Family Dentistry Archives - Page 3 of 7

January 2, 2012

Is Your Mouth Ready to Travel?

Filed under: Atlanta Community,Family Dentistry,General Dentistry — Tags: breath strip, childrens dentist, dental appointment, dental checkup, dental cleaning, dental emergency, dental practice, dental travel, dentist, emergency dentist, teeth whitening, travel checklist, travel essentials, travel toiletries, travel toothbrush, vacation checklist — dr_pate @ 6:28 pm

Going on vacation during the winter holiday? When you’re packing, don’t forget your dental travel kit. While you can find ready-made kits online or at your local pharmacy, it’s usually better to make your own, especially if you use a non-standard toothpaste or mouthwash. You should definitely include the following:

Toothbrush:Some travel brushes have hard bristles—make sure you pick one with soft bristles. If you’re traveling with others, be sure to label the toothbrushes, or get different-colored brushes to avoid mix-ups. You can even take your power toothbrush on the road. Sonicare has released the DiamondClean model that conveniently charges from your computer with a USB connection.

Toothpaste: You can find travel-size tubes of most kinds of toothpaste at your grocery store or pharmacy. Ask Dr. Pate for a sample if you don’t see yours at the store.

Mouthwash: Find a travel-size container or fill an empty travel bottle with your favorite mouthwash. If you use a prescription mouthwash, fill and label a small travel container.

Floss: This is the one dental care item most people forget! Try a new variety of floss while you’re on vacation. If you use floss picks, find a small plastic baggie and bring more than you think you’ll need. (more…)

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November 23, 2011

What is the Wishbone?

Filed under: Family Dentistry,Just For Fun — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, buckhead dentist, buckhead family dentist, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, family dentist atlanta, family dentist buckhead, history of the wishbone, thanksgiving wishbone tradition, what is the wishbone — dr_pate @ 10:33 pm

Breaking the wishbone is a popular Thanksgiving tradition. You may have battled your siblings for a shot at the wishbone pull since you were a kid, but how much do you know about the history of the wishbone?

1. What is the wishbone?

a. The collarbone
b. The rib
c. The leg

2. What animal’s bones were believed to have supernatural powers in medieval Europe?

a. Turkey
b. Chicken
c. Goose

3. Who started the Thanksgiving tradition of breaking the wishbone?

a. Your grandparents
b. The Pilgrims
c. The president

4. What is commonly believed to happen when you get the bigger half of the wishbone?

a. You get money
b. You’re unlucky
c. Your wish will come true

5. What is another name for the wishbone?

a. The lucky bone
b. The merrythought
c. The bone of thanks

(more…)

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November 18, 2011

Quick Snacks for Active Families

Do you feel like you’re always running? Soccer, ballet, PTA, church — the list of commitments goes on and on. Active families can easily miss out on healthy eating opportunities because of their tight schedules. Modern families often forgo a sit-down, home-cooked meal for McDonald’s or KFC. Dashboard dining can ruin all the hours you put in at the gym. These poor meal choices are often accompanied by colas, which can subject your teeth to a sugar bath.

You can have a jam-packed schedule and a healthy diet, but you’ll have to prepare for success.

At the Grocery Store: When shopping, don’t stuff your buggy with pre-packaged sweets and starches like crackers. Instead, hit up the perishable aisles. Yogurt, cheese, and milk come in small, disposable containers, and these dairy foods are packed with protein. They’re also good for your teeth, bones, and overall health. Don’t miss the fruit and veggie aisle. Produce companies have become wise to the needs of busy families. You can now buy small containers of carrots, apples, and grapes. Small bananas and clementine oranges are fun, kid-sized fruits that come in nature’s disposable packaging.

When Unpacking the Groceries: Keep the sweets up high and in the back of the cabinet. Place nutritious snacks on low pantry shelves and in the bottom bins of the refrigerator. As part of putting away your groceries, pack granola and cereals in small sandwich or snack bags. These treats can take the place of Little Debbie snack cakes and Hostess cupcakes. Place a variety of your nutritious grab-bags in a bin, and store it at eye-level for kids.

