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Lake Oconee Dentistry Blog

65+ Year Old Smiles Require Special Care

October 23, 2010

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort,Your Health — Tags: , , , , , — @ 10:37 pm

DURING GENERATIONS PAST, the chances were slim that somebody would keep healthy, natural teeth over their entire lifetime. Fortunately, today’s remarkable technologies and advanced materials, coupled with the artistic eyes and extensive training of the entire team here at Lake Oconee Dental greatly increase the likelihood that you’ll keep your smile for life!

Once in a while, when we visit with our valued patients, we sense that making decisions about dental treatments isn’t easy. To help you understand dental service decision making, we’ve set up a simple framework. It’s our hope that this will help bring additional clarity to your decision making.And of course, making such decisions is ALWAYS up to you. We just want to be sure you have good information.

We’ve divided “The Lifetime of Your Smile” into four phases that we are going to talk about over the next few weeks:

  • Your 1–20 Year Old Smile
  • Your 20–40 Year Old Smile
  • Your 40–65 Year Old Smile
  • Your 65+ Year Old Smile

In addition to finding YOUR smile’s current phase, you have family members, loved ones, and friends who are in the other phases. We invite you to pass the information along!

Some Must do’s. Some Should do’s. Some Could do’s.

Daily—consciously and subconsciously—we prioritize decision making by “musts,” “shoulds,” and “coulds.” Here at Lake Oconee Dentistryour goal is to make sure you’re comfortable with every oral health decision you make, and that you see the difference between the “musts,” the “shoulds,” and the “coulds.”

These lists are NOT exhaustive—there are no right or wrong answers to what you must, should, or could be doing about YOUR OWN oral health. Everyone has different priorities. Think of these posts as a starting point! And if you have questions, please contact us and we’ll chat.

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Today We’re Considering 65+ Year Old Smiles

THERE ARE NO AGE LIMITS ON A FANTASTIC, ENGAGING SMILE! Most people don’t know—for the most part—that losing one’s teeth during the golden years has little to do with aging and a lot to do with gum disease! That same disease is also linked to diabetes, cancer, and heart problems. But you need NOT be a victim. As average life spans increase, it’s an important time to understand your aging smile.

 

Must do’s.

  • As we get older, our receding gums can expose roots to cavities and decay. Don’t ever postpone your regular professional visits.
  • Some of the dental work in your mouth may be many decades old, thus greatly increasing the risk of decay setting in around the edges of old fillings or crowns. See Drs. David Bradley, Patti Bradley, or Phil Boswell to be sure you aren’t at risk.

Should do’s.

  • Today’s dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. If you’re missing teeth, advanced restorative implants may be the solution for you.
  • Boost self confidence. A recent study indicates that nearly 90% of dental implant patients who previously wore dentures say confidence is up, and, the procedure was worth repeating.

Could do’s.

  • It isn’t complicated and there’s very little discomfort. More and more “seasoned” citizens are keeping their teeth AND beautifying their smiles with cosmetic veneers. Now you can too.

Here at our Lake Oconee practice, we want to be your oral health partners for life! Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, if you haven’t already by clicking below:

 

Watch for our next blog post to learn about one of the other phases in “The Lifetime of A Smile”!

Remember… Don’t Brush TOO Hard

October 21, 2010

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort,Your Health — Tags: , , , , , — @ 6:19 am

OF COURSE…Brushing our teeth is an important component of our lifelong oral health! We all know that! But, did you also know that there’s actually some important techniques to brushing your teeth? It’s not something often talked about… Not exactly typical dinner conversation!

As Drs. Patti Bradley, David Bradley, and Phil Boswell treat you and your family, one of the things that we often notice (although well intentioned) is that some of you just brush your teeth too hard.

Among other problems, brushing too hard can cause tooth sensitivity. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, sensitivity affects millions and millions of people in this country. There are lots of other possible reasons for sensitivity as well, including eating acidic foods and drinking acidic beverages—but your aggressive brushing techniques may be a cause.

Dr. David Bradley says, “If your protective enamel layer over your teeth becomes eroded, and/or your gumline recedes from brushing too hard, the softer tissue (the dentin) can be exposed. This dentin is connected to your tooth’s nerve which can cause sensitivity and/or pain.”

