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Don’t Be Afraid to Change Your Toothbrush

Are you delaying swapping out your frayed toothbrush for a new model? Well, don’t be! My Douglasville dental office wants you to know that it’s in the best interest of your oral and overall health to make the change to a new toothbrush. We understand that sometimes it’s easy to forget, so here’s a reminder to check the status of your brush.

It’s A Switch’y’ Situation

The wayward, battered bristles clinging to life on your favorite toothbrush are actually a lot less effective at helping your teeth get clean. The American Dental Association (ADA) has these helpful recommendations (and my dental office in Douglasville couldn’t agree more):

Change your brush every three to four months.
Make the switch earlier if bristles start to breakdown.
Children need new brushes more frequently than grownups.

Breaking Down the Bacteria Connection

Some researchers and doctors say that toothbrushes create the perfect environment for bacteria to set up shop. The ADA says that toothbrushes are susceptible to bacterial transfer from the mouth or the air, but it isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. Why? Because our bodies are regularly exposed to germs and are uniquely equipped to defend ourselves from attack.

How to Keep Your Toothbrush Clean

There are few ways you can help keep bacteria in the bathroom at bay and away from your toothbrush.

Never share your toothbrush with anyone, even family members. Bacteria could be there no matter who you’re sharing with.

Use good ol’ tap water to rinse away unwanted debris and leftover toothpaste that can give bacteria something to grab onto.

Keep your toothbrush standing upright when not in use for maximum germ-free storage and the benefits of a good air-drying.

Separate your family’s brushes when they’re not being used.

Steer clear of toothbrush covers that can create an arid environment where germs can easily multiply.

Your Douglasville dentist knows how important it is to keep your smile healthy. The same goes for your toothbrush. By making the change regularly and storing it properly, you can ensure your teeth are getting the thorough, germ-free cleaning they need to stay strong.

Accepting new patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.

4 Little-Known Facts About Straws

Our dental office in Douglasville wants to share a little known secret with you, and it’s something so easy, so common, and even may seem a bit silly, but can do wonders to help keep your smile healthy. It’s a straw. And when you choose to use a straw instead of sipping drinks straight from a cup, it can actually help keep bacteria and cavities from damaging your teeth.

Learn more about straw power by digesting these interesting facts. Our Douglasville dental office is pleased to share them with you as another way you can help protect your teeth from decay.

Straw Fact #1 – Help Keep Teeth Stain-Free

Using a straw when enjoying your favorite beverage is good idea to help protect teeth against common staining, especially when there’s long-term exposure to dark-colored drinks like coffee and tea that are consumed daily. By using a straw, you can help avoid constant and direct contact with your front teeth and do your best to keep your smile white.

<h3?Straw Fact #2 – Great Exposure Control

Much like protection your teeth from stains, using a straw can control how much direct exposure drinks have on your smile. It’s all about directing these materials away from your teeth. Even though some contact does occur, it’s minimized when you’re slurping through a straw. This means less bacteria and sugar actually stick to your smile which limits the likelihood of decay.

Straw Fact #3 – Increased Chances of Avoiding Germs

Did you know cups, both at home and in restaurants, can host germs even if they look clean? You can avoid these germs and bacteria by sticking a straw in your cup instead of putting your mouth directly on it to sip.

Straw Fact #4 – Avoid Choking and Burns

Straws can be a real mouth and tooth saver when you’re drinking a hot beverage. These small, plastic tubes allow you to take in smaller amounts of liquid at a time which can help you avoid mouth burns and also reduce the risk for choking.

Your dentist in Douglasville does everything possible to help you keep your teeth healthy. We hope you will do the same. Using a straw is just another simple change you can make to your daily routine that could help benefit your smile. Don’t forget to brush and floss too!

Accepting new patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.

Top Dental Concerns for People Over 50

As we get older, we tend to experience more health concerns than we did when we were younger. Our dental health is no different. At my Douglasville dental office, we want all of our patients to be aware of some of the most common oral health issues that tend to affect those 50 or older.

