Love your smile? Tell Chicago all about it!

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving weekend! If you've ever visited our convenient office located in Chicago's Loop, you know we offer professional individualized dental care to make your smile beautiful and healthy. Dr. Gilleran and Dr. Van Fossen, along with our personable staff, are committed to providing a clean and comfortable atmosphere for up-to-date preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental care.

Whether you’ve just come in once for a cleaning or your family has been visiting us for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review on our Google Places page or on our Yelp listing.

We look forward to reading your feedback!

A season of thanks

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season right around the corner, Dr. Patricia Gilleran, Dr. Amy Van Fossen and our entire staff wanted to stop for a moment to say how thankful we are to have you in our dental family. We realize that our practice here in Chicago's Loop thrives because of great patients like you. We are the lucky ones because we not only help keep you and your smile healthy, but we also have the pleasure of knowing you and your loved ones.

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality care that we have given you.

We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

How important is your smile? From Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen

At the office of Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen, we offer professional individualized dental care to make your smile beautiful and healthy. The bottom line is, we know having a beautiful smile is important to you. It’s important to us, too.

And speaking of smiling, in a poll conducted by Glamour Magazine earlier this year, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?”

Well, 44 percent of folks out there chose teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of one’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Please give us a call at 312-368-8771 or email office@drgilleran.com to schedule your appointment at our convenient office in Chicago’s Loop!

The Gilleran & Van Fossen team learn newest C.P.R. technique

We want to share some good news about our dental team. We closed early on Monday to educate the team with the latest C.P.R. technique. We are all certified to perform C.P.R. on infants, children and adults. It's unbelievable how a few seconds can make a difference in an emergency situation! Feels great to refresh our C.P.R. skills and know we're ready should an emergency arise!

Enjoy the rest of the week!

Dr. Van Fossen & Dr. Yum celebrate Halloween!

Dr. Yum celebrates Halloween with Dr. Van Fossen and her Princess Leia & Obi-Wan Kenobe. We hope everyone enjoyed Halloween and want to remind you to brush & floss after ALL that candy.

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 holiday season, so don’t wait to give us a call at 312-368-8771! We hope you had a GREAT Halloween weekend!

The importance of oral cancer screenings, from Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen

In our continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest quality care available to our patients, Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic Dentistry screens our patients for oral cancer. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved.

Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. Ask Drs. Gilleran or Van Fossen about a screening at your next appointment! In addition to oral cancer screenings, we offer complimentary blood pressure screenings, take-home test kits for testing your cholesterol level and snoring/sleep apnea appliances.

Call us at 312-368-8771 or email office@drgilleran.com to schedule your appointment!

15 Creative Uses for Toothpaste

At Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic and General Dentistry, we came across a great article about creative uses for toothpaste. Here are fifteen ways you can use toothpaste-other than for your teeth, courtesy of DivineCaroline.com.

1. Relieve irritation from bug bites, sores, and blisters.

2. Soothe a stinging burn.

3. Decrease the size of a facial blemish.

4. Clean up your fingernails.

5. Keep hair in place.

6. Scrub away stinky smells.

7. Remove stains.

8. Spruce up dirty shoes.

9. Remove crayon stains on painted walls.

10. Make silver jewelry and other silver pieces sparkle.

11. Remove scratches on DVDs and CDs.

12. Tidy up the ivories before tickling them.

13. Deodorize baby bottles.

14. Remove the burned crust on irons.

15. Defog goggles.

For more on the 15 ways to use toothpaste we encourage you to visit the article, ask us during your next visit to our convenient Chicago office! Or, ask us on Facebook!

Foods that Naturally Whiten Teeth, from Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen

There are lots of foods that our team at Dr. Gilleran & Dr. Van Fossen's office want you to stay from, including coffee, tea, colas or red wine, which all stain teeth and cause some decay of the enamel. Apples and potatoes can cause discoloration, but they also tend to clean off the teeth. Just wash your mouth out after eating apples.

