Living in the affluent East Cobb area not only provides our young adults with many cultural and educational opportunities but also, unfortunately, easy access to drugs and alcohol, the use of which can wreak havoc on the teeth and gums (not to mention the brain and the rest of the body!) There are many drugs that can have such deleterious effects, but I’ll focus on three more common ones among teenagers: alcohol, marijuana, and methamphetamine. [Read more…]
Why are dental costs so pricey and variable?
Dentistry is a profession that is both art and science. It should not be treated as a commodity where comparison shopping is based on price alone. There are many reasons why a treatment plan quoted by one dentist may vary greatly from that of another dentist and why the associated costs for each procedure may also differ. [Read more…]
How to Prevent a TKO (Tooth Knock Out)
On a Thursday afternoon recently, a beautiful young lady was rushed into my office with a bloody rag held up to her mouth. Two of her front teeth were missing, the gums surrounding those teeth were torn and bleeding, and there was a broken hunk of bone hanging from the area where the teeth had been. She had been running on the field at school during lacrosse practice when another student ran into her, accidentally head-butting her in the mouth. As we tried to come up with a plan to piece this pretty child’s smile back together, I couldn’t help thinking “Why wasn’t she wearing a mouthguard?” [Read more…]
A Child’s View of the Dentist
My dental practice treats everyone from toddlers to the elderly, and though we have a passion for cosmetic dentistry, children are usually the most fun and interesting patients.
With three children of my own, ages ten and under, I know that kids have unusual insights and yield their opinions and ideas freely. [Read more…]
2015 Georgia Dental Mission of Mercy
This past weekend, Dr. Cheek, Jordan, and Kelly volunteered at the Georgia Dental Association’s annual Mission of Mercy which was held at the fairgrounds in Perry, Georgia. Around 2000 people who are financially unable to afford dental treatment were seen and given free dental care including fillings, extractions, cleanings, and partial dentures. [Read more…]
Sensitive Teeth
Do you wince when eating ice cream or does a cup of hot coffee make your teeth ache? If so, then you have sensitive teeth. Cavities and broken teeth can make the teeth sensitive, but if your dentist has ruled those out, your sensitivity may be coming from exposed root surfaces, missing enamel, or cracks.
Oral Cancer….Are You At Risk?
Approximately 35,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, around 25 percent of those people will die of the disease. Although the use of tobacco and alcohol are risk factors in developing oral cancer, approximately 25% of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors. Therefore, it is imperative that everyone receive regular examinations of the oral and facial tissues. These examinations are typically done by a dentist as part of a regular dental visit. [Read more…]
Tooth Plaque
Every time you go to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned it is likely that a hygienist will gently remind you (and for some of you she must downright nag you) to brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once a day. What’s the big deal about plaque? What is it anyway?
Plaque is a mostly colorless biofilm that builds up on the teeth. [Read more…]
How to Find a “GOOD” Dentist
Finding a good dentist can be a daunting task when you’re moving to a new place or just looking for a change. Do you seek the opinions of neighbors and co-workers? Do you look online or in the phone book? How do you really know if a dentist is “good?” When one of my patients is moving to a new city, I have several recommendations for deciding on a new dentist. [Read more…]
If It Ain’t Broke….FIX IT!!!
Dentistry has traditionally been a business based upon need, and often patients have the mindset that if insurance does not cover something, they don’t want it. I have found, however, that when patients truly value dental health and wellness, they disregard insurance limitations and opt for ideal restoration of their teeth and prevention of dental problems. [Read more…]