If My Child Brushes and Flosses, Does She Need a Dental Cleaning?

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Categories: Cleanings and checkups, Cosmetic Dentistry

dental cleanings Florissant

Today’s message focuses on professional dental cleanings. You might wonder if your child needs a professional dental cleaning if you already practice dental hygiene daily at home.

The answer is that both processes are important because they work in tandem to maintain oral health.

Doctor Buchheit encourages patients to practice preventative dentistry by:

Dental cleanings increase the effectiveness of daily oral care by removing the plaque and tartar that can accumulate regardless of daily brushing and flossing. In fact, when plaque hardens, it can only be taken off with special tools used by a hygienist.

A hygienist will first use a vibrating ultrasonic tool to dislodge the largest pieces of tartar. This process may tickle a bit. The hygienist will then use tools with finer attachments to get rid of the smaller pieces of calculus. When all plaque and tartar is gone, polishing is the final step in the cleaning process.

The goal is to make your tooth surfaces as smooth as possible, to prevent food particles from lodging in small spaces that are difficult to clean. If you are having an exam during the same visit, your technician may take dental X-rays. X-rays can reveal cavities while they are small and can be easily filled.

Let your hygienist know if your child’s teeth are sensitive so he/she can make the cleaning as comfortable as possible. After the cleaning, a fluoride treatment may be given to help strengthen teeth.

Before your hygienist leaves, you may want to ask if there are areas your child can improve. Your hygienist can tell you which tooth surfaces had the most build-up. If the back teeth are presenting a problem, you can meet with Dr. Buchheit about sealants.

If your son or daughter has braces, you may want more frequent dental cleanings because food can easily lodge between the wires.

Call Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS at 314-837-7744 to schedule a professional cleaning today!

 

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

314-837-7744

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 8361

Top 6 Ways To Destroy A Beautiful Smile

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Health, General Dentistry

porcelain veneers cost St. Louis

6. Be a Builder Not a Wrecker
Bacteria are constantly trying to build an empire in your mouth, give it what it wants: juice, soda, chewy candy for the small crevices and hard to reach surfaces!

5. Let Acid Rock It!
Energy drinks, diet soda, red wine, coffee, tea. Great at staining and wearing away surfaces. The perfect magnet for acid-loving bacteria. So avoid gums with Xylitol and Recaldent and shoot for foods and beverages containing citric acid and the super-duper sourest of candies.

4. Enjoy an Overcast Day Every Day
Lighting up and remaining in a tobacco fog is an efficient way to achieve the vibrant yellow hue we’re all looking for in tooth apparel.

3. Toss out Toothbrush and Floss
Avoid brushing after every single meal with a soft, gentle bristled toothbrush and fend off the urge to floss twice a day. This is critical if you want the bacteria to take over and result in gum disease and tooth decay.

2. Use Your Teeth as Tools
Hammer, wrench, screwdriver, scissors, bottle-opener. Use your imagination. Who needs a toolbox when you’ve got 32 solid options?

1. Cancel Regular Check-Ups
It is more difficult to ruin your smile if you have regular check-ups with your favorite Florissant dentist. Best to avoid them altogether if your goal is pure chaos and painful destruction.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article and walked away with a renewed desire to take care of those enamel-covered marvels that serve you faithfully day in and day out.

I know many people throughout Chesterfield and Maryland Heights have difficult struggles with oral health and lack smile satisfaction. That’s why I’m here. I am Martin Buchheit of Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS in Florissant. If you are experiencing dental problems, schedule a consultation today. I look forward to creating a plan to restore your oral health and the beauty of your smile.

 

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

314-837-7744

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 6429

Urgent Care Dentist vs. Cosmetic Dentist

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Emergency dental care, General Dentistry

replace broken dental crown Florissant

Today’s message is for anyone who has a broken dental crown. First off, you REALLY need to have it replaced. That said, you may be wondering which variety of dentist should replace it.

We advise that you contact the dentist who placed the crown. If you have moved or don’t remember where you got it, we invite you to consider Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS.

Why an urgent care dentist instead of a cosmetic dentist?

Urgent care dentists treat dental emergencies. But a dental emergency rarely requires only one procedure. Most necessitate a cosmetic restoration once the initial problem is taken care of. For example, a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, a chipped tooth, and most root canals all require restoration as the final step.

An urgent care specialist is dental jack-of-all-trades.

