Many of us go day to day without knowing that even the simplest of tasks and foods are doing damage to our teeth. We go days without properly flossing or cleaning our teeth because we are unaware of these dangers. At Smilescapes, we understand that your smile creates first impressions, so we take the extra step to show you how taking care of your teeth is important and easy to incorporate in to your busy lifestyle. If you have noticed any signs of decay or have any aches in your teeth, see if these could be possible reasons.

Top 5 Reasons for Damaged Teeth

Using the wrong toothbrush:

There are many options to choose from when it comes to purchasing your toothbrush. The main thing you should look for are the bristle types: hard or soft. Hard bristles can be too rough and cause damage. Select a toothbrush with soft bristles for gentle cleanings.

Don’t go overboard with brushing:

Though brushing is a great habit to practice on a daily basis for general oral care, there is such a thing as brushing to much. The general rule for brushing is no more than two to three times per day. When you over brush, you weaken your enamel, which can cause sensitivity. Keep your teeth healthy with daily brushing, but do not go overboard.

Using your teeth as tools:

One of the most common tactics someone can do to damage their teeth is to use them as tools. Opening cans with your teeth and biting things off with your teeth can cause your teeth to chip or break- leading to pain or sensitivity. Instead of using your teeth, use other tools made for your task and save your teeth from damage and aches.

Eating Meat:

Indulging in a juicy hamburger on your Sunday cookouts seems to good to give up, but by simply flossing afterwards, you can save your teeth from decay. Meat tends to get wedge in between your teeth and as it sits there, it attracts bacteria. As a result, you have decay.

Eating Breads:

Believe it or not, eating bread can actually cause damage to your teeth. Breads contain high amounts of sugar and as you consume it, it sticks to your teeth and can cause decay. Though it is one of the most common food sources, try substituting or switching to brands that contain less sugar.

With proper flossing and routine dental cleanings, keeping your teeth healthy should be an easy task on a daily basis. Avoid selecting the wrong toothbrush, over brushing, using your teeth as tools, eating meats without flossing, and avoid breads due to sugars to protect your teeth against decay and other damaging factors. For best results and proper care, always remember to stay on top of your professional dental cleanings and reach out to your Alpharetta Cosmetic Dentist for any aesthetic damage that may have resulted.

For additional information on how to maintain proper oral care, contact your professional Alpharetta Dentist today. You can also view our additional services online, as well as schedule a consultation with one of our professional staff members.

Brushing your teeth on a daily basis is vital to maintaining proper oral health. Choosing toothpaste is an easy task for anyone, but why is there always an overwhelming amount of choices and what do they all mean? Are you wanting to whiten your teeth, protect against tartar and plaque, or freshen breath? The type of toothpaste you choose should be geared towards your particular oral health problems. Below, we have put together a little cheat sheet to help you when it comes time to buy your next tube!

Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

For starters, let’s talk about fluoride and what is actually does for your teeth. Fluoride is in virtually all toothpaste, as it is mainly used to clean your teeth. In addition to cleaning your teeth, it is also used to help strengthen your enamel, which is the outer layer of your teeth. If you choose to go more natural with your toothpaste, there are fluoride-free versions as well.

Recommendations for you to try: Tom All Natural of Maine and Burt’s Bee’s fluoride free

Sensitive Teeth

If you are sensitive to temperatures, it is important to choose toothpaste made for sensitive teeth to help reduce the pain level. Toothpaste made for sensitivity has special ingredients that are used to block nerve pathways and prevent further irritation. In addition to choosing sensitive toothpaste, it is also recommended you visit your Alpharetta dentist as soon as possible for a checkup and additional recommendations.

Recommendations for you to try: Sensodyne, Colgate Maximum Strength Sensitive Whitening Toothpaste, and Crest Pro-Health Fluoride Toothpaste

Bright White Teeth

Everyone ideally wants to have a brighter, whiter smile and achieving that with toothpaste can be challenging with the overwhelming amount of options. Whitening toothpaste does not use dental bleach to whiten your teeth. They simply use an ingredient that brushes away stains and coloring particles from your teeth. If you are looking for something to brighten your teeth and do not wish to have them whitened professionally, the following recommendations have been found to be the most effective.

