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.

Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s one of the most treat-filled holidays of the entire year. Because of all the candy that will be available to you and your young ones, all of us at our Buckhead dental office thought it would be a good opportunity to remind you of the worst types of candies for your teeth and offer some alternative suggestions.

Candy in itself isn’t the culprit. The bacteria present in everyone’s mouth is the actual cause of tooth decay and gum disease. The trouble with sugar is that it feeds these bacteria which then break the sugars down into acids. And those acids erode enamel. But there are other dangers associated with certain candies. We’ll cover it all right here!

1. Sticky, chewy, taffy –These candies are one of the worst confections for your teeth ever created. Because they are so chewy and sticky, they get into and stay in cracks and crevices in your teeth, allowing the bacteria lots of time to feed on the sugar and create harmful acids.  They also can pull out fillings and crowns in your teeth.  Some of the common sticky candies include Sugar Daddys, Milk Duds, Bit-o-Honeys, Laffy Taffy, and Tootsie Rolls.

2. Big, hard, toothbreakers like gobstoppers or jawbreakers — The primary danger of these candies is pretty easy to figure out. They can break teeth! Not only that, they last a really long time in the mouth which means more time for those bad bacteria to get to work destroying teeth.

3. Gummies — These could be grouped into the taffy group, but they are such a big favorite with kids that we wanted to draw special attention to them. Gummies can, in fact, include fruit or juice based candies. These are just as potentially harmful to teeth as the kind with all those artificial ingredients! Why? Just like taffy, they stick to the teeth, wedge into crevices, and are very hard to rinse away. Again, lots of sugar for bacteria to work with.

4. Sour candies — Sour candies are another big candy no-no, not only because of the sugar content, but also because they already contain the acids that erode teeth. Some highly acidic candies are almost as hard on teeth as battery acid.

If any of these come home in your child’s trick-or-treat bag, replace them with something healthier — and that doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to be an apple! Chocolate melts and rinses away easily. And candies and gum sweetened with Xylitol have pretty impressive oral and general health benefits!

We definitely are not suggesting that you and your little ones don’t enjoy trick-or-treating and the goodies that come with it.  The real key to thinking about which candies to avoid is to consider how long you or your kid’s teeth will be exposed to it. The shorter the exposure time the better. Don’t forget to encourage brushing and flossing after treats, but if that isn’t possible, have your child rinse with fresh water to remove as much sugar as possible.

For more information about keeping your family’s teeth healthy all year round, please call our Buckhead dental office . We are here to keep smiles going strong.

Accepting patients from Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and Dunwoody.

What is your bedtime routine? If you are a patient at my Buckhead dental office, we feel pretty sure it includes brushing and flossing your teeth. But routines and habits you may not even be aware of might be part of your night as well! And these habits won’t improve your health the way oral hygiene will. Instead, they might actually destroy your teeth and ruin your day!

These issues are snoring or sleep apnea and bruxism. Both snoring and bruxism (another word for clenching and grinding) are especially problematic in part because so few people are aware that they are doing them. How can you solve a problem when you don’t even know it is there?

We’d like to help. Here are a few signs and symptoms to look for.

Snoring/ Sleep Apnea

• Frequent silences during sleep due to breaks in breathing (apnea)
• Choking or gasping during sleep to get air into the lungs
• Loud snoring
• Sudden awakenings to restart breathing or waking up in a sweat
• Daytime sleepiness and feeling unrefreshed by a night’s sleep, including falling asleep at inappropriate times

If you have any of these symptoms, contact your Buckhead dentist or your physician right away. Snoring is no joke; it’s a warning that something is not right. Snoring occurs when the tissues of the throat are so lax or narrowed that air cannot pass through normally. This decreases the amount of air to the lungs, the heart has to work harder, and quality sleep is interrupted, all interfering with healthy living. It could also be a sign of sleep apnea which is quite dangerous and has been linked to everything from dangerous driving to an increased risk for strokes. Don’t take it lightly.

