Is your Smile going up in Smoke? – Tobacco and Oral Health

SmokingWe are no longer in the dark about the major effects of smoking on your overall health. Smoking can cause heart disease, but many don’t consider the damage it is doing to their teeth and oral health.

How dangerous is smoking to my mouth?

Cigarette smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths. It is linked with an increased risk of several cancers, including lung, mouth, tongue, lips, voice box, throat, and more.

Some of the conditions smoking can lead to include: (more…)

Get Your Beauty Sleep Back with Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep ApneaDo you have a spouse or loved one that complains about your snoring? Do you wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air? Do you find that you are always exhausted during the day and just can’t seem to ever catch up on sleep? If these symptoms sound familiar, you may be one of many Ballwin residents suffering from sleep apnea. Dr. Postol wants you to know you are not alone, there is a solution, and wants to help you get the restful sleep you deserve. Read on to learn about what sleep apnea is and how we can treat it. If you have any questions, our team is happy to answer them. Feel free to give us a call!

Sleep Apnea and Your Health

(more…)

When a Toothache is Not a Toothache

ToothacheMost of us in Ballwin have experienced a toothache. At their mildest, toothaches may cause just enough discomfort to get on your nerves and disrupt your concentration, but at their worst, they can be debilitating. Because the pain feels like it’s coming from your tooth, it’s natural to assume that all toothaches are caused by cavities, gum disease or some other tooth-related problem. However, Dr. Postol would like you to know that not all toothaches are related to your teeth.

Wait, what? Toothaches that have nothing to do with teeth? Yes– as anyone at Kevin Postol, DDS, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry will tell you –it is possible and it does happen. That being said, most toothaches are tooth-related.

How can a toothache not come from your tooth?

(more…)

The Importance of Dental X-Rays

X RaysThe technology of dental medicine is advancing by the minute. There are now sophisticated techniques for diagnosing and tracking oral cancer, correcting crooked teeth in less than a year, treating periodontitis (advanced gum disease) without surgery, and many more. Yet, when it comes down to diagnosing issues and creating an effective treatment plan, nothing beats a fresh set of X-rays. Dr. Postol uses dental X-rays to see the whole picture, in order to keep your teeth healthy, bright, and beautiful. If you are a Ballwin resident with questions about how X-rays work, read on, and don’t hesitate to call our office with any concerns.

What are X-rays?

(more…)

Flossing for a Great Smile

Always FlossFlossing your teeth is just as important as brushing, so why is it that we often forget or neglect to floss? Whatever your reasons may be, Dr. Postol wants all Ballwin residents to know that brushing AND flossing are the key ingredients to keeping a happy, healthy mouth in between appointments. In fact, we believe in flossing so much, we wrote this article to teach our patients why it’s so important. Read this and you’ll think twice about skipping a good flossing!

Flossing is an easy, affordable investment in the health and beauty of your teeth. So why do we choose not to floss?

(more…)

Keeping Your Mouth Clean and Healthy with Hydrogen Peroxide: Four Easy Tips

man standing on the green field under blue sky

The office of Dr. Kevin F Postol, DDS, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry loves providing you with simple, inexpensive ways to keep your mouth healthy. In this post, we wanted to let you know about the many ways you can use hydrogen peroxide, and how your family can benefit from it. Hydrogen Peroxide is affordable, can be found all over Ballwin, and makes a great home-use oral health product. In fact, you probably already own it. As always, Dr. Postol is the Ballwin’s oral health expert, so please consult him/her before trying any new treatments and Dr. Postol will make sure it is the best option for your personal needs.

So, what is hydrogen peroxide?

(more…)

Most Adults are Missing Teeth

Adults Missing TeethLosing teeth as an adult isn’t as uncommon as you think. According to the American Dental Association, the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has three or more decayed or missing teeth. And the Centers for Disease Control reported in 2011 that a quarter of Americans 65 and older were missing all of their teeth.

And while we’re quite sure Ballwin patients won’t like the look of their smiles quite as much with missing teeth, that isn’t the biggest reason why they should come see Dr. Postol to get it fixed.

(more…)

Relief from Dry, Chapped, & Cracked Lips

Cracked LipsWe’re no strangers to extreme temperatures and dry weather in Ballwin, and our lips are proof. Most of us experience chapped lips at some point during the year and it’s not uncommon to see lips that suffer from annoying, painful cracks. At our dental office we are very much attuned the oral health needs of Ballwin, so here are a few tips from Dr. Postol about how to keep your lips healthy, kissable, and free to eat and drink whatever you crave!

Do You Have Chapped or Cracked Lips?

(more…)

Teaching Your Kids to Brush and Floss

TeachingAs a parent, you will have numerous opportunities to teach your children valuable skills and each one will yield priceless memories. Your child’s first step, your child’s first word, your child’s first bike ride, your child’s first unassisted brushing and flossing session…Well, maybe that last one won’t be as memorable, but Dr. Postol wants to remind all Ballwin parents that good oral hygiene habits begin in childhood. So today, we would like to take this opportunity give you some tips on teaching your kids to brush and floss.

Good Brushing Habits Last Forever

(more…)

Diabetes and Oral Health: What Your Dentist Sees

Dental and DiabetesIt’s no secret that diabetes is a health condition that must be treated because of the problems it can cause throughout the body —including in your mouth. Consider that nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S. who, according to the American Diabetes Association, have diabetes. Ballwin dentist, Dr. Postol wants you to know the side effects diabetes can have on oral health.

When people with diabetes experience high glucose levels, those levels could also be helping bacteria thrive — causing major problems for their teeth. Some diabetics have chronic inflammation and infections in their mouths.

(more…)