Sunday, December 26, 2010

Are You Enduring A Toothache And Need Answers?

Many people wait until a toothache becomes severe before they decide to seek professional care says Marietta, GA dentist.  There are many reasons for the delay, but most people hold off on treatment due to busy lifestyle, fear, or money.  All three with a little planning can be overcome. Teeth are like cars; they are either maintained or an emergency breakdown is in the future. Avoid a more costly emergency to the dentist. Regular dental visits are not only better for your overall health, but your pocket-book as well.
More and more, it is common knowledge that gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health issues. So, for those of you that think you do not have the time to visit the dentist regular basis, you may be making detrimental choices for your overall health.
A toothache, odontalgia is caused by many different conditions.   The most common is dental caries, a cavity that has progressed near or into the nerve tissue.  Cracked tooth, an abscess, periodontal (gum) disease, an exposed root from gum recession, trauma, wisdom teeth, and TMJ are just to name a few more.  The pain often comes from inflammation of the nerve inside the tooth.
If normal chewing radiates severe pain, or your tooth is sensitive to hot and cold or swelling has occurred, it is time to seek professional care.  Although some discomforts in the mouth can be treated with over-the-counter with medications, a severe toothache usually require a trip to the dentist.  Swelling, fever, severe pain, discharge around the tooth are signs you need help.  If your dentist tells you that your tooth is infected, he may drain the infection by placing a surgical opening in the gums for the abscess to drain.  You may also require root canal therapy to clean out the infection inside your tooth.  The root canal may be done in as little as one appointment, although it is also common to require more visits.  If the tooth is deemed hopeless by your dentist, the only option is an extraction.  Although a root canal to save your tooth is preferred over extracting it, both should solve your immediate problem. Once a tooth is extracted, it is gone for good and can adversely begin to affect the teeth left in your mouth.
Should your dentist decide a simple filling or crown will stop the pain, then perhaps an old restoration has begun to leak causing sensitivity and pain.  A dentist will usually decide to restore your tooth with a simple filling, unless the tooth has little supporting structure after the decay or old filling is removed, then a crown will be advised.
Antibiotics are often prescribed when infection is present.  It is important that other medical conditions, such as TMJ (tempromandibular joint), sinusitis, ear and throat infections are not confused with a toothache.  Pain can be referred along nerves in the mouth and jaw making people believe they have a toothache.  Your dentist has ways to test if a tooth needs treatment.
The dentist offices of today are much different from years past.  Techniques to control discomfort in the office and when a patient returns home have much improved.  Nitrous Oxide gas, commonly referred to as laughing gas can be administered by your dentist for analgesic and anesthetic effects. This helps to relieve anxiety and discomfort.   Topical anesthetic is commonly used before injections helping numb the area.  Many dentists user a smaller gauge needle to administer anesthesia believing it to cause the less discomfort.  Techniques for delivery of anesthesia, such as the rate injection may also help with pain.  Sedation dentistry can be also be an option.
Many patients put off seeing a dentist due to inability to pay.  Companies such as Care Credit, Chase Health Advance and Wells Fargo Health Advantage offer a comprehensive range of payment programs making it possible to receive care now, and pay over time.
If a nagging toothache is bothering you, don't let your busy schedule hold you back from seeking dental treatment. Realize the over-all health benefits of regular dental visits and move it to the top of your to-do list.  If you have fear of dental pain, remember the dental offices have come a long way from years past and are better at keeping a patient comfortable.  If money is the problem, a loan is well worth the investment to your health.  If you are enduring a nagging toothache, don't hesitate to fix it.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

We Noticed You're Missing A Tooth- Replace It Now Says Marietta Dentist

Marietta dentist, Dr. Kirk Kimmerling asks, are you missing a tooth somewhere in your mouth, and think no one can tell? That gap between your teeth may be more apparent than you think, especially when you speak and laugh.  For those of you who think one missing tooth is not that big of a concern, it should be.  Once a tooth is missing, the downhill slide begins.  If the tooth isn't replaced, the surrounding teeth begin to fill in the missing space, and bone loss can occur where the missing tooth once was.  If that isn't enough, plaque and tartar can begin to develop making it difficult to brush between shifted teeth.  For some, a speech problem arises.  Tooth loss and shifting teeth can create an environment difficult to speak.    Think it's all bad news?  Well, it's not!  There is an implant procedure performed by dentists that can give you back your tooth.  A dental implant could be just the procedure to fill your gap, keep your teeth straight and put you where you use to be.

