Colony Square Dental Associates

Celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month: Healthy Smiles Start Here

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, a great reminder for parents to prioritize their child’s oral health! A healthy smile builds confidence and supports lifelong dental wellness.

Here are some quick tips to keep your child’s teeth strong and stress the importance of regular dental visits.

Start Early and Build Good Habits

Begin brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, and use fluoride toothpaste when they’re old enough to spit. Floss daily to clean between teeth, and make oral care fun with songs or sticker charts.

We Care About the Health of Your Smile
Let Us Take Care of Your Oral Care Needs!

Call us: 404-874-6464

Watch the Diet

Limit sugary snacks and drinks, and choose teeth-friendly foods like fruits, veggies, and cheese. A balanced diet supports both oral and overall health.

Schedule Regular Dental Visits

Early dental visits are key! Schedule your child’s first appointment by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth. Regular checkups every six months allow the dentist to monitor development, catch issues early, and provide professional cleanings and fluoride treatments.

At Colony Square Dental Associates, we’re here to make your child’s dental visits comfortable, fun, and educational. With over 40 years of experience, our team specializes in creating positive experiences for kids to help them develop a lifelong commitment to oral health.

 

Lead by Example

Show your child how important oral health is by practicing good habits yourself. Brush and floss together as a family to make it a fun routine.

Protect and Prevent

If your child plays sports, use a mouthguard to prevent dental injuries. Also, check for cavities or gum issues and address them promptly.

Final Thoughts

The best way to ensure your child’s dental health is through consistent care at home and regular dental visits. These visits not only catch problems early but also reinforce healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Contact Colony Square Dental Associates – Drs. David Hochberg or Mira Diora – today to schedule your child’s next dental appointment. Let us work together for bright, healthy smiles!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Understanding Mouth Cancer: Signs, Prevention, and the Importance of Early Detection

November marks Mouth Cancer Action Month, an important time to spotlight a disease that often goes unnoticed but significantly impacts overall health. At Colony Square Dental Associates, we believe in empowering our patients with the knowledge to protect their smiles and lives.

What Is Mouth Cancer?

Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, can develop in any part of the mouth, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, floor, and roof. It’s a serious condition, but the chances of successful treatment improve significantly with early detection.

Key Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

Certain habits and conditions increase the likelihood of developing mouth cancer. These include:

  • Smoking and Tobacco Use: Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco are major contributors.
  • Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol, especially when combined with tobacco, significantly heightens the risk.
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV): This common virus is linked to throat and mouth cancers.
  • Excessive Sun Exposure: Prolonged exposure to the sun increases the risk of cancer on the lips.
  • Poor Diet: A lack of fruits and vegetables can also contribute to oral cancer risks.

We Care About the Health of Your Smile
Let Us Take Care of Your Oral Care Needs!

Call us: 404-874-6464

Recognizing Signs of Oral Cancer

Early detection saves lives, so knowing the symptoms of mouth cancer is critical. Common signs include:

  • Persistent sores or ulcers that do not heal.
  • Unexplained lumps in the mouth or neck.
  • Red or white patches inside the mouth.
  • Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking.
  • Numbness or unusual bleeding in the mouth.

If you notice any of these symptoms lasting longer than two weeks, immediately schedule an appointment with your dentist or doctor.

Prevention Starts Here

The good news is that you can take steps to reduce your risk of mouth cancer:

  1. Quit Tobacco and Limit Alcohol: Reducing these habits greatly lowers your chances of developing oral cancer.
  2. Protect Your Lips: Use lip balm with SPF and wear a wide-brimmed hat outdoors.
  3. Eat a Balanced Diet: Incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants.
  4. Visit Your Dentist Regularly: Routine dental check-ups include oral cancer screenings, which are vital for early detection.

Our Commitment to Your Health

At Colony Square Dental Associates, we’re not just here to care for your teeth but for your overall health. Our team performs a thorough oral cancer screening to detect potential concerns early during every dental exam. Your health and well-being are always our top priority.

Schedule Your Oral Cancer Screening Today!

Take a proactive step toward protecting your health this Mouth Cancer Action Month. Together, we can work to ensure that your smile and health stay in the best shape possible.

