General Dentistry Archives - Page 2 of 7

May 8, 2012

Tools for Your Dental Education

Filed under: General Dentistry,Technology — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta digital xrays, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, atlanta intraoral cameras, brookhaven dentist, dentist atlanta, dentist brookhaven, dentist sandy springs, digital xrays atlanta, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, intraoral cameras atlanta, sandy springs dentist — dr_pate @ 6:19 pm

At Dentistry in Buckhead, we understand that you may be confused about your oral health because you can’t see what’s happening inside your mouth. However, Dr. Pate is determined to help his patients fully understand their oral health. We offer digital x-rays, intraoral cameras, and chairside monitors to help keep you informed, educated, and aware of your dental health and treatment.

What are Digital X-rays?

Dental x-rays are essential in helping Dr. Pate diagnose tooth decay, gum disease, alignment issues, and other dental problems in their early stages. However, many people are concerned about the radiation exposure in traditional x-rays. Instead, we offer digital radiography technology. Digital x-rays produce 90 percent less radiation to help keep our patients and our environment safe and healthy. Additionally, digital x-rays give us instant high quality images of your teeth that can be organized electronically.

(more…)

Comments (0)

May 7, 2012

Keep Your Smile Healthy in the Workplace

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, buckhead dentist, cosmetic dentist atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist sandy springs, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, sandy springs dentist — dr_pate @ 1:45 am

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, people who smile are more popular and more successful than their non-smiling peers. A healthy smile in the workplace can improve your appearance, confidence, and performance. In honor of Employee Health and Fitness Month, Dr. Pate would like to discuss how to keep your smile healthy on the job.

Brushing at the Office

More than three-quarters of professionals eat at their desk at least twice during the day. However, only 53% of women and 37% of men brush their teeth after eating at work. The Academy of General Dentistry suggests leaving an extra toothbrush at the office to increase your likelihood of brushing by about 65 percent. Research also shows that people who practice healthy hygiene behaviors are more motivated and more likely to pay attention to details, thereby improving work efficiency.

(more…)

Comments (0)

May 2, 2012

Why Do I Have Bad Breath in the Morning?

Filed under: General Dentistry,Stop Snoring — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, atlanta snoring treatment, bad breath atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist sandy springs, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, sandy springs dentist, sleep apnea treatment atlanta, sleep treatment atlanta, snoring treatment atlanta, stop snoring atlanta — dr_pate @ 10:56 pm

Approximately 95 percent of people are affected by an oral condition that occurs during sleep. We’re talking about dry mouth and bad breath—a situation commonly referred to as morning breath. If your partner avoids kissing you in the morning, Dr. Pate offers these tips to treat your bad breath.

Common Causes of Morning Breath

Poor hygiene: Bacteria and food particles that sit in your mouth all night can produce a bad odor when you wake up. It’s important to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly before going to bed to help clear out any lingering microbes. Cleaning your mouth will also help reduce your risk of decay because oral bacteria won’t have as much material to feed on overnight. Additionally, alcohol further dries out your mouth, so make sure your mouthwash has little to no alcohol content.
(more…)

Comments (0)

April 27, 2012

The Advantages of Invisalign

Filed under: General Dentistry,Invisalign — Tags: atlanta clear braces, atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, atlanta invisalign, buckhead dentist, clear braces atlanta, cosmetic dentist atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist lenox, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, invisalign atlanta, lenox dentist — dr_pate @ 4:08 pm

Crooked teeth are embarrassing, but a mouth full of metal may be even more humiliating for professional adults. Fortunately, Dr. Pate offers Invisalign clear braces—a cosmetic alternative to straighten your smile. Take this quiz to see how much you know about the benefits of Invisalign.

1. What color are Invisalign braces?
a. Silver
b. White
c. Clear

2. How long do you wear each set of aligners?
a. One month
b. Two weeks
c. One week

3. When should you remove Invisalign?
a. For eating and cleaning
b. For sleeping
c. Only at the end of treatment

4. Which of the following is associated with Invisalign?
a. Wires
b. Brackets
c. A custom fit

(more…)

Comments (0)

April 22, 2012

Oral Piercings and Dental Health

Filed under: General Dentistry,Healthy Living — Tags: atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, buckhead dentist, cosmetic dentist atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist lenox, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, lenox dentist, lip piercing atlanta, oral piercings atlanta, tongue piercing atlanta — dr_pate @ 9:11 pm

Some people think oral piercings are fashionable, but Dr. Pate views them as potential dental disasters. If you’re considering a lip or tongue piercing, take the proper precautions to avoid damaging your teeth, gums, and oral health.

