Dental Tips for a Teeth-Friendly Holiday

Holiday foods often consist of starchy and sweet dishes that increase plaque buildup.  Plaque buildup can lead to cavities or gingivitis.  Enjoying your traditional favorites in moderation, along with healthy, teeth-friendly foods will help keep your best holiday accessory – your smile – whiter, brighter, and healthier.

Here are a few healthy foods to enjoy during the holidays.

• High fiber fruits and vegetables act as a detergent, helping remove plaque and promote saliva flow in order to neutralize enamel-attacking acids. Examples include broccoli, kale, apples, pears, berries, and onions.
• Calcium-rich foods build strong enamel, which protects against sugars and bacteria. Examples include sesame seeds, leafy greens, yogurt and milk.

These are the items you should consume in moderation.

• Sugar.  Sugar is the number one cavity-causer.
• Energy drinks and sports drinks. These drinks are very acidic and stain teeth and wear away enamel more than most other drinks. 

We don’t expect you to refrain from indulging in your favorite holiday treats this year.  But do so consciously, for the sake of your smile!

The Strategy Behind a Natural-Looking Smile

We all want a healthy, white, natural-looking smile, right?  Kate Middleton is known for her beautiful - yet ever so slightly imperfect - smile.  As in, her teeth still have slight inconsistencies in their alignment, but overall they are quite straight, very white, and strong.  They seem natural.

In reality, quite a bit of planning and work went into that smile!  This article calls the technique used to care for Kate's smile "harmonious asymmetry," and says it probably involved either braces used to make teeth slightly more aligned, and/or porcelain veneers.  But before any cosmetic dental procedures, the foundation for Kate's gorgeous smile was consistent, professional dental care, and excellent dental hygiene.

If you'd like your own natural, healthy smile, contact Dr. Sarah Roberts at Crabapple Dental in Alpharetta for an appointment.  Whether you need to schedule a simple cleaning, or want to discuss cosmetic procedures, we have the latest technology available.  We love helping each and every one of our patients obtain their brightest, most beautiful smiles.


Call 678-319-0123 for an appointment.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We at Crabapple Dental would like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your holiday with family and friends, eat lots of yummy food, remember to brush and floss, and we'll see you after the holiday!

A Dentist’s Thanksgiving List

No, it’s not a grocery list for a Thanksgiving meal – it’s a list of things we’re thankful for – dental related, of course!  But really – dentistry has come a long way.  Think of all the pain our ancestors used to have to suffer through, before quality dental care (and painkillers – for those really severe dental issues or wisdom teeth removal).

So here’s our little list.  Happy Thanksgiving!

1. Dental floss (what did they do before they had it? How did they get out that spinach between their teeth? Perhaps they used string?)

2. Teeth whitening.  Even if you weren’t born with naturally white teeth, or you have some stains – you can still have a white smile. We appreciate that!

3. Modern medicine.  Ever had a bad tooth back in 1800?  There were no pain meds and sterile operations to remove it.  It just came out and you hoped for the best.  Today, no matter your dental problem, we have a very safe and comfortable solution.

4. Sedation dentistry.  Patients who formerly fear the dentist find their experience quite changed when they take advantage of sedation dentistry.

5. Technology. The tools and technology we use today allow us to provide care to our patients that is exponentially more advanced than before.

6. Knowledge.  Today, people know the importance of dental care, and visiting your dentist at least twice a year is a standard and acceptable practice.  This knowledge has lead to healthier smiles and, most importantly, healthier people.

What are you thankful for?

Sesame Seeds: Eating for a Beautiful Smile

You know by now that calcium is crucial to healthy bones and teeth.  You also know that dairy products are high in calcium, and so considered a good source.


What you may not know is that other foods are very high in calcium as well - without the saturated fat.  And if you're lactose intolerant, you'll be happy to know that you can get plenty of calcium from sources besides milk.  One of those sources is...


Sesame seeds!  One cup of milk has about 300 mg of calcium.  Compare that with one cup of sesame seeds, which has 1,404 mg of calcium!


Granted - you aren't going to consume one cup of sesame seeds in a day!  But let's look at two tablespoons, a more reasonable measurement.  Two tablespoons of sesame seeds contain 175.5 mg of calcium.  Not as much as milk, but still very good!


