Darren G. Koch's Blog

With only three months left in 2020, you may be eagerly awaiting the moment the clock strikes midnight on December 31, allowing you to officially say “so long” to the year plagued by COVID-19, face masks, and social distancing. But with 2021 coming quickly, have you used your dental benefits as you should? Have you seen your dentist a second time this year? Do you need a more complex procedure but are avoiding it until a later time? While there are still a few months left in 2020, let a dentist explain why it’s in your best interest to take advantage of your dental benefits now.

Washing your hands, maintaining social distancing, wearing a mask, and regularly cleaning your environment are all important ways in which you can protect yourself from COVID-19. But did you know that maintaining a healthy smile might also help you stay well during this pandemic? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the fascinating connection between your oral health and your immune system.

There’s nothing worse than taking that first sip of morning coffee and being met with a sharp, shooting pain in your teeth. Immediately reaching for your mouth, you wonder what could be causing such a high level of discomfort. Tooth sensitivity is real, and millions of people experience it. If you want to get back to enjoying your cup of joe, favorite ice cream, or even a nice, chilled glass of water, read on to hear what an emergency dentist has to say about treatment for sensitive teeth.

When someone wants to make dramatic changes to their smile, porcelain veneers are an outstanding choice. Whether you’re correcting chips, stains, misshapen teeth, or even small gaps and minor crowding, veneers will give your smile a whole new appearance. Not to mention that they’re long-lasting and durable and can be completed in just a couple of visits! But after getting your final results, you may be concerned about staining. Keep reading to learn how porcelain veneers actually resist stains and how to keep them looking great for as long as possible.

Dear Valued Patients,

We are pleased to announce that our office is open with regular hours and we are taking all appointments!

The entire team of Darren G. Koch, DDS, PA hopes this email finds you and your family in good health. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding regarding our temporary office closure intended to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Along with social distancing, we know that cleanliness and hand hygiene are an important defense against the COVID-19 virus. For dentists, personal hygiene standards for themselves and their staff have always been high, and those standards have only become more stringent since the pandemic began. Keep reading to learn how dental offices go above and beyond when practicing hand hygiene. These protocols are designed to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus so you can get the dental care you need without worry!

People often underestimate the positive aspects of mouthwash. While brushing and flossing seem to be the two things most dental professionals talk about when discussing oral hygiene, rinsing is equally as important because of its many benefits. Because COVID-19 remains a problem throughout the world, your dentist is working to identify ways in which you can better protect yourself as well as your dental team, one of which is to perform a rinse before an appointment. How is this being accomplished? Read on to find out.

Along with seeing a dentist for regular checkups, a good oral hygiene routine at home is the foundation of your dental health. The cleaner you keep your teeth and gums, the fewer problems you’ll have and the less dental work you’ll need. And though it may seem inconsequential, the quality of your toothbrush can be essential to achieving that goal. In this blog, you’ll find out what to look for in a toothbrush and how often to replace it. With these guidelines, you’ll remove more plaque and keep your smile in better shape overall. Learn more below!

A dental emergency can happen at any time, and the best way to be prepared is by knowing who to call before it happens. And during the COVID-19 crisis, this is more important than ever! But how should you go about finding a high-quality emergency dentist that you can count on? Start online by looking through their website for the 4 criteria below. If they “check all the boxes,” you can be confident that you and your family will get great care when you need it most. Learn more below!  

In the midst of the guidelines for self-isolation and “shelter in place” during the COVID-19 crisis, you may already know that elective dental procedures are postponed for at least the next several weeks. But what about dental emergencies? At this time, people are encouraged to avoid hospital emergency rooms whenever possible to keep from overwhelming healthcare facilities that are already strained. However, an emergency dentist is still available for assistance! Learn more below about what to do in a dental emergency during this time.