New Study Banishes Old Theories on Fluoride

If you had any doubts about the safeness and effectiveness of fluoride, a new study in the Journal of Dental Research should put any and all fears to rest!

Ever since an inconclusive animal study conducted 20 years ago raised questions about association between fluoride and osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, there’s been uncertainty.

The new study, conducted by researchers from Harvard, the Medical College of Georgia and the National Cancer Institute, is considered the most extensive and accurate study to date on the topic.  The results indicate no correlation between fluoride and osteosarcoma.

The new study adds to an already strong base of scientific evidence that fluoride is safe and effective at preventing cavities.

Fluoride is considered responsible for drastic declines in tooth decay over the past several decades.

At Crabapple Dental, we advise our patients to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, eat a healthy diet, and maintain regular dental appointments to prevent tooth decay.

Continued Training & HPV Testing

Dr. Sarah Roberts and our team at Crabapple Dental is constantly undergoing training to educate ourselves on the very latest in dental technology.  We aim to stay aware of what's out there, so we can offer our patients the very best that exists, in terms of dental care.

We recently completed team training about oral cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV).  Oral cancer affects nearly 40,000 people each year.  Traditionally alcohol consumption and tobacco use were linked as the major cause of oral cancer.  However, the HPV has emerged as a causative factor in the younger groups of people age 18 to 40.

Infection with HPV makes you 32 times more at risk to develop oral cancer.  Smoking and alcohol makes you 3 times more at risk to develop oral cancer.  The HPV virus can be transmitted sexually or through saliva. There are 20 million people infected and 6 million new infections each year.

We can test for HPV at Crabapple Dental with a simple saliva test to determine your risk for HPV related oral cancer.

For appointments, call 678-319-0123 or visit our site for more information.

What’s the deal about Dental Insurance?

Dental insurance can be a pain, for dentists and patients.  It often seems treatments aren’t covered, co-pays are high, and limitations can be strict.  Unfortunately, dental insurance isn’t profitable to insurance companies, and that’s why we – patients and doctors – sometimes get the short end of the stick.

If you think about it though, business models for dental insurance and health insurance are very different.  Health insurance companies rely on much of their services covered not actually being used.  Therefore, they’re able to cover those rare cases of high-cost treatments, while still making a profit from those of us who invest each month “just in case.”

However, dental insurance always gets cashed in on.  We all need not only teeth cleanings but, as we get older, if we didn’t take excellent care of our teeth (and sometimes even if we did), root canals, bridges, dentures, crowns, and other procedures.  So whatever we pay in to our dental insurance companies, our dental insurance companies must pay back out.  This doesn’t leave much room for profit.

In addition, many people with pre-existing conditions wait until they purchase dental insurance to have those conditions treated, rather than taking care of the problem right away.

Yet, many people don’t want to pay much for dental insurance, because we don’t tend to worry about our teeth as much as we do the rest of our body.

So there are no answers, but one thing is certain – how you take care of your teeth is directly tied to your entire health.  So here’s our advice.

Take excellent care of your teeth at home.  Invest in dental insurance for problems that may arise.  Or, keep a savings for unexpected procedures.  Visit your dentist at least twice a year.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Crabapple Dental has a New Website!

Crabapple Dental has a new website! Please visit our site for more information about our practice, services, and people.

Why and How to Smile More Often

photo courtesy Rubi Art















Need more reasons to smile?  Here are a few unofficial smile statistics to consider:

• 99.7 percent of people believe a great smile is an important personal asset. 
• 74 percent of people believe an unattractive smile can negatively affect your career.
• 63 percent of people believe they look best in photos with a big smile that shows their teeth.
• 23 percent of people believe they look better in photos with their mouths closed! (Hmm, maybe these people could benefit from cosmetic dentistry?)

Tips to smile more often:

1. Think positive thoughts.  This advice seems so simple you may not believe it works that easily!  But it really does.  Remember, it goes in this order:  Thoughts affect Feelings affect Actions.  You’re in control of your thoughts, and positive ones create positive feelings, which cause you to act in beneficial ways – like smiling!!  Practice writing down any negative thoughts, then literally replacing those thoughts with positive ones, and feel a weight lifted off your shoulder, making it easier to smile.
2. Maintain good oral hygiene, and talk to a dentist about cosmetic options if you aren’t comfortable with your smile.  Healthy, beautiful teeth do make people smile more easily and frequently, and that is a great thing!

Your turn! What makes you smile most often?

If you live in the Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell or Cumming areas and wish to schedule an appointment to discuss your personal dental needs, please email Dr. Roberts or call (678) 319-0123.

Mouth-Healthy 4th of July Treats!

Here are a couple of July 4th treat ideas that are much healthier for your smile and body than cake and chips.

Enjoy your 4th of July weekend in red, white, and blue style!  Remember to brush and floss, and your smile will always be your best white accessory.

Five Myths About Your Teeth, Debunked

Crooked teeth are just a cosmetic issue.

Crooked teeth are much more difficult to keep clean.  The gums get inflamed by bacteria, which gets into the bloodstream.  Studies suggest this bacteria can lead to heart disease, Parkison’s, Alzheimer’s, low birthweight and other diseases.  Straight teeth = healthier teeth.

Baby teeth aren’t important since they’re just going to fall out.

It’s true that baby teeth fall out; however, while they’re in your child’s mouth, they affect his health and maintain the space for permanent teeth to grow in.  If a baby tooth falls out prematurely, the detention in the gums may collapse, and the permanent tooth will come in crooked due to lack of space.  You should take care of baby teeth the way you take care of permanent adult teeth.  As a big bonus, your child will develop healthy habits early on!

Candy gives you cavities.

It isn’t the candy that directly causes cavities; rather, the sugars feed the bacteria that cause cavities.  Junk food like potato chips turn to sugar and linger in your mouth, as well.  So floss and brush after eating, and especially after eating junk food of any sort.

Kids should wait until their teeth are finished moving before getting braces.

Early intervention is key to solving orthodontic problems during growth phases.  Each case is different, but normally orthodontics is accomplished in two phases with an early and late phase.  The early phase takes three to six months.  The late phase can be one to two years.  Each treatment can prevent a long phase if done correctly.

All people eventually need dentures when they get older.

With today’s proper care, people who take excellent care of their teeth may have them throughout their lives.