Do You Have Dental Baggage?

It seems that we hear almost every day patients telling us that their spouse won't go to the dentist because of a bad experience. It is understandable to shy away from any experience if the last time wasn't pleasant. To put it in perspective, think about a hair cut. Most of us have had a bad hair cut. Most of us also do not stop getting hair cuts because of that. We just find a different hair stylist.
So, if you had a bad experience at a dentist, keep trying to find someone you can trust and feel comfortable with. If anxiety is part of the problem, we have several options to help you. It is always nice to hear a great  referral when choosing a new dentist or doctor. We ask our patients to give us feedback and want you to see what they say. Have a look at what one patients said.  If you would like to see what others are saying, click on this link for other testimonials.

 Exceptional Dentistry!

If you want exceptional dental care, expert cleanings and superb customer service.....then visit this practice!
Brian Johnson has put together a team of professionals who care for their patients' every need. I am pleased to add my voice to the many other patients who sing the praises of this dental office. All dentists are NOT the same...so treat yourself to the best! ~Pam P

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

Roswell Dentist - Team Spotlight, Meet Dr J!

It has my pleasure to talk about our entire team. It seems fitting to complete the series giving you a personal look at Dr Johnson. Dr Brian Johnson is caring dentist. He is also a devoted family man. He happens to be my husband. He puts up with me in the office and at home. Some say that this partnership requires a strong marriage, and there is alot of truth in that that.

• A few reasons his patients and I think he is the best:
• He gives his patients honest dental advice.
• He understands that dental work can be expensive.
• We try our best to create a treatment plan to fit our patients' budget and their long and short term dental goals.
• He always gives a couple of treatment options.
• He teaches and educates each and every patient.
• He does beautiful cosmetic work
• He gives a painless shot...no kidding!
• He offers laughing gas

We get great comments all the time about his technique. Don't believe me, check them out for your self...GREAT PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

Thanks for playing along. What dental questions do you have?

Debbie Johnson
Dental blogger extraordinaire

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

Do You Have a Personal Trainer For Your Mouth?

If you have every used a personal trainer, you know what they do. They encourage you to take care of your body through regular exercise and a healthy diet. The first time I used one, I felt very self conscious. I was nervous to schedule the appointment. I was embarrassed to let her see how out of shape I was. I hear from NEW patients that they feel that way about going to a new dentist. This is especially so, if it has been a while since they last saw a dentist. They are afraid of what the dentist will think of them and embarrassed that they have waited so long in between visits. For some patients, it has been as long as 10 years since their last dental visit. These are some of the things patients have told us over the years.

• They have been anxious about choosing a dentist.
• They are also nervous about calling the new office.
• They are nervous about getting dental x-rays taken.
• They are nervous that something big will be wrong with their mouth.
• They are nervous about driving to /finding the office.

Here is a little secret, we are probably the least scary people I know. We area great team who are VERY good at what we do. What we do is give you exceptional dental care with exceptional customer service.
We will help you overcome all of the above fears, as well as the ones that live in your own head. 

Want to hear something really scary? Dr Johnson  tells every patient to stay on a regular cleaning schedule. He tells patients to take care of their teeth to the best of their ability. Not so scary? I didn't think so. Just think of us as your personal trainer for your mouth! Don't wait another day to meet us!

Debbie Johnson

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

Are You a Dental Procrastinator?

Most of us are procrastinators when it comes to our dental health. You know the story...you visit the dentist, we tell you that you have some old fillings that are leaking, breaking down, and we see decay around the margins. You should either have them replaced with composite (tooth colored, resin) fillings or even have them replaced with a crown due to extensive decay or cracks. You know you should just pull the trigger and schedule the appointment, but you don't really want to. So, you wait, and wait, and wait. Then you schedule a trip out of town and you break your tooth. All of a sudden, you wish you had just had the work done when you could have planned it. Now you have to wait to get back in town before you can get your tooth fixed.

Please treat your teeth like you want to keep them and take care of your necessary dental work! Trust me, it isn't all that scary...read the last post, "Diary of an Anxious Dental Patient". I did it..and I'm married to the dentist! We have so many distractions that we will be finished before you know it! There are T.V.s at each operatory, headphones with your choice of music, nitrous oxide ( laughing gas), and the best dentist and staff around. So, what you waiting for???Just call and do it!

Debbie Johnson

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

Diary of Anxious Dental Patient

I sat down at the dentist office today. He had told me some time ago that I should replace some old fillings. I had waited for a while; but, since I am his wife, I figured that I should practice what we preach. I should mention that I am a TERRIBLE patient. I blame my dentist growing up. He was "rough as a cob" as my Daddy says. I don't require alot of dental work. I guess I could give the same dentist some credit for that. I think I will attribute good genes and my current dentist(my hubbie) for my good overall dental health. I get my teeth cleaned three times a year, but I digress.