Recommendations for you to try: Luster White 7 toothpaste, Rembrandt, Colgate and Crest

Strengthening Your Enamel

Having healthy enamel is very important to maintaining proper oral hygiene. It is as simple as properly brushing your teeth two times per day, using the correct strengthening toothpaste, and flossing daily. By choosing strengthening toothpaste, you are fighting off tartar and daily bacteria that could lead to further oral problems. Take care of your teeth while they are healthy now and save yourself money and from oral troubles down the road by investing in something as small as your toothpaste.

Recommendations for you to try: Colgate total enamel strength, Arm & Hammer, and Crest

Now that you get the gist of your toothpaste options, it’s time to choose which one will work best for you. Maintaining proper oral care is as easy as your daily cleanings and visiting your professional Alpharetta dentist annually. For additional advice or recommendations, feel free to contact our Alpharetta location and schedule an appointment today.

No one wants to start the New Year off with the worst possible cold ever, the flu! Cold and Flu season has crept up on us and is spreading rapidly. Take precautions now and protect your immune system with a few of our recommendations.

Immunizations

If you are not updated on your immunizations, make an appointment to do so. This is vital for your immune system to know how to fight off bacteria strands if you were to come in contact with them. Immunizations are important to your health so make sure you are up to date and maintain them yearly.

Washing your hands

We touch hundreds of things during the day and unfortunately our eyes are not advanced enough to see the amount of bacteria we come in contact with. By simply washing your hands or using anti-bacterial sanitizer can help protect you from bacteria spreading and causing possible sickness. In addition to washing your hands throughout the day, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as well. These are open areas that bacteria can enter your body through, so make sure to keep your hands cleaned and away from your face as your go about your daily routine.

Change your toothbrush

Our toothbrushes are used to remove bacteria from our mouths. It is important to not only change them regularly to prevent bacteria build-up, but also after we are sick so that we do not keep contaminating ourselves. Never share a toothbrush, as this could make you vulnerable to sickness if the person you are sharing with was sick or currently is sick.

Protect your immune system

Taking vitamins daily, getting sleep, exercising, and eating a well balanced diet will help build your immune system stronger daily. When your immune system is strong, it is harder for bacteria to break it down, causing you to get sick. So get up, get active and build up your immunity this season!

Reduce stress

Stress breaks down our immune system so during stressful times in your life, try to find ways to cope so that you do not get overwhelmed. If it is work related, take a few days off or swap shifts with a co-worker to give you a day of rest. If it is personal, dive into fun activities that you enjoy and keep your mind busy. Whenever you have the opportunity to rest, make sure you take some down time because your body needs sleep to function and rejuvenate!

Now that we have you back up and running, following these simple steps can keep you in the clear this season. Taking care of your body is vital to your daily performance and we are always here to help. For additional advice on proper dental care, contact our professional Alpharetta dentists at SmileScapes. Our state of the art facility and professional staff are here to accommodate you and your family for all of your dental needs.

Click to here to view our professional dental services or to schedule an appointment with one of our professional dentists today.

Breakfast Starter:  Apple Cinnamon Pancakes with Lemon Yogurt Topping

These light, yet delicious pancakes are great for promoting a bright white smile and supplying nutrients that are needed for healthy teeth and bones!

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups plain yogurt (fat-free)
• 1 tbsp grated lemon zest
• 2 tbsp honey
• 3 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup buckwheat flour
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2/3 fat free milk
• 1 egg
• 1 large (diced) apple to make about 1 cup
• Oil spray

Preparation:  (15 minutes)

• Lemon Yogurt Topping: Whip together the 1 cup of yogurt, 1 tbsp grated lemon zest, 1 tbsp of honey, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, and 1 tsp of ground cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
• Pancakes: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and 1 tsp of cinnamon. Whisk until it is well blended. Slowly mix in the milk, egg, ¼ cup of yogurt, 1 tbsp of honey, and 2 tsp of vanilla extract. Mix well then stir in the diced apples.
• Cooking: Spray the pan with your oil spray to prevent sticking. Heat over medium high heat and when the pan is hot, ladle over 2 tbsp of pancake mix. Cook until they are golden brown and don’t forget to flip! Then repeat until all batter is used.
• Serve immediately with Lemon Yogurt Topping and enjoy!

