Does this image make you anxious? If so, nitrous oxide may be a good choice for your dental treatment

At our Alpharetta dentistry office, we see all kinds of patients, and many different levels of comfort or anxiety. Unfortunately, some people are very fearful of dentists, and that fear prevents them from seeking the help they need, allowing dental problems to worsen over time. Other patients may have problems with their gag reflex interfering with dental examinations, while many children experience anxiety and fear at the sensations and sounds of a dental exam or procedure. For these types of patients, nitrous oxide is an excellent solution.

What is nitrous oxide or “laughing gas”?

The safe, effective mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen is administered to patients via a mask, allowing them to breathe it in. After a short period of time, the nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” begins to take effect and the patient will experience a sense of relaxation. This sedative causes a rise in pain tolerance, helps keep patients feeling comfortable and calm, and can even make time seem to pass more quickly.

 What are the benefits of nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide is one of the safest sedatives in dentistry. It is non-allergic, reversible, and the patient remains fully conscious with all natural reflexes during treatment. Not only is nitrous oxide a very safe sedative, but its effects also diminish quickly. After about 5 minutes of breathing oxygen, the effects are gone and most patients are able to leave the dentist’s office without assistance.

Remember that while laughing gas is often used in pediatric cases, it is also a very valuable option for adults. Administration of nitrous oxide before a dental procedure keeps both our pediatric and adult patients at ease, so let us know if you are interested in this service.

If you are looking for an Alpharetta dentist, please contact Healthy Smiles of Georgia so that we can serve you as your family dentist and provide you with the kind of oral care that best suits your needs. We serve Milton, Crapabble, Alpharetta and Roswell. We will be able to provide you with the right solution for improving and maintaining your healthy smile.

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There are two different types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. Read on to learn the differences in these two procedures.

Simple Tooth Extraction

If a tooth hasn’t been broken off too much to be visible in the mouth, a simple extraction will suffice. This procedure requires only local anesthetic, as well as anti-anxiety drugs depending on the patient.

The procedure is fairly quick, as the dentist will merely grip and loosen your tooth with forceps before pulling it out. Sometimes it is necessary to insert a dental elevator between the tooth and gum to assist in loosening the tooth.

After your tooth extraction, you will need to follow some steps for a quick recovery. Take the pain medication prescribed by your dentist exactly as directed and avoid eating solid foods for several hours afterward. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth for a full day, because getting food in the extraction site can cause complications like dry socket. Rinsing your mouth with salt water and using warm compresses on your jaw will help keep your mouth healthy and control pain.

Surgical Tooth Extraction

In cases where the tooth cannot be seen in the mouth due to breakage or simply not coming in yet (as is the case with many people’s  wisdom teeth), your dentist will have to perform a surgical tooth extraction. The procedure may involve local or general anesthesia depending on the particulars of your case.

In order to access the remaining tooth, the dentist will cut and pull back the gums. In some cases the tooth will have to be cut into pieces to be removed.

After a surgical tooth extraction, it’s very important to follow aftercare instructions in order to reduce your risk of complications. Proper care after a surgical tooth extraction includes changing your gauze pads often, avoiding smoking or eating hard foods, keeping your mouth clean by washing with salt water, and relaxing. It’s important to take it easy and remember to keep your head elevated to reduce bleeding.

Contact Healthy Smiles of Georgia so that we can serve you as your Alpharetta family dentist and provide you with the kind of oral care that best suits your needs. We serve Milton, Crapabble, Alpahretta and Roswell. We will be able to provide you with the right solution for improving and maintaining your healthy smile.

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The higher your blood sugar levels, the more likely it is that you will experience dental problems related to diabetes, which is why it is so important to make sure your diabetes is controlled.

How diabetes affects your teeth:

Diabetes can cause:

• Dry mouth- This is a common symptom of diabetes mellitus, due to decreased insulin production. With proper blood sugar management, decreased saliva production should not be a problem.
• Periodontal disease- Diabetes can also cause infection of the gum and the bone holding your teeth in place. Soreness, bleeding from tooth brushing, and difficulty chewing can all be signs of this.
• Cavities- Tooth decay is more prevalent in diabetes patients due to high sugar levels which throw off the natural balance of bacteria and flora.
• Poor healing- Patients with diabetes often experience problems with healing.

