Dr. Martha Ha, DDS of our Chicago location recently returned from providing dental care to underprivileged children in Ensenada, Mexico.

The effort was organized by Dental Care for Children, a non-profit organization that provides dental care to children in Mexico and Haiti as well as the United States.

Setting up their clinic in a small church in Ensenada, Dr. Ha and the other dentists donating their time on this trip saw about 80 patients and provided over $34,000 worth of dental care.

Amazing work Dr. Ha – Bravo!

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Insurance Benefits
Most PPO insurance plans run on a calendar year (January 1st – December 31st), and we are moving toward the final quarter of 2016! Whether you have treatment you have been putting off and want to utilize your annual maximum, or you have a second cleaning to use by the end of the year – now is the time to schedule!

Please plan accordingly as the last weeks of the year fill up quickly and the holidays are a busy time for everyone!

Ready to Schedule?
Click or call to schedule Chicago 312-642-3370 or Schaumburg 847-805-6202

Questions about your benefits?

Email us today!

I’m Too Old For Braces
You are never too old to straighten your smile! Proper alignment prevents decay from getting stuck in between overlapping teeth and makes keeping your teeth clean easier! Not sure about traditional braces? Try Invisalign, a great alternative that consists of clear aligners to move and shape the perfect smile!
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With allergy season in full swing, your dental health may not be the first thing you think of. But a case of hay fever can make an impact on your teeth and gums. Check out what to look out for and see how you can protect your mouth!

Tooth Pain
Sinus pain is a common reaction to pollen and dust. The hollow spaces in your head fill up with mucus, causing aches and pains in your face. The maxillary sinuses, the largest sinuses in your face, are located above your mouth. When pressure builds in these sinuses, it can push down on the roots of your upper molars. You may experience sensitivity to hot and cold or notice pain that shifts as you sit, stand or lie down. Antihistamines may cause sinus relief. If your toothache goes away after taking an antihistamine, the pain is likely allergy-related. If the symptoms don’t go away or occur in places other than just the upper molars, schedule an appointment to see your dentist.
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Depending on your lifestyle, this statement may or may not be true. It turns out the amount of sugar we eat may be less harmful to your dental health than the frequency of which you consume sugar. This is why sugary sodas and energy drinks are so dangerous – sipping these beverages provide repeated hits of sugar on your teeth. These beverages are also highly acidic, which promotes demineralization. Regardless of amount of sugar or frequency of sugar intake, a diet built around refined and processed carbohydrate foods can lead to tooth decay and gum inflammation.
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Are you worried about losing your natural teeth? Tooth loss can be costly and embarrassing and some remedies may seem less than ideal. Here are a few ways to help ensure you will keep your natural teeth for years to come. There is no defined age where problems begin so thinking ahead regardless of age is a good idea.

Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is the number one destroyer of smiles. Once it begins, it can be proactively and professionally managed. Maintain your regular visits, and if you’re placed on a periodic maintenance routine where you visit your dentist more than twice a year, be sure to keep those appointments. Keeping those appointments will help you keep your teeth.
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Starting to second guess adding onions to your lunch? Now you are left with bad breath for the afternoon. Fortunately, while some foods may cause bad breath, others can help mask bad breath! While these only provide temporary assistance, it will buy you an hour or two!

Parsley
Parsley is probably one of the most well-known ways to treat bad breath. Its oils are what do the trick. Likewise, spearmint and cinnamon can help mask bad breath. Some other herbs and spices that work for the same reason are coriander or cilantro, tarragon, eucalyptus, rosemary, and cardamom.
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A lot can happen in eight hours – especially in your mouth! While you are sleeping, bacteria is gathering on your teeth. Fortunately, there are many ways to maintain your oral health while you sleep.

Brush Before Bed
Brushing your teeth before you go to sleep at night helps protect against plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gum disease. If you are particularly susceptible to cavities and gum disease, dentists recommend that you brush immediately after dinner, then again right before bedtime.
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What you eat affects your mouth not only by building healthier teeth and gums, but by helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease! Learn how to eat the best diet for your teeth, including foods to eat, beverages to drink and what to avoid.

Calcium
Drinking milk builds strong bones and teeth. A diet with adequate calcium may prevent against tooth decay. When a diet is low in calcium, the body takes minerals from teeth and bones which can increase your risk of tooth decay and cavities. Those who have less than half the recommended dietary allowance were almost twice as likely to have gum disease than those who had the recommended intake. Your jawbone is particularly effected by low calcium – it can weaken which causes teeth to loosen and increase your risk for gum disease.
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As we approach the end of 2015, there are five reasons you should schedule any outstanding treatment or second cleanings for the calendar year! Check out the reasons below and contact us right away to schedule – December is a very busy month for everyone and schedules fill up fast so don’t wait until the last minute!

1. Yearly Maximum
The yearly maximum is the most money that the dental insurance company will pay for your dental work within one full year. This amount varies by insurance company, but the average is around $100 per year, per person. They yearly maximum renews every year on January 1st, if your plan is on a calendar year. If you have unused benefits, these will not rollover.
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