Call us: 404-874-6464

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

National Dental Hygiene Month is Here!

Celebrate Dental Hygiene Month with a Dental Check-Up!

Once every month or so, you may go to a professional salon for a haircut. You leave your stylist well-coifed. You look great. You feel great. But did the visit make you healthier? Was it a medical necessity? Not really. Or, you might frequent the gym a few times a week, exercising your heart out, but do you look your best when a workout is over? Not usually. You’re off to shower and change.

However, there is one place that serves a twofold purpose. Not only do you leave with a big smile on your face, going out the door with whiter and brighter teeth than when you arrived, but periodic visits to dental hygiene appointments can help prevent a myriad of health concerns.

As the Colony Square Dental Associates (CSDA) team enters National Dental Hygiene, Drs. Hochberg and Diora take this opportunity to highlight the importance of routine care. During a dental hygiene prophylaxis, the calculus and plaque that build up over the months and coffee and wine stains are removed; your tongue will feel the smooth surfaces on the front and back of your teeth, and your smile will be refreshed.

We Care About the Health of Your Smile
Let Us Take Care of Your Oral Care Needs!

Call us: 404-874-6464

Equally as important, while everyone enjoys that ‘just cleaned teeth’ feeling, at routine visits to CSDA, our clinicians take x-rays and images, as warranted, and complete an oral evaluation. They advise you when evidence of decay is present and provide care recommendations. Catching dental disease early on and receiving treatment helps mitigate the need for more extensive and more costly care down the road. Also, our dentists and hygienists will evaluate your periodontal health status. Research has shown that there is a correlation between periodontal disease and diabetes, heart disease, respiratory issues, and, more recently, even Alzheimer’s disease.

So, in a one-stop at CSDA for a dental hygiene session, you’ll:
• See your hygienist and dentist, who will evaluate the health status of your teeth, gums, and supporting bone
• Receive a head and neck examination along with an oral cancer screening
• Have decay-causing plaque and calculus removed, and your teeth will be polished
• Receive education on homecare techniques
• Be advised which of the dental hygiene products on the market are best for your needs
• Have the opportunity to ask questions related to your own specific needs and concerns
• Work together with our clinical team to attain and maintain excellent dental health
• Spruce up your smile – leaving ‘smiling in style’
• Find that an hour or so at the dentist is well spent!

Call us at Colony Square Dental Associates, Atlanta office Phone Number 404-874-6464; we’d happily reserve a time for your care.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Keeping Children in Excellent Dental Health

National Children’s Dental Health Month

February is not just about expressing love; it’s also the perfect time to focus on the health of our little ones’ smiles! During National Children’s Dental Health Month, we are dedicated to educating our future patients and those who care for them on the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene. As we know from a peek at the American Dental Association’s (ADA) resourceful website, setting time aside to specifically focus on children’s oral healthcare began almost 85 years ago in Ohio. It started in February as a one-day event in Cleveland and a one-week event in Akron. Over time, this local initiative became a national celebration for the entire month.

This year, as in prior years, Colony Square Dental Associates has taken our commitment to children’s oral health beyond the office walls. Dr. Diora and members of our clinical team visited two pre-kindergarten and younger elementary-aged children at local schools. Valuable lessons were provided along with a good bit of participation from the children who were on board by sharing all they knew about teeth.

Dr. Diora read Sugarbug Doug: All About Cavities, Plaque, and Teeth by Dr. Ben Magleby. She also demonstrated proper tooth-brushing techniques on a longtime Drs. Hochberg or Diora (CSDA) resident, Dudley, a stuffed animal, making the learning experience both fun and informative. The children went home with goodies to share with those at home about their dental health day.

Of course, at CSDA we don’t wait until February to help provide information on both the tools available and the techniques to teach the children that will optimize oral health. However, this year’s theme, “Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles!” provides a perfect opportunity for us to offer just a few of our valuable tips to keep the next generation’s smiles shining bright.

