Arlington Heights, IL dentist Dr. Brent Engelberg offers a full range of general dental services, from routine dental cleanings to dental fillings and periodontal therapy. General dentistry is the foundation of helping patients maintain a healthy smile for a lifetime. Our dentist office puts an extra focus on gum disease prevention.
Dr. Engelberg and our experienced dental care staff at AH Smiles consider patient education an important part of our preventive care protocol. We take the time to provide personalized hygiene tips tailored to each patient’s unique oral health needs.
General Dentistry Services At AH Smiles
Dr. Engelberg is dedicated to helping you maintain lasting dental health with advanced techniques, materials, and oral hygiene products. Your routine dental visits will include the following:
- Dental examination
- Professional cleaning
- Periodontal screening
- Oral cancer screening
- Diagnostic x-rays (as needed)
Routine visits to our Arlington Heights dentist office allow Dr. Engelberg to spot dental problems early when conservative treatment options can be most effective. We may notice subtle changes in your gum tissue, the tongue’s appearance, or overall dental health that can indicate a larger health concern. Certain medical conditions may show early warning signs in the mouth, and early treatment can offer the best prognosis or avoid complications.
Dr. Engelberg incorporates advanced digital technology into routine dental care, including digital x-rays and Overjet AI software. This combination of diagnostics allows our team to provide a more in-depth evaluation of your teeth and gums using digital imagery. Dr. Engelberg and our hygiene team can visually present developing concerns, including tooth decay or gum disease.
Dr. Engelberg considers himself a partner in your overall health care, emphasizing oral health’s important role in overall health and well-being. Routine visits enable us to get to know you, understand your concerns, and monitor your dental health.
You should see the dentist at least once every six months to maintain optimal oral health. Outside of this, you should visit your local dentist office should any worrying symptoms develop that could indicate a potential problem. There are many reasons to see a dentist, from persistent toothaches to unexplained jaw pain.
Reasons to See a Dentist
Tooth sensitivity and/or toothaches: When your teeth hurt, this could result from injury or even a sinus infection. However, other causes of tooth pain or sensitivity may include a dental cavity or an infection. We suggest seeing a dentist for a thorough exam and diagnosis if you notice any discomfort in or around your tooth.
Sore jaw: If you notice soreness in your jaw or difficulty opening and closing your mouth, you may need to see the dentist. If ignored, TMJ disorder and bruxism can lead to soreness in the jaw and serious complications. The doctor can examine your jaw to see if you need treatment for either of these issues.
Chronic headaches: Along with a sore jaw, persistent headaches can indicate jaw joint strain, such as caused by TMJ disorder or teeth grinding (bruxism). As mentioned above, the doctor can diagnose the cause of your discomfort and recommend the appropriate treatments if he discovers TMJ issues with bruxism.
Missing teeth: Don’t delay treatment even if you lose a tooth. Over time, tooth loss can lead to misalignment and problems eating and speaking clearly. If you lose multiple teeth, you could even develop an older appearance due to facial collapse.
Damaged teeth: If you chip or break a tooth, always schedule a visit to our dentist office. A damaged tooth exposes the sensitive inner structure to harmful bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities and infection.
The Importance of Preventative Care
Taking care of your smile with preventative care is the foundation of your oral health. You must take proper care of your mouth at home, but also regularly visit the dentist office to ensure that everything is being done properly.
At home, brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss your teeth at least once daily. Without this, bacteria and food particles build up, creating plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky film that becomes difficult to remove, even moreso when it hardens into tartar. These substances increase your likelihood of getting tooth decay and gum disease.
But you can’t just take care of your oral health at home. There are certain areas of your smile that are difficult to reach on your own. During your bi-annual dental visits, we use specialized tools to properly clean these hard-to-reach places. If you’re skipping your dental visits, plaque and tartar are still building up in these areas. Even if youre brushing and flossing properly, you’re still at a high risk for dental problems.
We don’t only provide cleanings during dental visits. We also perform thorough oral health exams. Issues like oral cancer and gum disease have early warning signs that can be hard to miss. They aren’t painful, so many people brush them off. However, we have extensive training to catch these dental problems early. Diagnostic technology allows us to detect problems that are invisible to the naked eye.
Diet and Oral Health
In addition to dedicated oral healthcare, your diet plays a big part to ensuring you have a healthy smile. Certain nutrients are essential to keeping the mouth healthy, while other things you should avoid in your smile’s best interest.
