Lake Oconee Dentistry Blog

DURING MEDIEVAL TIMES, people believed they could cure a toothache by driving a nail into an oak tree. Silly, right?

Today’s Misconceptions Are Different

There are still some crazy ideas out there about teeth—ideas that have very little to do with the facts.

Have you ever fallen for one or more of these modern misconceptions? Most people have.

Misconception #1 – Cavities Are Only Caused By Sweets

Technically, cavities are caused by carbohydrates interacting with bacteria on your teeth to create acid byproducts. Carbs include sugars, but cavities can just as easily be caused by crackers, potato chips, and bread!

Misconception #2 – Children Are More Prone To Cavities Than Adults

Kids are NOT inherently more prone to decay… They’re just not as good at brushing! Teach your child thorough brushing techniques—helping them out until they’re dextrous enough to do a good solo job.

Misconception #3 – My Teeth Are Fine If I Have No Pain

Decay can eat clear through your enamel and dentin before some people feel it at all! Catching tooth decay early typically allows more of the tooth to be saved, and can spare you added discomfort and expense.

Misconception #4 – If My Gums Bleed I Should Stop Flossing

Actually, that’s a really bad idea. Bleeding gums are often the first sign of gum disease. This happens when bacterial infections inflame your gums due to a lack of efficient cleaning! Sure, floss gently if your gums are sensitive. But be thorough and extra diligent!

Misconception #5 – After Dental Work Is Done On A Tooth It’s Stronger Than Ever

Not always the case. One of the biggest risk factors for decay is having had it before. Dental crowns and fillings are awesome but not perfect. They have nooks and crannies where bacteria can hide—especially as the restorations age. The lesson to be learned? Have your teeth checked regularly to make sure all is going well.

Misconception #6 – There Are No “Best Techniques” For Flossing

Not true. There are. If you’re not sure how, take a minute to watch this video:

Remember, our greatest weapon against tooth decay is knowledge. Let us know if you have any questions about any of the ideas above, or any of your own that we haven’t covered yet.

Thanks for sharing our practice with you extended family, neighbors, friends and coworkers. We appreciate the trust you place in us!

IT MAY BE TEMPTING TO SKIP A DENTAL checkup now and then. But remember that regular checkups and professional cleanings can actually save you time and money. Even more importantly, they can save your teeth and your health.

Here are four really good reasons to keep up with your regular dental checkups:

#1: Save Your Smile

Catching tooth decay early can save your teeth. And speaking of saving teeth, did you know the greatest cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease? About half of adults over age 30 have some degree of gum disease. Regular dental appointments help prevent gum disease, and assist you in managing any oral health issues you may be having.

#2: Look And Feel Better

During professional cleanings, built-up tartar and calculus is removed that simply can’t be reached or removed by brushing alone. When you’re finished your smile feels truly fresh and clean. And by the way, regular cleanings can also help prevent embarrassing bad breath!

#3: Protect Your Overall Health

As many as 120 systemic diseases can be visible in your mouth. Regular checkups can reveal the signs of diseases before even you know about them.

Great dental care can also contribute to great overall health. In a study conducted at the University of California, Berkley, it was found that women who get regular dental care cut their risk of heart disease by a third. And in another study by Aetna, researchers learned that people who had regular dental care had lower healthcare cost burdens—thanks to prevention and early detection.

#4: Perhaps, Even Save Your Life

One of the most important parts of each dental visit is your oral cancer check, where your mouth is surveyed for early signs of one of the very deadliest cancers.

Questions? Always Feel Free To Ask!

If you ever have any questions about recommendations for your regular dental appointments, please ask!

Thanks for being a valued part of our practice!

BRUSHING: IT’S THE FOUNDATION for keeping your mouth clean and healthy. In fact, it’s so basic that most people don’t think about it very much… They just do it.