Urgent care dentists provide restorative, general, and cosmetic dentistry. In other words, an urgent care dentist has extensive experience with cosmetic procedures. Some even offer dental implant procedures.

What do you do when your dental crown breaks or comes off?

Don’t swallow it! Carefully take it out of your mouth. If you accidentally swallow it, you will have some extra problems we won’t discuss in this article.

Call Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS. We will schedule you an appointment right away and advise you on whether you should use temporary cement to re-attach the crown. Your tooth is weakened, so avoid substances that are chewy, sticky, or crunchy.

The dental professionals at Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS have been replacing crowns since 1987. If you have a broken crown, give us a call.

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

314-837-7744

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 8297

What’s The Latest With Veneers?

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Emergency dental care, Restorative Dentistry

Florissant Prepless Veneers One of the breakthroughs in cosmetic dentistry is prepless veneers. Though thousands of smile restoration patients who have received conventional veneers are happy with the results, some dental patients have delayed this procedure because they do not want to give up a healthy tooth structure.

Veneers Have Advanced

Prepless veneers are a more conservative procedure for transforming smiles. New prep-less veneers at Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS are remarkably thin shells which adhere to the face of teeth and require no removal of tooth enamel. Most prep-less veneers are about the thickness of two pieces of paper. Because the color is built into the veneers (instead of being applied after fabrication), they look like your natural teeth—only better!

The Skilled Lab Technicians Behind the Scenes

Our experienced ceramists are adept artists. They create each custom veneer with the perfect shape, color, and thickness for your new smile. Another great feature of the Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS prep-less veneers application procedure is that it requires no anesthesia or drilling.

If you are self-conscious about misaligned, discolored, or broken teeth, prep-less veneers may be a smile restoration solution that you can feel good about. Call Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS to learn more about prep-less veneers. It may be your answer to smile!

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

314-837-7744

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 393

We Solve Problems To Restore Smiles

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Crowns, Dental Health

solve tough dental problems Florissant

Have you ever been told that your smile is beyond repair? That may not be true. At Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS we perform dental miracles every day. Here are some tough dental problems we routinely solve:

Tough Problem 1: Insufficient Bone for Dental Implant
Solution: Bone Grafting

As a replacement for a missing tooth, a dental implant has many benefits as compared to a dental bridge. However, there must be sufficient bone to support the titanium post (screw) that is surgically implanted.

Many implant patients require some level of bone grafting and the procedure has a high success rate. Disinfected, processed donor bone is inserted at the implant site where the bone needs structural strengthening. The grafting material is in granular form that can be packed into the contours. It stimulates growth, and eventually, the patient’s newly-produced bone replaces the donor bone material.

If you have had another dentist tell you that you don’t have enough bone to place an implant post, talk to Dr. Buchheit. The team at Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS has performed many bone grafting procedures for dental implant placement.

Tough Problem 2: Severe Tooth Loss
Solution: Full Mouth Restoration

If it feels like your dental issues are beyond repair because you have few or no teeth left, take heart. Regardless of the cause—chemotherapy, recreational drug use, eating disorder, extreme 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 brilliant smile you never had. Patients who undergo full mouth reconstruction regain their confidence to smile, eat, and speak normally.

Full mouth restoration is comprised of a combination of dental procedures as required according to the patient’s particular situation. These can include dental implants, implant-supported bridges, orthodontia, crowns, inlays/onlays, dental bonding, gum contouring, soft tissue grafts, and teeth whitening.

By listening carefully, asking the right questions, communicating clearly, and counseling with you, Dr. Buchheit can fully analyze your seemingly impossible dental dilemma and furnish a solution. Call us today at 314-837-7744

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

314-837-7744

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 7516

Does Your Teen Have Unique Dental Challenges?

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Categories: Family Dentistry, General Dentistry, Invisalign Clear Braces

adolescent dental health

When it comes to oral health, adolescence is a pivotal time for Florissant youth. On the upside, the last of the permanent teeth come in providing young men and women with their “adult smile.” Good habits can be forged and reinforced. Teeth can be corrected with orthodontia, providing increased confidence when it is often sorely needed.

On the downside, some youth take up habits that are dangerous to their teeth. Adolescents often don’t understand the importance of proper dental hygiene and how it influences lifelong oral health. Some young Florissant men and women develop teenage tooth decay that can cause recurring dental dilemmas in later years.