Tips for a Healthy Smile

  • Gently, clean your baby’s gums – even before their first tooth erupts – with a clean, soft damp cloth or piece of gauze.
  • Schedule a visit to our dental office before the baby’s first birthday or once you see that first tooth pop through. Your child will enjoy a ride in the chair and become familiar with visits to the dentist. Continue with visits every 6 months.
  • Begin brushing the first few new teeth with a small-head child’s toothbrush with soft bristles. The specially sized brush makes it easier on the child, and once a full complement of teeth has erupted it’ll be easier to reach the posterior areas.
  • Choose the appropriate toothpaste, selecting one as ADA-approved, which will contain fluoride. A small amount is sufficient. The ADA says to use the “size of a piece of rice”.
  • Decide when to encourage your little ones to brush their teeth themselves. Fluoride toothpaste protects the teeth, but should not be swallowed. Careful monitoring when this task is taken over by children is recommended. Learning to rinse and spit out does take some practice.
  • Switch from a manual toothbrush to a child’s electric toothbrush and when.
  • Teach techniques to floss between their teeth.
  • Incorporate games to make brushing a fun event. Our dental hygienists are happy to provide dental games and worksheets so your little one gets 4 stars on their brushing report card.
  • Protect molars with a fluoride application. In conjunction with our dental hygienists, we encourage you to discuss this topical treatment and its use to help protect teeth from decay.
  • Discuss what can cause decay early on in life and how to avoid damage to their ‘baby teeth’. Though not visible, teeth are present at birth, residing in the jaw until your child is about 6-7 months old. Along with sleeping with a bottle, which can cause the teeth to decay, other issues can create dental disease before your new baby has their first bite of adult food.
  • Select not only dental-friendly foods and drinks, as well as a balanced healthy diet but also learn the importance of timing. When your child eats and then brushes and flosses, it ensures that from birth through adulthood, good dietary and dental hygiene habits are developed that last a lifetime.

As we finish our celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, let’s unite in our commitment to fostering good oral health habits in the next generation. Drs. Hochberg or Diora along with the entire team at CSDA are here to support you in every step of your child’s dental health journey. Please feel free to reach out to us at Colony Square Dental Associates, Atlanta office Phone Number 404-874-6464 with any questions and when it’s time we’re here to schedule your child’s visit.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Relationship Between Dental Health and Heart Health

February is American Heart Health Month

February is a month full of heart. We all know that February 14th is Valentine’s Day – a day to express our love. It’s also Children’s Dental Health Month, reminding those who care for little ones that an important way we show love is to ensure that our children stay healthy, which includes their oral health. And, not to be forgotten, the American Heart Association has designated February as American Heart Month.

At Colony Square Dental Associates, this month provides the perfect time to look into the window into the relationship between oral health and overall wellness.  On the 14th, with candy as the #1 favorite gift, we told our patients to, ‘go ahead and enjoy a treat’. But we also offered a gentle reminder to brush and floss about half to an hour after consumption, giving time for the saliva to do its job.  When we welcome a child into our office, we are happy to share with the adults in charge the tips and tools to ensure their child remains in excellent oral health.

But, you might ask why a dental office is discussing oral health in conjunction with Heart Health Month, the 3rd piece of February’s tie to hearts and love. While our internists ask us if we feel undue stress, exercise regularly and if we watch our diet, we are also bombarded with TV ads hyping products to address these three issues known to relate to keeping our hearts healthy. However, what is not as well known is the correlation between oral health and one’s heart health.

The Oral-Systemic Connection

Especially during American Heart Month, but every month, it’s important to recognize that one’s oral health is not separate from any other body parts. Like a puzzle, our systems work together; when one is not functioning properly there is the potential that other systems will be negatively impacted. Years of research have shown the link between the health of our gum tissue, periodontal health, to our cardiovascular system.

When there is an accumulation of plaque it can harden into calculus, causing gum tissue to become irritated and inflamed, and bleeding to occur. When the tooth is no longer fully embedded in the tissue, it leaves a void where bacteria can become lodged, offering a fertile environment for an infection to develop. This condition, periodontitis, not only can lead to tooth loss but also can result in the bacteria entering into the body’s bloodstream resulting in an inflammatory response that could contribute to heart problems or exacerbate existing conditions such as diabetes.

