Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen with the 411 on Halloween treats

For our patients concerned about going overboard on candies this weekend, sugar and other sweets, this post is just for you!

Dr. Gilleran and Dr. Van Fossen, as well as our entire staff will tell you all those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? Candies like Starburst and Skittles are the worst for your teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which is known to ruin enamel.

With Halloween just two days away, we encourage you to try and limit the amount of these candies that you eat, and when you do eat them, either rinse your mouth with water afterward or drink a glass of milk or eat a slice of cheese. If you have any questions over the weekend, ask us on Facebook!

We hope everyone has a fun, safe and scary Halloween!

Patient question: What's Invisalign, and is it right for me? [Video]

We've blogged about Invisalign in earlier posts, but this time around we thought we'd share a helpful video for those who are intrigued by the idea of straightening their teeth without using traditional metal braces. The Invisalign system at Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic and General Dentistry is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer to adults and teens at our convenient Chicago Loop office. We have plenty of resources on our website to check out about Invisalign, or give us call at 312-368-8771 to schedule an appointment and learn if this revolutionary new treatment option is right for you!

Not only are the aligners you wear invisible, they are also easily removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in our office getting adjustments. Dr. Amy Van Fossen is a Certified Invisalign® Provider in Chicago.

Year-end insurance reminder from Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen

Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen, as well as our entire team, would like to give those patients with flex spend, health savings, or insurance benefits a friendly end of the year reminder that it's about that time to schedule your dental visit(s) so you can optimize your benefits!

Now is the time to reserve you appointment with us. Space is limited and we get VERY busy around the holidays, so don’t wait to give us a call at 312-368-8771! Have a wonderful weekend!

At Gilleran and Van Fossen DDS, a pursuit of excellence

At Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic and General Dentistry, our Philosophy is simple. Do whatever it takes to make the patients love us.

Our entire team make every effort to provide you with the best dental treatment possible. For us, that means achieving consistently great results. There are many things that help Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen do just that. Some of them are:

1. Using the most up to date and proven cosmetic dental technologies available
2. Spending time and resources on continuing education to stay current and relevant
3. Training our entire staff on new dental techniques
4. Educating our patients about the pursuit of dental excellence

If you or a family member has been thinking about cosmetic dental treatment, please give us a call at (312) 368-8771. We look forward to seeing you, and there's no better time to visit our convenient Chicago Loop office than in October - after all, this is National Dental Hygiene Month! Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen, supporting National Smile Month

Ah, October has arrived. The leaves are beginning to fall, the days get shorter and all that Halloween candy is beginning to make its rounds. For our staff at Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic and General Dentistry, October is known as National Dental Health Month.

We join our friends at the American Dental Hygienists' Association in spreading the word that good dental habits are easy to develop and even easier to maintain.

This year's theme is “Healthy Habits are Easier than You Think,” which focuses on prevention. Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen know everyone is busy; living a life on-the-go is difficult for most people, but our staff is here to tell you keeping a healthy mouth shouldn’t be.

Your teeth are an important part of your body, and keeping them clean helps keep your mouth and your body healthy. By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet, and visiting our convenient Chicago Loop office on a regular basis, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.

We encourage you to check out the ADHA's National Dental Hygiene Month website, which provides pointers on keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Lastly, has it been six months since your last visit to Gilleran and Van Fossen DDS? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call at 312-368-8771 to set up an appointment.

Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!