Lunch Special:  Wild Salmon Salad

Wild Salmon Salad is great for promoting healthy teeth. In addition to oral health, it also helps to promote hearth health, bone health, eye health, IBS, PMS, memory, mood, and healthy skin. With only 188 calories per serving, this makes for a light and tasty lunch for any day!

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces salmon (canned, wild, boneless, skinless)
• 1 tbsp reduced fat mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (can add more if desired)
• 2 tbsp minced onions

Preparation: (5 minutes)

• In a small bowl, mix the salmon, mayonnaise, mustard, and onion together. Add a dash of black pepper to taste. Using a fork, mash together and combine with other ingredients.
• Top on top of fresh lettuce or crackers and enjoy!

Fulfilling Dinner:  Ricotta Mushroom Pita Pizza

This delightful pizza is great for healthy teeth, strong bones, and healthy skin and hair.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole pita (whole wheat)
• 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
• 1/8 tsp of garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tbsp ricotta cheese (Part-skim)

Preparation: (5 minutes)

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Line baking sheet with aluminum foil to prevent sticking or use a spray
• Place pita bread on baking sheet. Do NOT cut open the pita and mist with oil spray
• Toast in over for 5 minutes and remove to let cool for a few minutes
• Meanwhile- heat mushrooms on stove top until soft for about 4 minutes
• Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper
• Spread ricotta cheese evenly on top of pita bread and top with sautéed mushrooms
• Sprinkle with crushed red pepper and bake for 8 minutes

Not only can you eat healthy, but you can also eat to promote healthy oral hygiene. Your teeth need nutrients and by adding a few healthy recipes to your daily consumption can give them everything they need to remain strong and pearly white. For additional dental advice on how you can help fight against plaque, tarter, and other oral health problems, contact your professional Alpharetta dentist at SmileScapes, Alpharetta.

Thumb sucking is a common bad habit started during the infant stages for most people. Thumb sucking usually starts after birth, but it is often found that infants will begin this habit while still in the womb. Interesting enough- infants suck their thumbs due to their survival instinct. They relate it back to feeding (sucking milk) and it becomes a comfort for them. Though this habit seems adoringly cute, it can cause many oral problems and worst-case scenario- speech problems, if not stopped at an early age.

Potential problems from thumb sucking:

•  Could cause misalignment of teeth as they start growing in. Though their baby teeth will remain, their adult teeth are permanent and need proper room to grow.
• Narrows the dental arches in their mouths.
• Could cause damage to the roof of their palate, which can lead to speech problems.
• Could reshape the jawbone. As they suck on their thumbs, they are pulling their upper jaw forward and pushing their lower jaw backwards. This cancause an overbite
• Infection of thumbnail.
• Increased oral infections due to sticking their thumbs in their mouth constantly.
• Additional increased infections due to bacteria

Children will usually stop thumb sucking on their own around the age of one, due to becoming busier with more interactions and bonding more with their surroundings. In extreme cases, a child will continue to suck their thumbs until they are around five years old or older.  In this case, it is very important to address the manner, as it could be a result of stress. Addressing it sooner than later will not only save their teeth right as their adult teeth are getting ready to mature, it can also help you understand if there are outside stresses causing the habit to continue.

How to correct thumb sucking:

In most cases, parents will reprimand their children about the habit, which only causes them to do it more due to stress. Children relate thumb sucking to comfort, so getting them involved with their surroundings more and being gentle on the topic will bring reassurance to them that it is okay to stop the habit.  Below are common approaches parents have taken to get rid of the thumb sucking habits.

•  Try to find the cause of the habit. Figuring out if it is something done casually or more often will help you to determine how to approach the issue with your child.
• Confront your child in a loving manner to make them feel comfortable, but let them also know that the habit is not good for them.
• Offer a reward for not sucking their thumbs. This can be as easy as stickers or fun stamps. Make a board for them to keep getting rewards to reach a goal.