Gum Disease

Like many oral health problems, gum disease can affect overall health. Research has shown a positive correlation between gum disease and heart disease, diabetes, as well as some cancers. In those over age 50, 30% are affected by gum disease.

Decay

Many times we think of cavities and decay as something that affects the younger population when, in fact, anywhere up to 60% of those over 50 have recently had a cavity. Decay can be caused by a variety of things including inadequate dental hygiene, softening of teeth as we age, or even dry mouth.

Dry Mouth

We already know that dry mouth can lead to decay, but why? When the mouth is dry it means there’s not enough saliva production to rinse away bacteria. Saliva also helps keep teeth from softening thanks to its levels of calcium and phosphate. Dry mouth tends to affect the older population more so because of the increased use of medication. Many medicines’ side effects include dry mouth, so it’s important to tell your dentist everything you take.

Oral Cancer

The name itself describes how serious this particular concern is, but even more so for those over 50. In fact, the likelihood of developing oral cancer greatly increases in those 50 and older. While 45,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, and 8,000 actually die from it, the chance of survival greatly increases if caught early.

All of these common oral health concerns can eventually lead to tooth loss or more serious issues if not treated. To help avoid them, see your Douglasville dentist at least twice a year for regular dental check ups and cleanings.

If you’re concerned about any dental issues at any age, we encourage you to call my Douglasville dental office to schedule an appointment. We’ll discuss your concerns and determine the best treatment options to help you keep your teeth for a long time.

Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Rica.

A Gluten-Free Diet and Your Teeth

Eating gluten-free has been increasing in popularity over the past couple of years. Sometimes this dietary change is due to choice. Other times, it’s out of necessity. Those with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance avoid gluten because it makes them incredibly sick. In these individuals, gluten can also cause irreversible tooth damage and other serious oral health concerns.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is used to describe the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley. These proteins act like a glue that allows foods to maintain their shape. Many foods contain gluten, even some that may be surprising like some condiments.

What Oral Health Problems Does Gluten Cause in Patients with Celiac Disease?

When someone who is hypersensitive to gluten is exposed to it, they can become very sick. Usually symptoms of celiac disease are found in the gastrointestinal tract, but all parts of the digestive system, including the mouth, can be affected.

Gluten ingestion by those with an intolerance actually blocks the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals. This includes Vitamin D. Without this nutrient, tooth enamel isn’t protected and begins to erode. In fact, 85% of those with celiac disease have enamel damage. Without the protection of enamel, teeth are left exposed to decay and other oral health problems. But that’s not all. For these individuals, consuming gluten may also cause:

• Canker sores
• Painful, red, swollen gums
• Tooth discoloration
• And pitted teeth

It’s important to note that gluten itself doesn’t affect individuals without celiac disease the same way it does those who do have it. Seek medical advice before making any significant changes to your diet.

At my Douglasville dental office, we support any diet that makes you feel healthy, including if you choose to eat gluten-free. For our patients that do have celiac disease, we encourage you to avoid gluten, not only for your oral health, but for your overall health as well.

If your teeth have suffered enamel loss or you’re at risk for losing your teeth, whether caused by celiac disease or not, there are ways to help. Schedule a visit with your dentist in Douglasville to discuss your options, which may include dental implants, restorative dentistry options, or cosmetic dentistry treatment.

Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Rica and beyond.

Toothache Tips From Your Douglasville Dentist

When you have a toothache, all you want to do is make it go away. At my Douglasville dental office, we’re always willing to help ease your toothache pain, but what can you do if a toothache strikes when you’re on vacation or when we aren’t open?

What is a Toothache?

