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Can You Chew Gum And Help Your Teeth At The Same Time?

April 4, 2011

Filed under: Blog,Your Comfort,Your Health — Tags: , , , , , , , , — @ 3:10 pm

DO YOU LOVE CHEWING GUM?Do you like to chew gum because it helps keep your breath fresh? Do you chew gum to relieve stress? Is it just a long-standing habit? If you’re like many of us here at the Lake Oconee Dentistry, PC, gum is a “necessity” that some of us have a hard time going without! Dr. Patti Bradley says, “In fact, ever since Thomas Adams invented chewing gum back in 1870, it’s been one of the most common breath stabilizers around.”

So… How is all this gum chewing effecting our teeth?

Good news! Chewing gum can actually help fight cavities! In fact, Drs. Bradley and team actually recommend it! The act of chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which is a natural buffering and cleaning agent that kills cavity producing acids. In addition, a recent study shows that for those who do not naturally produce a sufficient amount of salivary flow on their own, chewing a piece of gum for 10 minutes each waking hour for about two weeks can help remedy the problem.

Gum is also a great agent in fighting plaque.

Plaque is one of the main cavities and periodontal disease contributors. The University of the Pacific School of Dentistry conducted an 8-week study where volunteers chewed BreathAssure Dental gum for 20 minutes a day while a control group chewed a placebo gum for the same amount of time. All test subjects practiced proper brushing and flossing techniques. The results of the study showed that BreathAssure reduced the accumulation of dental plaque by 35%.

Some types of gum can also contain beneficial artificial sweeteners such as Xylitol, which has been found to inhibit bacterial growth and perhaps even reverse small lesions. However, in order to truly benefit from the Xylitol in gum you need to chew two pieces 3–5 times daily for at least five minutes at a time.

So what’s the catch?

Yes, you guessed it… There’s always a catch, right? Here it is. Brands of gum containing sugar can be harmful to your teeth if they’re chewed too often or taken out of your mouth too soon. If you prefer gum containing natural sugar rather than artificial sweeteners, chew it for at least 15–20 minutes so that your saliva can rinse away the sugar residue once you’ve chewed out all the sugar.

Of course, whether or not you decide to chew gum is your decision—however, if you DO chew it, Dr. David Bradley strongly recommends choosing a sugarless gum.

If you’re susceptible to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder, or other face/jaw pain, the disadvantages of chewing gum may outweigh the benefits.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us or connect with us on Facebook by clicking on the logo below:

We look forward to hearing from you soon! Happy chewing!

It’s Extra Important To Take Care Of Your Teeth With Braces!

March 20, 2011

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort — Tags: , , , , , , — @ 4:35 pm

DO YOU HAVE BRACES? Or does someone you love have braces? Underneath all that metal, your beautiful pearly whites are moving—and, inching you ever closer each day toward an absolutely fantastic smile!Dr. Patti Bradleyreminds us, “Wouldn’t it be a shame, if once those braces came off, you had a bunch of cavities under there!? That would be awful!”

So, don’t let that happen!

All the gadgetry in your mouth—from the springs and the wires to the rubber bands and spacers—can attract food AND plaque. Dr. David Bradley, here at Lake Oconee Dental, reminds each of us with braces, “It’s important to brush properly and to use floss and/or mouthwash per your orthodontist’s recommendations. When plaque is left behind on your teeth and around your braces it can cause your gums to swell, your teeth to become discolored, chronic bad breath and even (sometimes) cavities.”

Cleaning Your Braces The Right Way Is A Chore, But It’s Worth It

Millions and millions of people wear braces. If you’re one of them (or your child) be sure to take the time to pay attention to detail. While it requires spending a little more effort before bedtime… In the long run it WILL be worth it.

The purpose of today’s post isn’tto go over all the details of caring for teeth with braces. We just want to focus on cleaning them. Your orthodontist has likely already told you lots of do’s and don’ts. But here are a couple little reminders: There are foods you should probably just avoid including taffy, caramels, and hard nuts. And don’t chew ice or bubble gum. Be careful with things that are hard to bite like bagels and apples.

