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How Celiac Disease Affects Oral Health

Celiac disease is a condition that primarily affects the digestive system, but it can also have significant impacts on your oral health. Understanding these connections can help you maintain a healthier mouth and seek appropriate dental care if you suspect your child or you might be affected.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where ingesting gluten – a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye – triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine. This damage can lead to various symptoms, ranging from digestive issues to fatigue and even to problems that affect oral health.

Oral Health Symptoms of Celiac Disease

If you have celiac disease, you might notice some unusual issues with your teeth and gums. These symptoms can include:

• Enamel Defects

Due to enamel hypoplasia, teeth may appear discolored, pitted, or have an unusual shape, which is more common in people with celiac disease.

• Recurrent Canker Sores

Painful ulcers on the soft tissues inside your mouth may be more frequent.

• Delayed Dental Development

In children, celiac disease can cause a delay in the eruption of teeth or other developmental issues.

• Dry Mouth

A lack of saliva can lead to increased tooth decay and gum disease.

• Tongue & Mouth Damage

Inflammation of the tongue and cracking at the corners of the mouth can be signs of nutrient deficiencies, common in those with untreated celiac disease.

How to Protect Your Oral Health

Managing oral health with celiac disease involves both medical and dental care. Here are some steps you can take:

• Adopt a Strict Gluten-Free Diet

This is the only effective treatment for celiac disease and helps prevent the symptoms that affect your mouth.

• Address Dry Mouth

Drinking plenty of water, chewing sugar-free gum, and using mouth moisturizers can help alleviate dry mouth symptoms.

• Nutritional Supplements

Work with your healthcare provider to ensure you get enough essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and B vitamins, which are crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

• Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride can help strengthen enamel and protect against decay, especially if enamel defects have weakened your teeth.

• Regular Dental Visits

Schedule check-ups every six months to monitor and treat any dental issues early.

Why See a Dentist?

If you suspect you have celiac disease or have been diagnosed with it, regular dental care is crucial. At our dental office in Douglasville, we offer specialized care for all of our patients, including those with celiac disease. We can:

• Screen for enamel defects, allowing for early detection to help prevent further complications.
• Offer fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel and prevent decay.
• Provide advice on managing dry mouth tailored to your needs.

Don’t let celiac disease take a toll on your oral health. With the right care, you can maintain a healthy smile. If you’re looking for a dentist in Douglasville who understands the unique challenges of celiac disease, contact our office today. We’re here to help you protect your teeth and gums and ensure your oral health is in the best possible shape.

How Do I Know If I Need to See a Dentist? 

Ensuring the health of your teeth and gums starts with consistent preventive dental care. This involves daily habits like brushing and flossing, complemented by visits to our dental office in Douglasville for cleanings and checkups. However, a lot can happen in between these biannual checkups, so it’s important to know what to look out for so you can get help when you need it. 

10 Things to Look Out For

• Toothache 

Any tooth pain is a clear sign that something is wrong. Prompt dental attention can address minor issues such as a cavity before they become serious.

• Sensitive Teeth

If your teeth are suddenly sensitive to hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods, it might indicate enamel erosion or decay.

• Persistent Bad Breath

Ongoing bad breath, despite good oral hygiene, can signal gum disease or other oral health issues.

• Bleeding Gums

Bleeding when brushing, flossing, or eating is not normal and can also be an early sign of gum disease.

• Dry Mouth

Frequent dry mouth could indicate xerostomia, a condition that increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

• White Spots on Teeth

These spots are often early signs of tooth decay caused by acid erosion of the enamel.

• Gum Recession

While some gum recession is normal with age, significant recession can be a symptom of advanced gum disease, leading to exposed roots and increased decay risk.

• Loose or Shifted Teeth

Movement or shifting of teeth can indicate infection or bone loss and needs immediate attention to prevent tooth loss.

• Sores, Lumps, White Patches

While canker sores often heal on their own, persistent sores, lumps, or white patches in the mouth can signal serious conditions like fungal infections or oral cancer.

• Frequent Morning Headaches

Morning headaches can be a symptom of nocturnal bruxism, where you grind your teeth or clench your jaw during sleep.

