OK… THIS WAS JUST GOOD OL’ FASHIONED FUN! As many of you know, we recently ran a little drawing in our practice for a brand new, shiny, cool Apple iPad! And we want to sincerely thank ALL of our friends who LIKED our page and entered the drawing.
And The Winner Is… Susan Brosman!
February 28, 2011
Take It Easy On The Sugary Drinks
February 2, 2011
IT’S KNOWN BY MANY DIFFERENT NAMES—pop, soda, soft drinks, soda pop… But there’s no difference when it comes to its effect on your teeth.
Sugary sodas have not only added many pounds to the nation’s obese population, but the acidic sugar byproducts and acids soften your tooth enamel, contributing to more cavities. Dr. David Bradley adds, “Brushing gets even harder when your tooth enamel gets softer, creating an unwanted one/two punch.”What about sugar-free drinks? Well, they’re less harmful, but can still cause acidic damage. Unfortunately, they only account for 14% of the nation’s soda-consumption anyway.
Each year, the amount of soft drinks we consume in the United States increases dramatically—especially among teenagers and children. At least one in five children consumes a minimum of four servings of pop each day, and some teenages drink much, much more. In fact, the problem has become so bad that the American Academy of Pediatrics sounded an alarm about the dangers and suggested guidelines for helping children create good better habits.
So, What Can I Do?
- Reduce the amount you drink. Seems obvious, right?
- Drink more water. It will help take away your cravings for soda.
- Use fluoride toothpastes and/or mouth rinses.
- Find substitutes you enjoy that are more healthy.
- When you DO drink soda pop, rinse your mouth with water when you finish.
- Don’t forget to schedule regular dental checkups.
Here at Lake Oconee Dental, it is our goal to help you keep your beautiful smile for life. If you have questions about different beverages and their effect on your teeth, be sure to ask us. We love talking to you, our valued patients, about your oral health.
Don’t forget to join us on Facebookand Twitter for more discussions about your dental comfort, heatlh, and appearance. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Some Simple Basics About Dental Implants
December 14, 2010
FROM THE MOST COMMON THINGS, INCLUDING WEAR AND TEAR, TO TRAUMA OR DISEASE, many adults have experienced permanent tooth loss.Regardless of the level of loss, discomfort and/or lack of confidence are common side effects. Of course, permanent tooth loss is something Drs. Patti, David and Phil and their team always do their best to prevent. However, it isn’t always possible. The great news is that today there are beautiful and functional solutions.Implant dentistry is not something new, although from its original origins in the 50’s it has indeed come a long way. Initial discoveries came when scientists learned how bones can fuse with titanium, making natural bone support possible. Today, Lake Oconee Dentistry uses this original discovery to copy the root and tooth system that your mouth naturally has.
Implants are first placed within the gum line. Then, they are given about 3–6 months healing time to ensure that there is complete and proper fusion with the bone. After the implants have healed, the custom crown, bridge, or dentures can be placed. After this placement (unlike traditional dentures or bridges) the solution is much stronger and long lasting, giving you the confident smile you deserve.
As with most dental procedures, dental implants begin with a consultation with Dr. Patti Bradley, Dr. David Bradley, or Dr. Phil Boswell to help with any questions and allow them the chance to create a custom-tailored plan that best meets your needs.
Here is a simple video illustration of just how simply dental implants work:
To learn more about how implant dentistry corrects and enhances smiles, schedule an appointment to visit with us.
Be sure to take a minute to connect with us on Facebook by clicking on the logo below!
Your 40-65 Year Old Smile Needs Love Too
November 20, 2010
FOR PEOPLE BELONGING TO PAST GENERATIONS, chances were slim that somebody could keep their healthy, natural teeth over their entire lifetime. Fortunately, today’s remarkable technologies and advanced materials, coupled with our dentists’ artistic eye and extensive training, greatly increase the likelihood that you can keep, and enjoy, your smile for life!Sometimes, when we visit with our valued patients and friends, we recognize that making decisions about various treatments isn’t easy. We know there are a lot of choices and would like to help you better understand dental service decision making. So we’ve set up a simple little framework explained below. It’s our hope that this will help bring additional clarity to your decision making. Of course, the decisions are always YOURS to make, we just want to be sure you have good information.
For purposes of the last two, and next blog posts, we’ve divided “The Lifetime of Your Smile” into four phases:
- 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 probably have family members, loved ones, and friends who are in the other phases as well. We invite you to pass the information along!
Must do. Should do. Could do.
