According to a recent study done by The American Dental Association, the feature that others find most attractive is not our hair, eyes, or body - it's our smile!!

So don't worry about trying to compete with the latest supermodel or those impossible-to-beat images we see on every billboard and magazine ad.  Just flash your pearly whites and smile!!

But there's more to it than that.  Anti-aging expert Dr. Mark Stibich has come up with some fantastic reasons to smile.  Here are just a few of them.

• Smiling Changes Our Mood

Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile.  Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood for the better.

• Smiling Is Contagious

When someone is smiling they lighten up the room and make things happier.  Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

• Smiling Relieves Stress

Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed.  When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile.  The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.

• Smiling Boosts Your Immune System

Smiling helps the immune system to work better.  When you smile, immune function improves, possibly because you are more relaxed.  Prevent the flu and cold by smiling.

• Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin

Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin, making us feel great.  Smiling is a natural drug.

• Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger

The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger.  Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day -- you'll look younger and feel better.

There is no doubt about it - smiling is something we should be extremely thankful for.  At Dr. Jeff Blankshain's office it is our mission to give our patients something to smile about!

If you're not happy with your smile, call us right away at 773-745-5555.  We would love to help!!

Here's an interesting quiz for you.

Who originally dispensed the famous recommendation to "see your dentist twice a year?"

We all know it's true (or do we??) - so when and where do you think that bit of advice originated?

1. The American Dental Association in 1933
2. The world's first dental college - The University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 1845
3. An article in The Journal of Oral Surgery by Dr. Henry Horseacre in 1909 entitled "Proper Protocol for Dental Cleanings."
4. A radio ad for Pepsodent Toothpaste in 1929

Believe it or not, if you guessed "4" you are correct!

Most of us know the famous order to "see your dentist twice a year."  Some insurance companies even use that interval to define their standards for payment.  But the fact is that phrase was developed with no scientific basis at all - and to sell toothpaste!

Another example of this logic was the ad campaign for Pear's Soap in the late 1800's.  The slogan "Have you used Pear's soap today" ushered in the habit of daily bathing!  And while that was certainly a good thing, the fact is that we are all different and to expect that everyone requires the same schedule for their health needs just doesn't make sense.

When you wash your hair, do you "rinse and repeat?"  Do you associate diamonds with engagement rings?  Are you convinced that Volvo builds the safest cars?  If so, you've been influenced by advertising, not necessarily facts.  Don't worry - we are all guilty of it!

At Dr. Jeff Blankshain's office, we don't believe in a cookie cutter approach when your health is involved.  In order to determine the correct dental treatment for you (including how often you should have your teeth cleaned) we perform a thorough examination, checking you teeth, gums, medical history, bite, jaw muscles and more.  We even do an oral cancer screening at every check-up.

Everyone is different, so despite what the ad men from Pepsodent once said, let's scientifically determine the correct schedule for your dental visits by looking at the facts, not an ad slogan.  Then you can look forward to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums - and keep smiling forever!

If you have any questions or you would like to schedule a visit, please call 773-745-5555 right away.  We are here to help you!

If you have dental insurance - congratulations!  Dental insurance is a fantastic way for you to get assistance in paying for your dental health care. 

Your dental insurance was chosen for you by your employer based on many factors.  While all dental insurance plans differ, one thing that most have in common is that they stress prevention - keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible through regular dental examinations, necessary x-rays and dental cleanings.

When it comes to covering other services such as dental fillings, crowns, gum disease treatment, the replacement of missing teeth and more - insurance programs vary widely.  The good thing is that even a little bit of help in paying for your dental care is better than nothing at all.

However, as a service to our patients and community, we would like to point out five sure signs that you may have the wrong dental insurance.

1.  The "fine print" on your plan requires a medical-grade microscope to read and is in Swahili.

2.  The insurance company's "on-hold music" is The Complete Works of Beethoven - and you've heard it three times.

3.  A non-covered pre-existing condition is the presence of teeth.

4.  You are restricted to seeing just dentists on a list, and the only dentist in your area is Steve Martin from the Little Shop of Horrors.

5.  In order to save money, the insurance company requires that you visit a foot doctor at the same time as your dental appointment.  Since they are working on different ends of your body it should not interfere.

Hopefully you got a chuckle out of these warning signs.  But even if you didn't recognize any, we realize that dental insurance can be very confusing.

At the office of Dr. Jeff Blankshain, we know that you may have questions about your dental insurance, and we're here to help.  We take pleasure in working with you to maximize your benefits s that you get the best coverage possible.  Please give us a call at 773-745-5555 to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Most importantly, whether you have dental insurance or not, we will team up with you to get your teeth and gums in the healthiest condition possible and give you the smile of your dreams!!  Please don't hesitate to call or stop by.

