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(How to Make the Most Informed Decision When it Comes to Clear Aligners)

It wasn’t very long ago that a patient’s only option for a straighter and healthier smile was the uncomfortable, unwanted metal brackets. There was nothing a patient dreaded more than hearing that they needed braces. Not only are they irritating and awkward to wear, but they also restrict patients from enjoying food, drinks, and activities that they love. Now, through the advances of dental technology and the strive to allow for more comfort and options for dental patients, you can now get the straight smile you desire with aligners that don’t appear or feel like they are there.

While Invisalign has quickly made a name for itself as the #1 clear aligner for all ages of patients, they are no longer the only option for a discreet and comfortable smile. ClearCorrect is another leading option that has straightened the smiles of thousands of Americans. Now, choosing between the two is a difficult decision without the facts, and that is where the experts at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center come in to assist patients living in Park City, IL, and the surrounding Chicagoland area.

Beautiful Smiles Dental: Helping Dental Patients Make the Best and Most Informed Orthodontic Decisions

Our dental clinic is locally owned and operated, and we genuinely care about the healthy smiles of all of our patients. We take the time needed to create a personal plan for children, teens, and adults, ensuring that they have all the information they need to make a decision based on the health of their smile and budget. At Beautiful Smiles Dental Center in Gurnee, our experienced dentists, and dental team supply Invisalign as an orthodontic solution to improve misalignment and an alternative to metal brackets.

Keep reading to learn about the differences and similarities between ClearConnect and Invasilin so you can determine which is best for you.

Invisalign Clear Aligners – Leading Orthodontic Advancement

Invisalign clear aligners are the leading advancement in dentistry for teeth straightening. They present the same results as traditional braces without the hassle. This new treatment option is more bearable and boasts significantly fewer restrictions during daily life. Each aligner is properly fitted to the patient’s mouth for absolute comfort and can be removed whenever need be.

Their lack of visibility and ability to be removed allow for patients to get an improved smile without giving up the things that they love. As a leading dental clinic in the Chicagoland area and a provider of Invisalign Braces, our team of dental professionals have experience fitting patients and helping them stay on the right track towards a gorgeous smile without complications.

What is ClearCorrect?

ClearCorrect clear aligners are made out of hardened clear plastic. These aligners undoubtedly straighten teeth, making them an ideal alternative to braces for many patients. These clear aligners offer three distinct options:

A set of six aligners (For mildly crooked teeth)
A set of 12 aligners (For moderately crooked teeth)
An unlimited number of aligners (For severely crooked teeth)

The treatment plan and time period for ClearCorrect depend on the severity of the patient’s malocclusion. During your initial consultation, your dentist will determine the number of aligners you require to fix and shape your new smile.

Differences Between ClearCorrect and Invisalign Aligners

When it comes to clear aligners, it may seem that they are all the same thing, but each of these products has small differences that set them apart and play a huge role in the way you go about improving your teeth.

Invisalign boasts different options to accommodate the severity of the condition, age, and price range. These include:

Invisalign Full – A comprehensive package focusing on treating the entire mouth.
Invisalign Express 5, Invisalign i7, Invisalign Express 10 – This is a more affordable option for spacing and crowding problems.
Invisalign Teen – This package is suited specifically for teens and allows them to avoid the days of metal brackets.
Invisalign Lite – This is designed to correct less severe conditions between six to eight months.

Invisalign aligners are thicker and more flexible than ClearCorrect aligners. Through their unique design, Invisalign trays only cover the teeth and not the gums to reduce rubbing and provide a more relaxed fit.

3. ClearCorrect may present faster results in some cases, but patients find them uncomfortable due to how firm and inflexible they are.

Similarities Between ClearCorrect and Invisalign Aligners

They are both FDA-approved and made from plastic that is BPA-Free.
Both aligners use the same technology to move teeth into a healthy position correcting:

Overbite
Crowding
Spacing
Underbite
Deep Bite

3. Invisalign and ClearCorrect are both excellent clear options for patients who want to avoid unattractive metal braces.

4. Patients boasting either of these treatments achieve incredible results while others barely notice that they have them on.

5. They both can be removed while eating, participating in activities, and brushing teeth/flossing.

Making the Best Choice for Your Teeth with Beautiful Smiles

Our leading dental clinic in Gurnee – (Park City, IL) is a proud provider of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen. Metal brackets no longer have to be the only option to achieve a healthier and straighter smile. Patients don’t have to face challenges while eating, keeping up with their daily dental routine, or participating in their favorite activities anymore. With regards to your dental therapy at Beautiful Smiles Dental, our clinic does everything possible to ensure that each patient has plenty of options to choose from that works with their budget.

