I have been practicing general and cosmetic dentistry since 1991. Dentistry is a challenging and fascinating profession; dentists must have diagnostic skills, dexterity, extensive scientific knowledge, and good visual memory. Dentistry also requires artistic ability. In addition to the technical aspects of dentistry, I really enjoy interacting with my Gainesville dental patients.

I recognize that my clients have other choices in Lawrenceville, Norcross, and Gainesville GA area dental practices, and I work continually to earn their trust and surpass their expectations.

Each dentistry client is unique. Many of my patients come in twice-yearly for an exam and cleaning to prevent gum disease and other oral health issues. We help them maintain excellent oral health. Some cosmetic dentistry clients come to me seeking major restorative dentistry work. It is extremely gratifying to complete a smile makeover and see the client’s reaction when they see the result for the first time.

When I have a pre-treatment consultation with a new dentistry client, it is very informative for both of us. The patient learns the specifics about the possible procedures and I learn about the clients’ goals, concerns and expectations. Then I work with the client to develop a dental treatment plan that fits the patient’s needs, desired outcome and budget.

My dental practice is located at 1146 South Enota Drive, Gainesville, GA in Gainesville. If you are looking for an experienced dentist in the Lawrenceville or Gainesville area, call 678.928.9320 to schedule a consultation.

I look forward to meeting with you.

When the lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw, it is called an overbite. When the situation is reversed, it is called an underbite. Crossbite occurs when lower teeth are in the wrong position.

Bite problems can cause headaches and TMJ pain. Some Norcross dental patients with severe bite problems develop a distorted facial shape and damaged teeth.

If you suspect your toddler or older child has a bite problem, it is important to see your Lawrenceville dentist as soon as possible. Bite issues and their various related problems get worse over time.

At Weber Family Dental, we diagnose and successfully treat bite problems in addition to providing general and cosmetic dentistry. We can be reached at 678.928.9320. Our office is located at 1146 South Enota Drive, Gainesville, GA in Gainesville. You can find out more about us at http://www.WeberFamilyDental.com.

Most of our patients live in Gainesville or nearby in Cumming or Norcross. If you have recently moved into the Lawrenceville area and need a skilled family and cosmetic dentist, come visit our warm and friendly team. We pamper every patient and make dental visits as comfortable as possible.

CHICAGO, Illinois–Cardiovascular disease, the leading killer in the United States, is a major public health issue that contributes to 2,400 deaths each day.

Periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory disease that destroys the bone and tissues that support the teeth, affects nearly 75 percent of Americans and is the major cause of adult tooth loss. While the prevalence rates of these disease states seem grim, research suggests that managing one disease may reduce the risk for the other.

A consensus paper on the relationship between heart disease and gum disease was recently developed by the American Academy of Periodontology and The American Journal of Cardiology. The paper is published concurrently in the online versions of the AJC, a peer-reviewed journal circulated to 30,000 cardiologists, and the Journal of Periodontology, the official publication of the AAP.

Developed in concert by cardiologists and periodontists, the paper includes clinical recommendations for medical and dental professionals to use in managing patients living with, or who are at risk for, either disease. As a result of the paper, cardiologists may now examine a patient’s mouth, and periodontists may begin asking questions about heart health and family history of heart disease.

Specific clinical recommendations include:

* Patients with periodontitis who have one known major atherosclerotic CVD risk factor such as smoking, immediate family history for CVD, or history of dyslipidemia should consider a medical evaluation if they have not done so within the past 12 months.

* A periodontal evaluation should be considered in patients with atherosclerotic CVD who have: signs or symptoms of gingival disease, significant tooth loss, and unexplained elevation of hs-CRP or other inflammatory biomarkers.

* A periodontal evaluation of patients with atherosclerotic CVD should include a comprehensive examination of periodontal tissues, as assessed by visual signs of inflammation and bleeding on probing, loss of connective tissue attachment detected by periodontal probing measurements, and bone loss assessed radiographically. If patients have untreated or uncontrolled periodontitis, they should be treated with a focus on reducing and controlling the bacterial accumulations and eliminating inflammation.

* When periodontitis is newly diagnosed in patients with atherosclerotic CVD, periodontists and physicians managing patients’ CVD should closely collaborate in order to optimize CVD risk reduction and periodontal care.

The clinical recommendations were developed at a meeting held in early 2009 of top opinion leaders in cardiology and periodontology. The consensus paper also summarizes the scientific evidence that links periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease and explains the underlying biologic and inflammatory mechanisms that may be the basis for the connection.

According to Kenneth Kornman, DDS, PhD, editor of the Journal of Periodontology and a co-author of the consensus report, the cooperation between the cardiology and periodontal communities is an important first step in helping patients reduce their risk of these associated diseases.

“Inflammation is a major risk factor for heart disease, and periodontal disease may increase the inflammation level throughout the body,” Dr. Kornman said. “Since several studies have shown that patients with periodontal disease have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, we felt it was important to develop clinical recommendations for our respective specialties. Therefore, you will now see cardiologists and periodontists joining forces to help our patients.”