Sprinkle sesame seeds on baked or grilled chicken or fish, rice dishes, bok choy (for even more calcium!), tofu or anything else to greatly enhance the flavor and add crunch.  Make tahini sauce and drizzle it over vegetables or on sandwiches.


While helping build tooth enamel and preserving the bone around the teeth and gums, eating sesame seeds helps slough off plaque.  So buy some today, toast them yourself, and keep them in a jar in the kitchen.  They'll be your new favorite condiment!


As always, if you live in or around the Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Roswell areas, and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, call 678-319-0123 or email us today.

It’s simple. Healthy habits for a healthy smile.

What better time to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month than October?

The store isles are bursting with tempting, oversized bags of candy corn and peanut butter pumpkins.  And when your children come home from trick-or-treating, you’re sure to sneak a few pieces yourself.

So it makes sense to take this month to reiterate the importance of healthy habits that lead to a healthy smile.  Not just in October, but all year round.  Not just for you, but for your entire family.

As the title says – It’s simple.  Healthy habits = healthy smile (and healthy body, for that matter).

But what are those crucial daily steps that stand between you and a beautiful, white, problem-free smile?

Let’s go over them now.

1. BRUSH 2 minutes 2x a day.  Brushing your teeth for two minutes is perhaps the single most important step you can take to reduce plaque and diseases such as cavities and gingivitis.  If you must, set a timer until you naturally get in the habit of brushing the proper length of time.

2. FLOSS daily.  There are some places your toothbrush simply can’t reach.  That’s where floss comes in.  Floss helps prevent buildup between the teeth and under the gumline.  Don’t want to see eventual brown stains between your teeth?  Floss daily.

3. RINSE with mouthwash.  Brushing and flossing remove bacteria from your teeth, but including a daily rinse with mouthwash into your routine can further eliminate plaque and gingivitis germs from other places in your mouth.  Think of it an extra precaution, to make your hygiene more thorough.

4. VISIT YOUR DENTIST at least twice a year.  All the brushing, flossing, and rinsing you do cannot make up for not seeing a dentist regularly.  Your dentist can reach and remove with special tools things you cannot on your own.  Go too long without seeing a dentist, and you will probably start to see the consequences, those that are visible, anyway.

This October, enjoy your candy, but make dental hygiene a top priority.  Trust us, your wallet, health, and smile will thank you later!!

As always, if you live in or around the Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Roswell areas, and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, call 678-319-0123 or email us today.

Fruits: Eating for a Beautiful Smile

My fourth recommendation for Eating for a Beautiful Smile is fruit.

I do not mean fruit juices – those are actually bad for your teeth.

But fresh fruit is excellent for your teeth in several ways.

First, firm and crunchy fruits such as apples and crisp varieties of pears have high water content.  Water dilutes the effects of their natural sugars, and stimulates the flow of saliva.  This saliva protects against decay by washing away food particles and buffering acid.

These crunchy, fiber-rich fruits also help fight halitosis, as a result of saliva washing away odor-causing residue, left behind by carbohydrates and proteins.

In addition to cleansing the mouth, fruits are vital to the health of your gum tissue.  Fruits like strawberries, oranges, and kiwis contain high amounts of vitamin C.  A lack of vitamin C can break down the collagen network in your gums, making them tender and susceptible to the bacteria that cause periodontal disease.  Get plenty of vitamin C, and you’re doing a favor for your gums, your skin, and basically your entire body.

It's Fall, and it's the perfect time to go apple picking!  So stock up on apples, not packaged snacks.  You’ll feel so much better, and you’ll end up smiling more as a result.


As always, if you live in or around the Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Roswell areas, and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, call 678-319-0123 or email us today.

Fresh Herbs: Eating for a Beautiful Smile

Depending on who you are, or where you’re from rather, you either think of fresh herbs as an inedible plate-decorator (think curly parsley at a buffet-style steak house), a flavor-boosting garnish for dishes (basil torn over pasta), or the main event (the Middle Eastern parsley dish, tabouleh, for example).

But did you ever think of herbs as good for your teeth?

Leafy, fresh-tasting herbs like parsley and mint contain monoterpenes, which travel from your bloodstream to your lungs.   That’s why chewing mint or parsley after a meal will help you maintain fresh-smelling breath.