Take a minute to learn from this video created by the good folks at Howcast:

Please contact us if you have any additional questions, and if you haven’t yet had a chance to become a fan of our Facebook page, do it now by clicking on the image below:

We look forward to seeing you the next time you visit!

Designing Your Perfect Smile With Smile Design

March 5, 2011

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance — Tags: , , , , — @ 11:56 pm

HERE’S THE TRUTH… Not all of us are in love with the way our smiles look. It’s understandable. Through genetics and the wear and tear that occurs day in and day out, many of us end up with a smile that we’re not so crazy about. But no need to worry. That’s where cosmetic dentistry here at Lake Oconee Dentalin Greensboro can make a difference.

Cosmetic dentistry, also referred to as smile design, consists of any procedure used to improve the look of your smile. This can include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and dental implants. All of which are provided by the dentists at Lake Oconee Dental and their experienced, friendly team.

“Smile Design” utilizes the leading-edge techniques, artistic skills, and knowledge the dentists have developed—combined with their eye for aesthetic appeal that creates smiles their patients proudly display. All of the doctors here strive for perfection in every service they offer, and the cosmetic dentistry options are no different. Your complete satisfaction and confidence with your new smile is our highest priority.Studies show that an investment in your smile is one of the easiest and least invasive things you can do to improve your self confidence. Do you remember ABC’s Extreme Makeover show a few years ago? When many of the makeover recipients were asked, “What is the one thing you did that made the biggest difference in the way you feel about yourself?” they replied “My smile makeover.”Not all of us can look like the movie stars below, but think of the self confidence you could have if you loved your smile:

After an initial consultation with Dr. Bradley, Dr. Bradley, or Dr. Boswell we can provide the custom-designed cosmetic dentistry procedures that are tailored to your needs. Call 706.453.1333 or eMail us today to learn more about what we can do for you—and that perfect smile that awaits.

And The Winner Is… Susan Brosman!

February 28, 2011

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort,Your Health — Tags: , , , , , , — @ 1:37 am

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.

We just took the “prize patrol” approach and showed up at Susan’s workplace to award her the big prize!

We want ALL of our valued patients to know how much we appreciate the trust you place in our practice. We’re honored to be your lifelong, oral health partners.

Take It Easy On The Sugary Drinks

February 2, 2011

Filed under: Blog,Your Health — Tags: , , , , , , , — @ 7:59 pm

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!

We Always Love Answering Your Questions

November 27, 2010

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort,Your Health — Tags: , , , , , — @ 6:31 am

RECENTLY, A REPORTER FROM U.S. News & World Report did a short, simple story that we have embedded below. The story features the reporter asking seven question about her oral health to three different dentists.

These are the seven questions asked in the video:

  1. How do I avoid bad breath?
  2. What’s my role in keeping my gums healthy?
  3. Why is it so important to take good care of my gums?
  4. What is oral cancer, and how can I prevent it?
  5. Wisdom teeth… Take them out, or leave them in?
  6. Why should I visit my dentist every six months?
  7. How can I get that “drop-dead-gorgeous” smile?

Here at Lake Oconee Dental, we’re big on communication. We love visiting with you, our valued patients. Being your trusted resource for all of your oral health questions and needs is very important to us. We want you to feel comfortable at all times, and hope you can be comfortable asking us any question you may have.So, if you’ve been wondering about any of the topics listed above, or anything else, please ask. And as you know, we have many ways for you to communicate with us including our Facebook site. Be sure to become a “Like” on Facebook to keep up with everything going on in our practice.
And again, thanks for being our patient and friend.

Your 40-65 Year Old Smile Needs Love Too

November 20, 2010

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort,Your Health — Tags: , , , , — @ 8:04 pm

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

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort,Your Health — Tags: , , , , — @ 5:51 am

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”!

Dr. Patti Bradley Wins Reader’s Choice Award!

October 27, 2010

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

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

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.

_______________________________________________________

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”!

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