Old Orchard Smiles

08/07/2021

In need of a temporaray Hygienist Thurs Aug 12th &/or Friday Aug 13th. $43-45 an hour (BOE), for this temporary contract. Pay check on site, but 1099 will be issued. We are located in the Old Orchard Professional Building (at Old Orchard Mall). Hours would be Thursday 8:30 (patients 9am-6pm or so, approx-whenever you are done) and Friday is 8am (patients 8:30-3pm or so, approx-whenever you are done). No real lunch Friday, jut eat as you go. Lunch hr on Thursday. Only serious individuals apply please. Illinois DH license required. Email resume or response to info@oldorchardsmiles.com or call (the # above) 847-673-2052. Potential for full time at our other affiliated locations (pay rate BOE).

08/06/2021

Sorry this is the 3rd time I have tried to post this, if you have seen this....In need of a Hygienist Thurs Aug 12th &/or Friday Aug 13th. $43-45 an hour based on experience. Pay check on site, but 1099 will be issued. We are located in the Old Orchard Professional Building (at Old Orchard Mall). Hours would be Thursday 8:30 (patients 9am-6 so approx-whenever you are done) and Friday is 8 (Patients 8:30)-3 (or until done). No real lunch Friday, jut eat as you go. Lunch hr on Thursday. Only serious people apply please. Illinois DH license required. Email resume or response to [Email hidden] or call (the # above) 847-673-2052.

06/30/2017

This little lady lost 2 legs and an arm due to a tooth infection! Please I urge you to see a Dentist if you do not regularly!

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/opinion/columnists/judy-putnam/2017/06/28/putnam-i-want-live-says-triple-amputee-25-survive/433871001/

Brittany Van Hoogen, 25, of Lansing told her doctors she didn’t want to die. But that survival came with a big price -- triple amputations.

04/06/2016

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month!

Does your Dentist or Dental Hygienist perform an Oral Cancer Screening during your routine exam? If you are thinking: Oral Cancer Screening? What's that? Why do I need that? Then the answer must be "NO" and you need to know why that answer should be "YES"!

It is extremely important to detect changes in the oral tissues early. As with other types of cancer, early detection leads to a higher survival rate. In the dental office, screenings should be performed daily.

Although you may think oral cancer is a rare occurrence, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation this is simply not true. Approximately, 115 new cases in the U.S. are documented daily. Over 45,000 people in the U.S. will be newly diagnosed this year; this number does not include the 12,000+ cases of throat cancer that will also be diagnosed.

Previously, oral cancer was associated with a certain “type” of person; Often a male over 60 who was a heavy drinker and smoker. It is true that more men are diagnosed with oral cancer than woman. Many of these individuals are older than 60. But it is no longer only this population that needs to be aware of the possibility that oral cancer can affect them. Infection of the HPV virus (specifically strain 16) is on the rise. Along with other areas, the HPV virus can sit in the tonsillar crypts-the grooves that are in your tonsils- (many children/adolescents no longer have tonsillectomy’s).

Just be aware that Oral Cancer is real and it does not only occur in April! Be sure your dental office performs oral cancer screenings. If they don’t maybe you need to find that friendly hygienist you all know and love! ME!

03/23/2016

Remind the kiddos to brush-"2min2x!" (a day). The American Dental Association reports that since launching "The Kid's Healthy Mouth Campaign" in 2012, using images such as these, there has been a 13% increase in kids brushing the suggested amount daily!

03/04/2016

Congratulations to Old Orchard Smiles! Old Orchard Smiles has been recognized as one of the top Skokie Dentistry practices.
Verified by Opencare.com

02/24/2016

I know some of you have been asking about water fluoridation. This article was posted 2/18/16 in an ADA Healthcare Bulletin. Just thought it was worth sharing. Enjoy!

Calgary Study Finds Fluoridation Cessation Has Negative Impact On Dental Health.

The Globe and Mail (CAN) (2/17) reports that a study published Wednesday in the journal Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology suggests the City of Calgary’s decision in 2011 to stop community water fluoridation has negatively impacted children’s dental health in the city. The study found that “Calgary children have more than twice as many cavities as their counterparts in Edmonton, where fluoridation continues.” In addition, researchers “found that Calgary kids have more health issues with their baby teeth than those in the provincial capital.” The study’s lead author, Dr. Lindsay McLaren at the University of Calgary, said, “This study points to the conclusion that tooth decay has worsened following removal of fluoride from drinking water, especially in primary teeth, and it will be important to continue monitoring these trends.”

