What makes regular dental checkups and cleanings so important to a person’s oral health? One reason to make regular trips to see your dentist is to have your smile checked for any signs of tooth decay. This can lead to the early detection and treatment of a cavity before there are complications, and it can limit the amount of tooth structure harmed. While reviews for cavities certainly matter, this is just one of many reasons to schedule regular exams with your St. Louis, MO dentist’s office. Regular visits also provide support through preventive cleanings, and they give Dr. Johnson-G’Sell the opportunity to watch out for other problems that might affect your health and quality of life. (more…)

While you should do more than just brush your teeth if you want to avoid problems with your oral health, it is difficult to overstate the value of good brushing habits. Unfortunately, many people who assume they are following good habits can actually make mistakes that make their efforts less effective than they realize. You may not realize that your routine could benefit from changes until you learn from your St. Louis, MO dentist that you require restorative dental work! With a few important adjustments, you can ensure that your work to clean your smile is as effective as you believe it to be, which can help you avoid troubles with tooth decay and gum disease! (more…)

It can be hard to feel fully engaged with your daily responsibilities when you have not enjoyed a proper night’s rest. One night of poor sleep can make you spend your next day feeling groggy, irritable, and unfocused. If you continue to struggle with sleep issues, these issues can become more serious, and can have consequences for your general health. In these periods where you lack sleep, you may put your smile at risk in ways that you do not realize. Many caffeinated drinks are acidic, and may be high in sugar. Your tiredness may also interfere with your ability to practice good brushing and flossing habits after you wake. Our St. Louis, MO dentist’s office encourages patients to consistently protect their teeth. In addition to helping you at regular dental checkups, Dr. Johnson can provide insights on how you can make smart choices on your own. (more…)

What stands between you and a healthy smile? Some people struggle with poor oral health because they do not do enough to consistently clean their teeth. For others, an issue with their diet choices can expose them to more risk for dental decay. It is also possible for dry mouth to affect your ability to prevent problems with your oral health. Dry mouth is often caused by dehydration, but it can also occur due to stress, after drinking coffee or tea, or because of a medication you are taking. When it occurs, your natural defense against dental problems can be reduced. At our St. Louis, MO dentist’s office, Dr. Johnson can work with patients who have greater risks for dental problems and offer support to help their teeth stay healthy. When you recognize and address obstacles to good oral health, you can be better defended against cavities! (more…)

What makes flossing important to your overall commitment to maintaining a healthy smile? When you brush your teeth, you can thoroughly remove plaque and food debris from most areas of your teeth, but the bristles of your brush are less effective at cleaning in those spaces where teeth meet. Unfortunately, many people are satisfied after just brushing, and allow harmful agents to accumulate in those spaces. This can lead to plaque formation, and eventually result in calculus buildup. If you are not doing enough to fully clean your teeth, you may find yourself in need of restorative dental work after your next checkup at our St. Louis, MO dentist’s office. (more…)

When you brush and floss your teeth, and go in for dental exams and cleanings, you protect more than just your smile. Keeping up with your oral health can help you avoid problems that can actually affect your general health in ways that may surprise you. By protecting yourself against tooth decay, you can avoid a potentially serious problem with a tooth infection. When you prevent gingivitis, you can avoid complications that may make it harder for you to maintain your overall health. Our St. Louis, MO dentist’s office is proud to help kids and adults take care of their smiles, but we are also here to help patients avoid the difficulties that can be linked to poor oral care. (more…)

What is stopping you from maintaining your healthiest smile? Patients who believe they have nothing to worry about when it comes to their oral health are sometimes caught off guard by news that they need restorative dental work. Despite convincing themselves they have no problems with their hygiene routine, they may be making a costly mistake, or possibly several. Our St. Louis, MO dentist’s office proudly takes care of our patients’ teeth and gums during regular dental checkups. To further protect your smile from harm, be sure to avoid the kinds of mistakes that can lead to problems like gingivitis and tooth decay. (more…)

Caffeine can feel like a crucial ally when you have an early start to your day, or when you need to stay focused and productive at the end of a busy period. Because beverages like coffee, tea, and energy drinks are so present in our lives, you may not notice just how often you turn to this stimulant. Without moderation, you may put yourself at risk for dental problems because of your caffeine consumption. Many of the beverages we enjoy that contain caffeine can also create cosmetic problems by staining teeth. Our St. Louis, MO dentist’s office wants our patients to successfully protect themselves against smile problems. It is important to recognize that our daily behaviors can play more of a role in affecting our risk for cavities and other issues than you might think possible! (more…)