A tiny tube-like cylinder is placed in your jawbone, replacing the root of the tooth you once had.  The implant is usually made of titanium or other metals that the body does not reject, allowing it to osseointegrate, adhere to the bone.  This process can take up to three to six months.  Once the period passes, then the implant can be restored and the prosthesis, a tooth is attached.  The new tooth is customized, made to fit only you according to your surrounding teeth and tissue.

Before you can decide if an implant is right for you, you must be evaluated by a dentist.  He will look at many factors such as your overall health.  Illnesses, such as diabetes, leukemia, osteoporosis and sinus problems may make it more difficult for the bone to grown around the implant impeding success.  Certain medications taken by patients also can give the patient a poorer prognosis for healing.  Of course, smoking is usually considered a red-flag for an implant.  It is well documented that smokers are at higher risk for gum disease.  This creates a more difficult environment for an implant to succeed.  If you pass by these three criteria, your dentist will take x-rays to help determine if an implant is right for you.

If you have been considering replacing a missing tooth, then perhaps it is time to set up a consultation with a dentist.  He will give you a personal evaluation,  and find out if your insurance covers any of the procedures.  If you are not a candidate, your dentist will tell you alternative treatments. Implants require meticulous home care and regular hygiene visits to the dentist.

If you have decided an implant is right for you and have been given a green light by a dentist, it is an excellent way to replace a natural tooth.  The dental implant can make you feel like you never lost it.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Two Cosmetic Dentists in Marietta,GA, Drs. Kirk Kimmerling And Alex Krempa Partner To Welcome New Patients

We all know how important a person's smile is in today's world.  That is why it is the great pleasure of Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, Marietta cosmetic dentist to welcome Dr. Alex Krempa, also a cosmetic dentist in Marietta to his dental practice.  "It wasn't easy finding the perfect match," says Dr. Kimmerling.  He wanted an intelligent, caring doctor with distinction.  Dr. Krempa is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in Birmingham.  He won the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award and was inducted into the exclusive National Dental Honor Society, OKU.  He is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Krempa played NCAA Division I Golf and was named ESPN's Academic All-American Golfer and the Big South Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year.  "Quite an impressive award in perseverance," remarks Dr. Kimmerling.
Dr. Kimmerling is a graduate of Emory University School of Dentistry with the distinction of winning the Oral Pathology Award. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, also from Emory.  He is a mentor to the Medical College of Georgia dental students, a native of Cobb County and a graduate of the local McEachern High School.  He has been practicing dentistry for over 30 years.
Both are members of the American Dental Association and the Georgia Dental Association.
Drs. Kimmerling and Krempa perform a wide variety of dental services as dentists in Marietta; from routine cleanings, teeth whitening and tooth colored fillings to root canals, extractions, implants and veneers.
Drs. Kimmerling & Krempa are paving the way for other Marietta cosmetic dentists.  They provide their patients with technology for excellent and comfortable care.   "There is an incredible environment here," says one staff member.  "We have what it takes to give our patients outstanding care. " There is a separate room totally dedicated to patient education helping patients understand treatment options more thoroughly.  Patient education is available on every television in all 13 operatories.  They offer American Dental Associate pamphlets and have a separate library resource center.  Many patients take home the informative booklets.
Both Dr. Kimmerling & Krempa explain treatment options to every patient, and are able to answer any questions a patient might have.  The dental assistants take an Expanded Duties Dental Assisting Course recognized and approved by the Georgia Board of Dentistry.  They also answer questions.
The office offers technology that helps give patients a positive experience.  An iTero provides digital impressions for crowns, relieving patients of the uncomfortable impressions of the past.  A Diagnadent Laser discovers cavities earlier at a patients cleaning.  Logicon software for digital radiography is clinically proven to find 20% more cavities preventing misdiagnosis.  They have the newest decay detecting inta-oral light with advanced magnification, the Soporo. The office provides software for a chartless office, and offers digital radiography.  The dentists, dental assistants and hygienists each wear 2.5 to 3.86 magnification and light assistance Orthoscoptic Lens and Discovery Zeon head lamps providing better vision.
Comforts are offered in the office.  Televisions are provided in every operatory, free, convenient parking available, and even warm blankets.
The positive experience does not just end with dentistry.  The front staff is thorough at every appointment.  They answer questions concerning insurance and out-of-pocket costs.  As a courtesy, they gladly file dental insurance claims, minimizing the patient's expense.
It is the great pleasure of  Marietta Dentists Drs. Kimmerling & Alex Krempa to invite new patient to experience their staff and introduce you to their office.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Seven Tips To Lose Weight Says Dentist From Marietta

