The Dental Anesthesia Center is available for non-emergent anesthesia and dental procedures. We have always made patient safety our number one priority. Due to the seriousness of the COVID-19 virus, several new systems have been put in place to ensure your safety that include having multiple air purification systems installed throughout the office and new social distancing guidelines for our waiting areas. We look forward to seeing you at your next dental visit and appreciate your patience during this time. To read our full COVID-19 Guidelines, please click HERE.

St. Louis Sedation, Sleep & Special Needs Dentistry :: The Dental Anesthesia Center

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10 Tips for a Healthy Smile

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You brush your teeth twice a day and floss. Is there really more you can do to take good care of your teeth?

Although brushing and flossing regularly is essential, optimum oral hygiene involves more than just your ordinary routine. Many factors contribute to cavities and gum disease. So even though you brush and floss, it’s likely not enough to keep your smile looking its best.

10 Tips to Healthy Teeth

  1. Properly brush your teeth – Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush along with fluoride toothpaste at a 45-degree angle is the correct way to brush. At this angle, you will not only brush your teeth but will brush along the gum line where plaque builds up.
  2. Use the right toothpaste – Unless you have a health problem that prevents you from using fluoride, you should choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
  3. Floss Daily – Do not ignore this important step. Flossing helps eliminate food particles, and plaque stuck between the gums and enamels that brushing often cannot reach. When food and plaque remain in these areas, it can lead to a build-up of tartar, leading to gum disease.
  4. Don’t forget your tongue – Your tongue can house bad bacteria that can lead to bad breath. So give your tongue a gentle scrub with your soft-bristled toothbrush.
  5. Use a fluoride mouthwash – Using mouthwash is an important step in preventing gum disease. Fluoride rinses protect tooth enamel from plaque and tartar build-up and also helps rinse away food debris.
  6. Keep medical issues in check – Medical issues and diseases like diabetes can harm a person’s oral health. There is a strong link between physical and oral health. So, make sure to take care of your overall health.
  7. Pay attention to what you eat and drink – Candy, sugary drinks, and other types of foods create a bad environment in our mouths. The bad bacteria present in our mouth feeds on sugar, creating more bad bacteria, which leads to plaque.
  8. Eat foods that are gum healthy – Many foods are good for our oral health. For instance, onions consist of antibacterial properties that help protect your gums. Kale, spinach, and other leafy vegetables are rich in Vitamin C, which can help reduce gum inflammation. Finally, cheese and yogurt have protein compounds that help prevent enamel erosion.
  9. Regular dental checkups – Regular dental cleanings and checkups serve two important purposes. First, dental cleanings help eliminate plaque buildup that is often missed when brushing and flossing. Second, an exam will identify any issues like gingivitis and gum disease. Early detection is key to prevent other more serious problems.
  10. Quit smoking! – Using tobacco products increases a person’s risk of developing gum disease. This is the case even if you take excellent care of your teeth. The sooner you quit, the faster your body begins to heal your gums.

Schedule Your Checkup Today

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle dental care that you deserve from sedation dentists in St. Louis. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

How We Provide Special Care Dentistry to Children with Special Needs

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We understand the unique challenges for patients with special needs, and we strive to make each child feel comfortable, safe, and welcome.

Every child deserves to have a happy and healthy smile! At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value every patient who walks through our doors, from toddlers to teens.

Children with special needs often require more attentive dental care, which is why our team is highly trained and experienced in providing dental care to children of all abilities. We want everyone to enjoy exceptional oral health and provide each patient with the opportunity to have just that.

Individualized Care

Our goal is to provide your child with the best oral care possible. No matter what a person’s abilities, each person is unique and different. Therefore, we create individualized treatment plans and oral hygiene routines for your child and provide support and resources regarding patient and parent education. We are always open and honest about your child’s oral health needs.

Comfortable Dental Care

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we make sure that your child has a positive dental experience. We provide comfortable dental care in a relaxed setting. We understand the unique challenges for patients with special needs, and we strive to make each child feel comfortable, safe, and welcome. One of the ways we do this is by being aware of sensory overloads and overstimulation.

Based on your child’s medical needs and abilities, we offer sedation dentistry as a safe and comfortable option. When you bring your child in for an appointment, Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms, or Dr. Daugherty will decide which level is best.

Sedation Dentistry for Children with Special Needs

Dr. Hoffmann and Dr. Thoms complete dental procedures for patients with special needs requiring general anesthesia or sedation. Individuals with special physical or mental needs can receive complete dental care in a comfortable setting. Patients with special needs can have a thorough exam that includes taking x-rays and receiving a dental cleaning with general anesthesia. The Dental Anesthesia team is compassionate and here to help patients accomplish dental care they may have never had before.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

Fun Facts About Teeth for Kids!

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Educating your kids on what our teeth are and how they work is a great way to get them interested in taking care of their teeth with a good dental health routine.

Our teeth are kind of strange. Yet, that is was makes them so fun and interesting to learn about! If you want to teach your children about how amazing their teeth are, we have compiled a list of fun facts that you can share with them.

