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

Imagine you are starting a new job and are going to talk to your new boss for the first time. Confidence, like what you get with beautiful teeth from Chesterfield Smile Designs, is key to your success.

But there’s a hitch. As you reach out to shake your new boss’s extended hand your broad smile exposes rows of pearly white teeth, but when you open your mouth to exchange greetings you worry about bad breath.

Perhaps your breath is not as a pleasant as you had hoped. Bad breath is a worry and possible embarrassment for many individuals. Regular dental checkups at Chesterfield Smile Designs can help alleviate your concern over bad breath.

The technical term for bad breath is halitosis. Many behaviors and health conditions can cause or exacerbate halitosis. One of these factors is the food you eat. Onions and garlic are both known for having a potent effect on your breath.

Brushing and flossing daily is a key step in curing bad breath. Food particles can build up in your mouth and foster bacteria which can cause bad breath. This not only includes the food particles that may get stuck between your teeth, but also the food that collects around your gums or on your tongue. Brushing and flossing daily can help reduce the number of food particles that stay in your mouth and cause bad breath.

Other factors to think about include dry mouth, tobacco use, and health concerns such as infections. Come visit Chesterfield Smile Designs in Chesterfield, MO, and we’ll provide you with information about bad breath in a professional environment. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Make an appointment with us today!

Contact Chesterfield Smile Designs:

314-576-0088

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

14377 Woodlake Dr Ste 205
Chesterfield, Missouri
28036

It’s a little bit like the chicken-or-egg question: which should you do first, brush your teeth, or floss them? At Chesterfield Smile Designs, serving the greater St. Louis area, we know that both are essential to good dental health.

The answer depends on who you ask. Some dentists will tell you it’s better to floss first. That way, you loosen plaque, or food debris from between your teeth, and brush it away. Also, you won’t be tempted to skip flossing after you’ve brushed.

On the other hand, some dentists say it’s better to brush first. Then when you floss, you’ll get some toothpaste between your teeth.

According to one survey, there’s about a fifty-fifty split among Americans, with a slight edge going to those who brush first. We think you should do whichever you prefer. Just be sure to do both!

Our recommendations are in line with the American Dental Association:

• Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day
• Use a soft-bristle brush, replaced every three months
• Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle at the gum line
• Brush in circular, half-tooth-wide strokes
• Be sure to get the back teeth
• Be sure to get in, outer, and top surfaces
• Don’t forget your tongue!
• With flossing, use about eighteen inches of floss, so you’ve got a clean piece for each section

Brushing and flossing are an essential part of your dental health regimen, and so is proper technique.

At Chesterfield Smile Designs, your dental health matters. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Chesterfield Smile Designs:

314-576-0088

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

14377 Woodlake Dr Ste 205
Chesterfield, Missouri
28036

Benjamin Franklin said that it’s easier to prevent bad haits than to break them. At Chesterfield Smile Designs we couldn’t agree more, especially when it comes to dental health. Teaching your children good oral hygiene techniques early in life will benefit their smile throughout their life.

If you wait too long to teach your child how to brush and floss, or if you don’t make sure they are doing it enough, you’re setting yourself up for a lot of work down the road.

It’s very hard to convince an older child that they should be spending two or three times longer brushing their teeth each morning and night. But, if they’ve done it for as long as they can remember, then their habits should be sufficient to avoid excessive dental decay or the need for cosmetic dentistry.

If you are looking for quality dental care in the greater St. Louis area, give us a call at Chesterfield Smile Designs. Your dental health is out topo priority. We provide general dentistry, along with specialzied services like dental implants. Call for an appointment today.

Contact Chesterfield Smile Designs:

314-576-0088

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

14377 Woodlake Dr Ste 205
Chesterfield, Missouri
28036

Small things can raise your Dental IQ and benefit your dental health. In this blog post Chesterfield Smile Designs will try to do just that.

One simple lesson involves bacteria. Everyone’s mouth has a lot of it, but, don’t worry, bacteria per se isn’t the problem. Dental problems occur for patients when the balance of bacteria becomes unhealthy. This is where brushing and flushing come into play. Brush and floss properly each day and you will have a better chance of keeping the appropriate balance.

This is yucky to think about, but it’s a good idea to store your toothpaste as far away from the toilet as you can. Also, close the lid of the toilet before you flush.

Make sure to wash your hands before you brush and floss. No exceptions!