~ Dr. Jeff

If you have been shopping for toothpaste lately, you know that it can be very confusing.

Unlike the old days when the choices were few, these days it seems that there are way too many options!  Whitening toothpastes, tartar control, paste or gel, gum health, desensitizing, - which is best?  This is a question we get asked all the time.  Sometimes it seems like the best thing to do would be to forget the labels and buy whatever is on sale!!

The fact is - buying a particular type or bran of toothpaste is usually not as important as the way you brush and how often you do so.  But in any case, here is a quick run down.

Tartar control toothpaste:  Tartar is calcified plaque which naturally forms and can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums.  While tartar control toothpaste has been shown to reduce the formation of new deposits, it can't remove current ones and does nothing to prevent these formations where they are the most dangerous - underneath the gum line.

Paste vs. gel:  No significant difference here; it's more of a personal preference.

Desensitizing toothpaste:  These pastes have ingredients in them which block the small tube-like channels that connect to the nerve tissue inside your teeth.  If you have exposed roots due to gum recession or teeth that are generally sensitive to hot and cold, this may be a good solution for you.  But please be patient - it takes 4 to 6 weeks for the magic to kick in.

Whitening pastes:  The abrasiveness of these products may reduce surface stains, but the do little to treat the actual yellowing of teeth from the inside.  The good news is that most teeth can be whitened with the right treatment.  Be sure to ask us what the proper whitening method is for you.

"Gum Care" toothpaste:  Studies have shown these to be questionable at best, and they may not be as valuable as standard toothpastes in preventing cavities.

Expensive or bargain brand?  The good news here is that price doesn't seem to be related to effectiveness when choosing a toothpaste.  As a matter of fact, recently Consumer Reports magazine rated an expensive paste near the bottom o their list with bargain basement Ultra-Brite near the top in several categories!

So which brand should you use?

Most studies are fairly inconclusive on this one.  Your best bet is always a brand that contains fluoride and has the American Dental Association seal of approval.  And if that brand happens to be on sale - all the better!!

In the end, the most important thing is to brush often (morning, night-time and after every meal), use a soft brush, try to reach every surface of every tooth and spend two minutes doing so.

The proper technique is important as well, and we will be glad to demonstrate this t you at your next visit to Dr. Blankshain's office!  If you have any more questions or would like to set up a visit, please give us a call at 773-745-5555.  We are here to help you!

Did you know that we are now on Facebook?  Please "like" our page at .facebook.com/#!/pages/Jeffrey-R-Blankshain-DDS for great dental health tips! 

It's a situation that has happened to us all.

A friend or relative comes close to talk to you, and when they open their mouth an odor comes pouring out that could knock out a racehorse from a mile away!  But besides backing up a few feet and ending the conversation as sooon as possible, what do you do?

Of course you could just do nothing.  But that is doing your friend a huge social disservice - and possibly not telling them of a negative health issue as well.

So how do you say something so uncomfortable to someone you care about?  Try something along these lines:

"As your friend, it's important to me that we're always able to say the things that are hard to say, because that's what real friends do for each other.  I'm not comfortable mentioning this, though if it were me, I'd certainly want someone to say something.  I don't know if you're aware - but sometimes your breath is quite noticeable.  I read somewhere tha this can be the result of a dental or medical problem, so I felt it was important to tell you."

Of course so many things can cause bad breath - all the way from pungent foods like onions and garlic all the way to serious illnesses such as pneumonia, diabetes, and liver or kidney aliments.

Some of the most common causes of bad breath , also known as halitosis, are seen every day in our dental office.  Here are some examples:

• Dry mouth (which can be caused by many common medications, mouth breathing, or lack of saliva flow
• Gum disease - this normally does not hurt or have obvious symptoms, but is extremely common and can cause unnecessary tooth loss
• Cavities or ill-fitting dental restorations such as fillings and crowns 
• Poorly fitting dentures
• Improper cleaning of the tongue, teeth and gums

Whether it's you or someone else you are concened about, even periodic bad breath warrants a visit to the dentist.  Usually the solution is a simple one, and it is just about always one that brings about better health as well.

So feel free to carry gum, breath mints, or small bottles of mouthwash with you wherever you go, either for you or to help (and drop a hint) to a breath-challenged friend.  But please remember, a dental evaluation is always the best move when bad breath is around!

At Dr. Jeff Blankshain's office, our goal is to keep you as healthy as possible at all times.  Whether it is an issue with bad breath, beautifying your smile, or anything else, we are here to help you!  Please give us a call at 773-745-5555 for an appointment or visit us on the web at www.youroakparkdentist.com.  Let's make sure that every conversation you or your friends have is a breath of fresh air!