Elderly man in dental chair smiling while holding a mirror, with dentist in white coat discussing oral health in a dental office setting.

 What Does Cavity Prevention Look Like After 50?

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Cavity prevention isn’t necessarily easy at any age. When you’re young, not only are your brushing habits likely suspect at best, but the acids you’re eating can easily penetrate the outer protection of your tooth. Of course, as you age, your teeth and bones will inevitably deteriorate, which can leave you with oral health issues no matter how well you brush.

Here, we’ll look at a few tips for cavity prevention after the age of 50, beyond simple brushing and flossing, and why it helps to see a dentist in St. Louis, MO who can deal with your issues head-on.

A Change in Lifestyle

Sometimes, it’s as simple as making a few simple life changes:

  • Hydration: The more saliva you have, the more you can neutralize the acids in your food, and water is the best way to maintain your saliva production day in and day out. Plus, water can help flush out any remaining food particles, offering further protection against cavities.
  • Calcium: Milk, cheese, sardines, kale, spinach: calcium may be in more foods than you realize. This mineral can not only strengthen your enamel, which is the first (and best) barrier against cavities, it’s also a great way to strengthen your jaw bones (which will help hold your teeth and gums in place).
  • No smoking: Tobacco doesn’t just up your risk of cavities, it can also give you gum disease or cancer. Cutting back after 50 can work wonders if you want to keep your teeth for the rest of your life.

See Your Dentist

A good general dentist in St. Louis, MO will give you personalized advice based on everything from your family history to your age-related concerns. If you’re looking for a staff that treats patients of all backgrounds, contact Smile Now STL today to schedule an appointment.

Dentist using a dental curing light to examine a patient's teeth, highlighting modern dental practices for cavity prevention and oral health.

 What Kinds of Benefits Do Composite Fillings Offer?

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Finding out that you need a filling might have you assuming you’ll get a metal one that everyone can see. But that’s not always the case. Our dentist in St. Louis, MO, at Smile Now STL offers tooth-colored composite fillings as a more discreet option for damaged and decayed teeth. Let’s explore some of the advantages of choosing this type of filling.

Natural Tooth Appearance

Composite resin material has the coloring of natural teeth, making it more subtle than gold or other types of metal fillings. That makes it a great option for treating front teeth.

Enhanced Smile

Since composite fillings are tooth-colored, they give you a natural-looking smile. Choosing these also helps improve the appearance of teeth with visible damage or decay, resulting in a dazzling smile.

Single Visit in Most Cases

Composite fillings may only require visiting our office one time for this treatment. Being able to provide this service in a single visit offers more convenience for you and your schedule.

Versatile Uses

Did you know that we can use composite fillings for many purposes? They’re used to treat teeth with decay or cavities. But they can also be used to cover chipped, cracked, or stained teeth.

Durability and Safety

Fillings made with composite resin hold up well, though they may not last as long as gold. They’re less likely to develop cracks as silver amalgam fillings can, making them a safer option for you, too.

Visit Our Dentist for Composite Fillings!

Do you have a tooth that needs a filling for decay or damage? At Smile Now STL, our dental team offers composite fillings in St. Louis, MO, as a more natural-looking restoration option compared to metal fillings.

Dentist performing a dental procedure on a patient using a dental curing light, showcasing composite filling application in a dental clinic setting.

How Can You Help Keep Your Teeth White After Professional Teeth Whitening?

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Do you want to look in the mirror and see a dazzling smile? Professional whitening can help you get those results. But how long do they last? Our dentist in St. Louis, MO, at Smile Now STL offers teeth whitening with long-lasting results. Here’s how you can keep your teeth white and shiny after your treatment!

Keep Up With Routine Dental Cleanings

Even with daily brushing, debris and bacteria can build up on your teeth, causing discoloration to happen again. Professional dental cleanings remove these from tooth surfaces. That helps your teeth continue looking white.

Watch What You Drink and Eat

Consuming certain foods and drinks may have caused your teeth to become stained over time. Having these after whitening treatments can stain your teeth again. Cut down on these beverages and foods, such as tea and berries, or avoid them if possible. If you do have them, rinse with water afterwards.

