If you’re like the majority of Americans, chances are you’ve needed to have a cavity filled at least once in your life, and that’s ok. There are several options for filling a cavity, and they’re all successful at helping to keep your teeth healthy. But while all types of fillings are super strong and can withstand a lot, unfortunately, they don’t last forever. At my dental office in Buckhead, we know the anticipated lifespan of a filling depends on what it’s made out of, so let’s look at the most popular filling available, the tooth-colored filling.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Fillings designed to match the color of your natural teeth are appropriately known as tooth-colored fillings or composite fillings. On average, a composite filling can stay durable for anywhere between 7 to 10 years —sometimes less, sometimes more — depending on your oral hygiene habits. While these restorations typically don’t last as long as silver fillings, there are quite a few benefits behind this better-camouflaged option including no silvery smile, more of your healthy tooth can be saved during treatment, and enhanced strength since the material chemically bonds to the tooth surface. As with anything, there are a few negatives to consider.

Cons

• Composite fillings may cost a bit more than silver fillings
• The appointment may make take a few minutes longer
• Composite fillings are technique sensitive and cannot be completed in areas where it would be impossible to keep a dry field free from saliva

If you’re in need of a dentist, or believe you may have a cavity, give my Buckhead dental office a call. We’ll be happy to perform an in-depth exam and diagnose exactly what’s going on in your mouth, if anything. And if we find a cavity, we’ll discuss which filling is most appropriate for you. Schedule your appointment today!

Serving patients from Buckhead, Atlanta, and Sandy Springs.

Did you know that 32 percent of Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait of their co-workers? If people don’t like it in co-workers, they certainly won’t like it in their date! True fact: No one really wants to kiss an unhealthy mouth.

That’s why I’m bringing you four of the most effective ways to freshen your breath, brighten your smile, and make yourself so much more kissable than ever before.

• Keep up with your oral hygiene routine.

That means no skipping, even if you do feel too tired to floss. You see, when plaque builds up, it can lead to periodontal disease, an infection in your gums. This infection stinks! In fact, periodontal disease is the second most common source of halitosis. The odor is so distinctive, that many dentists can diagnose gum disease from the smell alone! Odor causing bacteria build up under your gum line, coat your tongue, and increase the volatile sulfur compounds that make bad breath worse. So want to have a fresh mouth? Get to cleaning! And don’t forget to brush or scrape your tongue.

• Have a professional cleaning.

See above! A professional cleaning at least twice a year at my Buckhead dental office is even more effective than home hygiene at getting rid of buildup that causes bad breath.

• Watch what you eat.

We’re pretty sure everyone knows to avoid garlic and onions before a big date, but did you know that milk, meat, orange juice, and coffee have also been known as causes for bad breath? Don’t worry though. Just brush and floss after meals, and your breath will clean right up.

• Drink more water.

Water not only rinses away food particles and bacteria, but drinking a sufficient amount of water (6 to 8 eight ounce glasses every day) also keeps you hydrated and prevents dry mouth. That’s important because dry mouth is one of the leading causes of breath issues. If you have an ongoing issue with dry mouth, talk to your Buckhead dentist about a saliva substitute to protect your teeth and sweeten your breath.

If you have a big date coming up, please don’t be afraid to call my dental office in Buckhead. We can help get your breath fresh and your teeth clean and bright.

Accepting new patients from Buckhead, Atlanta, and Sandy Springs.  

New Year’s resolutions are made each and every time the ball drops in Times Square and we all sing Auld Lang Syne. Resolutions give us hope for a better, more successful, healthier year. But unfortunately nearly half of all resolutions fail within six months. At my dental office in Buckhead, we want to challenge our patients to make resolutions towards a healthier smile and keep them all year long.  

• Drink more water. Your body and your mouth both need water to function properly, yet many people don’t drink enough. Slug eight, 8-ounces glasses of some H₂0 every day to keep your body in tip-top shape and your mouth moist and capable of ridding away bacteria.

• Quit smoking. Smoking or use of smokeless tobacco is a serious addiction that often takes several attempts at kicking. We think you can do it, both for your overall health, and your smile. Tobacco use increases the chance for oral cancer, gum disease, and yellow teeth. Quitting may be difficult, but we promise it’s worth it.

• Eat fruits and veggies. Eating a well-balanced diet packed with crisp fruits and crunchy veggies can do wonders for your overall health and your teeth. These foods are loaded with super nutrients that fight off bacteria and inflammation to help keep gums healthy.

• Get that smile makeover you’ve always wanted. If your teeth are maybe just a bit too dark, your smile a smidge crooked, or you’re missing some teeth, you owe it to yourself to resolve to get the smile of your dreams. There are many cosmetic dentistry options available to fix any concern from whitening to veneers, dental implants to full-mouth makeovers. Bonus: Oftentimes cosmetic dentistry doesn’t just make you feel better about your grin, it has a host of health benefits, too.

• Visit your dentist in Buckhead. We don’t recommend visits every six month just because we like you (which we promise we do!), but because they are necessary for keeping your smile healthy. At each visit we’ll check for issues and if we find any, we’ll work with you to discuss the best treatment. Many dental problems are fixed successfully if they’re caught early, so don’t put off your dental visits.

If you’re ready to make 2016 the year when you get the healthiest, brightest smile of your dreams, give my Buckhead dental office a call today. We’ll talk about your smile goals and decide on the best plan for you.