If you’re brushing twice a day that’s wonderful! It makes our job (helping keep your smile beautiful and healthy) a lot easier! But all of us can be more effective with our brushing. Ask yourself these three questions:

1. Are you using the proper brush?

Your toothbrush should be small enough to reach every small corner inside your mouth, and it should have soft bristles.

2. Are you using the right techniques?

Brush with the bristles against your teeth and gum line at a 45 degree angle. Brush in small, circular strokes, imagining plaque being swept away from the gum line.

NEVER brush too hard. Think about holding your toothbrush like a paintbrush! When it comes to brushing, elbow grease won’t get you anywhere—it just flattens the bristles against your teeth where they can’t do any good. And, it can wear down your enamel more quickly.

3. Are you thorough?

It takes two full minutes to do a thorough brushing job… 30 seconds per quadrant. And, don’t forget these frequently ignored spots:

• inner side of your front teeth
• your tongue
• inner side of back molars, next to your tongue

Watch This Helpful Video & View These Guidelines

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association has produced a quick-reference guide.

Ready To Take It To The Next Level?

If you feel like you have the basics covered, try these tips:

• Brush without toothpaste. It makes you more aware of where you do and do not brush.
• Try a plaque-disclosing tablet or rinse. Usually made for kids, these products color the plaque on your teeth so you can really see your progress.
• Most people follow the exact same pattern each time they brush. Try starting in a new place every day.
• Don’t forget to floss!

Thanks for reading, and happy brushing!

IMAGINE YOU’RE AT AN IMPORTANT BUSINESS DINNER, or perhaps on a first date. We can’t help you with the small talk, or deciding what to wear. However, we can help you avoid some dental faux pas.

Awkward Dental Moment #1: Something Stuck In Teeth

How do you know if something is stuck in your teeth? The back of a spoon or your cell phone camera make good emergency mirrors.

Plan A: Swish some water around in your mouth or chew a piece of sugarless gum to loosen it.
Plan B: If it’s really stuck, you may want to excuse yourself to go to the restroom. Floss works best—but if you don’t have floss with you, use your fingers. You can also try folding up a paper towel and using the corner.

DON’T EVER use potentially dangerous tools in your mouth like wires, pens, tweezers, keys, etc. that can damage teeth and gums!

But what if someone else has something in their teeth?

Here’s a tip:

Awkward Dental Moment #2: Bad Breath

Plan A: Drink some water or chew some sugarless gum. Keep sugarless breath mints in your pocket or purse.
Plan B: Most bad-breath bacteria hangs out on your tongue. In a pinch, you can use a spoon as a tongue-scraper. (Discreetly, of course.)
Plan C: If you’re at a restaurant, you may be able to chew on your garnish (like parsley). Other good foods are celery, apples, or yogurt.

Awkward Dental Moment #3: Tooth Pain Or Sensitivity

Sudden stabs of pain from your teeth can be distracting. What’s more, it may be a sign of something more serious.

Plan A: Avoid hot and cold foods. If your jaw hurts, hold a cold drink against it.
Plan B: If the problem persists, please give us a call.

Remember, you can avoid many of the worst dental dilemmas by keeping your regular cleaning and checkup appointments. Catch problems before they become emergencies.

Thanks for your trust in our practice!

THERE’S A BIG DIFFERENCE between a real smile and a fake smile. And while a polite smile can help smooth over some social situations, a sincere, honest, from-the-heart smile can completely turn the day around.

What Is “The Duchenne Smile?”

The Duchenne Smile was named after 17th century French researcher Duchenne de Bologne. He believed that the key to a real smile (a genuine expression of happiness) was found in the eyes, and although the muscles around your mouth are easy to shape into a smile, the muscles around your eyes (the Orbicularis Orbiti) are only triggered by true happiness.

Can You Spot Fake Smiles? Take This Quiz!

This is really a lot of fun! Take the quiz yourself!

Do You Know How To Smize?