Great things to do for your teeth include:

• Strawberries can be made into a puree and smothered on the teeth, as strawberries have a natural enzyme that removes tooth stains.

• Orange peels can be used to remove tooth stains, just by rubbing the inside of a peel against your tooth surfaces.

• A little lemon juice and salt work very well to remove stains just wash your mouth out with this, or even rock salt and warm water will work at night to remove stains.

• Baking soda has long been known to work wonders on your smile. It may taste awful, but put some baking soda on your toothbrush, brush with it, and then wash your mouth out.

Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen, supporting National Dental Hygiene 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 Hygiene 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.

We hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Join Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen on Facebook!

At the office of Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen, we value the relationships we have developed with our patients in the Chicago Loop and greater Chicago. Even if you only see us for your appointment on a regular basis, did you know that you can now connect with us on Facebook?

We invite you to “like” us at Facebook.com/GilleranVanFossenDDS. We share office news, important announcements and updates on our Fan Page, so we encourage you to check us out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

See you on Facebook and have a great rest of the week,

- Drs. Gilleran, Van Fossen and team

Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes: What’s the Difference?

Everybody is jumping on the electric toothbrush bandwagon in recent years, with many experts in the dental field claiming electric toothbrushes provide superior dental care. It’s true that electric toothbrushes are recommended for those who can’t do a good job brushing manually or who have arthritis or other conditions. But manual toothbrushes do have some advantages, according to an article we recently found including:

• Cost. While electric toothbrushes may be expensive for many people, manual toothbrushes are both inexpensive and accessible.

• Less pressure on your teeth & gums. While we can feel the amount of pressure we’re using as we grasp our manual toothbrush, we can’t feel the pressure nearly as well with an electric toothbrush. Placing too much pressure on our teeth can wear away at the tooth enamel, which causes pain, sensitivity, as well as an increased risk of tooth decay.

• Simple to pack. Manual toothbrushes are easy to carry around for those business or family trips. People are less likely to let their good dental care habits lapse on vacation with a toothbrush that they can easily bring along!

• Better for kids. Learning at a young age how to properly use a manual toothbrush helps children get a feel for how to properly take care of their oral hygiene.

Electric toothbrushes, on the other hand, are more effective in removing plaque and are considered a better alternative to maintaining gum health. Remember, whether you choose a manual or an electric toothbrush, Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen and our team encourage you to choose one with soft bristles and be sure to change the bristles on the electric brush when they become worn down. We also encourage you to replace your toothbrush every three months, when the bristles are no longer straight and firm or after you recover from a cold.

Give us a call if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook! Happy brushing!

Don't throw your insurance benefits away!

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 week!

September is National Gum Care Month!

At Gilleran and Van Fossen DDS, we know that gingivitis - the early stage of periodontal disease - can be difficult to recognize. In fact, most people don't recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums - as a precursor to gum disease. This month, a national campaign is under way to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we wanted to help do our part to spread the word!

Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen will tell you early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body, too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as your heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease.

Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen know 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

If you happen to notice any of these signs, please schedule an appointment at our convenient Chicago Loop office by calling 312-368-8771 as soon as possible. Our doctors can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits.

Ask Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen: What’s the deal with coffee and tea?

At the office of Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen we know most folks enjoy a hot-brewed coffee or tea in the morning, followed by a cola (or more coffee) in the afternoon. But what many don’t know is that both coffee and tea are especially tough on your teeth, because tannic acid (the substance that makes the dark color) etches into the pits and grooves of tooth enamel, and can stain your pearly whites brown.

So, if you can’t give up that morning cup o’joe, what can you do? Dr. Gilleran and Dr. Van Fossen suggest rinsing with a glass of water after every cup. If you enjoy iced coffee or tea, drink your beverage with a straw so that tannins don’t make contact with your front upper and lower teeth. Even if you’re not a big coffee drinker, we encourage you to swish and swallow some water at the end of each meal. Water, after all, helps neutralize acids left in your mouth after eating and also reduces cavity-causing bacteria.

