Peter A. Pate, DDS Dental Blog

August 21, 2011

Technology – Friend to Your Teeth!

In general dentistry, technological advances have become a major part of prevention. The DIAGNOdent Laser Cavity detector is a laser we use to detect the tiniest, hidden bits of decay and demineralization in your teeth. Previously undetectable areas and amounts of decay are now caught by this laser. It almost sounds too good to be true, right? Just how does this amazing technology work?

The DIAGNOdent is a small hand piece that Dr. Peter Pate will use to scan your teeth, gums, and entire oral cavity. Using a completely safe, high-powered light to illuminate your mouth, we will be able to easily identify abnormalities based on the way the light appears.

Scientists discovered that altered tooth substances and bacteria will give fluorescent feedback at certain wavelengths of light, while normal tissue and areas will appear a constant color throughout.

The DIAGNOdent operates at a wavelength of 655 nm. At this wavelength, clean teeth will have no fluorescence. The machine will display low scale readings. If any tooth has decay and/or demineralization, it will show fluorescence and the display readings will be high.

The device is equipped with audio signals to point out areas of concern. This audio guide allows us to stay focused on you during your exam, rather than constantly watching the computer monitor.

The process will be very fast and completely comfortable for you. After your exam, you can feel confident about the health of your teeth without worrying about what problems might be lurking in the hard-to-see areas of your mouth. This is just another perk of having regularly scheduled dental exams and cleanings.

Dr. Pate and his team will use the latest technology to help you attain the best possible oral health. Just call Dentistry in Buckhead today at 404-266-9424.

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August 8, 2011

Heart Health Linked to Dental Health

Filed under: Healthy Living — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta heart health, buckhead dentist, dental cavities, dentistry and heart, gum disase, heart health, heart health link, heart patient, tooth decay — dr_pate @ 12:22 pm

Research has linked gum disease to increased risk for heart attack, but more recent research also shows a link between plaque and endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart. The most common cause of endocarditis, in fact, is related to the same bacteria that cause cavities.

Streptococcus mutans, or S. mutans for short, is one of over 600 bacteria that call your mouth home. Some of the bacteria in your mouth are good, some bad. S. mutans is definitely one of the bad. This bacteria lives in the complex matrix of plaque, that sticky, stinky substance you try to brush and floss away. S. mutans can enter the bloodstream through a tear or cut in your gums. This might be the result of brushing and floss too aggressively, or it may occur during a dental procedure. If your immune system does not destroy the bacteria, within seconds it can travel to the heart and colonize on the heart valves. This causes the heart valves and chambers to swell, and this is bacterial endocarditis – a potentially fatal condition.

If you are a heart patient, please, please, please tell your dentist before having any dental work performed. You may need antibiotics prior to your dental procedure. Your cardiologist will make this decision based on the specifics of your situation, and should write your dental premedication prescription, if needed.

Researchers hope that a saliva test will be created to assess a patient’s risk for endocarditis. A certain protein, CNM, present in high levels in some people, allows the S. mutans bacteria to colonize in the heart. The more CNM a person has, the more prone he or she may be to endocarditis. A test that determines if a person is at increased risk would allow the dentist to administer a greater dose of antibiotics before treatment, thus making the body more adept at killing the S. mutans bacteria that enter the bloodstream.

You can reduce your risk every day with diligent brushing and flossing and the use of mouthwash. The less plaque you have in your mouth, the less risk you have of endocarditis from S. mutans bacteria.

Dr. Pate and his team stay on top of research like this so that we can take excellent care of you and your family. If it’s time for a checkup, call Dentistry in Buckhead today at 404-266-9424.

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August 7, 2011

Smile Tips from a Star

Filed under: Family Dentistry,General Dentistry,Healthy Living — Tags: dental checkup atlanta, dental checkup buckhead ga, dental cleaning atlanta, dental cleaning buckhead ga, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead ga, family dentist atlanta, family dentist buckhead ga, general dentist atlanta, general dentist buckhead ga, healthy living atlanta, healthy living buckhead ga, healthy smile atlanta, healthy smile buckhead ga, oral health atlanta, oral health buckhead ga — dr_pate @ 5:29 pm

Photo Credit: Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

You’ve seen the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” right? If not, you’re seriously missing out. Nia Vardalos, the star and brains behind the movie, is hilarious. What you might not know, however, is that she is a probiotics enthusiast, which impacts how she takes care of herself and her daughter.

Probiotics are “good” bacteria that help keep your health in check. You probably know that probiotics are found naturally in yogurt. Now there’s another easy source. GUM^® just released PerioBalance, a mint-flavored daily lozenge containing a blend of probiotics to help neutralize harmful bacteria surrounding your teeth and gums.

