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The Tea And Teeth Question

Posted on September 21, 2018September 18, 2018

What do you call a dentist who doesn’t like tea? Why, Denis, of course.

Lame jokes aside, a common concern for patients is stained teeth. At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we can do something about that condition with professional teeth whitening.

A common cause of tooth staining is dark beverages, including tea.

Over time, tea can stain the enamel of your teeth. Some discoloration can be brushed and flossed away, but you need to stay on top of it. Daily oral hygiene is important.

Between cleanings, rinse with water after drinking tea. Be sure to brush and floss all surfaces of the teeth at the end of the day.

If the color of your teeth is still unsatisfactory after a professional cleaning, you may want to consider teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening from Koch Park Dental can restore the brightness of your smile.

At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we provide a wide range of cosmetic dentistry services that restore and enhance your teeth. To find out more, schedule a consultation with us today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

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Missing Teeth? Dentures And Implants Restore Smiles

Posted on September 14, 2018September 7, 2018

If you have had years of dental problems or are embarrassed by missing teeth, our friendly team at Koch Park Dental in Florissant can help. You could be a candidate for dental implants, or implant supported dentures.

A removable replacement for missing teeth, dentures can be made in advance and positioned as soon as the natural teeth are removed. Our Koch Park Dental lab creates dentures that look just like natural teeth: attractive, healthy teeth.

If you still have some healthy, natural teeth, you can benefit from dentures without having your healthy teeth extracted.

Partial dentures fill in the gaps, replacing missing teeth to complete a smile. Partial dentures can prevent natural teeth from moving. Many Florissant dental practices can complete these procedures in one day.

Many dental insurance providers cover most or all of the cost of dentures. Call us at Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS and we can help you find out if your Missouri dental insurance covers dentures.

Another alternative for Florissant people with missing teeth is to receive dental implants. A dental implant is a permanent tooth restoration that is anchored into the jawbone, actually replacing both the root and crown of the tooth. Dental implants have many advantages, such as preventing jaw bone recession which can occur when natural teeth are removed. However, not all Florissant dentistry patients are good candidates for implants.

Dental implants can also be used to anchor a removable denture. The denture is ‘snapped on’ or attached to the implants for no-slip confidence.

The combination denture/implant smile restoration solution is being used successfully by many Florissant dentists. It is usually more affordable than dental implant replacements for several natural teeth.

Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health, improving your ability to eat and speak. If you are embarrassed to smile or laugh, it’s time to bring back your beautiful smile!

In addition to dental implants, Koch Park Dental in Florissant provides general dentistry. Schedule your next appointment today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

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What A Difference! Porcelain Veneers

Posted on September 7, 2018September 4, 2018

Have you ever wished a dentist could glue new pearly white covers on your existing teeth, as easily as you paint a wall in your house? Guess what? With porcelain veneers from Koch Park Dental in Florissant, it’s possible.

Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin, tooth-shaped fronts that are permanently attached to your natural teeth. At Koch Park Dental, veneers are used alone and in combination with other cosmetic dentistry procedures in complete smile makeovers. Because they can repair cosmetic tooth misalignment in one visit, veneers are sometimes described as instant orthodontics.

Do veneers look like natural teeth?
Skilled dental lab artists create porcelain veneers with the color, reflective properties, and translucency of natural teeth: perfect natural teeth, that is. In addition, porcelain veneers can be fabricated in any size or shape.

Are veneers strong?
Porcelain veneers are fabricated out of extremely durable material. If you have questions about whether a veneer or dental crown is the best choice for you, talk to Martin Buchheit. Dr. Buchheit will consider the size and condition of the tooth and its position in the mouth.

How long do veneers last?
Some smile makeover patients have veneers they received over 15 years ago. (And they still look terrific!) If properly cared for, veneers can last as long as dental crowns.

Are porcelain veneers affordable?
The cost of cosmetic dental veneers at Koch Park Dental is competitive with other premium cosmetic dental practices in the Florissant area. We use the top dental lab to create our veneers and a considerable portion of the cost goes to the lab. Porcelain veneers are often less expensive than crowns and orthodontia.

For questions about porcelain veneers, call Koch Park Dental in Florissant. We also provide general dentistry.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

ArticleID 7615

Danger Zone! 5 Signs Of Gum Disease

Posted on August 24, 2018August 23, 2018

Here is some important news for anyone who cares about their dental health: periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a primary cause of tooth loss among adults. There is also evidence that it is linked to heart disease. Koch Park Dental in Florissant provides gum disease treatment.

What warning signs should you be looking for?