Smize means “smile with your eyes”. Despite Duchenne’s long-standing theory, recent research (and Tyra Banks) suggests that anyone can fake a “genuine” smile. What do you think?

One Key To Spotting A Genuine Smile Is Imitation

Smiles are literally contagious. When we see a smile we have a subconscious urge to reflect it back. And when we imitate a smile, we can FEEL whether or not it’s real.In a 2013 study subjects held a pencil in their mouth while scrolling through photos of people smiling. The pencil kept participants from reflecting the expressions they saw, handicapping their ability to read the emotions behind those smiles. Interesting!

Let Us Help Keep YOUR Smile Healthy And Confident

Smiles are powerful. Genuine smiles are even more powerful. When you’re confident about your smile, it can truly change your life. Visit with us if you’re hiding your smile! Keep your smile beautiful and healthy!

Thanks for the trust you place in our practice and for being our valued patient!

MANY FOODS, INCLUDING dairy products, meats, fish, some grains, sugars, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages can contribute to an overabundance of acid in the body. To combat the indigestion and discomfort these foods may cause, people take antacids. Trouble is, antacids can have damaging side effects on your smile.

Antacids May Weaken Your Teeth

For proper digestion, your stomach needs a certain level of acidity. If you take antacids too often or in high enough doses, your body can react by producing more acid than normal. Too much acid can lead to more heartburn (and may compel you to take even more antacids). In their attempt to block the acid production, antacids can inhibit the absorption of calcium and protein—both vital components for improving the strength of your teeth and jaw.

Antacids Can Lead To Tooth Decay And Gum Disease

Antacids can cause dry mouth. With less saliva in your mouth to wash food debris from your teeth and neutralize the acid produced by plaque, you’re more likely to experience gum disease and tooth decay.

Antacids are also often full of sugar and the chewable ones can get stuck in the crevices of your teeth. This type of prolonged exposure can contribute to cavities.

After You “Spell Relief” Rinse The Antacids Off Your Teeth

Tips For Avoiding The Negative Effects Of Antacids

• Use antacids in moderation. Try sugar-free ones.
• Rinse your mouth after taking antacids, and after eating acidic foods.
• Consume less acidic foods and drinks.
• To protect enamel, wait about 30 minutes to brush after eating antacids or acidic foods.
• Sugarless gum and candies can help with dry mouth.
• Baking soda can help clean your teeth AND neutralize stomach acid.

Questions?

We hope this information was helpful. If you have questions about antacids, please ask us.

Thanks for being one of our valued patients!

WE BELIEVE IN PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY and yes, much of that depends on you! Cleaning your teeth after you eat is important, but the effects of good habits also have a lot to do with what you eat.

Keep Your Smile Healthy By Packing Great Lunches

Eating on-the-go can be problematic. In the morning, grabbing a donut is much easier than making an omelette! But taking the time to think through what you’re eating for lunch is really important for both your oral and overall health. Whether you’re planning your own lunch or you’re making lunch for your kids to take to school, keep these three smile-friendly lunch tips in mind.

1. Switch Out The Troublemakers

Chewy, sweet foods like gummies or dried fruits like Craisins can be really bad for your teeth because they stick! For a sweet treat, choose fresh fruit or even a little bit of chocolate.

Processed, starchy crackers or chips are trouble-makers. They stick to teeth and turn into sugars very quickly. Opt for whole grains instead—or even better, some healthy nuts or seeds.

2. Reconsider What You Drink

Soda and sports drinks are bad news for your teeth. Some fruit juices are loaded with sugar and acid as well. Consider milk or water instead. Chocolate milk may be a good option too. It offers protein and almost half of your daily calcium.

If you just can’t kick the soda habit, drink water after you finish lunch to help clean and rebalance your mouth.

3. Use Natural Scrubbers

There are certain foods that actually help your teeth. For example, yogurt and cheese can cut acidity making something like fruit juice less harmful. And then there are great fruits and vegetables that scrub your teeth when you eat them and get rid of built-up sugars and starches from your lunch. These include celery, apples, carrots, cucumbers, and pears.