As the leading dental clinic in Chicagoland, our certified, licensed, and experienced dental team in Gurnee (Park City, IL) strongly recommends Invisalign as the best alternative to metal braces. Through various treatments of our past teen and adult patients using Invisalign, we have consistently seen incredible results that start to show in no time. These aligners are made from top-of-the-line plastic and allow for the patient to be in control of their treatment while enjoying the things they would have to give up with other teeth-straightening methods. Listen to the experts and see what Invisalign is all about!

Contact Beautiful Smiles for Invisalign Clear Aligners Today

Choose a more comfortable therapy today with Beautiful Smiles! Invisalign is a revolutionary treatment that will transform your smile and improve your overall oral health. Visit us at our Gurnee (Park City, IL) Location: get directions here. Allow for your journey to better-looking teeth to be painless without traditional braces taking away from your gorgeous smile. Contact Beautiful Smiles Dental Center to learn more about how Invisalign !

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Dental Root Canal Warning Signs

Dental root canals are difficult to identify; it is similar to figuring out whether or not you need a filling. It is challenging, especially during those first stages, to know if just better dental hygiene or major dental work is required, and this is due to the fact that many of the signs can only be determined by a trained dentist. Physical symptoms of the need for a root canal typically do not start until the problem has become more advanced, which is why if you read any of the signs that we list in this blog, it is essential to see a dentist right away.

Dental root canals are used to save and repair teeth that have become decayed or infected. When the part of the tooth that is composed of blood vessels and nerves is damaged, it needs to be removed while the inside of the tooth is cleaned and then sealed. When you suspect that you have a problem with one or more of your teeth, here are signs you may need a root canal:

Persistent Pain of the Teeth, Gums, & Mouth

Pain in your teeth is one of the primary indicators that something is wrong with the root. If constant pain is stopping you from doing normal activities like drinking or eating, you need to see a dentist as soon as you can. Your dentist will examine the tooth or teeth that are bugging you to see if there are any nerves or blood vessels that are infected or inflamed. Antibiotics can fix the pain when identified in the early stages, but your dentist might choose to do a root canal to provide a more permanent pain relief solution.

Teeth Discoloration

Discolored teeth can be the result of food and drink stains, nerve damage beneath the tooth’s surface, or poor dental hygiene. When the discoloration is the result of damaged blood vessels, it will be necessary for your dentist to perform a root canal to repair the damaged root.

Chipped Or Cracked Tooth

Chipping or cracking teeth is very common; it can happen from something as simple as eating to contact sports to when previous dental procedures don’t work out. When a tooth gets chipped or cracked, it will expose the nerve beneath the surface and lead to infection. Infections within the root of the tooth can spread. An untreated infection requires a root canal to prevent further long-lasting problems and pain.

Teeth Sensitivity To Heat or Cold

Another prevalent sign that you may need a root canal is extreme sensitivity to hot and cold. When your tooth aches while drinking or eating hot or cold food and drinks, it is a problem. Small aches will progress into sharp, unbearable pain when left untreated.

Prolonged Teeth Sensitivity

When you put pressure on your tooth, does it hurt? Does that sensitivity to touch last for weeks or months without any signs of improvement? Then a root canal with the experienced dentists at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center may be the answer. Prolonged tooth sensitivity is usually the result of a damaged root, and unfortunately, they will not heal on their own. When you want the pain to stop running your life and keep infections away, your dentist will stop at nothing to help you.

Swollen Gums

Another sign of problems beneath the surface of the teeth is swollen gums. When your gums are in extreme pain and are swollen, your dentist Beautiful Smiles Dental Center will examine the swollen gums to see if inflammation is the culprit. If inflamed gums do not improve, a root canal will be needed.

Irreversible Tooth Decay

Unfortunately, once the tooth has experienced deep decay, no amount of flossing, brushing, or rinsing the mouth will solve the problem at hand. When a cavity has been neglected for too long, it will spread down into the nerve and the root of the tooth. In these cases, root canals are the only option for repair.

Remember to make your oral hygiene one of your top priorities. Brushing and flossing your teeth in the morning is essential, alongside regular dentist visits. When you neglect your teeth, infection and disease will put a damper on your life and put you in unbearable pain. Don’t wait, and call Beautiful Smiles Dental Center away.

Don’t Panic, Beautiful Smiles Dental Center is Always Here To Help!

