Breaking News....Rampant Tooth Decay Has Hit Roswell GA

We have seen an unusual amount of tooth decay especially in the teens -30 year olds.
Why? This is what we find when we ask them about their everyday habits.

• Lifestyle habits- we hear that they don't brush and floss enough or at all.
• Diet habits- they drink way too many soft drinks. Drinking anything that has sugar, and carbonation puts your teeth as risk. This includes sparkling water, and diet sodas. This age group seem to be sugar junkies and love sticky candy. The sticky stuff gets in the grooves of the teeth and has a feast on your enamel.
• Eating late at night after they have brushed their teeth, and not rebrushing.
• Infrequent visits to the dentist. Early intervention is key. Small cavities become bigger cavities. Big cavities become crowns. Crowns become root canals. Failed root canals become missing teeth. Missing teeth are EXPENSIVE to replace.

If you haven't visited your dentist in the last six months, pick up your phone right now and call. We are ready to help you and educate you about your dental health. Are you ready to change your ways? Do you want to have a beautiful smile?

Brian D. Johnson
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
770.993.9809
http://www.brianjohnsondmd.com/

What Does a Piece of Bacon Have to Do With a Dental Practice?

I cooked bacon for the family this weekend. Our son complained that it was too salty.He wanted to know what kind it was and where I got it. I bought the "store brand". It looked pretty good and cooked up nicely. When I sat down to eat my bacon and eggs, I realized he was right. It was way too salty.

I have both the pleasure and obligation to interact with other dental offices every week. Some are a joy to interact with. Some, not so much. The specialists that we use are considerate of our time, our patients' needs, and are a pleasure to work with. On occasion, patients decide to choose an alternate provider for orthodontic, endodontic, periodontic, and oral surgery services. Generally, my interactions with those offices leave a bad taste in my mouth. I have been tempted more than once to call the dentist directly to let him know how I/my patient was treated. Of course, sometimes, it is the dentist that is the problem. Generally, I am interacting with a receptionist or an office manager. Let's just say, I think I could teach a customer service course...kind of  a Chick Fil A class for dental professionals.

While my bacon looked good before and after cooking, it just didn't cut the mustard. We encourage you to use the professionals that we trust. There is a reason. Trust me. If you are looking for a family dental office who will try to make you feel welcome and comfortable, accept my personal invitation for call our office today. You will be happy you did. I can almost guarantee it. As Chick Fil A employees say, "It Will Be My Pleasure"!

Debbie Johnson

Brian D. Johnson
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
770-993-9809
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com

Save Your Teeth and A Few Calories

There are more reasons to skip the late night snack than just to watch your waistline. A study has shown people who eat late at night lose their teeth younger and lose more teeth than folks who go to bed hungry. Why? I imagine that they are eating after they brush with their bedtime routine. Your saliva is also slowing down -- so the food isn't being broken down.
So, save your teeth , and your waistline. Go to bed hungry. If you wake up hungry at 2:00, reach for a glass of plain water. You'll have sweeter dreams, anyway!

Oral Surgery For the Johnson Family

Our son had his wisdom teeth removed this week. Dr Mark Chishom and his fabulous staff were wonderful and caring.  The process began a couple of weeks ago when we went in for the initial consultation. We were able to complete the new patient forms online before the visit...I was ENVIOUS of this great feature. It is now on my radar for our office. Brian and Will arrived at the front desk of Dr Chishom (Crabapple Oral Surgery) welcomed by Miriam, Pam, and Taylor ( Dr Chishom's daughter). Brian said they were in the waiting room for just a few minutes before being called back for the panoramic x-ray. At this time, they met Kim, Rebe, and Lindsay, Dr Chishom's very capable and professional surgical assistants.  Next, they watched a video for pre-op expectations. Dr Chishom  came in to examine Will and made him feel welcome and relaxed. They talked about high school among other things. Finally, Vicky, Dr Chishom's office manager, helped us to schedule his surgery date on the phone with Debbie. That is alot of things going on for a initial visit right? Clearly, Dr Chishom feels that the pre-op visit is important. We couldn't agree more. We felt prepared and at ease.

Yesterday, I took Will for his procedure. Once again, we were welcomed into the reception room and soon brought back into the surgical room. Kim got Will all hooked up to the monitors, covered him up with a blanket, and had him laughing! Rebe came in to start his I.V. which she did before he even know that she had a needle. Kim, Rebe, and Lindsay were all so friendly and kind. I was able to stay with him until Dr Chishom  came in. I went out to the waiting room; and barely had time to catch up on emails before he came out to tell me that he was finished and I could come back while Will woke up. I watched a post op instruction video and was given a post op pack of gauze dressings, and handy dandy ice pack with Dr Chishom's logo, and a prescription for pain medicine. We walked him out to the car and was home in no time.