Oral Health Tips for Heart Health

  • Schedule regular dental hygiene prophylaxis. Our hygienist will remove plaque and calculus, complete a periodontal chart, which serves to determine ‘pocket depth’, the space between the gum tissue and the bone and helps assess the status of your gum health, polish your teeth and provides educational tips and recommends tools to help maintain your oral health at home.
  • Reserve time to see David Hochberg, DDS or Mira Diora, DDS for your periodic dental examination and oral cancer screening. They will evaluate the health of your teeth and the surrounding gum tissue, complete a head and neck examination, review X-rays taken, examine the status of your gum tissue, and review periodontal charts. If any concerns are noted our dentists will discuss their findings and offer treatment recommendations to avoid the progression of the disease process, which could potentially require more extensive care in the future.
  • Incorporate brushing and flossing two times a day into your home oral healthcare regimen. Flossing, which we often do to help dislodge debris that gets stuck between our teeth, also disrupts the plaque that develops. This serves to make your brushing more effective and reduces the opportunity for the plaque to harden, becoming calculus, commonly called tartar. When following the recommended two minutes of brushing, we recommend an electric toothbrush you have not only done a service to your dental health but also are working to reduce the possibility of an oral inflammatory disease impacting your heart health.

A dazzling smile inspires self-confidence, which all value. But, by also prioritizing good oral hygiene practices, and addressing dental concerns before disease can impact our hearts, we not only promote a radiant smile but also contribute to a healthier self. We encourage all to remember that a ‘heart healthy’ smile is not merely a cosmetic asset; it’s a reflection of your overall well-being. Our entire team welcomes the opportunity to partner with you to ensure you remain your healthiest self. Call our Atlanta dental office at Colony Square Dental Associates, Atlanta office Phone Number 404-874-6464, and we’ll be happy to find a time for you to reserve your professional dental hygiene session and examination.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Best Ways to Keep Your Teeth Clean

October is more than just pumpkins and falling leaves; it is also the month dedicated to the foundation of a healthy, radiant smile—Dental Hygiene Month! At Colony Square Dental Associates, we know that a beautiful smile begins with excellent oral healthcare. Join Dr. Hochberg, Dr. Diora, and Dr. To in celebrating Dental Hygiene Month by exploring two essential tools that can help optimize your homecare routine: electric toothbrushes and water flossers.

 

  1. Power Play with Electric Toothbrushes:

The era of electric toothbrushes is here. Electric toothbrushes offer a level of precision and efficiency that manual brushing often struggles to match. Our hygienist, Karen, recommends electric toothbrushes because research shows they decrease the buildup of plaque and calculus causing gingivitis that can form in your mouth. The electric toothbrush is significantly more effective in removing plaque than a manual toothbrush.  Oftentimes, when using a manual, the tendency is to use too much pressure that can contribute to damage to the tooth’s enamel or recession of the gum tissue. Electric toothbrushes are safer for the delicate gum tissue because many will stop vibrating if you are brushing too hard. Once you try an electric toothbrush, your teeth will feel so much cleaner.

Here’s why you should consider making the switch:

  • Electric toothbrushes do the hard work for you. Their oscillating or rotating brush heads reach areas that manual brushing might miss, ensuring a thorough clean.
  • Built-in Timers – Many electric toothbrushes come with built-in timers, ensuring that you brush for the recommended two minutes. This simple feature can significantly enhance the quality of your oral care routine.
  • Gentle on Gums – Electric toothbrushes are designed to be gentle on your gums while effectively removing plaque. This makes them an excellent choice for individuals with sensitive gums or those prone to gingivitis. Some models are equipped with pressure sensors, alerting you when you are applying too much pressure.
  • Effective for All Ages – From children to adults, electric toothbrushes are suitable for everyone. Some models even have kid-friendly features, making oral care a fun and educational experience for the little ones. Be sure to look for child-sized electric toothbrushes to fit their smaller mouths.
  1. Water Flossers: Your Smile’s Best Friend:

Flossing is a crucial step in maintaining excellent oral health, and water flossers take this essential practice to a whole new level. Our hygienist, Phyllis, is a huge fan of the Waterpik® water flosser. Phyllis has seen great results with less plaque and tartar buildup, along with healthier gum tissue. Where it is challenging to use a threaded or tape dental floss, the Waterpik® cleans under the gums, especially in between the teeth where the floss may not be going. And Waterpik® water flossers have come a long way. There are different models, based on countertop size, travel needs and even for use in the shower.