Dental health for diabetes patients:

If you have diabetes, proper dental care is a necessity to prevent minor problems from becoming more severe. According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), people with diabetes should not only monitor their blood sugar levels, but also make sure to have their triglycerides and cholesterol levels checked regularly. These measures can affect your risk of gum disease, so it’s best to find out sooner rather than later if a problem is developing. It’s also vitally important that patients with diabetes visit their dentist as soon as possible in case of infection or other dental problems.

AGD spokesperson E. Mac Edington, DDS, MAGD, ABGD advises:

We urge individuals with diabetes to take care of their mouths and have dental infections treated immediately. People who receive good dental care and have good insulin control typically have a better chance at avoiding gum disease.

If you have diabetes, don’t neglect your dental health. Let your family dentist know about your diabetes to ensure that your dentist can provide the best possible care.

Contact Healthy Smiles of Georgia at our Alpharetta office so that we can serve you as your family dentist and provide you with the kind of oral care that best suits your needs. We serve Milton, Crapabble, Alpahretta and Roswell. We will be able to provide you with the right solution for improving and maintaining your healthy smile.

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What is tooth erosion?

Tooth erosion is the loss of tooth structure when the enamel is worn away by acid. Also known as tooth wear, this can eventually lead to dental problems and pain. Symptoms of tooth erosion include:

• Sensitivity due to loss of enamel. The more enamel you lose, the more sensitive your teeth become to hot and cold drinks and food. Sensitivity can be combated with desensitization therapy.
• Once the enamel wears away, the dentin, or second layer of your tooth is revealed. This can cause teeth to look yellowed.
• Another symptom of tooth erosion is a rounded appearance to teeth, giving them a sand blasted look.
• Tooth erosion can also cause your teeth to appear transparent near the edges.
• Cracks and cupping (small dents on the chewing surfaces) can also occur due to tooth wear.

How can you prevent tooth erosion?

Obviously this is a dental problem you’ll want to guard against, but how can you prevent tooth erosion in your day to day life? Here are a few tips:

• Cut down drastically on your consumption of soda, sports drinks, juices, and anything carbonated or sugary.
• If you do drink something carbonated or heavily sweetened, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth, and rinse your mouth out with water afterwards.
• Do not brush your teeth immediately after drinking these types of beverages. Wait at least an hour for the enamel to remineralize so you don’t scrub it away by brushing.
• Chew sugar-free gum, which will help your mouth produce more saliva and in turn re-mineralize enamel more quickly.
• When brushing your teeth, use a soft toothbrush and high-fluoride toothpaste.

Be sure to talk to your dentist about tooth erosion and what you can do to protect your teeth. Our Alpharetta dentist office can help you care for your teeth and learn to mitigate the effects of enamel loss and tooth erosion.

Our Alpharetta dentistry office offers a wide range of dental procedures. Contact Healthy Smiles of Georgia to learn more about tooth whitening, dental veneers, and other dentistry services, and let us provide you with the kind of oral care that best suits your needs. We serve Milton, Crapabble, Alpharetta and Roswell. We will be able to provide you with the right solution for improving and maintaining your healthy smile.

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Our Alpharetta dentist office regularly performs a number of cosmetic and general dentistry procedures, but the one that always seems to strike fear into patients is the dreaded root canal. No matter what you may have heard about this much-maligned dental procedure, rest assured that it is not nearly as bad as you think. In fact, many people don’t even know what the procedure entails! If you’re ready to demystify it, read on to learn everything you need to know about root canals.

Why might you need a root canal?

If your tooth is badly decayed or the pulp (soft area inside your tooth) becomes infected, a root canal is necessary to prevent further infection and inflammation. Without treatment, you could develop an abscessed tooth, bone loss, and other serious problems.

What is the root canal procedure?

