What Can I Do to Stop Grinding My Teeth? | Suwanee Dentist

There is nothing worse than having a poor night’s sleep. Not only are you cranky the next day, but your body doesn’t feel right until you have another snooze to make up for it the lost time. Unfortunately for some, chronic sleep issues continue to keep their nights sleepless. They may develop a snoring habit or a teeth-grinding habit called bruxism.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to curb this dental habit. But first, it’s important to find out why you’ve begun to grind your teeth. If stress is causing you to grind your teeth, ask your doctor or dentist about options to reduce your stress. Attending stress counseling, starting an exercise program, seeing a physical therapist or obtaining a prescription for muscle relaxants are among some of the options that may be offered. If necessary, your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth from grinding during sleep.

Other tips to help you stop teeth grinding include:

Avoid or cut back on foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as colas, chocolate, and coffee.
Avoid alcohol. Grinding tends to intensify after alcohol consumption.
Do not chew on pencils or pens or anything that is not food. Avoid chewing gum as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth.
Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth. If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax.
Relax your jaw muscles at night by holding a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe.

If you would like to find out more about bruxism, contact Dr. Kegler II at 770-476-9511 to schedule a consultation or visit www.artisticsmilesofga.com for additional information.

Dr. Clarence Kegler II proudly serves Suwanee and all surrounding areas.

Things You Should Know About Veneers | Suwanee Dentist

Because our smile is such a major feature to our face, it can begin to affect us in other ways if it’s flawed. Stains, cracks, and other cosmetic flaws may seem frivolous issues, but these things can have an effect on your overall demeanor. However, thanks to dental technology, there are lots of different ways to improve upon it, no matter what the flaw is. One such flaw fix are veneers.

Porcelain veneers are considered among the most beautiful and natural-looking means of improving one’s smile. Many people know how esthetically beneficial these veneers are, but there are a lot more one should know about porcelain veneers.

The number of teeth requiring porcelain veneers is a case-to-case basis. Most cosmetic dentists recommend only 8 to 10 veneers on top since the upper teeth are the ones that show the most when a person smiles. To be placed, cosmetic dentists will have to remove around 0.5 mm of the tooth’s original enamel. For this reason, porcelain veneers are considered an irreversible form of treatment.

Porcelain veneers can last for as long as twenty years. However, treatment for gum line shrinkage may require for the veneer to be removed and even replaced. Veneers may also have to be replaced if it breaks, though it can also only just be rebounded if it chips. They can also withstand stains, but keep in mind that the surrounding teeth cannot.

If you’re interested in having your teeth whitened through porcelain veneers, choose only the most reputable cosmetic dentist in your area to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth.

If you would like to find out more about porcelain veneers, contact Dr. Kegler II at 770-476-9511 to schedule a consultation or visit www.artisticsmilesofga.com for additional information.

Dr. Clarence Kegler II proudly serves Suwanee and all surrounding areas.

IV Sedation and Why You Need It | Suwanee Dentist

Do you suffer from dental anxiety? Do you have a terrible gag reflex preventing you from visiting your dentist regularly? You aren’t alone. A lot of people deal with dental anxiety, sensitive gag reflex or just general fear of the dentist. But worry not, dental visits have changed quite a bit to address these anxieties. Offices will provide various forms of creature comforts to their patients in order to turn your checkup into more of a spa experience. For those that are a bit more skittish, there is sleep dentistry.

Sleep dentistry includes IV sedation, and IV sedation is used to help relax and put patients at ease during a dental procedure. The following list includes a couple benefits of IV sedation:

IV sedations kick as soon as it’s administered, and the drug dosage can be tailored to fit the patient’s specific requirements.
A safe maximum level of sedation can be reached with IV sedation, as where with oral or inhalation sedation the results can be unreliable. IV sedation is both highly reliable and highly effective.
With IV sedation your gag reflex is likely to lessen in sensitivity. If minimizing the gag reflex is the main objective, your dentist may try inhalation sedation first.
You are still conscious with IV sedation making it much safer that general anesthesia.
Your recovery time after IV sedation is usually shorter than if you did oral sedation, mostly due to the controlled drug dosage you are given.

Now that you can rest assured that your dental visit will go along swimmingly, maybe you can quit dodging the dentist and come in for a checkup on a regular basis. Your oral health is intricate to your overall health – keep up with your checkups.

If you would like to find out more about sedation dentistry, contact Dr. Kegler II at 770-476-9511 to schedule a consultation or visit www.artisticsmilesofga.com for additional information.

Dr. Clarence Kegler II proudly serves Suwanee and all surrounding areas.

Why Do I Need to Floss Every Day? | Suwanee Dentist

We all know we’re supposed to floss daily – it’s basic dental hygiene – but if we’re realistic, most of us don’t for whatever reason. Unfortunately, when it comes time to show up for a dental checkup, it’s time to panic, especially when they ask, ‘How often do you floss?’