The overweight and prevalence of obese people in the United States says Marietta Dentist, Kirk Kimmerling continue to grow despite all the literature that maps out the health consequences for being overweight.  Medical conditions; hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, cancer, stoke and even higher incidence of tooth decay are becoming a heavy burden on our health care system.  Instead of people changing the direction of their lives, some  Americans have embraced obesity as desirable.  Many others complain of feeling like a second class citizen because they are not as thin as a Victoria Secret model.  They claim our society has its values wrong. They ignore the fact that an accumulation of fat in you body knocks years off your life.  Fat contains carcinogens that are dangerous causing people to use the health care system more than if they were not obese.  The way to reduce weight is to decrease the caloric intake and to become more active.  Each of these require commitment and a change in lifestyle.  Many people are adverse to change, hence herein lies the problem.  Fortunately,  there is a way to control cravings without starvation. It's nothing you haven't heard before, but will shed pounds.  If you are committed, the plan can work.
The plan must be written down and posted to your refrigerator.
  • Number one is to complete a grocery list when you are not hungry.  Plan out the week's healthy meals, and snacks.
  • Number two is to make sure you eat breakfast every day.  It's a good time of day to get that necessary caloric intake.
  • Number three is to plan on exercising every day.  Walking is an excellent way to begin, and you can build up the distance slowly.  Find a buddy as committed as you.
  • Number four is to train yourself to eat less.  Trick your mind by serving meals on a smaller plate.  Try it, it works.
  • Number five is to have healthy snacks ready for when you have uncontrollable hunger pangs.  Granola bars, yogurts low in sugar, bananas, whole-grain cereals, nuts, microwave popcorn and berries are some good suggestions.
  • Number six is to buy complex carbohydrate whole-wheat pasta, breads, potatoes, and rice. This is more difficult for your body to digest and it releases energy slower, helping combat food cravings.
  • Number seven is to omit soft drinks, sports drinks, and any other sugary drinks from your diet.  Drink water or unsweet tea with and in between meals. It is shocking the number of calories that this alone can reduce.
Our bodies have a strong alarm system signaling us to eat, even when we shouldn't.  Food cravings result from an imbalance between consumption and our internal system that regulates appetite.  The neurochemistry of the brain's pathways involved in feeding are being researched by major pharmaceutical companies.  Although the issue of obesity is long from over, we do see promising research in ways to curb appetite and strong desires to overeat.
Since, America is leading the charge in weight gain, it is us that need to turn it around.  If you follow the seven steps above, you will shed some pounds.  It is time to  make a commitment to be part of the solution and plan out success.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Is The World's Blood Supply Contaminated And Is Yours?