Certain whitening products and mouthwashes can also contribute. And of course, if there’s a problem in your mouth such as a cracked tooth, this can be causing pain as well (Word to the wise: Keep your regularly scheduled checkup appointments! We can catch things before they become a problem.).

So, what can you do?

  1. Use soft-bristled toothbrushes.
  2. Hold toothbrush in your fingertips—not like a construction worker with a hammer.
  3. Brush gently.
  4. Use a desensitizing toothpaste.
  5. Brush in circular motions.
  6. Use your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle.

Helping you take good care of your teeth is important to every member of our team here at Lake Oconee Dentistry. If you ever have any questions, be sure to contact us!

 

Speaking of fun… Some creative folks at an ad agency we found called Richter 7 who made this fun little clip. Wow… And you’re wondering if YOU’RE brushing too hard?!

If you haven’t already, be sure to LIKE our Facebook microsite by clicking on the logo below:

 

Early Oral Cancer Detection Saves Lives

October 6, 2010

Filed under: Blog,Your Comfort,Your Health — Tags: , , , , , — @ 11:07 pm

HERE AT LAKE OCONEE DENTISTRY, IT’S ALWAYS SURPRISING TO US HOW LITTLE “PRESS COVERAGE” ORAL CANCER SEEMS TO GET compared to all of the other types of cancer. The statistics, however, are significant… In the U.S. alone, over 35,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. And while early detection boosts survival rates way up to 80 or 90%, often the diagnoses doesn’t happen until the cancer has progressed much farther than it needs to.

Now, you may be asking yourself, “Why does something as serious as oral cancer go undetected so often?” One of the reasons is that most of the time the symptoms are not painful—and people just don’t know to check! After all, if it doesn’t hurt, there’s no problem, right? Unfortunately, we’re sorry to report that some dentists don’t really check for it either. Detecting oral cancer in its later stages significantly lowers the survival rate.

The Oral Cancer Foundation reports thatif you’re experiencing some of all of the following symptoms, you should have Drs. Patti Bradley, David Bradley, or Phil Boswell take a look:

  • Abnormal jaw swelling
  • Thickening or lump in one of your cheeks
  • Difficulty swallowing or chewing (often)
  • A sore in your mouth that doesn’t seem to heal within 2 weeks
  • Difficulty moving your jaw or your tongue
  • White and/or red patches on any part of your mouth or throat
  • Numbness in parts (or all) of your mouth

Of course, there could always be some other causes for these symptoms—but having them checked by our team here at Lake Oconee Dentistry will provide the peace of mind you need in knowing the real causes of these symptoms.

It goes without saying (just like in sports) that the best offense is a great defense…That is, keep your regularly scheduled cleaning appointments and screenings. Doing so GREATLY increases the liklihood that problems will be detected early. Trust us… IT IS SO absolutely worth it.

Here at our Greensboro practice, as your lifelong oral health partner, we want to keep you and those you love as healthy as possible. Let us know if you have other questions about oral cancer or any symptoms above. And share this information on Facebook OR on Twitter with someone you know! Staying informed helps us all stay healthier.

We look forward to talking with you the next time you visit our office. Thanks!

The Apparent Connection Between Gum Disease And Heart Disease

September 28, 2010

Filed under: Blog,Your Health — Tags: , , , , — @ 9:26 pm

HERE AT LAKE OCONEE DENTISTRY IN GREENSBORO, IF YOU’RE LIKE MOST OF OUR VALUED PATIENTS, you want to take care of your health, right? And that includes taking care of your heart! Did you know that your humble little toothbrush may rank right up there with your monthly gym membership and your healthy cookbooks in helping keep your heart healthy? It’s true!

According to Dr. Patti Bradley, “There are quite a number of recent studies that suggest gum disease—and some other oral health issues—are DIRECTLY related to heart problems.”