Good Foods for Your Smile
Calcium and Vitamin D are two of the most important nutrients for healthy teeth. They keep your tooth enamel strong and help to remineralize it over time. Enamel is what protects the rest of your tooth structure against bacteria and tooth decay. Dairy products like milk and cheese provide calcium, and many of the products can come fortified with Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium better.
When it comes to gum health, Vitamin C is essential. It helps collagen production, which keeps the soft tissues in your body healthy and growing. Gum disease is the biggest threat to gum tissue, and Vitamin C reduces inflammation and helps your body fight off infections. Citrus fruits, strawberries, and broccoli are all good sources of Vitamin C. Gum tissue kelps to keep your teeth in place.
Fresh, fibrous fruits and vegetables almost act like natural toothbrushes. They help get between your teeth and dislodge food fragments. They also requre a lot of chewing, increasing saliva production in your mouth. The more saliva you produce, the better. Saliva washes food particles and bacteria away from your smile, while also neutralizes the acids in your mouth that bacteria produce as byproducts.
Things to Avoid for Oral Health
Sugar is one of the most harmful things for your smile. It’s the favorite food of harmful bacteria in your mouth. When they consume it, they release an acidic byproduct that eats through the tooth enamel, creating cavities. Sweet foods aren’t the only culprits, either. Starches also break down into sugars when you eat them, meaning things like chips and crackes can cause problems, too.
Acid is the other big problem for your teeth. It increases the rate at which your tooth enamel wears down, making your teeth more vulnerable to decay. Sour candies and sodas combine sugar and acid, making them some of the most harmful things for your smile. Normally, it’s good for you to brush your teeth after eating, but this isn’t the case with acidic foods. If you don’t wait at least 30 minutes, brushing your teeth can actually increase the damage to your teeth.
When you eat these things, be sure to rinse your mouth by drinking water afterward. This helps remove food particles and neutralize acids. Take into account the timing of your meals and snacks. If you’re snacking throughout the day, you’re constantly exposing your teeth to sugars and acids.
Common Questions About Dental Checkups
Have you recently scheduled a dental checkup? We’ve found that many people underestimate the importance of routine checkups and dental cleanings. While you may take good care of your smile at home, you still need these preventive visits to promote good oral health and avoid the onset of serious issues, such as gingivitis or tooth decay. If you’re ready for a checkup, schedule one today.
How often should my teeth be examined?
We agree with the American Dental Association: You should have your smile examined every six months. No matter how old you are or how well you brush and floss, you should let our team examine your teeth, gums, and jaw twice a year.
If I brush and floss, do I need a checkup, too?
Yes. Otherwise, indicators of serious oral health problems (cavities, gingivitis, gum disease, TMJ disorder, and bruxism) can remain unnoticed until the issues have progressed to a later stage, threatening your oral health and causing uncomfortable symptoms.
What does the dentist look for?
The dentist looks for any changes in your oral health. Changes can include redness or soreness in your gums, signs of tooth decay, or damage to the teeth that may result from bruxism (teeth grinding). From there, the doctor can discuss possible treatment options to address the issue immediately.
Are cleanings and exams performed on the same visit?
Yes. We may perform a cleaning, which removes all plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth, in the same visit. A cleaning promotes brighter smiles and fresher breath and helps reduce the risk of gum disease.
Should I use a manual or electric toothbrush?
Both types are adept at cleaning your mouth if you use them properly. Some patients may be better suited to the electric toothbrush than others. Electric ones often have timers to remind children and teens how long they need to brush. People with movement disorders and other conditions may find it hard to properly clean their teeth with manual toothbrushes. Electric ones give them more range of motion.
How do I get rid of bad breath?
Poor oral hygiene typically causes bad breath. Plaque and tartar buildup on teeth comprises bacteria and old food debris. The longer it stays and builds up on your teeth, the worse your breath becomes. If we help you with oral health and you still have bad breath, we contact other doctors. Stomach conditions and other problems can also cause bad breath.
Schedule a Comprehensive Dental Exam Today
Looking for a new dentist in Arlington Heights, Illinois? We welcome new patients from all of Chicago. We work with patients who have been away from the dentist due to anxiety and fear, helping them to restore a healthy, functional smile. AH Smiles serves many local communities, including Long Grove, IL, Deerfield, IL, Northbrook, IL, Buffalo Grove, IL, and surrounding communities near you. We accept most dental insurance and offer financing to help patients budget their dental care.
Call our office at (847) 230-9703 or request a dental appointment online today.