Dental Emergency

Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

Here are some tips for common dental emergencies: 

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Then, get to your dentist’s office right away. 
• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. 
• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. 
• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues. 
• For objects stuck in the mouth, try to gently remove with floss but do not try to remove it with sharp or pointed instruments. 

When you have a dental emergency, it’s important to visit your dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible.

Here are some simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth:   

• Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities. 
• Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth. 
• Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things. 

Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients. Call your dentist and provide as much detail as possible about your condition.

The above article is from mouthhealthy.org

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com 

New Year, Healthier Mouth

Below is an excerpt from an article found on mouthhealthy.org

What does ringing in the new year have to do with being mouth healthy? 

More than you may think. Did you know that you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months? Bristles that become frayed and worn are less effective at cleaning your teeth. That means, celebrating the new year with a brand new toothbrush is actually smart dental hygiene.

Here are MouthHealthy resolutions:

• Start brushing 2min2x. Always brush twice a day for two minutes for healthier teeth, good breath, fewer cavities, and to avoid painful dental problems. 
• Floss daily. Flossing is part of being mouth healthy.
• Chew sugarless gum. Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.
• Eat a healthy diet. Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Drink fluoridated water. Fluoride helps prevent cavities by making teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that cause cavities.
• See your dentist. Regular dental visits will help you be Mouth Healthy for Life.  

To read the entire article visit mouthhealthy.org

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com 

Finding A Dentist

Below is an excerpt from an article found on colgate.com

How Do I Look for a Dentist? 

A good place to start is by asking for a referral from people you trust — your friends, family, acquaintances, work associates, pharmacist or family doctor. Ask them how long they've gone to their dentist, how comfortable they feel asking questions, what type of dentist they go to (general or specialist). It is important that you find a dentist with whom you feel comfortable.

Other ways to find a dentist include:

• Calling your local dental society for a list of recommended dentists in your area. Your local dental society can be found in the Yellow Pages under "dentist."
• Searching online for dentists in your area. More and more dentists have websites explaining their approach and treatment methods.

What Kind of Dentist Should I Look for?

General dentists are trained to do all types of treatment. If you have difficult or unusual problems, your dentist may refer you to one of the following specialists:

• Pediatric Dentists/Pedodontists specialize in pediatric (children's) dentistry.
• Endodontists diagnose and treat diseased tooth pulp and perform root canal work (many general dentists also perform root canals).
• Prosthodontists specialize in crowns, bridges and dentures.
• Oral pathologists use laboratory procedures to diagnose diseases of the mouth. They also specialize in forensic dentistry.
• Oral/Maxillofacial surgeons perform surgical treatments, such as removing cysts, tumors and teeth. They can correct fractures or other jaw problems that require surgery, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ). They also use methods similar to those of plastic surgery to treat cosmetic problems of the jaw and face.
• Orthodontists correct improperly positioned teeth, using braces and other appliances to move teeth into a better position.
• Periodontists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease.

How do You Become a Practicing Dentist?

A general practitioner or specialist can be degreed as either a D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine), depending on the school from which he/she graduated. The requirements for each degree are identical: four years of post-graduate study for general practice plus one to two years of advanced study for a particular specialty. A graduate must then pass a state licensing examination in order to begin practice.

To read the entire article visit colgate.com

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853

www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com 

Root Canals: FAQs About Treatment That Can Save Your Tooth

If you have a severely damaged, decaying tooth or a serious tooth infection (abscess), your dentist may recommend a root canal treatment. Root canals are used to repair and save your tooth instead of removing it. 

What’s Involved in Root Canal Repair?

The pulp is soft tissue inside your tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels and provides nourishment for your tooth. It can become infected if you have: 

• A deep cavity
• Repeated dental procedures that disturb this tissue
• A cracked or fractured tooth
• Injury to the tooth (even if there’s not a visible crack or chip)

If untreated, the tissues around the root of your tooth can become infected. When this happens, you will often feel pain and swelling and an abscess may form inside the tooth and/or in the bone around the end of the root of the tooth. An infection can also put you at risk of losing your tooth completely because bacteria can damage the bone that keeps your tooth connected to your jaw.

Can I Get This Treatment Done During My Regular Check-up Visit?

Your dentist will need to schedule a follow up appointment, or you may be referred to a dentist who specializes in the pulp and tissues surrounding the teeth. This specialist is known as an endodontist.

