The hard outer layer of your teeth is called enamel, and while it’s hard—harder even than bone—it’s not impervious to the acid that’s the result of harmful bacteria that lingers in your mouth. When you don’t brush and floss adequately, the acid eats a hole in the tooth that we call a cavity.
If your dentist finds decay during a routine ...
If you want to replace missing teeth, you can’t make a better choice than dental implants! They are considered the “gold standard” for tooth replacement because they are a healthy, long-lasting alternative to dental bridges or full or partial dentures.
Most healthy adults with missing teeth are good candidates, but if you are a smoker, you need to be aware of ...
At Joel R. Koch, DDS, we follow guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Dentistry. These guidelines include seeing your dentist for exams and x-rays twice yearly and having a professional teeth cleaning every six months.
However, our top West Chester, OH dentist will determine how often you should visit our dental office based on your ...
Do you have damaged, worn, or missing teeth? The thing these three problems have in common is that they can all be resolved with high-quality restorative dentistry in West Chester, OH.
The dictionary defines the word “restorative” as having the ability to restore health, strength, or a feeling of well-being. A restorative dentist is the professional you turn to for ...
You may brush and floss like a boss, but you’re only getting half the job done if you don’t follow through with professional dental cleanings twice a year.
Along with dental exams, routine cleaning appointments are your best insurance against dental decay and gum disease. During these visits, your hygienist checks the health of your gums, clears away plaque, and ...
There are more consequences to tooth loss than a noticeable gap in your smile. If you don’t have the tooth replaced with a dental prosthetic, you also face long-term challenges that impact your quality of life.
Fortunately, you have several tooth replacement options to choose from including dental implants in West Chester, OH, that can eliminate all these concerns.
A gap ...
If you have recently lost a tooth, you may wonder if you should replace it depending on where the gap is in your mouth. Your dentist will share several excellent reasons why you should, but of course, the decision is ultimately up to you.
However, if you decide to follow your dentist’s recommendation and replace the lost tooth, you next have to ...
There is no end to the number of teeth whitening products you can purchase at the local discount store. There are gels, strips, toothpastes, and mouthwashes that all claim to whiten and brighten your teeth. Because we get so many patients at our West Chester, OH, office asking about teeth whitening, we want to go over your options—and what ...
The holidays are right around the corner, and if you are looking for a way to dramatically change your appearance, consider professional teeth whitening at our West Chester, OH dental office. We offer both in-office and at-home whitening systems.
If you come into our office, you can leave an hour or so later with a smile that is several shades ...
Visiting your dentist regularly may be one of the most important steps you can take for your health, yet myths about oral care are common. Many of these myths have been around for years, despite information at our fingertips. Here’s the truth behind five dental myths that will help you make informed decisions about your oral hygiene and health.
Any dentist in West Chester will tell you that teeth have undergone an evolution since ancient times. For example, we have smaller teeth and smaller jaws today than did our ancestors who lived 25,000 years ago. Canine teeth were larger, as were molars, reflecting the type of diet they ate back then.
Humans had wisdom teeth in the past, which were ...
West Chester residents who are concerned about white spots on their teeth should always consult with their dentist. The good news is that although there are a number of different reasons for white spots on teeth, they are generally not serious from a medical standpoint. But if you are sensitive about them, here are the possible causes and treatments for ...
Oral cancer includes those cancers that develop in the tissues of the mouth, throat, tongue, and lips. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, nearly 50,000 news cases are diagnosed each year in the United States, usually occurring in those over the age of 40.
West Chester, OH dentist Joel R. Koch, DDS, includes a cancer screening ...
There is a popular nationwide ad campaign that attempts to educate viewers on a variety of topics such as education, diversity, and the environment. The premise behind the campaign is that the more viewers know, the better they can make more informed decisions.
The same holds true for your dental health. It can be difficult to ask questions while you are ...
Most people are aware of the use of dental crowns to repair a back molar that has been compromised by a large filling. Over the years, the filling—especially metal fillings, or amalgams—begins to fail and the tooth can develop hairline fractures. Because too much of the tooth structure has already been removed, the only option to preserve the tooth ...