Bruxism (Grinding and Clenching)

• Worn, flattened, or shorter teeth than when you were younger
• Chips, cracks, or hairline fractures
• Chips at the gumline that may look and feel like gum recession
• Sore jaws or teeth, especially during times of stress
• Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet food and drink
• Unexplained earaches
• Sores on the inside of your cheek or ridges on the sides of your tongue
• Headache or facial soreness
• Gum disease

Since snoring, sleep apnea, and grinding are dangerous to your health and your teeth, it is important to have yourself checked for them periodically. At my dental office in Buckhead, we will look for symptoms of both of these disorders — and many more–at every checkup. Give us a call and we can get you back on the path to a good night’s sleep and better health.

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

At my Buckhead dental office, we’re all about creating beautiful smiles and keeping them healthy. An important part to overall oral health is a proper oral hygiene routine, and with that comes regular flossing. However, more than half of Americans don’t floss regularly, and a whopping 20% don’t floss at all. Why are so many people so against flossing? We dug up some research and found some of the main reasons people ditch the floss.  

“I Just Can’t Seem To Do It.”

Sometimes individuals with dexterity problems, especially those who have suffered a stroke, injury, or have arthritis, can have difficulty maneuvering the floss. But there are alternatives available. Floss picks, which are those little “Y” shaped plastic devices with a piece of floss strung between the tips, can work wonders. They make it much easier for our patients who have difficulty using floss.

“I Don’t Have Time.”

While flossing may seem like a time-consuming task, if done properly, it should actually only take between three and five minutes. At first, it may take a bit longer as you get used to a technique that works for you, but the more you do it, the easier it gets. Spending at least three minutes flossing can mean fewer dental problems, better check ups, and an overall healthier mouth.

“I Don’t Know If It’s Really Necessary.”

Flossing is crucial to proper oral health. Brushing is not even half the battle. If you don’t floss, all the spaces between the teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach aren’t cleaned, and bacteria is left to cause some serious damage. In fact, the most common place for cavities to form is between teeth. A lack of flossing could also lead to more serious problems.

“It Hurts and My Gums Bleed When I Do It, So I Don’t.”

Healthy gums don’t bleed or hurt when flossed. If your gums do, you should start flossing more, not less. Bleeding while flossing can also be a sign of gum disease. Gum disease not only affects your teeth, mouth, and gums, but also your overall health and has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.  

Flossing is incredibly important to a happy mouth and healthy body. If you’re having difficulty, want to learn more about the benefits of flossing, or especially if you are experiencing pain, give my dental office in Buckhead a call. We’ll be more than happy to work with you to find a great, personal flossing solution.

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

Whether it was following a particularly garlicky meal, morning coffee, or a few drinks after work, everyone has experienced bad breath at some point in their lives. Usually, it’s nothing to worry about. However, when bad breath becomes an ongoing issue, there’s a possibility your mouth may not be in tip-top shape. At my dental office in Buckhead, we’d like to offer a few solutions to remedy bad breath and provide reasons why it could be pretty serious and should not be ignored.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Bad breath is caused by high levels of bacteria in the mouth. When bacteria feed on plaque, they produce hydrogen sulfide. It’s this byproduct that gives breath its stench.

Here’s How to Keep Bad Breath at Bay

1. Brush & Floss. You know brushing and flossing are what helps keep your mouth cavity-free and makes for good dental checkups. But it can also help rid your mouth of bad-breath causing bacteria. Make sure you’re brushing twice a day for at least two minutes each time and scrubbing each surface of each tooth. Flossing helps to reach those spots in between your teeth that your  toothbrush can’t.
2. Clear the Tongue. The tongue shouldn’t be ignored when brushing. Due to its texture of bumps and grooves, it makes it a favorite place for bacteria to burrow in and hide. You can help remove the bacteria by gently brushing the tongue each time you brush your teeth. If the brush isn’t an option due to a sensitive gag reflex, try a tongue scraper instead.
3. Drink H₂O. A hydrated mouth is a happy mouth, and a healthy one, too. Drinking plenty of water encourages saliva production. Saliva naturally rinses bacteria away and protects your mouth from bad breath. However, if a mouth becomes dehydrated and dry, it produces less saliva and increases the chance of bacteria lingering around.

Why Is Bad Breath Serious?

While staying hydrated and maintaining excellent oral hygiene can help keep bad breath away, it’s still very important to visit your dentist if it becomes an ongoing problem. Bad breath may be much more than embarrassing. It could actually be a sign of gum disease, which is serious.