We also invite you to visit our convenient office for whitening options. We can help bleach your teeth with proven and professional products. To learn more about whitening options at our Chicago Loop office, please visit our website, ask us on Facebook or give us a call!

Dental fun facts, from Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen

Everyone loves fun facts and dental tips. Fun, fun, fun! Our staff at the office of Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen came across these dental fun facts recently and thought you might enjoy!

• The second most common disease in the United States is cavities. The first is the common cold.
• There are almost 9,000 accidental pockings and piercings with toothpicks per year.
• X-rays may be an effective tool in preventing strokes.
• A child will have 20 baby teeth by the time he or she is 2 years old. Through childhood, kids gradually lose baby teeth and grow 32 permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth.
• According to consumer reports, dentists are among the 5 most trusted professionals in the United States.
• Approximately $2 billion a year is spent on dental products like toothpastes, mouthwashes and dental floss.
• The average American spends about 38 days brushing teeth over his or her lifetime.
• Kids in North America spend half a billion dollars per year on chewing gum.
• Approximately 94 percent of Americans say they brush nightly while only 81 percent say they brush first thing in the morning.
• Grand Rapids, MI was the first American city to fluoridate its water.
• Earliest record of a toothbrush was found in Chinese literature about 1600 AD
• The natural bristles of early toothbrushes were taken from the necks and shoulders of swine, especially pigs living in colder climates like Siberia and China.

Lastly, has it been at least six months since your last checkup? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call!

Love your smile? Tell Chicago all about it!

If you've ever visited our convenient office located in Chicago's Loop, you know we offer professional individualized dental care to make your smile beautiful and healthy. Dr. Gilleran and Dr. Van Fossen, along with our personable staff, are committed to providing a clean and comfortable atmosphere for up-to-date preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental care.

Whether you’ve just come in once for a cleaning or your family has been visiting us for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review on our Google Places page or on our Yelp listing.

We look forward to reading your feedback, and hope you're having a GREAT summer!

When you need immediate dental care, we’re here for you.

At the office of Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen, we know dental emergencies are never convenient or timely. If you are a patient of record, we are committed to your dental health and are more than willing to see you.

We are here to help you, any time, any day, and when your dental health is at risk, we’ll do everything we can to make sure that you’re treated as soon as possible at our Chicago Loop dental office. While dental emergencies are rare, we know they can happen at any moment, and it’s important to know how to take care of your teeth no matter what.

Common dental emergencies include:

• A bitten lip or tongue
• Broken or cracked tooth/teeth
• Broken jaw
• Permanent tooth that has been knocked out
• Object caught between teeth
• Severe toothache

If you have a dental emergency after regular office hours, please give us a call. If you are calling us after hours, please follow the emergency prompts to contact Drs. Gilleran or Van Fossen.

We hope you’re all enjoying your summer.

Ask Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen: What, exactly, are cavities?

We know one word nobody wants to hear when they visit our Chicago Loop office is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly are cavities and how do they happen? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities at home:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit our office every six months – or as recommended – for a teeth cleaning and check-up

Your oral health and overall health

Don’t put off your next visit to see Drs. Gilleran or Van Fossen any longer! As we’ve shared in previous blog posts, oral health issues have been increasingly linked to other health concerns, such as heart disease. Cardiovascular disease remains American's number one killer, claiming more lives than the rest of major causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Studies are also beginning to suggest that patients, especially those with periodontal disease, are believed to have an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. Since most patients are not regularly visiting a heart specialist, their regular visits to Gilleran and Van Fossen DDS can help detect early warning signs of heart issues, prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. We’d also like you to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25).

Additionally, if it’s been more than six months since your last visit to our convenient Chicago Loop office, please give us a call! Summer makes for a great time to check in with us!

Tell us about your summer!

It's summertime here at Gilleran & Van Fossen, and that means a full season of adventures, vacations and great memories that last a lifetime. Whether you're headed to a family barbecue, an exotic destination, a camping trip, a Cubs game, or just having fun in the city, we want to hear about it! Share your plans and experiences on our Facebook page as the summer rolls along, and be sure to post your vacation photos on our wall!

