A smile can bring so much happiness! It is almost impossible not to smile back when someone smiles at you. However, if you feel self conscious about your smile, you may not be sharing it with other often enough. We hear alot of reasons why our patients are not thrilled with their smiles. Some people state that they have had imperfections since childhood, others have developed more recently. Others just have badly shaped or broken teeth. There are many options to help all of these problems.
Stains that develop over time can usually be removed with routine cleanings. Persistent stains generally respond well to cosmetic bleaching. We offer chairside and take home bleach options.
Permanent teeth can actually be discolored and not just stained. Some conditions that cause such discoloration include trauma to a baby tooth, an infection around a baby tooth, and high fevers or prolonged chronic illnesses during childhood can cause discolorations. Fluoride can also cause some white or brown discolorations of teeth when a child receives a high dose over a period of time. A procedure call microabrasion can help to remove these discolorations. Microabrasion is a safe, minimal treatment of discolored teeth. Attempting microabrasion does not eliminate any of the alternatives for treatment.
Some other treatments for discolored teeth are plastic or porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. These options are less affordable and more extensive than microabrasion because they require some tooth preparation. Today a veneer placed on top of your teeth can correct nature's mistake or the results of an injury and help you have a beautiful smile.
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. They're made by a dental technician, usually in a dental lab, working from a model provided by your dentist. You should know that this is usually an irreversible process, because it's necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate the shell.
Your dentist may recommend that you avoid some foods and beverages that may stain or discolor your veneers such as coffee, tea or red wine. Sometimes a veneer might chip or fracture. But for many people the results are more than worth it.
As always, please don't hesitate to contact our office if you have questions regarding your smile!
Brian D. Johnson, D.M.D.
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA30076
BrianJohnsonDMD.com
(770)993-9809
Excerpts and content courtesy of American Dental Association and the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Proper Way to Brush and Floss Your Teeth
Small changes to your lifestyle can have big impacts on your dental health. Proper brushing and flossing techniques can dramatically improve your periodontal health. The ADA recommends the following for good oral hygiene:
Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
How do I brush my teeth?
Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Use the "toe" of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. There are many products available over the counter at your local super center or drug store . I recommend using Stimudent and ProxyBrush in addition to flossing. If you are prone to periodontal disease, you should floss after each meal. Decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
How do I floss my teeth?
Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
Don't forget the back side of your last tooth.
Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. If you have a soft drink habit, try not to sip on high sugar, carbonated drinks all day. The acid in sodas literally dissolve the enamel on your teeth. Then , the sugar fees bacteria in your mouth . If you must enjoy the occasional soda, rinse your mouth when you finish your drink.
Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams. Even the most diligent brusher and flosser needs a little help .
Regular use of a fluoride mouth rinse, such as ACT helps to reduce and prevent tooth decay.The fluoride helps to remineralize the enamel. This can also help with patients who suffer from sensitive teeth.
Excerpts from http://www.ada.org/public/topics/alpha.asp
As always, call our office to schedule your next appointment!
Brian Johnson DMD
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
(770)993-9809
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com
Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
How do I brush my teeth?
Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Use the "toe" of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. There are many products available over the counter at your local super center or drug store . I recommend using Stimudent and ProxyBrush in addition to flossing. If you are prone to periodontal disease, you should floss after each meal. Decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
How do I floss my teeth?
Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
Don't forget the back side of your last tooth.
Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. If you have a soft drink habit, try not to sip on high sugar, carbonated drinks all day. The acid in sodas literally dissolve the enamel on your teeth. Then , the sugar fees bacteria in your mouth . If you must enjoy the occasional soda, rinse your mouth when you finish your drink.
Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams. Even the most diligent brusher and flosser needs a little help .
Regular use of a fluoride mouth rinse, such as ACT helps to reduce and prevent tooth decay.The fluoride helps to remineralize the enamel. This can also help with patients who suffer from sensitive teeth.
Excerpts from http://www.ada.org/public/topics/alpha.asp
As always, call our office to schedule your next appointment!
Brian Johnson DMD
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
(770)993-9809
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Your Healthy Teeth and Gums
Your body is like a complex machine. The foods you choose as fuel and how often you "fill up" affect your general health and that of your teeth and gums. Many dentists are concerned that their patients are consuming record numbers of sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snacks that affect their teeth. These items generally have little if any nutritional value and over time they can take a toll on teeth.
Eating patterns and food choices among children and teens are important factors that affect how quickly youngsters may develop tooth decay. When bacteria (plaque) come into contact with sugar in the mouth, acid is produced, which attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more. This can eventually result in tooth decay.
Not sure you're getting the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed by your body (and your teeth and gums)? Check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Web site . The USDA oversees the nutritional health of the nation. The agency's dietary recommendations are designed to promote optimal health and to prevent obesity-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancers.
The government's recommendations recognize that people have different dietary needs at various stages of life. They offer guidance for children and adults based on their levels of physical activity. Your physician or a registered dietician can also provide suggestions for your daily food intake.
Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay. Almost all foods, including milk or vegetables, have some type of sugar. However, they shouldn't be removed from our diets because many of them contain important nutrients. And they add pleasure to eating. To help control the amount of sugar you consume, read food labels and choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars. Added sugars often are present in soft drinks, candy, cookies and pastries.
If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection. This may contribute to periodontal (gum) disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Although poor nutrition does not cause periodontal disease directly, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and could be more severe in people with nutrient-poor diets
What can you do?
Maintain a healthy diet.
Make sure water is readily available.