What Should I Expect?

A root canal treatment usually takes 1 or 2 office visits to complete. There is little to no pain because your dentist will use local anesthesia so you don’t feel the procedure. Once the procedure is complete, you should no longer feel the pain you felt before having it done. 

Before treatment begins, your dentist will:

• Take X-rays to get a clear view of your tooth and the surrounding bone. 
• Numb the area around and including your tooth so you are comfortable during the treatment. 
• Put a thin sheet of latex rubber over your tooth to keep it dry, clean and protected from viruses, bacteria and fungus that are normally in the mouth.

During treatment, your dentist will:

• Create an opening in the top of your tooth.
• Remove the tooth’s nerve from inside the tooth and in the areas in the root, known the root canal. 
• Clean inside the tooth and each root canal. Your dentist may treat the tooth with germ-killing medicine.
• Fill the root canals with a rubber-like material to seal them against future infection.
• Place a temporary filling on the tooth to protect it until a definitive restoration like a permanent filling or crown can be placed at the earliest opportunity.

After root canal treatment:

• Your tooth and the area around it may feel sensitive for a few days. You can talk with your dentist about how to relieve any discomfort you may have.
• Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics if the infection spread. Use as directed, and follow up with your dentist if you have any problems taking it.

You will need a follow-up visit after the root canal treatment. At this visit, your dentist will remove the temporary filling on the tooth and replace it with a regular filling or a crown to protect your tooth from further damage. A metal or plastic post may also be placed in the root canal to help make sure the filling materials remain in place. This helps support a crown if you need one.

How Long Will a Root Canal Filling Last?

With proper care, your restored tooth can last a lifetime. Make it a point to brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth once a day and see your dentist regularly to make sure your teeth are strong and healthy.

To read the entire article visit mouthhealthy.org

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com 

Dentist: Doctors of Oral Health

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the role played by Dentists!

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com

Difference Between DDS and DMD

Below is an article found on MouthHealthy.org.

If you’re looking to find a dentist you may notice that while most are listed with a “DDS”, some may be listed as “DMD”. They both mean the same thing-your dentist graduated from an accredited dental school. The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees. Dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education. It’s up to the universities to determine what degree is awarded, but both degrees use the same curriculum requirements.

Did you know that the level of education and clinical training required to earn a dental degree is on par with those of medical schools?
Generally, three or more years of undergraduate education plus four years of dental school is required to graduate and become a general dentist. Upon completion of their training, dentists must pass both a rigorous national written exam and a state or regional clinical licensing exam in order to practice. In order to keep their licenses, they must meet continuing education requirements for the remainder of their careers so that they may stay up to date on the latest scientific and clinical developments. Additional post-graduate training is required to become a dental specialist, such as an orthodontist, periodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

The article also contains links about: 

• Looking for a dentist? 
• Interested in a dental career?

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com

Dental Visits are Important

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the importance in visiting the dentist.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com 

Sugarless Gum

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about sugarless gum.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com 

Dental Visits are Important

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the importance in visiting the dentist.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com 

Sugarless Gum

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about sugarless gum.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com 

Dentist: Doctors of Oral Health

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the role played by Dentists!

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com 

Top Dental Symptoms: Sensitive Teeth

If your teeth hurt when you drink hot or cold beverages, you may have sensitive teeth. This can be the result of tooth decay, fractured teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, worn tooth enamel or an exposed tooth root due to gum recession. Treatment will depend on the source of sensitivity. If you’re concerned about the sensitivity of your teeth see your dentist for diagnosis and treatment options.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853 
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com

Top Dental Symptoms: Mouth Sores

Types of mouth sores include canker sores, cold sores, leukoplakia and candidiasis. They vary in their severity and causes. Mouth sores could be the symptom of a disease or disorder; infection from bacteria, viruses or fungus or result from irritation caused by braces, dentures or the sharp edge of a broken tooth or filling. Your dentist should examine any mouth sore that lasts a week or longer.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853 
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com

Top Dental Symptoms: Cracked or Broken Teeth

A cracked or broken tooth can happen for a variety of reasons- brittle teeth, teeth grinding, injury. The crack may be invisible to the naked eye and even X-ray, but they can be incredibly painful and create bigger problems if left untreated. If you experience pain when chewing see your dentist. They can diagnose the cause and develop a plan for treatment.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853 
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com

Dental Digital Imaging

Latest Technology for Reduced Radiation
Introducing digital X-rays, available at our practice. With this technology, an image is taken of your mouth with a digital sensor and downloaded into our computer, where it is immediately available. This method results in 75% less radiation than conventional X-rays. No more waiting for images to develop and no more chemical waste to pollute the environment.