Gums that bleed frequently
Gums that appear tender, swollen, or very red, or gums that have visible pus in between them when they are pushed
Your bite changes or your teeth suddenly don’t seem to fit together
Gums that are loosening from the teeth
A bad taste in the mouth or chronic bad breath

We hope you aren’t noticing any of these things. If you are not removing plaque between your teeth, however, your gums are at risk. Brushing alone is not enough—make sure you floss daily.

Regular check-ups at Koch Park Dental is another critical weapon in the fight against gum disease.

At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we take pride in caring for our patients and want them to have a healthy and beautiful smile. In addition to gum disease treatment, we provide general dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

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Koch Park Dental Works To Earn Your Trust

Posted on August 17, 2018August 16, 2018

Dentistry is a challenging and fascinating profession. Dentists must have diagnostic skills, dexterity, extensive scientific knowledge, and good visual memory. The dentist at Koch Park Dental in Florissant possesses this qualities.

Dentistry also requires artistic ability. In addition to the technical aspects of dentistry, we really enjoy interacting with our Florissant dental patients.

We recognize that our patients have other choices in St. Louis area dental practices, and work continually to earn their trust and surpass their expectations.

Each dental patient is unique. Many of our patients come in twice-yearly for an exam and cleaning. We help them maintain excellent oral health. Some St. Charles cosmetic dentistry patients come to us seeking major restorative dental work. It is extremely gratifying to complete a smile makeover and see the patient’s reaction when they see their new smile for the first time.

When we have a pre-treatment consultation with a new patient, it is very informative for all of us. The patient learns the specifics about the possible procedures and we learn about the patient’s goals, concerns and expectations.

Koch Park Dental in Florissant MO offers general dentistry, and treats conditions such as sleep apnea. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

Healthy Baby Teeth For Toddlers

Posted on August 10, 2018August 16, 2018

Though we don’t often think about it, toddlers as young as 9 or 10 months of age can be infected with cavity producing bacteria, which can cause tooth decay. Koch Park Dental, your dentist in Florissant MO, reminds you how serious a problem this can turn into.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that almost 20% of children 2-5 have untreated cavities, and the number rises in kids over six. Tooth decay can result in poor eating habits, delayed speech development, and create an unhealthy environment for permanent tooth development. Healthy baby teeth lead to healthier permanent teeth later in life.

Mothers who adhere to preventive dental and oral care during prenatal and postnatal periods can better safeguard her child from dental caries. Parents and care providers should not prop a bottle for their baby in a crib or car seat, avoid nighttime bottle or breast feeding, and go over their child’s teeth with a cloth or soft baby toothbrush as soon as they erupt.

Pediatric dentists advise taking your child to his initial dental appointment when the first tooth erupts. He will be examined and you can begin discussing fluoride prescriptions and other preventative measures.

Koch Park Dental in Florissant MO provides general dentistry, and cosmetic services such as dental implants. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

Is Your Smile In A World Of Hurt?

Posted on August 3, 2018August 2, 2018

Do you have extreme tooth damage, bone loss, or few or no teeth still intact? This dental health post from Koch Dental is for St. Louis area residents whose mouths are in a world of hurt.

First off, we feel for you. We understand how severe dental troubles affect you every day of your life.

Whatever the cause of the condition – chemotherapy, recreational drug use, eating disorder, severe mouth injury, disability, inadequate oral hygiene, or simply poor overall health – there is hope.

Full mouth reconstruction can restore your previously healthy, attractive smile or give you the remarkable smile you never had. Patients who undergo full mouth reconstruction regain their confidence to smile, eat, and speak normally. How would that impact your life?

Replacing missing teeth and adding bone through grafting restores underlying facial structure, improving or preventing that “sunk-in” look that develops when teeth are gone and the jawbone recedes.

Full mouth reconstruction (sometimes called full mouth restoration) is a term which refers to a combination of dental procedures that restore a smile for people with several damaged or missing teeth. Treatment may include any combination of the following procedures: crowns, inlays/onlays, dental bonding, white filling replacement, tooth implants, porcelain veneers, implant-anchored dentures, gum contouring, soft tissue grafts, bone grafts, and tooth whitening.

Dental implants are ordinarily the best tooth replacement for patients with missing teeth. A dental implant consists of a titanium post surgically inserted into the jaw bone to replace the root of the missing tooth. If there is not enough bone to anchor an implant, bone grafting may be completed to augment existing bone. The post integrates with the bone to provide a secure foundation for the abutment and beautiful crown. Dental implants are indistinguishable from previous teeth in both form and function.

If you currently have dentures, ask us about implant-anchored full or partial dentures. Significant improvements can be made even if you only get two or three tooth implants.

