More Than a Quarter of Americans Have This Untreated Disease

Let's just say, it might be time to get your pearly whites checked.

It's time for Americans to get over their fear of the dentist. According to new data published from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, more than 25% of U.S. adults aged 20 to 64 have untreated tooth decay. Additionally, 1 in 5 adults aged 65 and older may have it as well.

And if that's not motivation enough to take a seat in the dental chair, 91% have one tooth (or more) that has been treated for tooth decay or needs to be.

To read the entire article written by Samantha Toscano, please visit GoodHouseKeeping.com

Westside Dentistry  

Stephen J. Kimball, DMD

7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A
El Paso, TX 79912
(915) 581-1511

Westside-Dentistry.com

Choosing Wisely: 5 Things Every Family Should Know About Dental Health (Part 3 of 3)

Don’t replace fillings just because they’re old 

When you have a cavity, the dentist removes it and puts in a filling. These fillings can last for many years, but some people get silver fillings removed because they don’t like the color. However, the process of removing a filling can weaken the tooth. Additionally, insurance may not cover the removal. 

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

Westside Dentistry  
Stephen J. Kimball, DMD   
7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A 
El Paso, TX 79912  
(915) 581-1511  
Westside-Dentistry.com

Choosing Wisely: 5 Things Every Family Should Know About Dental Health (Part 1 of 3)

Use toothpaste with fluoride for infants and children 

For children younger than 3 years, you should begin brushing a child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste in an amount no larger than a grain of rice. For children 3 to 6 years of age, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Consider sealants to prevent decay or treat beginning cavities on the back teeth 

Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities. They are a plastic material applied by a dentist to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay occurs most often.

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

Westside Dentistry  
Stephen J. Kimball, DMD   
7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A 
El Paso, TX 79912  
(915) 581-1511  
Westside-Dentistry.com

Dental Treatments More Comfortable with New Technology

Isolite™ — Making Your Visit More Comfortable

We are excited to offer a new technology that makes dental care a lot more comfortable. This device is called Isolite. It’s a suction device with a bright light that illuminates the mouth and eliminates any shadows. Here’s what this means to you.

• Patients find they spend about a third less time at their dental visits.
• Patients don’t get a “drowning” or “gagging” impulse because there is no saliva buildup.
• Debris won’t be accidentally swallowed since your mouth is continuously being “vacuumed.”
• Your mouth doesn’t get tired since you aren’t holding it open yourself during extended treatment.
• The strong illumination helps the team with accuracy.

Effective dentistry requires a dry “field” for best possible results. The Isolite device keeps teeth and gums dry and usually eliminates the necessity for a cumbersome rubber dam.

Westside Dentistry  
Stephen J. Kimball, DMD   
7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A 
El Paso, TX 79912  
(915) 581-1511  
Westside-Dentistry.com

Gum Disease Treatment Options

There is Good News

With periodontal disease in the advanced stages, the treatment is typically surgical. Gum surgery doesn’t sound like fun, but it is usually successful in getting the condition under control, and it’s generally covered by major insurance plans. With milder gum disease, there is effective non-surgical treatment that, when combined with improved dental hygiene, can generally halt the spread of the disease. This is normally also covered under dental insurance plans.

Westside Dentistry  
Stephen J. Kimball, DMD   
7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A 
El Paso, TX 79912  
(915) 581-1511  
Westside-Dentistry.com

Traditional Custom Dentures

Custom Design for Traditional Dentures

Sometimes, traditional dentures are the best option for a patient. Dr. Kimball can design and fit beautiful dentures that won’t slip! When the denture plate is properly made, it will fit tightly enough that you don’t have to worry about eating or that your dentures might unexpectedly shift or slip. If you wear dentures, be sure to ask us about this. It might just change your life.

Westside Dentistry  
Stephen J. Kimball, DMD   
7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A 
El Paso, TX 79912  
(915) 581-1511  
Westside-Dentistry.com

Full Mouth Dental Treatments

Full-Mouth Rehabilitation to Bring Back a Healthy Smile

Our oral health can have a bigger impact on someone’s life than the cleanings and occasional filling address. Many patients who’ve had to deal with an injury, illness, jaw or bite problems, and simple wear and tear can have chronic issues that they don’t even know began in their mouth. Bruxism (tooth grinding), TMJ, periodontitis, crooked or misshapen teeth, and missing teeth can lead to headaches or migraines, toothaches, bad breath, or an unattractive smile. But it’s not necessary to just “live with” those problems. 

Dr. Kimball will discuss your concerns, symptoms, and treatment goals. After taking digital X-rays, photos, and digital imprints, he will present treatment options to address your issues so you can achieve a healthy, pain-free, beautiful smile. We can also evaluate phased treatment and monthly financial planning to put your dream smile within reach.

Westside Dentistry  
Stephen J. Kimball, DMD   
7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A 
El Paso, TX 79912  
(915) 581-1511  
Westside-Dentistry.com

Dental Root Canal Treatment

Saving Teeth That Might be Hopeless

Teeth with damaged or infected roots used to require extraction, which can cause problems and should be avoided if possible. The good news is that we are highly experienced in the latest root canal therapies. A root canal is a procedure to repair teeth by removing the pulp of a tooth and replacing it with a filling material. This can be necessary when decay reaches the nerves of a tooth (or the teeth are infected), and a regular filling will not be suitable at this point. 

Not too long ago, the solution for the situation we just described would be to extract the tooth. When dentists began doing root canals, they were unpleasant, and the root canal got a bad reputation. However, with anesthetics and new technology, root canals are generally manageable by most patients.

Westside Dentistry  
Stephen J. Kimball, DMD   
7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A 
El Paso, TX 79912  
(915) 581-1511  
Westside-Dentistry.com

Dental Intra Oral Cameras

The Intra-Oral Camera so We Can See a Closeup of Your Smile

Dr. Kimball works closely with patients to build a bond of teamwork. One way we bring this about is by using a high-tech machine, our intra-oral camera. This incredible device is a tiny video camera that displays a closeup image of your mouth. You can see if treatment needs to be done and which teeth are healthy. You then are included as a participant in the dental decisions. We think you’ll love how this technology works!

Westside Dentistry  
Stephen J. Kimball, DMD   
7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A 
El Paso, TX 79912  
(915) 581-1511  
Westside-Dentistry.com

Sleep Apnea Dental Treatments

Do You Find Yourself Falling Asleep During the Day?

If you or someone you know finds yourself falling asleep during daytime hours, or snoring loudly or having poor breathing while sleeping, it might be symptoms of sleep apnea. The usual treatment for sleep apnea has been a bulky CPAP device. A patient is fitted with a machine that forces a steady stream of air into the patient’s nose or mouth during sleep. However, many people find it difficult to sleep wearing a CPAP and eventually give up using it. 

If you experience sleep apnea and can’t wear a CPAP, modern dentistry has a range of treatment options such as compact oral appliances. These lightweight appliances are small acrylic devices that fit over the top and bottom teeth similar to a retainer or mouthguard. They reposition your tongue and jaw to open the airway and allow more air flow to the lungs. They are convenient to place and remove, cleanup is easy, and they’re convenient for travel. These have been a success for over 90% of patients using them and are a wonderful alternative to CPAP machines. If you snore or a physician has diagnosed you with sleep apnea, please contact our office today.

Westside Dentistry  
Stephen J. Kimball, DMD   
7181 Westwind Dr., Suite A 
El Paso, TX 79912  
(915) 581-1511  
Westside-Dentistry.com