More than just breath-fresheners, fresh herbs are rich in nutrients, as indicated by their deep green color.  Parsley is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and folate. Basil is rich in vitamins K and A, iron, and calcium.  Many herbs contain flavonoids (antioxidants).  (For how these vitamins and minerals keep your teeth healthy, check out our previous post.)

So pile on the fresh herbs!  And don’t limit yourself to using herbs as a garnish.  There are plenty of delicious, nutritious ways to make herbs the main event.  Your teeth will thank you.

World's Hoppiest 5K Road Race. Register Now!

The World's Hoppiest 5K Road Race is coming up!  Join us on October 8 at 9:00 PM in Milton, Georgia for a cool run followed by drinks and live music.

Crabapple is helping to sponsor this race, and proceeds go to benefit Canine Assistants.

Download the race form here, or register online here.

Vegetables: Eating for a Beautiful Smile

All vegetables are good for you, and along with whole grains, should be the foundation of your diet.  Just a few of the health benefits include glowing skin, strong hair and nails, a trim figure, and reduced risk of preventable diseases.

Let’s look at how they affect your smile.

Raw Vegetables

Raw, crunchy veggies like celery and carrots massage the gums and clean between teeth.  The chewing they require also produces saliva, which helps to neutralize bacteria and prevent cavities.  Vegetables are naturally low in sugar as well, which is obviously better for your teeth.

Leafy Greens

Leafy green vegetables such as cabbage, chard, collard greens, endive, lettuce, kale, mustard greens, asparagus, spinach and watercress provide you with a ton of vitamins and minerals needed to maintain and improve oral health. Nutrients found in these dark green foods include vitamin A, vitamin C, beta carotene, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. Spinach and other leafy greens are rich in magnesium. Broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and kale contain large amounts of vitamin C and phosphorus. Phosphorus is stored in the teeth and bones, and is instrumental in helping your body balance and absorb calcium and magnesium.

Any Vegetables

From vitamin A (in pumpkin, carrots, sweet potato, broccoli) to vitamin C (spinach and swiss chard), to calcium (broccoli and bok choy), vegetables contain the nutrients your teeth need for healthy enamel and gums, without the stuff that does nothing your teeth, like fat and sugars.

If your diet includes plenty of vegetables, you’re doing a good thing for your mouth and entire body.  If you aren’t a fan of vegetables, try to find some you like, or try sneaking them into dishes where you don’t notice them so much.  When you start to see the benefits, you’ll be surprised at how you develop a taste for what your body really needs.

As always, if you live in or around the Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Roswell areas, and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, call 678-319-0123 or email us today.

Beans: Eating for a Beautiful Smile

How do beans affect your oral health?  Well, specific vitamins and minerals are vital to healthy teeth and gums.  Those include calcium, iron, and vitamins A, B, C, and D.  Beans are chock-full of every single one of these vitamins and minerals.

Let’s discuss how each of these vitamins contribute to a beautiful smile.

Calcium

If you do not get enough calcium, you are at risk for gum disease and cavities.  That’s because your teeth and bones are made mostly of calcium.  Calcium combined with phosphorous makes up calcium phosphate – another name for the dense, hard material that is your teeth and bones.  So you can see that calcium directly affects the strength and appearance of your teeth and bones.  It is a myth that calcium must come from dairy.  There are plenty of healthier ways to get plenty of calcium. Beans are an excellent source.

Iron

Iron deficiencies aren’t uncommon. Oral signs of an iron deficiency include the formation of sores inside your mouth and in some cases, an inflamed tongue.  Beans are rich in iron.

Vitamin A

Beans are rich in Vitamin A, which has a lot to do with the health of your skin, teeth, and gums.  The antioxidants in Vitamin A help destroy free radicals that cause decay.  Vitamin A = healthier skin, teeth, and gums.

B Vitamins

Symptoms of not enough B vitamins (B3, B2, and B12 are found in beans) include bad breath and canker sores.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps your body absorb iron (see above) and promotes healthy teeth and gums. A Vitamin C deficiency can cause bleeding gums and loose teeth, among other things.

Vitamin D

We’ve all heard that we get Vitamin D from being in the sun, and that’s true, but beans also contain Vitamin D.  Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium (see above).

On top of all of these vitamins and minerals – which directly affect the appearance and health of your teeth – beans are high in protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, and low in fat and contain no cholesterol.  Making beans a regular part of your diet will improve the health and appearance of your entire body.  And a healthy, attractive body gives you one more reason to smile confidently!

