Peter A. Pate, DDS Dental Blog

March 23, 2012

Second Opinions From Your Atlanta Dentist

You need to fully understand the condition of your mouth to make a well-informed decision about dental treatment. If you don’t feel confident with your diagnosis or the information you have received from a dental professional, we encourage you to discuss your concerns with Dr. Pate and seek a second opinion. There is no insult in seeking a second opinion — in fact, if you’re not comfortable with Dr. Pate’s treatment recommendation, he wants you to get a second opinion!

Benefits of a Second Opinion

A second opinion allows a new dentist to examine your mouth with a fresh perspective. Dentists have different training, backgrounds, philosophies, and techniques, so a new set of expert eyes can provide additional information to help you understand your situation and options. Here are a few advantages that you may receive from your second opinion:

Further oral health information and explanation
Alternate treatment options
A different diagnosis
Different treatment costs
Peace of mind
Cosmetic recommendations

If the second opinion differs from the first opinion, consider seeking a third opinion to help balance your options and make the best decision for your health.

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March 22, 2012

Are You a Sleeping Beauty?

Filed under: Healthy Living,Stop Snoring — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, atlanta sleep apnea treatment, buckhead dentist, buckhead general dentist, buckhead sleep apnea treatment, can't sleep atlanta, can't sleep buckhead, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, sleep apnea atlanta, sleep apnea buckhead — dr_pate @ 2:18 pm

We have discussed the importance of getting a good night’s sleep to keep your body strong and healthy, but there may be another reason you want to stay rested. A recent survey from Sweden shows that getting an adequate amount of sleep can help make you more attractive. Dr. Pate can help resolve your sleep problems so you can really get your “beauty sleep.”

Researchers asked observers to rate a series of photographs. Each participant had two photos—one taken after a good night’s sleep, and one taken after being awake for 31 hours. The observers rated the participants in the sleep-deprived photos as less healthy, less attractive, and more tired.

So how does sleep make you look more attractive? First of all, sleep gives your body the energy it needs to function properly throughout the day. If you stay awake all night, you won’t feel refreshed the next day and your body will feel sluggish. When it comes to appearance, sleep deprivation often leaves bags under your eyes and droopy skin. On the contrary, when your body is well-rested, your eyes will appear wider and your facial muscles will lift.

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March 15, 2012

Alternative Dental Terms

Filed under: Fun Dental Facts,General Dentistry — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, buckhead dentist, buckhead family dentist, dental terms atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist sandy springs, dentist vinings, family dentist atlanta, family dentist buckhead, names of teeth, sandy springs dentist, vinings dentist — dr_pate @ 3:52 pm

Dentistry has many different terms that can all mean the same thing. Just for fun, let’s take a look at some of the terms that Dr. Pate or others may use to discuss your teeth, mouth, and smile.

Alternative Names for Teeth

Your teeth have different shapes and different purposes. When Dr. Pate is examining your mouth, he may use specific names for your teeth. If he uses any of the following terms, they all generally mean “teeth.”

Pearly Whites
Bicuspids
Molars
Third molars
Wisdom teeth
Canines
Incisors
Chompers/Choppers
Fangs
Tusks

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March 13, 2012

Remove Stains and Enjoy a Brighter Smile!

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, atlanta smile enhancement, atlanta tooth whitening, atlanta veneers, cosmetic dentist atlanta, dentist atlanta, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, tooth whitening atlanta, veneers atlanta — dr_pate @ 2:48 pm

Are you frustrated with your over-the-counter whitening kit because it’s taking too long to brighten your smile? If you have stubborn tooth stains that you just can’t remove, it’s time to contact your Atlanta cosmetic dentist. Dr. Peter Pate offers many cosmetic treatments that can enhance your smile and eliminate those deep tooth discolorations.

Whiten Your Teeth

Dr. Pate offers two forms of professional whitening. First, we can remove discolorations with the Zoom! in-office whitening treatment. Dr. Pate will apply a whitening gel to your teeth and use an ultraviolet light to lighten your teeth up to eight to ten shades—in just one visit!