When you suspect that you have an issue with your teeth that can only be fixed with a root canal, take a deep breath. Though they are not at the top of anyone’s list for a great time, root canals do not have to be painful or scary. The quicker you get your issue diagnosed by a trained professional, the less time you will have to live in pain. Like any other procedure, you will experience some minor aches and sensitivity following the treatment; these small pains will go away in no time. When you are experiencing tooth pain, the best thing to do is contact Beautiful Smiles and schedule an appointment.

Contact Beautiful Smiles Today

When you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or have any questions regarding these signs, contact us immediately. Our welcoming, professional, and friendly staff is ready to help you with any dental concerns that you have. Learn more about our root canal procedures here, and contact us when you suspect you need dental help.

Urgent: Emergency Dental Care – Gurnee IL

We never think that it is going to happen to us, but if you are ever faced with a dental emergency, do you know what to do? Problems involving your smile can have a serious impact on your overall health and comfortability, and when faced with an emergency, you need to know who to call and where to go!

Whether you have just had a tooth knocked out or are in desperate need to remove one as soon as possible, dental emergencies, no matter how severe, are stressful and traumatic. That is why Beautiful Smiles Dental Center provides emergency dental services in Gurnee; IL provides emergency dental services for all ages of patients. We want to ensure that everyone is as comfortable as possible, so if you experience an unexpected problem with your teeth, then call Beautiful Smiles Dental Center right away. What exactly is considered a dental emergency? What can you do to prepare for one if something ever happens to you?

What is Considered a Dental Emergency?

When you experience severe trauma to your face and are worried about needing urgent attention, the first thing to do is remember not to panic. Luckily you have a full-service dental clinic just a phone call away, and we are here to help when you need us the most. Your dental situation may be an emergency if you:

Are in relentless pain
Are bleeding from the mouth
Have lost a tooth due to trauma
Have a wobbly tooth and cant eat
Have an infection

Should you need dental treatment to stop bleeding, relieve unbearable pain, or prevent yourself from losing a tooth, these are considered dental emergencies. When in doubt, contact our clinic in Gurnee, Illinois NOW! One of our dental professionals will be more than happy to answer any of your questions.

Common Urgent Dental Emergencies

Some of the leading dental emergencies that we treat at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center include:

Tooth or Gum Abscess

An abscess in the mouth can develop from untreated trauma. A pocket that is filled with pus that develops at the bottom of the tooth is a tooth or gum abscess. When left untreated, the pus can drain into the mouth, creating a foul taste. This bacterial infection needs urgent attention because, if left untreated, it can spread to other areas of the mouth, head, and neck. Signs of a tooth or gum abscess are…

A throbbing toothache
Fever
Bad breath
Swelling in the gums

Broken, Chipped, or Cracked Teeth

Your tooth can crack at any time throughout the day. Something as simple as biting into a hard piece of food can severely damage the tooth. Usually, a chipped tooth can be fixed with a dental filling or a dental crown if the chip is larger.

When it is treated shortly after it happens, it can be restored to look as it once did before the incident. Not generally considered tooth emergencies, a broken or chipped tooth can cause severe pain, which is often unbearable and needs to be treated right away.

Toothache Pain

Have you ever experienced pain in the tooth or gums? Then you know how miserable it can be. Toothaches generally occur because of trauma to the mouth or when consuming cold foods and drinks. Toothaches often are due to underlying issues such as:

Exposed tooth dentin
Worn tooth enamel caused by grinding teeth
A crack in a tooth
Tooth decay

Things Not to Do During a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies are painful & stressful. When Dental Emergencies happen, it can be easy to make mistakes that can be drastic when, seeking emergency dental care & attention. Here are a few things to avoid when experiencing a dental emergency. Do not:

Wait to see if it gets better; get help quickly.
Add heat; it can cause the gums to become even more inflamed.
Get rid of small pieces of a broken tooth. There may be a chance the dentist can restore the tooth, so all pieces are needed

Our primary goal at our dental center is to help save your smile. Don’t live in pain and put the health of your teeth at risk. Allow us to keep you comfortable when you need it the most. Contact Beautiful Smiles Dental Center the moment an emergency occurs, and we will get you back living your life pain-free.

What to do in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies are irritating and can come out of nowhere, especially when you are least expecting it. If one of your teeth has been knocked out or broken, we strongly recommend that you do not move it or touch it at all. Should one of your teeth be knocked out:

Rinse the tooth off with water (only if the tooth hit the ground and is dirty)
Put it in a bag or container with some of your own saliva or milk
Apply a wet gauze to the socket to control any bleeding
Contact Beautiful Smiles Dental Center immediately

Even if it is outside opening hours, you can contact our team of dental professionals. When you need emergency dental services, entrust in the good hands at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center. We are open seven days a week and keep a flexible schedule to ensure that we are always there for you and your dental emergency. You can learn more about our Emergency Dental Services in Gurnee, Illinois here.