Most people don’t realize how serious periodontal (gum) disease is—or just how common. Gum disease is the number one reason for tooth loss in adults. The problem is that many times, people don’t even realize they have it because they don’t visit their dentist regularly. Sometimes symptoms of gum disease don’t start showing up until the disease in its advanced ...
When you visit the dentist, you are probably aware of the different team members, each with a different job title, including dentist, hygienist, assistant, and so on. Let’s take a look at the job description for each so the next time you are at your West Chester general dentist, you’ll know who does what!
The dentist is ...
Most people will have at least one cavity in their lifetime. Although sometimes you can see a cavity in the form of a small black dot on your tooth, often cavities are not visible to the naked eye. What are some of the other signs of cavities that should send you to your dentist in West Chester OH immediately?
Nearly every adult in this country has at least one filling. In the past, the only option for treating tooth decay and keeping it from spreading was metal—amalgam—fillings. Patients in West Chester today have a better choice - tooth-colored fillings. Not only do these “composite” fillings look better because they are made to match the color of your tooth, ...
The first rule of dentistry is that no pain is ever normal! If you are dealing with tooth pain, it is more than likely your body alerting you to the fact that something is wrong. Toothache discomfort can range from mild sensitivity to severe pain, depending on the problem.
If your toothache pain isn’t bad, you can probably wait until the ...
A smile is one of the first things people notice about others. If you have a smile you don’t often show because you don’t like how it looks, you might be making a bad impression without realizing it. With today’s cosmetic dentistry procedures, residents in West Chester can make over their entire smile. And it is probably more affordable ...
Dental emergencies can happen to the best of us. Perhaps you are chewing, and suddenly you feel something hard—and you realize a filling has popped out. Maybe a slightly irritating toothache has suddenly become full-blown pain that is unbearable. Or you have suffered some kind of trauma, and your tooth has been completely knocked out.
It’s tough to know how ...
Losing a tooth, whether through trauma or decay, can be devastating. And its effects go far beyond pure aesthetics. When you are missing one or more teeth, even the most simple tasks such as chewing and speaking can become a challenge.
Dental implants are generally agreed upon to be the best replacement for missing teeth. Your dentist in West Chester, ...
A dental crown is a common restoration that caps a prepared tooth, repairing a damaged tooth’s aesthetics as well as its function. It is a standard dental procedure, and most people will probably need to get at least one crown in their life.
There are several problems we can solve with dental crowns at your West Chest, OH dentist Joel ...
Dental implants have been around for a while as a tooth replacement option. Far better in terms of form and function than dentures, some people shy away from this breakthrough in dental technology. In some cases, the main reason is that of the misunderstandings they have about dental implants.
Let’s take a look at some of these myths about dental ...
Modern dentistry has come a long way since the days when people went to their local barbershop to have a tooth pulled. In spite of breakthroughs in the field, there are still plenty of misconceptions about dentistry. Ask a top dentist in West Chester if you have any questions on your own, then read on for some of the common myths ...
A recent study in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery concluded that patients are not always getting good information about dental implants. In fact, they might even be getting misleading or incorrect information.
Our goal is always to keep our patients informed and educated so they can make the best possible decisions about their oral health. If you ...
If you are a conscientious brusher and flosser who still finds themselves prone to cavities, could this be linked to your genetics?
The answer to this question is “maybe.” There have been studies that show there are specific genetic variations that could cause a person to be more susceptible to cavities and gum disease. But there has also been a
Although Americans are drinking a lot less soda than they used to, plenty of people still drink these sugary beverages on a daily basis. Most people are aware that these drinks are not only unhealthy and full of empty calories, but they can wreak havoc on your oral health.
If you are a West Chester, OH resident trying to break the ...
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to take better care of your oral health, you might want to start by looking for a good dental insurance plan. Having some kind of coverage can make visits to the dentist in the 45241 area a bit less painful when it comes time to pay the bill.
Here are some ways you ...