The Importance of Maintaining Oral Health

Preventing dental issues such as these begins with good daily practices and regular dental visits. Here are some tips to keep your mouth healthy:

• Brush twice a day for 2 minutes using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush.
• Clean your tongue each time you brush your teeth.
• Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth.
• Discuss the use of dental sealants and fluoride rinses with your dentist.
• Visit our dental office in Douglasville twice a year

If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned, we welcome you to schedule an appointment at our Douglasville dental office. 

The Heart-Tooth Connection: Understanding the Impact of Oral Health on Heart Health

The Heart-Tooth Connection: Understanding the Impact of Oral Health on Heart Health

February is not just the month of love; it’s also Heart Health Month, a time when we focus on maintaining cardiovascular well-being. While we often associate heart health with factors like diet and exercise, one crucial aspect often overlooked is oral health. Surprisingly, the health of your teeth and gums can significantly impact the health of your heart, which is where your dentist in Douglasville steps in. 

The mouth is a gateway to the body, and maintaining good oral hygiene is not just about a dazzling smile. In fact, research has shown a clear connection between poor oral health and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Let’s explore the intricate relationship between oral health and heart health to understand why taking care of your teeth may be a crucial step in safeguarding your heart.

Gum Disease & Heart Health

One of the primary links between oral health and heart health lies in the prevalence of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. This condition is characterized by inflammation and infection of the gums, leading to the gradual destruction of the supporting structures around the teeth. The bacteria responsible for gum disease can enter the bloodstream, triggering an inflammatory response that can affect the cardiovascular system.

Numerous studies have demonstrated a correlation between periodontal disease and an elevated risk of heart disease. The inflammation caused by gum disease can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, a condition where fatty deposits build up in the arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart. This sets the stage for conditions like coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular issues.

Moreover, the bacteria from the mouth can also directly infect the heart valves, a condition known as infective endocarditis. While this is a rare occurrence, it underscores the potential severity of the relationship between oral health and heart health. Individuals with pre-existing heart conditions or compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to such complications.

The Importance of Good Oral Health Habits

Beyond the direct impact of gum disease, poor oral health habits can exacerbate existing cardiovascular issues. Chronic inflammation, a common consequence of neglected oral hygiene, is a key factor in the development and progression of heart diseases. The body’s inflammatory response triggered by oral bacteria can contribute to systemic inflammation, amplifying the risk of cardiovascular problems. So, what can be done to maintain good oral health and reduce the risk to the heart? 

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. These simple habits can significantly reduce the buildup of plaque and bacteria in the mouth, mitigating the risk of gum disease.
• See your dentist in Douglasville regularly. Regular dental check-ups are equally crucial. Professional cleanings and examinations can catch oral health issues in their early stages, preventing the progression of conditions like gum disease. 
• Follow a heart-healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains not only benefits the heart but also supports good oral health. Limiting sugary foods and beverages is particularly important, as they can contribute to the development of cavities and gum disease.

As we observe Heart Health Month this February, let’s not overlook the vital role that oral health plays in maintaining overall cardiovascular well-being. By prioritizing regular dental care, adopting healthy oral hygiene habits, and making heart-healthy lifestyle choices, we can take significant steps toward ensuring a strong and resilient connection between our hearts and teeth. After all, a healthy smile may just be the key to a happy and hearty life.

What’s An Impacted Tooth? 

If your dentist in Douglasville tells you that you or your child has an impacted tooth, you may initially be a bit worried. But don’t fret. Impacted teeth are incredibly common. Even though impacted teeth are most often associated with wisdom teeth, the truth is any tooth can be impacted and can affect the development of the rest of your teeth and overall oral health. 

Impacted Teeth

An impacted tooth is essentially any tooth that doesn’t come in when and where it’s supposed to. Typically when someone loses a tooth, it’s because the adult tooth is pushing through the gums and is ready to make its appearance. However, this doesn’t always happen as planned. Sometimes a baby tooth falls out and other teeth crowd the area and block where the adult tooth is trying to erupt. Other times a baby tooth just doesn’t fall out when it should. This can cause an adult tooth to shift sideways and grow inside the gums instead of poking through the top. 

What Causes Impacted Teeth? 

As always, every case is different, but there are some top reasons why teeth may become impacted. One of the main causes of an impacted tooth is that a mouth is just too small for adult teeth to erupt as they’re supposed to. This is often the case with impacted wisdom teeth. When there’s not enough room in the mouth for new teeth to erupt, they can become impacted. Additionally, sometimes teeth simply do weird things and can grow sideways. There’s also a genetic factor at play. If a parent had an impacted tooth, the child is more likely to also have an impacted tooth. 

