If you start each day with a headache . . . if taking over-the-counter painkillers are as much a part of your morning routine as drinking a cup of coffee . . . you may have TMJ disorder .

TMJ dysfunction is a term used to describe numerous disorders that result in disharmony of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), muscles that position and move the jaw, and teeth. The TMJ is the joint that connects the upper and lower jaws; you move it every time you bite, chew and speak.  When the top jaw and the bottom jaw aren’t in balance (called malocclusion), the TMJ is affected.  Surprisingly, it doesn’t take a lot to throw your jaw out of alignment. It can be as simple as a worn tooth throwing off the balance. But even the slightest shift can cause a variety of painful TMJ symptoms, including;

• Headaches/Migraines
• Neck, shoulder or back pain
• Facial pain
• Clicking or grating sounds in the jaw joints
• Limited movement or locking jaw
• Unexplained loose teeth
• Worn, chipped or cracked teeth
• Cracked, chipped or broken dental restorations
• Pain or soreness around the jaw joints
• Congestion or stuffiness of the ears

If you experience any of these painful symptoms on a regular basis, call my Buckhead dental practice to schedule your TMJ evaluation.

Has fear of the dentist been keeping you from getting a dental checkup? Or worse, is it keeping you from dental treatment you know you need? You’re not alone. It’s estimated that 75 percent of US adults experience some level of fear or anxiety about the dentist.

If you’ve been avoiding taking care of your dental health because of fear, you’re putting your teeth and your health at risk. (Your oral health is directly linked to your overall health).

Stop taking chances. Sedation dentistry offered in my Buckhead dental practice can ease your anxieties and help you completely relax while you’re here.

Sedation dentistry, also known as oral sedation, is ideal for patients who:

• Have severe dental anxiety
• Experience fatigue when keeping their jaw open for treatment
• Have a strong gag reflex
• Need complex care that would otherwise require several visits

Safe and effective, sedation dentistry will help you feel completely relaxed at your next dental visit. All you have to do is take a prescribed medication prior to your appointment. By the time you arrive, you’ll feel totally at ease.

Put your dental fears to rest. Call my Buckhead dental office and ask about sedation dentistry today.

An old English proverb states that the eyes are the windows to the soul. That may be true but many health care professionals are discovering that the mouth is the window to your overall health. That’s one of the reasons dentists are such an important part of your healthcare team. We have been trained to look for all kinds of minor changes in your mouth to indicate whether your body is healthy or not. In addition, making sure that your gums are healthy and that the bacteria in your mouth is minimal, can keep your body healthy as well. In between dental checkups and visits for your more advanced cosmetic or restorative dental procedures, you can check your mouth for these changes:

Ÿ  A pale tongue could indicate an iron deficiency or anemia

Ÿ  Bright red, puffy, or abscessed gums could mean that you have gum disease or periodontal disease, an illness that could cause more than gum discomfort and actually make you sick or lead to heart attacks and strokes

Ÿ  Thick, stringy saliva could indicate dry mouth, which leads to tooth decay, oral yeast infections and gum disease.

Ÿ  Pimples, abscesses or sores anywhere in your mouth could indicate oral cancer, one of the fastest growing cancers today!

If you see ANY changes in your oral tissues or if your teeth have changed color  give us a call right away! If not, keep checking and take care of your oral – and overall health – with comprehensive dental care. For more information, call me, Dr. Todd Davis in Atlanta Georgia at  404-255-7500 today!

Did you see the recent report from ABC news showing the damaging effects of sports and energy drinks? If you did, and you have been a consistent user of sports or energy drinks in the past, you are probably wondering what you can do to protect your teeth and replace those drinks to stay hydrated and healthy.  Water is, of course, your safest bet for hydration and tooth health.   Tap water that is fluoridated is a better source than bottled water that does not contain any protective fluoride. You can fill a bottle with fluoridated tap water.  If you are drinking these sports drinks, sodas, or any other acidic beverage that contains a sugar source, you are more prone to decay and cavities.  Make sure you are brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and getting regular cleanings.   You also may want to discuss fluoride treatments.  Call me, Dr. Todd Davis in Atlanta Georgia at 404-255-7500 today!

It is interesting to realize that people throughout history have been concerned about their oral health.  The first recorded tools for  maintaining oral health were simply sticks frayed at the end to create a brushy texture. To complement these sticks, people often used various concoctions such as talc, honey, fruit – even lizards!  The first actually effective toothpaste was created by the Egyptians of salt, mint and dried iris flowers, a plant known to be an effective agent against gum disease. I don’t recommend using Irises from your yard. Instead, I tell my patients to use Fluoridated toothpaste and our professional dental cleanings to keep teeth clean, bright and healthy. Regular cleanings by your dentist are crucial for maintaining  good health, but in between, proper brushing can clear away bacteria and keep your teeth bright. As an added bonus, the mintiness of toothpaste will freshen your breath while the slight abrasive quality will help clear away stains. If you are due for your regular, professional hygiene visit, or if you have any questions about your brushing or flossing technique,

call me, Dr. Todd Davis in  Atlanta Georgia at 30342 404-255-7500

Sometimes the unexpected happens – a car accident, sports, all those sodas finally catching up with you, medications that discolor your teeth in ways that can’t be bleached… If something happens to your front teeth, it can feel devastating. Broken, discolored, chipped or damaged teeth in the front of your smile can be so embarrassing. Don’t worry! We have an easy and convenient solution to repair and beautify your smile – porcelain dental veneers. Porcelain veneers are not only natural looking, they are stain resistant and strong to give you a beautiful, healthy smile that will last for years and years. To find out more about the porcelain veneers we offer in our Atlanta dental office, call 30342 404-255-7500.