Contact Beautiful Smiles Dental Center for Dental Emergencies in Gurnee, Waukegan, & Park City IL

As the common saying goes, “It is better to be safe than sorry.” We want your mind to be at ease. Some situations are unavoidable and need immediate attention. So, if you are experiencing:

Swelling around the mouth or facial area
The mouth was affected, and you are experiencing pain in the mouth
Swelling in your gums
A loose tooth
You are in a severe amount of pain that doesn’t dissipate

Don’t worry, our highly trained dentists at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center have experience treating dental emergencies with care and compassion. Contact our dental center for immediate help with dental emergencies in Gurnee, IL.

Perio Protect – Custom Dental Trays

Gum Disease Treatment & Prevention

Gum Disease is an aggressive condition that affects millions of adult Americans. A chronic type that affects the jawbones around the teeth is known as Adult Periodontitis. This disease not only results in the loss of teeth, but it may also be quite disfiguring of the jaws as well. There is Juvenile Periodontitis that affects younger teens entering puberty.

Oral bacteria communities (Biofilm) are known to build up beneath the gum line. Manual and rotary toothbrushes, floss and mouthwash, occasionally only have a limited impact on the issue at hand.

The bacteria communities are difficult to see, hard to reach, and require a Dentist or a Dental Hygienist to help identify the communities of bacteria and remove it from the mouth, determine its presence and remove it.

Signs that you may have Periodontal Disease are:

Bleeding Gums
Unexplained Gaps between teeth
Swollen gum tissue
Bad Breath
Receding Gums
Loose Teeth

The Dilemma of Periodontal Disease

Once you leave the Dentist, you feel incredible, especially when you have a new electric toothbrush waiting at home for you. After a day or two of a nice glowing smile and fresh feel, it seems to go away. But why? Then you start to think if your Dentist let you down or your hygienist didn’t give you the proper steps to take while being at home? Or even did you do something wrong?

Don’t worry; the culprit is in the areas between your teeth and inside the gum tissue, its name; Biofilm. At-home care methods are not going to be effective the way that you want them to. Proper dental hygiene, even perfect dental hygiene, can not be enough. At-home dental care only cleans up to 2-3mm, while Biofilm can stick around in pockets 3mm and deeper.

You aren’t going to be able to clean those pockets until your next cleaning at the Dentist, so what are you going to do?

Well, luckily, there is a way to keep your teeth and gums free from Biofilm and make your clean, glowing smile last longer: Here’s how!

What is Perio Tray Therapy?

Did you know that according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)? Gum disease is often preventable through oral hygiene and dental treatment. One handy and recommended at-home option to treat and prevent gum disease is Perio Tray® therapy by Perio Protect. With care and proper attention, this treatment can help prevent and control gum disease. Perio Tray Therapy delivers antimicrobial medication to hard-to-reach places in the gums where infections are typically prevalent. Perio Tray therapy is one of the leading treatments to fight back against gum disease. These game-changing trays deliver antimicrobial medications between dental visits. Perio trays help prevent and treat infections all of the time, so you don’t have to keep going back to the Dentist every month.

How Do I Use My Perio Project Tray?

Though your Dentist at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center will show you exactly how to use your trays, here is a little recap!

FIRST: You will have to fill your tray with Perio Gel medication. You won’t have to use too much; for these trays, a little gel goes a long way!

SECOND: You will put the tray in your mouth; they will cover the top and bottom teeth. You will wear them one to four times a day for 10 to 15 minutes each time. During your dental visit, before using Perio Trays, your Beautiful Smiles Dental Center Dentist will assess the condition of your gums and give you a treatment plan designed for your specific case.

THIRD: Make sure to keep a healthy dental hygiene routine. Just because these trays play a significant role in treating gum health doesn’t mean that you can stop brushing your teeth and flossing. In the morning and evening, make sure to always give those pearly whites a cleaning.

Perio Tray therapy does require a prescription due to the medication that is used to treat your gums. In addition, your trays are customized to fit your mouth; they need to be fit, snug, and fitted by a dentist. The tight fit helps ensure that the medication is doing its job properly and going directly to the gums and not escape and into their mouth.

