Our Blog

After 46 years of dentistry, Dr. J.T. Pschirrer and his life-long assistant Val Kinnaird are due to retire on July 18th, 2019. Together they have changed the lives and smiles of thousands of patients. Both are looking forward to having more time to spend doing the activities they enjoy whether that is traveling, golfing, walking, or simply spending more time with their families.  If you have been a patient of Dr. J.T. Pschirrer and Val and would like to wish them a "Happy Retirement", please send cards to the office at: Pschirrer Family Dentistry, Attn:  Dr. J.T. Pschirrer and/or Val Kinnard, 1710 18th Street, Charleston, IL 61920.

With Dr. J.T. Pschirrer retiring, we spent countless hours in search of the "right" dentist to bring into our practice and the good news is we found her.  Dr. Jaime Cushing is originally from a southwest suburb of Chicago, Naperville, IL.  She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and graduated with honors from the UIC College of Dentistry in 2007.

Dr. Cushing has worked the last 12 years at a private family practice in Chicago, IL.
She is looking forward to the opportunity to serve the Charleston community. Her husband, Adam Cushing, is the new Head Football Coach for Eastern Illinois University and they are thrilled to be here. Jaime and Adam have three kids, Abby, Dana, and Alex.

Dr. Cushing will start on July 21st and will work on Monday's and Thursday's.  We know you will love her as much as we do!

[caption id="attachment_83" align="alignnone" width="300"] Dr. Jaime Cushing and Family[/caption]

Here is some surprising yet worthwhile advice you might be hearing for the first time: Brushing after a meal can be incredibly bad for your teeth if you do it after eating certain foods.

Enamel is an extremely hard mineral on the exterior of each of your teeth. It’s actually the hardest substance in the human body: It’s even stronger than your bones! Its only weakness is that acids in the food we eat can easily destroy enamel.

Healthy teeth thrive in an environment that has the proper pH balance. That ensures your mouth doesn’t start the process of demineralization. That’s what happens when alkaline turns into acid, which attacks and softens the enamel on the surface of your teeth. Pores and fissures form, and that’s when the harmful bacteria go to work.

Our mouth’s pH level fluctuates depending on what we eat throughout the day. Examples of the most common highly acidic foods include citrus fruits, soda, and sugary foods. Highly acidic foods tip the balance of pH in your mouth from a healthy alkaline to a dangerous acid.

Can brushing your teeth immediately after a meal lead to even more damage? The answer is yes!

Eating highly acidic foods causes your teeth to be more susceptible. If you brush your teeth when they have been weakened by acids, even more destruction can happen to your enamel. Your toothbrush’s bristles will actually wear away some of your enamel. So it’s healthier to wait at least an hour after eating or snacking to brush.

Good preventive measures to take instead of brushing after you eat include:

• Rinsing or drinking water
• Chewing sugarless gum
• Consuming dairy or non-acidic foods to conclude your meal

These practices help produce saliva, which in turn restores a healthy pH level in your mouth and coats the teeth with minerals they need.

Once you’ve allowed time for your mouth to be restored to a healthy pH level, you may brush your teeth as you normally would. Keep in mind that acidic foods can weaken the enamel on your teeth and take the right measures to prevent spiking pH levels.

Most important, don’t forget to wait to brush at least one hour after you eat!

Still have questions? Call our Charleston, Illinois office and schedule an appointment with Dr. J.T. Pschirrer and Dr. Jacob Pschirrer.

Grinding of the teeth, also known as bruxism, is a serious condition from which nearly ten percent of Americans suffer. It’s a mechanical reflex that often happens during slumber. Unfortunately, most people don’t recall grinding their teeth when they awaken.

This makes it difficult to catch the condition before serious damage occurs. Some people notice soreness in their jaw, shoulder and neck pain, or even headaches. Others aren’t so lucky and don’t feel any pain until a professional notices they have developed cracked teeth, receding gums, and jaw problems.

Dr. J.T. Pschirrer and Dr. Jacob Pschirrer and our team hope to prevent teeth grinding before serious health concerns arise. Let’s go over the reasons for grinding as well as preventive tips to help you feel better fast.

Why do you grind your teeth?

The most common reasons for teeth grinding include:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Aggression
• Poor muscle control
• Acid reflux
• Sleep apnea
• Complications from certain disorders

It’s worthwhile to understand the reason you’re grinding your teeth, but it’s even more vital to treat the issue quickly. You can take measures to alleviate the pain you may be experiencing, such as applying a warm wash cloth to your jaw, taking muscle relaxants, massaging the jaw muscles, visiting a chiropractor, or doing physical therapy.

Prevention

To protect your oral health and jaw bones, try these preventive measures:

• Reduce the amount of stress in your life
• Drink plenty of water every day
• Avoid chewing gum or chewy foods
• Get plenty of sleep each night
• Reduce or stop alcohol and caffeine consumption
• Get a custom mouthguard from Pschirrer Family Dentistry

Dr. J.T. Pschirrer and Dr. Jacob Pschirrer and our team want to make sure you’re properly treating your teeth grinding issues. Feel free to call our Charleston, Illinois office if you think you may be suffering from this condition, or have questions regarding a treatment plan.

Teeth grinding can lead to far more serious health issues, and should be ended before it becomes a major concern.

It’s summer—that wonderful time of year when fresh and delicious produce abounds. Dr. J.T. Pschirrer and Dr. Jacob Pschirrer will tell you that your teeth, gums, and tissues all rely on an appropriate mix of vitamins and minerals to maintain good oral health no matter what time of year. In previous studies, nutrients in fruits and vegetables such as dietary fiber, potassium, and antioxidants have all been associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and cancers, including oral cancer.

Here are four foods we want you to enjoy this summer to ensure a healthy mouth:

Watermelons and Strawberries

Watermelons have high water content, which dilutes the affects of the sugars they contain and stimulates the flow of saliva. In addition, research shows that eating foods full of water (watermelon is 92 percent water) helps keep you satiated on fewer calories. Finally, in addition to containing skin-protecting lycopene, eating watermelon can help you stay hydrated during the summer months, which not only keeps your memory sharp and your mood stable, but also helps keep your body cool.

Strawberries are juicy and delicious, and they’re also considered a superfood. Nutrient-rich and packed with antioxidants (such as vitamin C, which can help with cancer prevention), strawberries also promote eye health, help fight bad cholesterol, and regulate blood pressure.

Apples

Did you know consuming apples can help you attain whiter, healthier teeth? It’s true. Biting and chewing an apple stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, and in the process, lowers the levels of bacteria and other harmful acids, leading to a lower likelihood of tooth decay. Apple consumption can also boost your immune system, reducing cholesterol and helping you avoid Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's diseases. Finally, eating an apple a day has been linked to heart health, including a lower risk of death from both coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a delicious and healthy snack and can help you ward off cancer. The yummy red fruit contains lycopene, which helps protect your skin from sunburn. Tomatoes can also help you fight heart disease due to the niacin, folate, and vitamin B6 nutrients they contain. They’re high in crucial antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin A, which work to prevent DNA damage.