Thumb sucking is very common and easy to cure. It all starts with your approach and rebuilding comfort with other activities. Working with your child early can help them resolve emotional issues that normally start young as they enter into their early years and also save their teeth from future issues and discomfort. In addition to the above suggestions, it is always a great idea to speak with your professional Alpharetta dentist about dental advice to help overcome problems as your children grow older.

Feel free to contact our Alpharetta location today for additional information. Our professional dental staff is always here to help assist you in any way.

Decaying

Warning sign # 1: Decaying Smell

Have you ever smelled anything that has decayed and stuck around for a few days? It is not the prettiest smell and it definitely has a tendency to linger. Like any other decay, a smell will be present until it is removed and the problem is fixed. Bad breath happens to everyone from time to time, but do you ever notice that your mouth constantly has a stench to it, even after to brush? If you do, then you may have decaying teeth in your mouth. Rotting teeth occur because proper maintenance was not occurring on a daily basis. Brushing can only do so much. If you do not floss before you brush, you leave dead food particles in between your teeth for bacteria to multiple. The bacteria start to chew down your enamel and the additional layers inside your teeth until they are completely vulnerable. If you do not take care of this warning sign, it could lead to painful nerve exposure and or complete tooth lose.

Warning sign #2: Black Teeth

Blackening of a tooth can result from a cavity, as they are black. If you notice blackening of your teeth, it is also best to get them checked out by a professional dentist. If you do not take care of this warning sign, bacteria will continue to multiple and begin to rot your entire tooth. At this point, the root of your tooth has died because the enamel, dentin, and pulp have rotted and cannot support the tooth anymore.

Warning sign #3: Changing of Tooth Size

If you notice your teeth becoming smaller, it is most likely a result of the bacteria in your mouth chewing away your enamel, causing decay. At this point, it is best to reach out to your cosmetic dentist to talk about available options. If this is not taken care of, the bacteria will cause your teeth to thin out and become brittle.

Warning sign #4: Teeth Breaking and Falling Out

The most obvious warning, if the above have not been taken care of is the actual breakage of your teeth or if your teeth begin to fall out. When you teeth started turning black, your root was already dying and it can only hold onto a tooth for so long until it is ready to break away. At this point, you will need to have cosmetic procedures done to enhance your oral appearance.

At SmileScapes in Alpharetta, GA, we take pride in educating all of our clients on how to properly care of their teeth in addition to recognizing problems to address. Signs of decay are easy to spot if you pay attention to the warning signs. If you happen to notice any of the above, we recommend you reach out our professional Alpharetta dentist and schedule an appointment to get them checked. Saving your teeth at the beginning stages will not only save you time and discomfort, but money as well. Replacing missing teeth due to decay is far more expensive than having your regular dental cleaning- or spending the five minutes per day flossing and brushing.

First step to getting your children excited about brushing is to actually start brushing their teeth during the first stages. Have you ever had a sore tooth, then brushed and flossed it to help reduce the pain? When they are around six to eight months old, their teeth will start to grow in.

During the growing process, it can become painful and result in discomfort. If you start early and wipe down their baby teeth, with a cotton ball, from time to time, it will help to remove the plaque that builds up. By doing this, you help to reduce the pain and discomfort and it makes them become used to having it done.

As they continue to grow, you want to make sure you are helping them brush their teeth on a regular basis. Stress the importance of it and make it a morning and nightly routine. The more they do it, the more it will turn into a habit.

Last, but not least- make it fun for them. Let them choose a fun toothbrush and yummy toothpaste. This helps them to create ownership and makes them want to brush. In addition, introduce them to some fun facts about teeth and animals. This will make them more interested in the subject. Below are a few fun and interesting facts for you to introduce to your kids.