As always, if you live in or around the Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Roswell areas, and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, call 678-319-0123 or email us today.

Series: Eating for a Beautiful Smile

Starting this week, I’ll be featuring posts on specific foods that are crucial if you want to have the healthiest, whitest smile possible.  If you make these foods part of your diet, in addition to the highest quality dental care, you will have a smile that is both healthy and head-turning.

I’ll explain why these types of foods specifically lead to healthy teeth.  Consequently, you’ll find that the same foods that are good for your teeth, are good for your entire body.  Funny how that works out!

First up for tomorrow: Beans.

As always, if you live in or around the Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Roswell areas, and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, call 678-319-0123 or email us today.

Smile! It's Friday!

Happy Friday! The weather is perfect and everyone at Crabapple Dental
is excited for the coming Fall!  Enjoy your weekends everyone.

Indian Toothpaste Laced With Nicotine?

Recent studies have found many brands of toothpaste sold in India are being laced with cancer-causing nicotine.  Those brands include Colgate Herbal, Himalaya, Colgate Herbal, Neem Paste, Neem Tulsi, RA Thermoseal, Sensofoarm, Stoline.

You can find the full article here.

I hope this finding is further researched, and action taken.  Nicotine does not belong in toothpaste, obviously.

Smile! It's Friday.

It's Friday, and Atlanta is experiencing the first of the cooler Fall weather.

I hope you all enjoy your weekends!  And if you're the cappuccino-drinking sort, enjoy one.  Just make sure to brush your teeth afterwards! :-)

Before and After Cosmetic Dentistry

To see what a huge difference simple cosmetic dental procedures can make, some of Crabapple Dental's patients volunteered their dental before and after pictures.

Before:

After a root canal, internal bleaching, crown and veneers:

Before:

After a composite filling:

Before:

After:

As you can see, these patients will now smile more confidently!

If you'd like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, you can email us or call 678-319-0123 today!

I’m an adult. What are my teeth-straightening options?

I hear so many adults say they wish they’d worn braces as a child.  They say this because they aren’t happy with their teeth’s alignment, but they don’t want to wear braces as adults.

I can totally understand their hesitation.  Somehow, kids in braces are a much more common and “acceptable” vision, probably because a) kids aren’t as self-conscious about their appearance and b) what looks goofy and cute on a kid, doesn’t always have the same affect on an adult.

But.  If you are an adult, and you’d like your teeth to be straighter, you should stop thinking thoughts like “It’s too late” and “There’re no options.”  There are many options!  You can have a straight, white smile, and it is never too late.

Perhaps the most common alternative to braces is Invisalign.  Depending on your individual teeth, Invisalign can work just as well as traditional metal braces.  In some cases, Invisalign has been used, in combination with braces at the end of treatment to sort of apply the ‘finishing touches.’  In more cases, Invisalign does the job on its own.

The most obvious benefit to Invisalign, especially to adults, is your appearance while wearing them.  They are barely noticeable (no one would be able to tell you’re wearing them unless they got up close and personal to your mouth), in contrast to a mouthful of metal brackets.  So while your teeth are getting straighter and straighter, no one is the wiser (until one day you smile and they think “wow, what a beautiful smile!”).

The other obvious benefit is that you can take them out while eating and while cleaning your teeth.  So, during an Invisalign treatment, you can eat what you want, and do a better job of keeping your teeth clean, than you can while wearing traditional braces.

You can talk to an orthodontist or a qualified cosmetic dentist about your teeth straightening options, to determine the best route for you.  But whatever your age, and whatever your teeth require to be straight, it is never too late.  With today’s technology, there’s a viable option for you.  You can have straight teeth and a beautiful smile!  And unlike in the past, that usually doesn’t require years of metal brackets.

If you live in or around Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Roswell areas, we would love for you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts by calling 678-319-0123 or by emailing us.

Is Diet Soda Better for Your Teeth?

Diet soda is not better for your teeth than regular soda.  Diet soda is marketed as healthier than regular soda, but it isn’t better for your body and it definitely isn’t better for your teeth – despite not having sugar or corn syrup.

Let’s start with what makes soda bad for you, then move on to why diet soda isn’t any better.