If untreated,gum disease may cause increased sensitivity, receding gums, and tooth loss. But that’s not all. Gum disease can also lead to other problems throughout the body like increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

Don’t let something that seems small, like bad breath, create a serious problem for your overall health. If you notice signs of chronic bad breath, schedule an appointment at my Buckhead dental practice. We’re here to help diagnose what’s causing it and work with you to cure it in a judgement-free, caring office. Give us a call today.

Serving patients from Buckhead, Atlanta, and Sandy Springs.

Osteoporosis is a disease that mainly affects women over the age of 50. But it can happen to anyone no matter age or gender. Osteoporosis causes bone density to decrease, making breaks and whole-body concerns much more common. At my Buckhead dental office, we want to talk about how your oral health may be linked to osteoporosis.

Your Mouth & Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects 10 million Americans, and there are 34 million more who are at risk. As with many serious diseases, early detection is key. You may not even know there’s a problem until it’s too late. Sometimes signs aren’t obvious. So how do you get diagnosed if you’re not experiencing any symptoms? Your dentist!

In fact, your dentist may be the first member of your healthcare team to catch osteoporosis. When patients visit the dentist, the team is not just looking at their teeth, they also look at x-rays. These x-rays provide a wealth of information about what’s going on below the teeth, including bone density, and show us signs you or your medical doctor may not see or notice.

Also, there are some potentially serious dental side effects for patients that have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and are being treated with bisphosphonate medications such as Actonel, Actonel+Ca, Aredia, Boniva, Didronel, Fosamax, Fosamax+D, Reclast, Skelid, and Zometa.  It is important to make sure there is no potential for infections in your mouth if you are on these medications and regular dental visits and monitoring are required.    

Signs & Symptoms

While we will be vigilant at your exams, here are some of the signs and symptoms we encourage our patients to watch for:

• Loose dentures
• Tooth loss
• Bone loss around the teeth or in the jaw
• Gum disease

Prevention

In addition to maintaining visits to your Buckhead dentist, there are other preventive actions you can take to decrease your chance of osteoporosis.

• Quit Smoking
• Lower caffeine and alcohol intake
• Get out and exercise
• Get enough vitamin D and calcium

If you’re experiencing any signs of osteoporosis or any side effects from taking bisphosphonate medications, visit your doctor. Even if you’re not having difficulty currently, make sure to keep with your regular visits to my dental office in Buckhead. We actively look for signs of potential osteoporosis and may be the first line of defense against the disease.

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

We know dentistry can be confusing, but at my Buckhead dental office, we want to make sure all our patients are comfortable coming to us if they have questions. We’re always happy to answer or clarify anything. In fact, in this blog, we want to talk about a few questions we hear a lot.

“Why is it recommended to have a continuing care appointment twice a year?”

The reasons behind regular visits with your dentist are much more broad than simply ensuring your teeth are cavity-free and getting those pearly whites cleaned and polished. Dental checkups are usually conducted every six months so we’re able to keep an eye on any potential problems and catch them before they become or create more serious issues. Most dental disease can be treated easily if caught early, so that makes regular appointments incredibly important. If you’re at increased risk for certain problems, like oral cancer or gum disease, we may recommend visits more than twice a year.

“Is it a big deal if my gums bleed when I floss?”

If your gums bleed at all, with or without the floss, you should get to your dentist in Buckhead as soon as possible. Bleeding gums are not normal, even though it’s often overlooked if the bleeding occurs while flossing. Sometimes, people even stop brushing or flossing if they feel the bleeding is caused by that alone. Typically it’s not. Bleeding gums is a key sign of gum disease and should be checked out before the problem gets worse. Some other signs of gum disease are inflammation around the gums, red gums, or gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth.

“I know smoking is harmful to my teeth. What about smokeless tobacco?”

Just because smokeless tobacco doesn’t have the smoke doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. Using smokeless tobacco may lead to gum recession and permanent damage to gum tissue, tooth discoloration, bad breath, and even cancer. If you do use smokeless tobacco, make sure to keep up with regular dental visits and keep an eye out for sores that don’t heal, a white spot or lump, or if you feel it’s become difficult to chew food. If you notice any of these issues, contact your dentist immediately.

