Dr. Stephen Kimball DMD and the team at Westside Dentistry are pleased to provide professional and caring dental services to their patients from El Paso TX and the surrounding communities. Our dental services include: adult, children's, cosmetic, family, general, implant, orthodontic, preventive, restorative and sedation dentistry.
Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org The right smile can leave you laughing, fill you with joy or make you melt with emotion. But, ultimately, the best smile is one that is healthy and strong. Here are some of the “tooth truths” about how tough your teeth really are ñ and how to keep them that way. 1. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body. The shiny, white enamel that covers your teeth is even stronger than bone. This resilient surface is 96 percent mineral, the highest percentage of any tissue in your body - making it durable and damage-resistant. 2. Your bite is powerful! Did you know your teeth can exert an average of 200 pounds of pressure when you bite down? That’s probably what tempts us to use our teeth as tools from time to time ñ but as your dentist will remind you, that’s one of the worst habits when it comes to preserving healthy teeth. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org. The remainder of the article details the following:
Teeth can last for hundreds of years
Strong as they are, teeth can't heal on their own
Healthy teeth have the power to resist decay, but they need our help
There are several advantages to the Invisalign system. Probably the best reason is that no one will know you’re straightening your teeth because the clear aligners are nearly invisible! People would have to practically be told the aligners are in place, or look very closely, to be able to see them. This will give you much more confidence in your smile while you are going through the treatment process.
Comfort is another wonderful benefit of Invisalign. These aligners are all one piece, without metal brackets or poking wires, so you spend less time at the dentist. The lack of braces, wires, or headgear prevents mouth irritation.
Then there’s convenience. Even though you wear the aligners all day and when sleeping, they are easy to remove when eating or brushing. You can eat and drink anything you like while in treatment, without food restrictions. And it’s just as easy to keep your teeth clean and free of plaque as it was before treatment, because there are no metal braces to interfere with brushing and flossing. Westside Dentistry Stephen J. Kimball, DMD 7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A El Paso, TX 79912 (915) 581-1511 Westside-Dentistry.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org Is the satisfying fizz of your favorite sparkling water putting you at risk for tooth decay? Because any drink with carbonation-including sparkling water-has a higher acid level, some reports have questioned whether sipping sparkling water will weaken your tooth enamel (the hard outer shell of your teeth where cavities first form). So, Is Sparkling Water Affecting My Teeth? According to available research, sparkling water is generally fine for your teeth-and here's why. In a study using teeth that were removed as a part of treatment and donated for research, researchers tested to see whether sparkling water would attack tooth enamel more aggressively than regular lab water. The result? The two forms of water were about the same in their effects on tooth enamel. This finding suggests that, even though sparkling water is slightly more acidic than ordinary water, it's all just water to your teeth. Tips for Enjoying Sparkling Water-and Protecting Your Teeth
Sparkling water is far better for your teeth than sugary drinks. In addition, be sure to drink plenty of regular, fluoridated water, too-it’s the best beverage for your teeth. Water with fluoride naturally helps fight cavities, washes away the leftover food cavity-causing bacteria feast on and keeps your mouth from becoming dry (which can put you at a higher risk of cavities).
Be mindful of what’s in your sparkling water. Citrus-flavored waters often have higher acid levels that does increase the risk of damage to your enamel. Plan to enjoy these in one sitting or with meals. This way, you aren’t sipping it throughout the day and exposing your teeth over and over again to the slightly higher level of acid it contains.
Sparkling water brands with added sugar can no longer be considered just sparkling water. They are a sugar-sweetened beverage, which can contribute to your risk of developing cavities. So remember-sparkling or not-plain water is always the best choice.
Crowns are often necessary as a way to save broken or worn teeth when a filling will not restore it fully. A crown will save and even strengthen the damaged tooth. We use advanced materials of the best quality to construct crowns. They appear so natural, you won’t be able to tell them from a real tooth. Westside Dentistry Stephen J. Kimball, DMD 7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A El Paso, TX 79912 (915) 581-1511 Westside-Dentistry.com
The habit: This nervous habit can chip teeth and impact your jaw. “Placing your jaw for long periods of time in a protruding position can place pressure on it, which is associated with jaw dysfunction,” says Dr. Ruchi Sahota. The solution: Bitter-tasting nail polishes, stress reduction and setting small, realistic goals can help. If certain situations are triggers, hold something to keep your fingers busy. To read the entire article please visit MouthHealthy.org
Our practice is proud to offer digital X-rays. With this technology, a digital image is taken of your smile with a sensor and uploaded to our computer, where it is immediately accessible. We can also take a snapshot of your entire mouth in one image capture, including both the upper and lower jaws, using panoramic digital X-rays. These techniques result in 75% less radiation than the older traditional X-rays. Images develop immediately without wait, and there are no chemicals to pollute the environment. Westside Dentistry Stephen J. Kimball, DMD 7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A El Paso, TX 79912 (915) 581-1511 Westside-Dentistry.com
The habit: Brushing for two minutes twice a day is one of the best habits you can get into. Just make sure you’re not trying too hard. “Brushing with a hard toothbrush, or brushing too hard, can damage teeth and irritate gums,” says Dr. Matthew Messina. The solution: Use a soft toothbrush with the ADA Seal of Acceptance at the proper pressure. “Don’t think ‘scrub.’ Think ‘massage,’” he says. “Save the hard toothbrush for cleaning the grout in the bathroom tile.” To read the entire article please visit MouthHealthy.org
Keeping your teeth clean, smooth and beautiful... Proper oral hygiene is your key to a healthy, beautiful smile. Here are our and the American Dental Association's recommendations for at home care:
Brush 2-3 times every day with a flouride toothpaste (it doesn't matter which brand)
Floss once a day
Eat a healthy diet (fruits, vegetables, etc)
Limit consumption of sugary foodsand beverages. Soda drinks can destroy teeth faster than almost anything else
Eliminate or at least limit use of alchol, chewing tabacco, and cigarettes
We also recommend using an electric high-speed toothbrush in conjuction with a waterpik for your daily at-home oral care. And don't forget six-month professional cleanings and checkups. The American Dnetal Association recommends checkups every six months for those ages four and older. Professional cleanings by qualified hygienists will remove bacteria and plaque, which can cause serious dental problems if not kept in check. If you have not been seen recently call our office for an appointment!
The right smile can leave you laughing, fill you with joy or make you melt with emotion. But, ultimately, the best smile is one that is healthy and strong. Here are some of the “tooth truths” about how tough your teeth really are ñ and how to keep them that way.