Educating your kids on what our teeth are and how they work is a great way to get them interested in taking care of their teeth with a good dental health routine.

Facts About Our Amazing Teeth

  1. Teeth are extremely strong – Our teeth are made of something called enamel. Enamel is the hardest material in our body. It is even stronger than our bones and has the highest percentage of minerals out of our other body parts. It’s a good thing they are so durable since we cannot regrow our teeth if they were easy to break. This is one essential reason to take such good care of our teeth!
  2. Our teeth are as unique as our fingerprints – The way our teeth grow in our mouth is unique. In fact, every person has their own bite that cannot be replicated by anyone else. This is even true for a person who gets braces. After wearing braces and having straight teeth, a person’s bite would still be entirely different from another’s.
  3. Teeth are not bones – It’s easy to see why someone would think that teeth are bones, after all, they are white and hard. But our teeth are made up of different materials than our bones. They are different because bones can heal themselves, but no matter how long you wait, your teeth cannot heal themselves.
  4. Cheese protects our teeth – The next time you eat a piece of cheese, think about this – cheese creates a layer over the top of our teeth that protects them from plaque and acid. Also, cheese contains high phosphate and calcium levels, which helps strengthen our teeth from the inside. However, it’s still important to brush your teeth at night.
  5. Tooth decay is the number one disease in children – Yes, tooth decay is the number one chronic disease with kids today. It’s five times more common than fevers and asthma. When left untreated, tooth decay can cause some serious problems.
  6. Ancient Egyptians had dentists – Dentists were considered important health care providers in ancient Egypt. They helped people with many different oral health issues. They would fill loose teeth with an herbal mixture. They even performed sophisticated operations like surgical removal of abscesses and jaw replacements. The Egyptians also used toothbrushes to keep their teeth clean.
  7. Sugar makes harmful acid – Candy and soda contain sugar that reacts with bacteria in your mouth. This reaction forms an acid that erodes our teeth. People who drink a lot of soda are constantly exposing their teeth to this harmful acid.
  8. Things live in our mouth – Did you know that we have things that live in our mouth? It’s called bacteria – you can’t see or taste them, but they are there. It’s estimated that our mouths have more than 700 species of these microorganisms or bacteria living on our teeth, tongue, and in other parts. Most of the bacteria in our mouths are harmless and actually helpful. But others can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Take Good Care of Your Teeth

Yes, our teeth are kind of strange, but they are amazing! Therefore, it’s essential to take care of our teeth. Brushing and flossing twice a day and keeping up with dental checkups are vital for the health of our teeth and our bodies.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

How Childrens’ Mental Health Disorders Affect Their Oral Health

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When it comes to maintaining good oral health for your child, you are not alone. We are here to help!

Mental health affects the health of the entire body, including oral health. Children with mental health disorders are more likely to suffer from oral health conditions such as cavities and gum disease. Oral health affects more than just the teeth and mouth. It has an impact on a person’s physical and mental health.

If your child suffers from a mental health disorder, we understand how challenging it is to take care of their physical needs. At the Dental Anesthesia Center in St. Louis, we specialize in working with children with special needs, thanks to our years of experience. When it comes to maintaining good oral health for your child, you are not alone. We are here to help!

Types of Mental Health Disorders

Children can develop the same mental health disorders as adults, but their symptoms may be different. Mental health is the overall wellness of how a person thinks, regulates their feelings and behavior. In children, mental health disorders are generally defined as delays or disruptions in developing age-appropriate thinking, social skills, behaviors, or regulation of emotions.

Some of the most common mental health disorders in children include, but are not limited to:

  • ADHD – Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • ASD – Autism spectrum disorder
  • Depression or other mood disorders
  • PTSD – Post-traumatic stress disorder

How Mental Health Affects Oral Health

A child’s mental and oral health are more closely connected than you may realize. Mental illness can lead to certain coping disorders that hurt their oral health.

Children with mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety may engage in behaviors or have other issues caused by their illness that adversely affect oral health; some of these include:

  • Loss of appetite – which leads to poor nutrition
  • Dental anxiety
  • Difficulty performing daily tasks like brushing teeth
  • Dry mouth
  • Drinking or eating too many sugary beverages or food
  • Low energy

Anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders can make a child feel like not eating. On the other hand, it might make them crave sugary drinks and treats. Both can cause poor nutrition and lead to tooth decay and cavities. Poor nutrition may also lower calcium levels which can weaken the enamel on the teeth. Eating disorders such as bulimia cause stomach acid to erode teeth and also lead to poor nutrition.

Some medications used to treat mental health disorders can cause dry mouth as a side effect. A dry mouth can increase a person’s risk of developing gum disease.

Special Needs Dentistry

Children with special needs require special dental attention. Everyone has the same need to maintain positive oral health to remain healthy overall. The Dental Anesthesia team is compassionate and here to help patients accomplish dental care that they need. We’ve been working with special needs patients for over 25 years. We understand what it is like to work with children and adults with mental health disorders in St. Louis, and that is why it is our goal to provide the most comfortable experience possible.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

How Common is Dental Anxiety and Why Do People Have It?

