Dry Mouth

It's allergy season and many of my patients take antihistamines, which can cause dry mouth (also a common side effect of antidepressants). I recommend chewing sugarless gum to help stimulate saliva, which makes plaque less sticky and easier to clean off.


Also, as you age, your salivary glands shrink and produce less saliva, which is a natural antimicrobial that helps prevent decay. Gum chewing restimulates that flow.

Downtown Crystal Lake Garden Party on Saturday 5/21

Mark your calendars for the Downtown Crystal Lake Garden Party on Saturday 5/21 from 10 to 4 p.m. Enjoy music, purchase flowers, plants, baskets and art. Free to Public. For more information visit
http://www.clchamber.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=927720

Too Much Fluoride?

Is your child getting too much Fluoride? 1/3 of grade schoolers and 40% of teens have fluorosis, a discoloration of the teeth that's caused by too much fluoride. It's not dangerous but can cause white streaks. The EPA recently lowered their recommended fluoride levels in drinking water to .7 milligrams or less per liter. Go to apps.nccd.cdc.gov/mwf to find out how much fluoride is in your drinking water.

• Well Water can be too high in fluoride, so if you rely on it, serve kids bottled water instead.
• If your child already has noticeable fluorosis, your dentist can prescribe a remineralizing paste to help lessen white spots.

Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS) Capital Conference

 Visited with local legislators to discuss issues being debated in committee or on the floor of the House or Senate.

 McHenry County Representatives at the State Conference in Springfield, IL

llinois State Dental Society supports initiatives that expand access to care and increase dental health education and awareness.

For further details about current legislation and bills being introduced by the Illinois State Dental Society, please visit www.ISDS.org

Baby Teeth

Baby teeth are usually lost in the order they arrive; the bottom two incisors first, followed by the top two.  Your child will probably begin losing his or her baby teeth around age 5 or 6, though it can happen as young as 4 yrs old.

Essentially, the root will dissolve as the adults tooth pushes out.  If baby teeth are accidentally swallowed it is totally harmless.

Never force or yank a loose tooth out.  The tooth can break off leaving the root behind, which can cause infection.

It's OK to wiggle a loose tooth.  If it's hanging on by a thread, you can grab it with a tissue and gently rotate to remove it.

The adult teeth appears so big because they're full size and your child's head is not.

Baby teeth are white than adult teeth.  The color difference will be less noticeable as more adult teeth arrive

About the time your child's baby teeth are falling out their 6 yr molars are erupting.  gums may appears swollen and kids may complain.

Lunch with Bunny

Saturday, 4/23,@ 11 am Children can enjoy lunch with the Easter Bunny at Old Towne Hall in Downtown Crystal Lake.  Food, music, games, photos, gifts and a whole bunch of fun!  For details visit www.DownTownCL.org.  

Spring Clean-up

It's spring and time for replacing the old with the new. This includes your fillings. Ask your dentist to check the state of your fillings. Every filling eventually has to be replaced. Silver (amalgam) lasts 10-20 yrs, so your childhood fillings may be overdue for replacement. Fresh fillings can help prevent tooth decay and loss - and down the road root canals and implants.

White fillings (Composite), when done right, last as long as amalgam fillings.