Unfortunately, eating disorders are far too common among teenagers. Bulimia can cause enamel erosion, decay, and even complete tooth loss. We strongly advise parents to intervene immediately and seek appropriate medical care if they suspect their teen has an eating disorder.

The importance of diet cannot be overstated. Adolescence is a time when many young men and women decrease their calcium intake—a danger to both bones and teeth. The consumption of energy drinks and sugared soda also contribute to tooth and gum problems in teenagers.

Moreover, adolescents that use tobacco and illegal drugs have an increased risk of decay and oral cancer. Oral piercings can be extremely detrimental. The health risks include tooth and gum damage, infection, allergic reactions, nerve damage, and excessive swelling that can block airways.

Teens who are undergoing orthodontic treatment often have a difficult time normally cleaning their teeth. It is a challenge to fit toothbrush bristles and floss under dental hardware. Toothbrushes and flossing devices that squirt water can help adolescents with braces adequately clean their teeth and gums.

Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS advises Missouri parents to make sure their teenagers receive twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings. Martin Buchheit can identify and treat oral issues in their early stages so that further damage can be prevented or minimized.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following critical guidelines for adolescent oral health:

Teens should drink fluoridated water.
Fluoride supplementation is recommended for high-risk teens that don’t have access to fluoridated water (up to age 16).
Teens should use fluoridated toothpaste twice a day.
Teens should floss daily.1

To schedule an extensive teen dental examination and cleaning, call Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS at 205-933-0323. The team of friendly dental professionals at Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS is passionate about oral health for Florissant children and teens.

1“Protecting All Children’s Teeth, Oral Health in Adolescence,” http://www2.aap.org/oralhealth/pact/

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

314-837-7744

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 6685

Protect Your Enamel, Protect Your Teeth

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Categories: Clear braces, Dental Health, Family Dentistry

protect kids tooth enamel Florissant

Your enamel is uniquely suited to safeguard your teeth. If you keep your tooth enamel healthy, you will avoid many dental ailments. You won’t get cavities. Your teeth will be less likely to chip or crack. You will avoid many causes of tooth stains.

It’s best to form enamel-healthy habits when you’re young.

Teach your youngster to protect their tooth enamel. There is a multitude of collateral health benefits as well.

For Healthy Tooth Enamel, Avoid The Following

Frequently Eating Sticky Food

Gummy candy, protein bars, and dried fruit can break teeth.

Chewing On Hard Foods

For example, Beef jerky and hard or stale bread.

Grinding Teeth

If you grind your teeth, talk about it with your dentist. It can cause headaches, tooth damage, and gum recession. An appliance can protect your enamel.

Drinking Anything Besides Water Frequently

If your teeth are awash in carbonated beverages (sugared or diet), juice, coffee, or sports drinks habitually, your enamel will suffer from the acids and sugar.

Playing Sports Without a Mouthguard

Sports pose a major risk of tooth damage. Custom-fitted mouthguards from your dentist are more comfortable than the boil-and-bite type.

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

314-837-7744

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 8136

When Should My Child Visit Our Florissant Dentist?

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Categories: Emergency dental care, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry

When Should My Child Visit Our Dentist?

Many parents in the St. Louis area wonder when it is right for their child to see the dentist for the first time.

What does the ADA say?

The American Dental Association recommends that kids visit the dentist around their first birthday, a little earlier than some parents may anticipate.

Early visits with St. Charles, Maryland Heights, and Chesterfield dental professionals help ensure that children are getting every advantage when it comes to oral health.

When do I start brushing my child’s teeth?

When your child gets his first tooth, it is time to brush. Parents should use non-fluoride toothpaste until the child is two years old. Then, use only a tiny dab. Young children often swallow toothpaste while brushing. If a child ingests too much fluoride, teeth can become stained.

Prevent dental anxiety

It’s also important that kids are comfortable with the dentist’s office. If they go for regular checkups and cleanings, children will be more likely to avoid a fear of the dentist. If they don’t visit a dentist until they have a dental problem that is causing pain, they are more likely to associate the dentist with pain and fear. Just as well-child check-ups, dental exams, and cleanings should be routine or every child.

What does the dentist do at the check-up if my child doesn’t have a cavity?

The goal is to make sure your child never gets a cavity. In these early visits, St. Louis area pediatric dentists usually clean the child’s teeth, apply fluoride, and assess any oral health risks that may be present, such as baby bottle tooth decay. This condition can be avoided by having your child transition from bottle to cup at an early age.