If you correctly use Perio Trays, you can protect your gums and keep them healthy. Reduce inflammation, and stop your gums from bleeding while brushing and flossing. Keep your gums healthier, cleaner, and fresher with Perio Tray Therapy at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center. When a new revolutionary treatment comes out, it is normal to think of reasons not to get it, but with Perio Trays, there is no downside to them. Perio Tray therapy is an incredible process that benefits everyone who uses it. Anyone who wishes to get rid of bacteria in the mouth and increase their gum health, then Perio Trays are the number one go-to option.

Perio Protect Trays Benefit You Overall Health

Perio Trays at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center in Gurnee, IL can benefit your overall health tremendously. Did you know that your oral health is directly created with your overall health? Gum disease is linked to a host of conditions and health concerns, and by using Perio Tray therapy, you can reduce your risk of dementia, heart disease, diabetes, and different types of cancer.

Everyone needs to have healthy gums, and they can with Beautiful Smiles Dental Center and Perio Tray Therapy. Contact Us HERE & during your next visit to the clinic, talk to your Dentist about Perio Tray Therapy. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it can ensure that your teeth and gums stay happy, healthy, and fresh. Are you ready to get rid of gross bacteria communities and trade them for Perio Protect – Custom Dental Trays?

Call us by noon & we can see you Today! 📲 (847) 249-5700, or email us at beautifulsmilesdentalcenter@gmail.com

YES! WE ARE OPEN! 😁

➖We are supporting the government’s initiative in fighting COVID-19 by implementing new protocols like limiting the number of patients that enter the building & having special time slots for high risk patients.

😷 As always, we adhere and exceed all OSHA and CDC recommendations to ensure we provide you with the safest and most comfortable environment during your dental visits.

* Also virtual consults are still available with Dr.Galvez if you cannot come into the office.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Cancer is one of the world’s deadliest diseases: per year in the United States, 439.2 people in every 100,000 are diagnosed with a form of cancer, and each year 163.5 people per 100,000 die from the disease. More than 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer alone every single year.

Oral cancer includes cancers of the cheeks, tongue, lips, palate, throat, sinuses, gums, and floor of the mouth. Like other types of cancer, oral cancer can be deadly if it isn’t diagnosed quickly. For a quick diagnosis, oral cancer screenings are of paramount importance.

We’ve going to take a closer look at oral cancer and cancer screenings, to show you the importance of staying one step ahead of oral cancer and getting screened for the potentially deadly disease on a regular basis.

Identify Mouth Cancer Early

Oral cancer screenings are a very simple process where a dentist checks the mouth for any signs that cancer or precancerous signs are present. This exam can also be performed by a doctor.

The main goal and greatest benefit of oral cancer screenings is to identify oral cancer as early as possible. The sooner that cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chances are that it can be cured.

When a dentist identifies the presence of cancer or signs of precancerous lesions, monitoring and treatment can begin immediately. The dentist may request that the patient returns for a second appointment shortly after the screening to check for developments and arrange a biopsy to test for cancer.

Early identification of cancer opens the door to a much greater variety of treatment options, which is much better in every regard for the patient. When oral cancer is diagnosed early, the survival rate is extremely high.

Screenings Starting at High School Age

Oral cancer is most common in people over the age of 55, with the average age of oral cancer diagnosis being 62. Two-thirds of all oral cancer cases are in patients over 55, of which the vast majority are men – the disease is twice as prevalent in males as it is in females.

While oral cancer isn’t common in younger people, it’s still possible to contract oral cancer at a very young age. Around 1 in 8 cases of oral cancer affect people under the age of 50, which is still a large number.

Due to the potential of getting oral cancer early in life, it’s important to attend screenings as soon as they’re available. For high school students, college students and beyond, oral cancer screenings are available and should be attended!

Oropharyngeal Cancer / Throat Cancer

For people who smoke tobacco or have a history of smoking, it’s even more important to attend an oral cancer screening at a local dental clinic. Smoking is one of the factors that can increase the risk of developing oropharyngeal cancer, or throat cancer.

Oropharyngeal cancer develops behind the mouth in the center of the throat (pharynx), where cancer cells will begin to grow in the throat tissue. Signs that a person has oropharyngeal cancer include ear pain, weight loss, soreness, difficulty swallowing and coughing blood.

Cancer screenings are incredibly important for identifying this type of cancer so it can be diagnosed and treated without delay.

Increase in Oral Cancer Cases

Now more than ever before it’s important to visit your local dentist for an oral cancer screening. It’s estimated that 53,000 individuals will be diagnosed with oropharyngeal or oral cancer in the US in 2019, and there will be a total of 10,860 deaths from oral cancer in the same year.