Good Old H20: Water is best served pure. Don’t offer your kids an option to add sugary or even artificially sweetened water bottle packets. To please everyone, keep some water bottles in the pantry at room temperature, and stock some on the bottom shelves of your refrigerator door. If someone in the family just must have flavoring, keep diced fresh fruit available. Adding a few chopped strawberries, a slice of orange, or a sprig of mint to a water bottle is healthier than adding pre-packaged mixes.

Dr. Pate’s Active Lifestyle: If you’re in search of a family dentist who prioritizes whole health and living well, you’re in the right place. In addition to being a dentist, small business owner, husband, and father, Dr. Pate is an Ironman. As such, the doctor completed the grueling Ironman Lake Placid this summer. This is a triathlon consisting of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bike, and a marathon (42.195-kilometre or 26.219 mile run) with no breaks. That was nearly 14 hours of workout, start to finish. When it comes to an active lifestyle, Dr. Pate understands! He lives one himself.

Call Dentistry in Buckead at 404-266-9424 to schedule your dental visit with Dr. Peter Pate. Our Atlanta dental office will do our best to take care of your smile.

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November 11, 2011

Your Family Health History

Filed under: Family Dentistry,Healthy Living — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, buckhead dentist, buckhead family dentist, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, family dentist atlanta, family dentist buckhead, family health history, family health problems, family history, family medical history, family oral health problems — dr_pate @ 10:08 pm

National Family History Day is observed on Thanksgiving Day. This event, organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Surgeon General’s office, is a time to focus on the importance of collecting your family health history.

About 96 percent of people admit that knowing family history is important, but only one-third of Americans have actually tried to collect information on their families. Some medical conditions and diseases, like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes, are passed along through family genes and behaviors. Knowing what illnesses run in your family will make you and your dentist aware of your risk for certain problems.

Thanksgiving is a common holiday for all family members to get together. While getting together to eat your delicious feast and share memories, try collecting and recording information to determine your family’s struggle with health problems. Consider asking these questions with your relatives to get the information you need: (more…)

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October 13, 2011

From Kings to Kids, Germs Aren’t Picky

Filed under: Family Dentistry,General Dentistry,Healthy Living — Tags: atlanta dental checkup, bad breath, buckhead family dentist, childrens dentist atlanta, dental checkup atlanta, dental checkup buckhead, dental cleaning atlanta, dental cleaning buckhead, family dentist, family dentist buckhead, general dentist atlanta, general dentist buckhead, kids denitst atlanta, kids dentists buckhead, oral health and heart — dr_pate @ 8:06 pm

730 years ago, the famous Egyptian king, Ramses II, was a powerful leader but an extremely poor example of oral health. Upon investigation, scientists postulate that the king died from heart disease that sprung directly from his rampant gum disease. His teeth can still be examined today, held in place by strong tartar buildup that holds them in like concrete. He did not brush and floss like he should have, which allowed plaque to build and harden into tartar. This resulted in an infection in his gums, or periodontal disease.

Did you know those germs in your mouth were so powerful? It’s kind of scary, but it’s true. Our mouths are full of bacteria — up to 600 different kinds. The really dangerous strand is Streptococci mutans, which causes cavities. Unlike many body parts, teeth don’t shed an outer layer. It’s up to you to control oral bacteria and keep it from getting out of control, which could lead to dental problems and serious overall health issues.

The germs that cause cavities do not discriminate based on your occupation or age – you might be a king, an executive, or an elementary school student; they’ll overtake your mouth and destroy good oral health if you let them. While cavities can seem rather innocuous, they are more serious than you might think. Letting cavities grow and harmful bacteria to flourish can allow infection to reach the brain. In fact, in 2007, a 12-year-old boy in Maryland died from a tooth infection, which entered his bloodstream and eventually reached his brain. S. mutans also cause bad breath and, even worse, gum disease. Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease increases the risk for heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes complications, and the list goes on. Look at Ramses II. Gum disease can be fatal.