Happy (and safe) travels, from all of us at Gilleran & Van Fossen DDS

Do we have your current contact info?

We hope you’re having a great week and a great summer so far! If you are planning on traveling with family this summer or think you might not be able to make it to your scheduled appointment with Dr. Gilleran and Dr. Van Fossen, please let us know ahead of time so that we may be able to accommodate you, as well as schedule another patient during that time.

Also, we ask that you give us a call and and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed! Please call us with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so we may be able to reach you. Thank you! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Happy Fourth!

America turns 235 years old today! It’s a day to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and also a time for every American to pay homage to our soldiers - past and present - who have placed themselves in harm’s way so that we may continue to enjoy our freedom.

Our team at Gilleran and Van Fossen DDS would like to know: what are your plans for the 4th of July? Are you out in the sun? Have you stocked up on fireworks? Are you going to grill up your favorite summer foods? If you have a 4th of July tradition, we would love to hear all about it.

We hope you have a fun and safe holiday! Feel free to upload your 4th of July photos to our Facebook page and let us know how your Independence Day turned out this year.

Are regular checkups really that important? You bet.

Are you remembering to brush your teeth twice a day, especially after meals? If yes, that’s wonderful. But, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit our office conveniently located in Chicago's Loop every six months in addition to brushing your teeth a couple times a day and flossing. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth

During an oral exam we will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not visited our office during the past six months, it’s time to schedule an appointment by calling 312-368-8771! Summer is a great time for a quick visit!

Ask Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen: How do I avoid bad breath?

At the office of Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen, we know bad breath can be a real downer, especially when you're out on a date or at an important social function! However, we want you to know bad breath can be prevented!

Bad breath, or as Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen call it “halitosis,” is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grows in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food in your mouth and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds making your breath smell.

Here are three ways you can prevent bad breath:

1. Brush your tongue.

2. Keep your mouth hydrated.

3. Freshen your mouth.

Also, here are some common myths about halitosis:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make my breath smell better

Mouthwash will make your breath smell better, but it is only a temporary fix. If you use mouthwash, just know that you will still need to brush and floss when you get the chance as mouthwash alone will not kill all of the bacteria producing germs in your mouth. When choosing a mouthwash, pick an antiseptic with plaque-reducing compounds. Also make sure any dental products you choose comes with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval!

Myth #2: I brush my teeth; I will never have bad breath

Brushing your teeth will save you from having breath, but the truth is most people only brush their teeth for about 30-45 seconds! You need to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day to give your teeth a thorough cleansing. It’s also important to brush your tongue, which is where a majority of odor causing bacteria like to hang out. Lastly, flossing to remove food and plaque between the teeth will also help reduce your chances of having bad breath!

Myth #3: If I don’t smell it, then my breath is fresh

This is a false assumption in every sense of the word! The truth is that the breath you breathe out is not the same breath coming out when you talk to someone. When you breathe you are not using your throat as you do when you are talking; and when you talk more breath moves over the back of your mouth where bacteria is causing bad breath.

For more information on halitosis, we encourage you to give us a call at 312-368-8771!

What’s on your reading list this summer?

With summer 2011 almost here, our staff at Gilleran and Van Fossen DDS want to remind all our patients about the importance of reading. We know it’s easy to keep putting off reading this time of year, but reading during the summer is actually a vital step in brain development. And, it can help you ward off that dreaded “summer slide.”

This week, we thought we’d ask: What's on YOUR summer reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites?

Out of ideas for summer reads? Then check out these summer reading ideas that we came across this week, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading, and be sure to share your summer picks with us on our Facebook page! We hope you have an outstanding summer!!

Smile! June marks National Smile Month!

Our friends at the American Dental Association discovered that a person's smile was important than their eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature. After all, there's a big reason why Americans spend as much as they do each year on general and cosmetic dentistry each year: they want to look (and feel) great.

