Peter A. Pate, DDS Dental Blog

March 15, 2012

Alternative Dental Terms

Filed under: Fun Dental Facts,General Dentistry — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, buckhead dentist, buckhead family dentist, dental terms atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist sandy springs, dentist vinings, family dentist atlanta, family dentist buckhead, names of teeth, sandy springs dentist, vinings dentist — dr_pate @ 3:52 pm

Dentistry has many different terms that can all mean the same thing. Just for fun, let’s take a look at some of the terms that Dr. Pate or others may use to discuss your teeth, mouth, and smile.

Alternative Names for Teeth

Your teeth have different shapes and different purposes. When Dr. Pate is examining your mouth, he may use specific names for your teeth. If he uses any of the following terms, they all generally mean “teeth.”

Pearly Whites
Bicuspids
Molars
Third molars
Wisdom teeth
Canines
Incisors
Chompers/Choppers
Fangs
Tusks

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March 13, 2012

Remove Stains and Enjoy a Brighter Smile!

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, atlanta smile enhancement, atlanta tooth whitening, atlanta veneers, cosmetic dentist atlanta, dentist atlanta, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, tooth whitening atlanta, veneers atlanta — dr_pate @ 2:48 pm

Are you frustrated with your over-the-counter whitening kit because it’s taking too long to brighten your smile? If you have stubborn tooth stains that you just can’t remove, it’s time to contact your Atlanta cosmetic dentist. Dr. Peter Pate offers many cosmetic treatments that can enhance your smile and eliminate those deep tooth discolorations.

Whiten Your Teeth

Dr. Pate offers two forms of professional whitening. First, we can remove discolorations with the Zoom! in-office whitening treatment. Dr. Pate will apply a whitening gel to your teeth and use an ultraviolet light to lighten your teeth up to eight to ten shades—in just one visit!

Our second option, at-home whitening, is for those who prefer to brighten at their own pace. Ask Dr. Pate for a take-home whitening kit. You will fill the tray with a special whitening formula (provided by Dr. Pate) and wear your trays for a specified time.

Professional teeth whitening services use stronger whitening formulas than over-the-counter treatments, so you will see results and remove those stubborn stains in minimal time. Additionally, Dr. Pate will supervise your treatment to ensure that your teeth, gums, lips, and whole mouth are safe during the process.

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March 8, 2012

Men vs. Women: Who Has Better Oral Health?

Filed under: Family Dentistry — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta oral hygiene, brushing teeth atlanta, buckhead dentist, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, family dentist atlanta, healthy smile atlanta, men and women oral differences, men's oral health atlanta, oral hygiene atlanta, women's oral health atlanta — dr_pate @ 10:08 pm

It’s the battle of the sexes! Men and women have different environmental, lifestyle, and behavioral factors that influence their oral health. Let’s take a look at some common gender differences that can affect your mouth.

Regular Hygiene

Women, in general, tend to pay more attention to their health and body. When it comes to oral hygiene, women are 26% more likely to floss on a daily basis, and 57% of women will brush twice a day. Additionally, about 53% of women brush their teeth at the workplace, compared with 37% of men. Only about 49% of men will brush twice daily. Due to their lack of preventive dental care, men are more likely to develop gum disease. Women are more likely to follow routine checkup schedules to keep their health in line, and they have a more positive attitude toward dental visits. They are also more likely to schedule a doctor visit when feeling sick or injured, while men will often try to fix an injury or problem on their own.

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March 7, 2012

National Sleep Awareness Week

Filed under: Stop Snoring — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta sleep apnea, buckhead dentist, buckhead sleep apnea, can't sleep atlanta, daytime sleepiness atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist brookhaven, dentist buckhead, dentist lenox, dentist sandy springs, family dentist atlanta, sleep apnea treatment atlanta, sleep better atlanta, sleepless nights atlanta — dr_pate @ 4:43 pm

The National Sleep Foundation reports that about 37 percent of adults sleep less than seven hours per night, but the recommended time is seven to nine hours. People who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to experience daytime sleepiness and health problems. This week, March 5-11, is National Sleep Awareness Week, a campaign designed to promote the importance of sleep. Dr. Pate can help you understand the importance of getting adequate sleep at night.

Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder, affecting about 18 million Americans. Sleep apnea blocks your airways at night, interrupting your rest.
Insufficient sleep is associated with anxiety, depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Sleeplessness decreases your performance and effectiveness, and increases your risk of accidents and injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsy driving is responsible for 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and 100,000 car accidents each year.
Staying awake for more than 20 hours straight causes the same reactions and impairment—including blurred vision—as having a blood alcohol concentration level of .08 percent.

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March 2, 2012

Rock Star Dental Habits

Filed under: General Dentistry,Just For Fun — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta stained teeth, buckhead dentist, buckhead family dentist, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, energy drinks, family dentist atlanta, family dentist buckhead, stage oral injury atlanta, stained teeth atlanta, teeth knocked out atlanta, tooth decay atlanta — dr_pate @ 7:02 pm

February was a month full of awards shows, including the 54^th Annual Grammy Awards. As your favorite musicians accepted their awards, what did their smiles look like? Dr. Pate can help protect your teeth from some common destructive rock-star habits.

Oral Habits

Some rockers have wild lifestyles. Drug, tobacco, and alcohol use can damage their smiles. First, these products contribute to stained teeth. Your teeth should not look the same gold color as your Grammy! Furthermore, these habits can lead to dry mouth and increase your risk of oral cancer. Most musicians should set an example to their young fans and avoid harmful habits to keep their smiles white and healthy.

Stage Accidents

Instrument wires and stage oils can make performances very hazardous. Slipping on stage or diving into the audience may cause oral injuries, like broken teeth or knocked out teeth. Actress-singer Hilary Duff admitted that she chipped four of her teeth on microphones, influencing her decision to get veneers. If rock stars plan rowdy dance moves, they should consider wearing mouth guards to protect their smiles against accidental injuries.

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March 1, 2012

What are Taste Buds?

Filed under: Fun Dental Facts,Healthy Living — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta general dentist, bad breath atlanta, bad taste in mouth atlanta, buckhead dentist, buckhead general dentist, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist sandy springs, dentist vinings, dry mouth atlanta, family dentist atlanta, family dentist buckhead, general dentist atlanta, general dentist buckhead — dr_pate @ 4:21 pm

Taste is the weakest of your five senses, but it’s responsible for the different flavors you experience when you eat. In general, girls have more taste buds than boys. Taste buds are tiny nerve endings that send messages to your brain to help you sense a taste. How much do you know about your taste buds? Test your knowledge and visit Dr. Pate to make sure the taste in your mouth is healthy.

1. What are the bumps on your tongue called?

a. Papillae
b. Ridges
c. Palate

2. What are the five main tastes?

a. Sugar, fruity, sour, spicy, creamy
b. Sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami
c. Dairy, bread, meat, dessert, beverage

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February 29, 2012

Receive Your Celebrity Smile Makeover in Atlanta

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta smile enhancement, atlanta smile makeover, atlanta veneers, buckhead cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist atlanta, cosmetic dentist buckhead, cosmetic dentist sandy springs, cosmetic dentist vinings, dentist atlanta, family dentist atlanta, smile enhancement atlanta, smile makeover atlanta, veneers atlanta — dr_pate @ 6:54 pm

Tom Cruise certainly has a lot to smile about. We’re not just talking about his successes as an actor and producer, but his smile enhancements gave him a new grin worthy of the spotlight. Dr. Pate can transform your smile so you, too, can achieve a superstar beam.

Tom Cruise’s Smile Makeover

You may recall a young Tom Cruise in The Outsiders. You may also remember his unappealing smile. It appeared as if each tooth was stained and going in a different direction. Some of his teeth were overlapping and his enlarged front tooth was twisted at an uncomfortable angle. Since then, Tom’s smile has undergone major dental and orthodontic work.

During a trip to the orthodontist with one of his children, the actor discovered that his jaw and teeth were out of alignment. At age 39, the star decided to use orthodontic treatments to adjust his teeth. He wore clear braces with only the connecting wire visible. Fortunately for you, Dr. Pate offers Invisalign clear aligners, so you can invisibly straighten your teeth without any connecting wires or uncomfortable brackets.

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