As a family dentist in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Peter Pate agrees with many of Nia’s tips for a healthier smile. Check them out:

Load up on calcium. Drinking milk builds strong bones (yes, your teeth are bones). A lack of calcium increases your risk of tooth decay and cavities.
Boost your Vitamin C intake. Citrus fruits and other foods that are high in Vitamin C help ward off infection. Eat more, and lessen your chances of developing gingivitis and gum disease.
Get your fill of fruits and veggies. The crispier your food, the better. Fruits and vegetables help to wipe bacteria off of your teeth, and chewing increases the production of bacteria-neutralizing saliva.
Stick with tea and water. Studies show that black tea can rid your mouth of the bacteria found in dental plaque. Water rinses away bacteria and food particles that can eventually stick to your teeth and become plaque at the gum line.
Avoid candy and soda. Sugar and acid are the enemies of your teeth. You don’t have to avoid these treats completely, but limit your intake as much as possible, and make sure to brush and floss thoroughly after you consume sugar-loaded foods and drinks.

Above all, Nia made a point of teaching her daughter how to brush and floss. “It’s all about prevention. Invest now, avoid health issues in the future,” Nia says.

Well said, Nia! Dr. Pate and his team at Dentistry in Buckhead provide dental care to patients of all ages in the greater Atlanta area. To schedule an appointment, call (404) 266-9424.

Content for this blog post found on EverydayHealth.com.

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July 12, 2011

The Importance of Mouthwash

For healthy teeth, you have to eat right and practice daily oral healthcare at home. Teeth should be brushed two times a day, flossed once a day, rinsed after meals, and cleaned professionally at least every six months. Additionally, your entire mouth can benefit from mouthwash. Antiseptic oral rinses and fluoride rinses are two types of beneficial mouthwashes that can promote healthy teeth and gums (and help refresh your breath too!).

Antiseptic mouthwashes, such as Scope and Listerine, decrease plaque and oral bacteria. In conjunction with brushing and flossing, these rinses help remove oral debris, temporarily suppress bad breath, and refresh the mouth with a pleasant taste (flavored versions only). To avoid drying out the tissues of the mouth, rinsing with a non-alcoholic mouthwash is recommended so be sure to check the labels!

Fluoride mouthwashes can also decrease oral bacteria. In addition to acting as an antiseptic, fluoride effectively prevents the growth of cavity-causing dental bacteria and strengthens tooth enamel. ACT, a common over-the-counter fluoride rinse, slows down or even stops the progression of cavities when combined with proper brushing and flossing. For high-risk patients, dentists can provide stronger concentration fluoride supplements or rinses to protect against cavities.

Rinsing with any mouthwash for 30 seconds loosens remaining debris and contributes to good oral health. If you live in the Atlanta area and want healthy teeth for a lifetime, contact me, Dr. Peter Pate at (404)266-9424. I provide preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry to families in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Lenox, Atlanta, and surrounding areas.

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July 5, 2011

The History of Dental Implants

Filed under: Dental Implants,Fun Dental Facts — Tags: atlanta dental implants, atlanta implant dentist, atlanta missing teeth, buckhead dental implants, buckhead implant dentist, buckhead missing teeth, dental implants atlanta, dental implants buckhead, implant dentist atlanta, implant dentist buckhead, missing teeth atlanta, missing teeth buckhead — dr_pate @ 2:29 am

As the leading tooth replacement option today, you would think the dental implant is a fairly recent technological advancement.

Believe it or not, the first dental implants date back more than 1,300 years. Here’s a timeline of dental implants.

Ancient History: Ancient Mayans and Egyptians hammered tooth-like pieces of shell, ivory, and animal bone directly into their gums to replace teeth.

1700s: Lost teeth were often replaced using the teeth of human donors, but the process was unsuccessful due to infection from the foreign materials used during the implant process.

1800s: Gold, platinum, and other metal alloys were used experimentally and placed into sockets where teeth had been recently extracted. Long-term success rates were poor.

1952: A doctor in Sweden accidentally discovered that titanium can bond with living bone tissue when he placed a titanium screw in an animal’s thighbone. He had the idea to use titanium posts to bond dental implants to patient jawbones.

1965: Modern dental implants made their world debut! This was the beginning of implanting titanium in bone for the purpose of rooting prosthetic teeth.

1981: Per-Ingvar Branemark, the Swedish doctor who discovered the fusing power of titanium, published a paper reporting all the data he had collected about titanium implants.

1982: The Toronto Conference on Osseointegration in Clinical Dentistry created the first guidelines for successful implant dentistry.

