Dr. Mantis’s North Shore Dental Blog

Top Ten Reasons To Visit Your Local Wilmette Dentist:

1. Check Up; it’s time, and this is the best way to avoid dental problems.
2. Clean Up; our dental hygienist is ready to give you a super clean smile.
3. Brush Up; if it has been a while since your last dental visit, it’s probably time to come in to learn about the new options we have for dental care.
4. Avoid pain; if you have dental pain and have been putting off a trip to the dentist, come in now. We specialize in relieving dental pain.
5. Fillings; we can find and fill all your dental cavities in almost no time at all. This will help you avoid more painful problems down the road, and helps ease some of those sensitivities to hot and cold.
6. Avoid gum disease; we can assess the health of your gums and suggest treatments or practices that are available to help you improve the health of your gums.
7. Ready for a whiter smile? We can help. We have tooth whitening options available that will brighten your smile and make your teeth whiter.
8. Tooth replacement; If you are missing a tooth, we can help restore your smile with the latest in tooth replacement technology.
9. Cosmetic dentistry is something everyone is considering to make improvements to their smile. We can help you assess the options and learn more about the possibilities of cosmetic dentistry.
10. Confidence: Nothing brings you more confidence than when you know you have a bright and beautifully healthy smile.

I’m Dino Mantis, and I am a Doctor in the Wilmette, IL community. If you are ready for professional dentistry, please give our office a call.

Give us a call at 847.973.5050, or visit us on our website at http://www.drdinomantis.com/

I am a member of the American Dental Association. www.ada.org

Malocclusions (bite problems) include overbites, underbites and crossbites. Jaw alignment disorders restrict proper chewing, talking, and swallowing. They can also cause teeth to shift around in the mouth. Wilmette dentistry patients with bite problems are at a greater risk for tooth decay and periodontal disease because bite misalignment often makes it difficult to maintain proper oral hygiene.

When the lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw, it is called an overbite. When the situation is reversed, it is called an underbite. Crossbite occurs when lower teeth are in the wrong position.

Bite problems can cause headaches and TMJ pain. Some Kenilworth dental patients with severe bite problems develop a distorted facial shape and damaged teeth.

If you suspect your toddler or older child has a bite problem, it is important to see your Wilmette dentist as soon as possible. Bite issues and their various related problems get worse over time.

At Dino Mantis, DDS, we diagnose and successfully treat bite problems in addition to providing general and cosmetic dentistry. We can be reached at 847.973.5050. Our office is located at 1625 Sheridan Road in Wilmette. You can find out more about us at http://www.drdinomantis.com/.

Most of our patients live in Wilmette or nearby in North Shore or Kenilworth. If you have recently moved into the Wilmette area and need a skilled family and cosmetic dentist, come visit our excellent team. We pamper every patient and make dental visits as comfortable as possible.

When the upper part of the jaw and the lower part of the jaw are not the same size, bite problems can occur. When the lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw, it is called an overbite. When the reverse is true, it is called an underbite. Another related alignment disorder is called a crossbite. Crossbites occur when lower teeth are in the wrong position. They may be incorrectly positioned sideways, forward or backward.

Malocclusion (literally ‘bad bite’) is the term used for all types of bite problems including overbites, underbites and crossbites. Jaw alignment disorders can cause a range of problems and often prohibit proper chewing and/or swallowing. Teeth can shift around in the mouth, causing even more discomfort or difficulty. Gum disease and tooth decay are also harder to prevent because proper oral hygiene can be difficult with a malocclusion. TMJ disorder can develop over time. Distorted facial shape and unattractive teeth are often the most noticeable and troubling issues for those affected.

Fortunately, there are a variety of effective treatments for bite problems. If you suspect your child has a bite misalignment, it is especially important to have them examined as early as possible. By starting early, you can make sure they avoid years of pain and self-consciousness.

Call Dino Mantis, DDS at 847.973.5050. Doctor Dino Mantis, DDS is experienced in diagnosing bite disorders in patients of all ages. We can create a successful treatment plan for you. We also perform general dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry for Wilmette area dental clients.

-Dino Mantis, DDS

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.

General dentists in the Wilmette area are trained in a wide variety of dental procedures. However, sometimes, your Wilmette general dentist will refer you to a local Wilmette specialist, or include a specialist as part of your treatment team.

Following are some of the most common dental specialties found in the Wilmette area:

Endodontists
Endodontists in Wilmette specialize in root canal therapy and other procedures involving the root and surrounding parts of the tooth.

Periodontists
Periodontists practicing in the Wilmette area treat the conditions affecting gum tissue and the bone surrounding the teeth. If you have gingivitis or more advanced periodontal disease, you may be referred to a periodontist in Wilmette.

Prosthodontists
Repairing damaged teeth and replacing lost teeth for Wilmette patients is called ‘restorative dentistry‘. Prosthodontists have advanced training in procedures involving crowns, dental implants, bridges, veneers, inlays, and partial or complete dentures.

Pediatric Dentists
Infants, young children and teenagers in the Wilmette area have different dental needs than adults. Pediatric Dentists undergo additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases affecting the youngest population in Wilmette.

Oral Surgeons
Oral Surgeons serving the Wilmette area perform surgical procedures involving the teeth, mouth and jaw. These include dental implants, surgery to repair damage due to injury, tumor surgery, and cleft lip and palate reconstruction.

If you are interested in learning more about these specialties, or have a concern regarding your oral health, please visit us at Dino Mantis, DDS. You will find us at 1625 Sheridan Road in Wilmette IL 60091. Please give us a call at 847.973.5050.

-Dino Mantis, DDS

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.

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’