expert type icon EXPERT

Neal Nealis, D.D.S.

Dentist

Neal Nealis, DDS is a top Dentist in Chicago, . With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Neal Nealis, DDS is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Neal Nealis, DDS is a prime example of a true leader in healthcare. As a leader and expert in their field, Neal Nealis, DDS is passionate about enhancing patient quality of life. They embody the values of communication, safety, and trust when dealing directly with patients. In Chicago, IL, Neal Nealis, DDS is a true asset to their field and dedicated to the profession of medicine.
51 years Experience
Neal Nealis, D.D.S.
Specializes in:
  • Dentist
  • General Dentistry
  • Oral Health
  • Chicago, IL
  • University of Illinois -Urbana
  • Accepting new patients

Is it bad that I leave food in between my teeth?

Leaving food between the teeth can be bad depending upon how long it is allowed to remain. What is more important than food particles is the soft plaque or "biofilm" because these READ MORE
Leaving food between the teeth can be bad depending upon how long it is allowed to remain. What is more important than food particles is the soft plaque or "biofilm" because these soft deposits are where the nastiest germs live. For that reason flossing at least every other day is essential to protect both the teeth and the bone.

What causes erosion of teeth?

There are many causes for tooth erosion. 1. brushing too hard 2. brushing with too abrasive of a toothpaste 3. acids such as lemon juice 4. excessive night time grinding of teeth. READ MORE
There are many causes for tooth erosion. 1. brushing too hard 2. brushing with too abrasive of a toothpaste 3. acids such as lemon juice 4. excessive night time grinding of teeth. 5. acid reflux

Do I need braces to get rid of the gap in my teeth?

You could close your gap using some type of veneer, either direct or indirect. Direct veneers are made primarily of acrylic plastic and can be placed in a single visit making them READ MORE
You could close your gap using some type of veneer, either direct or indirect. Direct veneers are made primarily of acrylic plastic and can be placed in a single visit making them relative less costly in the short term. Unfortunately the acrylic wears and discolors creating the need to periodically replace them. Indirect veneers are made from porcelain and will last indefinitely and not discolor. They are more difficult to make requiring two visits and the hiring of a dental laboratory in between which makes them more costly in the short term but because they are so durable, they do not require periodic replacement.

What are the best home remedies for toothache?

Best to see a dentist to understand what is causing the toothache. Toothaches are nature's way of telling that something is wrong. Pain medications mask the symptoms without addressing READ MORE
Best to see a dentist to understand what is causing the toothache. Toothaches are nature's way of telling that something is wrong. Pain medications mask the symptoms without addressing the cause. He probably either has cavities or is grinding his teeth in his sleep.

What is causing my teeth to yellow?

Teeth are mildly porous and with time will accumulate pigments from any dark foods such as chocolate, berries and teas. These pigments are located on the outer surface of the teeth READ MORE
Teeth are mildly porous and with time will accumulate pigments from any dark foods such as chocolate, berries and teas. These pigments are located on the outer surface of the teeth and are easily removed with the tooth whitening products. The ones dispensed by a dentist are more effective and efficient than over the counter alternatives.

What are the early signs for gum disease?

Gum disease can be quite tricky. Usually there are no early signs that can be recognized at home. Dentists can perform simple measurements of bone levels and actually these measurements READ MORE
Gum disease can be quite tricky. Usually there are no early signs that can be recognized at home. Dentists can perform simple measurements of bone levels and actually these measurements should be done routinely for all adult patients. Symptoms can include bleeding gums and bad breath, but often patients lose supporting bone without any noticeable symptoms.

What is the treatment for dry mouth?

Dry mouth can be a serious problem because our saliva contains minerals that help teeth actually heal early cavities. Without a healthy flow of saliva people can develop severe READ MORE
Dry mouth can be a serious problem because our saliva contains minerals that help teeth actually heal early cavities. Without a healthy flow of saliva people can develop severe tooth decay in a short time. Unfortunately dry mouth is a common side effect of many medications. If you have dry mouth you can try using sugar free tart candies which can be found on line. Biotene rinse also can be quite helpful. If you have dry mouth, then regular visits to your dentist become vital.

Can tooth sensitivity be cured by changing toothpaste?

Tooth sensitivity can be nature's way of telling you that something is wrong in how your teeth interact. Your teeth are designed to function in a very specific manner, and if the READ MORE
Tooth sensitivity can be nature's way of telling you that something is wrong in how your teeth interact. Your teeth are designed to function in a very specific manner, and if the brain detects any interferences to this ideal pattern, it instructs the muscles to chew away the interferences using enormous forces while we are asleep. This is nature's way of adapting to changes in the mouth. Tooth sensitivity is a common symptom of the is nocturnal grinding, and if let go untreated can lead to fractured teeth and/or loss of supporting bone. You should have your "occlusion" examined.

What causes bleeding gums in kids?

Children need to floss just like adults. Daily is not necessary, but at least every other day is. Bleeding gums is nature's signal to us that we have ulcers in the gums caused READ MORE
Children need to floss just like adults. Daily is not necessary, but at least every other day is. Bleeding gums is nature's signal to us that we have ulcers in the gums caused by germs. By simply flossing these germs get stirred up and confused which temporarily stops them from attacking the gums. Remember the old dental saying, "You don't need to floss all of your teeth. Just the ones you want to keep."

What is the best way to whiten my teeth?

