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Image John J. Kelly, DDS Your Smile | Your Health Thu, May 16, 2024 John J. Kelly, DDS May 16, 2024 GREAT SMILES! Call us today at (773) 631-6844 Thank you! EASY TO FIND! 5350 West Devon Av Chicago, IL 60646 Get details! SURF ON OVER! Visit our website for more info. Do it today! Mostly Cloudy 53°F 12°C FOR GREAT SMILES! Call us today at 773-631-6844 EASY TO FIND! 5350 West Devon Avenue Chicago, IL 60646 Get details! EASY TO FIND! 5350 West Devon Avenue Chicago, IL 60646 Get details! FOR GREAT SMILES Request a visit online or Call 773.631.6844 Do it today! WE’RE EASY TO FIND! 5350 W. Devon Av. Chicago, IL 60646 Dental office details! ► IN THIS ISSUE How Thrush Infections Can Affect Your Dentures Oral thrush is problem many denture wearers suffer from — but it doesn’t have to be. Here is some helpful advice on how oral thrush can be prevented. read more Can Breathing Through Your Mouth Injure Your Teeth? Are people who breathe through their mouths more likely to have oral health issues? A recent study warns, it just might be true. If you or someone you know is a mouth breather, you should read this! read more For Your Info: Let’s Review The Ways We Can Improve Your Smile Here’s look at some of the modern technological advances in the field of dentistry that enable us to reshape your teeth to a more natural appearance. read more Calcium’s A Winner For Your Smile … Here Are Some Calcium Rich Recipes! Everyone knows, calcium protects teeth and bones, but keeping levels high enough can be a challenge. Presenting six super foods packed with calcium, and some fun recipes to help you make them taste great! read more How Thrush Infections Can Affect Your Dentures Oral thrush is problem many denture wearers suffer from — but it doesn’t have to be. Here is some helpful advice on how oral thrush can be prevented. read more Can Breathing Through Your Mouth Injure Your Teeth? Are people who breathe through their mouths more likely to have oral health issues? A recent study warns, it just might be true. If you or someone you know is a mouth breather, you should read this! read more Patching Up Leukoplakia: What’d You Call It?” Set the scene: You bolt out of bed to get ready for your first Zoom call. In the bathroom, you manage a glance at yourself in the mirror. Opening your mouth to see how white (or yellow) your teeth are going to look on camera, you notice a thick, white/greyish patch... read more Acid Alert! Five Facts About Your Oral Health and Snacking Did you know? There’s a right way and a wrong way to enjoy between meal snacks. Do it the wrong way and your oral health may suffer! Check out how to snack the right way… read more Patching Up Leukoplakia: What’d You Call It?” Set the scene: You bolt out of bed to get ready for your first Zoom call. In the bathroom, you manage a glance at yourself in the mirror. Opening your mouth to see how white (or yellow) your teeth are going to look on camera, you notice a thick, white/greyish patch... read more Acid Alert! Five Facts About Your Oral Health and Snacking Did you know? There’s a right way and a wrong way to enjoy between meal snacks. Do it the wrong way and your oral health may suffer! Check out how to snack the right way… read more Straighter Teeth? Better Bite? What’s The Right Solution? With the growing number of orthodontic treatment options available today, patients and practitioners can choose from several kinds of braces. Which type is best for you? read more The Hidden Dangers of Gum Disease Chances are you’ve at least heard about gum disease and you know that it’s something that you don’t want in your mouth. What you may not realize, however, is just how much gum disease can put your general health at risk. read more ► our little video ► More Good Stuff The Hidden Dangers of Gum Disease If you’ve been to the dentist recently or even browsed the oral hygiene aisle at the supermarket, chances are you’ve heard of gum disease – and you know it’s something you don’t want in your mouth. What you may not know is just how much gum disease can put your general health at considerable risk. There are some pretty shocking links between poor oral health and the health of the rest of your body. The Tie Between Gum Disease and Chronic Diseases At its core, gum disease is an inflammatory condition caused by bacterial infection. Mild inflammation is called gingivitis and is usually relatively easy to reverse. Unaddressed, gingivitis can progress into full-blown advanced periodontal disease that can result in severe consequences for your teeth, gums, and overall health. There is strong evidence to suggest that chronic gum disease can worsen other types of inflammatory diseases, including heart and lung diseases, as well as diabetes. Because there is such an overload of bacteria present in the mouth with gum disease, it is inevitable that some of these bacteria will make its way to other parts of the body. They may settle in, on, or around organs that are already compromised due to inflammation, causing yet– more inflammation. In conditions where inflammation already compromises the immune system and makes infection difficult to fight, such as with diabetes, the added stress of gum disease can wreak a special kind of havoc. One disease complicates the other and vice versa, making all symptoms much worse, much faster. A Real Threat of Disability or Death While it is unlikely that gum disease itself will kill you unless it leads to a severe abscess that goes untreated, it can contribute to life-threatening medical emergencies. The same inflammatory response to toxins and bacteria that can exacerbate existing conditions can also create a perfect storm for a major cardiac event or stroke. Inflammation causes arteries to narrow, which increases blood pressure, along with the risk of blood clots. It’s really only a matter of time before something goes terribly wrong. Gum Disease and Pregnancy Pregnant mothers who have gum disease face a substantial risk for preterm labor, which can create serious concerns for both mother and child. Low birth weight and underdeveloped lungs are just a couple of the potential complications for the child. Inflammation in the body can also make recovery for the mother slower and more difficult. Since pregnancy itself can often put a woman at an increased risk for developing gum disease, this is a particularly important time to keep up with regular hygiene appointments. A Quick Fix Perhaps the greatest tragedy in all of this is how easy it is to prevent gum disease altogether. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups can stop gum disease in its tracks and avoid all of the unnecessary complications that come with it. If you are not sure of the best way to prevent gum disease, ask your dentist or dental hygienist to show you proper oral care techniques . It only takes a few minutes per day and can prevent a lifetime of oral and general health issues. Why Tongue-Cleaning Is No Gag! If you care about the health of your mouth, there’s one more thing you probably could be doing that you don’t – cleaning your tongue. Check out this important step for better breath, healthier teeth and gums and more! read more The Rub With Jaw Discomfort – How To Make It Go Away You’re on your dream vacation in Paris. Suddenly, a nagging pain in your jaw turns a great day into a miserable one. What’s the source of this pain? Could be your TMJ! Here’s what we can tell you about TMJ pain, and what to do if you’ve been diagnosed. What’s a TMJ, exactly? TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint . This is the joint that connects your jaw to your head. You use this joint any time you speak or eat. Because your jaw is able to move up and down and side to side, your temporomandibular joint has evolved into a complex machine – a critical meeting point of bone, nerve and muscle. Needless to say, the TMJ can get out of joint (forgive the pun) very easily. An estimated 4.8 percent of U.S. adults (11.2 to 12.4...