Undergoing dental treatment doesn’t have to be a stressful experience, but too many people end up avoiding preventive and restorative dental care because they don’t know that there’s a better way to get the treatment they need. Our Saint Louis dentists work hard to help our patients stay calm and feel confident. Keep reading to learn more.

A stress-free dental experience begins with communication. When you meet with our dental team, please don't hesitate to share any concerns you may have. The more we know about you, the better. To that end, you can also talk to our dental team about any prior experiences—good or bad—that you’ve had in the dentist’s chair.

Our dentists have found that an open line of communication is beneficial for both the patient and the doctor. Once you know that your dentist truly understands your needs, you’ll find it much easier to relax during treatment.

When you meet with our team, we will also help you determine whether specific sedation treatments are appropriate for your situation. Nitrous oxide, for example, can help you relax once your appointment begins. Oral conscious sedation, which involves taking a small pill prior to treatment, is even more powerful; this relaxation option starts working before you even get to our office.

Because every patient is unique, our dental team takes great pains to tailor relaxation treatment to fit our patients’ respective needs. It is really all about utilizing the sedation solutions we offer in a way that works for you.

If you are one of the many dental patients who struggles to get into the dentist’s chair, our Saint Louis sedation dentists are here to help. We are truly here to support and help you—never to judge. Give us a call to learn more, and to schedule a personal consultation.

For many of us, it’s practically a daily ritual to start the morning off with a fresh cup of coffee. Coffee can affect your smile in a number of ways; our Saint Louis dentists are here to give you some tips and suggestions on how to consume coffee smartly. Keep reading to learn more!

The number one dental issue that patients associate with coffee is staining and discoloration. Over time, coffee leaves color deposits on the patient’s natural teeth. The discoloration may appear streaky or solid.

In many cases, this type of discoloration can be effectively addressed with professional dental whitening treatments. You can also minimize the risk of staining by using a straw to drink your coffee; the straw helps you bypass visible enamel.

It’s also a good idea to rinse your mouth with water after enjoying your coffee. When you rinse your smile, you clear away staining and acidic coffee remnants. You also prompt your body to release saliva, and saliva helps to naturally re-mineralize and strengthen teeth.

Another thing that you can do is to consume coffee mindfully. What do we mean by this? Generally speaking, it is best to drink your coffee in one, time-limited sitting, rather than sipping continuously throughout the day. Remember that the oral bacteria in your mouth can feed off of the sugars and creamers in coffee for a full twenty to thirty minutes after you stop eating or drinking. Don’t give the oral bacteria in your mouth even more chances to take over your smile! 

Our Saint Louis dentists are here to give you any additional information or guidance that you need to improve your daily oral hygiene habits. One part of this may be switching up your coffee routine! Give us a call to schedule a personal consultation with our team.

Premature tooth loss can devastate a person’s smile and negatively affect oral health. That is why it’s so important for dental patients to seek prompt treatment for tooth loss; restorative treatment has aesthetic as well as structural benefits.

Today, our Saint Louis dental implant dentists are answering some commonly asked questions about dental implant replacement teeth. Keep reading to learn more!

Q: How do dental implants stay in place?

A: While dentures and bridges sit on top of the patient’s gum tissue, a dental implant is actually anchored in the patient’s jawbone with a titanium screw. Essentially, the screw replaces the missing natural tooth root. Once the implant is anchored, it stays in place permanently. 

Q: What does it feel like to have a dental implant?

A: Once your dental implant is in place, and the insertion site has healed, your dental implant won’t really feel any different than your natural teeth. You’ll be able to eat and drink normally, as well as clean your smile by brushing, flossing, and keeping up with professional cleanings. Basically, dental implants fit in seamlessly with the patient’s existing smile. 

Q: How do I begin dental implant treatment?

A: The first step is to schedule a consultation with our dental team. This assessment allows us to evaluate your smile to determine whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants. Some dental patients need to undergo bone grafting to build up the jawbone tissue prior to having their titanium implant roots inserted. Our dental team will let you know if there are any oral health issues that need to be addressed before you undergo dental implant treatment.

If you’re battling tooth loss, now is the time to seek treatment and rebuild your smile. Please do not let this oral health issue persist unaddressed, as this puts you at risk of developing a host of related oral health issues down the road. Give our Saint Louis dental implant dentists a call to learn more and to schedule a personal consultation!