When it comes to a good toothbrush, don’t get sentimental. The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. If you can avoid the unhealthy balance of bacteria in your mouth, you can avoid gum disease, tooth decay, as well as bad breath.

If you have sensitive teeth, it might help to avoid rinsing out your mouth after you brush. The fluoride in the toothpaste can help remineralize your enamel. If you go to bed with some toothpaste left on your teeth, it has a chance to go to work.

At Chesterfield Smile Designs we provide general and cosmetic dentistry to the greater St. Louis area. The dental health of each of our patients is of utmost importance to us. Schedule your next appointment today.

Contact Chesterfield Smile Designs:

314-576-0088

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

14377 Woodlake Dr Ste 205
Chesterfield, Missouri
28036

At Chesterfield Smile Designs, having patients come for treatment and leave with questions answered—from which toothpaste to buy to proper tools and techniques—is our business. We are all about educating our patients for better dental health.

1 Soft Bristle Toothbrush

Gentle brushing will obtain the same results as hard bristle brushing without the abrasive damage to gums and gum line. There is never a good reason to use hard or medium bristle toothbrushes. Better yet, wet the soft bristle toothbrush to be sure the bristles are soft and pliant before brushing.

2 Minutes of Brushing and Flossing

Split the mouth into fourths and spend a good 30 seconds in each quarter. Hit the chewing surfaces, the inside surfaces, the outside surfaces and gently massage the gums. Be sure to pay attention to the far side of the back tooth that is never visible but can collect food and allow cavities to begin. Take two minutes to floss after brushing in the evening to remove any remnants the toothbrush couldn’t coax out and to clean any build-up. You have approximately 32 teeth and 32 gaps to floss clean. Two minutes should do the trick, but adding an extra minute for good measure can’t hurt.

3 Times a Day

Brushing after every meal should remain the goal. This is difficult for many who are not home for the midday meal. To achieve amazing dental hygiene, brushing is priority one. There are as many toothpaste choices out there as you have teeth; without consistent brushing and flossing, those teeth are facing sure destruction. Don’t misunderstand, toothpaste is essential. Toothpaste acts as the vehicle that collects the debris, keeps the bristles pliable, fluoridates the mouth, freshens the breath and a myriad of other side jobs. But after every meal, gently removing food debris prevents breakdown on precious tooth surfaces. Even if you don’t use toothpaste after lunch, a quick brush can keep your teeth free of build-buildup

Here at Chesterfield Smile Designs we provide our patients with general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next appointment with us today.

Contact Chesterfield Smile Designs:

314-576-0088

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

14377 Woodlake Dr Ste 205
Chesterfield, Missouri
28036

If you’ve ever walked the oral care aisles of any drugstore, you know that there are many different types of mouthwash. Some tout their germ-killing abilities, others emphasize their fluoride content, and some claim to whiten teeth while freshening the breath. These are all great benefits, but at Chesterfield Smile Designs we remind you to ask yourself, will they help meet your dental health needs?

Many individuals wonder if daily mouthwash should be part of their dental routine. Brushing and flossing are the two critical habits that have the most significant effect on dental health, so if you’re doing these two things, is mouthwash necessary?

When our dental patients ask about mouthwash, we tell them that as long as they follow the directions on the bottle, mouthwash may slightly benefit dental health, even if it doesn’t live up to every promise on the label. Rinsing with a mouthwash that contains fluoride can’t hurt your teeth, but allowing a bit of diluted toothpaste to stay on tooth surfaces after brushing probably has the same effect.

Men and women with bad breath often believe that mouthwash can solve the trouble. Actually, mouthwashes that contain alcohol can worsen the problem because they can cause dry mouth—a condition that can contribute to bad breath. Mouthwashes without alcohol are typically more efficient for freshening breath. These products are typically called fluoride rinses.

If you have persistent bad breath, you should have your teeth evaluated for plaque build-up. No amount of mouthwash can remedy a mouth full of plaque. If your teeth and gums are healthy and you still suffer from bad breath, it’s important to confirm the cause. Bad breath can be an indication of a physical condition, so see your doctor soon.

Bottom line? Never substitute mouthwash for proper brushing and flossing. And if you use mouthwash, pick a brand that contains fluoride and no alcohol.

At Chesterfield Smile Designs, serving the greater St. Louis area, your dental health matters. We provide quality dental care that includes general and cosmetic dentistry. Make an appointment with us today.

Contact Chesterfield Smile Designs:

314-576-0088

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

14377 Woodlake Dr Ste 205
Chesterfield, Missouri
28036