Toothaches can be caused by a number of issues. Most of the time, decay or a cavity is to blame. However, sometimes it’s something more. Severe tooth pain could be a sign of infection, gum disease, a tooth injury, or teeth grinding. No matter what the reason is, it’s important to realize a toothache is your mouth’s way of telling you, “Hey! Something isn’t right in here!” and to call your dentist in Douglasville as soon as you can. The longer a toothache is left untreated, the need for more advanced dental treatment, like a root canal, rises.

What to Do

There’s no telling when a toothache may happen, and occasionally they occur when you can’t get in to see your dentist. That doesn’t mean you have to suffer through the pain until your appointment There are some common at-home toothache remedies you can do to try and take the edge off.

Rinse occasionally with warm salt water, but do not swallow it. The concoction can help extract fluid away from the painful area which eases pressure on the nerves. Less pressure on nerves means less pain.

Use floss to very gently remove anything that may be lodged in between teeth.

Take an anti-inflammatory medication if your health history allows it. However, don’t ever place the painkiller directly on the gums as it may cause burning and damage to the tissues.

Avoiding Toothaches

The best way to never get a toothache, or at least reduce your risk of one, is to maintain dental checkups and teeth cleanings every six months. Regular dental visits help catch any problems that may be lurking early. When caught early, most dental problems can be treated easily, before they have a chance to turn into an annoying and painful toothache.

If you’ve been avoiding the dentist and it’s time for a checkup, or if you’re experiencing a toothache, call my dental office in Douglasville. We’ll get you scheduled for an appointment and take care of any problems you may have. Don’t let a toothache sneak up on you…. schedule an appointment today.

Accepting new patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Rica.

E-Cigarettes & Oral Health

There’s a new trend sweeping the nation that some claim to be a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes, also known as E-cigarettes, are purported to be less dangerous and perhaps a successful smoking cessation aid. But at my Douglasville dental office, we wanted to know about their effect on oral health. Here’s what we found.

What is an E-Cigarette?

Before we dive into any potential oral or overall health issues associated with smoking electronic cigarettes, it’s important to identify what exactly is in these popular devices. Perhaps what makes them so attractive and believed to be better for you is that the juice (often call e-juice) has all the nicotine of regular cigarettes, but less or none of the harmful ingredients. The liquid comes in a variety of flavors and allows smokers get their nicotine fix without smoking an actual cigarette.

So, Are They Bad for You?

Ever since the increase in use of e-cigarettes began, scientists and health professionals have been working hard to figure out whether they’re actually less harmful than lighting up. Research is still pretty limited on the effects of e-cigarettes, but early studies allude to some possible concerns, and also some potential positives.

Some of the main concerns revolving around e-cigarette use are pneumonia, rapid heart rate, congestive heart failure, seizure, airway resistance, and potential for gum damage. However, there is a growing amount of research suggesting that e-cigarettes may help people quit smoking. In one study, using e-cigarettes with nicotine helped current smokers reduce the amount of cigarettes they smoked by about half.

In short, more research is needed to determine if the benefits of smoking e-cigarettes outweigh the risks.

As science works on catching up with the trend to identify the risks of smoking electronic cigarettes, there are some things you can do to limit the effects of smoking anything.

1. Try quitting on your own without the use of nicotine replacements.
2. Keep up with visits to your Douglasville dentist every six months to catch any potential oral health problems, like oral cancer, early.
3. Look for organizations that can help. The American Lung Association has some great advice and is a good place to start.

Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Rica.

Tooth Pain? You May Need a Root Canal.

When your tooth hurts, it’s incredibly unpleasant and often described as a pain unlike any other. There could be any number of explanations for the discomfort, but sometimes the problem is pretty serious and may require a root canal. But how can you tell? Let my Douglasville dental office help.

Signs & Symptoms

Besides the obvious sign that your tooth hurts, there are other symptoms that may mean you need a root canal including:

• Increased pain while chewing or with applied pressure
• Sensitivity to heat or cold that doesn’t go away quickly
• A small, raised bump on the gums near the tooth that hurts
• Tooth discoloration
• Gum swelling or pain

It’s Not So Bad — Really!