Our second option, at-home whitening, is for those who prefer to brighten at their own pace. Ask Dr. Pate for a take-home whitening kit. You will fill the tray with a special whitening formula (provided by Dr. Pate) and wear your trays for a specified time.

Professional teeth whitening services use stronger whitening formulas than over-the-counter treatments, so you will see results and remove those stubborn stains in minimal time. Additionally, Dr. Pate will supervise your treatment to ensure that your teeth, gums, lips, and whole mouth are safe during the process.

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March 8, 2012

Men vs. Women: Who Has Better Oral Health?

Filed under: Family Dentistry — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta oral hygiene, brushing teeth atlanta, buckhead dentist, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, family dentist atlanta, healthy smile atlanta, men and women oral differences, men's oral health atlanta, oral hygiene atlanta, women's oral health atlanta — dr_pate @ 10:08 pm

It’s the battle of the sexes! Men and women have different environmental, lifestyle, and behavioral factors that influence their oral health. Let’s take a look at some common gender differences that can affect your mouth.

Regular Hygiene

Women, in general, tend to pay more attention to their health and body. When it comes to oral hygiene, women are 26% more likely to floss on a daily basis, and 57% of women will brush twice a day. Additionally, about 53% of women brush their teeth at the workplace, compared with 37% of men. Only about 49% of men will brush twice daily. Due to their lack of preventive dental care, men are more likely to develop gum disease. Women are more likely to follow routine checkup schedules to keep their health in line, and they have a more positive attitude toward dental visits. They are also more likely to schedule a doctor visit when feeling sick or injured, while men will often try to fix an injury or problem on their own.

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March 7, 2012

National Sleep Awareness Week

Filed under: Stop Snoring — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta sleep apnea, buckhead dentist, buckhead sleep apnea, can't sleep atlanta, daytime sleepiness atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist brookhaven, dentist buckhead, dentist lenox, dentist sandy springs, family dentist atlanta, sleep apnea treatment atlanta, sleep better atlanta, sleepless nights atlanta — dr_pate @ 4:43 pm

The National Sleep Foundation reports that about 37 percent of adults sleep less than seven hours per night, but the recommended time is seven to nine hours. People who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to experience daytime sleepiness and health problems. This week, March 5-11, is National Sleep Awareness Week, a campaign designed to promote the importance of sleep. Dr. Pate can help you understand the importance of getting adequate sleep at night.

Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder, affecting about 18 million Americans. Sleep apnea blocks your airways at night, interrupting your rest.
Insufficient sleep is associated with anxiety, depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Sleeplessness decreases your performance and effectiveness, and increases your risk of accidents and injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsy driving is responsible for 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and 100,000 car accidents each year.
Staying awake for more than 20 hours straight causes the same reactions and impairment—including blurred vision—as having a blood alcohol concentration level of .08 percent.

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March 2, 2012

Rock Star Dental Habits

Filed under: General Dentistry,Just For Fun — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta stained teeth, buckhead dentist, buckhead family dentist, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, energy drinks, family dentist atlanta, family dentist buckhead, stage oral injury atlanta, stained teeth atlanta, teeth knocked out atlanta, tooth decay atlanta — dr_pate @ 7:02 pm

February was a month full of awards shows, including the 54^th Annual Grammy Awards. As your favorite musicians accepted their awards, what did their smiles look like? Dr. Pate can help protect your teeth from some common destructive rock-star habits.

Oral Habits

Some rockers have wild lifestyles. Drug, tobacco, and alcohol use can damage their smiles. First, these products contribute to stained teeth. Your teeth should not look the same gold color as your Grammy! Furthermore, these habits can lead to dry mouth and increase your risk of oral cancer. Most musicians should set an example to their young fans and avoid harmful habits to keep their smiles white and healthy.

Stage Accidents

Instrument wires and stage oils can make performances very hazardous. Slipping on stage or diving into the audience may cause oral injuries, like broken teeth or knocked out teeth. Actress-singer Hilary Duff admitted that she chipped four of her teeth on microphones, influencing her decision to get veneers. If rock stars plan rowdy dance moves, they should consider wearing mouth guards to protect their smiles against accidental injuries.

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