Problems With Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth can affect overall oral health and overall health in a variety of ways, including: 

• Speech Problems
• Pain When Chewing
• Gum Problems
• Bone Loss 

Luckily, your dentist in Douglasville can often see it coming thanks to dental x-rays. X-rays allow your dentist to take a closer look at the way teeth are erupting or have already erupted so we can make a plan for any situation. 

How Do You Treat an Impacted Tooth? 

First, it’s important to remember that an impacted tooth may not be an immediate cause for concern. After all, your dentist in Douglasville sees this every day, and is well-equipped to treat you in a comfortable and relaxing environment. Treatment of an impacted tooth will vary depending on your specific needs, how severe the impaction is, and how many teeth are affected. Some treatment options include: 

• Extracting a stubborn baby tooth that’s in the way
• Orthodontic treatment to make room for adult teeth
• Palatal expander to create more space in the mouth for teeth
• Surgery to widen the jaw — this is the rarest treatment and only necessary for extreme situations

If the wisdom teeth are impacted, you may need to see a specialist to have them removed, but it’s incredibly important to extract impacted wisdom teeth. If they’re left untreated, they can cause pain as well as infection.

We understand that an impacted tooth may cause you to worry, but we’re here to help. Make sure to see your dentist at least twice a year for preventive checkups. The earlier an impacted tooth or potentially impacted tooth is caught, the treatment becomes easier. If it’s been longer than six months since your last dental appointment, we welcome you to schedule an appointment with us today. 

Pandemic Stress & Oral Health Problems

As we head into the one-year mark of this pandemic, there are still several unknowns. But one thing has remained constant the whole time — stress levels are high, and rightfully so. Stress isn’t the best thing for health, especially at times like these. Prolonged periods of high stress can put us at increased risk for heart disease, actually make our immune systems less effective, and cause some unwanted gut problems. That’s not all. Dentists have also noticed an increase in oral health problems the past year, including this dentist featured in the New York Times. In today’s blog, your dentist in Douglasville explores some ways how stress can affect your oral health. 

Chipped or Broken Teeth

You know how your body reacts kind of automatically when you’re stressed out? Maybe you start to sweat even though you’re not hot. Or perhaps your heart starts beating so fast it’s all you can hear. These and other subconscious reactions happen, and they’re not always so obvious. In fact, sometimes we don’t even notice that our body reacted at all. One great example of this is when we grind or clench our teeth. Many times we’re not even aware that we’re doing it, but it can certainly cause trouble. The constant pressure of teeth on teeth during clenching or grinding can cause tooth damage such as chips, cracks, or breaks and will require treatment from your dentist in Douglasville.   

Jaw Pain

Unfortunately, the problems with clenching and grinding don’t end with damaged teeth. These repeated motions over and over again can start to cause jaw pain as the muscles in the jaw joint are overworked. If this happens over a long period of time, this can develop into TMJ disorder, and the pain can become severe and lead to other problems such as headaches, neck pain, and difficulty chewing. 

Gum Disease

Now, besides the problems associated with clenching and grinding, there’s also the risk of gum disease. Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissue and is usually caused by poor dental hygiene or tobacco use. However, stress may also increase the risk of developing gum disease. Your dentist in Douglasville can treat gum disease if it’s caught early, but if the disease becomes more severe it also becomes irreversible. Untreated advanced gum disease can cause tooth loss and increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and some cancers. 

Canker Sores

It’s important to note that scientists have yet to determine one absolute cause of canker sores. But research conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry suggests a possible correlation between high levels of stress and the development of canker sores. Even though these painful bumps may be a little bit painful and a lot bit annoying, they’re not contagious or dangerous and should go away on their own.

Lower Your Stress, Lower Your Risk

We know it’s hard to lower your stress levels, especially nowadays, but we can’t stress enough just how important it is to try different ways to live as stress-free of a life as possible to lower your risk of health problems. Some ways to reduce stress include: 

• Getting Enough Sleep. We need to sleep in order to recover and keep our bodies functioning properly. Aim for 8 hours a day and follow a regular routine of waking up at the same time every day.

• Exercising Every Day. Whatever your exercise of choice is, try to do it every day. Hop on a bike. Go for a walk. Do some high-intensity interval training. Just get sweating. Exercise has been proven to release endorphins which can decrease stress and keep us healthy. 