A Camera that Creates Teamwork
Our promise to our patients is to work hand-in-hand with you to successfully reach your goals through teamwork. We use the intra-oral camera technology to show you a close view of the interior of your mouth. With such an image, you can easily see what we need to work on and be a part of each decision. 

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853 
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com 

Athletic Mouthguard Dentist

Mouthguard Protection for your Teeth
Each year in the U.S., 5 million teeth are knocked out without the use of mouthguard protection. A one-size-fits-all device sold in stores can make breathing difficult during exertion. But a custom made mouthguard will fit well and protect an individual in any sport. The American Dental Association recommends this protection for: field hockey, skiing, gymnastics, basketball, football, lacrosse, handball, roller hockey, ice hockey, boxing, squash, skateboarding, weight lifting, martial arts, surfing, racquetball, shotputting, skydiving, soccer, volleyball, acrobats, wrestling, and rugby.


Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853 
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com

Professional Teeth Cleaning St Louis MO

Plaque and tartar can accumulate on teeth over an extended period of time. Plaque can be removed with daily brushing, but sometimes it hardens into tartar, which is not easily removed. When tartar collects below the gumline and/or on the surface of teeth, you are risking problems that could lead to infections and tooth loss. Modern research links untreated gum infections to serious medical conditions like diabetes, heart problems, and strokes. Please make an appointment with our dental hygienist to have a professional cleaning twice a year for overall good health.

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853 
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com 

Dental Root Canal Treatment

Hopeless Teeth Can Be Saved
Extraction of teeth due to damaged or infected roots should be a last resort. A root canal procedure can save the tooth by taking out the pulp and putting in filling material. When you save a tooth, it prevents bone loss and other teeth from moving, which could alter your appearance or bite. With today’s anesthetics and technology, saving a tooth can be a relaxed procedure as well as beneficial.

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853 
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com 

How Enamel Protects Your Teeth

What Causes Tooth Enamel Damage?
Enamel is kind of like the shell of an egg: it protects the softer, more vulnerable part of the tooth inside.
But unlike an eggshell, the thin layer of enamel is tough.

In fact, enamel is the hardest substance in the body. It can withstand decades of biting, chewing and crunching -- with some luck and good dental care.

Above article from: WebMD.com/oral-health

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853 
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com

Meet the Doctors

Dr. Stewart, Dr. Vadnal, and the entire team at Infinite Smiles are pleased to be able to offer beautiful smiles to their neighbors in St. Louis and Glen Carbon, as well as the surrounding communities.

Chad R. Stewart, DMD

“I feel that it is extremely important to listen to you and focus on your needs and wants.”

Dr. Stewart is committed to providing the highest quality oral healthcare in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. He believes every patient deserves the best and treats everyone with the same care and consideration as his own family.

After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL,
Dr. Stewart earned his dental degree from the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. He has spent his entire professional career serving the families of the St. Louis area. He continues to attend education courses and has worked with leaders in his field to ensure the latest techniques and the best materials to provide the worry-free dentistry you deserve.

In his free time, Dr. Stewart enjoys spending time with his family and friends and playing with his sons, Brice and Shane. He enjoys both playing and watching most sports when possible. A little golf or fishing makes for a great day!

Melanie L. Vadnal, DMD

“Your smile is one of the first things others notice about you. Life is too short to let insecurities about your oral health hold you back.”
Dr. Vadnal understands you have a choice of where you seek your oral health care. As a result, the team at Infinite Smiles is thorough and uses the latest techniques in our commitment to a lifetime of highest quality care for you and your family.

Dr. Vadnal received her bachelor’s degree from Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL, before graduating from the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. She has lived in the St. Louis area for over 20 years and is proud to serve the families of her home. She listens to your needs and concerns and discusses all of your options with you before proceeding with treatment. You can stop dreaming of a beautiful smile and make it happen today.

Away from the office, Dr. Vadnal loves spending time with her husband, Chad, and sons, Brice and Shane. She is a big Elvis fan and enjoys outdoor music venues and festivals.

Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com