general dentist buckhead Archives - Page 2 of 3

June 15, 2011

Exercise Can Lower the Risk of Periodontal Disease

There are frequent news reports and television shows encouraging Americans to get fit and healthy through proper diet and exercise. One study revealed that increasing your level of exercise can lead to healthier teeth and gums.

Researchers from the University of Florida measured the body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and maximal oxygen consumption in a group of volunteers. The team of researchers then used the measurements to calculate each participant’s exercise capabilities and weight control. The participants’ oral health and oral care habits were also examined.

When all the information was gathered, researchers determined that the people who maintained healthy weight and exercised regularly were less likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease.

“Weight management and physical fitness both contribute to overall health, and now we believe staying in shape may help lower your risk of developing gum disease,” stated Samuel Low, Associate Dean at the school’s College of Dentistry. “Since gum disease is related to other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, there is even more reason to take care of yourself through diet and exercise.”

Dr. Low also suggests that we should follow the American Dental Association’s guidelines of brushing twice daily, flossing once a day, rinsing after meals, and visiting your dentist on a regular schedule for a thorough cleaning and checkup.

Remember, oral health is crucial to overall health, and your first step to continued good health is to schedule a thorough checkup and cleaning with me, Dr. Peter Pate, Dentistry of Buckhead. Contact my Atlanta dentist office at (404)266-9424 to schedule an appointment.

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May 31, 2011

Kick the Habit

Are you a tobacco user? This is a great time to kick the habit! The American Cancer Society recently stated that 90 percent of people with oral cancer used at least one form of tobacco.

In addition to cancer, tobacco products increase the risk of gum disease, discolor your teeth, give you bad breath, slow your healing after an oral procedure, and can cause white patches and scar tissue inside the mouth.

The tobacco industry recently introduced a dissolvable tobacco product for smokers to use in establishments that ban smoking. The marketing led consumers to believe that smokeless tobacco and dissolvable tobacco products are less harmful than pipes, cigars, and cigarettes. However, snuff, chewing tobacco, and dissolvable tobacco contain more nicotine than cigarettes, thus making them more addictive.

Nicotine is bad enough, but consider the added chemicals that increase the risk of throat, oral, and esophageal cancers. These products contain cyanide, arsenic, sand, grit, sugars, and sweeteners that irritate gums, generating a higher risk of gum disease. Gum disease is the #1 cause of adult tooth loss.

Kicking the habit now will reduce your potential for gum disease. When left untreated, gum disease increases the risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, pre-term births, low birth-weight babies, and oral cancer.

I’m Dr. Peter Pate of Dentistry in Buckhead, and I encourage you to be aware of oral cancer and give up tobacco products forever. Improve the quality of your life, and those of your friends and loved ones! If you need help quitting, or if you need your teeth whitened after you quit, contact my Atlanta dental office at (404)266-9424 to schedule an appointment. I care for patients in Buckhead and the greater Atlanta area.

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May 20, 2011

HPV: Strong Link to Oral Cancer!

We’ve heard a lot lately about the Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV. Usually this is introduced to us by our physicians as it relates to our reproductive health. HPV is most easily transmitted through sexual contact, and is strongly linked to cervical cancer. However, there is new evidence that connects HPV to declining oral health as well. Would you believe that the HPV positive group is the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population?

I’m Dr. Peter Pate of Dentistry in Buckhead. It is important that you understand the dangers of HPV and what it can mean for your oral health. I recommend that you first become familiar with the characteristics of the virus and the way it is transmitted, and then learn how to best prevent you and your loved ones from contracting this destructive bug.

Although over 120 different versions of HPV have been identified, the most common strands are HPV-16, 18, 31, and 45. The virus is most easily spread through unprotected sexual contact. All of these HPV strands wreak havoc on the skin and mucosal linings of body tissues and results in an attack of the cells which can lead to various forms of cancer.

Specifically in the mouth, HPV-16 seems to be the culprit for the increasing rates of oral cancer in young adults. The virus manifests itself primarily in the back regions of the oral cavity like the base of the tongue, the back of the throat, and the tonsils. The double stranded DNA virus comes in contact with these areas in the mouth and infects the epithelial cells of the mucosa. The infected cells in the mouth can degrade and mutate to become squamous cell carcinomas (oral cancer).

So, how do you keep from getting HPV? The easiest and most effective way to safeguard yourself is to abstain from unprotected sexual contact – including oral sex, which is what causes the oral cancer we just discussed. Secondly, most physicians offer the HPV vaccine that can be administered at ages as young as 10 years old. This vaccine is thought to offer protection against the most harmful types of HPV, including HPV-16.

Now that you know what HPV is and how it is spread, I would like to remind you that it is vital that you continue your regular hygiene visits. In addition to the examination and cleaning, we screen for any signs of oral cancer. If you are due to visit us, schedule a thorough checkup and cleaning with me, Dr. Peter Pate at Dentistry in Buckhead. Contact my Atlanta dental office at (404)266-9424 to schedule an appointment.

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May 12, 2011

Catch Your ZZZ’s to Prevent Disease!

At times sleep can be elusive, but it is important to overall health and oral health. Sleep impacts your memory, curbs inflammation, spurs your imagination, sharpens your attention, lowers stress levels, helps you maintain a healthy weight, and slows the progression of periodontal disease.

Your mind and body are very active during sleep. While sleeping, cells repair themselves, and hormones and the immune system reset. With an out-of-whack immune system, the body can’t fight illness or disease effectively.

When you feel worn down due to sleep deprivation, your body’s immune system is suppressed. Then the body is slower to produce the antibodies needs to fight infections. The less sleep you get, the weaker the immune system becomes.