Root canals have a pretty bad reputation as being painful. But the truth is, root canals actually stop the tooth pain. When your tooth becomes so infected or decayed that it hits the inside pulp, it can be incredibly painful. Once your Douglasville dentist cleans out the area where the roots are located (the canal), and covers it with a filling or dental crown, relief will feel so good.

What’s The Process Like?

Before beginning, you’ll be numbed to avoid any discomfort. Once the medication kicks in, your dental team will get to work. First, a tiny hole is made in the infected tooth which allows access to the middle of the tooth, known as the pulp chamber. This is where the root canals are located. The root canals house pulp, nerves, and blood vessels. Your dentist will remove any and all of these materials, making your tooth no longer able to feel anything. After a thorough cleaning, the canals are sealed and the tooth is capped with a restoration.

Avoiding a Root Canal

The best way to prevent the need for a root canal in the first place is to brush and floss everyday to rid your mouth of the day’s bacteria and food particles. And speaking of food, limit eating sugary or acidic foods. These types of eats can weaken enamel and increase bacteria, leaving your teeth at higher risk for decay. Lastly, always keep your dental cleanings at least every six months for an extra-deep, extra-thorough cleaning you just can’t get at home.

If you’re having tooth pain and think you may need a root canal, give my Douglasville dental office a call. We’ll get you scheduled as soon as possible, get to the root of the problem, and discuss the best treatment options. Don’t let tooth pain linger, call for an appointment as soon as possible.

Welcoming patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.

Why Men Don’t Visit Their Douglasville Dentist

We all need to see the dentist regularly — kids, men, and women. But one of those demographics is avoiding regular dental appointments. We’re looking at you, men! Statistically, men don’t visit the dentist as often as their female counterparts. At my dental office in Douglasville, we wanted to know why, so we looked it up. And now we’re sharing it with you.

Depending on the man, the reason for avoiding dental care regularly varies. Research conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry surveyed dentists on why they felt male patients didn’t maintain regular dental care. Here’s what those dentists said:

• 45% said men don’t see a need to visit the dentist
• 30% believed men are embarrassed or afraid
• 18% blame lack of time

Some other common reasons we found include: only visiting the dentist when there’s a problem, societal standards that men should be tough and, therefore, don’t usually discuss things with a healthcare provider, including a dentist, and men sometimes rely on women to make healthcare decisions for them, so single men may be the biggest dentist avoiders of them all.

Why Men Should See the Dentist Every Six Months
Just like women, men should visit the dentist at least twice year for preventive dental care. These appointments allow any problems to be caught and treated early. And when we say problems, we mean a lot more than just a cavity filling or possible root canal. Regular dental appointments help catch scary things too that, if left undetected and untreated, could lead to whole-health concerns. For example:

• Oral Cancer, which can affect the lips, tongue, throat, and cheeks
• Gum Disease, which can lead to increased risk for heart disease
• Sleep Apnea, which may result in high blood pressure, weight gain, and diabetes

But regular visits to their dentist in Douglasville can also help men get the smile they’ve always wanted. Cosmetic dentistry options like whitening, veneers, or bonding, and restorative dentistry treatments like dental implants or bridges are all ways to transform a smile.

Feel free to pass this information on to the man (or men!) in your life. And if you’re a man reading this and you’re one who hasn’t been to the dentist in awhile, pick up the phone, call my Douglasville dental office, and schedule a dental cleaning and exam today. We won’t lecture you or make you feel guilty, we’ll just be happy you came to see us and get you on the path towards a healthy smile and healthy life.

Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.

Are You Using the Right Toothpaste?

Toothpaste serves a very specific purpose — to brush away bacteria and plaque that collects on teeth. But with all the developments in toothpaste technology, many options offer additional benefits like whitening, decreasing sensitivity, and adding an extra boost of freshness. With all the options available to you, how do you know you’re using the right one? Read on to learn more from the dental team at my Douglasville dental office.

