Dr. Mantis’s North Shore Dental Blog

Imagine you are starting a new job in Wilmette and meeting your new boss for the first time. Confidence is key to your success. As you reach out to shake the extended hand your broad confident smile exposes rows of pearly white teeth, yet when you open your mouth to exchange greetings you worry about bad breath. Perhaps your breath is not as a pleasant as you had hoped. Bad breath is a worry and possible embarrassment for many residents of Wilmette, IL, from ages birth to 80. Regular cosmetic dental checkups at Dino Mantis, DDS can help alleviate your concern over bad breath. We have been addressing bad breath since 1987.

The technical term for bad breath is halitosis. Many factors can cause or contribute to halitosis. One of these factors is the food you eat. Onions and garlic are both known for having a potent affect on your breath. Simply observing the foods you eat here in Wilmette can result in a change in your breath.

In most cases, bad breath originates in your mouth. Transient bad breath can be resolved through eating or brushing, and is a temporary condition usually associated with a dry mouth. Persistent bad breath can be a serious problem effecting as much as 25 percent of our Wilmette residents. Persistent bad breath can be caused by dry mouth, and is made worse when food is not cleared away properly.

Brushing and flossing daily is a critical step in curing bad breath. Food particles can build up in your mouth and foster bacteria which can cause bad breath. This not only includes the food particles that may get stuck between your teeth, but also the food that collects around your gums or on your tongue. Brushing and flossing daily can help reduce the amount of food particles that stay in your mouth and cause bad breath. Regular visits to Dino Mantis, DDS in Wilmette can also reduce or eliminate the progression of bad breath.

Other factors that can contribute to bad breath for Wilmette residents include dry mouth, tobacco use, and health concerns such as infections. Come visit cosmetic dentist Dino Mantis, DDS located in Wilmette, IL; we’ll provide you with information about bad breath in a professional environment. Give us a call at 847.256.4776 to set up an appointment.  We also offer many cosmetic dentistry services such as dental implants and teeth whitening.

Dr. Dino Mantis, DDS

If you live in the Wilmette area and are considering puncturing your lip or tongue, read this:

Infection
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Any opening in the tissue carries the risk of infection. The germs from your tongue and mouth can easily get into your bloodstream. Wilmette dentists and doctors are continually treating serious infections caused by oral piercings. Oral infections can be a real problem, and should be a major consideration before getting an oral piercing.

Tooth Damage
It should come as no surprise that having a piece of metal bang around in your mouth can easily chip tooth enamel. Though tooth enamel is amazingly strong, once it’s chipped or cracked, it can only be restored with artificial material. Fortunately, Dino Mantis, DDS in Wilmette offers many tooth restoration options such as dental crowns and porcelain veneers, but our advice is to avoid the problem if you can.

Prolonged Bleeding and Swelling
The blood vessels in the tongue are often damaged when the tongue is pierced, causing prolonged bleeding and possible build-up of scar tissue. In some cases, the tongue swells up enough to block the airway.

Gum Recession
A number of periodontal disease studies have shown that wearing oral jewelry is linked to periodontal disease which can result in tooth loss. Periodontal disease, or ‘gum disease’, can cause gum recession and exposes the root of your teeth, potentially causing hyper sensitivity and pain. Again, our advice is to avoid the problem right from the start.

These are just a few of the dangers. Cosmetic dentist Dino Mantis at Dino Mantis, DDS can give you more information about the risks of oral piercings. If you already have damage, call 847.256.4776 to schedule a consultation.

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 847.256.4776, 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 847.256.4776. 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 847.256.4776. 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 847.256.4776.

-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 847.256.4776 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 847.256.4776.

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 847.256.4776, or stop by and visit. You can find us at 1625 Sheridan Road in Wilmette.

We’re your lifelong dental health partner.