In a recent American Academy of Periodontology study it was reported that people with periodontal disease are nearly two times as likely to have heart disease. Another study concluded that common oral health problems, including gingivitis, missing teeth, and/or cavities are as good at predicting heart disease as are bad cholesterol levels!Surprised?While there’s still an awfully LOT to learn about these connections, the evidence seems to be mounting each year. Dr. David Bradley adds, “We know that the bacteria in our mouths can actually enter the bloodstream through our gums. Studies have shown that these same bacteria are often found clumped up in artery plaques. One theory that is gaining some acceptance is that they stick to fatty plaques in one’s bloodstream which can directly contribute to blockages.”Several other theories revolve around your body’s defenses against bacteria, including a natural inflammation response. Oral bacteria travelling through your bloodstream can cause blood cells to swell, which can then lead to narrowing of arteries and clot risks.

The exact relationships between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease is still unclear, but today’s research has concluded there’s definitely a connection. Of course, you don’t want to ignore all of the other things you can do to keep your heart healthy while just focus on brushing! That would be silly. Keep eating healthy foods, exercise regularly, and take care of risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.

And, when it’s SO EASY to have us help you clear up any periodontal disease problems… Be sure to do that too! It makes good common sense! And don’t forget that PREVENTION goes a long way in preventing problems in the future.

If you have any questions, be sure to ask. We love visiting with our patients. Don’t forget to become a fan of our Facebook microsite.

We look forward to your next visit in our practice. Thanks.

Where Will Your Smile Go Today?

September 22, 2010

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance — @ 9:05 pm

WE ALL TAKE OUR CLOTHES OFF and then we put other clothes on. Changing is easy, right? But when it comes to our smiles, well, we take them EVERYWHERE we go. What do YOU think about YOUR smile? If you could… Is there a little thing, or perhaps a big thing you’d change?

 

Smile design techniques and materials today, combined with our team’s artistic eyes and extensive training, make having an absolutely gorgeous smile more affordable and easier than ever before.Most people are a little unfamiliar with the terminology behind smile design, so here are some short definitions:

  • Whitening – Smile whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures—sometimes called “tooth bleaching”. Many whitening options are now available—including lots of over-the-counter products. But dentist-supervised treatments remain the recommended procedures for lightening discolored teeth.
  • Contouring – Contouring is often referred to as tooth reshaping. It can sometimes be used to correct minimally crooked teeth, cracked teeth, chipped teeth, and overlapping teeth. It’s a procedure of subtle change and is commonly used to alter the shape, length, or position of teeth.
  • Bonding – Enamel-like dental composite materials are applied, through bonding, to a tooth’s surface, then sculpted into shape and beautifully polished.
  • Veneers – Veneers are custom-made and fitted, thin porcelain laminates that are bonded directly to teeth. They’re often a great option for closing gaps or disguising teeth that are discolored and don’t respond to whitening procedures. Many times, some tooth reduction is necessary—depending on each particular situation.
  • Minimal Prep Veneers – Prepless veneers are becoming more popular as materials and procedures continue to improve. This is being driven in part by the increased desire of patients to minimize or prevent the removal of healthy tooth structure. Not all cases are right for minimal-prep veneers—but sometimes it can be a great solution.

What is the very best way to determine exactly what’s right for you and YOUR smile? Simply make an appointment to visit with our Lake Oconee office today. Our entire team is absolutely passionate about our patients’ smiles. We have seen beautiful smiles make a dramatic difference in the social lives and careers of patients. It feels good having the self confidence to smile. We look forward to your visit! Call us at 706.453.1333.

We’re Your Number One Fan!

September 19, 2010

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort,Your Health — @ 8:48 pm

WE’RE EXCITED! DRS. PATTI, DAVID AND PHIL, ALONG WITH OUR ENTIRE TEAM have been working hard the last several months to develop a handful of social networking tools designed for one purpose—to help our patients and future patients connect with our practice. Are you wondering why you would want to connect with a dental practice? Let us explain…

Why Our “Future” Patients Would Want To Connect With Us

Any dental practice can hire someone to build them a website—but these places are rarely, if ever, updated. Typically, those kinds of websites are launched, then sit untouched for years. Does that really give you a “feel” for a dental practice? An insight into their practice “culture”—helping you know whether or not you’ll love being one of their patients? Nay!

