Why we recommend only soft toothbrushes January 31, 2024

Although it may seem like stiff bristles and vigorous scrubbing would get teeth really clean, your teeth a gums need a gentler touch. Brushes with hard bristles and scrubbing too hard can damages your gums and wear on your enamel. A gentle but thorough approach is more beneficial.

Soft-bristled toothbrush are actually very effective at cleaning plaque and debris from your teeth, and they are more gentle on the gums and enamel. We always recommend soft-bristled brushes because hard-bristles (and even medium- bristled) brushes can damage the gums or enamel. Brush with too much force, or with a stiff, rigid, brush, and you are likely to experience receding gums, damaged or eroded tooth enamel, or other similar problems. These problems can then contribute to sensitivity or more serious issues in time, such as a need for gum surgery.

Using proper brushing technique with a soft toothbush is the best way to clean your teeth thoroughly. Use a soft-bristled bush with small, gentle, circular motions at a 45-degree angle to the gumline. Take your time to be gentle and thorough for a full two minutes, paying attention to each surface of each tooth. Brushing really hard or vigorously or with hard bristles does not make up for a lack of time spent brushing your teeth. The average person only brushes for about 45 seconds, far short of the recommended two minutes/120 seconds.

Although some people believe firm bristles clean better, the fact is they are more likely to wear away your enamel and damage your gums. At Mall of Georgia Dentistry, we know a soft brush will take better care of your teeth and gums. Use a soft or extra-soft toothbrush. We really love the brand Nimbus, which we carry in our office. The microfine bristles can reach tiny crevices in your mouth better than other brushes. If you feel like you need something more to get your teeth extra clean, try using an electric toothbrush with the softest available brush head.

Are you making these teeth whitening mistakes? January 12, 2024

Dark-colored foods and drinks can stain your teeth and cause discoloration. Whitening your teeth is a great way to brighten your smile, but make sure you don’t make any of these common mistakes or you may not want to do much smiling:

Using “whitening” toothpaste. Not only is it mostly marketing to put “whitening” on the package, but these toothpastes usually just contain abrasives, which are way too hard on tooth enamel. Abrasives only address surface stains, not the discoloration of the dentin underneath, and abrasives harm your teeth by causing thinning enamel. Tooth enamel is actually pretty translucent and porous, so dentin is really more responsible for the color. Properly used peroxide-based products will be able to get into the dentin to break down the pigments staining it.

Overuse of products. whitening too often or leaving bleaching products on your teeth for too long is not going to make them whiter or brighter faster but is going to lead to sensitivity. In extreme cases teeth or gums may be damaged from overuse of bleaching products. Use products only as directed. Even then sensitivity can occur. Days can be skipped or length of wear can be shortened to help mitigate that side effect.

DIY/home remedies. Baking soda, charcoal, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, liquid hydrogen peroxide, and any other home remedy… if these do nothing all to whiten teeth, that’s the good news, because these substances are all abrasives, acids, or chemicals that can harm your enamel, gums, and/or oral tissue. Forget the “natural” and home remedies, more harm than good can from them.

At Mall of Georgia Dentistry, we want you to smile confidently, but the best way to whiten your teeth is with professional products used as directed under a dentist’s supervision. Contact our office to learn more about whitening products and get on the way to that bright smile you deserve!

December product deals December 8, 2023

Happy Holidays! Through the end of December, we have deals on the following products at our office:

• Opalescence Go Whitening- 15% off
• Nimbus Toothbrushes- Buy 3 get 1 Free
• Dermal Fillers 15% off with purchase of 50 units of Botox
• Sonicare Electric Toothbrush- $55
• Kids Sonicare $45
• Fluorimax Toothpaste 20% off
• Bleach Refill Tubes Buy 3 get 1 free
• Sheer White Strips 15% off
• Custom Home Bleaching Kit 15% off

Call our office for details or with question. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Mall of Georgia Dentistry!

Why are dental xrays needed? November 16, 2023

Different types of dental  X-rays serve different purposes for your dental health. Some help your dentist discover cavities, some will help diagnose an abscess, others will show the position of the wisdom teeth and more. Let’s discuss the main types X-rays we might take at our offices and how these x-rays are part of your dental health.