This Video Is Specific To School Lunches, But The Tips Are Great For Everyone!

The ideas in this video are great. Start using some of them today!

Do You Have Any Tips To Add?

Do you have any ideas of your own to add? Comment below, we’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for your trust in our practice. We appreciate wonderful patients like you.

WE’VE ALL BEEN THROUGH IT, RIGHT? Can you remember when your baby teeth were falling out? Did one of your parents yank them out for you? Or, were you one of those do-it-yourself-ers?

Our Advice? No Viral Video Attempts Pulling Teeth In Crazy Ways

Have you seen some of the online videos out there where parents subject their children to absurd tooth-yanking antics? Videos like that raise the question (or should raise the question) of motive. But that’s another discussion for another time… This post is about whether you should let them fall out naturally, let the child pull them out, or pull them out yourself. Here’s some information to help you make that decision. Don’t have children? Share the information below with someone who does. They’ll appreciate it!

Five Things To Consider

1. Most dentists today say NOT to pull a child’s tooth. Letting the child wiggle the tooth out with their own fingers or tongue may be the better idea. Why? Because only he or she knows for sure how loose (or attached) the tooth really is and how much discomfort it is causing.
2. If the child has waited long enough to pull it, there shouldn’t be much bleeding. Pack a small piece of wet gauze and hold pressure there for a few minutes. The bleeding should stop fairly quickly.
3. Sometimes permanent teeth push the new tooth in an unusual direction which can affect the gums. If this happens, you may want to give us a call.
4. Although not typical, a tooth can come out while eating and may be swallowed. Don’t worry! It’s very unlikely the child will choke on it. The tooth fairy may be a little disappointed, but a swallowed tooth is not harmful.
5. Some parents offer their child a fresh, crisp, delicious apple! If the tooth is loose enough, it will likely come out.

A Little One You Know Will Enjoy Watching This Video

Take this opportunity to visit with your child, grandchild, or someone you know about the importance of caring for baby teeth before they fall out. They’re important in the development of a healthy adult smile.

Adults With Loose Teeth

For adults, it’s not normal or healthy for a tooth to be loose. If you have a loose tooth, contact us right away so we can determine the cause and recommend a solution.

Thank you for trusting us with your oral health.

YOUR SMILE IS AMONG YOUR MOST influential assets! But, that doesn’t mean your smile has to be a perfect, “movie star” smile for you to harness its power.

Step 1: Practice, Practice, Practice

Life’s too short to skip the simple things that make you happy. Smile more. Smile and laugh, proudly. Abundantly. Invite people to share in the things that make you smile. Your smiles will foster gratitude. Smiling can become a habit. Seek the opportunity.

Step 2: Be Aware Of The Smile/Emotion Connection

Author and poet, Thích Nhất Hạnh once said, “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” We often only think about the way positive emotions trigger smiles, but it works the other way too. Smiles trigger positive emotions. They can even help us better deal with stress or pain.
 

Step 3: Eliminate The “Courtesy” Smile

Make a conscious decision to replace every half-hearted smile given in politeness with a genuine smile. You can do it!

Step 4: Remember How Attractive Your Smile Makes You

A recent study of 5,000+ singles found that both men (58%) and women (71%) judge the opposite sex MOST (and FIRST) on the appearance of their teeth. Smiles invite and strengthen relationships.

Step 5: Keep Your Smile Healthy

Treat your smile with the love it deserves. Brush and floss daily, and schedule regular checkups.

We Love Your Smiles

Some estimates say that 30% of the general population is unhappy with their smiles to a point where they avoid smiling. That’s sad. If you feel that way, let’s visit. Sometimes it just helps to talk about it. Whether you’re ready for a big change or just a tiny, subtle improvement, we can help you harness the power of YOUR smile. Thanks for being our valued patients and friends.