West Chester Dental Arts

Get the Facts about Keeping Your Smile Healthy with These Resources

The beauty of your smile must not be taken for granted. These articles explain how to keep your teeth strong and bright with preventative care and expert dental treatment.

• Which toothpaste is right for your needs? MedicineNet.com breaks down your oral hygiene options.
• Using toothpaste with fluoride can help alleviate enamel decay. HowStuffWorks.com describes why you must look after your tooth enamel for a lifetime of dental wellness.
• Selecting the right toothpaste goes hand in hand with knowing how to properly brush. MouthHealthy.org explains the correct brushing techniques for a healthy smile.
• Have you lost a tooth? The Mayo Clinic details how dental implants can restore your smile.
• Going to the dentist offers the opportunity to correct dental issues before they become larger problems. PsychCentral.com offers readers effective ways to combat dental fears.

West Chester Dental Arts wants you to have the confidence and ease that comes with having healthy teeth and gums. Whether you want teeth whitening, dental implants, or a simple cleaning, our West Chester office provides a comfortable atmosphere and courteous service. For an appointment, call us today at (484) 881-3501.

Tips for Overcoming Your Dental Phobia

Going to the dentist can be challenging for many people. Memories of painful procedures or fear of having dental problems can be motivation enough to stay away from the dentist’s chair. However, dental phobia can become a cyclical problem. The longer you go without checkups, the more likely you will have an oral health problem, which may require extensive treatment that only adds to your anxiety. Dentists strive to provide the most comfortable experience possible for patients, so don’t let your fear keep you from getting the help you need. The following tips offer some simple ways to alleviate your fear:

Become Informed
The source of some people’s anxiety stems from not knowing what they’re about to experience. If your dentist recommends a procedure that you don’t understand, ask him to explain it. Dentists are equipped with the expertise to handle complicated dental issues and the ability to clarify their procedures in language simple enough for patients. By knowing the steps of your dental care, fear of the unknown dissipates.

Establish a Safety Sign
Each dentist aims to administer the ideal amount of anesthetic and sedation so that every patient can undergo treatment without pain. Should you sense discomfort, you have the right to immediately halt your treatment. Since it can be difficult to voice your needs with a mouth full of tools, determine a hand signal ahead of time that indicates your discomfort.

Start Small
If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, it may seem overwhelming to undergo multiple procedures at a time. To build your level of comfort, begin with only a simple cleaning. Once you have successfully completed that process, speak to your dentist about other required work. Tackling your oral treatment in manageable steps can help you remain calm and confident each time you go to the dentist.

West Chester Dental Arts makes it a priority to ensure that each patient leaves our office smiling. That’s why our West Chester office provides sedation dentistry for those with dental phobias. Call (484) 881-3501 or visit our website for more information.

What's in Your Toothpaste?

How effective is your toothpaste at keeping your teeth and gums healthy? This video describes different toothpaste components that can help to fight plaque, pain, and stains.

Many dentists recommend that patients use toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride offers the best means of cavity protection for your teeth. Some toothpastes may also contain stannous fluoride, which reduces bacteria on enamel and diminishes tooth sensitivity. If you’re concerned about tooth discoloration, you might want to use toothpaste with silica, which can eliminate surface stains on teeth for a brighter smile.

West Chester Dental Arts offers teeth whitening services for those seeking a whiter and more attractive smile. To schedule an appointment at our West Chester office, call (484) 881-3501.

A Beginner's Guide to Dental Implants

Whether it’s from disease or injury, tooth loss can result in both aesthetic and dental discomfort for individuals. A missing tooth can become an unwanted, conspicuous feature of a person’s smile. Tooth loss can also affect the health of an individual’s remaining teeth and gums. Teeth on either side of the tooth gap can become loose, and the gums and underlying bone may recede. That’s why eligible patients are encouraged to get dental implants, which can improve the look of a person’s smile and alleviate oral health issues.

Who needs dental implants?
Any person who has lost one or more teeth may be a candidate for dental implants. Because this procedure is so effective at restoring a patient’s cosmetic and dental needs, dentists advise those with missing teeth to consider its benefits. The durability of the jawbone may also determine a person’s ability to receive dental implants.

What happens during the dental implant process?
The insertion of the implant is the first step of the dental implant process. Titanium, the metal used to create the implant, bonds with the surrounding bone so that it does not degrade over time, making it the ideal material for dental implants. Once the implant is secure in the jawbone, the abutment is attached. Finally, an artificial crown is placed on top of the abutment. Crowns are made to look completely natural and can blend in perfectly with a patient’s other teeth.

How long does it take to receive dental implants?
The entire dental implant process typically takes several months. Most of this time is waiting for the patient’s mouth to heal completely between the implant’s insertion and the abutment’s attachment. Several more weeks may be required to let the surrounding gums heal after the addition of the abutment.

Would you like to learn more about dental implants? Call West Chester Dental Arts at (484) 881-3501 to speak with a dentist about this affordable procedure. For our patients’ ultimate comfort, our West Chester practice also provides sedation dentistry options.

Visit These Resources for More Information on Dental Implants and Oral Health

The dental team at West Chester Dental Arts provides general and cosmetic dentistry services in West Chester, PA. We also offer comfortable sedation dentistry solutions for patients who feel anxious receiving dental care. You can find out just how positive your dental experience can be by contacting us at (484) 881-3501 to schedule your appointment. Click on the links below for more information on dental implants and maintaining dental health:

• If you are missing teeth, this can cause your jaw to degrade and affect the look of your face. Dental implants can prevent this process—you can learn more by clicking over to MissingTeeth.org.
• What is the proper technique for brushing your teeth? This instruction sheet on MouthHealthy.org illustrates good tooth brushing technique.
• This article on WebMD.com provides information about caring for children’s teeth when they are ages six to 16.
• Although endosteal dental implants that are placed in the bone are the most common, there are other types of dental implants available. You can learn more about the various types of dental implants on SimpleStepsDental.com.