Dentists in St. Louis, like Dr. Spalitto, are dedicated to keeping your smile healthy. In this video, the ADA suggests wearing a mouthguard whenever you participate in any athletic activity.

In family dentistry, keeping patients’ teeth and gums healthy is important. A dentist advises both kids and adults to wear a mouthguard whenever playing contact sports, including football, basketball, or soccer. However, dentists also urges patients of all ages to wear a mouthguard even when taking part in solo athletic activities, like biking, running, or rollerblading. Your dentist can fit you with a customized, comfortable mouthguard.

To learn even more about why mouthguards are essential in family dentistry, contact Dr. Spalitto by calling (314) 821-2712 to speak to a dentist.

Root canals in St. Louis are common procedures in family dentistry. A dentist advises patients to have a root canal when the tooth’s inner pulp becomes infected or inflamed. Most often, patients report to their dentist office complaining of tooth pain or sensitivity. Some patients may also notice that the affected tooth has become discolored, while others feel tenderness and pain in their gums. Keep reading to learn more about the steps involved in root canals, including a full examination, initial procedure, and tooth restoration.

Full Examination

The first step in treating root canals involves a full examination by a dentist. After you report to your dentist with root canal pain or another symptom, he or she will take an X-ray to determine the extent of the infection. Next, your dentist will diagnose you with a root canal, and explain how the infection occurred. Root canals are generally performed after trauma to the tooth, deep cavities, or dental procedures. Finally, your dentist will arrange a time when you will return for the root canal.

Quick Procedure
During the root canal procedure itself, your dentist will gain access into the root canal. The tooth pulp and decayed nerve tissue are completely removed, and the tooth itself is cleaned out. Disinfectants will be used regularly to flush away infected tooth tissue. Once the tooth has been thoroughly cleaned, it is sealed. Your dentist may also place medication inside the tooth if it is more seriously infected. The final closing of the tooth will happen the same day. Depending on the tooth, you will receive a crown or a filling.

Whether you want to know more about root canals or are interested in cosmetic dentistry procedures, contact Dr. Spalitto and his team by calling (314) 821-2712 today.

Professional teeth cleanings are important for keeping your whole mouth healthy, which is why you should make sure to schedule regular appointments with Dr. Spalitto’s family dentistry practice in St. Louis. A dentist like Dr. Spalitto can make sure your teeth and gums stay free of plaque.

One of the most essential parts of family dentistry is simply scheduling a bi-annual visit with your dentist. Only professional teeth cleanings can effectively remove plaque and tartar where they have built up around your gumlines. While brushing twice per day and flossing each night are also important, only a dentist can use the high-powered tools necessary to get rid of plaque. If plaque is allowed to accumulate, it can lead to cavities and gum disease. Dental cleanings are also important for children, as a family dental care practitioner can provide fluoride rinses. Fluoride is vital to preserving the tooth’s hard enamel and warding off tooth decay. A dentist also examines your teeth and gums and checks your biting, chewing, and swallowing patterns to make sure they are normal.

Set up a teeth cleaning today by calling Dr. Spalitto at (314) 821-2712 today.

Has your dentist in St. Louis started using laser dentistry ? Laser dentistry is an innovative new technique in family dental care that allows dentists to perform both routine and complex procedures without a dental drill. With laser dentistry, patients feel virtually no pain, vibration, or noise. Additionally, dentists are able to complete multiple procedures in a single appointment. Continue reading for some answers to frequently asked questions about laser dentistry.

What Is Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry works when a dentist relies on a laser instead of a scalpel to perform dental procedures. With laser dentistry, dentists can do everything from filling cavities to performing root canals. Dental lasers can even be used to reduce the discomfort of cold sores or canker sores. With surgery, dental lasers act as a cutting mechanism. But dental lasers can also be used to “cure,” or set dental fillings and other bonds. Laser dentistry is a general term, so you should ask your dentist which kind of laser he or she uses.

Why Laser Dentistry?
Lasers have been used in dentistry for over two decades, and dentists regularly praise their reliability. However, the best part about laser dentistry is that it cuts down on a patient’s pain—and time spent in a dentist’s chair. With laser dentistry, dentists perform hard and soft tissue procedures with no anesthesia and virtually no bleeding. Because lasers are so much faster invasive than scalpels, dentists can execute formerly complex, multi-appointment procedures in just one appointment.

How Is Aftercare Different with Laser Dentistry?
Because laser dentistry is so much less invasive than traditional dental surgery, patients do not experience the same kind of painful healing process. Patients who no longer have to go under general anesthesia are able to go about with their days instead of going home to rest for at least 24 hours. Because lasers are more precise, dentists no longer have to damage healthy tissues as a side effect of removing cavities, which translates into shorter healing time for patients.

To find out more about laser dentistry with Dr. Spalitto, call (314) 821-2712 today.