we don’t like pain at Dino Mantis DDS.  It’s our goal to give you the best care and attention when checking your wisdom teeth.

If you are in the Wilmette area and need to have your wisdom teeth checked, please stop by our office at 1625 Sheridan Road, in Wilmette, IL.

We specialize in restorative dentistry, and often perform cosmetic dentistry. We can take a look at your wisdom teeth and help you make a healthy decision for your future.

‘We’re your lifelong dental health partner’

When a tooth is threatened by severe decay, periodontal disease, or damage from an injury, a skilled Wilmette dentist or endodontist must make a judgment call concerning the course of treatment. If the pulp of the tooth is infected or inflamed, a root canal is often the only way to save the tooth.

Dino Mantis DDS: 847.973.5050

During a root canal procedure (or endodontic treatment) the soft tissue in the root of the tooth is removed. This tissue contains veins, arteries and lymph vessels. Once the roots are cleaned out and widened, they are filled with a special rubber material. The root canal is only the first step in the complete tooth restoration. After the root canal, without a crown, the tooth will become dry and brittle. The final steps are the core build up and crown.

At Dino Mantis DDS, we fabricate strong, natural-looking crowns that blend perfectly with the surrounding teeth. With proper oral hygiene and regular visits to a Wilmette dentist, a tooth with a filled root can often function problem-free for the rest of a patient’s life.

I am Dentist Dr. Dino Mantis. I have seen hundreds of teeth saved by this effective dental procedure. Root canal therapy at Dino Mantis DDS in Wilmette has a very high success rate.

Because teeth with infected pulp tissue often cause no symptoms, it is important to have regular dental examinations. I can determine which (if any) teeth have infected roots. If the infection in the soft pulp tissue is left untreated, it can progress to a point where the tooth cannot be saved. Is it time for a thorough dental exam? Call our office at 847.973.5050.

Call Dino Mantis DDS immediately if one of your teeth is screaming for attention!