That brings us to June, also known as National Smile Month. It's a great time for Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen to remind all of our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our office.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks.
* Visit Drs. Gilleran or Van Fossen regularly (usually every six months).

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call at 312-368-8771. We hope you have a great rest of the week! Get out there and share your smiles with Chicago!

Is your child afraid of the dentist?

We hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Both Dr. Patricia Gilleran and Dr. Amy Van Fossen know some children fear going to the dentist, and this morning, we found a helpful article on how to help your child overcome fears of visiting our office, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

It is our goal to make your child’s dental experience a positive one. Whether it’s a simple checkup or restorative care, Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen & our experienced team provide comprehensive gentle dental care in a comfortable and welcoming environment. In fact, most of our patients look forward to their next visit! Schedule an appointment at our convenient office in Chicago's Loop by calling 312-368-8771, and we’ll see you soon!

Are you wearing your mouth guard this spring?

Spring is upon us, and for Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen, that only means one thing: it’s once again time to remind our dear patients to protect their faces and pearly whites. After all, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year. Here are five tips from Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen to save face while having fun this spring. We hope you remember them when you’re out on the ball field:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic Dentistry by calling 312-368-8771. Stay safe!

Access to your account any day, any time!

Access to your account any time, any day. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it? At Gilleran and Van Fossen, we embrace new technology, whether it's through the innovative treatments we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in Chicago's Loop.

Patients at Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic Dentistry enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—on our web site. You may look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email, text messages and more!

You, too, may sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions!

Enjoy your weekend!

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month!

The month of May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, and our team at Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic and General Dentistry will always tell you living an active lifestyle can and does improve physical and mental health, productivity and overall well-being. The best part? It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided these public health guidelines for your reference. The guidelines call for people to exercise one hour every day of moderate intensity physical activity (such as playing sports or brisk walking) or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity (jogging, jumping rope or dancing).

At our convenient office in Chicago's Loop, we always encourage our patients to exercise or participate in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouth guard or other forms of mouth or facial protection when doing so. To learn more about how often you should exercise, we recommend you check out these helpful tips, courtesy of our friends at the American Heart Association.

Finally, we hope you all have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend!

Straight talk with Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen

We've had patients ask us why Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen work so hard to give our patients straight teeth using Invisalign. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth, Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen will tell you, are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call to set up a consultation for Invisalign. The team at Gilleran and Van Fossen can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from Invisalign treatment at our modern office conveniently located in Chicago's Loop.

Happy Friday!

What do we offer at Gilleran & Van Fossen DDS?

At Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic Dentistry, treatment is performed in the most relaxing environment imaginable. To help you relax during your visit, just lie back and enjoy a warm paraffin wax hand treatment, which is very soothing to cold, dry hands. We also offer hot towels.

Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen also embrace technology, and that includes offering our patients OraVerse®, a relatively new product that shortens the duration from the effects of numbing. In addition, we use digital X-rays, which minimize radiation exposure and offer the best diagnostic quality available. Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen also use intra-oral cameras during treatment, which allow patients and insurance companies a close-up view of your pearly whites.

Other technology we proudly use includes an Amalgam separator - installed at our office in 2010 – that removes old silver/amalgam from our water waste for recycling. Lastly, we provide our patients with cholesterol kits, which are available for all our patients to test their own cholesterol levels.

If you have any questions about the dental treatments we offer, or to learn more, please give us a call. We'd love to hear from you.

To keep up with goings-on at Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic Dentistry, please visit our Facebook fan page and become a fan!

Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen support Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Visiting Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic and General Dentistry on a regular basis will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy as well. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

As your dentists, Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen are specialists who work to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next appointment at our convenient office located in Chicago's Loop. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

Why Invisalign? From Dr. Van Fossen

Are you interested in straightening your teeth, but aren't interested in doing so through conventional orthodontic treatment? Dr. Amy Van Fossen and our team would like to recommend Invisalign!

Invisalign aligners are customized, clear aligners used to straighten teeth quicker and with fewer office visits than traditional braces.