While you’re calculating in your head how much you floss and if you should fib to the dentist about your flossing habits let me in on a little secret… They know the truth. They went to school to learn the truth so you may as well fess up, because you aren’t fooling anyone. Time to rethink how well we are taking care of our smile. Let’s go over why it’s so important to floss daily:

More effective than brushing alone. A toothbrush works to removing plaque with its bristles. Brushing alone has one big drawback: A toothbrush’s bristles can’t adequately clean between the teeth or under the gums. That’s where floss comes in, to get in those tiny spaces between your teeth to get the grime out your toothbrush can’t reach.

Protects your gums. Where the gums and teeth meet are where flossing plays its major role. Particles of food can get lodged here, and plaque in this area will harden over time to form tartar, that your dentist will remove with a scraper. Tartar buildup can lead to gingivitis.

Disease prevention. Gum disease can have effects that go beyond discolored teeth, discomfort and bad breath. Research has shown that the bacteria in an unhealthy mouth can harm the rest of the body, leading to heart disease, diabetes and respiratory illness.

If you would like to find out more about flossing, contact Dr. Kegler II at 770-476-9511 to schedule a consultation or visit www.artisticsmilesofga.com for additional information.

Dr. Clarence Kegler II proudly serves Suwanee and all surrounding areas.

Dental Visits Should Not Cause You Anxiety | Suwanee Dentist

When a dentist shows up in a movie or television program, many times they are seen as a devilish type character ready to cause you a whole lot of pain. And a long time ago, this seemed to mirror what an actual dental visit was like, striking fear into the hearts of many patients. Not only would it cause the patient to avoid the dentist altogether but developed into an actual dental fear.

Fortunately, many dental advancements have been made to alleviate the pain factor from the fear. Nowadays, all dental procedures can be virtually pain-free. Sedation dentistry involves medications taken before a procedure to produce a relaxed feeling. Recovery time is a little longer and you’ll need someone to drive you home after your dental treatment is completed. Sedation dentistry can benefit a wide range of patients, including people with:

High dental anxiety and fear
A severe gag reflex
Difficulty getting numb
Extensive treatment needs
A desire to have dentistry done comfortably while they are fully relaxed

We understand that going to the dentist can be very difficult for some people. Dental phobia is actually a lot more common than you may think. Dental anxiety, or dental fear, is estimated to affect approximately 36% of the population, with a further 12% suffering from extreme dental fear. So, don’t feel like you’re alone in your thinking. We understand this is affecting our patients and we are trying to address your concerns in order to provide our patients with the best care possible. If you have anxiety or fears, let us know and we will adjust your treatment plans accordingly.

If you would like to find out more about sedation dentistry, contact Dr. Kegler II at 770-476-9511 to schedule a consultation or visit www.artisticsmilesofga.com for additional information.

Dr. Clarence Kegler II proudly serves Suwanee and all surrounding areas.

Should You Whiten Your Teeth at Home? | Suwanee Dentist

Because your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, it’s important that you have one that puts your best foot forward. Unfortunately, for many of us, having pearly whites is a figurative term. And so, we begin our search for the whitest teeth possible.

White teeth aren’t the only ingredients of a bright and radiant smile, but it’s a main component so, let’s talk about whitening treatments.

Generally, there are two types of teeth whitening treatments – home tooth whitening systems and in-office teeth whitening. Even without the prescription or the supervision of a dentist, anyone can use over-the-counter teeth whitening products. The most common are paint-on tooth gel, mouth trays, whitening gum and toothpaste, as well as whitening strips.

Less popular compared to DIY tooth whitening systems, in-office teeth whitening is the preferred whitening method by most dental professionals. This is because these types of treatment are just much more effective and safer too.

There are various ways dentists can professionally whiten your teeth, but what’s widely accepted as the most effective is the use of a buffer in the gel, which protects the tooth enamel from any kind of damage. The use of such a gel makes the procedure not only safe, but also very effective and has been known to transform teeth many shades lighter in just a single visit.

With your cosmetic dentist’s help and proper oral care, as well as the use of dentist recommended home whitening products, not only will you have whiter and better-looking teeth, but they’ll also be much healthier too.

If you would like to find out more about teeth whitening, contact Dr. Kegler II at 770-476-9511 to schedule a consultation or visit www.artisticsmilesofga.com for additional information.

Dr. Clarence Kegler II proudly serves Suwanee and all surrounding areas.

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy? | Suwanee Dentist

Going to the dentist may not be on the top of your “favorite things” list, but it’s necessary to keep our smiles healthy. Unfortunately, most of us hold off on regular visits until we get a toothache. Then we are the first in the dentist chair. And because our smile has been so neglected, it’s likely we will need root canal therapy.

But what exactly is a root canal and why does it hurt so much? Well, a root canal in your tooth can become infected due to a cavity or fracture that allows in bacteria. When a root canal becomes infected, it can die. At this point, you will begin to feel pain and pressure in and around the infected tooth. This is generally your first sign and when you become irritated by the sudden pain growing inside your mouth and you make that appointment. Without treatment, the infection spreads and could lead to tooth loss.

When you get treatment, expect the following steps: When the damaged pulp in the root canal of the tooth is cleaned out of all the diseased pulp and the canal is reshaped. Next, the canal is filled with material to prevent re-contamination of the tooth. Lastly, the tooth is permanently sealed with a post or crown to prevent issues from reoccurring.