Wow, did you know? The world's blood supply banks have bacteria contamination.  Yes, this is well known by the scientific community for several years, says Marietta Dentist, Dr. Kirk Kimmerling.   It is shocking, but true.  Let's say you were in an accident and lost a lot of blood.  The unit of blood they give you to save your life also has bacteria from the donor.  Unfortunately, when receiving a unit of blood, there is a risk of a very high fever, called septic shock, that may also kill you.  Before it was thought this septic shock was due to an immune cross reactivity with proteins from the donor, which now is better understood as an aggressive immune response to the donor's bacteria.  The health community is becoming more and more aware of this chronic bacteria in blood, called bacteremia
Scientific evidence proves that nearly one hundred percent of the microbes circulating through the blood system originates from the oral cavity.  Dentists are sure that nearly one hundred percent of the bacteria enters the blood system through unhealthy gum tissue, called periodontal tissue.  Again, this bacteremia is probably the major source of an infectious and inflammatory process in a healthy individual.
This inflammatory process and how it relates to disease such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and the aging process is being well studied.  Volumes of information have been published concerning inflammation of the blood and blood components called inflammatory cytokines.  A chronic infection, such as bleeding when you floss is thought to predispose disease.
Now studies show a very strong relation between bacteremia and higher levels of cholesterol in the blood called hyper-cholesterol anemia.
Evidence supports that proper flossing quickly reduces total cholesterol and decreases undesirable cholesterol.  Preventative measures in home-care and regular dentist prophylaxis, cleaning visits not only improve the oral health of an individual but help reduce systemic inflammation, a prevention to other chronic diseases.  Without proper dental hygiene, gum disease can develop in the oral cavity, allowing bacteria to grow.  It is this bacteria that produces molecules in the bloodstream such as endotoxins that circulate through out the body causing an inflammatory process leading to disease.
Where does this evidence take us?  First, to avoid getting bacteria in your blood you must take exceptional care of your gums and teeth.  This may not only lower your cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular disease, but may also lower systemic inflammatory reactions.  Evidence supports that proper flossing quickly reduces total cholesterol and decreased undesirable cholesterol. A daily regiment of oral home care and professional care should help you live a longer happier life.
Kirk Kimmerling DDS
So, if you ever need a unit of blood from a blood bank, one may wonder a little about the person that gave the blood.  What was their overall oral health?  Did they brush and floss their teeth? Did they ever visit thedentist?   So, when asking yourself if it is important to brush and floss, you can answer that question with an absolute yes.  Taking care of your mouth is not just healthy for your mouth, it is important to your overall health.  Preventing and treating chronic oral infections needs to take center stage in your personal daily living.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Dr Kirk Kimmerling, Marietta Denitst On Eating, Drinking and Child Decay

Dr Kirk Kimmerling informs a patient
Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, a cosmetic dentist in Marietta, GA has his perspective on what young people need to change in their drinking and eating habits for better oral health.  With the ever-changing lifestyles of families in America, young people partake in sports more than ever before.  Many families are on the go.   School sporting teams, as well as community teams for the young have become a way of life.  Although it has been excellent for their overall physical health, their mouths and teeth have paid the price.  It is these very children eating on the run, and consuming sugary/acidic drinks that may be a recipe for oral disaster.   Although, the sporting lifestyle is excellent, eating and drinking habits need to change.

Cavities are caused by bacteria that live in the mouth.  Certain bacterias when fed sugar/carbohydrates produce acids that demineralize tooth structure.  Your saliva helps to prevent this demineralization by neutralizing the acids produced by the bacteria.  A tooth actually has the ability to repair itself, however when the acid overwhelms the tooth and it loses more minerals than it can produce, the decay process takes place.  The tooth loses the battle against the over-whelming bacteria and acid attack.
Continual drinking of sugary or acidic drinks during sporting events also is continual feeding of the cavity causing bacteria.  This allows an environment for the bacteria to thrive and accelerate demineralization of your child's teeth.  Sipping sugary sports drink is not good for your child's teeth.  The same holds true for eating on the run without brushing or flossing.  The trapped food between the teeth feeds the bacteria. Since, molars tend to trap food, this is why so many cavities happen between back teeth.  Once an acid is produced, it can stay in the mouth for up to a half hour, and possibly many hours during a sporting event if your child sips it slowly. 