Here are a couple of questions you may have:

Why would I want Invisalign®?
Not only are the aligners invisible, they are 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 your doctor's office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

How does Invisalign® work?
You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position that has been prescribed. You'll visit our office about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

Dr. Van Fossen is our Certified Invisalign® Provider. If you are considering Invisalign, have questions, or would like to have a complete consultation to determine if Invisalign is right for you, please call the office at 312-368-8771 for an appointment.

How important is your smile? From Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen

At the office of Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen, we offer professional individualized dental care to make your smile beautiful and healthy. Dr. Gilleran and Dr. Van Fossen, along with their personable staff,

And speaking of smiling, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Call us at 312/368-8771 or email office@drgilleran.com to schedule your appointment at our convenient office in Chicago’s Loop!

How to Freshen Bad Breath, from Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen

Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen, your Chicago Loop dentists, recognize that many of our patients are concerned about bad breath, or halitosis. While some cases of bad breath are persistent (chronic bad breath), generally bad breath is transient, and can be prevented.

We recently came across this helpful video about bad breath and thought it was worth sharing with our patients. The video explains what might cause bad breath and some ways that it can be avoided. In most instances, bad breath can be prevented by practicing common oral hygiene techniques that you have probably heard us emphasize during a visit to Gilleran and Van Fossen Dentistry, such as brushing and flossing daily. We encourage you to watch this video for additional tips on how to keep bad breath at bay.

Call us at 312/368-8771 or email office@drgilleran.com to schedule your appointment! Or, if you have any questions, ask us on Facebook!

March is National Nutrition Month!

March is upon us, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. Every March, Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen, as well as thousands of dentists and hygienists celebrate this occasion, and 2011 is no different.

This March, our professional team at Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic Dentistry want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health. Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen know small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and veggies: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From Chicago's farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods here in the Windy City.

• It’s tempting, but…: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Make every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call!

What should you expect at our office?

Your first visit to Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic and General Dentistry most commonly includes a cleaning, initial exam and consultation. This appointment takes approximately two hours. When you share your medical history with us, please be sure to provide complete, up-to-date information on all aspects of your health. Inform us if you have experienced recent hospitalizations or surgery, or if you have recently been ill. Plan to provide the name of your physician as well as the name, dosage and frequency of any medications you are taking – including all prescription and/or over-the-counter products. This information will help our office select the most safe and effective method of treatment for you.

Subsequent to your initial visit, Drs. Gilleran, Van Fossen and team strongly encourage regular checkups for all our patients. Regular checkups include a thorough cleaning and an oral exam. During the oral exam, we will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. At each visit to our convenient office in Chicago's Loop we will also check old fillings and restorations to ensure constant pressure from chewing, grinding or clenching has not caused them to wear away, chip or crack. Although in some cases, we may recommend more frequent visits, most patients find that it is valuable to have a checkup at least every six months.

Subtle changes in your smile can make a big difference in the way you look and feel about yourself. Have you visited our office in the past 6 months? If not, we invite you to schedule an appointment!

Connect with us on Facebook!

At the office of Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen, we value the relationships we have developed with our patients in the Chicago Loop and greater Chicago. Even if you only see us for your appointment on a regular basis, did you know that you can now connect with us on Facebook?

We invite you to “like” us at Facebook.com/GilleranVanFossenDDS. We share office news, important announcements and updates on our Fan Page, so we encourage you to check us out! By Liking our page, you will receive updates from our office automatically in your news feed!

See you on Facebook and have a great weekend,

- Drs. Gilleran, Van Fossen and team

February also marks American Heart Month at Gilleran and Van Fossen DDS!

You may remember our post from last week, when Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen discussed February being National Dental Health Month. But did you know February also marks American Heart Month?

It’s a great time to take notice of the health of your heart, say Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen. Cardiovascular disease remains American's number one killer, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Visiting our office on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. And because people with dental insurance are more likely to visit their dentist when they should, a healthy mouth begins with a visit to Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic Dentistry. In observance of Heart Month, Drs. Van Fossen and Gilleran say it’s also important to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25). If you have any questions about heart health, or about your treatment at Gilleran and Van Fossen Cosmetic Dentistry, please give us a call today.