Here’s why water flossers should be incorporated into your dental hygiene routine:

  • Gentle and Effective – Water flossers use a stream of water to remove plaque and debris between your teeth and along the gumline. This gentle approach is perfect for those with sensitive gums.
  • Ideal for Braces and Dental Work – If you have braces, bridges, or implants, navigating traditional floss can be challenging. Water flossers offer an easy and effective solution, reaching areas that traditional floss might struggle to access.
  • Reduces Gum Inflammation – Regular use of a water flosser can significantly reduce gum inflammation and promote overall gum health. It’s a game-changer for individuals prone to gingivitis.
  • Versatile Cleaning Modes – Many water flossers come with different cleaning modes, allowing you to customize your flossing experience based on your needs and sensitivity levels.

This Dental Hygiene Month, embrace the power of precision in your oral homecare routine. Whether you opt for an electric toothbrush, a water flosser, or both, remember that consistency is key. Combine these advanced tools with periodic examinations, oral cancer screenings and dental hygiene care at Colony Square Dental Associates, and you’ll be on your way to a healthier, brighter smile that lasts a lifetime. Happy Dental Hygiene Month!

Use of Botox® in Dentistry

Use of Botox® in Dentistry

The first thing that pops into our heads when we hear the word BOTOX® is wrinkles. That is, getting rid of them is certainly one of the well-known uses of Botox since it was approved in 2002 for cosmetic use under the name BOTOX® cosmetic. It is considered minimally invasive and is widely utilized.

What is not as well known are other uses of this FDA-approved therapeutic injectable as a tool for our dentists to assist our patients who experience numerous facial muscle disorders such as Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ), or disorder (TMD), migraine headaches and Bruxism (grinding or clenching teeth). And, while Botox is considered the most popular injectable to help us look more youthful by reducing the lines that appear as we age, or even lines caused by daily stresses, at Colony Square Dental Associates, we consider it as another key component to assist in increasing patient comfort, all the while helping protect teeth from damage.

How does Botox work?

Botox, a botulinum toxin, the type of neurotoxin from which Botox is derived, relaxes muscles at the injection site. Think of tightening your jaw muscles and clenching your teeth consciously or raising your eyebrows as a sign of surprise … you are controlling those muscles and can relax them. However, there are times when these muscles tighten, contract, and spasm, and the patient has no control over these muscle movements. For some patients, for whom stress causes them to contract muscles, it’s a habit, like biting one’s nails. Habits can be broken when the patient is aware and trained to do so. However, muscle contractions, occurring while asleep or awake, cannot be controlled for many. Botox blocks the nerves that tell the muscles to contract at the injection site, which reduces or eliminates muscle pain.

When should I see a dentist for Botox?

While there are numerous Botox providers seeking care for the administration of Botox, Dr. Mira Diora, a dentist specifically trained in accordance with the Georgia Board of Dentistry (GBD) requirements, offers patients a unique advantage. She is especially knowledgeable about the structure of your teeth, along with supporting and surrounding facial bones, the muscles that control your jaws, and all other facial muscles. Under her guidance, you can be confident that all of these factors will be taken into consideration when she evaluates your needs and designs a custom treatment plan.

What are the benefits of Botox for oral healthcare?

  • As anyone who experiences migraine headaches, TMD / TMJ or bruxism knows, these conditions can impact the quality of one’s life. Once any underlying medical condition is ruled out, those with episodic migraines can suffer for hours to days. For some, oral medication for the rare migraine occurrence is sufficient. However, for others who may suffer more frequently and find that the oral medication does not work quickly enough, or they do not want to take medication prophylactically, or they experience side effects of oral medications, Botox can help prevent migraine symptoms for months at a time.
  • For those who experience jaw pain that does not resolve within a week or so of taking Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol or an Ibuprofen, eating soft foods, and applying warm compresses, ongoing TMD / TMJ can not only prevent you from eating favorite foods but also can trigger a headache.
  • Botox injections also help prevent the symptoms caused by bruxism. When muscle contractions are minimized, you are applying less pressure to the teeth should you grind your teeth. Not only can Botox help alleviate the discomfort created in your TMJ, but also, by lessening the force on one’s teeth, it can help to protect your teeth from chipping, fracturing, and the wear of the teeth’s chewing surfaces that increase the potential for decay to develop in weakened teeth.