• Breathing It Out. Meditation has been used for centuries as a stress-reduction tactic. Find a quiet space, focus on your breath, and clear your mind to lower heart rate, blood pressure, and help you relax. 

Everyone is different, but try to find a stress-reduction technique that works for you and practice it every day. Your body, mind, and overall health will thank you for it.

How Can Oral Health Affect Heart Health? 

Every February seems to bring out the love in people, and there are hearts everywhere we look. From heart candy and heart decorations, we’re surrounded by bright, red hearts. But we’re not here to talk about those kinds of hearts. Today, we want to focus on your heart and how your oral health can actually affect heart health. 

Heart Health Month 

Another holiday that happens in February besides Valentine’s Day is one that’s really important to your dentist in Douglasville. It’s Heart Health Month, which strives to raise awareness of what increases our risk of developing heart disease and what we can do to help lower that risk. But what does this have to do with your dentist? We’re glad you asked.  

The Connection Between Oral Health & Heart Health

When we talk about oral health as it relates to heart health, we want to put the focus on gum disease. Even though gum disease is an infection that originates in the mouth, it doesn’t mean that it can’t affect other areas of the body. The truth is, gum disease has been linked to a whole list of health concerns outside of the mouth including diabetic complications, lung conditions, and heart disease. In fact, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), people with gum disease are at increased risk for a heart attack. But how does an infection in the mouth cause problems elsewhere in the body? 

As it turns out, our gums have a direct connection to our bloodstream, and when an infection occurs in our gums, it can also easily enter the bloodstream. When this happens, your body produces too much of something called C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Higher than normal levels of CRP can cause: 

• inflamed arteries
• blood clots
• heart attacks
• strokes 

Elevated CRP levels can also be a warning sign before you may even know a problem is lurking in your body. The New England Journal of Medicine states that high CRP levels may be a top indicator of someone’s risk of a heart attack — more so than high cholesterol!

Know the Signs to Protect Yourself

Oftentimes symptoms of gum disease go unnoticed or people think they’re normal. However, being able to recognize when there may be a problem can mean the difference between successful treatment and bigger problems. Some common symptoms of gum disease include:

• Swollen, red, or tender gums
• Bleeding while brushing or flossing 
• Consistently bad breath 
• Chronic bad taste in the mouth
• Loose teeth 
• Gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Douglasville as soon as you can. 

The best way to protect yourself against gum disease is to make sure you brush and floss your teeth every single day. Proper at-home oral hygiene will remove plaque and bacteria buildup before it has a chance to infect the gums. It’s also crucial to maintain regular checkups with your dentist in Douglasville at least every six months. Not only do these appointments help remove buildup that regular brushing just can’t get, but they also help your dental team keep an eye on your oral health so any problems are caught and treated early before they have a chance to affect the rest of the body. 

The Oral Health Dangers of Cough Medicine

During this time of the year, it seems as if everyone we encounter is sneezing, sniffling, or coughing. While we do as much as we can to avoid getting a cold, sometimes we just get sick. When we do get a case of the coughs we just want it to go away, so we will try almost anything to make it stop. Most commonly, we’ll suck on cough drops and take cough syrup throughout the day. Even though these medications can alleviate our symptoms, your dentist in Douglasville wants you to know that the common ingredients in cough medicine do pose risks to oral health.    

Concerning Ingredients

Many cough syrups and cough drops contain ingredients that can cause damage to teeth. More specifically, those medications containing sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, and alcohol are the most concerning to your Douglasville dentist. The truth is, these ingredients can make us feel better during the course of a cold but can have long-term negative side effects on oral health. 

Sugars

We’ve all heard Mary Poppins sing about how a spoonful of sugar will help the medicine go down, and she was right. Most cough syrups and cough drops contain sugar to help mask their naturally bad and bitter taste. But just like sugary snacks and foods, these sugars can be dangerous to teeth. When we introduce sugars into our mouths we can essentially create a feeding frenzy for bacteria. These bacteria will feed on sugar and then release an acidic byproduct. This acid will wear away tooth enamel and increases the risk of decay and cavities.  

Alcohol

Besides sugar, some cold medicines contain small amounts of alcohol. Alcohol is known to cause dry mouth, even in smaller quantities. Normally, our mouths produce a lot of saliva — between 0.5 and 1.5 liters every day. This saliva helps neutralize dangerous acids and reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth. However, when alcohol causes dry mouth, saliva production slows and acids and bacteria stick around. This can increase the likelihood of decay. 

