Why does coffee stain teeth?
Coffee is one of the leading causes of stained teeth in our area, and the discoloration can be as unsightly as those from tobacco. So why does coffee stain?
Protect Your Teeth from Coffee Stains
The most effective and easiest way to protect your teeth is to rinse with water when you finish your cup of coffee. Water is a great, healthy drink anyway, and using it to follow coffee helps rid the caustic chemicals from your mouth.
Keep Your Mouth Healthy with These Foods
Hello Ballwin, MO residents! As you know, Dr. Postol and St. Louis Dentistry are committed to helping you maintain the best oral health and we’ve got some tips for you. It is common to hear about what not to eat, but today we are going to tell you about a few foods that will keep your mouth in top shape and how they do it.
Fruits and Vegetables are Your Teeth’s Best Friends
We’ve all heard about the dangers of plaque, bacteria, cavities, and stains, but did you know that some of our favorite fruit and veggie friends can help fight them off?
We all know someone who asks for extra ice just so they can chew on it. And we’ve probably all heard that chewing ice is not healthy for your teeth. So what’s the truth? Is it best to put a stop to ice chewing? Absolutely, and for more reasons than most people are aware of. Dr. Postol wants all Ballwin, MO residents to know why chewing ice is a bad habit, so please read on for the facts!
Why should I stop chewing ice?
Ice is hard. So hard, in fact, that pitting it against your teeth regularly will most certainly result in damage to your enamel. If you have pagophagia (the fancy name for ice cravings), it’s likely that Dr. Postol will need to perform enamel restoration treatments, which are pricey and can be quite uncomfortable.
Why do I have cavities?
It’s the word that people fear when they go to the dentist for their check-ups: Cavities. You brush twice a day and floss so why did your dentist give you a failing grade on the big oral health test? Here’s an interesting fact many in Ballwin, MO don’t know: cavities are a very common disorder, second only to the common cold, in fact. Still not making you feel better? Let’s take a look at the facts:
What is a dental cavity?
Dental Cavities are a result of tooth decay. Decay is the deterioration of the tooth structure; both the enamel and the dentin can be affected.
What causes a tooth cavity?
Cavities start to form on teeth when the bacterium in your mouth changes the food you eat into acid. This acid, combined with saliva and the remaining food particles in your mouth form plaque, which sticks to your teeth if not washed or brushed out. Plaque begins to form within 20 minutes of eating. It is this plaque that damages your teeth’s enamel, and eats away at it, forming a cavity.
If you have ever had a cold sore, you know how embarrassing they can be and how isolated they can make you feel. It should make you feel better to know that you are not alone: cold sores affect a whopping 8 out of 10 people. This may seem high, but even if you don’t remember getting a cold sore, you could still be a carrier, as most people are exposed to the virus before the age of seven. Some people who have been infected might not display any symptoms at all, and may never actually have an outbreak.
There is an urban legend floating around the internet that you can contract cold sores during your dentist appointment, but that is simply not true. Dr. Postol sterilizes everything we use and takes as many precautions as possible to avoid transmission of diseases between staff, other patients, and you. The fact is, you probably got the cold sore from kissing or sharing drinks someone who had an active breakout.
We understand how time can just slip by between appointments: you move, you get a new job, you have children, you retire, and before you know it ten years has passed. Things can happen, but we want everyone in Ballwin, MO to remember how important it is to stay on top of your dental health.
So what would ten years of complete neglect look like for your teeth?
You might be surprised at the number of connections between infants and the oral health of their mothers, whether through cavities or gum disease, during both pregnancy and infancy.
Gum Disease and Low Birth Weight
Frightening new studies have shown that women who had gum disease during their pregnancy were an astounding 7 times more likely to have a low birth weight baby. While it may seem strange that your mouth could be so important, gum disease is in fact an infection, and any infection can have detrimental effects on a healthy weight for your newborn. The best way to avoid this is to talk to Dr. Postol as soon as you know you are pregnant so that he can test for any health problems that might affect your baby.
It’s no secret that regular old braces carry a certain stigma. The brackets, wires, and small, colored bands are clunky and painful, and most people shudder at the thought of having to get them. However, the dentistry of today is very different and Dr. Postol has options for you that are less-invasive, nearly invisible, more comfortable, and take much less time. If you have ever dreamed about having a nicer smile, now is the time to visit St. Louis Dentistry and find out about the wonderful ways we can help build your confidence with a beautiful smile.
Don’t let dentures or gaps in your teeth take away your confidence! Talk to Dr. Postol about dental implants and get started on a path to reclaiming your smile! St. Louis Dentistry offers the best dental implant technology available and we love to help our Ballwin, MO patients regain their confidence with a beautiful, healthy mouth.
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy can be tricky, and Dr. Postol wants to help Ballwin, MO residents get their mouths in tip-top shape. Here are five foods that can improve your dental health and may even help you avoid costly procedures such as implants, fillings, and more.
The Consumer's Research Council of America has awarded Dr. Postol a "Top Dentist" listing every year since 2008.
Kevin F. Postol, DDS, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry | 15208 Manchester Road | Ballwin, MO 63011 | Phone: (636) 394-6044
Serving Ballwin, St. Louis, Ellisville, Manchester, and surrounding areas