 The idea is to limit the food fed to the bacteria.  If possible, change the hydration of choice to water or unsweet tea.  If you are not willing to compromise on giving up the sports drink, then drink it all at once before the event so you are not dousing your teeth for hours.   Then, have your child rinse their mouth with water to help rinse any residual drink away. Your child may object to the change at first, but realize the benefits when he has a better check-up at the dentist later.

As your child eats on the go, give them a piece of unsweet gum to help dislodge any food trapped between their teeth.  If possible, buy the gum with xylitol sugar.  This sugar actually helps kill the sugar that produces the acid. The bacteria can not metabolize it, and inhibits its growth. Since, bacteria can not do its destruction unless it is fed, give it less to eat.

In conclusion, protect the oral health of your children by changing small habits now.  These recommendations can possibly make all the difference to your child's dental health.  Looking for more information on Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, see his website www.drkirkkimmerling.com

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, a Marietta Dentist Helps Calvary Children's Home

    Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, a cosmetic dentist in Marietta, GA (close to Kennesaw) isn't just any dentist.  For over 26 years, his practice has been highly successful demonstrated by his incredible 13 operatory facility and high-tech equipment to match.  The key to his success is his willingness to take care of Cobb County citizens that are less fortunate.  Dr. Kimmerling has taken Calvary Childrens Home, Powder Springs, GA under his wing since 1999.  He treats 25-45 children a year to routine and restorative dental care at no charge.  Each child is seen for an initial visit, cleaning, flouride, and x-rays.  If any restorative procedures are needed, they too are done at no charge.  Dr. Kimmerling even does teeth whitening for free, for some of the children, and they love it.  He's just a wonderful and giving person, a common expression used by the staff and house parents of the children.  Many years ago, they approached Dr. Kimmerling and asked him if he would be willing to take care of a few children, in hoping they could get all of the children taken care of with many different dentists in the area.  He quickly said, he would take care of all of them, a pleasant surprise to the Home.  Now, for the last12 years, Dr. Kimmerling has taken care of all of the children.  It has been his great pleasure to watch them grow up and finish the same high school, McEachern High School that Dr. Kimmerling attended.  He says he is pleased that the children have such a lovely home to grown up in, and with wonderful house parents.  He believes Calvary Children's Home is top notch, and should be used as a model for the rest of the country, so their success can be repeated.  "These kids grow into successful, happy young adults, and that pleases me," says Dr. Kimmerling.  He believes a healthy smile is important to how we feel about ourselves, so that healthy smile is his gift to the start of a good life for them.  Many of the children have become successful productive adults, and have come back as patients.  If you would like more information on Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, and his practice, click the website to follow. www.drkirkkimmerling.com

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Welcome to Verde Pointe Dental Associates

Your first visit to Verde Pointe Dental Associates establishes a vital foundation for our relationship with you. During the first visit, we make sure to obtain important background information, like your medical history, and give you time to get to know your doctor. To understand what to expect for your first visit to our practice, please read through this page. You’ll find all the practical information you need, such as a map and directions to our office, practice hours, payment policies and more. There’s also background information about our committed staff and our first visit procedures. You can even save some time at your first visit by printing out and completing the patient forms in advance of your appointment.
Welcome to Dr Kimmerling and Krempa's dental office in Marietta, GA
Mission Statement
Our office is working together to be thorough at every appointment answering all your questions, ensuring you are comfortable about treatment decisions and costs.
Please visit our website or facebook.
Thanks,
Drs. Kimmerling, Krempa and Staff