Everyone knows that regular dental check-ups and cleanings from a Buckhead dentist can keep your teeth and gums healthy. But what you might find surprising is that this basic dental care may also save your life.

Regular dental exams allow your Buckhead dentist to check for signs of periodontal (gum) disease. Once considered a threat to teeth, periodontal disease is now a proven threat to your health.

It’s true. Studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Periodontology report that periodontal disease can lead to an increased risk for:

• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Certain Cancers (including pancreatic cancer)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Difficulty controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes
• Premature Birth
• Low Birth-Weight Babies
• and more

Do you have gum disease? Check for the following symptoms: swollen gums, gums that bleed when you brush or floss, loose teeth, receding gum line and halitosis. Just be aware that gum disease can be present without having any symptoms at all.

Err on the side of caution. If you haven’t been to your Buckhead dentist in the past six months, schedule a dental exam today.  Periodontal disease is very treatable, and even reversible. With state-of-the-art dental technology and advanced periodontal therapy, treating gum disease is more gentle, comfortable and effective than ever before.

Keep your smile and you health. Just visit my Buckhead dental practice for your regular check-ups and cleanings every six months. Brush and floss daily at home and use an oral irrigator. It isn’t hard to have a healthy smile.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Buckhead, you owe it to yourself to do more than check out the Yellow Pages. Today, to choose the right dentist for your needs, you have to do a little research.

Why? Because these days, dentists and the dentistry they practice are as different as apples and oranges. To get the best care available, you have to make sure that the dentist you choose not only offers the care you need, but is also staying abreast of the most current technologies, techniques and materials.

Most of the information you need is available on the Internet. But before any of the searching starts, ask yourself some questions:

What kind of dentist do I need?

• A family dentist that offers comprehensive care in one location?
• A dentist that focuses on restorative dental care, like filling, bridges, crowns, dentures, etc. for the more mature patient?
• A dentist that offers more specialized care like cosmetic dentistry? Endodontics? Periodontics?  Orthodontics, TMJ treatment, etc?
• A dentist that complements care with comfort, from sedation to patient amenities?

What is my purpose for seeking this kind of dental care?

• To maintain my oral health?
• To restore my mouth to health? Do I have broken teeth? Do I want to replace missing teeth?
• Do enhance the appearance of my smile?
• To restore more than oral health, but also relieve painful TMJ symptoms or sleep apnea?

What do I expect from the dental practice?

• The use of advanced technology?
• A comprehensive range of treatment available in one location?
• Convenient hours or location?
• Dental insurance participation?
• Financing?

Once you know what kind of dentist you need and define your expectations, search online for a dentist that meets your criteria. For example, if you need a cosmetic dentist, search: Buckhead cosmetic dentist. Your search will give you a number of results. Once you find one you like, do some research on that dentist. (Most dentists have websites that have all the information you need. You can also read online patient reviews.)

Does that dentist have specialized training and experience in the area of care you need? Does he or she participate in continuing education?  Does the dentist show photos of his or her patients and describe the treatment they received? Does the dentist offer any patient testimonials that you can read? There’s no better way to get the “feel” for a dentist than to hear what his or her patients have to say.

Finally, call the office and ask specific questions about the dentist and the care offered. If you feel confident and comfortable, schedule a visit. You’ve done your homework and you’re well on your way to getting the care you need and deserve!

As a dentist, I’ve always preached about regular hygiene appointments and checkups. We want to keep a close eye on your oral health, checking the condition of your teeth and gums, preventing any problems when we can, and taking care of any problems that do occur when they’re small.

Well, in my opinion, those regular checkups are more important than ever. In fact, I recommend that patients be seen every 6 months. Why? Because recent studies have shown that gum disease is not only a threat to your teeth, it’s a threat to your health.

It just makes sense. Your mouth is the portal to your entire body. If it’s not healthy, it just stands to reason that your body will be affected. And these recent studies are proving that.

Studies have shown that the bacteria associated with gum disease has been linked to an increase risk of stroke, heart attack, certain cancers and other serious health problems.

Read more about the dangers of gum disease and what we can do to treat it here:

https://www.buckheadgadentist.com/general-dentistry/periodontal-therapy/

And then make sure to schedule your checkup and hygiene visit!

Headaches. Teeth grinding. Sore jaw. Painful chewing. They all can be symptoms of TMJ disorder. TMJ disorder occurs when the top and bottom jaw aren’t in proper alignment and don’t meet evenly when you close your mouth.

The symptoms can range from mildly annoying to downright debilitating. But the good news is that TMJ disorder can be treated and the pain eliminated.

I invite you to read Sally’s story. She’s a patient of mine. If you suffer from TMJ disorder, this story should give you hope: https://www.buckheadgadentist.com/tmj-treatment/