If you have a dental question, give my dental office in Buckhead a call. We’d love to have you come in for a visit to talk about your concerns and get your questions answered. We strive to ensure each and every patient is educated, comfortable, and in good health.

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

How long has your toothbrush been in use? Is it past its prime? Is it time to toss it in the trash and invest in a new one? At my dental office in Buckhead, these are important questions that we’d like to provide some answers to.

Toothbrushes are designed to remove as much plaque and bacteria as possible. They only last a specific amount of time. The older the toothbrush, the less effective it will be. So, just how long can you expect your toothbrush to still be good at its job? What are some signs of an old, outdated, ineffective toothbrush?

Its Time is Limited

According to the American Dental Association, a toothbrush should only be used for about three or four months. Any longer and it will begin to show signs of wear and tear, and it won’t remove all of the dangerous particles hanging around. An ineffective toothbrush equates to an ineffective at-home oral health routine, which could create serious problems.

Signs You Should Toss It

As a toothbrush ages, whether it is a traditional toothbrush or a powered version, there are some obvious signs that will show it’s time to toss it or change the head. Many key indicators are found in the bristles. Keep an eye out for:

• Fraying

• Flattening

• Crisscrossing

• Discoloration

If you notice any of these signs, head to the store or our Buckhead dental office and pick up a new toothbrush or head. Make sure the bristles are soft.  Your teeth and gums will thank you.

Proper Toothbrush Care

Once you have your new toothbrush, there are ways you can extend your time together.

• Rinse thoroughly after each use
• Never share your toothbrush
• Let it air dry

Just remember, even if you’re taking optimum care of your toothbrush, it won’t last forever. Always check it for signs of aging.

Having and using an effective toothbrush at least twice a day, every day, is only part of what we recommend for a healthy mouth.  Flossing and maintaining regular visits at my Buckhead dental office are also important. Professional cleanings remove plaque and bacteria and tartar that even the newest toothbrush can’t. For a happy smile, make sure you’re doing all three.

Welcoming patients from Buckhead, Atlanta, and Sandy Springs.

Any emergency is serious and should be treated as such. Dental emergencies, which include any injury to the teeth, gums, or mouth, are no exception. At my Buckhead dental office, we understand that a dental emergency can be scary, so we’re here to help give you a few tips on how to handle several types.

Abscess

An abscess is a very serious dental problem and should not be ignored. An abscess is an infection that affects the root or the space in between teeth and may feel like a painful pimple-like protrusion on the gums. If left untreated, an abscess might damage surrounding teeth, tissue, and the infection can even spread to other parts of your body. Because of these very serious concerns, it’s extremely important to get to your dentist as soon as possible.

Tooth being moved or completely forced out

Teeth can be moved or even completely knocked out the mouth by force from trauma caused by many different accidents.  If this happens, obviously you want to see a dentist as soon as you can.  If the tooth(or teeth) are displaced try to push them back into their original position.  If the tooth has completely come out, find the tooth and place it into water or milk until you get to a dentist.

Chipped/Broken Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth might result from anything like a popcorn kernel, opening packaging with your teeth, a fall, or just may be the result of clenching or grinding your teeth. When a tooth is chipped, the first thing to do is rinse your mouth out with warm water and find any pieces, if possible, and rinse them off, too. Then apply gauze and slight pressure if there is any bleeding, and a cold compress to the cheek to ease pain. Get to your dentist to fix the chip.

Toothache

A toothache is your mouth’s way of letting you know that something is not right. Ease the pain and help keep other problems away by first rinsing with warm salt water. Salt water can help decrease swelling. Over-the-counter medication such as aleve, advil, tylenol, etc. can help.  If the pain is severe, try placing a cold compress against your cheek or apply a bit of clove oil to the sore spot. Again, get to your dentist as soon as you can.

One of the best ways to avoid a dental emergency in the first place is to maintain regular visits to my dental office in Buckhead. Regular checkups and cleanings allow us to catch and treat any potential problems before they can turn into an unexpected dental emergency. However, anything can happen at any time, so if you do experience an emergency, give us a call right away.

Welcoming patients from Buckhead, Atlanta, and Sandy Springs.