by Dr. Adkins | Jul 14, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
Don’t put off choosing a general dentist until an emergency forces you to seek care from any dentist you can find. A better choice is to select the right dentist for you and your family who meets all your needs and to get established with regular checkups and consistent care.
When searching for a general dentist, here are some guidelines to help you through the process.
Services
Ask what procedures and treatments that the dentist offers. Make sure that the services you’re interested in are provided and that the dentist has experience in performing them. Typical services available through many general dentists include professional cleanings, X-rays, fillings, bonding, root canal treatment, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, and more.
Qualifications
Check to see that the dentist has the proper education and training to be practicing, as well as a valid license. Look for a dentist who pursues continuing education in order to maintain the latest and most efficient skills.
Location
You are more likely to keep your appointments if the dental office is located near your home or work. This makes stopping in for checkups easier with less impacts on your busy schedule.
Comfort
Personal comfort is one of the most important aspects of your dental visits. Not only should the office environment be comfortable and appealing, your interactions with the dentist and staff should also make you feel at ease. Look for professionals who listen to what you have to say and address all of your concerns. Nerves are a common part of dental visits for many people, so find a dentist who makes you feel relaxed and more likely to return for care.
Policies
Ask questions about various policies of the dental office such as hours, emergency care, financial responsibilities, insurance plans, and any other policies that might affect you.
If you need a dentist in McDonough, contact us today
by Dr. Adkins | Jun 28, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
Dentures dentist in McDonough
Your dentist may suggest dentures when you are missing teeth. There are two main types of dentures available: complete or partial. As their names suggest, complete dentures are appropriate when all teeth are gone and partial dentures when some real teeth are still in the mouth.
Complete dentures
There are two kinds of complete dentures that your dentist may offer. Conventional dentures are ready to be placed up to twelve weeks after your teeth have been removed and the gums have begun healing. You will be without teeth during that time until the conventional dentures are ready. Immediate dentures are prepared prior to the teeth being removed so that they can be worn as soon as teeth are gone. Because gums and bones may change during the healing period, immediate dentures require more adjustments to ensure proper fit throughout the process. Some dentists consider immediate dentures as a temporary restoration until conventional dentures are ready.
Partial dentures
Typically consisting of artificial teeth attached to a pink-colored plastic base and sometimes connected with a metal framework, partial dentures are used when one or more real teeth are still in position. These can be used as a partial tooth replacement solution for either the upper or lower jaw. If the restoration is cemented into position, it’s called a fixed bridge. This option may be used to replace one or more missing teeth by implementing crowns on the teeth adjacent to the space and attaching artificial teeth. Since partial dentures fill in spaces left by missing teeth, one of the benefits is that your remaining teeth don’t move out of place.
Wearing dentures
You might feel awkward at first, whether you’re wearing complete or partial dentures. It takes a few weeks to adjust to eating and speaking. If any gum tenderness doesn’t resolve quickly or becomes severe, contact your dentist. It is normal for your complete or partial dentures to need to be relined or remade as time progresses, or sometimes only the base needs to be remade. Regular dental checkups are important to maintain high-quality dentures and good oral health.
Schedule your appointment at our McDonough dental office
by Dr. Adkins | Jun 7, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
In recent years, dentists and oral health professionals have thought that 3 out of 4 American adults, or roughly 75 percent, have some level of gum disease. A new survey indicates that those estimates are low. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and the American Academy of Periodontology, the actual numbers may be 50 percent higher. If correct, these numbers suggest gum disease is a much larger problem in this country.
Also referred to as periodontal disease, gum disease is mainly caused by plaque, the sticky substance that forms on your teeth. Plaque can harden into tartar, which irritates the gums and causes pockets of infection to form between your gums and teeth. Other factors like genetics, stress, lifestyle choices, and certain medications can also increase your chances of developing gum disease. Because the symptoms start out mild, usually red or bleeding gums, many people don’t realize they have this condition. Without treatment, periodontal disease can lead to gum recession and tooth loss.