Botox FAQs

Is Botox FDA-approved?

The FDA initially approved Botox in 1989 for therapeutic use to address muscle contractions that resulted in eye disorders. By 2010, the FDA approved injectable Botox to treat migraines. In 2020, its approval was broadened to include treatment of Cervical Dystonia and muscle contractions of the neck and shoulders.

How is Botox administered?

Botox is an injectable medication utilizing a very thin needle

Is anesthesia utilized for Botox injections?

The needle is so thin that it feels like a small pinch, so an injectable anesthetic is not necessary. If topical numbing is needed, an ice pack can be used.

How long does it take to have Botox injections?

The actual injections take about 10 minutes

Will control of my facial expressions be impacted?

No, the muscle(s) that relax are targeted and only at the injection site—Smile away!

Are there potential side effects of Botox?

As with all treatment procedures, there is the possibility of side effects that are typically transitory, resolving in a few hours to a few days after injection. Dr. Diora will review these with you and discuss any potential for allergic response.

Do I have to repeat Botox injections?

Yes, the results of injectable Botox do not last indefinitely. While each patient’s response will differ, typically, to maintain the result provided, the patient will repeat the procedure every 3 to 4 months.

If I don’t return for follow-up Botox injections when it wears off, will my face return to the same appearance as prior to the injection?

Yes, Botox does not permanently change the facial muscles; once the medication is no longer active, all muscle function and any lines created by that muscle function, such as wrinkles, will return.

At Colony Square Dental Associates, we partner with each patient to provide diagnoses and treatment solutions based on your unique needs. Whether it is routine dental hygiene care, restoration or replacement of teeth in need, cosmetic enhancements to improve the appearance of your smile, or to help reduce areas of facial pain, our goal is to ensure you are offered the opportunities available to optimize your oral health and to obtain the smile you desire, give us a call at Colony Square Dental Associates, Atlanta office Phone Number 404-874-6464. We’d be happy to schedule a consultation.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED BY DENTAL HYGIENISTs

Our Colony Square Dental Associates Dental Hygiene Team – Phyllis, Karen, Iliet & Trisha

Awards the Colony Square Dental Associates Seal of Approval to

Electric Toothbrushes

Sonicare® or Oral-B® Braun. Not only are they easy to use, have a timer – helping to brush for the 2 minutes that is recommended – they also minimize damage to the gum tissue that can occur from overzealous brushing and bristles that are harsh, both of which can lead to gum recession.

Water Flossers

The Waterpik® is our go-to. Combined with the use of an electric toothbrush, you can be sure to reach the areas that are most difficult to access, such as in-between posterior teeth and at the gum line. The potential for decay and for gum disease is reduced.

Dental Floss

Daily, preferably in the morning and before bedtime, use helps dislodge food particles and breaks up plaque, making it easier for your electric toothbrush and water flosser to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums. Oral-B® Glide is one product we suggest when the teeth are close together (called a tight contact), which is a common place for cavities to develop.

Toothpaste

An ADA-approved brand, which requires the inclusion of fluoride, is always suggested. Most of the leading ADA-approved brands have numerous choices to assist in the reduction of sensitivity, whitening and brightening teeth, strengthening weakened enamel, and, of course, cavity prevention. Two of our ‘go-to’ products for patients with specific needs are:

  • Sensodyne®– for sensitivity
  • Paradontax ™– for bleeding gums

Mouthwash

Selection of an ADA-approved product is the 1st criterion, again containing fluoride. Secondly, we prefer products without alcohol. Listerine® Purple Zero and Act® Zero Alcohol are two CSDA favorites.