First of all, soda is basically sugar water with no nutritional value –which in itself is terrible for your teeth and body.  But soda is not just sugar water; it’s acidic sugar water.  Soda is closer to battery acid in acidity, than it is to water.  You know what acid and sugar can do to your teeth, I’ve talked about it in more length here and here.

On to diet soda.  Diet soda is just as acidic as regular soda.  But the real issue is the large amount of diet soda people consume.

Have you ever noticed that diet soda drinkers are some of the most loyal consumers of any product?  I know people who have a soda every so often, but the people I know who drink a diet version of that soda tend to drink several diet sodas each day.  In fact, I know people who claim to drink between a 6-pack to a case of diet soda every day.  Does this shock you?  It did me.  The amount of acidic liquid these people are consuming each day is detrimental to their teeth.

Why are they drinking so much?  I’m not sure.  Maybe they believe diet soda is healthier (not true), and so they can drink more of it, to keep them alert at work throughout the day.  Maybe they have formed a habit or addiction to the caffeine or something else in the drink (though I don’t know of any coffee drinkers who consume the equivalent of a six- to twelve-pack of coffee in one day).  Whatever the reason, people who drink diet soda, drink more of it.  And one regular soda is better than five diet sodas any day.

What’s even better?  Water.  It’s what you should be drinking every day, throughout the day.  Soda should be an occasional treat.

We all need our habits and treats to get us through the workday.  But make healthier habits and trust me, your smile will thank you!

Milton Friends RBM Gala - Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Join us tomorrow night, for an evening of live music, amazing food stations, a silent auction with fabulous items (including a Zoom whitening treatment at Crabapple Dental), special prize opportunities, and the unveiling of the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz models!  This fun gala will benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Show your support and have fun while you're at it!  We hope to see you there.

My dentist told me I have periodontal disease. Now what?

Have you ever gone to the dentist and been told you’ve got gum disease, or periodontal disease?  Perhaps you worried, wondered what caused it, wondered how serious it is, or maybe you thought nothing of it.

Gum disease isn’t uncommon.  In fact, about 80% of Americans have it.  That doesn’t mean it isn’t serious, or that your health could be drastically improved by taking simple steps to prevent it.  Periodontal disease can cause bad breath, swollen and painful gums, painful chewing, tooth sensitivity, and tooth loss.

Why did I get gum disease?

Bacteria causes plaque, which hardens into tarter, which brushing doesn’t remove.  If you brush and floss every day, you remove much of the bacteria before it can ever turn into plaque and then tarter.  If you aren’t brushing properly, you’re going to have tarter.

Other risk factors include:

• smoking
• hormonal changes
• diabetes
• stress
• certain medications (including antidepressants and some heart medication)
• illnesses (including cancer and AIDS)
• simple genetic susceptibility.

How severe is my gum disease?

Gingivitis is one form of gum disease, which is less severe than others, though still bad.  Gingivitis is caused by bacteria, plaque, and tarter which inflame the gums, causing the gums to become red and swollen.  You can reverse gingivitis by brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly.

If you do not reverse gingivitis, it can turn into the more severe periodontitis, or inflammation around the tooth.  Periodontitis can result in the bones, gums, and connective tissue that support the teeth breaking down until the tooth becomes loose and has to be removed.

What can I do to prevent and/or reverse gum disease?

• First of all, you must visit your dentist on a regular basis.  Your dentist can help prevent and detect many problems you wouldn’t be able to prevent or detect on your own.
• Brush your teeth twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss your teeth every day.
• Eat a well-balanced diet.  There are many misconceptions about what a well-balanced diet consists of, so do your research.  A well-balanced diet consists primarily of whole plant foods, including brown rice and other whole grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits.
• Do not use tobacco products.

How can my dentist help treat my gum disease?

The main goal of gum disease treatment is to control the infection.  Steps will vary, depending on the severity of a patient’s individual case.  The first step, for every case, is to take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home.  If you use tobacco products, you should stop using tobacco.

Your dentist, periodontist, or dental hygienist will professionally deep clean your teeth to remove plaque, using methods called scaling and root planning.  Scaling simply means scraping off tarter from above and below the gum line.  Root planning removes bacteria and rough spots on the tooth root.

In some severe cases, you may also need medication or surgical treatment.  If you take the proper steps now, you reverse your gum disease, or never even get it in the first place.