What's your New Year's resolution?

Let’s face it, when was the last time you managed to keep a New Year’s resolution? We believe the key to sticking to a goal is picking one that is both reasonable and attainable. If you haven’t yet picked a New Year’s resolution, consider setting one that will improve your oral health!

For example, resolve to brush twice and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene only takes a couple of minutes a day, and can make a big difference in your oral health, as well as your overall health, too! For more oral health-themed resolutions for you and your family, check out this article.

We would love to see what you come up with! Share with us by commenting on this post or on our Facebook page. Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen, as well as our entire team, wish you all the very best for 2011!

How do you know if you have periodontal disease?

Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen and our staff will tell you one of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for periodontal disease, also known as gum disease.

These can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

Our friends at the American Academy of Periodontology created a helpful self-assessment test that can help you determine what your risk is at home. Early detection is critical to avoiding serious and costly dental problems.

Of course, the best way to know for sure what the health of your teeth and gums is would be a visit to our office located in the Chicago Loop.

What are happy patients saying about our office?

Dr. Gilleran and Dr. Van Fossen, serving Chicago's Loop and surrounding areas, have been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about our office! If you'd like to leave a short review of our office online, head to our Google Places page or Yelp page! Enjoy your weekend everyone!

"Dr. Amy is extremely kind, gentle, organized and talks to you in a way you can understand. She does not "dumb it down". You walk out feeling really cared for." ~ Cynthia Z.

"I learned about Dr. Gilleran from a co-worker. Her office typically has lunch time appointments available, which is really great with my schedule. All of the staff including Dr. Gilleran are very personable and helpful. I love that they have headphone/cd players if you want to pick out your own music to listen to while they do a cleaning. Now I've taken to bringing my iPod for my appointments. Dr. Gilleran fitted me for a crown and made a pretty icky situation fairly comfortable." ~ Natalie B.

"I've been to quite a few dentists in my lifetime, and Dr. Van Fossen is the best. Great work, very knowledgeable, great personality and amazing dental assistants & hygienists. I'll never go to another dentist." ~ Heidi H.

"I have been seeing Dr. Gilleran since 1994. She considers dentistry a form of artistry. She and her partner Dr. Van Fossen stay on top of all the latest technology. With all the cosmetic dentistry rage, they offer anything you might need or want, but allow you to ask the questions or seek advice. One noteworthy aspect of their treatment is that I always feel well cared for in their office. It is a happy and comfortable office environment with an attentive staff and I NEVER wait more than just a few minutes to be seen. Even if you don't work downtown, they are easy to get to and just off the Red Line. Above every chair there are curious magnets on the light fixtures, mobiles hanging from the ceiling, and artwork created by the dentist herself. The dentists are both just really cool people. The kind you'd like to get to know better." ~ Jame S.

Access your account—any day, any time!

At the office of Dr. Gilleran and Dr. Van Fossen, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative dental treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in Chicago's Loop.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home, which is especially helpful during the holidays! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started or asking us on Facebook!