Accepting patients from Buckhead, Atlanta, and Sandy Springs.

Have you started thinking about your New Year’s resolutions yet? I know I have. As hard as they are to make and stick to, it is a tradition that I think helps us look toward the new year as an opportunity for change and improvement. That’s why I often encourage my patients to make their smiles part of their New Year’s resolutions. Here’s how:

Four Tips to Get Your Smile Healthy and Keep it That Way

• Keep up on your dental visits. Not only do cleanings keep your teeth and gums feeling good, it gives my Buckhead dental team more chances to keep an eye on your oral health and stop problems before they get serious. That saves both your teeth and your wallet.

• Get serious about your oral hygiene routine. Your smile doesn’t only allow you to talk and chew. We sometimes forget that it is directly connected to the rest of your body. That means that your mouth is an easy way for bacteria to get into your bloodstream. In fact, if you have gum disease, your risk for everything from heart attacks and cancers to low birth weight babies and tooth loss goes through the roof.

• Don’t just eat for your body, eat for your smile! You know that sugary foods or refined carbs can be bad for your overall health. They can also be bad for your smile. Acidic drinks like sodas and sports drinks can too. Try eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking green tea and coconut water, and eating foods high in  calcium and phosphorus to protect tooth enamel and even help remineralize them.

• Feel self conscious about your smile? Do something about it this year! The truth is, even elective procedures like whitening or veneers can have health benefits. Feeling confident helps you move through the world with more power – and that can make you smile more, release more endorphins, and even stick to your New Year’s resolutions more effectively!  

Why not schedule a checkup with my Buckhead dental office today? We’ll look at what is going on in your mouth and we can discuss your needs. Then all you have to do is sit down and plan how to keep the rest of your resolutions! I’d love to help my Buckhead, Atlanta, and Sandy Springs neighbors feel better about themselves in 2016!

As the holidays approach, so can major stress. I mean, really, we are all stressed enough as it is, so the stress of preparing for the holidays can put us right over the top. I often see more patients in these high-stress times than ever. Why? Bruxism.

What is Bruxism?

Bruxism is just a fancy word for clenching and grinding of teeth. And if you have a tendency to clench, you do it more in times of stress. Of course, there are other reasons people clench and grind, but stress is a big one. If your stress is off the charts, call my Buckhead dental office. You may want help to protect your teeth, muscles, and joints!

Do I Really Grind my Teeth?

Many people who grind and clench their teeth don’t realize that they do it. Often it takes a broken tooth, an observer, or a dentist to realize it is happening.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from bruxism:

• Worn, chipped, broken teeth
• Flattened tooth surfaces
• Exposure of tooth layers and loss of enamel
• Tooth sensitivity
• Jaw pain
• Headache and facial pain
• Earache from jaw muscle tension and contraction
• A scalloped tongue or irregular tongue edges
• Damaged mouth tissue
• Gum Recession

What Causes Tooth Grinding and Clenching?

We already mentioned stress, but there are other things that could compound your risk or cause tooth grinding and clenching even if you are a super-relaxed person. These causes include:

• Sleep disorders
• Misaligned jaw or poor bite alignment
• Acid reflux
• As a result of some diseases such as Parkinson’s disease
• As a side effect of some medications

What Can I do to Protect my Teeth?

At my dental office in Buckhead, we want to help protect your smile. We will make a thorough diagnosis and customize a plan to ease the pain of clenching and grinding and keep your teeth – and your precious restorations – strong and intact. Give us a call today and find relief!

Serving teeth clenchers and grinders in Buckhead, Atlanta, and Sandy Springs.

We all know that regular dental visits can help identify oral health concerns like cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer. But did you know these visits can also tell us a lot about your overall health? At my dental office in Buckhead, we stress the importance of maintaining recommended visits to us not only for the health of your mouth, but also for the health of your whole body.

What’s Your Mouth Saying?

Your oral health can say quite a bit about your overall health. In fact, recent research shows that the health of your mouth actually reflects the health of your whole body. Many systemic diseases (diseases that affect the whole body) have oral manifestations, and symptoms can show here before anywhere else. This means your dentist in Buckhead may be the first person in your medical team to suspect a whole-body problem. And sometimes, those problems can be serious. Some of the diseases that have oral symptoms include:

• Leukemia
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Kidney Disease

Signs and Symptoms

Some of the most common oral symptoms of these diseases are:

• Red, swollen, bleeding, or receding gums
• Chronic bad breath
• Ulcers
• Loose teeth

Tips for a Healthier Smile and Life

• Be Open. It’s important to tell your dentist about any changes in your overall health or medication. Some chronic illnesses and medication can directly influence your oral health — and your overall health.

• Eat Smart. Proper nutrition isn’t just important for a strong body, it’s also important for a healthy mouth. Eat balanced meals and try to avoid constant snacking.

• Drink Smart. Choose water as often as possible. Water naturally neutralizes acids, washes away bacteria, and stimulates saliva production, which also helps remove bacteria.

If you notice any changes in your oral health, schedule an appointment at my Buckhead dental office. We’ll assess your individual symptoms and talk about your health history to determine the best plan for you. It’s our job, and passion, to do everything we can to keep your mouth, and body, healthy for a lifetime.

Accepting patients from Buckhead, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and Dunwoody.