The actual steps of a root canal procedure include:

• Initial X-ray determines extent of infection.
• Local anesthesia is administered and rubber dam is placed to keep tooth dry.
• An access hole is drilled in tooth through which to remove infected pulp.
• The canal is cleaned out and flushed to remove debris.
• The hole will be sealed by placement of a filling. It can be done the same day, or the dentist might need to put medication in the tooth and place a temporary seal until the infection is gone and the patient can return for the final sealing.
• Before the final seal is applied, the tooth canal will be filled with a rubber-like substance called gutta percha. It can then be sealed with a filling or topped with a crown if need be.

Will it hurt?

Contrary to popular belief, root canals are actually not that painful! Many patients compare the discomfort to having a tooth filled. The dentist will anesthetize the area, though it may not actually be necessary because the nerve is dead.

If you are in need of a root canal, don’t be scared. It’s much better to get the root canal procedure taken care of sooner, rather than later, and you’ll feel much better once your diseased tooth has been repaired.

Our Alpharetta dentistry office offers microscope assisted root canal therapy. Contact Healthy Smiles of Georgia to learn more about this method of root canal, and let us provide you with the kind of oral care that best suits your needs. We serve Milton, Crapabble, Alpahretta and Roswell. We will be able to provide you with the right solution for improving and maintaining your healthy smile.

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According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), chewing tobacco contains drastically more nicotine and is therefore much more addictive. In fact, rather than being a “better choice,” one can of snuff is actually the nicotine equivalent of 80 cigarettes.

Probably due to the smoking/lung cancer connection, a perception has developed that snuff is not as bad for your health as smoking. Yet, of the 440, 000 Americans who die from tobacco use each year, the majority are from oral cancer. Long-term use of chewing tobacco puts one at a much higher risk for the disease.

Studies indicate that more middle- and high-school students are using snuff, with some estimates as high as 10%. A chewing tobacco habit is often introduced to a young person in the course of sports involvement, especially baseball, so be sure to talk to your kids about the health risks. Aside from oral cancer, dental problems caused by smokeless tobacco include:

• Leukoplakia- White patches on the inside of the mouth that can progress to oral cancer.
• Abrasion of the teeth
• Receding gums
• Periodontal bone loss

If you or someone you know uses chewing tobacco and would like to quit, check out these resources for quitting chewing tobacco or snuff. This is also a topic that you should talk to your family dentist about. If you’d like to know more, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jai to discuss your oral health and ways you can improve.

Contact Healthy Smiles of Georgia at our Alpharetta dentist office  to make an appointment. We serve Milton, Crapabble, Alpahretta and Roswell, and always strive to provide you with the right solution for improving and maintaining your healthy smile.

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Dental injuries prevented by mouthguards

Mouthguards prevent the lower jaw slamming into the upper jaw and move soft tissues away from the teeth, which in turn prevents an array of injuries including:

• Lacerations and bruising
• Broken teeth
• Jaw fractures
• Cerebral hemorrhage and neck injury
• Concussion

In which sports should you wear mouth protection?

Dental injury is often associated with hockey, but the risk is present in many other sports as well. If the activity puts you at risk for coming into contact with other players or falling/hitting hard surfaces, you should wear mouth protection. The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recommends wearing a mouthguard for the following athletic activities:

• Basketball
• Softball
• Football
• Wrestling
• Soccer
• Lacrosse
• Rugby
• In-line skating and skateboarding
• Martial arts
• Bycycling

What type of mouthguard should I buy?

Pre-made mouthguards offer the least protection, can be uncomfortable to wear, and can impede speech and breathing. Mouth-formed guards allow for a slightly more personalized fit, but the best choice is a custom-made mouthguard. A custom mouthguard from your dentist is cast to fit your teeth, resulting in a higher level of comfort and performance.

 Contact Healthy Smiles of Georgia at our Alpharetta office so that we can serve you as your family dentist and provide you with the kind of oral care that best suits your needs. We serve Milton, Crapabble, Alpahretta and Roswell. We will be able to provide you with the right solution for correcting and maintaining your healthy smile. We serve Milton, Crapabble, Alpharetta and Roswell.

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• higher risk of developing oral cancer
• bad breath
• discolored teeth
• more plaque and tartar buildup
• inflammation of your salivary glands
• bone loss
• leukoplakia (irritated white patches in the mouth)
• gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss
• complications and trouble healing after dental procedures like tooth extraction, oral surgery, and dental implantation

Obviously it’s in your best interests to quit smoking, but no matter how beneficial to your health, the task is much easier said than done. In fact, the average American will make multiple attempts to quit smoking before quitting for good, according to the American Lung Association. In the interest of your overall and dental health, it’s time to take the plunge and learn how to quit smoking.

