West Chester Dental Arts

Are You a Patient? We Want to Hear from You!

At West Chester Dental Arts, we provide general and cosmetic dentistry services to ensure great dental health as well as a beautiful smile.  Are you a past or current patient? We would love to hear your feedback.

Please leave us a review on our blog here. Thank you in advance!

The dentists at West Chester Dental Arts are here to help you care for your teeth and promote a healthier, brighter smile. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry, as well as sedation dentistry to ensure you are comfortable visiting the dentist and getting the routine care you need. Learn more about us on the web or call (484) 881-3501 to schedule an appointment.

Visit These Sites For Expert Dental Advice

Caring for your teeth using the proper tools and methods will ensure they last you a lifetime. The following websites provide the information you need to get the most from every visit to your West Chester dentist:

• After a tooth extraction, it will be a few days before you can return to your normal exercise routine. For a list of signs which indicate that you should stop exercising and contact your dentist, visit Livestrong.com.
• If you suffer from TMJ, you may have special dental needs. Read through this helpful brochure from TMJ.org to learn how TMJ can affect your oral care routine and dental cleanings.
• How do you prepare for a wisdom tooth extraction procedure? The Mayo Clinic offers advice and tips on this page on their website.
• Find out more about the best and worst foods for your teeth on this page from Care2.com.
• Do you still have questions about tooth whitening? You can find the answers to commonly asked tooth whitening questions on SimpleStepsDental.com.

At West Chester Dental Arts, you’ll experience quality dental care from a dedicated team of dental professionals who have your comfort in mind. We offer anesthesia and sedation dentistry options to anxious patients to ensure each visit is positive. You can schedule an appointment by calling (484) 881-3501.

What to Expect from Your Tooth Extraction Recovery

Teeth that have become damaged, severely decayed, or impacted may require extraction. Dental extraction is a minor surgical procedure, and proper aftercare is important to prevent complications and speed your recovery. Knowing what to expect after your extraction can help you prepare for this routine dental procedure.

Immediate Aftercare
If you will be given anesthesia or sedation during your procedure, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you. Rest for the remainder of the day with your head propped up rather than lying flat. Place a gauze pad in your mouth over the surgical site and bite down gently to reduce bleeding. If you still experience bleeding after a full day, contact your dentist. Do not smoke, chew gum, or use a straw for at least 24 hours following your extraction.

Pain Relief
Ask your dentist about pain medication. In most cases, over-the-counter painkillers are sufficient, but certain medications, including aspirin, can aggravate bleeding and should not be used. Take medication doses before pain returns to maximize comfort. If you experience swelling, place a cold compress against the outside of your mouth. After the first day, switch to moist heat, such as a washcloth run under warm water.

Additional Care
Avoid rigorous physical activity for two to three days after your tooth extraction, as it may encourage bleeding. Take care when brushing your teeth and tongue so that you do not aggravate the extraction site. Rinse your mouth out gently with warm saltwater a few times each day to reduce any lingering pain or swelling. Maintain a diet of soft, easy-to-chew foods such as pudding, oatmeal, and soup. Slowly add solid foods back into your diet as your gums heal. Your stitches will either dissolve or be removed by your dentist during a follow-up appointment.

If you require tooth extraction, call West Chester Dental Arts at (484) 881-3501 to discuss your treatment options. We will help you through the procedure and ensure you are comfortable every step of the way. You can visit us on the web for more dental care tips and information.

How to Properly Floss Your Teeth

Flossing removes plaque from between teeth and along the gum line to promote healthier gums and prevent dental problems. This essential part of your daily oral care routine must be done properly to yield the most benefits.

This video illustrates the proper flossing technique. You will see how to hold the floss and insert it between each pair of teeth. You should make a “c” shape, curving the floss around the tooth’s surface as you move it.  Pay special attention to flossing your back teeth, which are short and sometimes difficult to fully clean.

If you have questions about your flossing technique, consult your dentist at West Chester Dental Arts. We will be happy to help you learn how to care for your teeth at home and ensure great oral health and a beautiful smile. Call us today at (484) 881-3501 or visit us online for more essential dental health information.

The Basics of Tooth Whitening

Teeth can become discolored in a variety of ways. Food and drink can cause stains deep in the teeth over time, while traumatic injuries or overexposure to fluoride can also result in discoloration. Your cosmetic dentist can offer you a variety of tooth whitening options to improve the look of your smile quickly and safely.

How Teeth Discolor
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, but it is also quite porous. Pigments from food and drink can penetrate deep into the teeth and cause discoloration over time. Foods and drinks that are high in acidity promote increased absorption of color by weakening tooth enamel. However, stains don’t only come from food and beverages—dental fluorosis is a harmless condition caused by overexposure of the teeth to fluoride while they are still forming in the gums. This problem can lead to uneven coloration of the teeth. In addition, when a tooth is injured or infected, it may darken over time due to tissue damage that changes its color from within.

How Your Dentist Whitens Teeth
The most common form of tooth whitening involves the use of a bleaching agent: either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. These agents penetrate tooth enamel and cause a chemical reaction called oxidation. This breaks up the stains from within the tooth, improving its color. During an in-office bleaching procedure, your dentist will apply the bleaching gel to your teeth. A special light may be used to enhance the oxidation process. To achieve at-home whitening, your dentist can create customized trays that hold the bleaching agent. Trays are worn overnight for a series of nights until the desired result is achieved. In cases of fluorosis or dental trauma, other techniques such as dental bonding may be needed to address discoloration of the teeth.

If you’d like to improve your smile with a tooth whitening procedure, contact West Chester Dental Arts at (484) 881-3501. We offer comfortable and effective cosmetic dental options to improve your smile and your confidence. We invite you to peruse our website for more information about our smile enhancing procedures.