Bite-wing X-rays. These are the most common type of dental X-ray, usually taken as part of a routine visit, once or twice per year (depending on individual needs, insurance coverage, and other factors). Bite-wing images help diagnose cavities between the teeth. They show the inner sides of back molar teeth. Since molars have large side surfaces, the in-between surfaces are not possible to see without X-rays. So with bite-wing X-rays you get a look in-between all those back teeth to detect any possible decay that is not visible to the eye or with probing or other testing methods. These X-rays can also help detect loss of bone density due to periodontal disease. Bite-wing X-rays usually do not show the entire tooth root, though.

Periapical X-rays. This is an X-ray of the whole tooth, from the bone surrounding the root tip to the crown. This is the type of X-ray that is commonly required in the presence of a toothache in order to detect the cause… decay, abscess, fracture, problems with root structure, or other conditions that need immediate diagnosis.

Full mouth X-rays. The “full mouth X-ray” is actually a series of smaller X-rays that make up a set. Multiple X-ray images are taken of the entire mouth, including every tooth and all the front teeth and back teeth, just a few teeth per image. This series can be a good diagnostic and preventive tool to check the entire mouth for things like cavities, bone loss or periodontal conditions, and to inspect inner dental structures periodically.

Panoramic X-ray. A panoramic X-ray is a single image of the entire mouth, both jaws, and all the teeth, including un-erupted teeth or impacted wisdom teeth. This type of X-ray is useful for detecting the position of all teeth as well as emerging adult teeth in children and adolescents. Panoramic X-rays are very important for orthodontic treatment as well as wisdom teeth removal.  They can also detect abnormalities in the jaw.

Cone Beam CT. This type of special xray creates three dimensional images of teeth, bones and other dental structures, as well as some aspects of other anatomy such as soft tissues and nerves. It is similar to- but not the same as- a regular CT. It has lower radiation than a regular medical CT scan. It is often used to evaluate bone prior to placing an implant, and it is also useful for diagnosing disorders of the jaw joint.

All of the common X-rays listed above are frequently taken at Mall Of Georgia Dentistry, and every one of them can play a role in keeping your smile in the best shape possible. Dental X-rays help improve your dental and oral health in many ways, from finding cavities while they are still small, to diagnosing an infection or a jaw disorder, to facilitating orthodontic treatment. Dental X-rays are great tools to help you keep your smile bright and healthy!

Halloween treats and your teeth October 27, 2023

American’s buy an estimated 600 million pounds of candy for Halloween! And if you aren’t careful, all those sugary treats can do scary things to your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth love sugar – they eat sugar and produce acid, which weakens the enamel and causes cavities. But some candies can be a scarier than others. So what is the best and worst candy for your teeth?

Best idea: plain chocolate. Chocolate is the most popular kind of candy at Halloween, which is nice because chocolate makes the “good” list.  Plain chocolate washes off your teeth easier than other types of candy. Dark chocolate can be lower in sugar than milk chocolate, but chocolates with sticky or toffee fillings probably won’t wash off the teeth as easily as plain chocolate.

Bad idea: sticky and gummy candies. Gummies are some of the worst candies for your teeth. Gummy, taffy, and fruit chews can really adhere to the teeth, and are generally much harder to remove, sometimes even with brushing. Since they stick to the teeth and stay on longer, the bacteria have more time to work on them and create cavity-friendly conditions.

Bad idea: sour candy. Sour candy has added acids to make them sour, and acidity can weaken enamel and make your teeth more vulnerable to cavities. Sour gummy candy packs a double whammy of sticky and acidic.

Bad idea: hard candy. Be careful with hard candy. Sucking on a hard candy can be bad by exposing your teeth to sugar for a long period of time, bathing your teeth in sugar. Never bite into hard candy- it is too hard to chew and can break your tooth.

At Mall of Georgia Dentistry, we know that trick-or-treating is a big part of the Halloween fun. Candy is an important Halloween tradition, and it’s OK to enjoy some, as long as you’re brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, every day of the year, occasional treats should be OK.  Making smarter choices of which candies to eat, and to give out to trick-or-treaters, is a good idea too.

