Patient testimonials

My family and I have gone to Dr. Postol for years. I recommend him to anyone who does not like going to the dentist as it is actually an enjoyable experience. He takes the pain and fear out of dental visits and dental care. I love getting my regular cleanings and should you have problems, he recommends what he feels is the best treatment for you. His staff is so friendly and they make you feel at ease. Choosing a dentist is just as important as choosing a family doctor; you want a capable, knowledgeable dentist who your whole family can go to and trust. Dr. Postol and Team are the best!
Lori, The Hill

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Kids love us!

One of the areas our office is most proud about is the care of your children. We take great pride in having a positive influence in the care of your child and making their visits to our office as enjoyable as possible without any fears or concerns. Parents typically have many questions about their children’s teeth. What we will attempt to do is to answer many of the questions we hear on a daily basis.

How can I care for my baby's gums?

Mouth care should begin at birth. After each feeding, gently wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, damp washcloth or gauze pad.

What about Teething?

Mouth care should begin at birth. After each feeding, gently wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, damp washcloth or gauze pad.Boy, can they be cranky...and no I didn’t enjoy this stage either! The discomfort your baby feels when teeth start coming into the mouth can case minor irritations. You can ease some of the discomfort with a clean finger or a wet gauze pad. A cool teething ring can also help to soothe your baby’s tender gums. When the teeth first appear, on a daily basis begin using a children’s soft-bristle toothbrush or small wet gauze to clean them. Cleaning your baby's teeth after each meal instills good habits early in life.

What is "Baby Bottle Tooth Decay"?

Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by frequent and long-term exposure of a child’s teeth to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas, and other sweetened drinks. This is especially prevalent before bedtime or naptime. You should not use the feeding bottle as a pacifier. If you must give your baby a bottle at bedtime or naptime do not let them fall a sleep with it still in their mouth. You should also not give a baby a pacifier that has been dipped in honey or sugar.

When will my baby's teeth come in?

Teeth begin forming in your baby even before birth. All 20 primary (baby) teeth are present in the jawbones at birth. The two lower front teeth are the first to erupt somewhere between 6-9 months after birth. Do not be concerned if your baby is a little late. By age 3, all 20 baby teeth should be present.

cosmetic Dentist n Ballwin

When should I start brushing my child's teeth?

You should start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they appear. Begin brushing with a child-sized toothbrush and a pea-sized dab of fluoridated toothpaste for at least one minute twice a day. Remember, most children are also getting fluoride from tap water.

What kind of toothbrush?

Because children’s hands and mouths are different than adults, they need toothbrushes specifically designed for them. A fat handle toothbrush is easier for them to control. A child's toothbrush should have soft bristles with rounded ends for safe and gentle cleaning of their teeth and delicate gum tissue.

Who should brush?

Help your child brush at night – the most important time to brush, due to lower salivary flow and higher susceptibility to cavities and plaque. You should let the child brush their teeth first to build self-confidence, then the parent can follow up to ensure that all plaque is removed, especially the back teeth. Usually, by age 6 your child can brush their teeth on their own with proper parental instruction. Helpful Hint: If your child cannot tie their shoes, they do not have the manual dexterity to brush their teeth. Even after the age of 6, parents still need to monitor their children’s brushing habits. Believe it or not we see kids everyday that do not brush their teeth on a daily basis.

What kind of toothpaste should I choose?

One of the best ways to keep your child brushing their teeth is to provide them an ADA accepted fluoride toothpaste that is pleasing and easy to use. The taste of a toothpaste can make brushing a more enjoyable experience, leading to an increase in the frequency and length of time of brushing. Brushing twice a day results in increased fluoride applications and more opportunities to remove plaque.Mouth care should begin at birth. After each feeding, gently wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, damp washcloth or gauze pad.

When should my child first see a Dentist and why?

It is our recommendation in our office to bring your child at the age of three for their first visit. At this time we can carefully examine the development of your child’s mouth. Because dental problems often start early, the sooner the visit the better. To safeguard against problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations, gum disease, and prolonged thumb sucking, we can provide or recommend special preventive care.

How do I prepare my child and myself for the visit?

By putting your child in the proper frame of mind, you can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. Explain to them that the dentist and dental hygienists are friendly people who help to keep teeth healthy. Let your child know in advance exactly what is going to happen at the dentist – teeth examination, cleaning, etc.

Your child's FIRST DENTAL VISIT

Your children are the most important patients in our office. We realize each and every child is different and every child must be treated as an individual. On their first visit in our office we will sit down with both of you and discuss your dental needs and if you have any questions or concerns about their oral health. We will show your child around our office and introduce them to the treatment room and show them how all our different pieces of equipment work. We will review then with you their previous dental history and ask you about their dental home care.

Many first visits are nothing more than an introductory icebreaker to acquaint us with your child. For some youngsters, the trip to the dentist is an absolute enjoyable experience without any fears or concerns. They will jump into the dental chair, open their mouths wide and have a wonderful time. For others, going to the dentist can be very scary and frightful and can lead to lots of tears and sadness. If the child is frightened, uncomfortable or non-cooperative, rescheduling them for another day may be necessary. Patience and calm on the part of the parent and reassuring communication with your child are very important in these instances. Short, successive visits are meant to build the child’s trust in the dentist and the dental office, and can prove invaluable if your child needs to be treated later for any dental problem.

Appointments for children should always be scheduled earlier in the day, when your child is alert and fresh. For children under 3 years of age the parent may need to sit in the dental chair and hold the child during the examination. Also, parents may be asked to wait in the reception area so a relationship can be built between your child and us.

If your child is compliant the first visit often lasts between 15-30 minutes. During the examination our hygienist will first place a disclosing solution on your child’s teeth that will stain the plaque that they missed when they previously brushed their teeth. She will then review with them home care instructions to better help them keep their teeth cavity free. She will then take x-rays of their teeth to see if they have any flossing cavities. Finally, she will clean their teeth and apply a fluoride treatment to help strengthen their teeth and to prevent cavities. Every child has his or her own comfort level. We do not push any treatment unless your child is emotionally ready.

Dr. Postol will then examine your child each time they have their teeth cleaned. He will examine for both brushing and flossing cavities. We will also evaluate your child’s bite to determine if orthodontics will eventually be necessary and if so at what age.

At the conclusion of the appointment Dr. Postol will review with you your child’s dental health and present any findings that he found. Please feel free at anytime to ask questions concerning your child’s oral health, we are more than happy to answer your questions. Our entire dental team and the office should provide a relaxed, non-threatening environment for your child.

Are X-Rays of primary teeth necessary?

Although primary teeth are in your child’s mouth for only a few years it is very important that they are kept in the best health. We may want to take an x-ray to detect any unseen cavities that need to be filled, or to make sure the adult teeth that are already present below the gums surface are in good position.

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