Brush Your Teeth

Cleaning your teeth, especially after meals, helps remove food particles that can attract bacteria. These bacteria help plaque form, leading to discolored enamel surfaces. Brush your teeth twice a day or more as needed to prevent this from happening.

Plan for Whitening Touch-ups Over Time

Professional whitening gives you effective results — but they don’t last a lifetime without maintenance. You might consider having this treatment done again in the future to touch up your results.

Set Up Your Consultation for Professional Teeth Whitening!

Ready for a beautiful smile that you can enjoy for years? At Smile Now STL, our services include teeth whitening in St. Louis, MO, with options for in-office treatment or at-home trays. We’ll also give you advice on maintaining your results!

Man inspecting his breath in front of a mirror, emphasizing oral hygiene and potential causes of bad breath.

Why Does My Breath Smell Bad After I Brush?

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One of the biggest reasons why people brush in the first place is to enjoy that minty fresh scent afterward. Not only can they banish scents like coffee or garlic, but they can also approach people with confidence.

If your breath still smells bad, whether you notice it or someone else does, it can be demoralizing, to say the least. (in the worst-case scenarios, it may lead people to stop brushing!) Here, we’ll look at a few potential explanations and why this may be a more important issue than you realize.

Why Your Breath Stinks

There are a few key reasons why brushing may not fix your breath:

  • Techniques: You might be brushing, but you may not be brushing correctly or for long enough. If you’re rushing through or you’re routinely skipping the flossing stage, you can end up with food particles that eventually dissolve into the bacteria that cause bad breath.
  • Dehydration: Water isn’t just important for your body; it’s important for your oral health. If your mouth is too dry, it can foster endless bacteria growth. (Keep in mind that if you smoke, it’ll be that much harder to replace what you’ve lost.)
  • Underlying conditions: Disorders like kidney failure and diabetes can lead to bad breath. Typically, most people will see a dentist in St. Louis, MO to rule out oral issues before seeing a specialist to diagnose them.

Dental Cleanings in St. Louis, MO

At Smile Now STL, we’ve seen how poor lifestyle habits and hygiene contribute to cavities, extractions, and root canals. If you don’t want to end up with damaged or decaying teeth, it’s important to see your dentist for a semi-annual cleaning in St. Louis, MO. We can help you determine the cause and get to work on the solution.

Person using dental floss to clean teeth, emphasizing oral hygiene practices related to cavity prevention and dental health.

How to Stop Your Gums from Bleeding When You Floss

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Even though there are so many good reasons to floss daily, there are also several reasons not to. Flossing can be a bloody experience, leading people to avoid the chore. For a better experience, we’ll examine what you can do to keep your gums intact.

Find the Right Floss

Floss comes in all shapes and sizes, so it helps to experiment with a few brands before settling on the right one for you. If you have particularly tight teeth, it’s essential to find floss that is as gentle as it is thin enough to make it up to your gum line. Otherwise, you can end up forcing it in, which can end up putting enough pressure on your gums for them to start bleeding.

Floss Every Day

The more you floss in St. Louis, MO, the more your gums will get used to the whole affair. Too often, people either forget to floss or consciously skip it and then have a scarring experience a month or two down the line. If you floss every day, you’re less likely to have to deal with bleeding gums (the same is true for bleeding during your standard dental cleanings).

Are Water Flossers Gentler?

Yes. Water flossers are gentler on your gums, though they are less effective than standard dental floss. If you’re notoriously bad about flossing, water flossers can be a better compromise than brushing alone. You can also use them if you have a hard time getting into the back — especially if you still have your wisdom teeth.

Preventative Care in St. Louis

Better preventative care can help you avoid everything from tooth decay to gum recession. If you’re looking for a reputable dentist in St. Louis, contact Smile Now STL to schedule a dental cleaning.

Smiling couple showcasing healthy teeth, highlighting the importance of dental care and services offered by Smile Now STL in St. Louis.