10 Fun Facts For Your Kids:

1. Did you know that an elephant’s molars weight between 8-10 pounds each? Imagine all the food they consume.
2. Ants can lift up to 50 times their body weight with just their mouths.
3. Since crocodiles cannot brush their teeth, they allow little red birds to pick at them to help keep them clean.
4. Did you know that snails have teeth? They sure do. They have around 25,000 teeth on their tongues.
5. Rabbit teeth never stop growing. They are kept worn down by the foods they eat.
6. Humans grow to have 32 teeth in their lifetime.
7. Mosquitoes have a total of 47 teeth
8. Lemon sharks grow a new set of teeth about every two weeks
9. Whales go an entire lifetime without any teeth
10. Humans grow two sets of teeth in their lifetime. The first set lost is commonly known as “baby teeth” and then their permanent grow in and last a lifetime if take care of properly.

Now that you started early, stressed the importance early, and made it fun for them to do, your children will be brushing their teeth on the daily in no time. Remember to make it an important part of their day and at times brush your teeth with them. Getting them interested in it will make it more appealing, while keeping up their oral hygiene. In addition to creating the habit at home, make sure you get them used to visiting your Alpharetta dentist on a yearly basis. At SmileScapes, our professional staff takes pride in ensuring your family becomes our family over the years. From all your yearly dental cleanings to simple tips to take home, we will be here every step of the way. Contact us today and schedule an appointment to visit our Alpharetta location.

As humans, we are constantly learning about our bodies more and more everyday. As technology advances in the dental industry, our teeth have more to say about ourselves than we could imagine. Not only can the size of your teeth determine your approximate age- due to their growth cycle, scientist can actually tell what type of eating patterns you had based off the marks left on your teeth from wear and tear over time. This is just the start to understanding how unique your teeth and mouth really are and the many functions they do.

 First let’s talk about the fun facts that you may not know:

•  Unless food is mixed with saliva, you cannot taste it.
•   A one-minute kiss burns 26 calories.
•  Your enamel is the hardest substance in your body.
•  Your mouth produces 1 liter of saliva per day.
•  Everyone has their own unique tongue print.
• Every human has taste buds on the inside of their cheeks.
•  The average human will consume 100 pounds of food in their lifetime.
•  The most common human disease is tooth decay.
•  The average person has around 10,000 taste buds.
•  It takes 17 muscles to smile, and 43 muscles to frown.

5 sanitary facts that you may not know about your mouth and toothbrush:

-  Keeping your toothbrush five to six feet away from the toilette will help keep bacteria from contaminating your toothbrush when flushing occurs. Make sure you find a more sanitary area to keep them stored and use caps on them if necessary.

-  Sharing a toothbrush is not sanitary. Think about it. Toothbrushes are a method we use to clear bacteria out of our mouths. If our spouse uses it, then we do- we could transmit bacteria and it could lead to further infection.

-  After a cold, sore throat, or any oral infection, you should always change out your toothbrush to make sure you do not keep infecting yourself.

-  Toothpaste with fluoride can be harmful if swallowed constantly. It is always recommended to buy your children non-fluoridated toothpaste until they are old enough to know not to swallow.

-  By placing the cap back onto your toothbrush can actually harm your toothpaste by adding moisture into closed areas, which would help preserve bacteria in the tube.

Your mouth is more interesting than you thought huh? Keeping up with your oral hygiene is not only important to your smile, but for your health as well. It is always recommended you meet with your Alpharetta dentist routinely and get started on the right path of cleaning methods to incorporate into your daily life. No one knows your mouth better than your dentist- so get to know them and ask detailed questions so you can be better informed when it comes to your pearly whites.

For more information about keeping up with your oral hygiene, contact us today or schedule an appointment to meet with your Alpharetta dentist today.

Toothaches can occur for many reasons such as, infected gums, teeth grinding, tooth fractures, and the most common- tooth decay. These symptoms can occur on any circumstance, but mainly from not properly taking care of your oral health. At home remedies are becoming more and more popular on the market today. Because toothaches occur at random times when we least expect it, there are a few at home remedies you can use to help mull the pain over until you can visit your dentist.