In the past few years, gum disease has also been linked to other health problems. Research has found a connection between periodontal disease and chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. Pregnant women with untreated gum disease have a greater risk of pre-term labor and low-birth weight babies.
To decrease your risk of gum disease and protect your smile, follow these tips:
- Clean teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush
- Floss regularly
- Schedule routine checkups with your dentist
- Contact your doctor right away if you have swollen or bleeding gums
Schedule your appointment at our McDonough dental office
by Dr. Adkins | May 18, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
Are you looking for quick and noticeable results in brightening your smile? You’ve probably heard about visiting a dental professional for teeth whitening, but you might not have realized that often the procedure is performed using laser technology.
Laser teeth whitening is considered to be the wave of the future for transforming smiles from dull to beautiful in only an hour. Most patients can expect their teeth to lighten somewhere between 5 and 10 shades. Approved by the FDA in 1996, it is a popular service that many dentists offer.
Lasers were introduced as a method for teeth whitening in response to patient dissatisfaction with traditional bleaching methods, which can produce pain and inflammation. Some patients find bleaching too uncomfortable to withstand in an effort to brighten their smiles. Instead, lasers focus on a very precise area so that side effects common to other methods may be avoided.
Another appealing characteristic to laser whitening is that it speeds up the process. Most other methods take a couple of weeks up to months to achieve desired results, while laser whitening is performed in a single office visit. Dramatic results are possible in just one hour. A portion of that time doesn’t even involve the use of lasers, but taking time to protect the soft tissues of the mouth to avoid potential side effects.
The most common type of laser technology used for teeth whitening is the argon laser. Chemicals are placed on the teeth and then laser light is administered to enhance the chemical reaction and color change. After whitening, the dentist usually treats the teeth with fluoride to provide a brighter shine and strengthen the teeth.
After laser teeth whitening, it’s up to the patient to help ensure long-lasting results. Avoiding common items that stain teeth, such as coffee, soda, tobacco, dark sauces and more is advised. Some dentists provide a take-home kit including a customized tray and special gel to help maintain the new whiter smile. Laser whitening is a process that many patients rave about because of the minimal hassles and outstanding results.
If you need a dentist in McDonough, contact us today
by Dr. Adkins | May 18, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
Maintaining a healthy, winning smile is easy with the help of general dentistry. People have all kinds of excuses for avoiding dental checkups. Don’t have the time? Advancements in procedures make treatment faster and more efficient, and extended hours allow patients to better fit appointments in their schedules. Too expensive? Many procedures are reasonably priced and most offices offer financial plans. Afraid of the dentist? General dentistry offers options for maintaining patient comfort and minimizing pain.
Once you realize there is no good excuse for skipping dental treatment, you should go for checkups twice a year for optimum care. Prevention is often the key to having the best oral health. Routine checkups identify early warning signs of issues like tooth decay or gum disease, so that problems can be corrected before becoming severe. Thorough examinations, diagnostic tests like X-rays, and regular professional cleanings are all steps to a healthy smile.
General dentists also teach proper hygiene methods so that you can keep your mouth in good shape between checkups. Routine dental care also may prevent harmful bacteria from entering your bloodstream and damaging other parts of your body.
If problems are diagnosed when you visit your dentist, various treatments can be performed to restore your oral health. General dentists treat all kinds of issues and typically offer dental fillings, root canal therapy, extractions, bonding, crowns, dentures and more. If there are procedures that you need that your general dentist doesn’t perform or would prefer you visit a specialist for advanced treatment, you’ll be referred to a qualified and experienced doctor.
General dentistry can make the difference between a dull, damaged, unhealthy smile and one that will look nice and function well for the rest of your life. Don’t hesitate in visiting your dentist regularly for optimum oral health.
Schedule your appointment at our McDonough dental office
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