Tips for quitting smoking

We know it sounds overly simplistic, but don’t smoke. It’s easy to fall into the trap of “just one more” or “I’ll just finish this pack.” The act of throwing your remaining cigarettes away can help motivate you to quit for good.

Put your motivations for quitting in writing. Whether you want to stop smoking for your kids, your health, or a number of related reasons, seeing your goals in writing helps you focus and commit.

Realize that quitting smoking may be one of the hardest things you ever do- but you can do it. You may want to try using nicotine replacement patches or gum, or you could use an FDA-approved smoking cessation medicine that is nicotine-free.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many employers offer smoking-cessation programs, and you can also access quite a few services through the CDC website.

When the going gets tough, just remember that half of all adult smokers have quit. To learn more about quitting smoking and improving your oral health, contact your Alpharetta dentist, Dr. Jai Thirumalai, D.M.D.

Contact Healthy Smiles of Georgia at our Alpharetta office so that we can help you quit smoking and provide you with the kind of oral care that best suits your needs. We serve Milton, Crabapple, Alpharetta and Roswell, so give us a call to schedule your next dental appointment. 

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Before and after showing complete upper dentures

If you have had all of your teeth removed, you will need complete dentures, which come in two types. The type of dentures you choose will depend on a number of factors, but your dentist will be able to explain your options and help you choose the best one.

Conventional dentures

Conventional dentures are made after the extraction of the teeth. Your gums will need to heal some first, so it will take about eight to 12 weeks after the removal of teeth before you can have your conventional dentures positioned.

Immediate dentures

Immediate dentures are just that- immediate. They are made prior to the extraction and can be placed in the same visit. The obvious benefit is that you won’t have to endure months without teeth; however, this type of dentures usually requires more adjustments in order to fit properly.

Your bones and gums change and shrink during the course of healing, so you’ll want to be fitted again when your mouth is completely healed. For that reason, immediate dentures are usually a temporary measure that allows you to have teeth while you wait for your conventional dentures to come along. Deciding which type of dentures is right for you can be tricky, but Dr. Jai can help you make the right decision for your dental health and appearance.

If you are looking for an Alpharetta dentist, please contact Healthy Smiles of Georgia so that we can serve you as your family dentist and provide you with the kind of oral care that best suits your needs. We serve Milton, Crapabble, Alpharetta and Roswell. We will be able to provide you with the right solution for improving and maintaining your healthy smile.

Sources: American Dental Association, Web MD

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Alcohol is often used in chemistry as a drying agent, and it does the same for your mouth when you consume alcoholic beverages. In addition to reducing saliva, it also creates a more acidic environment in your mouth, which can soften enamel. Add to that the high sugar level in many types of alcohol, especially sweet liqueurs, and it’s easy to see why alcohol can damage your teeth. To combat the effects of alcohol on your teeth, remember to brush 20 minutes after consuming a drink. Why 20 minutes? That’s about how long it takes for saliva to remineralize the enamel that was softened by acid.

Unfortunately, no amount of brushing will protect your teeth if you do not drink in moderation. Alcoholism can wreak havoc on your dental health, and in fact dentists can sometimes identify early stages of alcoholism in patients by the state of their gums and teeth. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause cavities, gum deterioration, and tooth loss. Recovering addicts often refrain from visiting a dentist, but denial won’t help. Fortunately for those who do seek help, there are many options in dental work to help you regain your smile.

For information about alcohol and teeth, just ask your dentist. At our Alpharetta dentistry office, Dr. Jai provides a variety of dental restoration treatments and cosmetic dentistry procedures to give you back a healthy smile.

Contact Healthy Smiles of Georgia at our Alpharetta office so that we can serve you as your family dentist and provide you with the kind of oral care that best suits your needs. We serve Milton, Crapabble, Alpahretta and Roswell. We will be able to provide you with the right solution for improving and maintaining your healthy smile.