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At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we strive for excellence in dentistry every day. Providing the best possible dental care goes beyond cleanings and exams. We like patients who ask a lot of questions, because that tells us they are taking a strong interest in their dental health.

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the questions we’re often asked is whether it’s really necessary to have a cleaning and checkup every six months. Our short answer? Yes! Prevention really is the best medicine.

Every appointment includes a thorough cleaning by a hygienist. Then the dentist examines your teeth and gums, looking for any new cavities and signs of gum disease. Every checkup also includes a screening for oral cancer.

More Questions

Patients often wonder how long a filling will last. Some people think they’ll last a lifetime, but unfortunately that is not usually the case. Fillings can break down or become loose over time. If that happens, decay can get into the area around it and cause problmes. You can extend the life of any restoration with good oral hygiene at home. If you have any questions about what that means, don’t hesitate to ask.

What kind of toothbrush is best? This is among the most-asked questions for any dentist. Manual and electric toothbrushes, used properly, both do an excellent job. We recommend soft bristles, with mixed bristle heights and angles. They do a better job getting between the teeth.

To really get between the teeth, we also recommend daily flossing. String floss is best, but whether it’s waxed or unwaxed, flavored or not, or wide dental tape is up to you.

These are just some of the common questions we get from our patients at Koch Park Dental in Florissant. Have we included yours? Never hesitate to bring your questions to your checkup. We offer general and restorative dentistry. Schedule your next appointment today.

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

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

During a dental checkup at Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we do a thorough inspection of your teeth and gums. But visual inspections can’t tell us everything we need to know, which is why we take x-rays.

For most patients, we update our x-rays once a year. They help us to make accurate diagnoses by showing what cannot be seen by the eye alone. Also known as radiographs, the images give us the total picture: not just inside your teeth, but the tip of the roots and the bone under the gums. Thanks to x-rays, we are able to identify and treat dental issues before they become more serious.

There are several types of x-rays:

• Bite-Wing x-rays give us a picture of the upper and lower back teeth. We can see how they touch each other and see if there is any decay.
• Panoramic x-rays give us the big picture: a view of the teeth, jaws and jaw joints, nasal area, and even the sinuses. These are especially useful if we think the patient may need orthodontics or a dental implant.
• Occlusioal x-rays show us the floor of the mouth, and the bite of the upper or lower jaw. They’re good for showing the development of children’s teeth, both the baby and permanent teeth.

X-rays use radiation, but are designed to minimize patient exposure. Patients only get negligible amounts, making them safe. The latest generations of x-rays reduce radiation even more. Still, we take that the added safety measure of covering the patient with a heavy leaded apron and collar.

At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we are committed to providing our patients with the best possible dental care. Our services include a full range of general dentistry services, and specialties like sleep apnea treatment. Schedule an appointment with us today.

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

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

Most our patients at Koch Park Dental brush their teeth (at least we hope so). However, there are some who don’t do a very good job of it, and put their dental health at risk.

They may pride themselves on their diligence, but frequency does not make up for an incorrect approach. One of the most common errors—especially for teenagers—is speedy, aggressive teeth cleaning with a hard bristle toothbrush.

There is a certain logic to this technique. When you want to clean smooth surfaces like bathroom tiles, you scrub with a hard brush, right? The trouble is that teeth and soft tissue have different characteristics. While enamel is durable, the soft tissues in the mouth are not designed for intense scouring.

If you use hard bristles against possible cavity makers, froth at the mouth, speed through those 30 inches of tooth surface, and spit everything out in less than a minute, this message is for you.

Effects of Quick, Hard Brushing:

• Tooth decay caused by bits of food left between teeth
• Damage to teeth through abrasion
• Weakened enamel
• Tooth sensitivity
• receding gums
• Damage to existing dental work
• Tartar build-up

At Koch Park Dental in Florissant we encourage proper brushing. If you have any doubts about your technique, just ask, and we’ll give you some tips. Our services include general and restorative dentistry. Schedule your next appointment with us today.

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

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033

Plaque is that sticky, filmy stuff that forms on teeth. It is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease. For the best dental health, the team at Koch Park Dental in Florissant reminds all of our patients to brush and floss their teeth twice a day.

Plaque forms when foods with sugars and starches are not brushed away. The bacteria that naturally occurs in your mouth thrive on these sugars and starches, and produce acids. Over time these acids destroy tooth enamel, leaving you with a cavity. Or maybe two.

Plaque is mostly colorless. When it isn’t brushed away, it leaves you with that rough or fuzzy feeling on the surface of your teeth.

Take Care Of Your Teeth!

You probably know where this short article is headed: keep your teeth clean! That means brushing and flossing.

• Brush at least twice each day, for two minutes.
• Use a soft-bristle toothbrush.
• Be sure to get along the gumline, that place where your teeth and gums meet.
• Use a toothpaste with fluoride.
• Floss between the teeth to get bacteria and food debris.
• Ask us whether dental sealants are a good idea for you.

Plaque is always going to be there. But brushing and flossing your teeth regularly can keep it under control, and greatly reduce your chances of developing cavities and gum disease. If it hardens into tartar it can only be removed with a professional cleaning.

Having your teeth cleaned and examined at Koch Park Dental in Florissant should be part of your strategy for beating plaque and having a beautiful, healthy smile. Our services include general and restorative dentistry. Call our office today to schedule your next appointment!

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

205-933-0323

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033