Each day—consciously and subconsciously—we prioritize decision making in all aspects of our lives by “must do’s,” “should do’s,” and “could do’s.”Here at Lake Oconee Dental our 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.”Of course, these lists aren’t exhaustive—and, there are no absolutely right or wrong answers to what you must, should, or could be doing about your oral health and appearance. Everyone has different priorities and different wants and needs. Think of these posts as a starting point! And if you have questions, don’t hesitate to let us know…We’d love to chat!_______________________________________________________
Today’s Post Is About Your 40–65 Year Old Smile
THE BEST PART OF LIFE IS HAPPENING! What a great time in history to be this age. And don’t forget, as science continues to prove, the crucial role proper dental care plays in your overall health and appearance. So eat right, exercise, enjoy yourself along the way, and flash that gorgeous smile more often!
Must do.
- It’s estimated that up to 75% of adults over age 35 have some degree of gum disease. Make sure you work with your dentist to be certain it doesn’t happen to you.
- 63% of “boomers” have an oral health problem considered to be an indication of a more serious problem but are unaware of the connection. Please don’t skip your regular check-ups, we want you to stay healthy in every way.
Should do.
- Most of our patients still have silver mercury amalgam fillings, placed in the teen years. Not only are they unsightly and can damage tooth structure, but they may present other disadvantages as well. Working with your dentist, you can systematically replace them with greatly-improved, durable white composite fillings.
- Half your life lies ahead. You remodeled your home after a few decades, now it’s time to remodel your smile. Drs. Bradley and Boswell provide “upgrades” that will allow you to keep your teeth healthy.
Could do.
- Well beyond botox, breast implants, and viagra… Nothing makes you look and feel younger than a beautiful smile. It’s a fact. Today’s whitening treatments—often combined with one of many porcelain veneer options—can create a personal smile makeover that is truly your “fountain of youth.”
At Lake Oconee, our entire team wants to be your oral health partners for life!Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, if you haven’t already.
Watch for our next blog post to learn about the last phase in “The Lifetime of Your Smile”!
Take Care Of Your 20-40 Year Old Smile
November 12, 2010
IN GENERATIONS PAST, chances were slim that somebody could keep their healthy, natural teeth over their entire lifetime. Fortunately, today’s remarkable technologies, advanced materials, and Drs. Bradley and Boswell’s artistic eye and extensive training, greatly increase you’re ability to keep your smile for life!
While visiting with our valued patients and friends, we know that making decisions about various treatments isn’t easy. To help you better understand some of the basic dental health issues, we’ve set up a simple little framework. Of course, every decision is yours to make, we just want to help you be well informed. It’s our hope that this will help bring additional clarity to your decision making.
For purposes of the next several blog posts, we’ve divided “The Lifetime of Your Smile” into four phases:
- 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 probably have family members, loved ones, and friends who are in the other stages. We invite you to pass the information along!
Must do. Should do. Could do.
Each day—consciously and subconsciously—we prioritize decision making in all aspects of our lives by “must do’s,” “should do’s,” and “could do’s.” Here at Lake Oconee Dentistry our 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.”Of course, this article isn’t going to list everything for your dental care—and, there are no absolutely right or wrong answers to what you must, should, or could be doing about your health and appearance. Everyone has different priorities and different wants and needs. Think of these posts as a place to start. And if you have questions, we’d love for you to contact us about them._______________________________________________________
Today’s Post Is About Your 20–40 Year Old Smile
IT MAY BE TEMPTING DURING THIS TIME IN LIFE to skip or procrastinate regular check ups because “nothing hurts.” The problem is, often what you don’t see causes the most trouble in the long run. For many, this stage also represents the most active in terms of significant, long-term social interaction and career advancement.
Must Do
- Keep regular check ups for early signs of gum disease, cracks in teeth, infections, cavities and potential problems with fillings. Most of these things can be reversed when caught early.
- Oral cancer is the 6th most common cancer with the worst five-year survival rate of all major cancers. Finding and diagnosing at the early stages significantly increases survival rate.
- Gum disease can raise a pregnant woman’s risk of developing a dangerous condition known as preeclampsia which can lead to eclampsia, or seizures late in pregnancy or after delivery. Eclampsia can cause organ damage and even death.
- Wisdom teeth make their presence felt and can disrupt one’s bite causing long-term problems. Make sure to take care of your wisdom teeth as needed.
Should Do / Could Do
- A healthy, gorgeous smile compliments your career and social life. Is there some little thing that would make you more confident when you smile? At Lake Oconee, we are ready to help.
- Surveys show that 92% of North Americans agree an attractive smile is a crucial social asset. Does your social life suffer because you’re uncomfortable smiling?
- It’s also been found that 74% believe an unattractive smile hurts a person’s chances of career success. During this time in life, when most people are absorbed in career development, have you considered the difference a confident smile could make?
- Consider how the smile of your dreams could literally change your life—far more comfortably and affordably than ever before.
Here at Lake Oconee Dentistry, Drs. Bradley and Dr. Boswell, and their entire team, want to be your oral health partners for life! Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, if you haven’t already.
Watch for our next blog post to learn about one of the other phases in “The Lifetime of Your Smile”!