Feel Better While Protecting Teeth

Even though cold medicine can increase the risk of tooth decay and cavities, you shouldn’t suffer through a cold by not taking it. However, your dentist in Douglasville my recommend: 

• Taking a pill instead of liquid medication. Liquid medication can basically coat your mouth with sugar and alcohol, while pills greatly reduce how much contact your mouth has with those ingredients. 
• Taking cold medication with food. When we eat we tend to produce more saliva which, as we know, will help wash away sugar and alcohol before they have a chance to cause damage.  
• Brushing your teeth after you take medicine, especially before bed. Taking medicine then brushing your teeth will help reduce the amount of sugar and alcohol left in the mouth. This is particularly important before bed. Taking cough syrup before bed without brushing your teeth after means the ingredients are lingering in the mouth all night long.  

While we truly hope our patients and neighbors stay healthy all year round if you do happen to get sick, try taking medicine using the tips above to protect your smile. 

How The Great American Smokeout Can Help You (& Your Kids) Stay Healthy

The Great American Smokeout is hosted on the third Thursday of every November. Its purpose is to help smokers set a day to work towards a smoke-free life. As you probably know, quitting smoking can help you get healthier, but it can also protect your children’s health, too. The truth is, those who live with smokers, including children, are at risk for similar health concerns as the actual smoker. To help celebrate the Great American Smokeout and raise awareness of the importance of quitting, our dental office in Douglasville is sharing some ways smoking can put others living with you at risk, even if they aren’t smokers themselves. 

Secondhand Smoke Linked to Cavities

You may already be aware of the oral health complications that tend to affect smokers, such as bad breath and an increased risk of gum disease. But one thing you may not know is that secondhand smoke can also carry oral health risks. A study conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) showed a potential link between secondhand smoke and the prevalence of cavities in children’s baby teeth. But that’s not all. There are several reasons smokers should avoid lighting up when children are around. 

Children of Smokers are at Risk

An increased risk of developing more cavities is certainly something that worries your Douglasville dentist. However, children of smokers have even more risks that go beyond oral health alone. In fact, children of smokers tend to get more ear infections, more colds that last longer, and are at greater risk of bronchitis than children of non-smokers. The risks of secondhand smoke can even go beyond childhood if kids are continuously exposed to it. Constant exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to underdeveloped lungs and even heart disease and lung cancer. Unfortunately, the risks don’t end there. Children of smokers are nearly 4 times more likely to start smoking than those with non-smoking parents. Once someone starts the habit, it’s more likely that they themselves will become addicted and their risk of serious health problems, such as cancer and heart disease, will drastically increase.

Smoking During Pregnancy

Both smoking while pregnant and smoking around a pregnant woman carry risks to the unborn baby. Smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy can cause serious concerns including: 

• Low birth weight and perhaps an unhealthy baby
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Premature birth 
• Miscarriage 

Even though our Douglasville dental office supports the Great American Smokeout, we aren’t here to lecture or judge anyone for smoking. Instead, we’re here to support our community in their journey to quit — which is exactly the mission behind the Great American Smokeout. Quitting smoking can not only help you live a longer, healthier life, it can also help protect your children. 

If you’re trying to quit smoking, there are various resources you can use both online and in person. Try a few different things to find what’s best for you and always remember to never quit trying to quit.  

Top Tips To Keep Your Family Healthy This Flu Season

It’s that time of the year again when the sounds of sneezes and sniffles, and coughs and congestion, are in the air. That’s right, it’s flu season, which can be a concerning time for all of us. At our dental office in Douglasville, we want you to know that you don’t have to suffer this year. There are some easy tips you can try to keep your family healthy all the way to spring. 

Wash Those Hands

There’s a reason you’ll find posters in every bathroom stressing the importance of proper handwashing and why your dentist in Douglasville stresses washing those hands regularly — because it works! A little bit of soap and warm water can go a long way in keeping you healthy and flu-free. Make sure to wash your hands after using the restroom, touching another person, touching anything in public (think escalators and doorknobs!), and before every meal or snack. While soap and warm water work best to kill those pesky germs, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can work well in a pinch.

Clean Often

Having clean hands is one thing that can certainly help reduce the risk of catching the flu, but having a clean house is also important. Pay attention to the areas where your family spends the most time, like the bathrooms (don’t forget the toilet handles!) and kitchen. Sanitize things that are often overlooked, such as remote control, faucets, and toys. When in doubt, give it a quick wipe down with an antibacterial cleaner. 