Don’t wait until the last minute to use insurance benefits September 25, 2023

Since it’s getting late in the year it’s a good time to remind our patients that insurance benefits usually expire at the end of the year. Most insurance plans have benefits that start over each calendar year. Hopefully you’ll have already planned to make the most of your insurance benefits by this late in the year, but it may not be too late! Take a look at your dental insurance benefits, consider any treatment you need or have been putting off, and give us a call to see about maximizing your coverage. Delaying treatment could be a waste of your current benefits.

When dental insurance plans use a calendar year benefit year, it means that things like the annual maximum amount- and often the frequencies of cleanings and exams- start over each calendar year. Those benefits typically do not roll over into the following year, and if you don’t use it, you lose it! If you’re due for another cleaning this year or have unscheduled treatment, contact us now to get your appointment scheduled.

Usually, available appointments for the last month or two of the year fill up quickly. A lot of patients rush to get in before their benefits expire, and this increased demand can make it harder for you to get an appointment with us the later it gets in the year. Instead of waiting until the last minute, take advantage of those dental insurance benefits and schedule with us now!

Some plans do not have calendar year benefits. Some insurance plans use a “plan year” with benefits that start over on a specific date during the year. If you don’t know what your benefit year is, it’s a good idea to find out so you can plan accordingly.

We are here to help you maximize your benefits, so if you have questions about your insurance coverage, please give us a call and we will do our best to help you. We hope you’ll schedule any treatment that you might have been putting off this year and take advantage of your benefits!

Dealing with dry mouth September 8, 2023

Dry mouth is more than just uncomfortable, it can also compromise your oral health. One of the most common causes of dry mouth is medication. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications can have xerostomia (fancy word for dry mouth) as a side effect. Other causes can include things such as radiation treatment of the area of the salivary glands, aging, autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome, and other health conditions. Whatever the cause, dry mouth can make you more vulnerable to tooth decay and poor oral health.

Dry mouth means there is a lack of adequate saliva in the mouth. Without enough saliva, the environment in the mouth is not able to cope as well with everyday things like food particles and acids. Saliva acts as part of the defense mechanism against gingivitis, tooth decay, and infections. Saliva bathes your mouth in a protective solution containing calcium ions, and saliva helps teeth to remineralize after being weakened by a little acid exposure. It helps wash away food that is stuck to the teeth, and can help keep plaque from quickly building up to levels that can cause gingivitis.

A few things that may help you cope with dry mouth and help protect your teeth:

• Avoid using toothpastes that contain sodium lauryl sulphate and mouth rinses that contain alcohol

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep the mouth hydrated

• Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake since these can aggravate dry mouth

• Breathe through the nose, not the mouth – air flowing in and out of your mouth will dry up saliva

• Keep up with your brushing and flossing routine and get regular cleanings and check ups

• Wear custom made trays at night filled with special remineralizing fluoride products

• Some patients may benefit from special prescription mouthwashes

• If medication causes your dry mouth, talk to your doctor to see if you can switch to a different medication that does not cause dry mouth as a side effect

If you are dealing with dry mouth, please feel free to talk to our office. We have an assortment of products designed to relieve dry mouth available for purchase, and we would be happy to talk to you about them. We are here to help keep you smiling and help keep your smile as healthy as possible.

Keeping your Child’s Smile Healthy for A Great School Year August 11, 2023

Dental pain and disease is responsible for millions of hours of missed school each year and can lead to difficulty speaking and communicating, which can adversely impact learning, eating, and playing. One CDC statistic says that tooth decay is more prevalent among American school children than any other infectious disease, and yet another statistic cites that 19% of children ages 2 to 19 have active tooth decay- cavities that have not yet been treated.

