At Chesterfield Smile Designs, we always remind our patients how important it is to clean their teeth on a regular basis. Not just the front surfaces, but between the teeth, too. This is essential for cavity prevention.

What’s the best way to go about getting those narrow spaces between teeth? That’s an easy one: dental floss. Our rule of thumb is to brush your teeth twice a day, and floss at least once – ideally, just before bedtime.

What about during the day, though? You’ve just had lunch, or a mid-afternoon snack, and you can feel the gunk that’s stuck between your teeth. It isn’t always easy to pull out dental floss in the middle of the day, especially if you’re in a meeting or some other appointment.

How about a good old-fashioned toothpick? They’re quick and convenient, easy to carry around, and have pointy tips that are good for digging into tight spaces.

Our quick answer? No. In fact, we frown on toothpicks. For one thing, they don’t do a very good a job compared to other options. For another, it is not unheard of for people to get splinters in their gums when a piece breaks off. You might also poke into your gums by accident.

But the bottom line is that they don’t clean off plaque. Which brings us back to those other options: when you’re out and about during the day, we recommend using an interdental cleaner. There are several types available at any grocery store: they’re usually made from a soft plastic with bristles on the end. They’re slender and compact, so you can slide them easily between your teeth to dislodge and remove food particles.

We’ll admit that chewing on a toothpick looks pretty cool. But they are not recommended for cleaning teeth. Use an interdental cleaner like those made by DenTek, or GUM. Floss picks are also good.

Above all, see us at Chesterfield Smile Designs in Chesterfield MO for a professional cleaning and checkup every six months. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Chesterfield Smile Designs:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

14377 Woodlake Dr Ste 205
Chesterfield, Missouri
28036

Many of our tools for everyday living have become outmoded. Online search has replaced the phone book. Telephone answering machines are obsolete. Even iPods, once seen as the culmination of technology, are no longer in use as we play music on our smart phones.

What about the humble toothbrush? Has anything more advanced replaced it? Absolutely not!

“Wait a minute,” you might say, “isn’t an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush? Actually, all toothbrushes, when used correctly, are effective at removing food debris and plaque to keep your smile free of cavities.

When choosing which type of toothbrush to use, consider cost and convenience. Some people argue that electric toothbrushes may be more costly, but you’ll save on dental bills. However, there are no independent studies to back up this assertion.

Manual toothbrushes are easy to find, whereas not all drugstores sell all models of electric toothbrushes. It is frustrating to spend over a hundred dollars for a top-of-the-line electric toothbrush and then not be able to find a replacement head when required. People who travel may discover that a smaller, manual toothbrush is easier to pack.

Whichever type of toothbrush you favor, you need to be careful about the pressure you put on your gums. Some individuals say that it’s difficult to know how much pressure they use with an electric toothbrush, while others say that because of the speedy electrical movements, they tend to be more gentle on their gums. Regardless of the toothbrush model, make sure you get soft bristles and replace it every three to four months.

Special consideration should be taken for people with arthritis. Electric toothbrushes are a big help for anyone whose manual dexterity is limited.

Above all, at Chesterfield Smile Designs in Chesterfield MO, we want our patients to brush and floss twice a day. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment today.

Contact Chesterfield Smile Designs:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

14377 Woodlake Dr Ste 205
Chesterfield, Missouri
28036

This article from Chesterfield Smile Designs is entitled ‘Oral Health For Diabetics.’ Many people with diabetes have dental problems. However, gum disease, tooth loss, and periodontal disease are not unavoidable.

Blood sugar is the complicating factor. Diabetics who control their blood sugar have lower rates of dental problems. In fact, many dentists have noticed no increased risk of dental disease among diabetics who maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

When blood sugar levels rise, the amount of sugars and starches increase in your mouth. These substances combine with the bacteria naturally present to create enamel-eroding plaque. Untreated plaque creates cavities.