While additional research will help identify the precise relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, recent emphasis has been placed on the role of inflammation–the body’s reaction to fight off infection, guard against injury or shield against irritation.

While inflammation initially intends to have a protective effect, untreated chronic inflammation can lead to dysfunction of the affected tissues, and therefore to more severe health complications.

“Both periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are inflammatory diseases, and inflammation is the common mechanism that connects them,” said Dr. David Cochran, DDS, PhD, president of the AAP and chair of the Department of Periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

“The clinical recommendations included in the consensus paper will help periodontists and cardiologists control the inflammatory burden in the body as a result of gum disease or heart disease, thereby helping to reduce further disease progression, and ultimately to improve our patients’ overall health. That is our common goal.”

The technical term for bad breath is halitosis. Many factors can cause or contribute to halitosis. One of these factors is the food you eat. Onions and garlic are both known for having a potent affect on your breath. Simply observing the foods you eat here in Gainesville can result in a change in your breath.

In most cases, bad breath originates in your mouth. Transient bad breath can be resolved through eating or brushing, and is a temporary condition usually associated with a dry mouth. Persistent bad breath can be a serious problem effecting as much as 25 percent of our Gainesville residents. Persistent bad breath can be caused by dry mouth, and is made worse when food is not cleared away properly.

Brushing and flossing daily is a critical step in curing bad breath. Food particles can build up in your mouth and foster bacteria which can cause bad breath. This not only includes the food particles that may get stuck between your teeth, but also the food that collects around your gums or on your tongue. Brushing and flossing daily can help reduce the amount of food particles that stay in your mouth and cause bad breath. Regular visits to Weber Family Dental in Gainesville can also reduce or eliminate the progression of bad breath.

Other factors that can contribute to bad breath for Gainesville residents include dry mouth, tobacco use, and health concerns such as infections. Come visit Weber Family Dental located in Gainesville, Georgia; we’ll provide you with information about bad breath in a professional environment. Give us a call at 678.928.9320 to set up an appointment.

Dr. Joe Weber

It used to be that in Gainesville you could find a dentist just by walking down to the corner of the street. Like many small towns, there would be a dentist on the corner of ‘north and main’, just up from the fire house, and across from the bakery.

Today, finding a dentist around Gainesville can take a little more time, and a little more effort. Our local community is spread out a little more, and there is more than one option for finding a local dentist.

Let’s look at a few of the ways to find a local dentist in Gainesville:

The old timers among us still reach for the yellow pages when we look to find a dentist. The yellow pages have been a standard for dentists since the beginning, and are a quick way to get a good list of local Gainesville dentists.

Studies are showing an ever increasing number of Gainesville consumers are turning to their Internet connection to find a dentist. To find a dentist online can mean more than just a name and a phone number; many dentists, like us, have additional information on their website that will help you gain a better understanding of their practice and the services they provide.

Many people find a dentist in the Gainesville community through printed mailers and flyers that come to your door.  Dentists spend a lot of money on these types of flyers, which can often carry a discount opportunity or special promotion.

The most popular method used to find a local dentist? …Word of mouth. Studies have shown that people in Gainesville are more willing to listen to a family member or close friend when it comes to finding a local dentist.

We understand this last point, and make it our job to keep our patients happy, healthy, informed and comfortable during their visit to the dentist. We know if you leave happy, your friends and family in the Gainesville area will hear about us, too.

If you are looking for a dentist, please give us a call. You can reach us at 678.928.9320.

If you know a friend who is trying to find a dentist in the Gainesville area, please pass our name along.

We look forward to seeing you both!

PS: Just click on the words ‘find a dentist’ in this article to visit our online dental website.

I am Dr. Joe Weber, and I am a Dentist serving the Gainesville, Georgia community as a licensed Dentist. We call our practice ‘Weber Family Dental’, and we welcome new patients.

If you are new to the area and are looking for a Gainesville dentist, please come by my dentist office. I will be happy to spend some time with you to get to know you, and to introduce you to our warm and friendly office staff.

I realize that most of our new patients will come to us by word-of-mouth referrals and our patient testimonials. It is our goal to deliver such a positive dental experience that you will be compelled to tell your friends about how happy you are with our dental service.

I look forward to meeting you.

-Dr. Joe Weber, DMD

678.928.9320

You may want to consider oral conscious sedation if you have any of the following issues:

• Strong gag reflex
• Fear of needles
• Sensitive teeth
• Fear and anxiety associated with dental treatment
• Difficulty getting numb
• A history of negative dental experiences
• Trouble controlling body movement due to Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy or related condition
• Need extensive dental treatment requiring lengthy dental visits

If you have avoided dental treatment due to any of these factors, give us a call at 678.928.9320. We can give you more information about sedation options and help you determine which one is right for you. At Weber Family Dental we do all we can to make your visit as comfortable as possible. We look forward to discussing your oral health and dental goals.