To reduce the potential for cavities and gum disease, you have to brush, floss, and attend regularly scheduled checkups and cleanings. Not only will this approach give you fresh breath and save your teeth, it might just save your life.

Set an appointment with Dr. Peter Pate in the Buckhead community. Call 404-266-9424, or contact us online to schedule your visit. Located in Buckhead, our Atlanta dental office serves many local families from all around the metropolitan area.

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October 1, 2011

Should You Use Mouthwash?

Filed under: Family Dentistry,General Dentistry — Tags: atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, dental chekcup atlanta, dental cleaning in atlanta, family dentist, general dentist, is mouthwash safe, mouthwash and oral cancer, mouthwash and pregnancy, mouthwash reduces cavities, mouthwash reduces risk, prevent early delivery, prevent pre-term birth, using mouthwash — dr_pate @ 6:23 pm

Dr. Pate often recommends the use of mouthwash, as does the American Dental Association, but mouthwash is really a matter of preference. Brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and attending regularly scheduled checkups and cleanings are tasks you should count as mandatory for your oral health. Mouthwash isn’t a must, but it does help control oral bacteria. It also makes your breath minty fresh, and some varieties reduce the risk for gum disease and cavities.

Here are a few interesting facts on the use of mouthwash:

A recent study suggests that using alcohol-free mouthwash could help prevent pre-term births. Learn more.
Some studies suggest that regular, prolonged use of mouthwash with alcohol may increase the risk for oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Learn more.
Prescription strength chlorhexidine mouthwash reduces plaque by 55% and gingivitis by 30 to 45%. Learn more.
Listerine, an antimicrobial mouth rinse made with essential oils, is the most effective over-the-counter mouthwash to fight plaque. Learn more. (more…)

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September 20, 2011

The Toothbrush: Small Tool with a Big Impact

Filed under: Family Dentistry,Fun Dental Facts,General Dentistry — Tags: ADA dentist atlanta, atlanta dentist office, buckhead dental cleaning, buckhead dentist, buckhead dentist office, choosing a toothbrush, dental cleaning buckhead, dentist buckhead, dentist office atlanta, dentist office buckhead, history of toothbrush, toothbrush tips — dr_pate @ 4:40 pm

Did you know that some form of the toothbrush has been around for nearly 5,000 years? You might not even recognize these ancient brushes, as the bristles were made of unique materials such as hog’s hair, twigs and bamboo. The first modern-looking toothbrush was invented in 1948 in China. Over the average lifetime, this little invention gets a lot of attention from us. We spend about 38.5 days brushing our teeth! With this in mind, Dr. Pate and his team would like to share some tips with you, whether you’re choosing a new toothbrush or altering your brushing technique.

Regardless of your preference for manual, powered, pink, or blue (the most popular color), the key is to choose a soft bristle brush that fits comfortably in all areas of your mouth. The ADA recommends disposing of your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or sooner if the bristles are worn. After all, your brush won’t clean your teeth properly with flattened or bent bristles. Children typically will need to replace their toothbrushes more frequently.

Toothbrushes usually have about 2,000 bristles. For the best clean, hold the brush at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line while using short gentle strokes to cover each surface of the tooth. Dr. Pate suggests brushing for at least two minutes for an effective cleaning. Don’t forget your tongue! Giving it a scrub down will help to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

There has long been a vital connection between a healthy body and a healthy mouth. It’s a good idea to toss your toothbrush after a bacterial infection such as strep throat. Always allow your brush to air dry after each use, and keep it separate from other people’s toothbrushes. Whether you have natural teeth or dentures, bacteria likes to lurk in the mouth. NEVER use someone else’s toothbrush!

Dr. Peter Pate and his team are always here to answer questions or offer tips for a healthy smile. To schedule your family’s dental cleanings, please call our Atlanta dentist office, Dentistry in Buckhead, at 404-226-9424.

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