2002: An American Dental Association (ADA) survey showed that oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, and general dentists nearly doubled the number of implants performed per dentist between 1995 and 2002.

Today: Dental implants are the number one tooth replacement procedure.

Dr. Peter Pate uses dental implants to give his patients beautiful, complete, and healthy smiles that will last a lifetime. Call Dentistry in Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia at (404) 266-9424 to reserve your consultation appointment with Dr. Pate.

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June 20, 2011

A Few Facts about Fluoride

Filed under: Fun Dental Facts,General Dentistry — Tags: atlanta dental checkup, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, buckhead ga dental checkup, buckhead ga dentist, buckhead ga family dentist, buckhead ga general dentist, dental checkup atlanta ga, dental checkup buckhead ga, dentist atlanta ga, dentist buckhead ga, family dentist atlanta, family dentist buckhead ga, general dentist atlanta, general dentist buckhead ga — dr_pate @ 8:41 pm

Dental fluoride used to be a routine part of most dental cleanings and exams, but for some time now, the use of fluoride has been debatedamong dental and other health professionals.

Here are a few facts about fluoride from the Fluoride Information Network:

1. Fluoride is a community health measure that benefits people of all ages, income levels, and ethnicities.

2. Fluoride protects over 300 million people in more than 40 countries worldwide. More than 10,000 communities and 145 million people benefit from fluoride in the U.S. alone.

3. Fluoride is a natural mineral widely distributed in nature. When added to water supplies at optimal levels, it is effective in reducing tooth decay.

4. Multiple studies have shown that fluoridation can reduce tooth decay by 60% in baby teeth and up to 35% in adult teeth.

5. Underprivileged children have more cavities than children from middle or upper income families. Children from families earning less than $20,000 annually have 10 times more unmet dental care needs than children from families earning at least $50,000 annually.

6. Fluoride serves as the natural protector for tooth enamel and encourages healthy teeth and gums.

7. Systemic fluoride (in the water supply) is the best fluoride source for developing teeth. Topical application is the next best way to gain the dental benefits of fluoride, and is a great option for enhancing the benefits of fluoridated water.

8. Water fluoridation is safe! Studies show that adjustment to appropriate levels does not pose a health risk for the public. Fluoride at recommended levels has been used for more than 50 years with no side effects.

9. Water fluoridation saves money. It costs approximately 50 cents per person per year to receive fluoridated water. A filling for a single cavity can cost upwards of $200!

10. Oral health is a critical component of overall health and wellbeing. Fluoride helps to keep your enamel healthy, which in turn protects your teeth and promotes quality oral and overall health.

The bottom line: Don’t be afraid of fluoride. It’s safe to assume that you use fluoridated toothpaste. In fact, it’s unlikely that toothpaste will get the ADA seal of approval if it doesn’t contain fluoride.

Dr. Peter Pate gives most of his patients a fluoride treatment at dental exams and cleanings because it is crucial to quality oral health. For more information about the services and treatments offered at Dentistry in Buckhead, call our dental office in Atlanta, Georgia at (404) 266-9424.

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June 17, 2011

Will sedation dentistry ease your fears?

Filed under: Sedation Dentistry — Tags: atlanta comfortable dentistry, atlanta dental anxiety, atlanta ga dentist, atlanta ga fear of the dentist, atlanta sedation dentistry, comfortable dentistry atlanta, dental anxiety atlanta, dentist atlanta ga, fear of the dentist atlanta ga, sedation dentistry atlanta — dr_pate @ 12:48 pm

Of the following, which one makes you the most nervous?

Heights
Flying
Injections
Doctors
Snakes
Going to the dentist
Spiders
Going to the hospital

A recent study conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation produced some interesting results. In the lead-up to National Smile Month 2011, the Foundation asked over 1,000 people what makes them the most nervous.

More than 1 in 5 people rated visiting the dentist as the culprit that causes them the most anxiety!

A fear of heights topped the poll, followed by visiting the dentist and going to the hospital. Surprisingly, snakes ranked fourth, while spiders came in fifth.

Obviously, a large number of people suffer from fear of the dentist or some form of dental phobia. Unfortunately, that means these folks are not getting the dental care they need simply because they’re afraid.

Dr. Peter Pate can help. With sedation dentistry, you can leave your anxiety at the door and get the care you need. Dr. Pate will review your suggested treatment course and answer your questions to alleviate any lingering apprehension. Depending on your goals, concerns, and medical history, Dr. Pate will suggest the right method of sedation for you. Our sedation dentistry options include nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation.

For more information or to reserve your appointment, call Dentistry in Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia at (404) 266-9424.

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