The number of oropharyngeal cancer cases that are connected to HPV infections are rising in the US. There are also increases in the rates of mouth cancer cases elsewhere in the world. In the UK, rates of mouth cancer per 100,000 people rose by 32% for men and 33% for women between 2002 and 2012.

How Often Should You Have an Oral Cancer Screening?

Compared to some other types of cancer, oral cancers have a particularly high death rate. The death rate is thought to be so high because oral cancer is often discovered at a late stage. This is something that regular oral cancer screenings can help to combat.

For oral cancer diagnosed early on, there’s an 84% survival rate over 5 years, compared to an average 5-year survival rate of 65%: these statistics highlight how important it is to visit a dentist regularly for checks.

The recommended regularity of oral cancer screenings is every 3 years, although this increases to every year for people aged 40+. Different dentists may make different recommendations, all depending on the patient. If a person notices any signs of oral cancer during a self exam – which should be conducted around once every month – then they should contact their dentist without delay.

Oral Cancer Screening Process & What to Expect

Oral cancer screenings are a fairly quick and painless procedure that a dentist can perform during a standard dental checkup. The process involves the dentist checking for signs of unusually colored sores and patches, lumps, spots and abnormalities inside the mouth.

The dentist will also check a person’s lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, chin, jaw and the roof and back of their throat. The main goal is to find anything abnormal. Overall, the process should take no more than around 5 minutes.

To help with the examination, a dentist may also use a screening dye which can dye certain cells in the mouth blue or a screening light that highlights abnormal tissue.

Oral Cancer Screenings at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center

You don’t need to travel far or take much time out of your day to have an oral cancer screening, visit Beautiful Smiles Dental Center for the screening.

Beautiful Smiles Dental Center specializes in preventive, cosmetic, and emergency dental services. You can visit our dental practice in Gurnee, IL for oral exams, cancer screenings and all the dental services that you need to maintain a bright and healthy smile.

Ways to Ensure Your Child’s Teeth Develop Correctly

Making healthy choices for your child is part and parcel of being a parent, but when it comes to looking after their teeth there’s far more to it than just brushing daily. Your baby’s teeth begin to develop as buds while still in the womb and you can give them an early boost by ensuring that they receive a good supply of vitamins and minerals.

After they’re born there’s even more to contemplate as decisions which will affect the development of your child’s teeth begin very early in their life. At Beautiful Smiles Family Dentistry in Gurnee, IL we can help you to ensure your son or daughter’s teeth develop correctly throughout their childhood. Nothing replaces a regular check-up but our comprehensive guide will provide some useful hints and tips about what you can do at home.

Infant Oral Health

Your little one may not have many teeth at this stage but that doesn’t mean you can’t start caring for them. Creating a healthy environment for the teeth to erupt prevents early decay and its easier than you might think.

Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, clean cloth or piece of gauze after feeding to help remove sugars and bacteria from their mouth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends regular intake of high-sugar foods and drinks should be avoided wherever possible, and that if you’re formula-feeding, your baby does not go to bed with a bottle.

As soon as the teeth come through, which is typically between 4-10 months old, you can start using a soft-bristled brush and water to keep them clean. There’s no need to start using toothpaste until your child reaches two years of age.

Baby’s teeth are surprisingly strong and you will find that they like to chew on anything available to help them through teething. Monitor any teething toys very closely to prevent damage to the gums or teeth on sharp or lacerated edges.

It’s a good idea to start bringing your youngster to the Beautiful Smiles Dental Center as soon as their teeth have started coming through. This allows us to check that everything looks OK and it also acclimatizes your youngster to having their teeth checked. Most parents bring their babies in from around 18 months but we’re more than happy to see them earlier if you’ve got any concerns

Dental Care for Toddlers & Young Children

At this stage in your child’s life, some factors will go on to have a big influence on the future development of their teeth.

Brushing their teeth twice a day is important, and you can begin to use a child-friendly toothpaste that’s been designed for use in young children. Many youngsters like to develop a degree of independence but it’s essential for you to continue overseeing their brushing. You’ll need to check their teeth and maybe even go over some areas yourself to make sure that their teeth are properly cleaned. This may make your child a little grumpy but brushing is an important step to get right.

By instilling a rigorous dental care routine at a young age, you will give your child’s teeth the very best chance of developing properly and of staying in good condition. Flossing should be introduced as soon as your child’s teeth fit closely together; this can be any time from age 2. You’ll need to help your child floss as it’s a tricky skill for small fingers to manage; most children can floss themselves from the age of 10 years.

Potential Problems During the Early Years …

Some parents use pacifiers with their child to help to soothe them, while other babies manage well without. A lot depends on whether the child needs to satisfy their sucking reflect in order to settle and calm. Even if you don’t use a pacifier, some children suck their thumbs for comfort.

