Oral Surgery Recovery: Best Steps

Whether you need a tooth extraction, gum graft, or another kind of oral surgery procedure, it’s important that you follow certain steps to ensure a swift recovery. Although every situation and procedure are unique, the same general protocols can be applied. At Baxter Dental Group in Ballwin, MO, we aim to educate each patient on...

The Importance of Oral Hygiene

What is Dental Hygiene? The term “dental hygiene,” or “oral hygiene,” refers to the practices that preserve your gums, natural teeth, and their surrounding structures. Patients with good oral or dental hygiene brush their teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, floss regularly, and use mouthwash to remove any...

Preparing Your Child for Their First Dental Visit

Preparing Your Child for Their First Dental Visit A child’s first dentist appointment can be just as overwhelming for parents as it is for the toddler. However, dental visits early in life are critical for ensuring both healthy teeth and proper oral development. The earlier a child visits their dentist, the quicker they will become...

Your Teeth Don’t Have to Show Your Age

We can't stop aging, but we can make the best of what we already have. Looking after your skin and general appearance is one step. But what about your teeth? They are a revealing sign of aging, yet surprising things can be done today to reverse this process. How To Keep A Youthful Smile Teeth...

Demystifying Root Canal Treatment

Many people have a deep-seated fear of root canal (endodontic) treatment. They will say "not as bad as a root canal" as if it is one of the worst human experiences. Such fears are unfounded. In professional hands, root canal treatment is the best way to keep your natural teeth and preserve good dental health....

How To Relax In The Dentist’s Chair

If you're anything like me you'll feel varying degrees of anxiety when you find yourself sitting in the dentists chair, perhaps you can remember a specific incident from your childhood that brings back painful memories or maybe you don't like the sounds and smells involved. Being afraid of the dentist is nothing to be ashamed...

You And Your Dentist

Get The Most From Your Dental Visit Think of the relationship between you and your dentist as a partnership, your dentist can offer a range of dental treatment options for many oral health problems. Theses option will vary in complexity, durability and cost but working together, you can choose the treatment options that best suit your needs...

Fluoride and Decay Prevention

Fluoride and Decay Prevention Many years ago scientists started to notice that children who were born and raised in areas with natural fluoride in drinking water had fewer cavities than children in other areas. Fluoride that is absorbed by your body when teeth were forming (during mother s pregnancy to early childhood) integrates into the...

Dental Health and Your Diet

How Does Your Diet Affect Dental Health? Sugar is the main cause of dental decay when there is bacteria present. More important than the amount of sugar you take is the frequency of it. Probably the worst thing you can do to your teeth is to hold a soda and have a sip every few...

Bad Breath

What Causes Bad Breath? There are a few different causes for bad breath. It ranges from stomach problems to diets and teeth problems. Most of the causes can be found in the mouth, they are: Tongue (when bacteria grows in between the papilla) Teeth cavities (especially when food particles get stuck in them) Gum diseases...

Electric Brush Versus Manual Brushes

Electric vs. Manual Brushes There have been multiple studies comparing the effectiveness of manual brushes as opposed to electric brushes. Although not all the electric brushes are the same, in conclusion of all these studies it is fair to say that in general electric brushes are more effective in controlling the plaque than manual brushes....

How To Floss Your Teeth

How to Floss Your Teeth The surfaces that are between teeth are not accessible to brush; Therefore, the best way to clean them is with flossing. The frequency of flossing is like brushing and ideally after each meal, though one time a day (before going to bed) is the minimum necessary. To start, cut a...

How To Brush Your Teeth

Toothbrushing Tips for Better Oral Health The first step is to choose a good toothbrush. You always want to use a soft brush with a small head. A soft brush is hard enough to remove plaque and soft enough not to damage your teeth or gum. The next issue is to choose a good toothpaste....