Darren G. Koch's Blog

No matter who you are or what kind of care you give your smile, there’s always a chance of suffering from a dental accident that leaves you with a chipped tooth. As alarming as this issue is, it can be managed – provided that you stay calm and are proactive about protecting your grin from further harm. Your emergency dentist is here with 6 steps that you should follow if you ever chip a tooth.

Is there a bitter taste in your mouth that doesn’t go away and doesn’t seem related to the foods you eat? This isn’t necessarily a serious problem, but it could be a side effect of an oral health issue that should be treated in a timely manner. To help make sure you’re prepared to protect your mouth, your emergency dentist is here to explain 4 potential causes of a constant bitter taste.

Gum disease is an oral health issue that you can’t afford to take lightly. Not only can it have a devastating effect on your smile, but research has shown that it could potentially be linked to various other health problems. Surprisingly, this can even include issues with your mental health. What does gum disease have to do with your mental wellbeing? Here’s what you need to know about this surprising connection.

There are many benefits to replacing your missing teeth with dentures, not the least of which is restoring your ability to eat all kinds of foods. That said, though, it’s important to be aware that dentures have their limitations. Researchers have found that dentures can potentially impact a person’s ability to get good nutrition; here’s what denture-wearers need to know about this connection.

Even the most well-made dentures will eventually need to be replaced. You can usually expect them to last around 7 to 10 years, but their exact lifespan can vary. As such, you should keep an eye out for any changes that could indicate that new dentures might be needed. Below are 4 warning signs that could indicate that the time to replace your dentures is drawing near.

When you lose a tooth, you’ll naturally want to act as quickly as possible to have it replaced so that you can restore your smile. Your dentist may suggest filling in the gap with a dental bridge made out of highly durable materials. Exactly how long can you expect this type of dental prosthesis to last? And is there anything you can do to lengthen that lifespan? The answers to these important questions can be found below.

Since damaged enamel can’t heal itself, you will need to see your dentist in order to have a broken or decayed tooth restored. After examining your tooth, your dentist is likely to suggest either a filling or a dental crown. These two types of restorations are very different from each other, and the kind that is right for you depends heavily on your circumstances. Here’s what you need to know about dental crowns and fillings – and how you can determine which is the best choice for your smile.

Plenty of individuals have used Invisalign to straighten their teeth and overcome their bite problems. However, before you begin your own Invisalign treatment, it’s important to know exactly what you’re committing to. You will need to wear your aligners regularly for a certain length of time in order to get the results you want. Here’s a brief look at what you can expect the Invisalign timeline to look like.

You have just finished wearing your last set of Invisalign aligners and are now enjoying the benefits of a beautifully straight smile. But the process isn’t quite done; your dentist has given you a retainer to help make sure that the results of your treatment last. The question that naturally comes to your mind is, “How long will I need to wear my retainer?” Here’s a short guide to what you can typically expect.

When you don’t want to have to rely on highly noticeable metal braces to straighten your teeth, Invisalign can be a great alternative. Bear in mind, though, that the success of your Invisalign treatment depends largely on your ability to take proper care of your aligners. To make sure that the Invisalign process stays on track, make sure that you always keep these 4 dos and don’ts in mind.