No Hands to the Face

Hands touch so many things throughout the day, and even if you’re washing them regularly, there’s still a chance germs are lingering around. In fact, the CDC states that one of the most common ways germs are spread is by touching a contaminated surface, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. These body parts have mucus that can easily transport germs into the body and make us sick. 

Take Care of That Toothbrush

The truth is, toothbrushes can play host to all sorts of gross germs that can make you sick. But with proper care, those germs don’t stand a chance. Make sure the bristles are getting a thorough rinsing with warm water after every use to help flush bacteria down the drain (where they belong!). When it comes to storage, keep all toothbrushes in an upright position with the bristles at the top and allow them to air dry. Avoid using those little plastic toothbrush covers — they create the ultimate home for bacteria because it’s wet, cold, and dark. Keep family members’ toothbrushes separated from each other to avoid cross-contamination, and of course, never share toothbrushes. 

Drink More Water

Water is the best thing for everyone to drink, but even more so during flu season. The truth is, a well-hydrated body is better equipped to fight off any infection. Try your best to have each member of your family drink at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day. During flu season, if you can get them to drink a little bit more, it can only help. 

Follow these tips this flu season to help keep your entire family healthy all winter long. However, sometimes pesky germs find their way inside and make us sick. If that happens, your Douglasville dentist encourages you to use sugar-free medicines to help alleviate symptoms.

Give Three Cheers for National Dental Hygiene Month

October is known for a lot of things, but it’s the one month set aside each year to give a little bit of extra love to all of the immensely talented, caring dental hygienists out there. There are so many of them across the country whose work goes unnoticed or even underappreciated each day. So we’re here to pull back the curtain and shed some light on the life-changing services they provide.

Take a few minutes with your dentist in Douglasville to give three cheers for dental hygienists and everything they do to keep you and your smile healthy.

Cheers #1 – Celebrate Their Love For Smiles

You have to admit it; someone who chooses dentistry as a career must really love teeth. If you ask any dental hygienist, we’re sure their answer will be very similar. Most dental hygienists take special classes and graduate with different training, degrees, and certifications. They don’t merely learn how to clean patients’ teeth and then send them on their way.

The American Dental Association will tell you that dental hygiene is no easy job. Hygienists are responsible for:

– Carefully examining teeth and the entire mouth for anything suspicious

– Taking a patient’s oral health history, blood pressure, and pulse

– Assessing your oral health needs and goals

– Taking precise x-rays and oral photos

– Educating patients about the best ways to care for their smile at home

– Clearing away harmful plaque and tartar from teeth to avoid decay

To get that up close and personal to smile each day takes a special dedication and a person who genuinely cares about their patients. Your Douglasville dentist will be the first to give any dental hygienist a huge high five for all the work they do!

Cheers #2 – They’re Making History

Fones School of Dental Hygiene first opened its doors in 1913, paving the way as the first school of its kind dedicated to educating dental hygienists. National Dental Hygiene Month first started being recognized in October back in 2009 courtesy of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and Wrigley gum. Together, both organizations saw the need for more Americans to put a heavier emphasis on keeping their teeth healthy.

This year, there’s even more to celebrate as the ADHA is partnering with Walgreens and LISTERINE® to promote further the benefits of good oral health and the incredible, life-changing work done by dental hygienists across the nation. There’s even a new, #DoTheSwish campaign happening at participating stores where you can snap a selfie with specially-marked LISTERINE® mouthwash displays for a chance to win some sweet prizes!

Cheers #3 – It’s an Excuse for a New Toothbrush

While we genuinely appreciate all that dental hygienists do for patients, this is also a good time of year to take a look at your toothbrush. Is it starting to look a little scary? It might be time for a replacement if your bristles are frayed or breaking. 

Having the right toothbrush is going to help keep your mouth and gums healthy, in turn, making your dental hygienist happy. That’s what we want this month and every month of every year! This holiday marks the perfect opportunity to celebrate the fantastic, fabulous work dental hygienists do to keep mouths healthy across the country, from big cities to small villages. 

Are you need of a teeth cleaning? Contact our Douglasville dental office today by phone or online to schedule a time with your amazing dental hygienist. Don’t forget to thank them for all they do for you and your smile.