 Understanding Your Dental Implant Options

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Getting dental implants in St. Louis, MO, is exciting! However, which type of dental implants you need will depend on your situation and oral health. But for now, let’s go over the different types of dental implants and when they are used. Then, we’ll talk about some of your dental implant options.

The Three Types of Dental Implants

These are three types of dental implants.

Endosteal – This type of dental implant is the most commonly used. Endosteal implants are titanium posts that are implanted into your jaw and are what replace your tooth’s root. These can only be used when you have enough jawbone to support an implant.

Subperiosteal – This dental implant is placed on the top of your jawbone but under your gums. Subperiosteal implants are only used when you don’t have enough jawbone to support an implant.

Zygomatic – This dental implant is only used when you have significant bone loss in your upper jaw. It’s a difficult procedure that is only used as a last resort because it must be placed in your cheekbone.

Popular Dental Implant Options

Your dentist in St. Louis, MO, will review your dental implant options with you. There are single-tooth replacement implants. Then, depending on your needs, you might need or want an entire mouth of dental implants and that could mean a single implant for each tooth. Or you might opt for all-on-4 implants. These are implants that consist of only four strategically placed implants. Those four implants will hold an entire arch of teeth in place.

Other popular options include implant-supported bridges, snap-in dentures, implant overdentures, and more. Your dentist will make a recommendation based on your wants, needs, and budget.

Are You Looking for a Reputable Dentist in St. Louis, MO?

If you want to talk with a dentist about getting dental implants, please Contact Smile Now STL to schedule a consultation. We would love to show you just how easy and cost-effective dental implants can be.

Smiling woman showcasing bright, healthy teeth, emphasizing dental care and implant options at Smile Now STL.

5 Things You Can Do to Stop Your Teeth From Getting Stained

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Stains form on teeth naturally over time. The food you eat, the beverages you drink, and everyday habits you have can all cause stains on your teeth. Working with your dentist in St. Louis, MO and maintaining clean teeth can help. If you want to have beautiful, white teeth, there are many things you can do to prevent your tooth enamel from becoming stained.

1. Prioritize Oral Hygiene at Home

Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Floss once daily. When brushing, brush for two minutes at a time. You can time yourself, or use an electric toothbrush with an automatic timer.

2. See the Dentist Regularly

See your dentist twice annually for dental cleanings and care. The dentist will get rid of plaque and tartar buildup that push against your tooth enamel, causing stains.

3. Stay Hydrated and Swish With Water After Eating

The foods you eat can cause stains over time. Saliva helps keep your teeth clean, so stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Swish with water after eating to help wash away foods on your teeth.

4. Don’t Use Tobacco Products

Tobacco products can cause stains and do permanent damage to your teeth. Avoid using any tobacco products, including cigarettes.

5. Consider Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening from the dentist can turn your teeth several shades whiter. Teeth whitening lasts for years and can be accomplished in one quick visit to the dentist. Get your teeth whitened to see the results!

Make Your Next Dental Appointment

When was the last time you went to your dentist for a dental checkup in St. Louis, MO? If it’s been more than six months, call your dentist at Smile Now STL to make your next appointment. Seeing the dentist can help you maintain healthy, clean teeth.

Dentist examining smiling male patient during dental checkup, emphasizing oral health and teeth whitening services at Smile Now STL in St. Louis, MO.

Bone Loss and Your Teeth

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As a person ages, one of the things they often worry about is osteoporosis. This is a condition where bones weaken and break easily. Osteoporosis can be cause by a variety of reasons, including as a side effect of certain prescription medications. But bone loss in the jaw can also be brought on by oral health problems. Whatever the reason, it’s helpful for you and your dentist in St. Louis, MO to discuss your bone loss and how it affects your teeth.

Causes of Bone Loss

There are other kinds of reasons for bone loss in addition to the ones mentioned above. They include gum disease, tooth extraction without replacement and aging. The problem is that when teeth are lost, the bone that once supported them starts to break down because it is no longer receiving the pressure it needs to stay strong. You may know that exercise that involves impact strengthens bones. It’s the same principle at work in your jaw. Over time, this can create gaps that affect the alignment of your remaining teeth. You may know that exercise that involves impact strengthens bones. It’s the same principle at work in your jaw.