The pain and swelling was minimal. Will was hungry almost immediately; no surprise there! I stayed home with him and had plenty of cold, soft foods on hand. We replaced the ice packs and gauze packing as needed during the day. He took his Aleve for pain and only needed the Lortab twice yesterday. I came back to work at our office today and he is doing great!



Dr. Mark Chishom is a native of Columbia, SC. Dr. Chishom is an honor graduate from The Citadel where he received a bachelor of science degree. He earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine as a Summa Cum Laude graduate of The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston in 1994. Dr. Chishom completed his Oral and Maxillofacial residency at The Medical University of South Carolina.

Dr. Chishom is a former state board examiner for the state of South Carolina in Oral Surgery and holds National Board certifications in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dental Anesthesiology. Dr. Chishom maintains memberships in the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the National Dental Society of Anesthesiology. Dr. Chishom, along with his former partner founded the South Carolina Academy of Advanced Implant Studies. Dr. Chishom has lectured extensively to his colleagues on various subjects in oral surgery and anesthesia.


Dr. Chishom's professional interests include: Dental implants and reconstruction, Pathology, and Orthognathic surgery.

Dr. Chishom proudly served in the United States Army as an Oral Surgeon before he was honorably discharged. He has been in private practice in since 2000. He is married to Dr. Patrice Chishom, a pediatrician who also practices in Atlanta. He is the proud father of three children. His hobbies include: Golf, soccer, and landscaping. Dr. Chishom is an active member of his Church and community.

Dr Chishom has taken care of many of our patients who have given him glowing and well deserved praise that match our experience. We are happy to have Dr Chishom and his practice in our community.

Debbie Johnson
Brian D. Johnson, DMD
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
http://www.brianjohnsondmd.com/

How Safe Are Dental X-Rays?

We are asked almost weekly about the safety of our digital x-rays. I ran across this article by Colgate that I think answers many frequently asked questions.

How Often Should Your Teeth Be X-rayed?


Even though no X-ray can be considered routine, many people require X-rays on a regular basis so that their dental condition can be monitored. Exactly how often this happens will depend on your medical and dental history and current condition. Some people may need X-rays as often as every six months. For others, X-rays may not be needed for as long as two years. In patients with no recent dental or gum disease and who visit the dentist regularly for check-ups, X-rays may be taken only every five years or so.


Who needs more frequent or regular radiographs?

Children - Many children need X-rays every six months to one year, depending on age, because they are highly likely to develop caries. X-rays also help monitor tooth development.

Adults with extensive restoration work, including fillings - All the conditions that helped create the caries to begin with continue, making it necessary to check for decay beneath existing fillings or in new locations.

Anyone who drinks sugary sodas, chocolate milk or coffee or tea with sugar - Even mildly sugary beverages create an environment in the mouth that's perfect for decay, so anyone who drinks these beverages regularly will need to have more regular X-rays.

People with periodontal (gum) disease - Periodontal treatments may need to be stepped up if there are significant or continuing signs of bone loss.

People who are taking medications that lead to dry mouth, also called xerostomia - Saliva helps keep the acid levels (pH) in the mouth stable. In a dry mouth, the pH decreases, causing the minerals in the teeth to break down, leaving them prone to caries. Medications that can decrease saliva are those prescribed for hypertension, antidepressants, antianxiety drugs, antihistamines, diuretics, narcotics, anticonvulsants and anticholinergics.

People who have dry mouth because of disease, such as Sjögren's syndrome, or because of medical treatments that damaged the salivary glands, such as radiation to the head and neck for cancer treatment.

Smokers, because smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease.

I hope that you find this helpful.

Brian D. Johnson, DMD
1240  Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
770.993.9809
http://www.brianjohnsondmd.com/

Roswell Dentist Talks About Sports Mouthguards

There has been alot of press given to sports medicine these days. The potential for oral injuries is so great that a study done by the Academy for Sprts Dentistry found that every athlete in contact sports has a 10% chance every season for sustaining an oral or facial injury; the chance increases  33% to 56% over the course of an athletic career. Not only can these injuries be disfiguring, they also cost precious practice and play time.
Like everything else, prevention is key. Mouthguards can help prevent these injuries by protecting the hard tissue of the teeth and jaw bones as well as the soft tissue. Most athletes wear some sort of mouthguard. Unfortunately, many times the guard is ill fitting. The local sports mart carries one layer mouthguards and these do not provide adequate protection. Higher quality mouthguards are certainly more expensive, although less than the best quality guards custom made by dentists. One other option is a multi layer mouthguard. These can be ordered online. Of course, the best mouthguard won't work if left sitting in the sports bag. So, regardless of your age or sport, get a proper fitting, high quality mouthguard and WEAR IT!

Brian D. Johnson
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
770.993.9809
http://www.brianjohnsondmd.com/