In addition to cavities, dental patients with diabetes need to be vigilant about gum health. Because diabetes can make it harder to control the growth of bacteria, the amount of plaque in your mouth can multiply quicker. Plaque not only causes cavities, it inflames and weakens gum tissue and eventually the bone surrounding teeth.

Untreated gum disease progresses to periodontitis, a more severe infection. Because diabetics have a lower resistance to infection, it can be difficult to reverse periodontitis in people with diabetes. To make matters even worse, the presence of infection can make it harder to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.

Bottom line? 1: Brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque build-up. 2: See your dentist for twice-yearly cleanings to remove any plaque and tartar that has accumulated under the gumline.

At Chesterfield Smile Designs in Chesterfield MO, our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Call to schedule your next appointment with us today.

Contact Chesterfield Smile Designs:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

14377 Woodlake Dr Ste 205
Chesterfield, Missouri
28036

At Chesterfield Smile Designs, we focus on three important things as we strive to be your dental provider of choice.

Family

We want to be the dental practice families rely on for quality care, whether for routine preventative services, tooth restoration, or cosmetic dentistry. If your son chips a tooth and is in severe pain, we want to be the first choice that comes to mind. We offer variety for any family’s various dental needs.

Chesterfield Smile Designs focuses on your Family.

Facts

When we sit down in consultation, we’ll give you the bottom line. Whether it’s affordable dental care for quality of life or affordable cosmetic dentistry for increased confidence, we’re here.

Chesterfield Smile Designs focuses on the Facts.

A Friendly, Comfortable, and Safe Environment

We focus on clean, bright, and inviting and follow rigorous standards of sterilization. Our team here at Chesterfield Smile Designs is friendly, professional, and considerate.

Chesterfield Smile Designs focuses on a Friendly atmosphere.

Chesterfield Smile Designs is a provider of general and cosmetic dentistry. We also offer dental implants. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Chesterfield Smile Designs:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

14377 Woodlake Dr Ste 205
Chesterfield, Missouri
28036

At Chesterfield Smile Designs in Chesterfield MO, we use the latest proven technology to provide our patients with quality general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. In addition, we keep tabs on the most current dental research that is pushing the industry forward.

Here are some of the exciting dental technologies currently being analyzed and tested:

Fill and Heal: Bioactive Glass
A new type of filling created from ‘bioactive glass’ has been shown to increase the life of fillings by inhibiting secondary decay and replacing lost minerals.

“Bioactive glass, which is a type of crushed glass that is able to interact with the body, has been used in some types of bone healing for decades. This type of glass is only beginning to see use in dentistry, and our research shows it may be very promising for tooth fillings.”¹

Stem Cells
Stem cell regenerative medicine is poised to deliver a host of exciting developments in dentistry.

A research team from the University of Nottingham and Harvard University is applying stem cell technology to dentistry with the development of stem-cell based biomaterials that regenerate tooth dentin.² The intent is to use them in fillings and root canals to save and regenerate tooth structure. The research is in its early stages, but this technology could one day help preserve millions of smiles for individuals worldwide.

3D Printing
3D printing is already being used in some dental offices to create aligners, retainers, drilling guides for implant placement, and extremely accurate models for restorations. As the printers become faster and less pricey, you will be seeing them in more Missouri  dental offices.

Technology has its place, but experience, competence, and a warm and attentive chairside manner are just as indispensable. The friendly team at Chesterfield Smile Designs invites you to welcome the difference at our comfortable dental office. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Call today to make an appointment.

¹“Tooth fillings of the future may incorporate bioactive glass,” Oregon State University December 22, 2015, http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2015/dec/tooth-fillings-future-may-incorporate-bioactive-glass, accessed on October 24, 2016
²Liz Cass, “Fillings that heal your teeth – how regenerative medicine could change your visit to the dentist,” University of Nottingham, July 1, 2016, https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/pressreleases/2016/july/fillings-that-heal-your-teeth.aspx, accessed on October 24, 2016

Contact Chesterfield Smile Designs:

314-254-8458

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

14377 Woodlake Dr Ste 205
Chesterfield, Missouri
28036