First, lets visit the common symptoms of toothaches:

-   Mild to sever pain in infected area that lasts longer that a day or two

-   Swelling around the tooth or gum area

-   Pain when applying pressure to the tooth area

-   Fowl taste in your mouth

-   Fever or headaches

Now lets look at the top five at home remedies:

-   Wheat Grass: Wheat Grass is not only healthy for your overall health, it also works as a great mouth wash for cleaning your teeth and calming toothaches. If chewed, wheat grass works as an astringent and draws out toxins from the gums.

-    Floss:  Flossing the infected area will help reduce pain and discomfort due to removing decayed food particles and releases pressure around the tooth.

-    Cold Compression: Applying a cold compress around the infected area will make the tooth insensitive and help with overall relief. In addition to temporary relief, cold compresses will also reduce swelling and can help relieve achy pain. Do not apply ice cubes directly to the infected area- put them in a paper towel and place them where the ache is.

-    Oral Rinses: If floss is too painful, doing a rinse with saline water, mouthwash, or salt water, can also aide in reducing pain.  Rinses will help to remove food particles and bacteria from your mouth and help to reduce the pressure on the infected area.

-    Fluoride Toothpaste: Fluoride toothpaste is common on the market and when used daily, it can help reduce the first signs of toothaches and also help when a toothache occurs. Apply a small amount to the affected area or simply use a gentle brush to brush around the tooth.

At home remedies are great for temporary pain relief, but if your pain continues for more than two days, then it is always recommended to consult with your professional dentist in Alpharetta, GA to make sure additional dental care is not needed. Also, talk to your dentist about additional cleaning methods you can incorporate into your daily life to keep up good oral health and prevent those dreadful toothaches. Always remember to floss and brush at least two times per day and stock up for additional at home care for those emergency pop ups.

At SmileScapes, your Alpharetta dentist, we take pride in helping you feel your absolute best from the inside out. If you have any questions regarding your oral health, please feel free to reach out to us at any time by simply contacting us directly or scheduling an appointment to meet with one of our highly trained team members.

 Five simple steps to take towards preventing tooth decay:

1. The easiest step you can take is to limit the amount of sugars your children consume on a daily basis. By making sweets an occasional treat in your household, you will limit their intake and help preserve their teeth as they are in their growing stages.
2. By drinking more water on a daily basis, you saliva production will increase to help wash down sugars and food particles that got left behind, instead of letting them sit on your teeth. Incorporate drinking more water within your household. This keeps everyone healthy and on the same page with oral health. When this is done as a household, it becomes more of a habit and promotes healthy living styles.
3. Carry dental wipes on you to wipe down teeth while on the go. Start this at an early age and you can make it into a healthy habit. Not only will this help with potential staining due to substances consumed, it will also help to remove plaque from their enamels and prevent it from sitting there all day and causing decay.
4. Make brushing your teeth a fun habit and start young. Starting this at a young age and making it something fun will increase the chances that they grow into the habit of practicing good oral care. Buy children’s toothpaste and a fun toothbrush of their choice to create ownership and a better experience for them.
5. The last step you can take towards keeping your children’s teeth healthy and clean is to take them to you Alpharetta dentist on a regular basis, especially during their growing stages. This is really important to start young because they will be able to overcome the fear of dental offices at a young age. Your dentist will also be able to take a look at deeper issues-if any and provide you with preventative issues in advance as their teeth are in their growing stages.

Lessening the consumption of sugars, drinking more water, using dental wipes while on the go, practicing good brushing habits, and making your regular dental visits a priority are all positive steps to take towards preventing tooth decay. If you already notice tooth decay occurring, schedule a dental appointment to have their teeth checked immediately. Depending on the severity, a professional dental cleaning can help save their teeth at the beginning stages and practicing better oral hygiene will help to preserve them. As always, if you are having difficulty expressing the importance of oral health to your children, feel free to reach out to your professional Alpharetta dentist for tips and tricks.  If you are new to the parenting world, remember one thing when it comes to teeth cleaning- starting early is better for prevention rather than waiting later and having to cure.

For additional questions on how you can help prevent tooth decay with your children, feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation today to meet with Dr. Woods at our Alpharetta SmileScapes location.