Dry Mouth Products

There are numerous causes, such as medications and illness, which reduce the production of saliva. Biotene® offers various products that increase comfort and XyliMelts® help increase saliva production.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

September 2021 is Dental Implant Awareness Month

While the month of September is designated ‘Dental Implant Awareness Month’, every month of the year is one when awareness of the status of our health is important. Be it watching our diet, exercising, monitoring our blood pressure, having an annual physical, and getting needed rest and relaxation – all are components to keep us well. And we know that neglecting any piece of the puzzle can put us at risk. Maintaining our oral health is no less an important consideration; it’s part of overall wellness.

Our teeth, our gums and the supporting bone structure, work together as a team. Just as dieting without exercising or visa versa, omits an important tool to help our bodies stay well, so too, one cannot expect that leaving a space where a tooth is lost, will not impact our oral health. When one area is neglected, such as when a tooth or teeth are lost due to an accident or disease, overall oral health can be compromised. Why? The surrounding teeth, the gum tissue and the supporting bone oftentimes responds negatively to this loss.

When there is a void, nature wants to fill it. Spaces, left unrestored, can cause teeth on either side to drift towards the space, pulling away from the gum tissue, resulting in pockets (spaces) where bacteria resides, and is difficult to remove, and can cause both tooth decay and periodontal concerns. And the bone tissue, kept strong by being stimulated while chewing, is now met by a void; the stimulation is lacking. The bone can atrophy, or shrink, potentially impacting the supporting bone of adjacent teeth. Upper teeth can drift downwards when teeth are missing on the lower arch. And so on … the team is no longer playing at full strength.

Technological advances, as in many arenas, provide options. For generations missing teeth were restored with removable dentures, whether they were full or partial dentures, or non-removable dental bridges. However, today, and for over ½ of a century, dental implants have become the standard-of-care in order to replace one or more teeth. This is the closest to nature as we are able to come in order to replace the lost root of a tooth. Once a dental implant is ready for restoration, a dental crown is placed on the tooth, filling the void, the bone is, once again, stimulated when chewing and equally as important, the ability to eat and smile with confidence is restored

Since 1984, with advanced training in both the surgical placement and restoration dental implants, Dr. David G. Hochberg, a past president of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), has been assisting referring dentists and his patient family – “Eat, Laugh, Live Again!” – this year’s theme for Dental Implant Awareness Month.  Call Colony Square Dental Associates to learn more about this exciting treatment option.

A renewed focus on Dental Health | 365 DAYS Later: A 1-YEAR ANNIVERSAY

We left our office, for what we expected to be a few weeks, last year in March 2020. And, over two months later on May 18th we returned to our Colony Square Dental Associates home. It’s now been over 365 days; we celebrate the end of a year working with patients during the most challenging of times as we continue ‘going strong’ providing for the oral healthcare needs of our patient family.

 

As has been our practice for over 35 years, long prior to COVID-19, our office has done its utmost to adhere to the health and safety standards and recommendations of the American Dental Association (the ADA) and the CDC. During the pandemic, we implemented new procedures, based on the guidelines of these healthcare organizations and have gone beyond to help ensure the safety of our patients and our team members. To read about our protocols, visit our website at: www.colonysquaredental.com.

 

Now, as we reenter the world, outside of our homes and closer to our everyday lives, as we knew them, patients are refocusing on a desire to look and feel their best. We know that excellent oral hygiene plays a role not only to maintain a bright, white smile but also, equally as important, professional dental care is essential in a program aimed at the prevention of tooth decay, gum disease, and bone loss. And, as all research has shown, there is a direct correlation between overall health and oral health. Many who have put off dental care are now seeking appointments. As was said recently on national news, obtaining an appointment with one’s hair salon and one’s dentist can be the two most difficult appointments to secure.

 

As we continue with our long-standing safety policies and procedures, and those newly implemented during COVID-19, we appreciate the patience of our existing patients and our new patients seeking to schedule care. We thank you for your support; we value you as a patient; and, for those not yet patients of

Drs. Hochberg & Diora, we’d be honored to welcome you as a new member of our patient family. Call us at 404-874-6464. We are on hand to answer questions you may have or to reserve an appointment.