I put the bib on, I opted to forgo the nitrous oxide(laughing gas) because I was trying on my big girl pants and didn't want to appear too needy. First, Dr. J applied the topical anesthetic. So far, so good. Then my tongue and throat started to go numb. My childhood memories of the fillings he was replacing started racing through my mind!!!Here comes the shot...not so bad. Now I remember that Dr J, aka Brian, gives an excellent shot. Oh good. Then I sat to let it take effect. A few minutes pass and here HE comes. Leans the chair back, the blood pressure goes up...I should have had Kim snap a picture of me. Head phone on, orange glasses in place, listening to some contemporary praise music, I will get though this! The drill begins, I can't hear the music because my panic is rising! I force myself to breathe in, breathe out, breathe out. What is this? I don't feel any pain! The next thing I know he has applied the new fillings and we are all done. What was I so nervous about? He didn't step on my chest to pull anything, I didn't even feel the shot.

Have you ever felt nervous about anything that was irrational. Take it from me. It ain't so bad...just do it! I now have beautifully white fillings!

Thanks for playing along, and yes it is true!

Debbie Johnson

Brian D. Johnson, DMD
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
770.993.9809
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com

If It Ain't Broke, Should You fix It?

We've all heard the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". While I agree with it as a general rule, there are exceptions. Your teeth is one such exception. You may be walking around with old fillings that allowing bacteria to take up residence deep inside your teeth. This causes decay and if left untreated, can be a serious source of infection, aka abscess. These kind of infections can leave your tooth/teeth unrestorable. This means that extraction becomes necessary. While dentistry has come a long way in the last 20 years in regard to tooth replacement options, they can be costly and time consuming. A single filling can usually be accomplished in less than an hour and for under $300. If you are lucky enough to have dental insurance, your out of pocket expense will likely be under $100.

So, you may not want to leave well enough alone, you need to decide what is well enough. In many cases, it is already broken to some degree. So just fix your tooth!

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

Don't Shoot the Messenger/Dentist

In any industry, the 20/60/20 rule applies. For us, it means this. 20% of people go to the dentist as recommended, schedule and keep their appointments and get the recommended work done to preserve their smiles. They are not afraid of the dentist and don't experience dental anxiety.  20% of people only go to the dentist when something hurts or breaks and only want to pull the troublesome tooth. The remaining 60% sit in the middle on a  continuum. They schedule appointments, change or break them several times before coming in, wait to schedule necessary dental work until the last possible minute, and end up with a long treatment plan. A long ,expensive treatment plan is intimidating.

Dental health is important for so many reasons. Periodontal disease is linked with many other autoimmune diseases, it is also dangerous for pregnant women, and has been shown to factor into heart disease. Dental decay left untreated can harm the adjacent structures, including sinuses, jaw, and even brain. Oral cancer, like all cancer, is best treated with early diagnosis. Missing teeth allow other teeth to move and create occlusion/bite problems. The list goes on and on.

It is so important for people to find a dentist that they trust and follow the recommendations of that dentist. We are pleased to say that most of our patients fit into the 20% who take care of themselves. As we meet new patients, we hope to educate them on that importance. If you are a long time patient, or one of our new patients, and we recommend treatment, please don't shoot the messenger. We are just trying to help. You get to decide where you fit in the 20/60/20 continuum.

Debbie Johnson
Brian D.Johnson,DMD
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell,GA 30076
7770.93.9809
http://www.brianjohnsondmd.com/

"There is no reason to dread the dentist..."

Sometimes I sit at the front desk at our dental office and hear things that bear repeating. Today I over heard a patient ask Dr. Johnson "Why do shots not hurt anymore? I have dreaded going to the dentist for years because of my fear of pain. There is no reason to dread dental work anymore." I didn't make it up. Our patient actually said that EXACTLY. He is sitting her getting a crown. He was here in December getting another crown. He had put dental work off for a long time and is now catching up.

Dr Johnson's reply to why shots don't hurt went something like this, "Dental techniques and products are better" You bet they are. Techniques improve with experience. Lots of experience...Dr Johnson surely has that and keeps his ears and brain open to the new products and techniques.

So, if you are like our patient, and have a fear of the dentist office, give us a try. You might just find that you agree with him and overcome your fear and anxiety.

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

Why are you putting off necessary dental work? Anxiety or money problems?

Have you delayed necessary dental work? The two most common reasons are nervousness and budget problems. We try to help our patients with both of these.
If anxiety is the problem, we can give you nitrous oxide for the acute anxiety. We also offer blue tooth headphones to listen to while we work. We also have Sirius radio to choose your music from. Many patients find that the headphones and television at each operatory help to distract them from the drilling. The anticipation is generally worse than the actual procedure.
If money is a problem, we offer a couple of options to help with that as well.