February is National Dental Health Month!

Did you know February is National Dental Health Month? It's a great time of the year to renew those resolutions about continuing to practice great dental hygiene. Today, we thought we'd discuss the importance of preventative oral care. While most people are familiar with traditional heart-saving practices such as eating healthy and exercising regularly, lesser-known are the benefits that great oral hygiene provides to one’s cardiovascular health.

Here are a few tips to help you continue those New Year's resolutions:

*Remember that poor oral hygiene is linked to serious common diseases such as cardiovascular disease, bacterial pneumonia and osteoporosis. Teeth are the only non-shedding surface in your body, which suggests teeth have the highest bacterial levels in the entire body.

*Brush and floss every day to remove the plaque that can lead to cavities. Flossing daily removes food debris that your toothbrush cannot reach.

*Replace your toothbrush on a regular basis. You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months or after a cold or illness to prevent re-infection. Remember to use a soft toothbrush so you won’t wear off the enamel of your teeth.

*Visit our Chicago Loop office regularly. The American Dental Association recommends you visit Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen every six months for regular checkups and cleanings. Fluoride treatments twice a year will help prevent tooth decay.

Each February, Drs. Gilleran and Van Fossen focus on the preventive oral care of our patients. Have you visited our office the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Getting married soon? Smile bright with Gilleran & Van Fossen DDS!

It’s winter here in Chicago, and it’s cold. But, believe it or not, there is a growing trend of brides choosing to tie the knot in the winter wonderland. If you are gearing up for a wedding this winter, consider matching that white dress to a perfectly white smile!

At Gilleran & Van Fossen DDS, we offer in-office tooth whitening for the bride, the groom, or the entire wedding party! You get the girls together to get their nails done, and now you can get them together to get their teeth done!

In-office whitening is the quickest, most effective way to achieve whiter teeth. Because we are dental professionals, we have the expertise to use higher percentages of whitening agents than the at-home systems allow. So you can get a brighter white, usually in just one visit! In fact, we proudly offer ZOOM!® Smile Whitening, which brightens and whitens your teeth in just 45 minutes.

Give us a ring at our convenient office in Chicago's Loop and let us add some extra sparkle to your “I do”!

Tell us your story! What made you choose Gilleran & Van Fossen DDS?

If you've ever visited our convenient office located in Chicago's Loop, you know we offer professional individualized dental care to make your smile beautiful and healthy. Dr. Gilleran and Dr. Van Fossen, along with our personable staff, are committed to providing a clean and comfortable atmosphere for up-to-date preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental care.

Whether you’ve just come in once for a cleaning or your family has been visiting us for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review on our Google Places page or on our Yelp listing.

We look forward to reading your feedback!

Are those rumors about swallowing bubble gum true?

Good question. At Gilleran and Van Fossen Dentistry, we know the rumors going around that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Give us a call at our convenient Chicago Loop office if you have any questions!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing!

The importance of flossing, from Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen

At the office of Drs. Gilleran & Van Fossen, we hope you're not a part of the 51 percent of Americans who don’t floss daily. Or worse, we hope you're not part of the 10 percent who never floss at all. Dr. Gilleran and our staff will always tell you that proper flossing is just as important for your dental health as brushing regularly. Flossing cleans food and plaque that build up between teeth and below the gumline, key areas that brushing alone simply cannot reach.

Flossing 3-to-5 minutes everyday is recommended, but even 60 seconds of flossing has a great benefit over not flossing at all. Also, make sure to always brush your teeth after you floss, and to rinse with water or mouthwash. When you begin flossing you may experience gum pain or bleeding, but with daily flossing and brushing this should stop within a week or so.

On a side note, has it been at least six months since your last checkup at our Chicago Loop office? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to schedule an appointment by calling (312) 368-8771.

Happy New Year!