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Need some gift ideas for family members and friends who seem to have absolutely everything? Who are impossible to shop for? Who tell you not to worry, it’s the thought that counts? Well, we have a few suggestions which will show the people on your gift list that you’ve put a lot of thought into their gifts this holiday season. 

You love to see your friends and family smile, so we’ve come up with some smile-worthy ideas designed for their specific interests. 

Environmental Ally

The world is becoming a more eco-conscious place, and happily this transformation includes products designed for personal care. Put together a spa basket which is good for your friend’s comfort, dental health, and the planet!

A recycled gift box filled with environmentally friendly bath products and organic cotton face cloths becomes even more mindful with the addition of bamboo or recycled plastic toothbrushes, zero-waste fluoride toothpaste tablets, and biodegradable picks and floss. 

Don’t forget to include a colorful, insulated water bottle for sustainable hydration—and hydration sustains tooth and gum health as well! Healthy planet/healthy smile.

Talented Techie

If your friend or relative is cutting edge high-tech, maybe it’s time for a dental upgrade. 

Modern electric toothbrushes offer plenty of options for the tech-savvy. They come with different settings for brushing and massaging. They can let brushers know if they’ve brushed long enough, if they’re brushing too hard, or when the brush head needs to be retired. Smart models even link to apps, which can, among other things, map out any missed spots in brushing coverage or suggest more effective brushing angles. 

And for an extra thoughtful touch, include a packet of plaque disclosing tablets. Chew one of these helpful little tablets and they will reveal any plaque that’s still on the teeth and near the gums.

Adventure Seeker

How about a new backpack or carry-all for outdoor or travel adventures? A travel first aid kit is always a welcome addition for the person on the go.

Go the extra step and help a friend be prepared for anything with an emergency dental kit. You can find these lightweight kits in stores or online, or you can assemble one yourself with a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, a travel mirror, cotton rolls, pain relievers, and even temporary fillings. Include a pack of sugar-free gum—it helps with altitude changes and hydration. Ask Dr. Dalessandro or the team at Dalessandro Implants & Periodontics for suggestions!

Film Buff

If your bestie likes nothing better than an evening spent in front of the home screen, consider a subscription or gift card for a streaming service tailored to his or her favorites, whether it’s classic films, sci-fi, action, rom-coms, or epic adventures. 

And don’t forget the binge-watch treats! Fill a basket with dental-friendly goodies like fresh fruits, nuts, and dark chocolate. Include a collection of simple sparkling waters or a gift card for vitamin-rich smoothies. Who needs sugary candies and sodas with options like these?

Timeless Trendsetter

Older relatives might love a selection of modern gifts designed with old-fashioned comfort in mind, such as an automatic jar opener and a selection of jams, trekking poles for easier hiking, or wireless earbuds for enjoying music or an audio book.

For a lifetime of healthy smiles, consider adding a water flosser to your gift basket. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss for older Americans. Water flossers are a great way to eliminate stubborn plaque, especially when mobility issues make manual flossing difficult. Adjustable water pressure applies just the right amount of cleaning power, and the flow can be directed to the gumline, between teeth, or anywhere necessary. 

No matter who’s on your shopping list, tailoring your gifts to both their interests and their well-being is a great way to share happy, healthy holiday smiles with family and friends in Hoffman Estates, IL.

If you have been thinking about getting a piercing, or if you already have one or more, there are some health risks our team at Dalessandro Implants & Periodontics wants you to know about. It's important to know the risks involved with oral piercing, including infection, chipped teeth, gum damage, nerve damage, loss of taste, or tooth loss that could occur as a result.

Your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection is a common complication of oral piercing. Many people who have piercings tend to regularly touch them, paving the way for bacteria to enter piercing sites. Also, food particles that collect around piercing sites can lead to infection.

Besides hindering your ability to talk and eat, oral piercing also leads people to develop a habit of biting or playing with their piercings, which can lead to cracked or fractured teeth. While the fracture can be confined to the enamel of the tooth and require a simple filling, you also run the risk of the fracture going deep into the tooth, which may require a root canal, tooth extraction, and additional dental treatment.

If you still decide to get an oral piercing, you should realize that it will take some time to heal (anywhere between four to six weeks) and it may be very uncomfortable. Also please keep in mind that it will be an added responsibility to your life, as it will require regular upkeep. We want you to make sure that you’re committed to the task of taking care of it for the full healing period and beyond.

We encourage you to clean the piercing with antiseptic mouthwash after eating, and brush the jewelry each time you brush your teeth. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call!

They’re refreshing and tasty. They’re easy to find and pretty cheap. They help us get through a long day or a long workout. They’re everywhere.

We know it’s hard to say no to an energy or sports drink. That’s why Dr. Dalessandro and our team want to make sure you know the effects that energy and sports drinks can have on your smile and overall oral health. You might just think twice next time you crave one.

There’s a common misconception that sports and energy drinks are somehow healthier than soda beverages. None is particularly good for you, but because sports and energy drinks have higher acidity levels, they put you on a fast track to enamel erosion, which can lead to cavities over time. However, studies show that energy drinks may be the worst of the bunch.