Stay Sterile

More than half of the bacteria in your mouth live on the surface of your tongue. When your tongue is punctured, your oral bacteria can enter your bloodstream, increasing your risk of heart problems and other oral-systemic conditions. Additionally, if not sterilized properly, the piercing needle can carry bacteria and increase your risk of toxic shock syndrome, blood poisoning, hepatitis, and other health problems. Furthermore, research shows that stainless steel studs collect more bacteria than plastic studs. To prevent infection, be sure your piercer is using a clean needle and practices proper oral hygiene to keep your mouth clean.

Healthy Healing

A piercing takes a long time to heal. It’s important to take proper care of your mouth during the recovery process to prevent infection and restore the healthy tissues. Immediately following your piercings, your tongue, lips, and gums may swell. Swelling can make it difficult to speak, eat, drink, and swallow properly. Furthermore, excessive inflammation may block your airway. To promote quick recovery, consume plenty of vitamin C, rinse your mouth with an antiseptic, and avoid acidic items that could irritate your mouth. You should also visit Dr. Pate to check that your piercing and oral tissues are healing safely.

(more…)

Comments (0)

April 18, 2012

Keeping Back Teeth Healthy

Filed under: General Dentistry,Preventive Dentistry — Tags: atlanta childrens dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, atlanta tooth decay, brookhaven dentist, buckhead dentist, childrens dentist atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist brookhaven, dentist buckhead, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, tooth decay atlanta — dr_pate @ 2:10 pm

When you smile, other people typically only see the front, outer surfaces of your teeth. Many cosmetic treatments, like whitening, veneers, and bonding, brighten these surfaces to improve your physical appearance. However, it’s just as important to take care of the parts of your mouth that other people can’t see. Proper dental care and regular visits to Dr. Pate can help keep front and back teeth healthy so you can function properly.

Why are Back Teeth Overlooked?

The Academy of General Dentistry reports that more people are concerned with achieving a beautiful smile than a healthy one. Many people don’t pay close attention to their back teeth because they aren’t visible and don’t impact overall appearance.

In addition, brushers often have difficulty reaching and cleaning their back molars. Your back teeth are responsible for grinding and crushing your food before you swallow. Your “chewing surfaces” also have deep ridges to help with chomping. Since your back molars are frequently exposed to food, and food can get stuck in the grooves, it’s important to thoroughly clean these teeth to remove debris. If you need help reaching the back of your mouth, try using a toothbrush with a long handle. You should also remember to start your brushing routine at the back of your mouth—while your toothbrush and paste are fresh, and before you tire of brushing. Additionally, at your regular dental cleaning with Dr. Pate, our hygienists will help clean those difficult-to-reach angles that you can’t scrub on your own.

(more…)

Comments (0)

April 2, 2012

What to Do Before and After Your Atlanta Dental Appointment

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, buckhead dentist, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist lenox, dentist sandy springs, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, lenox dentist, prepare for dentist appointment, sandy springs dentist, what to do after dentist appointment — dr_pate @ 5:30 pm

During your appointment with Dr. Pate, our team will thoroughly clean and protect your teeth. However, once you leave our Atlanta dentist office, you need to follow proper maintenance and care instructions to avoid damaging your teeth and gums. Try these tips to keep your smile healthy immediately before and after your dental cleaning.

What to Do Before Your Appointment

Regular hygiene. Your best defense against dental diseases is to correctly brush and floss daily. It’s simply not enough if you “cram” and only floss a few days before your appointment. In addition, it’s best to show Dr. Pate your natural behaviors and condition of your mouth so you will know what to change. For example, if you have bad breath, you don’t need to worry. Coming to your appointment in your natural state will help Dr. Pate accurately diagnose any problems.
Prepare. Keep a file at home of your oral history so you can review what’s going on inside your mouth. You should also gather all your medical and health information so you can discuss your conditions with Dr. Pate.
Relax. Stress and anxiety can make your dentist appointment more uncomfortable. Be sure you get plenty of sleep the night before and arrive early enough to relax in the waiting room. If you’re still nervous, ask Dr. Pate if you would benefit from sedation.

(more…)

Comments (0)

« Newer Posts — Older Posts »