Seal of Approval

Before we talk about the different types of toothpastes and what they’re used for, we need to talk about the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of approval. The ADA researches and tests ingredients and claims made by different toothpastes, and supplies a seal of approval to those whose claims are supported by the research. This seal is something you should look for, no matter which type of toothpaste you choose.

Whitening Toothpastes

If your smile needs a little extra help in the whitening department, using a toothpaste that has magnesium carbonate or calcium carbonate may help. These ingredients paired with a mild abrasive can brighten teeth. However, sometimes a whitening toothpaste alone isn’t enough to get you the results you want. If that’s the case, consider cosmetic dentistry like veneers or a professional whitening.

Tartar Control Toothpastes

Tartar, also known as calculus, is basically plaque that has been allowed to build up on teeth and harden. The only way to remove it is at your dental cleaning. But you can do things to prevent it from hardening in the first place like using a toothpaste that contains zinc citrate or pyrophosphates.

Sensitivity Toothpastes

Whether it’s sensitivity to heat or cold, or maybe both, having sensitive teeth can be painful. If you suffer from sensitivity, choosing a toothpaste that aids in desensitizing your teeth and gums may be the right decision for you. Look for a toothpaste that has the ingredient strontium chloride or potassium nitrate. Both have been shown to help decrease sensitive tooth pain.

Selecting the right toothpaste for your unique needs can help protect your smile from decay and the need for dental treatments like fillings, root canals, or dental crowns. But selecting the right toothpaste is only half the battle — you need to use it to brush twice a day every day and maintain visits with your Douglasville dentist at least every six months for optimal oral health.

If you’re looking for more help identifying your teeth’s needs, or are in need of a dentist, call my dental office in Douglasville and schedule an appointment today.

Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.

Top 4 Alternative Uses for Toothpaste

First and foremost, toothpaste should be used to brush your teeth. That’s obvious. But at my Douglasville dental office, we’ve been hearing of other possible ways toothpaste can be helpful around the house, besides just as a daily teeth cleanser. We thought we’d share some of the top uses for toothpaste with our patients because, after all, we’re here to help with whatever we can (except actually cleaning your house).

Tired of that foggy mirror? After a steamy shower, the bathroom mirror clouds up, basically becoming unuseable until the fog evaporates. To avoid a fogged up mirror, wipe it down with toothpaste before hopping in the shower.

Want a sparkling faucet? Sink faucets tend to get pretty grody, especially in the bathroom. Usually covered with splatters of toothpaste and backsplash of soapy water, bathroom faucets can take on almost a spotted look. Use toothpaste (yes, we just told you add more toothpaste to the already toothpaste-speckled faucet), and then sponge it up. Viola! Sparkling faucet.

Miss how white your sneakers once were? There’s something to be said about new sneakers. They’re crisp, white, and super clean. Until you wear them. The more shoes get worn, the more discolored they get. But with the help of a little toothpaste, you can take them to white again. Just gently scrub them with toothpaste.

Did your kid Picasso the coffee table with permanent marker? It happens. Kids get ahold of a permanent maker and start doodling away on the closest surface, which just so happens to be your coffee table. Don’t panic. Internet users widely support the use of applying a dollop of toothpaste to the table, gently rubbing it in, and wiping it off for a clean, marker-free coffee table.

Of course, being a dentist and having a team full of people who are passionate about teeth, we can’t stress enough how our favorite use for toothpaste is actually using it to keep your smile healthy. Make sure you’re using it to brush twice a day, at a minimum. Besides a good at-home oral hygiene routine, maintaining regular dental cleanings and exams with your dentist in Douglasville is the best way to reduce the need for cavity fillings or other types of dental procedures like root canals, onlays, or crowns.

We recommend visiting us at least once every six months. If it’s been longer than that since you’ve had a dental checkup, call my dental office in Douglasville to schedule an appointment today.

Welcoming patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.