In a study published in General Dentistry, the energy drinks that showed the highest acidity levels were 5-hour Energy, Monster, Rockstar, and Red Bull Sugar free. These drinks almost doubled in acidity when compared to sports drinks. The sports drinks that came in second as far as acidity levels go were Powerade, Gatorade, and Propel.

You may be thinking, “What's the big deal; lots of other drinks damage your teeth, too,” and you’re right. Even all-natural beverages like orange juice and other fruit juices, which are advertised as full of vitamins, contain acid that damages tooth enamel. The point here is that moderation is key.

We certainly encourage you to choose a glass of orange juice over an energy drink, but if you feel like you just can’t give up your sports and energy drink habit, then please consider the following tips:

• Limit yourself to a certain number of said beverages a week and stick to it.
• Rinse with water after consuming an energy or sports drink.
• Brush your teeth after an hour of downing the drink, so your mouth has time to return to its normal pH level.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call at our Hoffman Estates, IL office. Shoot us a message on Facebook, or let us know on your next visit!

We get it. You’re working out and could use a boost. It’s 2 a.m. and that essay won’t write itself (darn it). You’re in the middle of a meeting that goes on and on and . . . 

It’s easy to reach for an energy drink when you’re feeling a bit low on, well, energy. These drinks are loaded with caffeine, and, like coffee or tea, can help you feel more alert. But before you pop that top, let’s look at how energy drinks affect your dental health.

• Energy drinks are very acidic.

Acid levels are measured using the pH scale, which ranges from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline). Saliva has a normal pH somewhere between 6.2 and 7.6, which helps neutralize any acidic conditions in the mouth and promotes a healthy oral environment. But saliva’s neutralizing effect can be overwhelmed by highly acidic foods and drinks.

Why are higher levels of acids bad for our teeth and gums? 

• Acids strip away minerals like calcium from tooth enamel, the minerals which make enamel the strongest substance in the body. This demineralization weakens the enamel’s protective outer structure and can lead to enamel loss, sensitivity, tooth discoloration, and decay.
• Some types of oral bacteria which thrive in acidic conditions irritate gum tissue. The tissue becomes inflamed, which is the first stage of gum disease. Dental erosion can result in exposed roots and receding gums, which leaves pockets which harbor bacteria and can lead to more serious gum infections. 

Many energy drinks are among the most acidic beverages on the market. Mineral loss in your enamel starts to occur when the pH balance in the mouth falls to 5.5 or less. Lemon juice has a pH between 2 and 3. White vinegar has a pH of 2.5. Energy drinks can range from 1.5 to 3.5 on the pH scale! Studies show that regular consumption of energy drinks greatly increases the risk and severity of dental erosion.

• Most energy drinks are full of sugar.

Sugar is easily metabolized, or broken down, by the body. When our bodies break down food, energy is released. That’s why companies add sugar as well as caffeine to their energy drinks. 

The plaque bacteria which create cavities also use sugars in these drinks as an energy source, converting sugars into acids. Just like acidic foods and drinks, bacterial acids break down the mineral structure in tooth enamel. You might notice small white spots when the enamel starts to erode—and a cavity starts to develop. Bacteria linked to the development of gum disease use sugar as an energy source as well.

• Energy drinks aren’t just bad for your dental health. 

The temporary burst of energy you get from all the sugar in energy drinks is followed by a sugar crash when blood sugar levels go down again, and you can feel tired, weak, or shaky. 

Even worse, one energy drink might contain three to four times the amount of caffeine found in a cup of coffee. Excess caffeine interferes with healthy sleep. It can cause changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety levels. 

If you do have the occasional energy drink, what’s the best way to protect your teeth and gums?

• Don’t linger over your drink. Sipping slowly over time just bathes your teeth and gums in sugar and acids over a longer period. 
• Drink water when you’re done. Water helps wash away sugars and acids, hydrates, and promotes healthy saliva production.
• If the team at Dalessandro Implants & Periodontics gives gum a thumbs up, chew a piece of sugarless gum after downing an energy drink to increase saliva flow and help neutralize acids in the mouth. 
• Wait at least 30-60 minutes to brush after finishing an energy drink. Acids in the drink weaken enamel, and brushing immediately can be abrasive to the tooth surface.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in proteins, complex carbs, vitamins, and minerals to feel more energetic.
• Keep up with good dental hygiene. Brush twice each day for two minutes and floss daily, or more often as recommended by Dr. Dalessandro or your dentist.

If you notice signs of enamel erosion—sensitivity, front teeth which are becoming transparent or rough around the edges, yellowish discoloration, white or brown spots on your enamel, receding gums, or exposed roots—it’s time for a talk with Dr. Dalessandro or your dentist. When caught early enough, treatment is available which can stop further erosion from harming your teeth and gums.

The team at Dalessandro Implants & Periodontics in Hoffman Estates, IL, or your doctor, can help you discover healthy ways to stay focused and energetic. Your workout, your essay, your meeting, and, above all, your healthy body and healthy smile will thank you!