• Dr. Joe Weber, DMD
• http://www.weberfamilydental.com/about.php
• Weber Family Dental
• 1146 South Enota Drive
• Gainesville, Georgia 30501
• 678.928.9320

Serving Gainesville dental patients since 1991.

Because You Deserve a Healthy Smile

Everyone knows that maintaining healthy teeth requires regular daily brushing and flossing. Regular visits to your local Georgia dental practice is also necessary to keep watch for cavities and to help you maintain proper dental hygiene. We often forget that maintaining a healthy diet can also be beneficial for the health of your teeth.

A healthy diet that includes foods that help your muscles and bones will also help you develop healthy gums and healthy teeth. Examples of local foods to include in your diet include foods rich in vitamin B such as breads and cereals. Foods rich in vitamin C, usually fruits and vegetables, help improve the health of your gums. Zinc and magnesium are also good for the health of your teeth and are found in foods like lean beef, fish, and poultry.

All foods increase the production of saliva. Saliva is important to healthy teeth because it helps to maintain the pH balance in your mouth. Maintaining this balance helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Foods high in fiber also encourage saliva production as does the chewing of sugar-free gum. Gum, however, can damage unhealthy teeth or pull out dental fillings, so always use caution when deciding whether to chew gum and which brand to chew.

Just as certain diet choices can be beneficial to the health of your teeth, others can be detrimental. Foods and drinks that are high in sugars are more likely to form the acids that attack your teeth and result in decay. And while table sugar is often associated with the formation of cavities, other sugars such as glucose, fructose, and maltose are also causes, and are often found in juices and sodas. Limiting the consumption of sugars to mealtimes lessens the amount of time your healthy teeth are exposed.

Making good diet choices and limiting between meal sugar consumption can improve the health of your teeth and gums.

If you would like to learn how to better care for your healthy teeth in the Gainesville area, contact Weber Family Dental at 678.928.9320. We would love to hear from you.

-Dr. Joe Weber

If you are considering straightening your teeth, come into Weber Family Dental in Gainesville for an orthodontic consultation. We can discuss the new types of braces. Dr. Joe Weber, DMD, will explain the pros and cons of each type and recommend the most effective (and quickest!) system for your teeth.

The first things most adult teeth-straightening clients ask about are the newer systems, sometimes called clear braces and adults braces. Invisalign and damon braces are two brand names of alternative orthodontic systems popular. Many of our adult orthodontic patients have been embarrassed by their crooked teeth for many years and have developed a habit of covering their mouth when they smile. It is great to see them smiling confidently after they have completed treatment.

Younger clients usually have a different attitude about braces. They seem to consider braces more like a fashion accessory and are not afraid to show them off. Gainesville teens are interested in color braces and colored rubber bands braces. During orthodontic consultations, they usually ask about the possibility of a clear retainer to maintain teeth alignment after their braces have done their job.

Weber Family Dental
678.928.9320

-Because You Deserve a Healthy Smile

If you live in the Lawrenceville area and have a mouth sore that lasts more than a week or two; come and see me. Mouth sores can be an indicator of disease, and an early assessment is the best bet. A better understanding of your mouth sores can lead quickly to comfort and a resolution. If necessary, treatment and pain relief can be offered.

There are two common types of mouth sores that are common; canker sores and cold sores.

Canker sores are small ulcer-like sores with a white or gray base and a red border. They are found on the inside of the mouth and while they are not contagious, they can be painful. Typically a canker sore heals in a week or two. Antimicrobal mouth-rinses, over-the-counter topical anesthetics, and avoiding spicy and acidic foods may offer you temporary relief while your sore is healing.

The cause of a canker sores is not certain. Possible explanations range from a cut on the inside the mouth, and reactions to extreme temperatures or acids from food or drink, to fatigue, stress, and allergies. Some studies point to bacteria or viruses, or a combination of all these factors.

Cold sores, also called fever blisters or Herpes Simplex, are groups of fluid-filled blisters that often appear around the lips, sometimes appearing under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores are contagious and painful, but usually heal in about a week. Some over-the-counter anesthetics may provide relief. There are some antiviral drugs on the market that have shown promise in reducing outbreaks, but there is currently no known cure. The initial infection, known as primary herpes, often occurs before adulthood. Once the virus infects you, it may stay in your body and remain inactive or cause occasional cold sore outbreaks. Outbreaks may be triggered by a fever, sunburn, skin abrasions, stress, or exposure to extremes in temperature.

As your dentist, I can’t do much to stop canker sores or cold sores in your mouth. I can discuss the health of your mouth, and examine any causes that make your mouth sore. In some cases a change in the way you care for your mouth can reduce the chances of getting mouth sores. If you are in the Gainesville, and would like to speak with a dental professional about mouth sores, area give us a call at Weber Family Dental.

Our number is 678.928.9320.