We should maintain good dental hygiene practices in order to keep our mouths healthy, and as much as I hate to break it to you, this includes visiting the dentist regularly. But if things happen, you can rest assured that a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort, involving one to three visits, and it can save your tooth and your smile.

If you would like to find out more about root canal therapy, contact Dr. Kegler II at 770-476-9511 to schedule a consultation or visit www.artisticsmilesofga.com for additional information.

Dr. Clarence Kegler II proudly serves Suwanee and all surrounding areas.

Chilly Weather and Your Teeth | Suwanee Dentist

As the cooler months tart to roll in, we begin to change our diets to reflect it. Iced tea and BBQ has been exchanged for hot cocoa and hearty stews, and with that comes tooth sensitivity. Yes, that little zing you get when you drink something too hot or cold – that’s caused be sensitive teeth. It’s a very common condition, at least 40 million Americans have some type of sensitive teeth.

And while we know that some foods in our diet that can send that electric charge through our mouth, there are some in particular you should try to avoid:

Soda. Soda has two ingredients that can irritate exposed teeth nerves: sugar and acid.

Hot coffee. Hot foods can also cause your teeth to hurt – sweetening it causing twice the issue. By adding some milk to your coffee, you slightly lower the temperature and its acidity.

Hard candy. When you have sensitive teeth, skip hard candy, not only for the sugar, but the tooth-breaking hazards.

Sticky candy. Similar to hard candies, chewy treats are not only full of sugar, but they stick to your teeth.

Citrus fruits. Pineapple, grapefruit, lemons, and limes are all highly acidic fruits that wear away at tooth enamel, and both eating these fruits and drinking the fruit juice can trigger tooth sensitivity and pain.

Tomatoes. Although tomatoes are a good source of vitamins, especially vitamin C, they’re also highly acidic, and this includes tomato sauce as well as raw tomatoes.

Ice. While we tend to drink warmer drinks during this time of year, we have encounters with ice year-round. Even if you can tolerate cold drinks, chewing ice can be problematic for sensitive teeth, because it’s both cold and hard.

If you would like to find out more about tooth sensitivity, contact Dr. Kegler II at 770-476-9511 to schedule a consultation or visit www.artisticsmilesofga.com for additional information.

Dr. Clarence Kegler II proudly serves Suwanee and all surrounding areas.

Busting the Myths You Have About Dentures | Suwanee Dentist

If you are someone that needs to get dentures, you are likely to have a ton of questions. After all, dentures are generally linked to older people, and you aren’t an older person. Don’t worry – you aren’t going to have to overhaul your life. But you will need to make a few crucial adjustments to your daily activities. In order to bust the typical myths that you have in your head, here are some of the more common misconceptions with it comes to getting dentures:

Myth: Once I receive my new dentures, I’m set for life.

Fact: According to the American Dental Association, dentures should be replaced every 5-7 years due to wear and tear and natural changes in your mouth. Swapping them out every so often will keep your smile bright and intact.

Myth: I don’t have to go to the dentist once I receive my new dentures.

Fact: You will need to see your dentist at least once a year so that any corrective measures with the fit of your dentures may be taken and serious problems avoided.

Myth: Apples and corn on the cob are a thing of the past once I get my dentures.

Fact: Eating with dentures takes adjustment but over time you will likely be able to enjoy all the foods you weren’t too sure about.

Myth: It will take forever for me to adjust to my new dentures.

Fact: It will take a little adjusting for your facial muscles and oral tissue, but they will adapt to the dentures in a very short time, and you should soon feel quite comfortable with them.

If you would like to find out more about dentures, contact Dr. Kegler II at 770-476-9511 to schedule a consultation or visit www.artisticsmilesofga.com for additional information.

Dr. Clarence Kegler II proudly serves Suwanee and all surrounding areas.

What do Dental Implants Do? | Suwanee Dentist

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are ideal for patients with good dental health who happen to have lost a tooth due to issues such as periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. Dental implants are natural-looking and feeling and under proper conditions, such as placement by a diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. Here are the common issues:

Replacing one or more teeth
Supporting a bridge and reduce the need for a partial denture
Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable

Types of Implants

Endosteal (in the bone): Most commonly used type of implant. Screws, cylinders or blades are surgically placed into the jawbone.

Subperiosteal (on the bone): These are placed on top of the jaw with the metal framework

If you still aren’t sure if you should move forward with a dental implant, just know that there are many advantages to getting dental implants:

Esthetically dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often happen with bridgework and dentures.

Neighboring teeth are not changed to support the implant as with a bridge. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health.

Dental implants are secure. You don’t have to worry when speaking or eating. No messy pastes and glue. You will go about your daily routine with confidence and comfort.

The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.

If you would like to find out more about dental implants, contact Dr. Kegler II at 770-476-9511 to schedule a consultation or visit www.artisticsmilesofga.com for additional information.

Dr. Clarence Kegler II proudly serves Suwanee and all surrounding areas.