Here are some tips to make sure your child’s oral health is kept in ideal shape to help them have a great school year:

• Maintain regular dental appointments. Routine exams can diagnose and treat or prevent dental problems. Dental problems do not always manifest signs and symptom that parents can recognize, so regular checkups are important. Make sure your child gets regular cleanings and include cavity-detecting x-rays at the recommended frequency.
• Get regular fluoride treatments. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel and make it more resistant to decay.
• Get sealants on permanent teeth once they are in. Sealants help to prevent decay, which can save your child dental pain and missed school days.
• Regular brushing and flossing. Stock your bathroom cabinet with plenty of toothpaste, floss or floss picks, and extra toothbrushes. Get fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristled brushes. Change toothbrushes regularly, about every 3 months. Make sure your child brushes morning and night for 2 minutes each time and flosses once daily.
• Be mindful of what is in their lunchboxes. Pack healthy lunches and snacks, include items like milk, cheese, raw vegetables, whole grains, yogurt, and fruit. Limit things that stick to the teeth like fruit snacks, fruit roll-ups, chewy candies, raisins and other dried fruits. If your child eats a lunch prepared by the school cafeteria, educate him or her about healthy options. Try to reduce sugary foods, sweets, sports drinks, and soft drinks.
• Wear a sports mouth guard. Make sure your child wears a properly fitted sports mouth guard while participating in sports games and practices, PE classes, or even recess on the playground!

We hope these tips are helpful to you when keeping your child’s smile bright. Give our office a call if your child is due for a routine cleaning or to schedule one in advance for later in the school year, and maintain a great home hygiene routine. Mall of Georgia Dentistry wishes you an awesome school year… and, as always, brush, floss, smile!

Athletic Mouth guards July 22, 2023

Pretty much any kind of sport or physical activities raises the risk of dental injuries, with contact sports like football, soccer, and hockey having an increased likelihood of mouth injuries due to things like collisions with other players or equipment. Activities like mountain biking and rollerblading can also result in spills or collisions with objects. Mouth guards help by dissipating the force of collisions, distributing the impact, and minimizing the effect on the teeth and gums.Athletic mouth guards are available over the counter, but a custom-made mouth guard from a  dentist has several advantages. They are more comfortable, allow for easier speech and breathing, and they are intended to be more durable and effective. Although they are more expensive than over-the-counter options, they are much less expensive than the cost of most dental treatment that could result from injuries sustained with no mouth guard or if the mouth guard is poorly-fitted or inadequate. Are you or your child already wearing a good custom mouth guard? If, yes, that’s awesome! If not, Mall of Georgia Dentistry can help!  Give our office a call and we’ll be happy to answer any question about custom mouth guards. Making sure you and your loved ones properly protect your teeth while practicing and playing could save more than just their smile!

Follow your doctor’s guidance about premedication June 23, 2023

The mouth is home to a wide variety of bacteria and other microscopic organisms. Most of them are absolutely harmless. But in some cases they can migrate into the blood stream and cause infections in other parts of the body. Dental work, including dental cleanings, has the potential to introduce bacteria to the blood stream, so it is necessary for many individuals to pre-medicate with antibiotics prior to certain dental appointments. Heart conditions and artificial joints are among the most common conditions that require pre-medication, but always check with your physician to see if you need to pre-medicate for any medical condition that you may have.

Heart Conditions

Many heart conditions require pre-medication. These conditions include:

An artificial heart valve

Heart transplant patients

Congenital heart conditions (present from birth)

Congenital heart condition include unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, defects repaired with a prosthetic device or material, or conditions in which a heart defect has been repaired, but a residual defect remains.

Joint Replacements

Common conditions that require pre-medication include certain circumstances of prosthetic joints, such as a recent joint replacement surgery (within the past 2 years), those with join replacements and an immune system which may be impaired, or any patient whose surgeon recommends prophylaxis medication prior to dental appointments for life. Check with your surgeon for their recommendation.

There may be other medical conditions, such as spinal fusion, when a a patient’s surgeon deems pre-medication necessary, so we encourage all of our patients with medical conditions to check with their surgeon, cardiologist, or other specialist regarding the need to pre-medicate. The medical doctor that treats you is the authority on whether or not it is necessary for you to take an antibiotic prior to your appointments, and our office will always follow your doctor’s recommendation.