A recent study in Japan revealed that people who slept less than seven hours a night stood a greater chance of developing periodontal disease than those who slept seven to eight hours a night. Researchers concluded that the lack of sleep weakened the immune system, causing the gum disease to progress more rapidly.

Several factors may affect your sleep: stress, medications, diet, your mattress, or obstructive sleep apnea. This condition occurs when soft tissues in the throat and mouth collapse and block the airflow during sleep.

If you experience sleepless nights due to sleep apnea or snoring, contact me, Dr. Peter Pate of Dentistry in Buckhead. I can determine if you need treatment for sleep apnea or require a snoreguard to keep your airway open as you sleep. Call my Atlanta dentist office at (404)266-9424 to schedule a consultation. We gladly welcome patients from Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Lenox, and surrounding areas.

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May 11, 2011

Low-Fat Chocolate Cake Recipe

Filed under: Atlanta Community,Living It Up — Tags: atlanta childrens dentist, atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, buckhead atlanta childrens dentist, buckhead atlanta dentist, buckhead atlanta family dentist, buckhead cosmetic dentist, buckhead dental checkup, buckhead dentist, buckhead family dentist, family dentist atlanta ga, general dentist atlanta, general dentist buckhead — dr_pate @ 7:55 pm

Now that we have introduced some healthy foods to incorporate into your everyday diet, you know that dessert is still an option! As a health-conscious cook, your dessert should be low in fat and sugar.

Try this healthy chocolate cake recipe for your next after dinner treat:

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar (or sugar free substitute like xylitol or stevia)
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 egg whites
1 cup water
1/2 cup corn syrup
2 teaspoons confectioners’ sugar

Directions

In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, whisk egg whites, water, and corn syrup. Stir into dry ingredients. Pour into a 9-in. square baking pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Nutritional Analysis

One serving equals 176 calories, 1 g fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 186 mg sodium, 42 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch

I’m Dr. Peter Pate of Dentistry in Buckhead, and I encourage my patients to choose a healthy diet and maintain proper oral hygiene habits of brushing twice daily, flossing once a day, rinsing after meals, and keeping your regular dental visits. Call my Atlanta Buckhead dentist office at (404)266-9424 to schedule an appointment. Enjoy your healthy dessert!

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May 5, 2011

5 Dental Facts to Fight Rainy Day Blues

Filed under: Fun Dental Facts — Tags: atlanta childrens dentist, atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist atlanta, atlanta general dentist, buckhead atlanta childrens dentist, buckhead atlanta dentist, buckhead atlanta family dentist, buckhead atlanta ga, buckhead atlanta ga dentist, buckhead cosmetic dentist, buckhead dentist, buckhead general dentist, childrens dentist, family dentist, family dentist atlanta ga, general dentist atlanta, general dentist buckhead — dr_pate @ 6:13 pm

If you are trapped indoors and need relief from the tedium share some fun facts with your friends and family. Here are five cool dental factoids:

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body
Most people have 32 teeth as adults (includes 4 wisdom 8 incisors 4 canines 12 molars and 8 premolars)
1/4 of Americans over age 60 have lost all of their natural teeth
The average adult exerts about 20-40 pounds of pressure when biting. However millions of us can bite with up to 250 pounds of force!
Besides colas and citrus overly chlorinated pools can also erode your enamel!

I’m Dr. Peter Pate of Dentistry in Buckhead and I encourage my patients to choose a healthy diet and maintain proper oral hygiene habits of brushing twice daily flossing once a day rinsing after meals and keeping your regular dental visits. Call my Atlanta dental office at (404)266-9424 to schedule an appointment. Enjoy the beautiful spring weather!

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April 25, 2011

7 Food Surprises for a Healthy Smile!

Filed under: Family Dentistry,Fun Dental Facts,General Dentistry — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, buckhead atlanta childrens dentist, buckhead atlanta dentist, buckhead atlanta family dentist, buckhead atlanta ga dentist, buckhead dentist, buckhead general dentist, general dentist buckhead, smile makeover atlanta — dr_pate @ 5:51 pm

Now that we have finished eating Valentine’s Day chocolates and Easter basket treats, it is time to concentrate on a healthier way to treat your teeth. So what are some mouth healthy foods and what are their benefits?

I’m Dr. Peter Pate of Dentistry in Buckhead, and here are some great food choices for a healthy smile.

Cheese – Cheese is low in carbohydrates and high in calcium and phosphate. Cheese helps balance the pH level in your mouth and can help to preserve and rebuild tooth enamel.

Celery – Celery protects your teeth by giving your mouth a workout. The chewing increases saliva production which neutralizes the bacteria that cause cavities. The chomping on celery massages the gums and cleans between the teeth.

Onions – Onions contain powerful antibacterial sulfur compounds that kill cavity-causing bacteria. You may not have sweet breath, but you’ll have a happy mouth!

Parsley – Parsley will help freshen up your onion breath. The leaves of parsley are rich in chlorophyll, which acts as a powerful neutralizer of bad breath.

Kiwis – Kiwis contain more vitamin C than any other fruit. When you don’t get enough vitamin C, the collagen network in your gums can break down, which makes your gums tender and more susceptible to bacteria.

Sesame Seeds – Seeds slough off plaque and help build tooth enamel. Sesame seeds are also high in calcium, which is good for your bones that support your teeth and gums.

Shiitake Mushrooms – The natural sugar found in shiitake mushrooms prevents mouth bacteria from creating plaque.

So next time you are heading to the grocery store, pick up some of these delicious and nutritious treats. For more information on other healthy foods, contact my Atlanta office at (404)-266-9424.

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