Crowns (sometimes called caps) are used when there is enough viable tooth structure that the tooth doesn’t need to be extracted. A crown adds strength to a tooth that has a large filling or has been injured. A crown can repair a bite misalignment and is usually necessary after a root canal. In a dental implant procedure, attaching the crown to the abutment is the final step.

Koch Park Dental in Florissant offers a full menu of cosmetic dental services. Schedule an appointment today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

When Wayward Teeth Take A Crooked Path

Posted on July 27, 2018July 25, 2018

Malocclusion is the dental term for crooked teeth. When you consider all the different ways teeth can be aligned, it is not surprising that malocclusion manifests itself in numerous forms. At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, it’s a treatable condition.

The number of configurations may surprise you:

When teeth slant forward, it is called upper protrusion, but you may have heard this described, unkindly, as “buck teeth.”

An overbite transpires when the upper front teeth come down too far over the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. An underbite is the reverse—the upper front teeth close farther back than the lower front teeth. An open bite refers to a bite in which the upper don’t overlap the lower teeth. This can occur on the whole bite or just one side.

Tooth rotation is one of the most common types of malocclusion. Rotated teeth appear as if they are twisting out of place. Tooth rotation can create the illusion of uneven coloring because of the way light reflects off the face of teeth.

When the upper and lower palate are offset to the point where the upper teeth close onto the wrong side of the lower teeth, it is labeled a cross bite.

In some rare cases – called transposition – teeth erupt in spots where other teeth should be. For example, a canine (pointed tooth) comes in where an incisor (front biting tooth) should be. Can you imagine trying to chew if your teeth have been playing musical chairs?

Many people with crooked teeth are too self-conscious to smile, but aesthetics are not the only issue at play. Crooked teeth can increase the chance of tooth decay, tooth damage, and TMD temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Children with crooked teeth may have difficulty learning how to speak, and if they can’t chew meat and raw vegetables correctly, they may miss out on needed nutrients due to a limited diet.

At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we provide clear braces by Six Month Smiles and Invisalign. We also offer general dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

Best Practices For A Healthy, Beautiful Smile

Posted on July 20, 2018July 25, 2018

Even if you value a healthy smile, it’s easy to become a bit negligent about smile-friendly lifestyle choices. In today’s post, our goal is for you to evaluate where you stand and look at whether you could step it up a notch. Committing to dental health best practices can prevent future problems and improve your quality of life.

Brushing

Good: Brush teeth once a day.
Better: Brush teeth correctly after each meal.
Best: Brush after each meal and floss correctly before bed.

Dental Checkups

Good: See your dentist if you get a toothache.
Better: See Dr. Buchheit once a year even if you don’t notice any dental issues.
Best: Twice-yearly, have an intensive dental exam and professional dental cleaning at Koch Park Dental.

A White Smile

Good: Use a whitening toothpaste.
Better: Use an OTC tooth whitening system at home.
Best: Schedule an in-office tooth bleaching procedure.

Missing Tooth

Good enough for some people: Ignore it. (We don’t recommend this.)
Better: Get a quality dental bridge.
Best: Restore your smile with a beautiful, stable, and natural-functioning dental implant.

Smile-Friendly Nutrition

Good: Eat a wholesome diet.
Better: Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary snacks and beverages.
Best: Eat a nutritious diet, limit between-meal snacking, eat lots of calcium-rich foods, steer clear of sugary snacks, abstain from energy drinks and soda, and sip water throughout the day to keep acid at bay.

For Young Smiles

Good: Never put your infant to bed with a bottle. When your toddler starts drinking from sippy-cup, don’t let them sip juice or milk all day.
Better: Follow the previous guidance and schedule his/her first dental checkup before the first birthday.
Best: In addition, meet with us about dental sealants when your child is young. When your little athlete starts participating in sports, make sure he/she wears a protective mouthguard. Set a good example of daily dental hygiene and healthy lifestyle choices.

At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we are dedicated to providing excellent dental health care. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry. Make an appointment with us today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

Your Smile Doesn’t Have To Show Your Age

Posted on July 13, 2018July 25, 2018

As we grow older, we may welcome many changes. However, most Florissant retirees do not welcome wrinkles, gray hair and dental health issues. Fortunately, with Koch Park Dental, your smile can be attractive and healthy throughout your golden years!

Even if your teeth are showing visible signs of wear such as enamel loss, staining, and chips, it is not too late to restore your youthful smile. And, though tooth loss is fairly common for people over sixty, in most cases it is preventable.

At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we treat patients of all ages. We offer a full array of dental services including dental implants, porcelain veneers, and Invisalign clear braces.

Koch Park Dental also offers general dentistry, and treats conditions like sleep apnea. Make an appointment with us today.

Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

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Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

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Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

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Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

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Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

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Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

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Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

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Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

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Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

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Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:

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