The most effective way to whiten your teeth is with custom fitting bleaching trays made by a dentist. Whitening gels, usually carbamide peroxide, is injected into the trays which READ MORE
The most effective way to whiten your teeth is with custom fitting bleaching trays made by a dentist. Whitening gels, usually carbamide peroxide, is injected into the trays which are then inserted into the mouth and worn from two to eight hours per treatment. Typically seven to ten treatments are necessary to attain the desired whiteness though whitening effects vary significantly between patients.

Does a root canal take longer to heal for a diabetic?

Root canal healing should be the same for a diabetic than for any other person.

Can you be prone to getting cavities?

Cavities seldom just happen for no reason. Identifying the cause is essential to prevention of future problems. Cavities typically come from two sources. Have your son's back teeth READ MORE
Cavities seldom just happen for no reason. Identifying the cause is essential to prevention of future problems. Cavities typically come from two sources. Have your son's back teeth sealed by a dentist and that will eliminate the first cause. The second cause is more important and also complicated to explain. Basically any carbohydrate is sugar and will include all dairy products, grains, fruits and starches. What isn't included are nuts, vegetables, meat, fish and eggs. You can eat carbohydrates three or four times daily but no more because carbohydrates interfere with nature's natural ability to heal our teeth. The key to remember is that the frequency NOT the amount of carbohydrate is what is important. Snack on nuts and veggies between meals, and incorporate all other foods into the main meals. This will prevent most of the cavities that I see.

My son has a habit of biting ice. Will this harm his teeth?

If he countinues to chew ice, his teeth will begin to crack. I have one patient who has cracked three teeth this way and needed two root canals. Best to keep foods as close to READ MORE
If he countinues to chew ice, his teeth will begin to crack. I have one patient who has cracked three teeth this way and needed two root canals. Best to keep foods as close to body temperature as possible.

How can I get rid of teeth stains caused due to smoking?

Smoking stains are one type of "extrinsic" stains which are concentrated on the surface as opposed to "intrinsic" stains which is the color of the teeth that we are born with. READ MORE
Smoking stains are one type of "extrinsic" stains which are concentrated on the surface as opposed to "intrinsic" stains which is the color of the teeth that we are born with. Extrinsic stains are easily removed with surface whiteners. The most effective whitening systems are ones that involve placing whitening agents into custom fitting trays made by a dentist and work from two hours to over night. Typically 7-14 applications are necessary to achieve the desired whitened shade; however no two people's teeth whiten the same way.

My daughter has a gap between her front two teeth. Is it normal?

Midline gaps can be cause by a variety of reasons. The size of the upper teeth is less than the available space. There are ways to evaluate the size of the teeth to one another READ MORE
Midline gaps can be cause by a variety of reasons. The size of the upper teeth is less than the available space. There are ways to evaluate the size of the teeth to one another and to the size of the face. This evaluation is important to determine the proper corrective treatment which could include orthodontics and/or veneering two or more teeth to change the tooth size.

I suddenly have a gap in between my front teeth. Why?

The most probable reason for the sudden formation of a upper midline gap is a late growth spurt by the lower jaw which is not equally matched by growth of the upper jaw. The lower READ MORE
The most probable reason for the sudden formation of a upper midline gap is a late growth spurt by the lower jaw which is not equally matched by growth of the upper jaw. The lower teeth get squeezed together and exert outward forces on the upper teeth. The lower teeth gain support from the surrounding teeth whereas the upper teeth are forced away from each other. The end result is formation of gaps on the top and possibly crowding of the bottom. Most people including dentists do not realize that our jaws never stop growing after puberty and increase in size about 1mm per year.

Are there any home remedies to treat canker sores?

Hmmm, canker sores! So painful. I've heard that they come from caffeine, chocolate and nuts plus a little stress thrown in. The only home remedy that I am aware of is breaking READ MORE
Hmmm, canker sores! So painful. I've heard that they come from caffeine, chocolate and nuts plus a little stress thrown in. The only home remedy that I am aware of is breaking an aspirin tablet into a size similar to the sore and letting it rest on the spot for a few hours. The aspirin changes the canker sore into a chemical burn which heals in a few days as compared to a couple of weeks for a canker sore to heal on its own.

Are raisins good for your teeth?

Raisins or any fruit, whether fresh or dried, is chock full of sugar. Consuming sugar or any carbohydrate at meal time is good for your health. Too frequent consumption of fruit READ MORE
Raisins or any fruit, whether fresh or dried, is chock full of sugar. Consuming sugar or any carbohydrate at meal time is good for your health. Too frequent consumption of fruit between meals will lead to cavities. So be careful with what you eat between meals. Try to limit carbohydrates intake to three or four times daily. Between meals the better snack is nuts or vegetables which are low in carbohydrate.

Can cola be the cause of discoloration in my teeth?

Any pigmented food will discolor your teeth. These extrinsic stains are easily removed with the whitening systems offered by dentists. Be careful with carbonated beverages as they READ MORE
Any pigmented food will discolor your teeth. These extrinsic stains are easily removed with the whitening systems offered by dentists. Be careful with carbonated beverages as they can cause serious decay in the teeth which is far worse a problem than a little discoloration.

Why does only one tooth area bleed when I floss?

If you have one tooth area bleeding, most likely you have hardened tartar deposits hiding below the gumline. You will need to have a professional hygienist or dentist remove these READ MORE
If you have one tooth area bleeding, most likely you have hardened tartar deposits hiding below the gumline. You will need to have a professional hygienist or dentist remove these deposits. Note that not only is blood leaking from these ulcers, but germs are penetrating the other direction and if left untreated will eventually lead to breakdown of the bone and other supporting tissues.