At Lake Oconee, we want you to know exactly what we are about and how our practice is. We think the best way to know whether or not you’ll love being our patient is to get to know us through our social network—starting with Facebook. See the things we’re doing each day. Listen to real-time feedback and testimonials from our current patients. Learn more about our involvement in our community. All of these things will help you understand who we are—our “culture”.

Why Our Current Patients Love Connecting With Us

There’s direct benefit for you and your family in knowing what we’re doing here at the office! For example, any time our dentists attend a continuing education dental conference and they learn about the latest, greatest advances in dental materials and techniques, you win. We will pass along anything that can benefit you as patients. We are excited to share this information with you—information that directly effects your comfort, health, and appearance.

What about fun events coming up at our practice? Perhaps something your kids will not only enjoy, but also teaches smart, lifetime dental hygiene habits? Are we offering a promotion that saves you money on some elective dentistry you’ve been considering? When we have contests and fun prizes we want to be sure you know! We also want to hear from you – any questions, concerns…We love your feedback.

If you haven’t clicked the “Like” button yet on our Facebook page, do it now. Connect with us! Become part of our community! It’s the best way to keep up with the great things happening here at Lake Oconee Dentistry! If you’re not on Facebook yet, it’s REALLY easy. Just sign up today!

Take Care Of Those Teeth

September 17, 2010

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Health — @ 8:22 pm

PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE AND MAINTENANCEon your teeth and gums means just that, you need to devote time and care to your mouth. Think of this part of your face as the only thing on your entire body that only others see, as you can never truly see your own mouth without a mirror. So the rest of the world sees what you can’t each time they look at you, yet it really runs deeper than that.

Daily maintenance with proper brush strokes (for at least 2 minutes minimum) AND correct flossing techniques can reduce the need of visits to the dentist. We know sometimes surprises happen…you bite into a bagel and loose part of your filling or break a crown while chewing gum. In those times it’s comforting to know we are right here ready to help repair or replace anything you may need. So, just like we tell our own kids—take care of the teeth you want to keep, because the others will go away without your help at all!That’s right, you know you’ve heard it before… “Make sure you come in for regular checkups and cleanings.” But, did you know there’s a lot more to it (and we’re not talking about the free toothbrush)?

Your oral health is strongly linked to your overall health, and visiting with one of our Lake Oconee dentists can be just as important as visiting your family doctor.

You’ve likely heard of diseases associated with our mouths—oral cancer, gum disease, etc. But did you know that many other health issues can manifest initial symptoms that appear in your mouth? It’s true—visiting the dentist can help catch potentially larger problems before they get out of hand. You may not even realize something is wrong.

Here at Lake Oconee Dentistry, smiles are our life! Westare into mouths every day and read about mouths while vacationing (just kidding).So be sure to keep those regularly scheduled visits. We want to help keep you healthy—teeth and ALL.Whoopi’s right. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can kill you. In case you missed Whoopi on The View, you can see her talk about her experience with gum disease and tooth loss below.

We Love Teeth!

September 15, 2010

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort,Your Health — @ 7:51 pm

YOU LOVE TEETH BECAUSE they help to eat food without a blender, they make smiles less creepy, and no one wants to give up Laffy Taffy! WE LOVE TEETH BECAUSE, well, they’re attached to our favorite people—our patients!Your oral and overall health are important to us at Lake Oconee Dentistry. Although we know you’ll never share our same enthusiasm level for mouths and teeth (nor would it be normal to), we’d all love to share a little of what we do with you.

We’re excited to have created these ways for you to connect with us. We have a passion for what we do, and we hope it comes across as we sharing tips and answer questions. So take a moment to follow us on Twitter, become our Facebook fan, and read our newblog!Besides giving us easy and fun ways to share with you how much we love teeth, we’ll be having some fun with all of this.Plus it’s a great way to keep up on our office events, promotions and special offers.

Oh, and we love YouTubeas much as you, so don’t be surprised if we share a few random posts occasionally—just for fun.Thanks for being our valued patient (or future patient). We look forward to your next visit—in our office OR online!

Like Us On Facebook

September 8, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — @ 10:51 pm

Follow Us On Twitter

Filed under: Uncategorized — @ 10:47 pm
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