Limit the number of between-meal snacks. When you must snack, choose nutritious foods that are low in sugar.
Brush thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance.
Floss or use another kind of interdental cleaner daily to remove plaque (a thin film of bacteria) from under the gums and between teeth.
Schedule regular dental visits for checkups and cleanings.
Keep a food diary for a week. Record every item you eat and drink, including hard candies or chewing gum that contains sugar. Compare the diary to the food Pyramid recommendations.
Excerpts from http://www.ada.org/public/topics/alpha.asp
As always, call our office to schedule your next appointment!
Brian Johnson DMD
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
(770)993-9809
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com
Eating patterns and food choices among children and teens are important factors that affect how quickly youngsters may develop tooth decay. When bacteria (plaque) come into contact with sugar in the mouth, acid is produced, which attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more. This can eventually result in tooth decay.
Not sure you're getting the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed by your body (and your teeth and gums)? Check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Web site . The USDA oversees the nutritional health of the nation. The agency's dietary recommendations are designed to promote optimal health and to prevent obesity-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancers.
The government's recommendations recognize that people have different dietary needs at various stages of life. They offer guidance for children and adults based on their levels of physical activity. Your physician or a registered dietician can also provide suggestions for your daily food intake.
Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay. Almost all foods, including milk or vegetables, have some type of sugar. However, they shouldn't be removed from our diets because many of them contain important nutrients. And they add pleasure to eating. To help control the amount of sugar you consume, read food labels and choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars. Added sugars often are present in soft drinks, candy, cookies and pastries.
If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection. This may contribute to periodontal (gum) disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Although poor nutrition does not cause periodontal disease directly, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and could be more severe in people with nutrient-poor diets
What can you do?
Maintain a healthy diet.
Make sure water is readily available.
Limit the number of between-meal snacks. When you must snack, choose nutritious foods that are low in sugar.
Brush thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance.
Floss or use another kind of interdental cleaner daily to remove plaque (a thin film of bacteria) from under the gums and between teeth.
Schedule regular dental visits for checkups and cleanings.
Keep a food diary for a week. Record every item you eat and drink, including hard candies or chewing gum that contains sugar. Compare the diary to the food Pyramid recommendations.
Excerpts from http://www.ada.org/public/topics/alpha.asp
As always, call our office to schedule your next appointment!
Brian Johnson DMD
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
(770)993-9809
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Do you understand your dental insurance?
Do you understand all the details of your dental insurance? Most people do not, and the insurance companies hope that you don't! Here are a few examples of some common dental insurance FAQs:
Deductible: $25-$50. This applies typically to basic and major work and is commonly waived on preventative work.
Yearly maximums: $1000-$2500. This amount is typically reset each January. Preventative work is subtracted from this total.
Preventative is typically covered at 100% and includes new patient exams, periodic and periodontal exams, FMX(full mouth x-rays) every 3-5 years, Bitewing x-rays every 6 to 12 months, fluoride treatments usually for dependent children to the age of 16 years, sealants to the age of 16 years, prophy and/or periodontal maintenance twice per calender year or once every six months.
Basic coverage is generally covered at 80% and includes fillings, oral surgery,periodontic and endodontic(root canals) treatment. Very often insurance companies provide the alternative benefit of amalgam for fillings to posterior teeth. What this means is that although the standard of care for all teeth is to place composite resin fillings (white colored fillings) on all teeth, they pay for amalgam fillings and force their customers(you!) to pay the difference!
Major work is generally paid at 50% and includes crowns, bridges, partials, and dentures. There is usually a replacement frequency of every 5-10 years for these services.
Occasionally there is a waiting period for basic or major work . Also, sometimes, insurance companies have a missing tooth clause. This means that if you lost or had a tooth extracted prior to have that dental coverage, they will not pay to help you restore your teeth with a bridge or partial.
I hope that this helps you to understand your benefits a little better. If you have additional questions, please contact my office.
Brian Johnson DMD
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
(993)993-9809
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com
BrianJohnsonDMD@gmail.com
Deductible: $25-$50. This applies typically to basic and major work and is commonly waived on preventative work.
Yearly maximums: $1000-$2500. This amount is typically reset each January. Preventative work is subtracted from this total.
Preventative is typically covered at 100% and includes new patient exams, periodic and periodontal exams, FMX(full mouth x-rays) every 3-5 years, Bitewing x-rays every 6 to 12 months, fluoride treatments usually for dependent children to the age of 16 years, sealants to the age of 16 years, prophy and/or periodontal maintenance twice per calender year or once every six months.
Basic coverage is generally covered at 80% and includes fillings, oral surgery,periodontic and endodontic(root canals) treatment. Very often insurance companies provide the alternative benefit of amalgam for fillings to posterior teeth. What this means is that although the standard of care for all teeth is to place composite resin fillings (white colored fillings) on all teeth, they pay for amalgam fillings and force their customers(you!) to pay the difference!
Major work is generally paid at 50% and includes crowns, bridges, partials, and dentures. There is usually a replacement frequency of every 5-10 years for these services.
Occasionally there is a waiting period for basic or major work . Also, sometimes, insurance companies have a missing tooth clause. This means that if you lost or had a tooth extracted prior to have that dental coverage, they will not pay to help you restore your teeth with a bridge or partial.
I hope that this helps you to understand your benefits a little better. If you have additional questions, please contact my office.
Brian Johnson DMD
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
(993)993-9809
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com
BrianJohnsonDMD@gmail.com
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