Research suggests that if your child uses a pacifier or sucks their thumb beyond age 2, it can cause crooked or protruding teeth. It’s therefore a good idea to try and help your child find alternative ways to soothe and manage stress. Rewards and positive reinforcement can be excellent strategies to try.

If your child develops teeth which are crooked or stick out, orthodontics will be required later on to straighten them. Your child may look really cute sucking their thumb but the impact it can have on the development of their teeth means this is one habit your child would be better without.

Oral Health for Children Aged 6 years +

The healthy dental routine that you created when your child was younger will be useful as they continue to develop their own self-care skills. It will be particularly vital as their adult teeth start to come through.

Continuing to attend for regular checkups at the Beautiful Smiles Dental Center every six months will be particularly important at this stage. This will allow your dentist to monitor the growth of the adult teeth and identify any problems with position or placement. Early intervention can prevent much more extensive orthodontic treatment at a later stage so dental checks should never be skipped.

Eating a healthy diet during childhood is important for many reasons, including to protect your teeth. Having a good supply of calcium in the diet will help to strengthen teeth and bones; you can find this in milk products including yogurts and cheese. If your child can’t have dairy, broccoli, oranges, soybeans, kale and almonds are all good sources.

High-sugar snacks should be minimized, especially foods such as chewy candy. This can stick into the gaps in the teeth and erode the enamel. Citrus drinks can present a problem too. They may sound healthy but the high sugar content can cause damage to developing teeth. It’s far better to choose water or milk for hydration.

It’s not just the foods which are obviously high in sugars that you should avoid. Simple carbohydrates derived from white flour such as chips, white bread and pasta break down into sugars and stick to the teeth. Switch to wholewheat options and try to pick snacks which have greater nutritional value, such as an apple.

Beautiful Smiles Dental Center Can Help

Dr. Milagros Gálvez, your family dentist in Gurnee, IL is available to attend to your family dentistry needs. Contact Beautiful Smiles Dental Center HERE, give us a call at 847.243.6395 or drop in to see us to book an appointment. Whether it’s your first visit to Beautiful Smiles Dental Center, or whether you’ve been coming here regularly, Dr. Milagros Gálvez is always available to provide advice and help to ensure your child’s teeth develop correctly.

Beautiful Smiles Dental Center – What to Expect During Your Next Dental Visit

Choosing the right dental practice and dentist in your local area is very important. Not only will your chosen dental center provide ongoing care to help you maintain a beautiful and healthy smile, but they’ll be fundamental in spotting problems early and providing you with reliable emergency dental services when needed.

Beautiful Smiles Dental Center strives to provide patients with the best service for dental health. We combine advanced treatments and extensive professional expertise with a relaxing and comfortable environment tailored towards patient care.

When you visit our dental practice, you can always expect to be treated with the upmost care by trained professionals. We go the extra mile to make sure that you’re comfortable and well-informed about all treatments and procedures.

Whether you’ve been visiting Beautiful Smiles Dental Center for many years, you’re planning your first visit, or you’re searching for the best dental practices in Gurnee, Illinois you can expect the highest quality of service from our team. To prepare you for your visit, here’s what to expect from your next appointment with Dr. Milagros Gálvez at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center:

Convenient to Waukegan, Gurnee, & Park City, IL

The first thing to expect on a visit to Beautiful Smiles Dental Center is convenience. Our dental practice is located at 355 S. Greenleaf Ave., Suite E Park City, IL 60085, putting us in the perfect position to serve the residents of Park City. You can reach our practice quickly from anywhere in Park City, Gurnee, Waukegan, and the surrounding areas, which is convenient for dental emergencies when you need access to a reliable dental practice without any delays!

Excellent, Well Trained Staff that Welcomes You

A warm welcome is a guarantee when you visit Beautiful Smiles Dental Center. Our friendly staff are always happy to help and go above and beyond to make sure that your experience with us is nothing short of perfect. All of our staff are well trained, friendly, and accommodating, so if you have any questions, concerns, or special requirements, you don’t need to be afraid to ask and we’ll help where possible.

Bilingual Staff – English and Spanish (Espanol)

Whether you’re stopping by Beautiful Smiles Dental Center for a consultation or you need expert care at a moment’s notice, excellent communication is critical to ensure you’re well-informed of all the options open to you. Dr. Milagros Gálvez is completely fluent in Spanish and English, so you’ll be able to receive expert advice in the language you feel most comfortable using.

