When we are young, we feel unstoppable. We think we will live forever, and we know more than our parents. As we age, we soon conclude that invincibility fades, forever isn’t as long as we thought, and we begin to appreciate the collective wisdom of those who have gone before us. Since you have probably …
If you have claustrophobia, you avoid cave exploration. If you have acrophobia (fear of heights), you avoid sky diving. In either case, you can live a fulfilling life without participating in these activities. What if you have dentophobia or a fear of the dentist? (Yes, it’s a real thing with an official name.) This is …
Talk to your dentist There’s something about having knowledge of anything unknown that makes us feel less afraid or at least more confident handling the unknown. If you consider dentistry an unknown topic, maybe you can educate yourself by asking your dentist lots of questions. Find a dentist willing to listen to your fearful thoughts …
Dentists know that a mouth examination can reveal issues in other parts of the patient’s body. Because many diseases manifest in soft tissues of the mouth or cause pain in the jaw, dentists often refer patients to their medical doctor for further diagnosis when they encounter issues such as inflammation, chronic bad breath, bleeding gums, …
Tooth decay is one of the most common health problems there is. Are you doing everything you can to prevent it? In this post from David Rice DDS in Elgin IL we have some practical ideas that can help. What causes a cavity? Every time we eat or drink, plaque bacteria break down sugar that …
Flossing can be a bit of a chore. It takes time to do it right, and if you haven’t flossed in a while, it can even be painful. It’s no wonder our team at David Rice DDS in Elgin IL is constantly reminding our patients to brush and floss! Flossing is vital to your dental …
Most people probably know how a pediatric dentist differs from an orthodontist. But you may not know that there are multiple dental specialties. This post from David Rice DDS in Elgin IL looks at the disciplines within dentistry. Endodontics: This area focuses on dental pulp and periradicular tissues. If you need a root canal, you …
Proper nutrition can benefit you in many ways: increased energy, improved immunity, glowing skin, mental clarity, and a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. At David Rice DDS in Elgin IL we ask: How often do you consider how your diet affects your dental health? Your diet influences your risk of cavities, enamel health, …
Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day is one of the best things you can do to maintain good dental health. You’ve probably heard us say that more than once, at David Rice DDS in Elgin IL. Not many patients like to admit it, but studies show that some people have a hard time …
If you are a teenager or the parent of a teenager, this David Rice DDS in Elgin IL post is for you. We’ll discuss dental issues of special concern to adolescents. Dental risks for teens include both developmental and lifestyle-related factors. At our practice, we see decay and gum disease far too often in teens. …