Preventing Bone Loss

Bone loss is largely preventable. One of the most effective ways to prevent or slow down bone loss is by replacing missing teeth with dental implants. Unlike dentures or bridges, implants act as artificial tooth roots, stimulating the bone and preventing further deterioration. Dental implants in St. Louis, MO are surgically placed into the jawbone and fuse with the bone over time, providing a long-lasting and stable foundation for replacement teeth.

If you’re a senior, chances are you are due for a dental exam. During the exam, your dentist can determine the amount—if any—of bone loss you have in your jaw. From there, a viable treatment plan can be formulated.

Happy senior couple smiling together, highlighting the importance of dental health and restorative dentistry for maintaining a joyful lifestyle.

Restorative Dentistry Procedures to Fix Your Injured Tooth

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An injured tooth can be a painful problem to have. Your dentist in St. Louis MO can fix your problem using restorative dentistry procedures. Restorative dentistry is a category of dentistry that can correct damage and strengthen your tooth enamel for everyday use.

Whether you have a cavity or a broken tooth, restorative dentistry can help fix the problem. If you’re missing a tooth, restorative dentistry can replace it. Below, we’ve discussed three restorative dentistry procedures that can help fix your teeth.

1. Cavity Fillings

A cavity is a pit that forms in your tooth enamel. Cavities happen because of tooth decay caused by bacteria, sugary foods, and poor oral hygiene habits. Cavities can be painful, and if not addressed quickly, can lead to a dental infection.

Cavity fillings can fix this problem. Fillings fill the hole and stop dental decay from continuing. Cavity fillings can save the tooth. If you have a painful toothache, you might have a cavity. We can help.

2. Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a protective cover placed over the tooth to seal and protect broken teeth. If your tooth has a crack or a break, a dental crown can help fix the problem.

3. Dental Implants

If you’re missing a tooth, a dental implant can restore your smile by filling the hole. Dental implants make talking and chewing easier as well.

Do you need restorative dentistry in St. Louis, MO? The professionals at Smile Now STL can help. To get started repairing or replacing your injured tooth, contact us to make an appointment.

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Three Top Reasons to Choose a General Dentistry Practice

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While every dentist is dedicated to helping patients achieve a confident, happy smile, there is much more to competent dentistry than appearance. If you want your smile to be genuine and lasting, you will want to choose your dentist based on experience and expertise in all facets of dentistry, including basic tooth care and oral health, restorative procedures, and cosmetic dentistry.

We Focus on Basic Tooth Care

At Smiles for Sharing in St. Louis, Mo., Dr. Tom O’Connor and our team are “old school professionals” who concentrate on caring for your teeth and gums, addressing problems when necessary, and using modern techniques to restore or improve function and appearance when warranted. From regular tooth examinations, cleaning, and fillings to extractions, implants, and advanced restorative techniques, including whitening or gum and tooth contouring, our practice is dedicated to assessing your needs and listening to your desires.

We Have Experience Dealing with Complex Oral Health Issues

Boasting more than 45 years of experience, our team specializes in advanced dental care for complex needs. Our patients trust us to deal with the negative effects of tooth loss, decay, misaligned teeth, and the wide variety of other dental problems that cause both visual and functional issues.

We Focus on Cosmetic Improvement

Cosmetic dental enhancement is a major component of our service. We strive to provide quality aesthetic appeal, whether we fill cavities with white tooth-colored resin or install implants to replace missing teeth or crowns. If teeth are severely discolored but healthy, we offer effective cosmetic whitening services.

Our comprehensive, personalized services are grounded on in-house 3D imaging, Cone Beam CT, and patient-specific anatomical reconstruction and image fusion that map a patient’s dental implant surgery and achieve lasting results. Why settle for less than the best?

Schedule an Appointment

Our desire at Smiles for Sharing is to ensure that you can face the present and the future with confidence and the knowledge that you have the best possible smile that can be achieved through modern dentistry. Contact us now to arrange a consultation with a member of our team.