Gummy Tummy

At Atlanta Dental Solutions we know the rumors going around—mostly among young people—that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing!

-Dr. Daren Becker and your friends at Atlanta Dental Solutions

How to Floss Your Teeth

Our team at Atlanta Dental Solutions found a very concise video explaining the proper way to floss your teeth. Many people think that flossing is only to get the food out from in between your teeth, when actually flossing should be done every day on every tooth to help protect your teeth and gums. Enjoy!

-Dr. Daren Becker and team

What puts you at ease at Atlanta Dental Solutions?

Dr. Daren Becker and team understand not everyone is thrilled to see the dentist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit.

We’d like to know:

What is it about Atlanta Dental Solutions that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Dr. Becker?

Let us know by posting here, on our Facebook page, or by giving us a call!

Why do I need Dental X-rays?

Some dental problems are clearly noticeable, like a chipped tooth or a painful cavity. Other issues are not so easy to see, and in some cases are impossible to diagnose with the naked eye. Fortunately, we have x-ray technology to help us find these problems before they become catastrophic. At Atlanta Dental Solutions, we are very pleased to offer our patients Digital Radiography, which exposes you to the least amount of radiation possible. In fact, our radiographs expose you to less radiation than the normal amount you receive from daily sun exposure or household appliances like your television.

Digital Radiography identifies:

• Bone loss or infection of the bone
• Cracks in teeth
• Infections at the roots of teeth
• Decay between teeth, below the gum line, or near older restorations
• Impacted teeth
• Oddly shaped roots that might need special attention in the case of a root canal procedure
• Gum Disease/Periodontal Disease
• Abscesses or cysts
• Developmental abnormalities
• Tumors

The earlier we can detect dental problems, the better able we are to solve them quickly and before they become more serious. Our ultimate goal is to prevent tooth loss and keep your mouth disease-free! Regular radiographs provide us with a historical record of your mouth, so we can observe change over time. Dr. Daren Becker and our hygienists are constantly referring back to your x-rays even when they are not taken that day. They continue to be useful to us in monitoring your mouth!

Our current radiograph protocol is:

• Bitewing X-rays (set of 8) – once per year
• Panorex or Full Set of Intraoral X-rays – once per 3-5 years depending on your dental history

At Atlanta Dental Solutions, we strive to individualize care for our patients. We will certainly discuss your risk factors and determine what x-ray frequency is right for you, if your needs fall outside of our normal protocol.

Understanding Cavities with Dr. Becker

One word nobody wants to hear during a visit with Dr. Daren Becker at Atlanta Dental Solutions is, Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

Is it time for your next checkup with Dr. Becker? Give us a call to schedule your next appointment.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

For the past 61 Februaries, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland clinic. In 1981, however, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February, Dr. Daren Becker and thousands of dental professionals focus on the preventive oral care of America's children. Dr. Becker and our staff want you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited Atlanta Dental Solutions the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Smoking, Oral Health's Enemy

Everybody knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but Dr. Daren Becker also wants to make sure that you know that smokers and tobacco users are susceptible to a variety of oral health problems at a faster rate than non-smokers.

It’s true! Smoking is responsible for almost 75 percent of gum disease in adults; and, similar to smokers, adults who smoke pipes and cigars, as well as those using smokeless tobacco, are just as susceptible to gum disease and other tobacco related health problems.

As soon as you use tobacco products, you become more likely to experience any of these oral health problems:

• Oral cancer
• Gum disease
• Tooth loss
• Loss of bone in the jaw
• Gum recession
• Delayed/impaired healing process after oral surgery or any other treatment
• Decreased success rate of dental implant (tooth replacement) procedures
• Mouth sores
• Loss of your sense of taste and smell
• Bad breath
• Tooth and tongue stains

If you are interested in protecting your oral health, we strongly recommend you quit using tobacco products! The following steps are recommended by the Surgeon General to help you quit smoking and using tobacco:

• Get ready – set a quitting date and remove all materials from your home, car and office
• Get support
• Learn new skills and behaviors
• Get medication and use it correctly
• Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations

For support, start with Atlanta Dental Solutions! We can help by recommending different options to help you quit, and above all we will support you throughout the quitting process. We are dedicated to helping you protect your oral health – and quitting smoking is significant step in the right direction.

Ask Dr. Becker: Which toothbrush should my child use?

Dr. Becker will tell you that brushing your teeth is one of the easiest methods of cavity prevention. But which type of toothbrush should your child use? When choosing a toothbrush, look for round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums. Choose one that is specifically designed for children's smaller mouths and hands. Also, look for large handles that can help children control the toothbrush. Lastly, throw out a toothbrush after three months or sooner if the bristles are fraying. Frayed bristles can harm your gums, and are not as effective in cleaning teeth.

As far as which toothpaste is best? It doesn't matter as long as it has fluoride in it. However, for small children who tend to swallow toothpaste, do not use fluoridated toothpaste. Make sure to touch each tooth and every side of that tooth. Also, you do need to gently brush on your gums.

To learn more about choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child, we encourage you to read this helpful article from Parenthood.com. Or, you may give Atlanta Dental Solutions a call and we'll try to answer any question you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

How to Freshen Bad Breath

Dr. Daren Becker, your Atlanta Georgia dentist, recognizes that many of our patients are concerned about bad breath, or halitosis. While some cases of bad breath are persistent (chronic bad breath), generally bad breath is transient, and can be prevented.

We recently came across this helpful video about bad breath and thought it was worth sharing with our patients. The video explains what might cause bad breath and some ways that it can be avoided. In most instances, bad breath can be prevented by practicing common oral hygiene techniques that you have probably heard us emphasize during a visit to Atlanta Dental Solutions, such as brushing and flossing daily. We encourage you to watch this video for additional tips on how to keep bad breath at bay. Enjoy!

When Was Your Last Visit to Atlanta Dental Solutions?

If you’re brushing and flossing on a regular basis, we think that’s fantastic! But, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit Atlanta Dental Solutions every six months, in addition to brushing your teeth a couple times a day. Because your dental health is important to us, we'd like to remind you that it's time for your examination.

Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Dr. Becker can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt

• Detect cavities and early signs of decay

• Treat oral health problems early

During an oral exam we will usually check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to our office in the last six months (or as recommended), call us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!