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If you have not been to the dentist because you suffer from moderate to severe dental phobia, we are here to help!

According to the NCBI, 36% of people suffer from dental anxiety or dental fear. Another 12% suffer from extreme dental fear. This means that it is a fairly common problem that many Americans experience. But the question remains, why are people afraid of the dentist?

Nearly half of all people with dental problems avoid dental care due to their fears and anxiety. If you experience dental anxiety, even extreme dental fear, The Dental Anesthesia Center is here to help. Modern, safe anesthesia techniques allow the fearful patient to have dental procedures accomplished without the anxiety associated with dentistry.

Forms of Dental Anxiety

We hear the terms dental fear, dental anxiety, and dental phobia. Are they just different ways of saying the same thing?

Dental fear, or also phobia, and dental anxiety are different psychological stages for patients. A person who experiences dental anxiety has apprehension or feels a sense of danger or uneasiness in dental situations. On the other hand, dental fear or a phobia is regarded as a physiological, emotional, and behavioral response to a feared stimulus.

A person with a dental phobia has a more serious condition than anxiety. They may feel terrified and panic-stricken. They may be aware that their fear is irrational, but they cannot really do anything about it. This fear, unfortunately, keeps them from going to the dentist unless in severe pain or an emergency.

Causes of Dental Phobia or Anxiety

There can be many reasons why some people experience fear or anxiety about going to the dentist. Some of the common reasons include:

  • Fear of pain – This is a common issue for a lot of people. This fear generally stems from an early dental experience that was painful or unpleasant. For some, they have heard so-called horror stories from others.
  • Fear of injections – Many people are terrified of needles, especially when needing an injection in the mouth.
  • Fear the injection won’t work – Included in fear of needles is a fear that the anesthesia won’t work. Perhaps they feel it hasn’t taken effect yet or that it wasn’t a large enough dose to eliminate the pain completely.
  • Fear of the side effects from the anesthetics – Anesthetics can make a person feel nausea, dizziness, or faint. It also makes the area that is numb feel very strange. Many fear these odd feelings.
  • Fear of not being in control – Many people have feelings of helplessness and loss of control. After all, they are sitting in a dental chair with their mouth open wide, unable to see everything that’s going on.
  • Embarrassment – Many people feel self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth or mouth.
  • Loss of personal space – Many people do not like being close to others. They may feel uncomfortable about the physical closeness of the hygienist or dentist in their face.

A Comfortable Solution

Modern dentistry has made significant advancements in recent years. Many of today’s dental procedures are considerably less painful or even pain-free. If you have not been to the dentist because you suffer from moderate to severe dental phobia, Dr. Michael J. Hoffmann, Dr. Sean M. Thoms, and Dr. Victoria Q. Daugherty are here to help you. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver the gentle dental care you deserve.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

Dental Exams for Patients with Physical Disabilities

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We provide easy access to dental care for patients with physical disabilities.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844
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According to the CDC, 61 million adults in the U.S. live with a physical disability. These can limit a person’s mobility, stamina, and over physical functioning. As a result, they may need to use a wheelchair, crutches, or other forms of assistance. A physical disability can make it difficult, even impossible, for an individual to complete daily activities independently.

If you or a loved one deals with these limitations, we understand that they can make it difficult for you to receive the dental care you need. However, at The Dental Anesthesia Center, we can care for patients with special needs.

Common Physical Disabilities

Patients who live with physical disabilities are more likely to develop oral health complications, like gum disease, cavities, and dental defects. Some of the common physical disabilities include:

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Blindness or serious difficulty seeing
  • Deafness or serious difficulty hearing
  • Cognitive disabilities
  • Chronic Arthritis
  • Epilepsy
  • Brain injuries

Special Needs Dentistry

Also known as special care dentistry, special needs dentistry is a special form of dentistry that helps children and adults who have intellectual disabilities and other medical, physical, or psychiatric issues. You or the person that you care for with special needs must find a qualified and experienced dentist. This requires a special needs dentist to:

  • Know the medical, physical, mental, or behavioral conditions to manage oral health needs better and accommodate the appointment.
  • Have assistants who are trained to better monitor and control the patient during examinations and treatment.
  • Have an efficient and systematic approach to the exam and treatment so that appointments are managed appropriately.
  • Provide sedation dentistry to help the patient receive extensive dental care in a comfortable and safe setting.
  • Have flexible appointment scheduling

Qualified Special Needs Dentists

Developmentally disabilities, special needs, and medically compromised individuals suffer from various dental problems just like everyone else! From dental abscesses to throbbing pain, cavities, and gum disease, everyone requires individual attention and dental care. We are here to help you and your loved one here at The Dental Anesthesia Center.

Dr. Hoffmann and Dr. Thoms are highly qualified Dental Anesthesiologists, providing care for a wide array of patients in the office. We are a full-service dental practice providing care to various patients for their dental needs and desires.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844