Proactive dentistry is far less costly than reactive dentistry. It is easier to plan and schedule an appointment for something that needs to be done than to fix something that is broken. Call and ask for Debbie!

Debbie Johnson
Dr. Brian Johnson
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com
770.993.9809

Don't let a toothache ruin your day!

Have you ever started your day with a smile, then your feet start to hurt because of new or comfortable shoes? Or begin to enjoy a Sunday when you get a toothache? Both of these scenarios will ruin your day and prevent you from thinking of anything else!
I can't help you with the shoe dilemma, but if Dr Johnson has recommended some dental work and you've been putting it off, I can help with that!
From simple fillings, to crowns, it is always best to treat before there is pain. Call today to schedule your next appointment!

Debbie Johnson
Dr Brian Johnson
1240 Upper Hembree Road,#C
Roswell,GA 30076
770.993.9809
http://www.brianjohnsondmd.com/

How long have you had your tooth brush?

I saw a toothbrush commercial recently that made me think. When you go to shop for a new toothbrush, it can be really confusing.You see hundreds of manual and powered toothbrushes up and down the aisle. Look for products that carry the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance—an important symbol of a dental product's safety and effectiveness.

A toothbrush should be replaced every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed. A worn toothbrush does not do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
Children should have a child-sized toothbrush for ease of use. The variety of colors and designs can provide extra fun and motivation to keep children brushing.

Dr Brian Johnson
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
(770)993-9809
http://www.brianjohnsondmd.com/

Content courtesy of the American Dental Association

Word of Mouth Goes Digital

The best way to find a dentist, doctor, or pretty much anything is by word of mouth. I like to go somewhere where somebody I know has had a great experience already. The digital age has made is even more convenient to share with our friends where we have had great experiences.
Social networking media such as FaceBook is one example. If you have "joined" or "liked" our fan page, you can suggest us to your friends very simply. Please go to our page, then look in the upper left hand corner, under Dr. Johnson's picture, and click "suggest to friends". Then select all of your friends that you would like to recommend. Remember that each time one of your friends becomes one of our patients, will apply $10.00 as a token of our appreciation for that referral.
We accept many dental insurances. Of course, not everyone has dental insurance. We gladly will give a 10% discount for those patients.

Help your friends by sending them our way!

Debbie Johnson
Dr Brian Johnson
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com
(770)993-9809

Don't drink and drill!

Did you know....? You shouldn't drink beverages with caffeine before dental appointments that will include drilling. Imagine this scenario, you get to the dentist, maybe a little nervous. The dentist applies the gel to numb your gums so you won't feel the shot. He gives the shot. He begins the procedure. You still feel the drilling. OUCH!!! Nobody wants that. Drinking caffeine actually makes it more difficult to let the Novocaine(or other numbing medicine ) do it's job.
If you have a morning appointment, I know that this could be less than ideal. Trust me, I LIKE my morning coffee to chase away the night time spider webs from the brain. On the mornings that you are being drilled, leave the cob webs. They'll go away. You will be sleeping in the dental chair anyway right? Our patients often do to sleep while being worked on. What you don't at your dentist? Then, maybe , you're going to the wrong dentist!!!!

Call today to schedule your appointment with us.

Debbie Johnson
Dr. Brian Johnson
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com
(770)993-9809

Are you happy with your dentist?

Are you happy with your dentist? If I am your dentist, I certainly hope so! I hope you are so happy with our care that you tell all of your friends and co-workers!
If you are not one of our cherished patients, and you are not happy with your current dental office, we hope that you will call today to meet us! We welcome each patient, new or established just like we do guests to our home. We hope that you will experience warm welcomes on the phone, and at the office. Our goal is to make you feel instantly at ease!

Dr. Brian Johnson
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, GA 30076
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com
(770)993-9809

Does going to the dentist make you nervous?

When I was a child, our family dentist was not known for "gentle dental care" . To this day, I get nervous hearing the sound of that drill! So, if you get a little anxious just thinking about coming in to the dental office, please rest your fears. These days, we have all sorts of distractions to help you face your fears. We have headphones ready to pipe in music of your choice, television, pleasant decor , a friendly staff, and most importantly the most gentle dentist around!

Yes, I know I am a little biased, but I think Dr . Johnson is the best around. We have had many patients over the years say that he has helped them overcome their dental fears.


Debbie Johnson
Treatment Coordinator
Brian D. Johnson, DMD
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell, Ga 30076
(770)993-9809
www.brianjohnsondmd.com