Your 1 to 20-Year-Old Smile
November 6, 2010
FOR OUR GRANDPARENTS, AND THEIR GRANDPARENTS FROM GENERATIONS PAST, it was not likely a person could keep his or her natural teeth over an entire lifetime. But today, remarkable technologies and advanced materials, coupled with the artistic vision and the extensive training of our dentists, means a greatly increased likelihood that YOU will keep YOUR smile for life!
From visiting with you, our valued patients, we understand that making decisions about various treatments isn’t always easy. Well, we’d like to help. So to better think about decision making for dental services, we’ve designed a simple little framework—with this being the second in a series of four posts.It’s our hope that this will help bring additional clarity to your decision making.WE KNOW that decisions are always YOURS to make, and we want to be sure you have good information that you can use.
For purposes of this series of posts here on our blog, we’ve divided “The Lifetime of Your Smile” into four phases:
- 1–20 Year Old Smiles
- 20–40 Year Old Smiles
- 40–65 Year Old Smiles
- 65+ Year Old Smiles
In addition to finding YOUR smile’s current phase, you likely have family members and loved ones in the other phases as well. We invite you to pass the information along!
Must do’s. Should do’s. Could do’s.
Every day—both consciously and subconsciously—we prioritize our decision making in all aspects of our lives using “must do’s,” “should do’s,” and “could do’s.” Here at Lake Oconee Dentistry our goal is to make sure you’re comfortable with all the health decision you make, including oral health, and that you see the difference between the “musts,” the “shoulds,” and the “coulds.”
Of course, these lists ARE NOT exhaustive—there are no right or wrong answers to what you must, should, or could be doing about your oral health and appearance.Everyone has different priorities and different wants and needs. Think of these posts as a starting point! And if you have questions, contact us and we’ll chat.
_______________________________________________________
Today’s Post Is About Your 1–20 Year Old Smile
A LIFETIME OF SOUND ORAL HEALTH BEGINSin children with early preventative care and education. Among the best ways to ensure this is to help your child develop a great relationship with Dr. Patti, Dr. David and Dr. Phil. There are basic, obvious lessons to be learned about tooth care. But, don’t forget that children and teens are becoming increasingly aware and sensitive about their appearance (just like we all did!). The condition of their smile can have a tremendous impact on their developing self image.
Must do.
- Regular check ups should begin before a child’s third birthday.
- Dentists are often the first to see signs of Bulimia. This and other problems can often be spotted through routine checkups, allowing care to be given while still in beginning stages.
- Sometimes a dentist’s counsel goes farther than parents’ when it comes to subjects like soda pop consumption or tongue piercing.
Should do.
- Extensive orthodontics are sometimes prevented by an alert from our dentists, e.g. space retainers maintain important space in early tooth loss.
- Sealants are a liquid plastic applied to chewing surfaces to prevent decay—especially for those hard-to-reach places that children neglect.
- Understanding the causes of bad breath ensures lifelong prevention and avoids embarrassment.
Could do.
- Your teen’s smile is so important to his or her self image. Even subtle smile enhancements can make a world of difference.
- Whitening is a safe, affordable boost to socially-conscious teens.
- Studies show that athletes who wear custom mouth guards have 60% fewer injuries to their teeth, lips and gums.
Here at Lake Oconee Dentistry, our entire team wants to be your oral health partners for life! Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, if you haven’t already.
Watch for our next blog post (the third in this series) to learn about one of the other phases in “The Lifetime of Your Smile”!
Dr. Patti Bradley Wins Reader’s Choice Award!
October 27, 2010
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OWN DR. PATTI BRADLEY!Lake Oconee Living magazine readers have chosen Dr. Patti as the 2010 Reader’s Choice for Best Dentist award for the Lake Oconee Area.
The magazine invited its readers to vote in 46 different categories for “the best” of Lake Oconee. With more than 7,000 people voting across all categories, she is truly honored to be recognized by her patients. Be sure to pick up the winter issue of the magazine for a featured article on Dr. Patti!
We express sincere thanks to the readers of Lake Oconee Living who voted for all our doctors. Dr. David and Dr. Phil will be trying even harder to catch Dr. Patti in next year’s voting!Thank you for your support and for trusting us with your dental care.
If you haven’t had a chance already, please take a moment to BECOME A FAN ON OUR FACEBOOK microsite! It’s full of great information and you’ll soon have a chance to win a new iPad and collect rewards for referring your family and friends!Click the image below:Also, follow us onTwitter to keep up with everything going on in our practice!
Thanks! We look forward to seeing you during your next visit to our practice.
65+ Year Old Smiles Require Special Care
October 23, 2010
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.
_______________________________________________________
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
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?
- Use soft-bristled toothbrushes.
- Hold toothbrush in your fingertips—not like a construction worker with a hammer.
- Brush gently.
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste.
- Brush in circular motions.
- 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
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.