MarketWired (CAN) (2/17) hosts a University of Calgary release stating the study examined Grade 2 students in Calgary and Edmonton, finding “the number of tooth surfaces with decay per child increased by 3.8 surfaces in Calgary during the time frame of the study, as compared to only 2.1 in Edmonton.” Steven Patterson, a professor at University of Alberta School of Dentistry, said, “The early effects of fluoridation cessation found in this study support the role of water fluoridation in contributing to improved oral health of children and that it is a public health measure worth maintaining.”

MouthHealthy.org provides additional information on community water fluoridation.

02/03/2016

It has been a couple months since the last post…I promise I have not forgotten! Holidays and family visits slowed me down, but I am back again! I want to hear from you! I am happy to pass on answers or information about subjects you would like to read about. Send an email (info@oldorchardsmiles.com) or post a facebook message! Looking forward to hearing from you!
-Kristi, your friendly hygienist

12/03/2015

Have you been looking at your dingy teeth in the mirror and thinking to yourself... "I wish my smile was brighter?" Be the envy of your family and friends this holiday season! Ask us about our Tooth Whitening options. We have both in office and take home systems. Find a fit for you and brighten that smile!!!

11/18/2015

Dear Patients:

It is hard to believe, but the Holiday Season is upon us. As a reminder, if you have dental treatment that you put on hold, now may be a good time to schedule your appointment. Maximize your insurance benefits and use any flex account dollars you may have remaining. Don’t LOSE it! USE it!

Also, remember to book any appointments for returning students as soon as possible! Since the Holidays fall at the end of a normal work week the days available for appointments are slightly more limited this year.

Our Holiday Season books up quickly, so call us today to schedule your appointment!

10/28/2015

Oral Cancer Screening? What's that? Why do I need that?

It is extremely important to detect changes in the oral tissues early. As with other types of cancer, early detection leads to a higher survival rate. In the office, screenings are performed daily.

Although you may think oral cancer is a rare occurrence, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation this is simply not true. Approximately, 115 new cases in the U.S. are documented daily. Over 45,000 people in the U.S. will be newly diagnosed this year; this number does not include the 12,000+ cases of throat cancer that will also be diagnosed.

Our patients know that an oral cancer screening is part of the routine exam. It is performed in two ways: Direct white light visualization (the lights above or on headlamps) and filtered light which allows for fluorescing of the tissues (through a VELscope®). Some patients opt out of the VELscope® exam, but get a screening no matter what!

Direct light allows us to see large tissue changes, but mostly fails at seeing early changes in underlying tissue structure. We may see a red/pink/white area that doesn't appear too out of the ordinary. Filtered light (blue/green in particular) fluoresces the tissues. Areas of concern will appear darkened because they do not fluoresce normally. Blood vessels are easily visualized; changing cells (early cancer/cancer cells) and traumatized cells have a higher blood flow surrounding them and do not properly fluoresce.

We do not do this to make an extra buck. There is a nominal fee associated with the use of the VELscope® in our office. We have chosen to charge only once a year and only $25 (compared to the twice a year $70-$90 fees that are being charged in our area). We think it IS that important. We do this to save lives!

10/14/2015

Teeth Staining?

I have brought this up before, but have since become privy to some new information that I wanted to share. Guess what? Different ingredients in most mouthwashes can stain your teeth! WHAT?!

HOW?! The staining ingredients react with chromogens which are found in the food you eat and the drinks you drink. Per the Oxford Dictionary: "Chromogen: is a substance that can be readily converted into a dye or other colored compound".

The offensive ingredients are: chlorhexidine gluconate, cetylpyridinium chloride, stannous fluoride (which I have mentioned in a previous post), thymol, and eucalyptus. Read your mouthwash ingredient list to find out which one you have.

Next step would be to stop using THAT particular mouthwash! Try another one that does not have that ingredient listed to see if this makes a difference. Another suggestion: only rinse at bedtime because the ingredients are less likely to react with any chromogens if you are done eating/drinking for the evening. Note: You may not notice a difference until the stains have been cleared from your teeth by your dental professional.

There are some lucky folks that will never be effected by the ingredients that can cause staining. There are some folks that will be effected by every one of them. The game here is "trial and error".

Good luck and just do your best!