Oil pulling has been a hot topic. Although an ancient Ayurvedic ritual, Dr F. Karach, MD introduced it into our modern culture in 1992 claiming that it could cure heart disease, digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, and a host of other conditions. For people who prefer to use natural ingredients this was good news, but what… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Preventive Dentistry
Suggestions for Freshening your Breath
Do you have a hot date this weekend? Whether it is your first official date, or you’ve been married for 45 years, one thing is for sure, fresh breath should be an important goal any time you are out with someone you adore. If you want to make sure that you’re ready for your goodnight… Read more »
Ready to Brush Up on Oral Hygiene
The feeling of clean, smooth teeth is a terrific one. When the sticky biofilm better known as plaque (and its hardened form, tartar) clings to your teeth and builds up, you can feel the disconcerting roughness on your tongue. If these bacteria-laden biofilms are not cleaned off on a regular basis, they can lead to… Read more »
Challenge yourself to a Quiz on Cavities
Do you know a lot about cavities? Take this quiz from Park Ridge dentists, Dr. Maria and Thanasi Loukas, and see if you are an expert on the common dental issue of tooth decay. Questions Q1. True or False: Sucrose (AKA sugar) causes cavities. Q2. True or False: The first sign of a tooth decay… Read more »
Loose Teeth in Adults: How to Deal
The consequences of lost permanent teeth are obvious from a cosmetic standpoint. There are also future oral health implications of dragging your feet on replacement of an adult tooth. Prevention is the best method of smile maintenance, and is best achieved when you are vigilant against the warning signs of dental despair. Park Ridge dentists, Dr. Maria and… Read more »
Do you Still Need Cleanings with Dental Implants?
The beauty of implants is that they’re designed to mimic your tooth’s entire structure, down to the roots. With such a close comparison to natural teeth, you may find yourself wondering if dental implants require checkups and cleanings like natural teeth. Park Ridge implant dentists, Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas, take pride in restoring the smiles… Read more »
True or False: Bad Breath Can Ruin your Date
Saliva is the clear, watery liquid in our mouths which we don’t generally wish to think about. You may be surprised to know that saliva plays a rather important role in your dental health. Saliva is a soldier inside your mouth, waging battle against bad breath, dry mouth, and bacteria. Did you know that saliva is constantly battling against the germs which cause bad breath? Park… Read more »
Glucose and Your Gums: A Diabetic’s Guide to Periodontal Disease
It’s common knowledge that diabetes is linked to such medical complications as renal failure, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Less common is an understanding of the oral health implications of diabetes, specifically, the increased risk for gum disease. Dr. Thanasi Loukas discusses symptoms and consequences of bleeding gums in Park Ridge, IL and what it means… Read more »
Can you Prevent Tooth Loss?
Overall, the rate of tooth loss in America has gradually declined since the 1940s. Your teeth are essential to quality of life: eating, speaking, and maintaining the integrity of your facial features. You only get one set of permanent teeth. Your teeth are designed to last a lifetime, and since you don’t grow replacements, anything… Read more »
Soccer, Summer, Swimming, and Your Smile

As Germany and Argentina prepare to vie for the World Cup, it seems that everyone across the country has soccer on the brain. This year we’ve seen some excellent examples of how NOT to protect your teeth during physical activity—a certain biting incident comes to mind. Whether you play soccer, football, or another popular summer… Read more »