Knowledgeable, Highly Skilled Dentists

From our cosmetic and restorative treatments to the warm welcome you’ll receive on arrival, every part of the Beautiful Smiles Dental Center experience is tailored towards excellent patient care.

Dr. Milagros Gálvez is an expert in many areas of dentistry with extensive professional training and more than a decade of experience providing exemplary dental care.

You can expect nothing less than the best professional advice and the highest standard of treatment when you visit Beautiful Smiles Dental Center.

Beautiful Smiles Dental – In-Network Dental Insurances

At Beautiful Smiles Dental Center, we aim to deliver the best dental treatments at affordable prices. Dr. Milagros Gálvez accepts a large number of in-network insurances, so you can receive the treatment you need without paying extra. The in-network insurances our practice accepts, include:

Aetna
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Cigna
Dearborn National
Delta Dental
Dental Network of America
Guardian
Humana
MetLife
Principle Financial Group
Sun Life Financial
Tricare Dental Program
UniCare
United Concordia
UnitedHealthcare

Excellent Bedside Manner

We understand that visiting the dentist for severe or long-term tooth problems can be a daunting prospect, but our goal is to put your mind at ease. Beautiful Smiles Dental Center offers a relaxing environment with staff that will make you feel comfortable and relaxed before, during, and after treatment. Excellent bedside manner is a guarantee at our practice for every member of the family, from the youngest member visiting the dentist for the first time to the oldest.

Fast Services with Short Wait Times & Speedy Response

Beautiful Smiles Dental Center minimizes wait time, so you’ll always be able to see a dentist as quickly as possible. Whether you’re visiting us for a routine dental check-up or a cosmetic treatment, you won’t have to wait long for an appointment with Dr. Milagros Gálvez. In emergencies, we strive to provide you with an appointment in the fastest time possible to reduce your pain and put the best treatment plan in place – you’ll always get a fast response from the Beautiful Smiles Dental team!

A Range of Dental Specialties

Dr. Milagros Gálvez doesn’t just specialize in one area of dentistry but offers an extensive range of services. On your next trip to Beautiful Smiles Dental Center, you’ll have access to many of the best dental treatments available and the latest techniques and equipment. Dr. Milagros Gálvez provides a large number of general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry treatments, as well as being a dental pain specialist.

Preventive Dentistry

Dental Check-ups
Oral Exams
X-Rays
Teeth Cleaning
Sealants
Fluoride Treatments

Restorative & Specialist Treatments

Cosmetic Dentistry

At Beautiful Smiles Dental Center, we treat the whole family, providing advanced restoration treatments, emergency procedures, effective cosmetic procedures, and regular maintenance check-ups to keep your smile looking perfect!

New Dental Patient – Exclusive Special Offers

Special Offers

Top Dentist Reviews in Gurnee, IL

We take great pride in the high-quality service that we offer our new and existing patients, which is why we’re happy to promote our exceptional reviews. Before your next visit to Beautiful Smiles Dental Center, you can check out some of the reviews on our website to give you a true insight into what patients think of us and what you should expect from the overall experience we provide.

Easy Dental Appointment Scheduling & Rapid Registration

From beginning to end, visiting Beautiful Smiles Dental Center is an easy and stress-free experience, starting with scheduling an appointment. For complete ease and convenience, you can book an appointment to see Dr. Milagros Gálvez straight from our website. You’ll be able to take a look at our appointment calendar, pick a date that works for you, and then choose a convenient time. You can also contact us directly on 847.249.5700 if you have any questions.

New patient registration is also an easy and fast process, where again you’ll find everything you need to register on our website. The new patient form covers essential information like your medical and dental history, contact information, and insurance details, which you can fill out and submit online.

Appointments

Booking an appointment only takes a couple of minutes and you’ll be able to select a time and date to fit your schedule from a number of options. We look forward to welcoming you on your next visit to the award-winning Beautiful Smiles Dental Center!

Book Online with Dr. Milagros Gálvez at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center

Now you know exactly what to expect from a visit to Beautiful Smiles Dental Center, there’s no better time to book an appointment online with Dr. Milagros Gálvez! With everything you need to book an appointment being easily accessible from our website, it couldn’t be simpler to schedule a consultation with us at a time that suits you.

New Year, new you! It’s time to finally take control of exactly what you want to achieve and make those positive changes that will turn 2019 into the best year yet – and why not, you’re worth it!From boosting your confidence to helping you to take the next step up in your career, a routine visit to Beautiful Smiles Dental Center in Gurnee is THE New Year’s resolution that’s going to give you the confidence to live your life exactly how you want to.