When your child gets their rear molars, your pediatric dentist will discuss dental sealants. These are some of the best ways to keep your child’s teeth cavity-free.

Martin Buchheit wants to help Florissant families raise healthy, happy kids. Keep your child’s smile healthy, St. Louis!

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

314-837-7744

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 4186

Why a Water Flosser Might be a Good Idea

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Categories: Dental Implants, General Dentistry, Gum disease treatment

Florissant should I use waterpik?

Today, we’re reviewing the water flosser, also known as interdental cleaner, interdental irrigator, or water jet. The first water-shooting device for cleaning between teeth was developed in the early 1960s by Colorado dentist Dr. Gerald Moyer and John Mattingly, a hydraulics engineer. The instrument is now known by the brand name Waterpik, though many people use the term generically. Since its conception, many other companies have entered the market with similar products. (Note: Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS does not necessarily endorse any specific brand.)

A water irrigation tool oscillates a stream of water through a small, targeted tube to shoot out fragments of food and plaque from around and between teeth. To use it, you insert the tube into your mouth, turn it on, and then lean over the sink with your mouth slightly open to let the water dribble out as you guide the stream of shooting water around the gumline, stopping momentarily at each gap between neighboring teeth.

There have been over 65 studies that have validated the safety and efficacy of water flossing for calculus reduction, plaque biofilm removal, bleeding reduction, inflammation reduction, and gingivitis treatment.

Should I Use a Water Flosser?
If you don’t floss at all, absolutely. If you have gingivitis, maybe. It may also help you keep your teeth and gums healthy if you have dental appliances.

First, speak with Dr. Buchheit to receive an oral care treatment plan that factors in your tooth and gum health, physical dexterity, and lifestyle. The following elements may impact whether or not Dr. Buchheit counsels you to use an interdental irrigation device.

Braces or other orthodontic appliances
A physical limitation that reduces the ability to brush and/or floss
Periodontal disease
Gums that bleed when flossing
Bleeding around dental implants when flossing
Aversion to flossing
Sensitive teeth

The friendly team at Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS would love to help you learn the best methods for keeping your gums pink and healthy and firmly attached to cavity-free teeth. To schedule an appointment, call 314-837-7744

Sources:
Jacquelyn L. Fried, RDH, MS, “Interdental Cleansing,” The American Dental Hygienist Association, https://www.adha.org/resources-docs/7123_Waterpik_Irrigation.pdf, accessed March 10, 2017
Carol A. Jahn, RDH, MS, “The Water Flosser: Your Tool For Optimal Oral Health,” https://www.waterpik.com/oral-health/pro/education/pdf/Waterpik_WaterFlosser_ContinuingEducation.pdf, accessed March 10, 2017
“Water Flossing,” MouthHealthy (ADA), http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/water-flossers, accessed March 10, 2017

 

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

314-837-7744

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 7376

New Protein For Dental Implant Patients

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

St. Charles Dental ImplantsCountless men and women have replaced missing teeth with jaw-bone anchored tooth implants. Unlike a dental bridge, a tooth implant consists of a titanium post inserted into the jaw bone. The bone meshes with the post to create a strong base for the natural-looking prosthetic tooth and crown that attaches to the post.

Dental implants are usually the perfect restoration for people who want to replace a missing tooth. There is a problem, however, if the jaw bone is too thin at the implant location.

When a tooth is extracted, the bone loses the blood circulation at the former site of the root. Consequently, bone recession often takes place. If the recession is extreme, there is not enough bone to hold the dental implant post.

Bone grafting can augment the bone at the implant site and provide the bone density necessary for a successful implant. This is usually effective, but it does require time for the new bone to be produced. A new discovery may provide a quicker solution for regenerating bone.

Researchers at the Georgia Health Sciences University College of Dental Medicine have identified a protein that quickly stimulates the production of new bone. The research team, led by Dr. Ulf M.E. Wikesjo, implanted bone morphogenetic protein in test subjects and discovered that “more new bone formed within four weeks than with conventional bone grafting.”

This protein will require extensive testing before it is available for dental implant patients. However, I am pleased with the prospect of an additional method for making dental implants possible for my patients with missing teeth and jaw bone recession.

For information about tooth restoration options including tooth implants, dental bridges, and porcelain crowns, call Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS at 314-837-7744

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

314-837-7744

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

 

ArticleID 2987